NDSU recently was selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service as a “Weather-Ready Nation” ambassador.

The initiative recognizes NOAA partners that are improving the nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water and climate events.

The NDSU acknowledgement on the Weather-Ready ambassador website reads: “Several (NDSU) departments have been especially instrumental in expanding the reach of the NWS among their staffs, students and surrounding communities. Among these, the University Police and Safety Office helped guide NDSU to become our area’s first StormReady University in 2010; the emergency management and disaster science department helped us in developing the first Integrated warning team approach to Red River flooding in 2011; and in 2016, the state climatologist’s office submitted a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador application on behalf of the university administration.

Adnan Akyuz, NDSU professor of climatological practice, “is actively engaged with our office in many fronts, amplifying our seasonal weather safety campaigns, helping to ‘voice’ our messaging during periods of especially hazardous weather, and occasionally inviting our staff to speak in his classrooms,” according to the website.

Weather-Ready Nation ambassadors serve as change agents and community leaders. They inspire others to be better informed and prepared and help minimize or avoid the impacts of natural disasters.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.