BSC SPOTLIGHT

L to R: BSC Assistant Professor of Agriculture, Technology and Natural Resources Marko Davinic, BSC Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Danny Devlin, and BSC Production Coordinator and MystiCast Advisor Dusty Anderson

FACULTY & CLASSROOMS

By Kamryn Hellman

AGRICULTURE

“It is hard to think of a class in our program that has no hands-on learning component,” says Marko Davinic, Bismarck State College assistant professor of Agriculture, Technology and Natural Resources.

For students interested in working on a farm or ranch, this is exactly why BSC’s programs are so exciting.

Winters in North Dakota can bring temperatures well below zero, but plant science labs are in session year-round in BSC’s state-of-the-art greenhouse. During the warmer months, students can practice testing soil brought from their homes. They also get to visit ranches and work with live animals.

“For a professor, there is nothing more satisfying than teaching students who are ready to learn and are passionate about a subject,” Davinic says. For his students, that subject involves crops, animals and resources contributing to the worldwide supply of food and energy.

Agriculture is an industry that requires a wide variety of specific skills, which students can learn through other courses at BSC. In their agriculture classes, students learn how to operate industry-standard equipment. They can also earn certificates in shop skills like electrical work or welding, practice forklift operational skills and obtain CDL permit and license training.

And the program is growing - from enrollment to new courses and equipment. Davinic says he is looking forward to the expansion of the program to meet the evolving needs of the industry. He is particularly excited to introduce a mobile ag lab on wheels. “It will allow us to bring segments of our technical program to high schools across North Dakota.”

Davinic is always impressed with the work ethic of his students, who sometimes bring personal experience to the program – or at least enjoy working with their hands and being outside. “Our agriculture students understand the benefits of gaining career-ready skills and high-quality technical training, and thus are exceptionally enthusiastic and passionate learners.”

MASS COMM

“I always enjoy comparing their first video to their last,” says Dusty Anderson, production coordinator and MystiCast advisor, referring to the students he teaches in BSC’s Mass Communications program. “The growth is always fun to see.”

Between livestreams, podcasts and newspapers, communications students have plenty of opportunities for growth. Anderson says the program is almost 100 percent hands-on. “The unique thing about our program is that you will have your hands on the main equipment within the first couple of weeks of your freshman year, and it’s the same equipment that you will find in industry.” BSC students learn and work in a professional studio with high-quality film and audio equipment. They stream athletic events, record audio shows and create short news broadcasts. Students practice their skills in a wide variety of roles in video production, trying “everything from directing, replay, camera and even commentary,” Anderson says.

Students build confidence in their skills when they have the chance to put their classroom knowledge into practice by creating and developing different kinds of media. They learn skills related to writing, photography, production, editing and printing publications. Anderson says that BSC’s production facilities are “something we have spent a lot of time developing over the last years.”

We offer a lot in a small amount of time, and students come away with the skills needed to be successful in the industry.

Dusty Anderson, BSC Production Coordinator and MystiCast Advisor

The program packs a lot into the two years it takes to obtain an associate degree. While some students choose to go on and finish a bachelor’s degree or higher, many students find employment directly after graduating from BSC. “We offer a lot in a small amount of time, and students come away with the skills needed to be successful in the industry,” Anderson says.

The program prepares students to take on a variety of roles in the communications field, and graduates often gravitate toward local media companies. BSC has developed a strong partnership with KFYR-TV, where some BSC students work while taking classes and after graduation. Anderson says he enjoys following the achievements of his former students. “To watch their work on TV is always a rewarding feeling.”

THEATRE ARTS

“The rehearsal process is a long, tough road, but I’ve never had theatre students at BSC give anything less than their best,” says Danny Devlin, BSC associate professor of Theatre Arts. “The hard work always pays off when we finally get to bring in a live audience.”

BSC has a long history of presenting premiere theatrical productions for the Bismarck-Mandan community, and Devlin wants to continue that tradition. Students step into all the roles involved in creating a production. “Theatre is expressed entirely through hands-on learning,” Devlin says. “Students rehearse, design, build and perform in live productions.” One of the most appealing aspects of the program for incoming students is the level of involvement students have from day one. Devlin says students at BSC are extremely active compared to those in other programs. “Here, students often get cast immediately; in two years at BSC, students can get four, or five, up to six major productions on their resume.”

To prepare students for the live-event industry, the program teaches students to be comfortable in front of an audience as well as behind the scenes, keeping up with the newest innovations in live-event technology. Theatre students have opportunities to work with industry-standard design software. “We build and program intelligent lighting systems; we work in both augmented and virtual reality spaces in our design work,” Devlin says.

Students use design software like AutoCADD, QLab, and ETCConnect, all of which are widely used in the live-event industry. Devlin notes that students in the Theatre Arts program aren’t the only ones who participate in productions. “Theatre provides a location to apply learning of all kinds, including project-based learning in other disciplines,” he says. Often, students from other programs find a creative outlet in theatre.

Devlin applauds his students’ commitment and says he enjoys watching them succeed. “I have great admiration for the passion and drive of theatre students.”

For a list of programs offered at BSC, including Agriculture, Mass Communications and Theatre, go to bismarckstate.edu/programs.