JULIE: I AM JULIE ZENNER ALONG WITH DENNIS ANDERSON.

HERE IS WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

DENNY: WE WILL TALK WITH THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND THE MASTER CHIEF OF THE U.S. NAVY'S NEWEST SHIP, SOON TO BE COMMISSIONED, RIGHT HERE IN DULUTH.

JULIE: WE WILL FIND OUT WHAT THE MERGING OF UMD'S SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS AND COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS MEANS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS.

DENNY: AND WE WILL REVIEW A POST-PANDEMIC GRANDMAS MARATHON, AND PREVIEW THIS WEEKEND'S DULUTH AIR SHOW.

JULIE: THESE STORIES AND "VOICES OF THE REGION" NEXT, ON ALMANAC NORTH!

♪ JULIE: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

DENNY, SUMMER SEEMS A BIT MORE NORMAL, WITH MANY EVENTS COMING BACK, AS WE RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC.

DENNIS: A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS AREA HAVE HAD VACCINATIONS AND THAT HAS HELPED REOPEN THINGS IN THE DULUTH AREA AND AROUND THE REGION.

JULIE: IT FEELS GOOD IT FEELS LIKE SUMMER.

DENNIS: IT DOES AND THANKS AGAIN JULIE!

,WELL DEREK CHAUVIN, THE FORMER , MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED IN APRIL OF MURDERING GEORGE FLOYD, WAS SENTENCED TODAY TO 22 1/2 YEARS IN PRISON.

CHAUVIN WAS FOUND GUILTY ON THREE CHARGES -- 2ND DEGREE MURDER, 3RD DEGREE MURDER, AND 2ND DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER.

THREE FORMER OFFICERS CHARGED IN FLOYD'S DEATH ARE SET TO GO TO TRIAL IN MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.

JULIE: WITH LESS THAN A WEEK UNTIL A POSSIBLE STATE SHUTDOWN, MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE MAKING PROGRESS, AS THEY RACE TO COMPLETE THE STATE BUDGET.

LAWMAKERS WENT INTO SPECIAL SESSION LAST WEEK, TO HAMMER OUT 13 BUDGET BILLS THEY COULD NOT SETTLE DURING THE REGULAR SESSION.

LEGISLATORS ARE EXPECTED TO WORK THROUGH THE WEEKEND TO COMPLETE THE BUDGET BEFORE THE JUNE 30 DEADLINE.

DENNY: WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, $140 MILLION IN GRANTS TO STATE TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES.

MOVIE THEATERS AND LIVE EVENT VENUES ARE JUST SOME OF THE BUSINESSES NOW ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MONEY, MADE AVAILABLE FROM THE FEDERAL COVID GRANTS.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING WILL GO TOWARD REOPENING STATE HISTORICAL SITES AND SUPPORTING STATE TOURISM.

JULIE: AND THE DULUTH AIRSHOW TAKES TO THE SKIES THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, IN THE TWIN PORTS.

IT HAS BEEN HARD TO MISS THE U.S. NAVY "BLUE ANGELS" FLIGHT TEAM PRACTICING FOR PERFORMANCES , THIS WEEK.

GATES OPEN 9:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, FOR THE AIRSHOW AT DULUTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

DENNY: THIS WEEKEND'S AIR SHOW HAS BROUGHT SOME SPECIAL GUESTS FROM THE U.S. NAVY TO MINNESOTA THIS WEEK.

THEY ARE THE TOP OFFICERS OF THE FUTURE NAVY VESSEL, U.S.S.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, A "LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP" THAT WILL BE COMMISSIONED IN THE PORT OF DULUTH.

AND HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THEIR VISIT, AND THEIR NEW SHIP, IS COMMANDER ALFONZA WHITE, THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE VESSEL, AND RAFAEL ACEVEDO, THE COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE NEW VESSEL.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN TOWN?

CMD MASTER CHIEF ACEVEDO: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE AIRSHOW AND ALSO THE COMBAT SHIP IS COMING IN THE SPRING OF 2022 AND WE ARE PLEASED WE ARE COMMISSIONING AND A GREAT CITY OF DULUTH.

DENNIS: THAT TO DRAW LARGE CROWD.

>> WE ARE HOPING.

JULIE: THE VESSEL DOES NOT RECEIVE ITS OFFICIAL NAME UNTIL THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY AND YOU CALLED IT THE LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP 21.

>> YES, THE VESSEL HAS ITS OFFICIAL NAME, THE USS MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, LCS 21.

LCS21 IF THE TYPE OF SHIP AND THE OFFICIAL NAME IS USS MANY APPLES-ST. PAUL.

-- USS MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL.

WE ARE DESIGNED FOR LITTORAL COMBAT AND TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS CLOSE TO SHORE.

DENNIS: SO IS THAT THE MISSION OF THE SHIP?

CMD MASTER CHIEF ACEVEDO: THE MISSION OF THE SHIP IS GOING TO VARY DEPENDING ON TASKING BUT WE ARE DESIGNED TO OPERATE IN SHALLOW WATERS.

WITH REGARD TO THE NAME OF THE SHIP, ON THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY THE UNITED STATES IS WHEN WE BECOME AN ACTUAL UNITED STATES SHIP OFFICIALLY, NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY.

DENNIS: THIS IS NOT A TINY CRAFT.

CMD MASTER CHIEF ACEVEDO: IT IS398 FEET IN LENGTH.

DENNIS: IN THE SIZE OF THE CREWDENNIS:?

-- AND THE SIZE OF THE CREW?

>> WE HAVE A HUNDRED PLUS CREAM EVERS READY TO GO NEXT YEAR.

DENNIS: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SPEED AND HOW THE SHIP MOVES?

>> IT DOES HAVE A GOOD SPEED AND IT IS DESIGNED WITH WATERJET PROPULSION.

IT IS DESIGNED TO BE FAST AND AGILE, AND BE VERY MODULARIZED AND TO COMPLEMENT WHATEVER TASKING WE HAVE TO PERFORM.

VERY SHALLOW ALLOWS US TO HAVE ACCESS TO A LOT OF THE WORLD'S COASTLINES.

JULIE: I UNDERSTAND YOU WILL BE STATIONED ON A COASTLINE.

>> THAT WE WILL.

JULIE: TALK ABOUT WHERE THE HOMEPORT WILL BE?

>> THE HOMEPORT RIGHT NOW IS IN FLORIDA WHERE THE CREW IS GOING THROUGH A TRAINING CYCLE AND WE ARE TRAINING AND READY TO TAKE THE SHIP AND BRING IT TO MAYPORT ONCE WE COMMISSION HERE IN DULUTH NEXT YEAR.

DENNIS: HOW FAR ALONG IS CONSTRUCTION?

>> CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE.

THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A SHIP IS NOT JUST BUILDING IT AND GIVE IT TO THE NAVY.

THE BUILDERS HAVE TO TEST AND INSPECT AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN LINE OF ORDER, BEFORE THEY PRESENT THE SHIP TO THE NAVY TO ACCEPT.

DENNIS: HAVE EITHER OF YOU SEEN IT OR BEEN ON BOARD?

>> I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE UP THERE IN WISCONSIN IN 2020 AND GOT TO STEP FOOT, THEY WERE STILL FINISHING BUILDING IT BUT IT WAS QUITE A SIGHT TO SEE.

DENNIS: THE VESSEL WAS BUILT IN WISCONSIN.

>> YES, SIR.

JULIE: WHAT DOES A COMMISSIONING CEREMONY LOOK LIKE FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT?

>> I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE PART OF A FEW COMMISSIONINGS.

IT IS MORE FOR THE PUBLIC, TO PRESENT, AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE PART OF THE NAVY AND WE ARE PRESENTING THIS TO SHOW YOU.

YOUR CITIZENS WHO JOINED THE NAVY TO SERVE THE COUNTRY, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.

THERE ARE TOURS THE DAY OF, AND THE WEEK THAT WE ARE INTO LIVE.

THERE ARE PRESENTATIONS -- THE WEEK THAT WE ARE IN DULUTH.

THERE ARE PRESENTATIONS ABOUT HOW THE SHIP OPERATES, A GRAND PRESENTATION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE GETTING.

JULIE: IS THERE A BOTTLE BROKEN OVER THE EDGE OF IT?

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT IS THE CHRISTENING, WHEN THAT SHIP IS PLACED IN THE WATER.

THE HONORABLE JODY GREENE PERFORMED THAT IN 2019.

JULIE: I REMEMBER THAT COME ANOTHER YOU MENTION IT.

SO IT WILL BE NAMED THAT MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL.

IS THERE USUALLY A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN THE NAME OF THE VESSEL AND THE CREW AND VESSEL ITSELF?

OR IS THAT JUST SOMETHING THAT IS ON THE SIDE THAT YOU DO NOT THINK ABOUT?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT ALL THE AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO JOINED THE NAVY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON A SHIP FROM THEIR AREA.

BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THAT MANY SHIPS.

THE CONNECTION IS THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, WHO MAKE UP THE CREW OF THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, TRY TO EMBODY WHAT, AS WE COME TO DO THESE VISITS, WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ABOUT.

SO FAR, WE HAVE LEARNED THIS COMMUNITY IS VERY HUMBLE AND VERY PROUD AND THEY HAVE OPENED US WITH A GRACIOUS, COME IN AND SEE WHO WE ARE.

WE CAN TAKE THAT.

THAT IS OUTSTANDING.

DENNIS: IS IT UNUSUAL OR USUAL FOR A SHIP TO BE COMMISSIONED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE CITIES ARE LOCATED FOR WHICH IT IS NAMED?

>> IT IS NOT UNUSUAL.

WE COULD HAVE SEVERAL SHIPS WITH COMMISSIONS.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IS ACCESS TO THE WATERWAYS BUT IT IS NOT UNUSUAL.

DENNIS: IT WILL BE FUN TO WATCH.

JULIE: AND YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THE PIER WHERE THIS WILL TAKE PLACE?

>> WE DID AND IT IS A VERY LARGE PEER SO THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF ACCESS FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME AND VIEW AT.

DENNIS: THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO DULUTH.

WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY YOUR STAY HERE.

YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR YOUR TOUR OF SERVICE IN THE U.S. NAVY, THANK YOU, BOTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU, DENNIS AND THANK YOU, JULIE.

♪ JULIE: IT'S TIME NOW FOR "VOICES OF THE REGION".

EACH WEEK WE HEAR FROM A JOURNALIST IN THE AREA ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

THIS WEEK, HEIDI HOLTAN, FROM NORTHERN COMMUNITY RADIO, IN GRAND RAPIDS, IS OUR GUEST.

♪ HEIDI: THIS WEEK WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A STORY THAT IS BIG NEWS IN OUR AREA.

THE IRRRB, THE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD ANNOUNCED $50 MILLION FUNDING FOR NEW INDUSTRY IN COHASSET, WEST OF GRAND RAPIDS.

THERE'S A NEW INDUSTRY COMING IN, THE MINNESOTA POWER CLAY BOSWELL FORMER COAL POWER PLANT.

IT IS FOR OSB, ORIENTED STRAND BOARD.

IT IS A MANUFACTURING FACILITY THAT WILL BRING 150 NEW JOBS TO THE REGION WITH A MEDIAN INCOME OF $31 DOLLARS PER HOUR WITH FULL BENEFITS.

THIS WILL BE A BOOST FOR THE LOGGING INDUSTRY, 150 COMMISSIONED LOGGING TRUCK SO WE NEEDED DAILY.

AND300-400 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY.

THIS IS A COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN MAKING THIS PRODUCT FOR A LONG TIME, THE BASIC STUFF OF BUILDING, WHICH HAS GONE TO THE ROUGH IN PRICE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS 300% OF WHAT WAS YEAR AGO.

THAT IS WHY BUILDING COSTS ARE UP SO MUCH.

HAVING A PLANT HERE WILL HELP OF THE COSTS OF THIS PRODUCT AS WELL.

THIS IS A COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN MAKING THIS PRODUCT A LONG TIME AND THIS IS OUR SIXTH FACILITY.

THEY ARE CALLED HUBER ENGINEERED WOODS.

♪ HEIDI: THAT STORIES PART OF THE ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE WITH ITASCA ECONOMIC DEVELOPING CORPORATION ABOUT THE STATE OF BUSINESS, THE STATE OF INVENTORS AND ENTREPRENEURS IN ITASCA COUNTY, AND ALL OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

THEY HAVE A GRANT, THROUGH LAUNCH MN, 218.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY CAN HELP PEOPLE, WITH IDEAS THEY CAN HELP PEOPLE, WITH IDEAS FORNEW PRODUCT OR NEW SERVICE FORNEW PRODUCT OR NEW SERVICE IN THE AREA.

>> DURING COVID MANY DECIDED WE >> DURING COVID MANY DECIDED WE DO NOT NEED TO LIVE IN THE METRO, MAYBE WE CAN STAND OUR CABIN AND BE THERE TO CREATE A CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURS.

WE HAVE THIS COOL FOOTPRINT THAT IS UNIQUE.

WE HAVE THE ARTIST PIECE OF IT AND BREWPUBS AND ECLECTIC GIFT SHOPS AND RETAIL LOCATIONS.

THE RESTAURANTS POPPING UP.

IT HAS MADE FOR AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO.

YOU CANNOT JUST SAY COME HERE AND LIVE HERE AND WORK HERE.

THESE ENTREPRENEURS CAN GO ANYWHERE, RIGHT?

THEY WANT TO GO TO A PLACE THAT IS VERY LIVABLE AND HAS THINGS THEY REALLY LIKE.

♪ HEIDI: ANOTHER STORY WE CONTINUE TO COVER IT HAS TO DO WITH CLEAN ENERGY, SOLAR ENERGY.

WE HAVE TALKED WITH A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION ABOUT BRINGING SOLAR POWER TO RESIDENTS OF GRAND RAPIDS.

IT STARTED AS AN IDEA FOR A COMMUNITY GARDEN, SOLAR GARDEN YOU COULD OPT INTO.

IT IS BUILT -- AND HAS BUILT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

IT IS NOW A COLLABORATION WITH THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC UTILITIES.

THIS WEEK WAS A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF THE ITASCA CLEAN ENERGY SOLAR PLUS BATTERY STORAGE THIS ELEGY.

-- STORAGE FACILITY.

THIS REPRESENTS A COLLABORATION OF A CITY, A MUNICIPAL UTILITY, U.S.

SOLAR, A COMMERCIAL COMPANY , MINNESOTA POWER, AND THIS GRASSROOTS GROUP CALLED ITASCA CLEAN ENERGY TEAM.

ART NORTON HAS BEEN PART OF THE EFFORT FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND TOLD US MORE.

>> OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY AT -- THAT GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC UTILITIES PROVIDES , THAT WILL BE GENERATED AT A SLIGHTLY LOWER COST THAN THE COST WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING TO MINNESOTA POWER.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, KEEP IT SIMPLE.

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION VOTED TO ABSORB THIS INTO THEIR BUDGET AND IT RESULTS IN A COST SAVINGS FOR ALL CUSTOMERS.

HEIDI: NOW, BECAUSE OF THE COLLABORATION AND BECAUSE THE CITY GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDS THE BENEFIT OF CLEAN ENERGY.

NOT ONLY IS IT COST-EFFECTIVE, BUT IT BRINGS MORE JOBS TO THE REGION.

I THINK WE WILL SEE A CUT IN OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES GO.

-- A CUT IN OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES BILL.

♪ HEIDI: I TALKED WITH MINNESOTA AUTHOR MARY CASON OF HER LATEST BOOK, WATERFALL, FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS.

IT IS SET IN 1922, ON AN ISLAND.

THE STORY IS OF A 21-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, NAMED TRINITY, JUST OUT OF THE ST. PETER ASYLUM.

SHE WAS SENT THERE FOR TWO YEARS BY HER PARENTS.

AT THAT TIME, WOMEN HAD GOT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

AND IT WAS OK IF YOUR HUSBAND OR FAMILY OR SOMEONE YOU KNEW, DID NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH YOU OR DID NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH AS THEY DESCRIBED IT, BEING EMOTIONAL.

OR MAYBE TALKING ABOUT DIFFICULT THINGS LIKE MAYBE SEXUAL BRUCE -- LIKE MAYBE SEXUAL ABUSE OR ABUSE IN A FAMILY, THEY WERE SENT AWAY FOR HYSTERIA.

THIS TELLS OF A TIME.

WHEN I TALKED WITH MARY CASANOVA WE WERE NOTING THERE ARE ECHOES OF TODAY.

>> YES IT IS DIFFERENT BUT THE THINGS THAT HAUNT ME ARE STILL GOING ON TODAY.

NOT JUST IN THE TIME THAT I AM READING ABOUT.

I THINK BRINGING UP THE, ME TOO, MOVEMENT, IS A WAY OF LOOKING AT IT.

YES, WE HAVE FREEDOM.

BUT WHY, IF A WOMAN SEEMS TO PUT OUT ACCUSATIONS OF BEING MISTREATED OR MOLESTED, SHE IS OFTEN STILL CONSIDERED SUSPECT, INSTEAD OF BEING BELIEVED.

OR, IF A WOMAN IS TO, LET'S TALK POLITICALLY.

IF SHE SHRIEKS, I MEAN IN THE SENSE OF RAISING HER VOICE OR SOUNDING TOO ANGRY, WHAT TWO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT?

IT IS THE WAY SHE CARRIES HERSELF INSIDE OF WHAT SHE IS SAYING.

-- INSTEAD OF WHAT SHE IS SAYING.

HEIDI: PARTS OF THE BOOK HAVE TO DO WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, WITH RACISM.

PART OF THE STORIES ARE ABOUT LYNCHINGS IN DULUTH IN 1920.

THERE ARE THEMES IN THIS BOOK, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET IN 1922, THAT REALLY RESONATE TODAY.

♪ DENNY: ON JULY 1ST, UMD'S MERGED SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS AND COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS OFFICIALLY WILL TAKE A NEW NAME.

THE MERGER OF THE TWO CAMPUS UNITS BEGAN AT THE END OF 2019 , AND WAS APPROVED LAST SUMMER.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BOARD OF REGENTS OFFICIALLY APPROVED THE NEW NAME THIS MONTH.

HERE, WITH MORE ON THIS IS , JEREMY YOUDE, THE DEAN OF THE NEWLY NAMED "COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES".

JEREMY, GOOD TO SEE AGAIN.

I GUESS THE OBVIOUS QUESTION IS, WHY THE NAME CHANGE?

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WAS TO GIVE US A NEW IDENTITY.

WE ARE A MERGED UNIT WITH 10 DEPARTMENTS AND 40 MAJOR SO WE WANTED TO CREATE AN IDENTITY THAT REFLECTS THAT.

WE ALSO WANTED TO HAVE A NAME THAT WOULD BE EASY TO UNDERSTAND , IF YOU'RE IN THE PUBLIC AND YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE.

SO IT IS PARTLY EXTERNAL AND PARTLY INTERNAL.

JULIE: LET'S GO BACK BEFORE THAT, WHAT DROVE THE DECISION TO MERGE?

>> THE DECISION TO MERGE IN PART WAS A FINANCIAL DECISION AND PART WAS ABOUT TRYING TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND STAFF TO WORK ACROSS DISCIPLINES AND BUILD INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS STUDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR SO IF WE ARE IN THE SAME UNIT MAKES IT EASIER.

DENNIS: WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR STUDENTS?

DEAN YOUDE: IN SOME RESPECTS IT WILL NOT MEAN ANY CHANGES BECAUSE ALL THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE BEFORE WILL BE PART OF THE NEW COLLEGE.

BUT IT WILL CRATE A PLATFORM TO CREATE NEW PROGRAMS AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO BRING TOGETHER THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY ARE STUDYING IN THE FINE ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND HUMANITIES.

JULIE: WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, HOW DO YOU DEFINE A COLLEGE?

WHAT MAKES THIS A SEPARATE COLLEGE FROM ANOTHER?

DEAN YOUDE: IN A LOT OF WAYS IT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT, A WAY TO GOVERN THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

WE TRY TO HAVE COHERENCE, SOME THINGS THAT BRING THESE DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER.

OUR 10 DEPARTMENTS EVEN THOUGH WE ARE COMING FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES, WE ARE ALL SHARING THIS IDEA OF, TRYING TO PRESENT THE BEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN WAYS THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CROSS DIVISIONS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS.

THEY REALLY WORK WELL TOGETHER AND A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE ALREADY COMBINING THESE PROGRAMS.

JULIE: AND FACULTY MEMBERS, ARE THEY EXCITED ABOUT THIS CHANGE?

DEAN YOUDE: I THINK SO BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

EVERYONE IS EXCITED TO COME BACK TO CAMPUS IN THE FALL, AND HAVE A MORE NORMAL SEMESTER COMING UP FOR THIS FALL, 2021 SEMESTER.

DENNIS: THAT MEANS KIDS WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM RATHER THAN ONLINE INSTRUCTION.

HOW HAS THE ONLINE INSTRUCTION GONE FOR?

UMD AND THE STUDENTS?

?

DEAN YOUDE: I'M IMPRESSED BY HOW RESILIENT OUR STUDENTS AND FACULTY HAVE BEEN.

THIS TRANSITION TO ONLINE LEARNING, WE HAD TO DO THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF SPRING.

THAT WE HAD A YEAR THAT WAS UNANTICIPATED.

BUT OUR FACULTY FOUND GREAT WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH STUDENTS.

IN OUR STUDENT STEPPED UP AND SHOW THEY WERE COMMITTED TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES.

SO IT WORKED OUT WELL.

BUT WE ARE IN IN PERSON INSTITUTION FOR THE MOST PART.

STUDENTS COME BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THE CAMPUS EXPERIENCE SO THE IDEA THAT WE WILL HAVE MOST OF OUR CLASSES IN PERSON, 88% TO 90% OF CLASSES WILL BE IN PERSON THIS FALL.

IT WILL BE EXCITING TO HAVE THAT ENERGY BACK ON CAMPUS.

DENNIS: DID THE LACK OF BEING THERE IN PERSON AFFECT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE COME?

DEAN YOUDE: DEFINITELY, WE SAW A DECREASE IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BECAUSE THERE WERE VISA RESTRICTIONS AND AN INABILITY TO COME TO THE COUNTRY.

WE ALSO KNOW SOME STUDENTS DECIDED TO TAKE A YEAR OFF BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY MAY HAVE DECIDED TO WORK OR TO STAY HOME TO SUPPORT FAMILY.

WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THOSE STUDENTS TO LET THEM KNOW YOU CAN COME BACK AND WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AND CLASSES ARE STILL HERE, MAKING SURE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING BACK TO COMPASS.

JULIE: YOU TALKED ABOUT THE SHIFT IN MINDSET AS YOU WANT TO ONLINE CLASSES.

I IMAGINE THERE'S ANOTHER SHIFT, AS PEOPLE MENTALLY PREPARE TO RETURN.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PREPARATIONS GOING ON HIND THE SCENES?

AND IN PEOPLE'S HEADS?

DEAN YOUDE: WE ARE STAYING IN TOUCH WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SYSTEM AND OTHER OFFICES TO MAKE SURE OUR PRACTICES ARE IN LINE WITH BEST RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE TRY TO ENCOURAGE TO -- WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED SO WE CAN COME BACK TO CAMPUS AND HAVE A DENSE.

ALSO LOOKING -- AND HAVE EVENTS.

ALSO THIS PAST 18 MONTHS, LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE THINGS WE WANT TO HOLD ONTO IN THE THINGS WE MAY BE DO NOT NEED TO USE AS MUCH?

WE DID A LOT OF STREAMING FOR OUR MUSIC CONCERTS BECAUSE WE CANNOT HAVE PEOPLE IN THE MUSIC HALL.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE AS A WAY OF DOING OUTREACH AND RECRUITING FOR FUTURE STUDENTS?

SO THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO NOW.

WHAT ARE THINGS WE LEARN WE WANT TO HOLD ONTO?

AND WHAT ARE THINGS WE KEEP IN OUR BACK POCKET IN CASE WE HAVE TO USE THEM AGAIN.

DENNIS: JEREMY, THE WORK PLACES CHANGING.

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR STUDENTS GOING OUT FOR WORK EVENTUALLY, HOW WILL THIS AFFECT OPPORTUNITIES?

DEAN YOUDE: ONE THING THAT I THINK WILL BE REMARKABLE FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS IS, THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED RESILIENCE AND CAN ADJUST TO WHATEVER IS PRESENTING ITSELF.

THEY CAN SHOW THEY CAN THRIVE IN THESE SORTS OF ENVIRONMENTS.

IN SOME RESPECTS THAT WILL OPEN UP MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHANCES FOR STUDENTS TO DEMONSTRATE, WE CAN BE ADAPTABLE, FLEXIBLE.

IN THE LIBERAL ARTS, WE OFTEN SEE ESTIMATES BETWEEN 50%-80% OF JOBS THAT WILL EXIST IN 15 YEARS DO NOT EXIST YET.

THOSE ARE THE SORTS OF JOBS LIBERAL ARTS STUDENTS COMING OUT OF THE ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES WILL BE SO PREPARED FOR DOING.

IT WAS AN UNEXPECTED YEAR AND A WEIRD YEAR IN MANY WAYS.

BUT I THINK IT WILL SET UP STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS.

JULIE: YOU MENTIONED YOU ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

BUT THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT REQUIRING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, IS THAT CORRECT?

DEAN YOUDE: RIGHT.

JULIE: WHY WAS THAT DECISION?

DEAN YOUDE: THAT WAS ON THE BASIS OF VACCINATION TRENDS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA LOOKING AT BEST PRACTICES, AND WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VACCINATIONS.

ALSO RECOGNIZING THESE VACCINES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

SO THERE MIGHT BE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT, WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO REQUIRE SOMETHING THAT HAD NOT FULLY GONE THROUGH ALL OF THE FDA CHANNELS.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN REALLY HIGH RATES OF VACCINATION AMONG OUR FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS.

ONE THING WE ARE LETTING PEOPLE KNOW IS, THE MORE THAT WE ARE VACCINATED, THE MORE WE CAN HAVE THAT NORMAL CAMPUS EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN VACCINATED, HERE ARE RESOURCES WHERE YOU CAN GO.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THE DRAW HERE IN DULUTH?

WHY DO STUDENTS CHOOSE UMD?

DEAN YOUDE: DULUTH ITSELF, MANY STUDENTS COME BECAUSE THEY HAD EXPERIENCES WHENEVER YOUNGER AND LOVE THE LAKE AND THE NORTH END AND TWIN PORTS.

WE PROVIDE A GREAT COMBINATION OF THIS INCREDIBLE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND GREAT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

DENNIS: WELL, ALL THE BEST AS THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR STARTS.

DEAN OF UMD COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS, THANK YOU.

JULIE: FINALLY, THIS WEEK, WE BRING YOU SOME OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS EACH YEAR IN THE TWIN PORTS.

THOUSANDS OF RUNNERS GATHERED IN DULUTH FOR GRANDMA'S MARATHON, THE FIRST MAJOR MARATHON SINCE THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN SO MANY EVENTS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RACE.

[VIDEO CLIP] ♪ [HORNS] >> WHOO!

>> WANT TO GET OUT AND SEE THAT.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ [APPLAUSE] ♪ [APPLAUSE] ♪ >> IT IS NOISE SO SATISFYING.

JULIE: IT WAS GREAT TO SEE SO MANY RUNNERS BACK IN TOWN LAST WEEKEND.

KEEP UP WITH OUR LATEST POSTS, BY FOLLOWING ALMANAC NORTH ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, UPCOMING EVENTS, AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATION.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING OF YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS, AND PAST EPISODES OF ALMANAC NORTH.

DENNY, THIS IS A MUST A PAST EPISODE.

DENNIS: IT IS, ISN'T IT.

ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND IN THE SUMMER THERE SOMETHING GOING ON IN A CITY ACROSS THE REGION SO PEOPLE HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF THINGS TO CHOOSE FROM AND ENJOY.

JULIE: THE AIR SHOW SHOULD BE A BIG ONE THIS WEEK.

AS I WAS DRIVING INTO TOWN I SAW THE BLUE ANGELS APPLYING UP ABOVE.

DENNIS: VERY LOW AND VERY FAST.

JULIE: THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND THEIR CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO, WITH DENNIS ANDERSON I AM JULIE , ZENNER.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

♪