Nearly all Dakota College at Bottineau’s documents and publications begin with the statement, “We opened our doors in 1906 as the North Dakota School of Forestry”. No one will dispute the long and treasured history Dakota College at Bottineau has with the North Dakota Forest Service, but this long-standing marriage has recently renewed its vows. Over the years, Dakota College at Bottineau and the North Dakota Forest Service have become two separate agencies that have shared a common roof on campus. Recently the North Dakota Forest Service moved a Forest Stewardship position to Bottineau that would work with private landowners in the region and designated time, one day a week, to working specifically with the college to promote agro-forestry and forest conservation activities on Dakota College at Bottineau’s campus. With the approval of Campus Dean Dr. Jerry Migler and then State Forester Larry Kotchman, the job description was written and Cody Clemenson, a 2010 graduate of Dakota College at Bottineau, was hired.

Bottineau American Legion Post 42, CDR Heather Thompson and Harley Getzlaff, present a $1,000.00 check to Mark LaCroix, Dakota College at Bottineau Baseball Coach. Mark states, "We have a great college baseball program because of all the community support and the support of the American Legion."

The Foundation for Agriculture and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability (FARRMS) will place interns at six ND farmers markets in 2020. FAARMS are currently taking applications from farmers markets who want to host an intern and from potential interns who want to serve a farmers market. Internships are 20 hours per week from June 7, 2020 to October 3, 2020. Interns receive a $160 weekly stipend and weekly training including orientation on May 30, 2020 in Tuttle, ND.

The agricultural degree partnership between Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College, and Williston State College, is finding success in their first year. This collaboration offers courses in Livestock Production, Crop Production, Agribusiness and Specialty Crop Production through delivery formats that include on-campus and distance education. With fall 2020 enrollment underway, interest is increasing with the programs on schedule to double in size.

February is proclaimed as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month. Dakota College at Bottineau is taking this opportunity during CTE month to showcase their Horticulture programs. There is a level of academic content and skill that is required for success in today’s career and technical careers.

In recognition of Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, Dakota College is proud to announce eighty-four students in the Associate of Applied Science and Practical Nursing programs. Dakota College at Bottineau’s practicum is a member of the Dakota Nursing Program, a consortium of four community college nursing departments which work together to offer a common curriculum for a Practical Nursing Certificate (3 semester program) and for an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (2 semester program).

Dakota College at Bottineau reported an official headcount of 903 students for the spring semester. This reflects forty-one more students than a year ago and exceeds the past record enrollment of 882 students in the spring of 2018. The increase is primarily attributable to additional part-time students, as the number of full-time students is comparable to previous years.

In conjunction with Career and Technical Education (CTE) month this February, Dakota College at Bottineau announces a major new scholarship that will help address workforce needs in north central North Dakota. Through the support of the Bottineau County Economic Development Corporation and anticipated matching funds from the North Dakota Challenge Grant program, $100,000 in scholarship funds will be available to students enrolling in Career and Technical Education programs at Dakota College at Bottineau.

Dakota College at Bottineau plans to add women’s ice hockey as a new sport. The college will begin recruiting team members immediately and plans to compete during the 2020-2021 academic year. Although the college was not actively making plans for new sports for next year, strong community input and support prompted the decision to add the sport now.