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BSC breaks ground on a new polytechnic facility on campus

Published: Nov 29 2022
BSC breaks ground on a new polytechnic facility on campus - Photo
In quite brisk winter weather conditions, Bismarck State College officially broke ground today on a new polytechnic facility. The ceremony took place inside the BSC National Energy of Excellence (NECE), next door to the future home of the BSC Polytechnic Education Center. Only the ceremonious dig took place outdoors at the actual construction site.

BSC President Doug Jensen, Gov. Doug Burgum, regional representative for U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer Michael Kelsch, BSC Executive Business and Industry Leadership Team Chair Dave Farnsworth, BSC Polytechnic Program Outreach Director Alicia Uhde, and BSC student Paul Hanebutt all spoke at today’s event.
 
“Today we are excited to celebrate this milestone and it is my privilege to share with you a glimpse of a new education facility on our campus that will be an economic development differentiator and the engine driving community development in Bismarck-Mandan and the region,” said Jensen in his opening remarks.
 
The state-of-the-art polytechnic center will feature project-based learning and nontraditional, hands-on collaborative working environments; flex labs where business and industry can partner on developing projects and ideas, and space for operating and building new programming and equipment and advancing applied research.
 
“North Dakota’s investment in this facility and the hands-on, applied learning and research that will take place within its walls is not just an investment in Bismarck State College and higher education,” said Jensen. “This is a commitment and investment in the economic growth development of our community, our state and our region, and the workforce needed to sustain it.”

“If we have the workforce in North Dakota the companies will come,” said Burgum, who has prioritized workforce development in the state. ”Having an institution align itself on the polytechnic mission, which is based on a hands-on, real-world, team-based learning, driven by the private sector, nothing can be more powerful.”
 
Designed by ICON, the 88,000 square foot polytechnic education center will connect to the west side of the NECE via a skywalk and include future learning spaces such as a Security Operations Center (SOC), artificial intelligence and virtual reality labs, flex labs, a Digital Hive, collaboration spaces and a live event venue. Situated between the BSC Armory and the NECE, the center will also have a beautiful view of the Missouri River.
 
“I think this new building provides a great future and a great opportunity for students. The learning that will take place there will provide them with the skills and knowledge to learn more about their major and they will graduate with a degree that has them ready for the workforce,” said Hanebutt, a second-year BSC Agriculture student.
 
The building of a polytechnic education center on the BSC campus was announced in December 2021. The North Dakota Legislature provided $38 million for the construction of this facility and new programs designed to build the talent pipeline that will impact the economy now and for many years into the future. The Center is expected to be complete by Fall 2024.

 
COVER PHOTO L to R: BSC student Paul Hanebutt, regional representative for U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer Michael Kelsch, Gov. Doug Burgum, BSC President Doug Jensen, BSC Executive Business and Industry Leadership Team Chair Dave Farnsworth, BSC Polytechnic Program Outreach Director Alicia Uhde