Dear Community Members,
We hope you are enjoying the wonderful fall weather. Our campus is vibrant as the new academic year brings a fresh wave of energy, student activities, and local engagement.
Please join us in celebrating our Homecoming week starting October 5, alongside a historic milestone as we honor 120 years as a campus and 60 years as a higher education institution! This fun-filled week features student activities, athletic events, alumni gatherings, and community celebrations.
Homecoming Highlights Schedule
Thursday, October 8
- Banner Year Celebration & M-Alumni Day: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Sargeant Student Center
Friday, October 9
- Soccer vs. Bemidji State: 3:00 p.m. – UMC Soccer Field
- Volleyball vs. Winona State: 6:00 p.m. – Lysaker Gymnasium
- Hockey vs. Lake Region State: 7:00 p.m. – Crookston Sports Center
Saturday, October 10
- Lasting Legacy Panel: 10:00 a.m. – Bede Ballroom
- Homecoming Block Party: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Ed Widseth Field
- Hockey vs. Lake Region State: 1:00 p.m. – Crookston Sports Center
- Volleyball vs. Concordia-St. Paul: 3:00 p.m. – Lysaker Gymnasium
- Alumni & Friends Social: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Minakwa Golf Course
Everyone is welcome to attend! For the full list of campus events and registration details, please visit www.crk.umn.edu/homecoming.
Investing in the Future of Northern Minnesota
With schools back in session, many high school juniors and seniors are deciding whether to pursue higher education or enter the workforce. If you mentor, guide, or parent young people in our area, your encouragement is vital. Choosing college is more than a personal milestone—it is a direct investment in the future of our region.
To help students explore campus life, we are hosting several enrollment events throughout October. Please share these key opportunities with prospective students and families:
- Free Applications: The $30 application fee is completely waived for the entire month of October for prospective on-campus students.
- Campus Visit Options: Special visitation options are available to accommodate families during the upcoming Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA) school break.
- Equine Exploration Day is scheduled for October 16. This is a specialized event for interested prospective students to learn more about this popular major. Registration required.
- The free application opened for Post Secondary Enrollment Option (current high school students is open now.
October 1st marks the opening of the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA is the single most important thing a new or returning student can do to receive money for college. It’s a student’s ticket to be offered federal, state, and institution financial aid. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study student employment, and Federal loans. To help students and parents navigate the FAFSA process, the UMN Crookston Director of Financial Aid, David Vikaner, is holding a series of in-person clinics at the following high schools.
1) October 7 – 6:00 p.m. – Lafayette (Red Lake Falls)
2) October 13 – 5:30 p.m. – Crookston High School
3) October 21 – 5:30 p.m. – East Grand Forks
4) November 2 – 6:00 p.m. – Fertile-Beltrami
5) November 3 – 5:00 p.m. – Stephen-Argyle
6) November 5 – 5:30 p.m. – Ada-Borup
7) November 12 – 6:00 p.m. – Win-E-Mac
8) November 16 – 7:00 p.m. – Kittson County Central (Hallock)
Top Rankings
In the newly released U.S. News & World Report rankings, the University of Minnesota Crookston achieved impressive accolades, securing the #1 spot for Best Colleges for Veterans (Regional Colleges Midwest), #2 for Top Public Schools in the Midwest, and a tie at #26 overall for Regional Colleges Midwest. Furthermore, according to the latest educational analysis by Niche, the university earned several top statewide distinctions, including #1 Safest Public College in Minnesota, #1 Best College Campus in Minnesota, and #1 Best College for Agricultural Sciences in the state. The institution also ranked #2 for Top Public Universities in Minnesota and #2 for Best Value Public College in the state.
Thank you for your continued support of our campus and our students.
Warm regards,
Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause
University of Minnesota Crookston
