Germans From Russia Just another NDSU Library weblog

The Germans from Russia: Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairie and Prairie Crosses, Prairie Voices: Iron Crosses of the Great Plains recently won “Classic” Telly Awards. These “Classic” Telly awards were given in celebration of the 30th anniversary of these awards. Congratulations to the staff at Prairie Public, the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection and everyone else involved in producing these wonderful documentaries.

Please click here for more information about the documentaries or to order a copy.

Here are a few photographs from the NDSU Libraries’ Reception honoring Michael M. Miller as the 2008 NDLA Librarian of the Year. Please click here to view more photographs from the reception.

Michael displaying one of the beautiful flower arrangements he received.

2008 NDLA Librarian of the Year Award

Michael M. Miller and NDSU President Joseph Chapman

Larry Gauper, Joanne Mertz Gauper, Julie Opp Burgum and Michael M. Miller

Several people enjoying kuchen and visiting during the reception.

The North Dakota Library Association has named Michael M. Miller, director and bibliographer of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at the NDSU Libraries, the 2008 Librarian of the Year.

Miller has been a librarian at NDSU since 1967 and has been an active member of the North Dakota Library Association for 42 years. In 1978, he proposed the development of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection. Building upon his own heritage, he has dedicated his professional career to the preservation of the written, physical and oral history of this major immigrant group in North Dakota.

The Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, which contains materials in English, German, Russian and French, is now one of the most comprehensive scholarly resources on this cultural group.

In 2005, Miller partnered with history faculty to launch the Dakota Memories Oral History Project. Through interviews with more than 150 individuals, the oral record of the Germans from Russia is being preserved.

Miller also has partnered with public broadcasting to reach a larger audience through video and audio. He has effectively used digital technologies to preserve records and make them accessible throughout the world.

In a letter of nomination Kathryn Thomas, NDSU documents librarian, wrote, “I believe Michael Miller is highly deserving of the 2008 Librarian of the Year Award. Due to his efforts, the heritage of the Germans from Russia in North Dakota and beyond is being preserved and recognized. This is a legacy he will leave for future generations of North Dakotans, for without Michael’s vision, the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection would not exist. Michael is known worldwide as an invaluable resource on German-Russian history and heritage. Those of us fortunate to know him personally can testify to his dedication and passion, and to his kindness and generosity.”

A reception to recognize Miller for the award is set for Thursday, Oct. 30, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, Library 114. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Acacia Stuckle at 1-6596 or acacia.stuckle@ndsu.edu.

Click here to view the citation and comments.

Michael M. Miller with the 2008 Librarian of the Year Award

David, a native of Sawyer, North Dakota, joined the GRHC staff in 2005. Since then, he has been an integral part of our team. Shortly after joining our staff, David began working closely with Jessica Clark on the Dakota Memories Oral History Project. His work was not only innovative, but also impeccable. He was an outstanding video editor – editing more than 100 DVDs for the DMOHP. He was also the DMOHP web editor, and he saw the project through a complete web redesign. See www.ndsu.edu/ghrc/dakotamemories to view David’s handy-work. In essence, David was the man behind the scenes for the DMOHP.

This past spring, David graduated from NDSU with a BS in Computer Science. Although we were fortunate that David stayed for the summer, it is now time for us to say goodbye and good luck. David has been awarded an internship with NDSU’s Campus Crusades, and will no longer be an official part of the GRHC. However, he will always have a special place at the GRHC.

We wish David the best in his future endeavors, and thank him sincerely for all of his hard work and commitment to the GRHC. Don’t be a stranger, David!

A Special Thanks,
The GRHC Staff

The Advertising Federation of Fargo Moorhead awarded a Silver Addy Award in the Sales Promotion Product or Service Sales Presentation category for the Germans from Russia brochure and pocket folder, at their annual Addy Awards Banquet at the Fargo, N.D., Holiday Inn on Friday, Feb. 29. Credits go to Beth Hagemeister (design), Kathy Laid (copy editor), Knight Printing and Richtman’s Printing (printers). The Addys are the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition. The mission of the Addy competition is to recognize and reward creative excellence in the art of advertising.

Front Panel of the GRHC Brochure

Front of the GRHC Folder

North Dakota State University’s President Joseph Chapman named Dr. Tom Isern one of seven University Distinguished Professors.

Dr. Isern is the advisor of the Dakota Memories Oral History Project at the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection.

To learn more, please visit:
It’s Happening at State
Dr. Tom Isern’s NDSU homepage
Plains Folk Columns
Prairie Public Radio

Dr. Tom Isern

Michael M. Miller was nominated for the 2007 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service in recognition for his outstanding work and dedicated service to the State and its citizens.

Miller said, “When I received the September 13, 2007 letter, from John Hoeven, Governor of North Dakota, this was quite a surprise! I appreciate being nominated for the 2007 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. I want to especially thank those persons who placed my name in nomination for this award.”

Miller continued, “This has been truly a most rewarding experience to work at North Dakota State University since 1967. I am grateful to have become closely involved with the rich heritage and culture of the Germans from Russia community in North Dakota and beyond.”

Letter from Governor Hoeven.