The AED Foundation congratulated the Diesel Technology Department at North Dakota State College of Science on the grand opening of a new $10.3 million building addition to Bisek Hall.

This provides an additional 65,000 sq. ft. of needed space, bringing the total space available to 125,000 sq. ft. The General and CAT ThinkBIG programs at NDSCS are AED accredited.

John Richman, president of the college, hosted the grand opening ceremonies.

“The diesel program has been training students for over 60 years, for North Dakota and this region. In order to meet the high demand and workforce needs in the diesel industry, and to retain what I believe is the number one diesel technology program in the world, in order to do so, this facility was a must,” Richman said.

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, who also spoke at the ceremony, said “The state of the art classrooms and labs, high tech systems, these are providing a skilled labor force to our state, which is more needed than it ever has in our history. It creates great opportunity for our people and a great economic result; it creates not just jobs, but great careers.”

Diesel Technology Department Chairman Terry Marohl spoke to the history of the diesel programs and expressed that the programs are forever indebted to those previous faculty members who created and sustained the program, building it into the first class program it is today. Most importantly, the facility’s purpose will ensure that the students receive excellent education leading to great career opportunities, he said.

Other speakers included District 25 Representative John Wall, District 25 Senator Larry Luick, District 26 Senator Jim Dotzenrod and Kirsten Diederich, chair of the State Board of Higher Education.