2008 Woodie Awards
Non-Traditional Student Group Hosted Nature Hike Saturday
Non-traditional students invited to nature hike at the Elk's Nature Center and Rasmussen Trails.
by Matt Johnston
Issue date: 4/17/07
Section: Campus News
- Page 1 of 1
The noon breeze floated through the freshly budded trees at Rasmussen's Wooded Trail as good friends lined up with family members and water bottles in preparation for a hike through the woods.
The Non-Traditional Student Group hosted a nature hike and exploration event Saturday at the Elk's Nature Center and Rasmussen Wooded Trails.
A large number of MSU students fall into the category of "Non-Trad's" whether they know it or not. A student doesn't have to have kids or simply live off campus to be a non-traditional
The Non-Traditional Student office describes Non-Trads as: a student who is a parent; a student who is married, partnered, widowed or divorced; a student who is 24 years of age or older; a student who is also a military veteran; a student who waited three or more years after high school to attend college; a student who is returning to college after a leave or absence of three or more years; a student who commutes from over 15 minutes away.
Stacy Stoldorf is the assistant director of Student Leadership Development and Service Learning at MSU. She works with all of the recognized student organizations and non-traditional students.
"Not everyone in the Non-Traditional [Student] Group has kids," Stoldorf said. "That's why we try to vary our events. Some people are single and are just going back to school…Being part of the group doesn't mean you have to commit to anything."
When the group returned to the Elk's Nature Center at the heart of the park, they shared bottles of water and healthy snacks such as granola bars supplied by the Non-Traditional Student Group. At a picnic table near a small pavilion, the group chatted, joked around and played games with their children.
Michelle Bridges is a student at MSU and falls under the Non-Traditional banner due to her age and twin sons. It was Bridges who came up with the idea of Saturday's nature hike at Rasmussen Trails.
"We wanted a healthy outlook," Bridges said. "To get out of the house and get some good fresh air."
When Conner Bridges, one of Michelle's sons, was asked what his favorite part of the hike was he raised his granola bar in hand and said, "Over here."
The group lucked out with Saturday's weather, mostly sunny skies and 60 degrees.
"When Michelle suggested that we do something outside we all said 'Yeah, let's do it'," Stoldorf said. "It was supposed to be rainy and icky today but it is gorgeous and everyone's in a happy mood. It's good to connect with nature."
The group decided Rasmussen's Wooded Trail would be a prime site because of its near-campus location, Stoldorf said.
"We've been doing a lot of stuff on campus and we decided that it was time to do something out in the community," Stoldorf said. "And this was still close enough to campus."
Sue McLeod is a member of the Non-Traditional Student Group with a 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.
"When I tell someone I am a student at MSU they ask, 'So you're a grad student?'," McLeod said. "I say 'No I'm an undergrad."
Her son Tom said he had a great time hiking through the woods.
"I got up close with a squirrel and almost picked up a snake," Tom McLeod said. "I like catching things that move."
Rachel Flood-Grub is the student Co-President of the Non-Traditional Student Group. She is a married, mother of three and an MSU student.
"The nature hike puts all of life into perspective in about a half an hour," Flood-Grub said, which came with a warm laugh from the surrounding members of the group who were all sitting at a picnic table.
"This is probably not something I would do on my own, but when you can get people together to do something it is just so much more fun and motivating," Flood-Grubb said.
Katie Cole is the mother of Amber Cole, a bright eyed 4-year-old girl. Cole is a full time, single mom who is trying to get through college with the help of the Non-Traditional Student Group.
"It is really pretty down here and I enjoyed the whole thing, but maybe not the snakes," Cole said.
The group has a few more events planned for this year, including "Parent's Night Out" at the Buffalo Wild Wings on the Hilltop April 26.
"Most of our events are with family and kids and we thought it would be good to have something for just the grown-ups," Flood-Grubb said.
There will also be an "End of the Year" picnic May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in CSU 173.
For further information on non-traditional students you can email them at nontraditionalstudents@mnsu.edu.
Matt Johnston is a Reporter staff writer
The Non-Traditional Student Group hosted a nature hike and exploration event Saturday at the Elk's Nature Center and Rasmussen Wooded Trails.
A large number of MSU students fall into the category of "Non-Trad's" whether they know it or not. A student doesn't have to have kids or simply live off campus to be a non-traditional
The Non-Traditional Student office describes Non-Trads as: a student who is a parent; a student who is married, partnered, widowed or divorced; a student who is 24 years of age or older; a student who is also a military veteran; a student who waited three or more years after high school to attend college; a student who is returning to college after a leave or absence of three or more years; a student who commutes from over 15 minutes away.
Stacy Stoldorf is the assistant director of Student Leadership Development and Service Learning at MSU. She works with all of the recognized student organizations and non-traditional students.
"Not everyone in the Non-Traditional [Student] Group has kids," Stoldorf said. "That's why we try to vary our events. Some people are single and are just going back to school…Being part of the group doesn't mean you have to commit to anything."
When the group returned to the Elk's Nature Center at the heart of the park, they shared bottles of water and healthy snacks such as granola bars supplied by the Non-Traditional Student Group. At a picnic table near a small pavilion, the group chatted, joked around and played games with their children.
Michelle Bridges is a student at MSU and falls under the Non-Traditional banner due to her age and twin sons. It was Bridges who came up with the idea of Saturday's nature hike at Rasmussen Trails.
"We wanted a healthy outlook," Bridges said. "To get out of the house and get some good fresh air."
When Conner Bridges, one of Michelle's sons, was asked what his favorite part of the hike was he raised his granola bar in hand and said, "Over here."
The group lucked out with Saturday's weather, mostly sunny skies and 60 degrees.
"When Michelle suggested that we do something outside we all said 'Yeah, let's do it'," Stoldorf said. "It was supposed to be rainy and icky today but it is gorgeous and everyone's in a happy mood. It's good to connect with nature."
The group decided Rasmussen's Wooded Trail would be a prime site because of its near-campus location, Stoldorf said.
"We've been doing a lot of stuff on campus and we decided that it was time to do something out in the community," Stoldorf said. "And this was still close enough to campus."
Sue McLeod is a member of the Non-Traditional Student Group with a 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.
"When I tell someone I am a student at MSU they ask, 'So you're a grad student?'," McLeod said. "I say 'No I'm an undergrad."
Her son Tom said he had a great time hiking through the woods.
"I got up close with a squirrel and almost picked up a snake," Tom McLeod said. "I like catching things that move."
Rachel Flood-Grub is the student Co-President of the Non-Traditional Student Group. She is a married, mother of three and an MSU student.
"The nature hike puts all of life into perspective in about a half an hour," Flood-Grub said, which came with a warm laugh from the surrounding members of the group who were all sitting at a picnic table.
"This is probably not something I would do on my own, but when you can get people together to do something it is just so much more fun and motivating," Flood-Grubb said.
Katie Cole is the mother of Amber Cole, a bright eyed 4-year-old girl. Cole is a full time, single mom who is trying to get through college with the help of the Non-Traditional Student Group.
"It is really pretty down here and I enjoyed the whole thing, but maybe not the snakes," Cole said.
The group has a few more events planned for this year, including "Parent's Night Out" at the Buffalo Wild Wings on the Hilltop April 26.
"Most of our events are with family and kids and we thought it would be good to have something for just the grown-ups," Flood-Grubb said.
There will also be an "End of the Year" picnic May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in CSU 173.
For further information on non-traditional students you can email them at nontraditionalstudents@mnsu.edu.
Matt Johnston is a Reporter staff writer
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