Sept. 16, 2012

For Immediate release

For more information, contact Kayla Retzer at 774-4222

Ready Room grand opening planned Thursday at WSC

WILLISTON, N.D. - Williston State College is pleased to announce the grand opening of the top floor of Frontier Hall, the residence hall which was opened and began housing students in the fall of 2011.                   

The fourth floor of the hall, which was built as a conference/meeting room, will be named The Ready Room. According to WSC Assistant Professor of History Richard Stenberg, the room will commemorate Company E of the North Dakota National Guard, which is headquartered in Williston.

"The motto of the North Dakota National Guard is 'Always Ready,'" Stenberg stated. "At the Fort Buford military installation, since they did not have walls around the perimeter of the fort, they had a guard house and they had guards at the ready - walking guard, or walking the post as they called it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They were always ready."

He went on to explain that all military installations have a room specified as their ready room. "Even in the Navy they keep a detachment of the crew always at the station - always ready. Thus the name of this room - the Ready Room. It is a military term."

According to WSC President Dr. Raymond Nadolny, the room meets a need for both the campus and the community.

"We wanted to provide a first-class space that allows an opportunity to learn in a professional environment," he said. "It will provide a meeting place for business classes, as well as historical and cultural learning opportunities." 

For businesses and other entities who hold conferences, classes and board meetings, the Ready Room will be available for rent by contacting Heather Fink, WSC Events Coordinator, at 774-4557.

The grand opening will begin at 2:30 p.m. where the Color Guard will be on hand in front of Frontier Hall. "They will present the colors and from there we'll head up to the fourth floor for the unveiling of the plaque honoring Co. E, which was formed on Dec. 8, 1906, and is headquartered here in Williston. We're also very pleased and lucky to have special guest and speaker, Shirley J. Olgeirson, Lt. Col. (ret) here with us," said Kayla Retzer, WSC Director of Marketing.

Olgeirson, who retired after 25 years' service, is a veteran of Desert Storm, having served with the North Dakota Army National Guard. She currently resides in Bismarck and serves as editor of "The 164th Infantry News", a historic magazine for the 164th Infantry Association. She will give a short presentation on the history of the 164th Infantry in Williston, with emphasis on the importance of the Regiment in World War II.

Also sharing remarks will be Nadolny and Terry Olson, executive director of the WSC Foundation. Light refreshments will be served.

"We really hope that the public will come out to see the Ready Room and to help us honor and recognize those who have served our country, especially those in this particular unit," Retzer said.