UPDATED: Impressive turnout of volunteers bolsters efforts at Fargo's Sandbag Central
FARGO – Dean Bresciani, the president of North Dakota State University, gave President’s Day a new twist today when he lent a hand at Sandbag Central.
By: Patrick Springer, INFORUM

FARGO – Dean Bresciani, the president of North Dakota State University, gave President’s Day a new twist today when he lent a hand at Sandbag Central.

He was one of the volunteers who turned out Monday to resume efforts to fill 3 million sandbags in preparation for an expected major flood this spring.

Today’s tally, as of 2 p.m., was 88,000 bags, bringing the running total to 700,000, said Jesse Schmidt, a Fargo firefighter who is helping coordinate the effort.

The group was joined by an estimated 160 NDSU students, far more than the 40 who had signed up. The Bison football team is expected around 4 p.m., and the NDSU women’s volleyball team is expected to follow around 6 p.m., Schmidt said.

Surprisingly, students from Minnesota State University Moorhead also came to Fargo’s Sandbag Central to help fill bags.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Schmidt said. “A couple of Moorhead businesses also showed up.”

Today’s turnout from college students was all the more impressive since today’s President’s Day holiday means a three-day weekend for many, Schmidt said.

NDSU prepares for flood fight
Published: 14 February 2011 03:04 PM

North Dakota State University is, once again, joining the fight as Fargo-Moorhead prepares for an anticipated 2011 spring flood.

NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani and Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker held a news conference Feb. 14 to discuss flood-fighting efforts on the part of the university. According to Bresciani, NDSU student groups are organizing to help fill sandbags during the next two to three weeks, and staff and faculty also will work many hours to assist the goal of stockpiling three million sandbags in anticipation of high water.

"NDSU historically has had a key role in preparing for and fighting flood conditions in this area in supporting the community. We're very proud to be a part of that community, and we're very proud of the participation and contribution our campus family makes to that effort," said Bresciani, noting the university has always stepped up to help in times of need. "Students, faculty and staff commit hundreds and hundreds of hours, collectively, to supporting our community against flood conditions."

Bresciani said NDSU students, faculty and staff can have a major impact on the success of a flood fight, and he issued a challenge to students.

"I'd like to see who amongst our athletes, residence halls, student organizations and Greek chapters contributes the most to this incredible and important community effort," Bresciani said. "The chapter, organization or group that does so is going to get an all-expense paid lunch at the President's House as a reward and recognition of their contribution."

Walaker said it is too early in the process to make predictions about how high the Red River might rise. But, he said a major task lies ahead because the city has 58 miles to protect with dikes and sandbags. He said the city hopes to fill 100,000 to 150,000 sandbags per day for the next three weeks.

"We do depend on the university," Walaker said. "We have to prepare for a record flood. We haven't had any significant snowfall in about five weeks - we are planning for the worst and hoping for the best."

All NDSU volunteers are asked to check in at the Memorial Union near the Bison Connection counter. Sandbagging is taking place 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with transportation provided at 15-minute intervals, to and from the west door of the Memorial Union.

"We can't do it without the help of volunteers," Walaker said. "One of the things about this community is the ability to respond when they see the need. So, thank you very much."

Last year, NDSU Theta Chi Fraternity won one of the Denny's Bucks for Bags awards for 384 hours of sandbagging, and, in turn, donated the prize to the YWCA of Cass-Clay.