With the beginning of the fall semester just around the corner, a level of excitement and anticipation is starting to catch hold of the staff and faculty of Williston State College.

The fall semester at WSC officially begins Monday at 4 p.m. For new President Raymond Nadolny and the rest of the staff, it can't come soon enough. Monday marked the beginning of the staff in-service at the college in preparation for the new school year.

"There's certainly a degree of enthusiasm taking hold. This was the first time the staff had all come together," said Nadolny.

Nadolny said Monday also marked a first for the college as far as he knows. North Dakota University System Chancellor Bill Goetz came to WSC to meet with Nadolny and the faculty and to tour the college Monday.

Nadolny isn't aware of any past chancellor coming to WSC for a prior visit during in-service week. He said the visit was fantastic and he appreciates the high level of support Goetz has shown him and the school. "The chancellor was incredibly supportive to the college and the community. We have a chancellor who's been in the position for a few years now and has really made his presence felt. He feels this is Williston State College's time," said Nadolny.

Goetz said he was impressed with how things are shaping up at WSC after his visit Monday. He said he visited with Nadolny, the faculty and staff and was given a campus tour. Goetz said it was impressive to see the work the staff has been doing to improve and spruce up campus.

"There's a lot of energy there. I was really pleased to see the faculty and staff," said Goetz.

Goetz added not only did he find the excitement of the staff to be very good, he thought the extra effort many of them were putting in was fantastic.

"They've even been taking hold of paintbrushes and things themselves; a lot of personal time has gone into their campus," said Goetz.

Goetz feels WSC is making strong efforts to expand their campus and it has a lot of opportunities to provide many more important programs and services to students and the community.

He cited improvements in the adult learning center, work to increase distance learning and the building projects set to start on campus as things he sees as key to expanding WSC's reach into the community. Providing more programs and events for the public is something else Goetz hopes the college starts to provide.

Goetz felt it was a productive visit at the college and Nadolny agreed.

Nadolny is pleased with the improvements made over the summer and most of them should be done in time for the beginning of classes.

"We had a really good summer, but now I think it's time for us to get back to what we do best -- providing quality education to students," said Nadolny.

For more information on Williston State College, visit its Web site at www.wsc.nodak.edu.