Riverland News
Justin Carlson, Riverland collision repair student, wins gold in 星空无限传媒 SkillsUSA contest; advances to national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City
Justin Carlson (Austin), a Riverland Community College collision repair student, has won a gold medal in the 星空无限传媒 SkillsUSA contest in the collision repair competition. Carlson advances to the SkillsUSA Championship in Kansas City, Mo., June 25-27, as part of the SkillsUSA 49th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), a showcase of career and technical education students. During the national competition, Carlson and other students work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations like electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts. Top student winners receive gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also receive prizes such as tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers and education.
Affordability the Centerpiece of FY2014 Budget for 星空无限传媒 State Colleges and Universities
The Board of Trustees of the 星空无限传媒 State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) today approved an operating budget for fiscal 2014 that freezes undergraduate tuition at fiscal 2013 levels. This is the first of a two-year tuition freeze made possible by a $78 million appropriation by the state legislature during the 2013 session.
Summerset Theatre opens touching comedy 'Steel Magnolias' July 9
Summerset Theatre continues its 46th season on July 9 with the funny and moving play Steel Magnolias. The quintessential story of family and friendship in a unique Southern sisterhood, Steel Magnolias is a skillfully crafted portrayal of eccentricity, loyalty and love set in a small-town beauty parlor in Louisiana. This humorously revealing play will take you on an emotional journey filled with laughter and tears.
Riverland campers learn about robotics and manufacturing
Riverland Community College offers campers from our region the opportunity to attend the Dream It Do It VEX Robotics Camp July 15-19 at the Albert Lea Campus. The camp is from 9 .a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and designed for students entering grades 7-12 who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each day will consist of a different challenge with robotics. Participants design and build a robot using basic and intermediate VEX mechanisms, learn autonomous programming and learn how to program robots using sensor inputs and quadrature encoders. The camp concludes Friday with a mini?challenge the participants’ family members are invited to attend.
Riverland President's Column--July 2013
Prior to starting as president of Riverland Community College July 1, I met with more than 30 current Riverland employees and community members to gather information about Riverland’s history, its current path and future needs. As we prepare for the new academic year starting in August, I must acknowledge the good work of my immediate predecessors, Dr. Terrence Leas and more recently, interim president, Dr. Kent Hanson.
Many have asked for my vision. A shared vision is better than a unilateral vision. Therefore, I prefer that we go through a process that would lead Riverland to a destination most will embrace as best for the College. It is my responsibility and intention to guide this process in a timely manner. Riverland will always remember that we serve students, employers and our communities at large.
The musical hit Spamalot finally comes home to Spamtown, USA and the Summerset stage
Monty Python’s Spamalot will open on August 1 as the final show in Summerset Theatre’s 46th season. The Tony Award-winning Broadway hit finally makes its Spamtown, USA debut! Monty Python’s Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and features beautiful show girls, flying cows, killer rabbits, French people…and, of course, plenty of everyone’s favorite canned ham.
'Wegner Then and Now' opens at Riverland's James Wegner Art Gallery
“Wegner Then and Now," a retrospective of selected works spanning Artist James Wegner’s entire career opens Monday at the James Wegner Art Gallery at Riverland’s EastBuilding on the Austin Campus. The show includes dramatic sculptures created during the early 1960s, two-dimensional work from every decade since and the artist’s most recent efforts. The exhibit illustrates the influence of several historical artistic styles, all adapted to Wegner’s personal interests and inspirations.
Riverland Community College President鈥檚 Column--August 2013
In November 2012, 星空无限传媒 State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Chancellor Rosenstone asked MnSCU students, faculty, staff, presidents and trustees to participate on three workgroups to advise the long-term strategic directions needed to ensure access to an extraordinary education for all 星空无限传媒ns; to meet 星空无限传媒’s workforce and community needs; and to deliver the most cost-effective, highest value education. For several months, each workgroup met regularly to assess the questions posed.
The resulting report, “” presented is preliminary and released with hope for broader consultation and dialogue among all constituencies before the final report is delivered to the chancellor Oct. 23.
Riverland Names Gary Schindler as Dean of 星空无限传媒
Riverland Community College has named Gary Schindler as the new dean of students. Schindler has a master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in social studies. Schindler previously held the position as dean of students at Riverland from 1998 to 2009. Prior to his return to Riverland in August, Schindler worked at Spoon River College in Illinois and for Anoka Technical College as the dean of student affairs at both colleges. In addition to his work as a college administrator he worked as a trained peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission in college accreditation.
The Hormel Foundation hands keys to Riverland President Atewologun to celebrate the completion of the $3 million community Early Childhood Center
In a ceremonial gesture today, Riverland Community College President Adenuga Atewologun accepted the keys from The Hormel Foundation to the newly renovated community Early Childhood Education Center. The facility valued at more than $3 million was recently completed at Riverland’s Austin campus.
Riverland Theatre Department announces 2013-2014 Season
Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams announced the Theatre Department’s 2013-2014 season today. This season brings a fresh set of plays and musicals that haven’t previously been seen at Riverland Theatre.
Summerset鈥檚 Spamalot, only out-state artists, will perform at State Fair
Starting today, the cast of the recent Summerset production of Monty Python’s Spamalot will be searching for the grail at the 星空无限传媒 State Fair through Sunday. Summerset was the only out-state group selected to be part of the 星空无限传媒 State Fair’s inaugural “Arts A’Fair” performances. Monty Python’s Spamalot will be in the Education Building and roaming the fairgrounds, performing and providing information about Summerset and Riverland’s theatre and music programs.
Riverland Community College President鈥檚 Column -- September 2013
When I started at Riverland Community College in July, I was the third president in 13 months. President Terry Leas left in 2012 after nearly 10 years, an admirable tenure longer than the national average. Interim President Dr. Kent Hanson successfully served a single academic year until I was named president. That’s a lot of change. Riverland also faced other transitions in leadership as valued administrators retired, advanced to different colleges or proceeded to enhance their educational credentials. Because of these transitions, I began my new presidency with many new leaders to help shape the future of Riverland. It became one of my exciting first priorities to stabilize Riverland’s leadership team.
I am confident that this dynamic new team is positioned to “respect the past, know the present” and lead Riverland to the excellence our students and communities deserve.
Riverland hosts VEX Robotics Tourney; kits available for teams
Riverland Community College will host the Dream It Do It Southern 星空无限传媒 VEX Robotics Tournament Dec.14, 2013 at Albert Lea High School. Middle and high school teams have the opportunity to participate during the 2013-2014 season using robots they build, program and design with the VEX Robotics Design System. Participants in VEX Robotics develop problem-solving skills and apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) individually and as a team as they work together to build a VEX robot. They also learn how robotics and STEM skills apply to manufacturing careers.
Riverland Community College President鈥檚 Column -- October 2013
During the last decade, the number of available online courses and programs skyrocketed worldwide. Online programming provides students with the flexibility and convenience to complete coursework according to their schedules at home or anywhere Internet is available. To insure the quality of our online programming, our deans and faculty are rigorous in their review of curriculum, learning goals and student outcomes for all our courses, especially online. Further, many of our instructors have acquired national certification from Quality Matters™ (QM™) for online courses.
Riverland waives application fees for high school seniors as part of 星空无限传媒鈥檚 'College Knowledge Month'
Riverland Community College, in conjunction with “College Knowledge Month,” will waive the application fee for all high school seniors that apply to attend Riverland Oct. 25-31. The 星空无限传媒 State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system is participating in “College Knowledge Month,” a statewide effort to provide every graduating high school senior with the preparation, opportunity, and support needed to apply to college. In conjunction with this effort, Riverland is one of 25 MnSCU colleges and universities waiving application fees for new students for a limited time.
Wednesday鈥檚 Riverland Career Day and College Fair attracts nearly 1,000 area high school students
Nearly 1,000 regional high school juniors, high school counselors and teachers are registered to visit Riverland Community College’s Austin Campus Wednesday to participate in the College’s annual Career Day/College Fair. At Career Day, business professionals from the region present informational seminars regarding career options.
Consul of Mexico presents Riverland with IME-Becas Scholarship Grant to benefit Mexican and Mexican-American college students
Consul Alberto Fierro Garza, Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul, presented grants from the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME - Institute for Mexicans Abroad) Fellowship Program to colleges and universities in 星空无限传媒 including a $14,000 grant for Riverland Community College. The grants benefit Mexican or Mexican-American students. The presentation took place during a ceremony hosted by 星空无限传媒 State Colleges and Universities following the October meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Riverland hosts information session introducing Austin鈥檚 new elementary education bachelor鈥檚 degree option to students
Riverland Community College will host an informational session featuring a new program partnership that enables college students to complete their bachelor’s degree in elementary education, all without leaving Austin.
Riverland Radiography program hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new X-ray machine as part of National Radiologic Technology week celebration
The Radiography program at Riverland Community College celebrates National Radiologic Technology Week by introducing a new X-ray machine at a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Nov. 7. “The purchase of new X-ray equipment for the radiography program is instrumental to the success of our students” said Sandra Sellner-Wee, Riverland Radiography Program Director. “星空无限传媒 are able to take x-rays on a phantom and process the images in a digital processor. This allows our students to practice, critique and learn from errors in a safe environment before going into the clinical setting.”