Softball starts

The Raiders softball team opens its 2011 season Thursday, March 31 with three games at the Irish Dome in Rosemount. CLC will play three more games Friday. The team includes 12 players, according to Greg Medeck, head coach. The Raiders return six players from last year’s squad that finished second in the Northern Division with a 14-6 record. CLC finished with an overall record of 27-16 and was the Region 13 B runner-up. The roster: Sophomores Stephanie Neugebauer (Brainerd, SS), Heather Zetah (Staples-Motley, C), Dani Thiesse (Brainerd, LF), Lindsay Fryer (St. Francis, 2B), Trisha Wippler (1B, Little Falls), Alicia Johnson (OF, Verndale) and Freshmen Hallsey Olson (CF, Brainerd), Sam Harting (P, Pillager), Brooke Hanson (OF, Lake of the Woods), Ashley Zimmerman (3B, Pequot Lakes), Katie Boody (INF/OF, Royalton), Heather Hejhal (3B, Verndale). “We have good balance in terms of freshmen and sophomores and within our position groups,” said Medeck. “We have good leadership and I think we’re excited and motivated and confident to have a successful season, we just haven’t played yet. “We’re still a little bit lacking in depth. We only have 12 players and we’re healthy right now, but if we get a couple of injuries that could be a problem for us. We don’t have a ton of depth in our pitching, but if Sam can stay healthy that should be a strength for us.” Photo: Stephanie Neugebauer is back after missing last season due to injury. Photo courtesy of Brainerd Dispatch-Steve Kohls, photographer and CLC instructor.

TRIO-Student Support Services

Each month the TRIO-Student Services Support program hosts monthly culture days around a menu fitting the day's theme. Recently, the theme was American Indian, so the menu included fry bread, cranberry bread, and wild rice chicken soup, all prepared by the Brainerd campus food vendor. The program, which serves 180 students, was pleased to host about 50 students and administrators to sample delicious ethnic treats -- and when that ran out, the kitchen brought additional food to meet demand. Sue Austin brought her drums in, and Charles Black Lance shared some recorded music to enhance the experience. The next Cultural Lunch is April 19.

Nursing assistants from Mille Lacs

The first cohort of Nursing Assistant students from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe recently completed three months of study offered by Central Lakes College at Mille Lacs Health System. Front from left, are Darian Kegg and Maria Powell, and back from left are Sara Rice, Rose Wind, and Naomi Jourdain. They were in a three-credit CLC course that attracts dozens of aspiring health professionals each year and provides the required basis for immediate employment as well as career advancement in nursing and other health-related work. A $24,700 HealthForce Minnesota diversity grant for career training in healthcare enabled CLC to collaborate and customize training in the Mille Lacs Lake community. “This is an opportunity to encourage American Indian students to see themselves working in the health care profession and providing health services to our Tribal members,” said Mary Sam, CLC Director of Diversity and Student Affairs. Students graduating from this cohort and the high school cohort which is in process currently, will have the opportunity to participate in a Home Health Aide course beginning in June.

Coaching in Virgin Islands

Greg Medeck of Central Lakes College has completed his second week-long football camp coaching experience in the Virgin Islands, one he describes as “incredible.” In mid-March Medeck was the only Minnesota coach invited to participate in the 2011 U.S. Virgin Islands High School Football Camp, an event he joined in 2010 accompanied by now-retired Jim Strohmeier, CLC’s longtime offensive coordinator. Medeck said the student athletes have impressed him with their coachability and determined attitudes to learn and achieve success. In just a few days, he said he found some of the most motivated young players he has ever worked with. Last year three of the Virgin Island campers followed Medeck to Brainerd and were members of the 10-2 Raider team that earned a Valley of the Sun Bowl berth in Arizona and was ranked 18th in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III season-ending poll. Medeck, who is 34-10 with one state championship and two runner-up trophies in four seasons as the head coach at CLC, recruits not only physical standouts with football skills. He relishes the annual building of a Minnesota College Athletic Conference powerhouse steeped in positive teamwork. “These guys in the Virgin Islands know how to work, to think and believe in their abilities,” he said. He is confident they can be groomed to become good football players and strong young adults. “All they need is the chance they deserve.” As U.S. citizens, Virgin Island student athletes qualify for financial aid that is available based on low- or no-income circumstances and sufficient academic profiles.

Earth Day Fair vendors welcomed

The free 2011 Central Lakes College Earth Day Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 on the Brainerd campus will be part of Earth Week at CLC. Coordinators are the Environmental Studies class, Natural Resources and Horticulture programs, the Green Team and the Green Club (members shown at Bridges Career Exploration Day exhibit). They are lining up exhibitors and activities oriented toward ecological awareness. Vendors pay no charge to have information and display tables. Contact Gary Carson to reserve a spot, (218) 855-8059 or gcarson@clcmn.edu . Last year's event drew about 300 people and 35 vendors. Video showings include "The Dark Side of the Loon" and "Play Again." There will be environmental and natural resources activities and games. The Earth Day Prize Drawing is set for 2:30 p.m.

Academic athletes

Fourteen Central Lakes College student athletes have achieved 2010 Minnesota College Athletic Conference Fall Sports Academic Awards. Football: Kaleb Anderson, Robert Howell, Cory Jackson, Samuel Johnson, Roger Strack, Collin Swanson, Ryan Tri, Dustin Yorek; Golf: Paul Albrecht, Cody Cederberg, Brittany Gravelle, Timothy Thorson; Volleyball: Kaitlyn Roerick, Melissa Widman. Criteria: A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (B) or better at the end of the semester in which the majority of season occurred and meeting “basis for selection” for that sport.

Nicaragua next Cultural Thursday

Central Lakes College sociologist Gary Payne will present a free photographic tour of the history, culture and wildlife of Nicaragua at the Brainerd campus twice on Thursday, April 7. “Nicaragua: Dangerous Beauty” is the Cultural Thursday event that is always held on the first Thursday of each month during the academic year at CLC. The first presentation will be from noon-1 p.m. in Chalberg Theatre. The second is from 7-8 p.m. in the Lecture Hall (E354). Nicaragua is of particular interest for three main reasons, Gary said. “One is that it was the target of over 30 U.S. military interventions, an incredible history that is little known to North Americans,” he noted. “Another is that despite its relatively modest size (almost identical to the area of Minnesota), it harbors no fewer than 40 volcanoes, half of which are active. Finally, it encompasses the largest remaining intact natural wetlands in Central America, and some of its bird life migrates all the way to Minnesota, as well as to the southern hemisphere. Cultural Thursday is offered by the Resource Center for Cultures and Languages of the Americas at CLC. For information, contact Jan Kurtz at (218) 855-8183 or jkurtz@clcmn.edu

Health professionals class

In a partnership with Central Lakes College, 27 Brainerd High School students recently toured the North Memorial Air Care heliport at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. They are students in a healthcare professionals class taught by Jean Mershon of Central Lakes College in partnership with Essentia Health System. Offered for the fifth year, the course is part of the Bridges Career Academies that focus on career pathways and a rigorous, real-world curriculum. Work-based learning and the need to meet regional workforce needs drive the initiative. “One course objective is to encourage high school juniors and seniors to consider coming back to central Minnesota once they have completed their professional career studies,” said Jean. Students have visited several departments at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, talked to many professionals with various roles in medical service. They have shadowed the professionals to get a feel for those roles. North Memorial Air Care provides flight transportation service and critical care flight nurses and paramedics to respond directly to the scene of an emergency.

Featured speaker

Pat Swarthout, Central Lakes College business management instructor, will be a featured speaker at the Congress of Minnesota Resorts spring workshop at the Hampton Inn and Suites South Shore Conference Center, Bemidji, March 28. His presentation, “The Silver Bullet of Building Relationships in Tourism,” asks attendees to consider what may be missing in customer relationships. “If we think about connecting with our guests in a passionate, emotional sense, the silver bullet is there for the taking,” Swarthout said, noting that resorters will take away from the presentation an eagerness to put these strategies to the test at their businesses. For information, contact Swarthout at (218) 855-8093 or email pswartho@clcmn.edu

Health Career Fair

ONAMIA – Elementary, middle school, and high school students will explore health careers through hands-on activities and professionals speaking about their careers on Friday, April 1 in Onamia at a Health Career Fair. Central Lakes College will be represented by the Nursing and Medical Assistant programs as well as through staffers in Counseling and the TRIO program. A HealthForce Grant obtained by CLC is helping make the event possible, as are collaborators, The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Mille Lacs Health System. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with booths in the Lions Community Center and speakers scheduled for the Rolf Olsen Community Center. The fair will be open to the public from noon to 3 p.m. Onamia, Isle, and Nay-Ah-Shing students are scheduled to attend, with elementary and middle schools in the morning and high schools in the afternoon. The students will be provided with information about a variety of occupations related to health care from the people who work in the areas of mental and physical health, law enforcement, education, chemical dependency, counseling, and human services.

Minnecanos

The Central Lakes College Spanish Club and Resource Center for Languages and Cultures of the Americas presents "Minnecanos," a bilingual, multicultural production by Mixed Blood Theatre, on Thursday, April 21 at noon in Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. The performance is free. In this acclaimed production, an old Chicano man turns to a lifetime’s collection of touching stories and mementos to awaken and investigate his great-grandson’s interest in the families shared history and culture. The 45-minute play offers an illumination of Mexican American history that spans the entire 20th century, highlights El Rencanche, the mass deportations of the Great Depression and the Cesar Chavez-led farm workers movement. The play is a celebration of the accomplishments, character and aspirations of Latinos in Minnesota and across the country. Mixed Blood is a multi-cultural theatre company founded in 1967 that offers several regional touring productions throughout the year. A 15-minute Q & A session follows.

Students tour DC, NYC

Over spring break the nine Community Colleges for International Development students attending Central Lakes College took a field trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City to fulfill global leadership development requirements of their one-year scholarship opportunity in the United States. They visited the White House, the U.S. Capitol, Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Smithsonian American History Museum, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Wall Street, 9-11 Memorial, the Holocaust Museum, as well as many other museums and memorials. Global leadership development programming is an essential element of the CCID program. "Helping students to develop leadership qualities and preparing them to return home with skills to make a difference in their communities are important goals," said Erich Heppner, director of student life at CLC, who accompanied the students. "It ensures that students take the time to learn about U.S. culture, history, and government, so that when they return home they can share meaningful impressions with their friends, family, and co-workers."

Bridges Career Exploration

The Bridges Career Exploration Day at Central Lakes College in Brainerd on March 11 drew more than 2,300 high school students from the following schools to sample more than 150 career options through interaction with professionals in business, public service, and higher education: Bertha-Hewitt, Brainerd, Brainerd AEC, Browerville, Crosby-Ironton, Eagle Valley, Freshwater Education District, Henning, Isle, Lake Region Christian, Little Falls, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Menahga, Nay-Ah-Shing, Onamia, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, Swanville, and Verndale. This was the first time the Brainerd campus has hosted the event, which is a partnership event among the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and other educational partners. Career clusters were business, management, and administration; arts, communications and information systems; agriculture, foods, and natural resources; human services; engineering, manufacturing, technology; health services; and liberal arts. The event ran from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

To view images of the event go to

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58518185@N04

'An Enemy of the People'

Commonweal Theater Company of Lanesboro, Minn. will present Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5 at Central Lakes College. This Cultural Arts Series presentation will be staged in the John Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. Ibsen wrote it in response to the public outcry against his play "Ghosts," which at that time was considered scandalous. "Ghosts" had challenged the hypocrisy of Victorian morality and was deemed indecent for its veiled references to syphilis. "An Enemy of the People" addresses the irrational tendencies of the masses, and the hypocritical and corrupt nature of the political system that they support. It is the story of one brave man's struggle to do the right thing and speak the truth in the face of extreme social intolerance. Commonweal's promotional description of its production describes the play like this: "Newly discovered health springs offer prosperity to a struggling town, until a local doctor realizes the waters are dangerously polluted. How far will a community go to turn a blind eye when the truth will bring about their personal ruin?" Since 1989, the professional artists of the Commonweal have brought to life soulful stories told with honesty and creativity. The Commonweal boasts a rare organizational model, with resident company members who have come from all over the country to make their home in the Lanesboro area. General admission seating is $10, $5 for junior and senior high and CLC students (limit one student ticket purchased online). clctickets.com or box office at (218) 855-8199 or email clctheatre@clcmn.edu

Baseball vs. Division I

CRESTON, IOWA — Brad Ellingson finished 2-for-3 with an RBI as the Central Lakes College Raiders ended its week-long, season-opening road trip with an 18-2 loss to Southwestern Community College Saturday, March 19. CLC was outscored, 143-7, in those first nine games. Tim Chandler went 1-1 with an RBI and Jon Rempel and Josh Edwards each added a hit for the Division III Raiders of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Minnesota College Athletic Conference. “It was a learning experience,” said Head Coach Pat Held. “We played Division I opponents all the way through and that makes a difference." By the end, Rempel, Josh Edwards, Peter Lucken and Tim Chandler were hitting the ball pretty well, Coach Held said. On Friday, March 18, Ted Rohr’s double drove in the only run of the day for CLC in a 11-1 loss that preceded a 3-1 setback to Southwestern. On Thurs., March 17 the CLC loss was 17-1 at 80-degree Miami, Okla., to Northeastern Oklahoma A & M. The Raiders' first home twinbill of the 2011 season is scheduled for Sunday, March 27 vs. Rainy River. But realistically Coach Held said the 0-9 Raiders will probably play their first game in Minnesota at the Rochester crossover tournament April 1-2.

Auditions

Central Lakes College Summer Theatre auditions are scheduled for Saturday, April 2 in the Dryden Theatre on the Brainerd campus. This summer’s productions are the musical “Annie” and the Ray Cooney farce “It Runs in The Family.” “Annie” needs a cast of 15 girls and five boys ages seven to 13 along with nine men and nine women 14 and older. Children will audition at 10 a.m. and adults at 1 p.m. Actors should prepare 16 measures of an up-tempo song and bring two copies of their sheet music along with a 5x7 headshot to the audition. The production plays in July for 15 performances with rehearsals starting June 6. Dennis Lamberson directs, Jessica Huppler is the musical director, and choreography is by Wendy DeGeest. For information contact Dennis at (218) 855-8202 or by e-mail at dlambers@clcmn.edu. Opening June 15 for 10 performances and directed by Patrick Spradlin will be the fun-filled “It Runs in The Family,” which takes place in the Doctor’s Common Room of St Andrew’s Hospital as David Mortimore tries to keep his wife from meeting his former girlfriend. The fun includes Mortimore’s hapless colleague, a police sergeant, a senile patient, an assortment of matrons, a syringe full of tranquilizer and costume from the Christmas pantomime. The cast calls for six men and six women over the age of 18. Auditions will start at 1 p.m. and actors will read from the script. For information call Patrick at (218) 855-8255 or by e-mail at pspradlin@clcmn.edu.

Free training

Central Lakes College, working with Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment, Inc., is offering free training in renewable energy and energy efficiency. For dislocated workers and current business employees, the two-part series starts April 18 in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus. Space is limited, and there are eligibility requirements. Contact Kori Busho at (218) 855-8139 or kbusho@clcmn.edu for information. There is no cost for attending due to grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Governor’s Workforce Development Council. Funds are also provided by a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

Tough competition

WILLBURTON, Okla. — The Central Lakes College Raiders were outscored 42-1 in a doubleheader loss against Eastern Oklahoma on Wed., March 16. Pete Lucken had the only hit for CLC in a 28-1 loss in the first game. In the second game, Jon Rempel was 2-for-2, Tim Chandler and Ted Rohr singled and Josh Edwards drove in the only CLC run with a fourth-inning single in a 14-1 loss. Raiders coach Pat Held said Eastern is a Division II community college whose roster includes three players who are major league draftees. “We played a very good team,” Held said. “Their coach was telling me they expect to win the Division II World Series this year. They’re that good, so I don’t feel too bad about this. “We swung the bats very well. (Assistant coach) Aaron Jenkins and I were saying that those are good cuts but when they’re throwing that hard it’s hard to get around on it.” The 0-5 Raiders, outscored 94-2 in their first five games this season, were scheduled to play Northeast Oklahoma A&M at Miami, Okla., on Thursday and Southwestern CC at Creston, Iowa, 1 p.m. Friday.
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Raiders lose two

MIAMI, Okla. — The Central Lakes College baseball team managed five hits in a doubleheader loss to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Tuesday, March 15. CLC lost the first game 19-0, with Cody Stange (left), Pete Lucken and Tony Madsen getting the only hits. Ted Rohr, who took the loss, Mike Gontarek and Josh Edwards pitched for CLC. The Raiders lost the second 18-1, with Hunter Young and Tim Chandler collecting the only hits. The only CLC run scored on a delayed double steal. “This is some pretty top-shelf competition,” Head Coach Pat Held said. “Some of these teams have already played 25 games; we’re at three. It makes a difference. We played hard. We never gave up. No matter what the score was we played the game the right way.” The team plays in Oklahoma and Iowa before coming home to await the home opener vs. Rainy River on Sunday, March 27 conditions permitting.

Finalists to interview

The Central Lakes College Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Search Committee will interview three finalists the week of March 21 and also provide an opportunity for all CLC staff and students to meet the candidates when they visit our campuses. The open forums for each of the candidates will be held in the Cube (C240) on the Brainerd campus from 10:15-11:15 a.m. and in Room A111 on the Staples campus from 3-3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, Wednesday, March 23, and Thursday, March 24.
Tuesday, March 22
Russell Curley - Dr. Curley's educational credentials include Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Iowa with a major in Higher Education Administration and a Master of Arts in Education with a major in College Student Personnel from the University of Northern Iowa. Russell is currently the Director of the Transfer and Lifelong Learning Center at the University of Cincinnati and had been Director of Educational Services there. His experience includes the position of Director of Student Support Services and Director of Student Activities/Academic Adviser at North Iowa Community College in Mason City.
Wednesday, March 23
Mary Ward - Mary has a PhD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Science in Education Leadership from Southwest State University. Mary has served as the Director of Advising Success Center at Bemidji State University since 2008 and previously was the Director of Student Services at Minnesota State Community and Technical College on the Wadena campus.
Thursday, March 24
Beth Adams - Beth received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Her previous positions include Vice President of Student Services for Lake Superior College, where she served as the chief student affairs officer. She served as Dean of Students at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College at the Virginia and Eveleth campuses and Vermilion Community College. At Mesabi Range, Beth served as the Director of Student Services and Academic Support, Director of Student Support Services, and Director of Disability Services.

Baseball team opens season

The Central Lakes College Raiders baseball team opened its season at Paris, Texas on Sunday, March 13 in the first of what is scheduled to be a 40-game campaign according to Pat Held, in his second year as head coach at CLC. The young Raiders, who have only four returning players from a 9-29 season in 2010, dropped a 15-0 contest to Paris Community College, which was playing its 21st game of the season. CLC had just two hits and committed four errors, while the home team totaled 11 hits in errorless play. Eight right-handed Raiders took the mound for at least one inning, Coach Held said, noting the team has no left-handers. "We wanted them all to get some action." CLC was to play Northeast Oklahoma A & M March 15 and 17 at Miami, OK., Eastern Oklahoma at Willburton, OK., March 16, and Southwestern CC at Creston, Iowa March 18 and 19 before coming home from the spring break tour. The first home doubleheader is scheduled for March 27 vs. Rainy River. The returning players for CLC are Jon Rempel, Mike Gontarek, Dan Koopmeiners, and Cody Stange.

EgoFest: Short films this weekend

Need a great idea for movie night? Come enjoy 35 original films at EgoFest March 18 and 19 in Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Buy a ticket for one day or both! Friday night: $5. All-day Saturday: $15. Tickets are on sale at the Box Office or online at www.clctickets.com. The Box Office is closed during Spring Break, March 14-18 but will be receiving and returning messages during this time. Check out the trailer below for a taste of EgoFest! www.tiltthemovie.com/teaser-trailer/ Central Lakes College Theatre Box Office, Ph. 218-855-8199 Email: clctheatre@clcmn.edu Web: www.clcmn.edu/theatre

Campuses closed Friday

To accommodate the Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection Career Exploration Day event on Friday, March 11, with more than 2,300 high school students from 23 schools participating, Central Lakes College campuses in Brainerd and Staples will be closed to the public, except for the Community Dental Clinic and the Business and Industry Center. High school students will be on the Brainerd campus to explore more than 150 career options through hands-on interaction with professionals. More than 70 educational programs offered by CLC and Minnesota State Community and Technical College at Wadena, including liberal arts, will be showcased (along with businesses) to demonstrate how high school and higher education prepare students for careers. Dr. Brenda Cassellius (pictured), state commissioner of education, and Louise Sundin, a trustee with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, are scheduled to attend. Area legislators have been invited. Regional school district superintendents will meet with Commissioner Cassellius in the afternoon. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is co-hosted by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, which has complete information at www.bridgesconnection.org

Health Fair

Central Lakes College Associate Degree nursing students assisted for the second year with hand hygiene education and blood pressure screening at the Brainerd Lakes Health Fair. Students volunteered to assist with taking blood pressures of residents in the Brainerd Lakes community who attended. They also made available written teaching pamphlets on hypertension, reducing risk of cardiac complications such as stroke and heart attack, and a summary of what the lab numbers mean (cholesterol, triglycerides, BP, etc) Britney Meyer and Lacey McCulley are shown at the CLC Nursing information table labeled "I'm a Fan."

Brainerd Snow Days

The Brainerd Campus Snow Days concluded with the announcement of several winning teams and individuals in competition supervised by the Student Life Program at CLC. Kimberly Juracek wins a $50 gas card for finding the hidden Snow Days medallion in the library and inside the book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The blood drive was once again a huge success with 65 students, faculty, and staff donating. The Natural Resources Club wins the pizza party with the most club members donating. Sled Race Champions were Demitria Squires, Stacy O'Connell, Jenna Terharr, Anthony Kelley, and Maurice Hernandez. The champs win Subway gift certificates. Intramural Basketball Champions - The Other Guys - Johnny Egan, Nathan Bigley, Mike Moore, Kaleb Anderson, Dan Ngandali, Kyle Crozon, Coach Celestino White, Captain Cory Jackson, Kassi Kavanaugh, Zach Eastman, and Melissa Widman. The 2010-2011 Champions win the traveling trophy and Intramural Champion T-Shirts. Broomball Champs - Adam Bybee, Joshua Edwards, Samantha Heagerty, Janiqua Robinson, Justin Hiltner, Charlie Arnzen, Kylie Beyer, Sam Harting, Adam Schlangen, and Jeff Wuollet. The winners were awarded gift certificates to the cafeteria.

Mixed Blood

Mixed Blood Theatre of Minneapolis will present "Minnecanos," a touching and invigorating renewal of family and culture, in Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College on Thursday, April 21 at noon. This is the story of an old man awakening his great-granddaughter's interest in their shared Chicano history. Presented by the CLC Spanish Department, the free 45-minute dramatic performance offers an illumination of Mexican American history that spans the entire 20th century, highlights El Rencanche, the mass deportations of the Great Depression and the Cesar Chavez-led farm workers movement. The play is a celebration of the accomplishments, character and aspirations of Latinos in Minnesota and across the country. Mixed Blood is a multi-cultural theatre company founded in 1967 that offers several regional touring productions throughout the year. A 15-minute Q & A session follows the performance at CLC.

International bridge

The Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber recently publicized its working relationship with Central Lakes College regarding two young international students with business ambitions. As members of the Chamber Member Outreach Committee, Bradley Van Der Zandt, 22, of Cape Town, South Africa and Jaka Mahendra, 23, of Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia are learning about local business relationships by observing and networking. They are committing many hours outside of their college studies at CLC to attend Chamber events. They make calls to members and also participate in the Chamber's CHOW events to meet and greet and assist wherever needed. Jeri Hughes, Events Coordinator with the Chamber, said she was contacted by Joan Jenkins and Pat Swarthout from CLC in regard to the students and their interest in getting involved locally. Hughes said the Chamber was more than eager to take the students on through an internship. “I am amazed at how they’ve come into another country, can speak so well and adapt so well to our way of life,” Hughes commented. “They are really great guys!”

Cultural Thursday

Elena Nicoski, an ethnic Russian student at Central Lakes College, presented the March 3 Cultural Thursday program on the Brainerd campus. Nicoski was born and raised in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, and lived in the republic for 21 years. She discussed the history, culture, arts and crafts, government, religion, food, and Turkmenistan’s development. A resident of Baxter, the 1995 exchange student to Colorado has studied French language and literature during undergraduate studies at the Turkmen State University. This young wife and mother is completing an Associate in Arts degree at CLC and plans to attend St. Cloud State University for French and Spanish studies, as well as international relations. The next free Cultural Thursday scheduled for noon to 12:50 p.m. on April 7 will be Gary Payne presenting images and impressions from Nicaragua. Cultural Thursdays are sponsored by the Resource Center for Cultures and Languages of the Americas at CLC. For information, contact Jan Kurtz at (218) 855-8183, jkurtz@clcmn.edu

Celebration of Nations update

The Central Lakes College International Club and Diversity Leadership Council are co-hosting the second Celebration of Nations on Friday, April 1 on the Brainerd campus. The event runs 5 to 9 p.m. and is open to the public at admission prices of $6 adults, $4 students, and free to ages 11 and under. Cultural musicians begin performing at 5 p.m. and include Asian Ribbon dance, German folk music, West African dance and drumming, Mille Lacs Drummers, Scandinavian Skal Klubb folk music, Indonesian Gamelan, Latin American Pachanga, The Ha Family Asian Lion Dance followed by a Fireworks Finale. International snacks will be sold at the event, featuring ethnic treats from Africa, Asia, Europe and The Americas. The Central Lakes College gymnasium will be set up as a “one-stop shop/travel experience” with African story-telling and drumming in an authentic African hut, a South American beach experience, Indian henna, Korean origami activities set up in an Asian rest house, World Cup soccer experiences of Latin America and Europe, Indonesian children’s games in an authentic Indonesian rest house. Sit, eat, and enjoy the performances from either an Italian café or from the beach. There will be fair-trade vendors with culturally representative items for sale.

Band concert

The Central Lakes College Instrumental Music Department on Tuesday, March 1 presented "Snowdrift Serenade," a concert featuring 30 musicians in the CLC Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble and Woodwind Ensemble. The concert in the Music Rehearsal Hall on the Brainerd campus. The 16-member Jazz Band and the 14-player Brass Ensemble are under the direction of Steve Anderson, CLC instrumental instructor and performer with the brass and jazz groups. The seven-member Woodwind Ensemble is led by Chris Bolstad, Pine River, who plays soprano saxophone. Music featured ranged from Steely Dan to Duke Ellington to Charlie Parker. In July the Central Lakes College Community Band will travel and perform on its first-ever European Tour. The band is also preparing for a May 10 concert and the May 12 CLC graduation ceremony in the Brainerd High School gymnasium. Vocal and instrumental students at CLC will also participate in the April 8 and 9 Minnesota Colleges Music Festival at Breezy Point.

Civic engagement celebration

Central Lakes College on April 20 (Brainerd campus) and 21 (Staples campus) will showcase its civic engagement and service learning projects that have helped the community and technical college achieve placement on the President's National Honor Roll for Civic Engagement and Service Learning. The Minnesota Campus Compact hosted a workshop at Carleton College, Northfield, at which CLC officials were honored to work with other institutional leaders and assess local goals aimed at engaging CLC students, faculty, and staff in hands-on volunteer opportunities that contribute to our communities. In one year, the college's total hours committed to civic engagement increased from 10,313 to 38,569, according to data reported by Rebecca Best, dean of workforce, regional and economic development (pictured at the workshop with the CLC display outlining civic engagement activities). She was accompanied to the workshop by Erich Heppner, director of student activities; Connie Frisch, director of nursing; and Beverly Berg, administrative support staff in customized training.

American Indian Educators Summit

Central Lakes College and five sister institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will co-host the May 2 and 3 American Indian Educators Summit at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa. Among presenters are Dr. Anton Treuer (pictured), Larry Aitken, and Annie Humphrey. Co-hosts are Lake Superior College, Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, St. Cloud State University, and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Students who are pursuing a field in education, social work, economic and community development are encouraged to attend. The summit is a call to action to share knowledge about our past, state our current efforts and gather input for future plans. It is billed as an educational and engaging experience focused on American Indian education. It is designed for K-16 educators, students in teacher training programs, those involved with the education of American Indian students including classroom teachers, teacher aides, curriculum specialists, library media specialists, guidance counselors, home-school coordinators, Title IX/JOM coordinators and administrators, tribal education staff, college and university faculty, staff and administrators, and those with an interest in American Indian Studies and/or American Indian education. Registration deadline is April 20. For information, contact Mary Sam, director of diversity at CLC, 218-855-8159, msam@clcmn.edu

Auditions

The Adventures ’n Theatre, the young people’s performing company at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, will hold auditions for “The Clown Who Ran Away” on Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. in the Bob Dryden Theatre at CLC. This is the story of Dodo the Clown, who runs away from the circus in search of adventure. On Main Street he meets many interesting people, including Mr. Frumpkins, who makes the best dolls in the world. They are life-size dolls who can sing and dance, talk and do math. When the dolls are stolen it is up to Dodo to rescue them from two bumbling robbers with the help of Gladys, a horse with perfect penmanship. The production needs actors and actresses in grades 3-12. Audition materials will be provided on the day of audition. The performance dates are May 20 and 21 with rehearsals in April and May. For information, contact director Dennis Lamberson at 218-855-8202 or email dlambers@clcmn.edu