New chancellor

Please join Central Lakes College in welcoming Steven Rosenstone as the new chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. For more information about the new chancellor, go to www.mnscu.edu/media/newsreleases/current/article.php5?id=234.

Information Night at Pine River

College Information Night for residents of Central Cass County is scheduled for Pine River-Backus High School on Aug. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a free, public event offered by Central Lakes College and its partners in the new Community Outreach courses offered in Pine River starting this fall. No advance registration is needed. A general information session regarding the application process, financial aid, and scholarships is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m., with assessment and registration for new students from 6 to 8 p.m. Classes are to be offered at the Community Outreach site from October to mid-December. The short-semester format allows people with seasonal jobs to enroll. Partners with CLC are the Pine River-Backus School District, Cass County Economic Development, and Initiative Foundation. For information, contact Charlotte Daniels, Admissions Director, at 800-933-0346, 218-855-8067, or cdaniels@clcmn.edu

Fringe Festival

Central Lakes College Theatre Department will present “Ole and Lena and The Great Big Walleye” as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival Aug. 4-14. The Minnesota Fringe Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the United States and one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the Midwest. This year, 168 shows will be presented at 18 venues throughout Minneapolis-St. Paul. This is Minnesota Fringe’s eighteenth year and the first time the college has been invited to participate. David Wilson plays Lena, Nick Brutscher is Ole, and Jessica Huppler is Miss Wishy, the great big walleye. All three are from Brainerd. The rest of the cast includes Tom Vasecka, Dwana Paplow, Justin Jordan , Kevin Yeager, Ron Oden, all from Brainerd, and Ralph Knowlton, Crosby. The production played on the Brained campus in 2007 to over 3,000 children, according to Dennis Lamberson, writer-director. The comedy for all ages plays at The Mixed Blood Theatre 1501 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis. Dates and times are Aug. 5 at 10 p.m., Aug. 7 at 4 p.m., Aug 10 at 7 p.m., Aug 12 at 5:30 p.m., and Aug 14. at 2:30 p.m. For information visit the Minnesota Fringe’s website, fringefestival.org

Legislature and governor approve $132 million in bonding projects for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Appropriation for biennial operating budget also approved

The Legislature and governor authorized $132 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to repair and upgrade existing facilities, and better accommodate enrollment growth and needs for science and technology programs.

“These projects are ready to go and once they’re complete they will help us meet the needs of students and businesses even better,” said Chancellor James H. McCormick. “We also are excited because these projects will help put more Minnesotans to work.”

George Winston concert

Pianist George Winston will present a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12 in Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd, as a fundraiser for the Central Lakes College Foundation. George performs a variety of styles, including his melodic folk piano, stride piano, New Orleans R&B piano, Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, songs by The Doors and more. Listen to his new recording, “Love Will Come – The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2” at www.youtube.com/georgewinstonpiano to get a taste of his musical style. General Seating Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at http://www.clctickets.com
VIP tickets are $50 and include reserved seating and access to a dessert buffet during intermission. Call 218-855-8135 to purchase VIP tickets. Present your ticket at Prairie Bay Grill in Baxter the night of the performance and receive one dinner at half price with the purchase of another at regular price (equal or lesser value). Proceeds will benefit scholarships and Random Acts of Kindness for emergency assistance for CLC students.

Offices closed July 14

Student service offices at Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, will be closed to the public Thursday, July 14 to accommodate staff training. Closures at the Brainerd campus include the business office, financial aid, records and registration, admissions, and the TRiO student support services office. All offices at the Staples campus are closed, with the exception of the information center. All scheduled campus classes will meet as usual. The Business and Industry Center will remain open during this Staff Development Day.

New online writing course

Are there stories in your life that you have always wanted to write but have never gotten around to writing? Central Lakes College in Brainerd is offering “Creative Nonfiction,” a popular new writing genre, for the first time this fall when the term starts Aug. 22. “This course provides an opportunity for students to record significant memories, experiences, and observations through imaginative, purpose-driven prose,” said instructor Leane Flynn (pictured). “Creative Nonfiction is a highly interactive, online, entry-level creative writing course that covers a variety of creative nonfiction subgenres: memoir, personal essay, literary journalism, biography, and travel/place-based writing.” Flynn said the major components of the three-credit course are reading and analyzing some of the best examples of creative nonfiction while writing original stories, engaging in peer discussion and review, and conferencing regularly with the instructor. “Students will learn about publishing options and free online networking sites for creative writers,” she said, adding that those taking the course can create something special for their children and grandchildren. “Begin writing the stories of your life.” For information, contact Flynn at lflynn@clcmn.edu or call Admissions, 218-855-8137 or toll-free, at 800-933-0346, ext. 8037, or email Admissions@clcmn.edu

College remains open

Central Lakes College in Brainerd and Staples remains open with the summer term of courses continuing uninterrupted despite the shutdown of many state government functions. New-student registrations continue for fall semester, which begins Aug. 22. The Business and Industry Center will also remain open throughout the state shutdown. Programs within the Business and Industry Center that will remain open include Customized Training and Continuing Education, Farm Business Management Programs, and the Agriculture and Energy Center. The Small Business Development Center, located within the Business and Industry Center, will remain open providing limited services. For information call (218) 855-8142 or toll-free 800-933-0346, x8142. Closures of operations located on CLC campuses include the Department of Human Services Community Dental Clinic in Brainerd and the Veterans Resource Centers in Brainerd and Staples.

YES! Camp

Central Lakes College hosted the American Indian Business Leader Student Camp June 28-30 in Brainerd. Students age 11-16 from Nay Ah Shing School, Onamia, prepared a business plan for the creation of a school market to raise funds for a number of worthy endeavors, including books for the library and healthy snacks for vending machine dispensing. The closing celebration included a skit representing the type of transactions that could occur at the market. A panel provided feedback to the students and offered several tips to ensure the success of such a concept. Panelists included Dennis Olson, Mille Lacs Band Commissioner of Education; Gail Kulick, Corporate Commissioner; Don Hickman, Initiative Foundation; Andy Wells III, Wells Technology; and John Gunstad, economic development specialist. President Larry Lundblad, Dean Rebecca Best, Diversity Director Mary Sam, SBDC Director Greg Bergman, and Charles and Kathryn Black Lance and Kori Busho of CLC and Mary Simon, principal of Nay Ah Shing, participated in the camp. The Nay Ah Shing Drum Group provided a closing honor song. Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58518185@N04