The Psi Beta chapter of the national honor society in
psychology inducted five members at Central Lakes College on April 26 in a
ceremony on the Brainerd campus. New members are Casey Burnett,
Breezy Point; Katie Seipp, Nisswa (shown); and Annamarie Hausken, Maribeth Ladouceur,
and Karen Pikula, Brainerd.
A retired university president and retiring Brainerd college instructor are
scheduled to give the 2012 commencement addresses for Central Lakes College. Kathy Blake, a mathematics
instructor retiring after 21 years at CLC, will give the commencement address
to Staples campus graduates in a ceremony that starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday,
May 9 in the Staples-Motley High School gymnasium. A two-time Teacher of the
Year at CLC, Blake is a first-generation graduate of Brainerd Community College
who earned post-graduate degrees at St. Cloud State University and a doctorate
from Wisdom University. Jon Wefald, former president
of Kansas State University, will speak at the Brainerd ceremony that starts at
7 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 in the Brainerd High School gymnasium. Wefald is also a former Minnesota
state university chancellor, president of Southwest Minnesota State University,
and state commissioner of agriculture. The Class of 2012 at CLC
will receive degrees, diplomas, and certificates for program completion. Honor
graduates will be recognized. Student speakers will be student
senate presidents Latoya Ross-Sullivan
at Staples and Steve Sabin at Brainerd.
Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, for the second straight year
has been named one of the top 120 community colleges in the United States. The Aspen Institute identified 120 community
colleges -- 10 percent of all institutions -- using a formula that assesses
performance and improvement in four areas: graduation rates, degrees awarded,
student retention rates, and equity in student outcomes. The College Excellence
Program, directed by the Washington, D.C.-based Aspen Institute, challenges
Central Lakes College and the 119 other institutions to compete for prize money
from a $1 million fund to be given to the select few with the most innovative
strategies and measurable student success.
The 45th annual Central Lakes College Photo Contest in Brainerd was one of
the largest, with 72 photographers from 33 communities entering 490 photographs. The contest included nine categories -- Landscape, Portrait, Action, Creative, Birds,
Animals, Flowers, Children, and the theme category Everything Under the Sun. Photographers from 13 communities were recognized for their Best of
Show images. Jamie Birkedahl of Nisswa,
a CLC student and 2009 Brainerd High School graduate, received Best of Show in the Everything
Under the Sun theme category with a narrow landscape of a sunrise viewed from
inside a cave.
Jessica Herron, a nursing instructor at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, was
named 2012 Instructor of the Year by the Minnesota State College Student
Association. The recognition came during the recent spring general
assembly of the organization, which was held at Breezy Point. She was nominated by the CLC Student Senate. More than 300
student leaders from two-year public colleges in the state convened for the
opportunity to honor individuals such as Jessica, who have been influential in
educating others. She became a fulltime nursing program instructor at
CLC in 2008. She had served as adjunct instructor prior to that. She earned her associate's degree in 2002 from CLC. She
has worked as a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Medical Center in
Brainerd. Jessica earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in
December of 2008 from the College of St. Scholastica.
Genevieve Avevor of Ghana presents the next Cultural Thursday program at Central Lakes College, a free, public event on May 3 in Room E 203 (Business & Industry Center), on the Brainerd campus. She is a student attending CLC for one year through the Community College for International Development program. She is majoring in business. Following an internship this spring, Gen returns to Ghana to continue studies and move toward her goal of creating a business using the training obtained at CLC in the Business Management program. About Ghana and the Cultural Thursday program, she said: "Ghana has many
cultural activities to boast of. Some
are festivals, language, food, music, art and craft and tourism. Festivals are celebrated throughout Ghana
with rites and rituals. They cover
rights of passage, child birth, marriage and death. They include thrilling durbars of chiefs,
queen mothers decorated and processions in palanquins. I look forward to sharing my country with the community."
An instructor and a student in the
welding program at Central Lakes College in Brainerd recently assisted at the annual
convention of the Minnesota Future Farmers of America at the University of
Minnesota St. Paul campus. Mike
Reeser, instructor, and Shantel Koering (shown), a CLC welding student from Fort Ripley, helped
educate the high school students on the latest welding techniques and tools. About 500
FFA members tested their welding skills on the new Lincoln Electric VRTEX 360
Virtual Welding Trainer. This new tool is in use by the CLC welding program. Reeser
evaluated the testing and reported that Kyle Kasper of Grand Rapids received
the highest score at 94.
Beth Hippert, district technician at the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, spoke
at the Earth Day Fair on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College Wednesday.
Her presentation cited the benefits of rain gardens as one way to create a
cohesive landscape that soaks up runoff and reduces pollutants using natural
plant communities. CLC Natural Resources and Horticulture students hosted the
free, public event that included talks about on-farm biofuels production
and backyard birdscapes, plus a showing of the land ethic video about Aldo
Leopold, games, prizes, and a cookout fund-raiser for the Natural Resources
Club.
Tim Mooney performs his one-man William Shakespeare show, "Lot o' Shakespeare," in Dryden Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3. Inside a drum are balls with the title of each of the Bard's 38 plays and
many of his sonnets. In lottery fashion, Mooney performs a monologue or sonnet
at random. The audience plays along with bingo-style "Iago” cards and wins
prizes! Tim Mooney's incredible versatility, unmatched energy, and performance
talent are amazing to experience. Prices of "Lot O'Shakespeare" are $12.50 for general public and $7.00 for CLC
students. Seating is general admission. For full ticket details, go to this
event's page at www.clctickets.com
Take a walk on the wild side with Minnesota DNR Large
Carnivore Specialist Dan Stark when he presents “Minnesota Wolf Recovery” at 7
p.m., Tuesday, May 1 in Room E203 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. The
presentation is part of the Center for Lifelong Learning’s 2011-2012 speaker
series. In January of 2007, wolves
were removed from the threatened list of the Endangered Species Act. Stark will
review the history, management, and population status of wolves in Minnesota,
as well as information regarding current status and development of a possible
wolf season in fall of 2012. Stark is the Large Carnivore Specialist for the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and works as
the state’s wolf specialist in overseeing the transition of wolf management
from the federal government to the Minnesota DNR and implementing the State
wolf management plan. Stark also works on bear season and policy issues for the
DNR. A Minnesota native who grew up in central Minnesota, Stark has a
bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Cloud State University and completed
graduate work at the University of Arizona. Cost to attend this event is $5 for
non-members or free for those with a Center for Lifelong Learning membership.
Pre-registration is recommended and can be made by calling Bev at 218-855-8118. For information on the Center For
Lifelong Learning, visit www.clcmn.edu/lifelonglearning.
Awards Day was held at Central Lakes College, Brainerd campus, today to recognize outstanding efforts among students, clubs, faculty,
staff, and administrators. Julie Jo Larson
of Crosby is the Brainerd campus Student of the Year, selected from a field of
six nominees with at least a 3.5 grade-point average and evidence of community
activism, volunteerism, and participation in school activities. A committee picked
the winner. Other major winners: Janel Loven, Brainerd, Paul Findorff Business Scholarship, $2,754; Gregory Botts, Brainerd, Reese/Webb Business Award, $500; International Club - Club of the Year; Suresh Tiwari - Administrator of the Year; Sarah Kath (shown) - Outstanding Faculty; Deb Breneman - Outstanding Staff; Maintenance - Department of Year; Dr. Bill Faber - Adviser of Year; Jennifer Miles, Deerwood; Imran Samuel, Pakistan; Lindy Johnson, Crosby; Mark Englund, Brainerd - Citizenship-Leadership Awards; Irshad Hussain, Pakistan - Senator of Year; Molly Winters, Brainerd - Senate Executive Officer of Year; Georgi Georgiev - Student Employee of Year.
Congratulations to the new president of the Minnesota State College Student Association: Steve Sabin from Central Lakes College. He is the first CLC student to be elected to the statewide office, a post of leadership for some 100,000 Minnesota students. He will assist as an advocate for higher education accessibility, quality, and affordability in the Minnesota State College and Universities system. "I am determined to do whatever it takes to get our leaders organized and to fight for students so that out two-year colleges are affordable and accessible," Steve said. Meanwhile, he continues to earn his Practical Nursing diploma and next year complete work for the Associate in Arts degree at CLC.
Chicken dancer Talon Billy (Center of the Sky Eagle) of the Nay Ah Shing Tribal School American Indian Dance group provided a sample of his specialty, accompanied by the school's drum group, at Friday's Celebration of Nations in the Brainerd campus gym of Central Lakes College. Hundreds of guests negotiated the College Drive construction zone to find a multi-cultural bonanza during the four hours of music, dance, family activities, food, capped by fireworks. Several international students at CLC shared information about their homelands, wearing traditional attire and joining together for a lively sample of dance familiar in the Far East. The Diversity Leadership Council, International Club, and other volunteers worked hard to create the third annual showcase of heritage. If you are interested
in being a part of the 2013 Celebration of Nations, please contact
Tashana Husom, Lori-Beth Larsen, Adam Marcotte, Erich Heppner or Mary Sam.
Lindy Jo Johnson was named winner of the CLC Juried Student Art Contest for 2012, receiving the award from Joli Austin, adjunct faculty member who judged the works with assistance from Heidi Steadman. Artwork entered and qualifying for exhibit is displayed in the CLC Gallery, where a reception was held April 20. "The Art of Science" art show kicked off with a meet and greet, hors d-oeuvres, beverages, and live entertainment hosted by the 50-member CLC Science Club. Lindy Jo's oil on canvas titled "Simple Twist of Fate" took top honors. Runner-up Martin Nelson of Brainerd created an acrylic and mixed media on canvas piece titled "The Great Divide, AKA Black Gold." Lindy Jo credits CLC art instructor Mic Stowell with inspiring and mentoring her artistic side. Lindy Jo, president of the CLC Science Club, will next pursue an environmental engineering degree at Bemidji State. Martin thanks his artist-father Mitchell Cory Nelson, for raising him in an artistic environment and nurturing creativity. Martin is headed to St. Cloud State to study fine arts. He currently has one of his works displayed in the Wells Fargo building in St. Paul, as part of the Chancellor's Exhibit (Minnesota State Colleges and Universities).
Dr. Larry Lundblad, president of Central Lakes College, gave a welcome to about 300 delegates from two-year colleges attending the spring general assembly of the Minnesota State College Student Association today at Breezy Point. The conference continues Saturday with elections, workshops, roundtables, regional meetings, and advisers' reception, awards dinner, and 80s prom dance. On Sunday morning it wraps up after breakfast with a keynote speaker, author-playwright-motivator Ryan Penneau, and lunch, followed by the oath of office ceremony. CLC's Brainerd Campus Senate President Steve Sabin, a non-traditional nursing student, is unopposed on the ballot for state president of the organization.
Dr. Larry Lundblad of Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, is one
of 20 college presidents receiving the 2012
Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. The award was presented April 13 in
Nashville, Tenn., at the national convention of the Phi Theta Kappa honor
society for two-year colleges. College presidents are selected for this award on the basis of
outstanding efforts given toward
promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa. The Award of Distinction is named
after the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, who served as Chair of Phi Theta Kappa's
Board of Directors for 20 years. She was President Emeritus of Highline
Community College in Washington. Lundblad was nominated by Julie Jo Larson, president of the Upsilon
Omega chapter of PTK at Central Lakes College, along with other PTK members.
Andria Belisle of Big Lake has been hired by Central Lakes College to serve as
its disability services coordinator starting Monday, April 30. She has
been a graduate assistant in the St. Cloud State University Office of Student
Disability Services and an intern in Career Services at the University of
Minnesota. Andria
in May will receive her Master of Science degree from St. Cloud State in College
counseling and student development. She received her bachelor’s from SCSU with a
major in communication sciences and disorders. She has also worked
as a special needs instructor and is the incoming co-chair for the MN College
Personnel Association’s Disability Commission.
Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs, a band from Trinidad,
performed Wednesday in the cafeteria at Central Lakes College as a kick-off for
Friday's Celebration of Nations at CLC. The lunch-hour theme included a sample
of ethnic food, Caribbean Chicken. Along with featured musical performers,
assorted ethnic treats will be available at the Celebration of Nations. The CLC
Office of Diversity and Equity, Diversity Leadership Council, International
Student Club, and Student Life are hosting the celebration Friday from 5 to 9
p.m. in the gymnasium on the Brainerd campus, concluding with
fireworks.
Four Central Lakes College students recently competed in the Vocal Solo portion of the MN
State Colleges and Universities Two-Year Fine Arts Association Music Festival at
Breezy Point. Chelsea Anderson of Verndale, Robert Howell of Minneapolis, Peter Lucken of Melrose, and Janiqua
Robinson of Hinckley performed one art song for an adjudicator on Thursday, April 12. Over
200 students participated in the entire two-day music festival, and 30 competed
in the vocal solo event, reports Brenda Handel-Johnson, voice instructor. Janiqua (shown) from CLC was honored as one of the top eight students selected to sing in an Honors
recital. She sang "Bel Piacere" by G. F. Handel.
First graders from St. Francis Elementary School, Brainerd, visited the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College Tuesday, attending the children's theatre class production of "Alice's Excellent Adventure in Wonderland" in the Dryden Theatre, and then taking brief tours of the Humphrey Center for American Indians, and the Dental Assisting, Criminal Justice, Welding (Instructor Mike Reeser is shown as he demonstrated a welding simulator), and Horticulture programs. "All this is an effort to familiarize the kids with college," said Suzanne Karsnia, CLC counselor who accompanied the children. She said it also helps to make the
connection between school and work, which is what Suzanne did when she visited their school as a Junior Achievement volunteer.
“A Choral Tapestry,” a free Central Lakes College Spring Choir Concert,
will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3 in Chalberg Theater on the Brainerd
campus. Director Michelle Sakry-Winkelman, who is retiring after 22 years, said the event will include music
performed by the Chamber Singers, Cantare’ Concert Choir, and Men’s Ensemble. The
singers will perform a variety of musical works by Vivaldi, Luboff, Dickau,
Scarlatti, Westler, and Rossetti. A choral medley of 10 songs from the musical “Les Miserables” will be
performed by the combined choirs accompanied by Jim Olsen, guest guitarist.
Central Lakes College is participating in the April 13 and 14 Marketplace Show (aka Commerce & Industry Show) at the Brainerd Area Civic Center. Staff are helping to man the prominent booth located at the entrance to this Chamber of Commerce-orchestrated event. The CLC Horticulture program has been getting rave reviews for decorating not only the area around our booth but also the "Avenue of Nature" that has been incorporated into this year's showcase for businesses and organizations. What appear to be entire birch trees as well as greenery and plantings of fresh spring bouquets have added a splash of natural splendor to this event. Thank you to the Hort instructors and students and to our great CLC staff people who have put in time to share their knowledge of the college and help distribute materials to those who stop to chat. We'll probably do it again next year!
Thirteen Central Lakes College students in the Automotive
Technology program recently attended the two-day Midwest seminar of the Automatic
Transmission Rebuilders Association in Bloomington. Accompanied
by instructor Ray Johnson of Pequot Lakes and lab assistant Richard Altepeter
of Brainerd, the 13 students represented all two-year colleges in the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities system. A favorite of shop owners and
managers, the seminar is considered a valuable addition to formal education and
career placement as graduated students from programs with ATRA affiliation go
into business and contribute to an auto repair facility or dealership. The CLC students participating, who
all received prizes and assistance with lodging discounts at the Minneapolis
Airport Marriott, were Cody Kelley, Remer; Robert Pahl, Breezy Point; Christopher
Pistone, James Sorensen, and Brady Tesch, Brainerd; Jeremy Davidson, Baxter;
Tyler Gottwalt, Royalton; Michael Bounds, Staples; Devin Okerman, Derik Jendro,
Charles Hansen, and Mitchell Waldvogel, Little Falls; and Brandon Hoeschen, Freeport.
Central Lakes College will host a free, public Earth Day
Fair on Wed., April 25 at the Brainerd campus from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event
features presentations by speakers, earth-centered games and activities for
children and adults, prize drawings, and a lunch-hour cook-out hosted by the
Natural Resources Club. Bob
Schafer, director of the Central Lakes College Agricultural and Energy Center
at Staples, will present an update on bio fuels and how farmers can grow crops
that can supplement their fuel costs. The Center is a state leader in research
of energy crops and on-farm biofuel production.
The Staples campus of Central Lakes College hosted a send-off for veterans headed to Washington,. D.C. as an "honor flight" and recognized all CLC-connected veterans during a lunch-hour ceremony co-hosted by the Staples Lions. The "guardians" are flying to D.C. to visit memorials such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. The CLC event was a means to say "thank you" to all serving our country in the military. Among those applauded were students Steve McKay and Troy Houde, Brainerd; Caitlin Robinson, Ironton; Adam Schlangen, Watkins; Dennis Benjamin, Moorhead; Andy Vaverek, Little Falls; Michael Callahan, Baxter; and Larry Helsene, Pillager. CLC veteran staff members honored were Calvin Gudgeon, Dan Gunderson, Don Pfeffer, Kathy Marshik (shown), and Mike Sams. CLC Photo and Videography students documented the event using DSLR video and are producing an Honor
Flight production for each of the Veterans on this trip. This class assignment is a Service Learning
project. Congressman Chip Cravaak attended the event.
Bailey Wachholz of Nisswa, 2012 Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding
Teen, will give a teenager’s perspective on Alzheimer’s disease in the first
day of a May 15 and 16 educational forum at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. The forum is sponsored by the Lakes
Area Memory Awareness Advocates (LAMAA) and seven other organizations. The May
15 program is from 3:30 to 8 p.m., and the May 16 program is from 7:30 a.m. to
noon in the Business and Industry Center of the Brainerd campus (Door No. 6). Wachholz’s breakout session is
scheduled for 5:15-6:15 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. on May 15. She has a message to
raise awareness as her platform in pageant competition, including the Aug.
14-18 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition in Orlando, Fla.
The Staples Campus Student Senate of Central Lakes College is sponsoring
the Tour de Staples 5K Walk/Freedom Run Saturday, May 5 to benefit the CLC
Veterans Resource Center. The 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race for runners starts
at 10:30 a.m., with the non-competitive walk beginning moments later.
Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m. for those not signing up in advance through
the Staples Campus CLC Bookstore. The entry fees are $15 advance, $20 day of event
for individual adults, $25/$30 for teams of three to six people, and free to
ages 11-under. All participants receive 5K Walk/Run T-shirts and refreshments
before and/or after the event. Award recognition is presented to the top individual and team
finishers.
The Subsection 24 solo and ensemble vocal music contest of the Minnesota State High School League will be held on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College Wednesday, with up to 400 singers expected throughout the day. Schools entered are Bertha-Hewitt, Lake Region Christian, Menahga, New York Mills, Pequot Lakes, Pillager, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, Verndale, and Wadena-Deer Creek. Most of the activity is expected to be in the east and northeast portion of campus, where rooms with pianos have been reserved for the day. Lunches will be eaten in the 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. period in the Multi-purpose Room (E101). Judges have a sequestered areas in the Rosenmeier Room off the Jon Hassler Library to tabulate and report the ratings of Superior, Excellent, etc. and determine who advances to the May 5 sectional contest at a site to be determined.
Central Lakes College instructor Bruce Klopfleisch and Gloria Palmer of Staples-Motley High School are partners in an effort to teach practical financial management skills to high school students. Bruce is helping incorporate his curriculum from the CLC course "Money Management Skills" into Gloria's resource management class at the high school. He is doing the same for schools in Brainerd, Little Falls, Crosby-Ironton, and Pine River. The effort stems from the College in Schools program offered by CLC to award college credits to high school students. Money Management Skills is a one-credit class offered in the College and Career Studies cluster at CLC. Students learn about financial aid and college loans, tuition, room and board, insurance, credit reports, ID theft, making car payments, bank accounts, and budgeting. Guest speakers come in for more real-world insight. The Staples-Motley school project was featured in the March 29 Staples World newspaper.
“Art,” a witty Tony Award-winning play, will be performed by
three local actors in Dryden Theatre on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes
College, Brainerd, April 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. Presented
through the Cultural Arts Series at CLC, the play features the talents of Erik
Steen, Dan Rohr, and Patrick Spradlin – all veteran actors from the Brainerd
area. Spradlin is also coordinator of the series. “Art”
explores the questions of what is art, what is friendship, and on what canvas
and with what media do we draw the lines of our relationships? It was written
in 1994 by Iranian playwright Yasmina Reza, originally in French.
Professor Tadd Johnson, department head and director of Graduate Studies in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, presented a one-hour program on the American Indian Civil Rights Act at Central Lakes College in Brainerd today. His program was arranged in conjunction with Diversity Month at the college. Mary Sam, Director of Intercultural Services, Diversity and Tribal Relations at CLC, presented a traditional American Indian gift, the Pendleton Travel Blanket, to help keep
him warm on his travels as he works to educate and bring understanding to
Indian and non-Indian communities. A second gift, the small beaded turtle tie, represents
Earth - Turtle Island -- where Prof. Johnson is helping create understanding and
healthier relationships. Johnson is an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and an attorney who has served as a tribal court judge, administrator, and national Indian Gaming Commission chair (appointed by President Bill Clinton).
A special set of Cultural Thursday
presentations have been added to the April schedule at Central Lakes College in
Brainerd to take advantage of a slide presentation on Suriname’s Amazon Delta by
CLC sociologist Gary Payne.Gary and Pine River teacher Mary Rosenberg
traveled across this tiny South American nation over twelve days in March,
loaded with camera equipment. Gary said, “Suriname's history is one of the most
unusual on the planet. It was called Dutch Guyana during centuries of slavery
when large numbers of African slaves were brought
over. But as the African slaves escaped and rebelled against
the plantation owners, the Dutch brought in large numbers of indentured slaves
from Pakistan, India, China and Indonesia. Two
presentations will take place on Thursday, April 19 in the Brainerd campus
lecture hall (E354). The first starts at noon and second presentation at 7
p.m. Admission is free, the public is
invited.
Julie Jo Larson and Jonathan Hammer, Central Lakes College honor students, were named to the 2012 All-Minnesota Academic Team, a 40-person list from public two-year institutions. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the
college and community. The national honor society Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state
associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition.
The Staples campus of Central Lakes College on Wednesday, April 11 will host the Veterans Honor Flight send-off in the cafeteria commons starting at 11:30 a.m. with the arrival of veterans and guests. The group is expected to include 19 student veterans, according to Bruce Fuhrman, one of the organizers. The CLC Color Guard will provide appropriate salutes. Lunch will be provided by Lakewood Health System through a donation from the Wadena VFW. Guests and CLC veterans may participate in the lunch. From 11:50 to noon President Larry Lundblad or Dean Jeff Wig will give a brief address. This is the third year for this event, which originated from efforts by coordinators Frank Odell and Gene Matilla of Staples, who each has been recognized as a Citizen of the Year as a result of the work. Odell will direct a medals presentation to veterans from noon to 12:10. At 12:20 p.m., CLC students will provide flag-waving recognition to the guests, whose destination is Washington, D.C., to tour all memorials to veterans.
The April 2012 Cultural Thursday event held on the Brainerd campus proved to be one of the liveliest to date as international students presented an energetic, entertaining sample of the culture of India by joining Naresh Chunara for a demonstration of his country's popular dance style. The students are here at CLC through the end of this semester as part of the Community College for International Development program. They introduced their mentor families during the program in Chalberg Theatre, and Naresh showed slides and in response to a question from the audience sang a song along with Irshad Hussain from Pakistan. CLc alumna Abra Fisk joined the students in their closing dance number, which included some audience participation. For a look at this outstanding lunch-hour showcase, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/58518185@N04 The next Cultural Thursday is May 3 and will feature Genevieve Avevor, a student from Ghana. It will be held in E203 in the Business and Industry Center at CLC. The Cultural Thursday programs are free and open to the public, running from noon to 12:50 p.m.
As part of Diversity Month programming, the non-profit, nationally recognized CLIMB Theatre of Inver Grove Heights performed "A Deeper Look" at Central Lakes College today, sponsored by the Diversity Leadership Council at CLC. We enter the stage as African Americans,
Asians, Native Americans, Latinos, and Caucasians. Because you see us, you
naturally think you know us. Our personal stories, bravely told through
monologues, scenes, music, dance and slides, will take you on a journey of
deeper understanding—not just of us, but of yourself. We are, you see, more
alike than different, but can we
interact from that point of view with others, especially after 9/11? Can we both
embrace and disengage from our American history of prejudice and religious
intolerance and its power to repeat
itself over and over again? "A Deeper Look" fits the CLIMB mission: to create and perform plays, classes, and other creative works that inspire and
propel people - especially young people - toward actions that benefit
themselves, each other, and the community. After the show, the DLC conducted a "Privilege Walk" in the gymnasium as an interaction session to enable individuals to assess their degree of privilege.
The Central Lakes College Cultural
Arts Series, in collaboration with Minnesota Public Radio, presents Tin Pan
Alley enthusiast Leon Redbone for a 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday, April 21 in
Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. Neo vaudeville crooner Redbone is a gem of American music
who has made an indelible stamp on popular culture. At the core of his initial calling was the
desire to simply honor songs from the past – a waltz with bygone days that
established him as sole curator of the museum of 20th century music.
The College Drive Construction Project has begun. Work ahead includes grading,
curb and gutter, paving, storm sewer, sidewalk construction, trail
construction, signal upgrades, roundabout construction, retaining walls and
landscaping. Utilities work continues to relocate gas lines, fiber optics
and other cabling near the Brainerd campus. Starting April 9 construction
equipment may be positioned on the traffic corridor, so please use caution as
you travel College Drive. Work is to progress westward from near Brainerd High
School to Highland Scenic Dr. (CR48). Please be aware of possible interruption in
services as utility upgrades are established ahead of roadwork from sunrise to
sunset. College Drive is tentatively scheduled for closure June 4
through Aug. 24 with access to CLC by Mississippi Parkway from east and west
intersections with College Drive. The anticipated completion date for
construction work is Oct. 25. We will provide updates as construction proceeds
via email and at our website www.clcmn.edu
Steve Sabin, president of the Brainerd campus student senate at Central Lakes College, saw his pet project realized Friday, March 30, when he cut the ribbon to officially open the CLC Half Mile Walking Trail. The indoor, two-tier pathway is marked by signage from the ceiling to show both Easy and Intense loops through the spacious hallways of the campus. Dr. Suresh Tiwari, vice president of academic and student affairs, joined Steve in the ceremonial slice. Brainerd Mayor James Wallin praised the effort in remarks covered by Lakeland News reporter Becky Parker, who aired the inaugural walk on the evening broadcast by the public TV station serving the northern half of Minnesota. About 60 walkers of all ages made the first lap, and several others continued on with the stairs lap to sample the higher-level work-out. Steve, a nursing student, designed the indoor path as one way to help the community lower the incidence of Type 2 diabetes and generally improve the physical condition of those who exercise. He notes that walking lowers medication usage, lowers the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Steve offers these suggestions for walkers: Stand tall, do not slouch forward; prevent tension by shrugging shoulders as you pace; consciously tighten stomach muscles; step down heel first in your gait.