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.