Presidential Inaugural Poet to Speak at CLC

Verse Like Water, the visiting poet program series of Central Lakes College presents inaugural poet Richard Bianco in the Chalberg Theatre at noon on September 13. A meet and greet, book signing, and workshop will follow the reading. This literary event is sponsored by the CLC English Department and the CLC Foundation. Admission to the event is a free will offering. The public is welcome to attend.

Richard Blanco, Acclaimed Cuban-American Poet

President Obama's Inaugural Poet 2013

Blurred Lines: Classes Begin at CLC but not just for College Students

Courtesy of the Brainerd Dispatch • August 26, 2013

By Jessica Larsen, Staff Writer • Photo by Steve Kohls

Traditional images of the typical college student are a thing of the past.

As classes started Monday at Central Lakes College (CLC), officials say more and more it’s not just college students filling the class seats — it’s also high schoolers.

“The lines between secondary and post-secondary education are really merging. The lines are blurring. I’ve been told the high school senior year is probably going to merge into first year of college,” said Betsy Picciano, director of secondary relations at CLC.

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Cultural Thursday Celebrates 15th Season

CLC is embarking on its 15th year of ‘armchair’ travel and in-person cultural exchanges.  In the fall of 1998, Thursday noon was designated as a time for community members, faculty and students to share their travels and cultures in these free, hour long presentations. Jan Kurtz, Spanish and Latin American Studies Instructor, initiated Cultural Thursday and continues into this 15th season. “The ‘mission’ of Culture Thursday is to avail our community of our collective global experiences, encourage travel among our students, as well as to acquaint us with our international students” states Kurtz.  

New Raiders Golf Coach

Central Lakes College recently hired Chris Foley as head coach of the Raiders men’s and women’s golf teams. Foley is the owner and operator of Chris Foley Golf Schools and the Director of Instruction at The Legacy Courses at Cragun’s in Brainerd, MN. He is also a Head Coach for the USA Junior National Team.

Prior to his present position Chris served as the Director of Golf at The Members Club in Columbia, SC. and spent fourteen years as the head golf professional at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd, MN. It was at Madden’s, that he founded Chris Foley Golf Schools. The golf instructional school was the only one of its kind in the Brainerd Lakes area and under Foley’s leadership experienced tremendous growth.

SBDC Awarded Grant

The North Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Central Lakes College (CLC) was recently awarded $42,000 per year for the next two years to provide management consulting services to small businesses in 11 counties of central Minnesota. 

The funds were awarded through the Business Competitive Development Grant program at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Funds awarded under this program are designated for non-profit entities to help develop, strengthen and retain small businesses throughout Minnesota. 

Advanced Manufacturing Education

During the past year Central Lakes College (CLC) has been gearing up for fall 2013 and the first courses in the Advanced Manufacturing Education (AME) program on both the Brainerd and Staples Campuses.  

CLC is using the AME Grant to expand and improve programs that are currently available.  The Associate in Applied Science Degree, Diploma, and Certificate programs include:

Applied Engineering, Machine Tool Technology-CNC, Machine Tool-Mold Making/Tool and Die, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Welding, Manufacturing Maintenance, Mechatronics. Robotics/Automated Systems Technology, Robotic Welding, and Welding & Fabrication.