Assistance available for small business affected by storm

The North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE offices at Central Lakes College are available to assist in the recovery efforts of small businesses affected by the recent storms.

The SBDC and SCORE have counselors available to work with business owners to assess the long-term impact of the storm to their business and to develop recovery plans so they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible. 

“Some businesses are suffering financial losses from the storm, whether they had physical damage to their property or not,” said Greg Bergman, SBDC director. “Being able to recover financially can be difficult for many impacted small businesses. We are there to help them through that process.” 

CLC welcomes first local Ojibwe speaker/instructor

Central Lakes College welcomes its first local Ojibwe speaker/instructor, who will teach the Ojibwe language class in the fall and spring semesters.

John Benjamin, or his Ojibwe name Waabishkigaabaw, is from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

He brings a high level of knowledge around the language and culture, said Mary Sam, CLC’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Tribal Relations.

“John is a well-respected Ojibwe instructor within the Mille Lacs Band community and across the region,” she said. 

Benjamin is one of two Mille Lacs Band members who received mentoring from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Ojibwe instructor Dan Jones throughout last year.

Academic advisor Dan Davidson returns to CLC

Dan Davidson returns to Central Lakes College after a year of absence on leave.

Davidson will serve as an academic advisor. It’s a role he’s had a lot of experience in, having been in the Admissions and Academic Advising fields for more than 20 years at CLC.

In his position at the college, he’ll be serving in a duel Admissions/Advising role, assisting with the Minnesota Education Fairs and new student admissions. As an advisor, Davidson will focus on Associate in Arts and transfer degree seeking students, as well as assisting with registration sessions. 

His previous leadership focus involved: Credit for Prior Learning, Associate in Arts Honors Degree, Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice, Marine and Small Engine, Natural Resources Technology and Welding.

Erich Heppner returns as Director of Student Life

Erich Heppner returned to Central Lakes College to serve as Director of Student Life. 

Heppner, a CLC alumnus himself, was first brought on as Director of Student Life in 2008. He led a dynamic program for five years before taking on a new opportunity at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Feeling a pull to come home to CLC and the Brainerd lakes area, Heppner returned to CLC this week. In his post, he’ll create fun and engaging activities for the wide range of students at the college. He’ll also work to increase the participation and effectiveness of student government groups on both the Brainerd and Staples campuses.

Heppner is looking forward to creating strong and lasting partnerships with community businesses and local leaders.

Originally from Warroad, MN, Heppner enjoys playing and watching hockey, soccer and broomball. He has two very large, friendly Bernese Mountain dogs named Ralph and Rascal. Heppner is excited to be back at CLC and plans to become very involved in the communities of Brainerd and Staples.

Don't miss “We are all Criminals” on Aug. 28

“We are all Criminals” will be presented at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 in the Chalberg Theatre, on Central Lakes College’s Brainerd campus. 

One in four people in the U.S. has a criminal record. This is the other 75 percent. 

The production examines those with criminal histories but no record. Doctors, lawyers, social workers, students, retailers and retirees tell their stories of crimes they got away with, and consider how different their lives would have been had they been caught. 

The stories are about youth, boredom, intoxication, as well as luck, class and privilege. 

A discussion will follow the performance. The project seeks to challenge society’s perception of what it means to be a criminal and how much weight a record should be given.

The event is sponsored by the Central Lakes College Office of Diversity and Equity and Crow Wing Inside Out Connections. 

The project depends on people volunteering their stories. To share yours, email Emily at Emily.baxter@weareallcriminals.org.

CLC student earns bronze in SkillsUSA Championships

Central Lakes College student Tommy Hoheisel, of Pierz, earned a bronze medal in the SkillsUSA Championships held in Kentucky June 22-26.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.

More than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students –– all state contest winners –– competed in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields during the championships. 

Hoheisel, who is attending CLC in the PSEO program, competed in the high school division.

SBDC business consultant at CLC named 'State Star'

Peter Nelson of Brainerd was recently recognized as the Minnesota Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) State Star for 2015 at the Minnesota SBDC Program annual conference in Minneapolis.

The award recognizes business consultants and staff in the SBDC Program who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the program and the business community. 

Nelson, a business consultant with the North Central SBDC at Central Lakes College, was recognized for his work in assisting financially stressed businesses, helping guide companies through the development of growth plans, and working with business owners to prepare for transitioning their business to new owners in the future. Nelson has also been an active member of the Minnesota SBDC Advisory Council and has been a speaker at many business events. 

CLC going tobacco-free Aug. 14

Central Lakes College will be tobacco-free starting Aug. 14.

CLC is following a trend consistent with the rest of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU). CLC is the 18th MnSCU college to adopt a tobacco-free policy. 

The tobacco-free campus policy is in alignment with the mission of CLC. It promotes social norms that support healthy living and lifestyle choices by discouraging tobacco use, protecting against involuntary exposure to harmful secondhand smoke, and encouraging and supporting cessation efforts.

“Creating a tobacco-free environment for students and communities is a positive move,” said Ajeet Yadav, Environmental Health and Safety director at CLC. 

CLC instructor meets with former President Jimmy Carter

Central Lakes College political science instructor Steve Wenzel met with former President Jimmy Carter last week at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. 

This is the second time Wenzel was invited as a guest to a Board of Councilors event. The first was in 1986 when the Jimmy Carter Library was dedicated. 

Last week’s event was in part to celebrate Books for Africa, a cause to which CLC donated a significant amount of library and faculty textbooks in 2014. 

The guest of Patrick Plonski, executive director of Books for Africa, Wenzel was able to chat with President Carter during the two-day trip. 

CLC instructor attends national conference

Central Lakes College Natural Resources instructor and certified wildlife biologist Dr. Bill Faber attended a Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters conference in Minneapolis last week.

There, Faber met with two national conservation supporters: Ted Roosevelt IV, the great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, and Collin O’Mara, the executive director and president of the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, D.C. 

The event was held to discuss the importance of the Boundary Waters for hunters, anglers and all wildlife enthusiasts, and the threat to critical habitat and recreation areas posed by proposed sulfide ore copper mines.

The event was sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, Minnesota Conservation Federation and the Minnesota Division, Izaak Walton League of America in support of the Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters coalition. 

Sign your child up for SEaM Camp

Students grades 6th-12th are invited to a Summer Engineering and Manufacturing (SEaM) Camp hosted by Central Lakes College.

The camp runs 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 6-10 at CLC’s Staples campus. A daily bus will transport campers from Brainerd to Staples. 

The camp gives students a chance to get some hands-on experience in electronics, motor controllers, computer aided drafting, manufacturing machining and robotics automated systems. 

In teams, students will start building their “battlebots” on the first day of camp. On the last day, they’ll compete, maneuvering their battlebots through an obstacle course. Students will also compete in robot hockey and the main event: The Battlebot Demolition Derby. Awards will be given for top competitors. 

CLC Announces Spring Honors List

Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, has announced its 2015 spring semester honors list.

The President’s List includes 388 students who earned a grade-point average of 3.75 to 4.0 while enrolled for at least 12 credits. 


The Dean’s List includes 398 students who earned a grade-point average of 3.25 to 3.74.

The released honors list does not include students who have requested no release of information.

Central Lakes College is a comprehensive community and technical college in the Minnesota State 
Colleges and Universities System. The college serves about 6,000 students annually in liberal arts 
and career education programs.

Series brings in renowned poets from across the nation

Pulling in a taste of culture to an isolated small town often falls on the shoulders of the local community college. It can be a daunting task, as obstacles like funding and resources arise. 

But Central Lakes College - a community and technical school serving about 6,000 students per year - is bringing a taste of exceptional poetry to students, staff and the people of Brainerd, located in the center of Minnesota.

It’s through a program called Verse Like Water.

In its third year, the series has brought in eight renowned poets from across the nation to hold readings and a workshop, for the town of 13,500 people. Several of the poets are Pulitzer Prize winners or former U.S. Poet Laureates. 

The program is more than just a chance to hear some great poetry, though. It has brought a new dimension to the college, said CLC President Larry Lundblad. 

“It shows that the college is really trying to reach out and do some extraordinary things for the students and community,” he said. 

TRIO Upward Bound students attended Girls in STEM Conference

Six Central Lakes College TRIO Upward Bound students attended Girls in STEM Conference at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN May 29-May 31.

The conference was hosted by the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel.

Students were able to build robots, make batteries out of potatoes, paint using maggots, tour the IUPUI campus and meet students from 10 states. 

The students included: Danielle Sand (Browerville High School) and Rosalyn Stewart-Kuschel (Onamia High School), both in CLC PSEO, as well as high school students Amy Lochli (Staples-Motley High School), Elizabeth Brown (Staples-Motley High School), Jasmine McRoss (Onamia High School), and Makayla Kowalczyk (Pierz-Healy High School).

Two CLC courses receive QM recognition

Central Lakes College instructor Mary DeVahl had two courses recognized as QM certified by the Minnesota Online Quality Initiative.

The courses are College Study Skills and General Psychology.

DeVahl’s courses are among nearly 300 higher education courses nationwide to be given the honor this year by the Minnesota Online Quality Initiative, an organization that uses peer review of online or blended courses for Quality Matters (QM) recognition. 

Each of the recognized courses has been formally reviewed in a rigorous peer review process and meets Quality Matters standards. Each faculty member has received a certificate and a QM seal to display on their course materials.

There are 305 Quality Matters recognized courses from MnSCU institutions and the University of Minnesota from 2010-2015.

Since 2013, CLC has had 10 total courses receive the QM certification. Most recently, instructor Julie Austin’s World Literature class was recognized earlier this month.

Column: CLC students tour Costa Rica

During the week of Spring Break, March 9-15, a group of 23 Central Lakes College (CLC) students, faculty, and community members traveled to Costa Rica for a Global Studies class. The itinerary and tours were arranged by Education First (EF) who provided our bilingual tour guide, Carlos, and very capable bus driver Walter (“Apa”) for the week. 

We began our excursion by flying into San José, Costa Rica. After one night in the capital city, we traveled by bus and boat to Tortuguero National Park on the east coast of the country. Costa Rica is known for its diverse ecosystems. We spent two days in the rainforest of this national park observing the local wildlife by boat and visiting local shops and restaurants in the village of Tortuguero. 

Free Career Information Night to feature several CLC programs

Come learn about several CLC programs at a free Career Information Night from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 16 in the cafeteria of the Brainerd campus.

Get more information on the following programs: Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Nursing, Computer IT (RITA Grant), Honors Department/General Studies, Healthcare Admin and the AME Grant (Manufacturing Careers).

“Central Lakes College offers many exciting career paths and we want to share what those career paths are and how those in the surrounding Brainerd area can achieve them,” said Andres Freeman, a recruiter in the Admissions Office at CLC. “Our faculty and staff really want it to be known that we are here to help students achieve their goals, even if they don't know what they want to do yet.”

There will be prizes will be given out at the event, and food and beverages will be provided.

For more information regarding Career Information Night on Tuesday, June 16, contact Andres Freeman at afreeman@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8161.

Jon Hassler Festival coming in June at CLC

Come celebrate the life and works a Minnesota author at the Jon Hassler Festival being held June 14-15 at Central Lakes College.

Hassler was an English instructor at CLC when he wrote his first book, Staggerford. The college library is now named after him and was designated a literary historic landmark last year. 

"Many people in our area may recognize the name Jon Hassler, but might not know much about him. This conference gives people a special insight into his works as well as his life as a Minnesota author, artist and educator. It's going to be an exciting two days,” said Kari Frisch, Hassler Festival educational outreach coordinator and speech instructor at CLC.

Student veteran advancing education through AME Grant

Bartholomew Lindberg never wants to stop learning, to never stop exploring.

That’s why the Brainerd native turned to Central Lakes College for the Welding Program. When he was signing up for classes, he also found out about Advanced Manufacturing Education (AME) Grant at the college. The AME Grant offers advanced manufacturing education and training programs to create a better-trained, more skilled manufacturing workforce.

Out of all of the options, 27-year-old Lindberg chose the Certified Production Technician Certificate.

“It’ll look good on my resume,” he said. 

He continued, “This will get my foot in the door for the manufacturing industry. Knowledge is power.”

The AME Grant programs are a good choice for a lot of people like Lindberg, said Dale Ray Thiesen, manager of strategic grant initiatives for the AME Grant.

“If you’re dedicated, if you’re motivated, if you want a career, not just another job, here’s your chance,” he said.

Three former Raiders invited into NFL training camps

Three former Central Lakes College Raiders have been invited into NFL training camps.

They are:

· Frank Mays, CLC Defensive End 2010-11 (All-American in 2011), from Bemidji.

· Stoney Burns, CLC Cornerback 2010 (All-American in 2010), from Orlando, Fla.

· Robert Howell, CLC Defensive Tackle 2010-11, from Minneapolis.

“It is exciting to see graduates of Central Lakes College and the Raider Football Program continue to pursue their dreams of professional football with such great success,” said Greg Medeck, head football coach at CLC. “These young men have elevated their athletic careers to the highest level and each began their journey here at CLC.”

"Bedroom Farce" theatre auditions May 27

Auditions for the CLCPAC Summer Theatre production of the British comedy "Bedroom Farce" will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 7 p.m. in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.

The play calls for four men and four women, ranging in age from 20-ish to 60-ish, according to director Patrick Spradlin. The audition will consist of readings from the script.

Bedroom Farce is a comedy by Britain's premier comic playwright, Alan Ayckbourn. The play takes place during one evening, but in three separate bedrooms in three separate houses (thus the title). A housewarming party at one couple's home is sabotaged by the high-drama bickering of another couple, who leave the party and take their individual angst into the homes of two other couples. The play is considered one of the finest comedies of the modern era.

CLC alumni spotlight: Ashley Hendricks

Ashley Hendricks started at Central Lakes College as a PSEO student during her senior year of high school in Brainerd. 

That was when she first heard about the college’s Nursing Program. 

“I made my choice to go to Central Lakes College based on the remarks of other students and affordability,” she said. 

After graduating from CLC with her Associates Degree in Nursing, Hendricks finished her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. 

“I am thankful I had my two-year RN degree and was able to start working immediately while finishing my four-year degree,” she said. “I gained great experience while actively working in my field, and this was very beneficial while completing my four-year degree.”

Hendricks’ first job in nursing was at Essentia Health, where she worked in general medical, surgical and telemetry units. 

Auto mechanics students receive ASE Student Certification

Thirteen Central Lakes College auto mechanics students received their ASE Student Certification.

Having completed the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) test will help students stand out when interviewing with potential future employers, said CLC auto mechanics instructor Ray Johnson.

Students are: Sam Anderson, Little Falls; Daniel Anderson, Little Falls; Alexander Dalgarno, Brainerd; Patrick Davison, Lino Lakes; Daniel Ehnert, Sebeka; Michael Garson, Babbitt; Hannah Hess, Staples; Linnea Kasper, Little Falls; Joshua Leikvoll, Garrison; Patrick Peterson, Deerwood; Tyler Reem, Brainerd; Joshua Steinke, Sebeka; Andrew Young, Brainerd.

The CLC Auto Mechanics Program is a National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) accredited program.

Student: Honors Program was challenging, rewarding

Pine River-Backus High School senior Mandy Fontenot has always liked a challenge.

It’s why she’s graduating this spring from both high school and Central Lakes College with her A.A. Degree.

It’s why she was named one of CLC’s graduation speakers. 

And it’s why she decided to join the Honors Program, which was revitalized this year at the college, when she chose CLC. 

The Pine River teenager has always liked the idea of questioning, analyzing everything.

So when CLC English instructor and Honors Program Coordinator Adam Marcotte invited Fontenot to check out the Honors Program, she jumped at the opportunity. 

“The classes aren’t harder. They focus on conversations deeper than other classes,” she said. “It’s not all surface-level thinking. It’s questioning ideas versus just covering them.”

Plus Fontenot liked the teachers and wanted that extra challenge. 

English instructor's course receives quality destinction

Central Lakes College instructor Julie Austin’s World Literature class was recognized as QM certified by the Minnesota Online Quality Initiative. 

Austin’s course is one of 243 higher education courses nationwide to be given the honor this year by the Minnesota Online Quality Initiative, an organization that uses peer review of online or blended courses for Quality Matters (QM) recognition. 

Each of the recognized courses has been formally reviewed in a rigorous peer review process and meets Quality Matters standards. Each faculty member has received a certificate and a QM seal to display on their course materials. 

This is Austin’s second course to receive the QM certification. Her first was Composition II in 2014. 

CLC's AME Alliance wins top honor

The Advanced Manufacturing Education (AME) Alliance was awarded the Exemplary Program Award from the Minnesota Council for Continuing Education and Customized Training (MnCCECT).

The award was given at a ceremony Friday at the MnCCECT conference held at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge.

The AME Alliance was chosen for the honor because of its mediated telepresence courses, which provide credit-bearing courses through the customized training divisions of its schools. 

It also provides career paths for those looking to develop skills and earn college credits that stack into longer-term programs of study. 

CLC grad is first in family to celebrate the achievement

On Thursday, Cat Sanford will be the first one in her family to graduate college.

She’ll walk the stage, dressed in a cap and gown, at Central Lakes College’s ceremony.

The 21-year-old Brainerd resident said it’s been a hard road, not knowing what to expect and having no one in her family to hand down some tips. She was determined to better herself, though. 

But first, she had to overcome some challenges in high school, like ditching the “bad influence” friends and raising her grades up from Ds. That turning point hit her in her senior year of high school.

“I had to get my life together. I knew it,” she said. 

Sanford started at CLC in 2012 to get all of her general education classes completed. 

“I told myself that if I’m going to go to college, I wanted it to be smaller,” she said. “CLC was convenient and close to home.”

CLC receives rebate check from Marco

Representatives from Marco present Central Lakes College with a check for $370 as part of a rebate the company offers to customers. CLC uses the company for equipment, service and support for its copiers and printers.

Pictured from left are: Michael Amberg, Marco strategic account manager; Brady Knettel, Marco technology advisor; Pam Thomsen, CLC Foundation director; Scott Streed CLC director of Technology Services; Kari Christiansen, CLC Vice President of Administrative Services.

With graduation, Angelique Hayes says she's closer to goal: Being out of poverty

Angelique Hayes was shopping for her family’s carefully budgeted grocery list one day two years ago when it hit her.

“I can’t work my way out of poverty without an education,” she said. 

So she signed up for classes at Central Lakes College that day.

Hayes graduates this Spring with her AA degree. She was also recently awarded a $1,000 Minnesota TRIO scholarship, being one of only seven students in the state to be awarded the honor this year. She’s only the second CLC TRIO student to be awarded the scholarship since the program began at the college in 2001.

Hayes is a non-traditional student, which is why she qualifies for TRIO support services. 

She moved with her family to the Brainerd lakes area from Minneapolis seven years ago after her husband started experiencing health problems. 

14 tutors receive certification

The Central Lakes College Learning Commons certified 14 of its tutors Monday at the Brainerd campus.

The college is certified as an International Tutor Training Program through College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). In order for the tutors to receive their Level 1 certification, they must participate in 10 hours of training and complete 25 hours of tutoring. 

Training includes one hour each of: Orientation, working with students with disabilities, reading strategies to help college students, ethics, professionalism and sexual harassment training. Students must also complete a two-hour session on “Tutoring Strategies” and “Dos and Don'ts of Tutoring,” followed by four hours of professional development, which included stress management, test anxiety, study skills and time management. 

Early Middle College approved for CLC, Freshwater Education District

The Minnesota Department of Education recently approved the Central Lakes College and Freshwater Education District jointed application to establish an Early Middle College.

The program works with junior and senior alternative education center students to earn college credits while in high school.

“It’s an opportunity for students who are at risk of not graduating with their peers to have an opportunity to experience PSEO with more additional support than a typical PSEO student would have,” said Jana Timm, ALC specialist for the Freshwater Education District.

The early middle college, which is formally called the Freshwater Education District Gateway to College, will be located primarily at the CLC Staples campus. Students can apply now and classes will start in the fall semester.

CLC's Corey Hins receives Outstanding Achievement Award

Central Lakes College Systems Administrator Corey Hins
 won second place for outstanding achievement at the All MnSCU IT conference April 27-29 at Cragun’s Resort.

Projects by IT personnel were first submitted by CIOs and supervisors, then voted on by the same group to choose three winners, individuals or groups.

Hins participated in a group that is planning and architecting an Office 365 Tenant deployment to service all of MnSCU students, staff and faculty. This would allow students to maintain one account for email and OneDrive storage, no matter what MNSCU college or colleges they are attending. This project was chosen as the second place winner.

This marks the second time Hins received an Outstanding Achievement Award. The first was in 2013, where he received second place for a Virtual Desktop project in collaboration with the Brainerd School District.

Have any unwanted books or textbooks?

Those big, empty green and orange boxes sitting around campus could use some filling.

Bring in your unwanted and used books and textbooks and pile them inside. It's an effort of CLC's Phi Theta Kappa Club, which is hosting a Better World Book drive this spring.

The Better World Book Drive is an event where we as a campus donate books in support of non-profit literacy programs (Books for Africa, Room To Read, Worldfund, and the National Center for Families Learning). 

So the Phi Theta Kappa Club is asking students, faculty and staff to consider donating their unwanted books and textbooks. Just drop them in the big, colorful boxes. It's that easy!

In the week after finals, the club will then ship them off to the Better World Book organization for redistribution. 

Learn more about the effort here: www.betterworldbooks.com

Music Department holding Spring concert

The Central Lakes College Music Department will present it's Spring concert “Broadway, Brooklyn and Bayou, An American Ethnic Landscape” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 in the Chalberg Theater, on the CLC Brainerd campus. 

The Jazz Band will perform music from Dizzy Gillespie to Chuck Mangione to local musical icon, Russ Carlyle. 

The Community Concert Band has a varied program with music from Broadway, 20th Century Art, a Jewish celebration, a Mexican march and a new tune from a former band member, Jeff Liebsch. 

Admission is $5 at the door, but CLC students and children 12 and under get in free.

There are no reserved seats and no advanced ticket sales. 

For more information, call Steve Anderson at 218-831-3652.

CLC puts robots, welders in hands of high schoolers

Area high schoolers got their hands on robots for the first time, thanks to Central Lakes College.

The CLC Manufacturing Programs participated in a college fair and career exploration event at Technical High School in St. Cloud this week. 

Students in grades 8-11th from both high schools, Apollo and Tech, learned about careers in manufacturing while visiting the CLC booth. 

Robbie Lange, Robotics instructor, helped students operate a robot, while explaining how robots are used in industry. He also detailed how they themselves could get training to work in robotics and automation. 

Student Award Day pulls in plenty of winners

Students and staff at both the Staples and Brainerd campuses were honored this week at our Student Awards Day.

Staples

Student employee of the year: Brent Sterriker

Senate member of the year: Alex Began

Male student of the year: Josh Guyse

Female student of the year: Natalie Berens

Club of the year: Diesel Club

Outstanding advisor: Michael Sams

Outstanding faculty of the year: Sandy Porter

Outstanding Staff of the year: Gayle Wonders

CLC Department of the year: Photography Department

Administrator of the year: Kari Christiansen

CLC's DelRay Lecy inducted into Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame

Central Lakes College agricultural educator DelRay Lecy was recently inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame. 

He was given the honor at the 86th Minnesota FFA Convention Monday, April 27.

Lecy has been involved in agricultural education for more than 35 years. He started at CLC in 1974 teaching farm business management and farm operations and management. He also served as director of the Ag Center for three years and was associate dean of management education programs. After he retired from CLC in 2009, Lecy continued part-time as dean of technical programs at the Staples campus until 2013. He currently works on special projects in farm business management with CLC.

The former Staples resident said being inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame is “rather humbling.”

Learn about Costa Rica during at Cultural Thursday event

Come learn about Costa Rica, as experienced by Central Lakes College students and community members, during a Cultural Thursday event at noon Thursday, May 7 in the Chalberg Theatre, Brainerd campus. 

Three CLC student participants, Chelsea Kraemer, Linda Nichols and Cole Bobzien, will talk about the environment, the animal species, typical foods, musical instruments and the production of chocolate. 

At the presentation, view some exciting pictures shared among the whole group, and get a little taste of the interdisciplinary adventure organized by the CLC Global Studies Department and the International Education Committee.

The audience can ask the participants anything about the country after the presentation.

Want to go to Cuba? Here's your chance

Community members and students are invited to travel to Cuba with Central Lakes College.

Three CLC instructors will be leading a travel/study course to Cuba over Spring Break 2016 (March 4-12). 

Those interested in joining the adventure can sign up either as a community member or as a student. Students can register for the three-credit course during spring semester 2016. During the trip, learn more about Cuban history, arts, economics, landscape, people and language. 

CLC wins Minnesota Ignite Collaboration Award

Central Lakes College was awarded the Minnesota Ignite Collaboration Award.

The award was given out Friday at the D2L Ignite Regional Users Conference held in Minneapolis. This is the third conference held in the region and the first time CLC came home with the trophy.

Central Lakes College won for its collaborative work in developing a closed captioning process for the campus.

Lights, camera, action! Filmmaker’s Movie Festival coming up

Lights, camera, action! The third annual CLC Filmmaker’s Movie Festival will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 at Central Lakes College’s Chalberg Theatre, Brainerd campus.

The event celebrates the culmination of two years of move making by the Videography class of CLC.

Admission is free and there will be refreshments following the festival.

Brainerd welding students get first glimpse of a robotic welder

A Motoman Robotic Welder just arrived at the Central Lakes College Brainerd campus this week.

The robotic welder, which measures about 10 feet by 10 feet, offers a faster process in welding, said CLC welding instructor David Otto.

“It’s the direction the industry is going,” he said. 

The welding program at CLC started offering the Robotic Welding Certificate last year, and the new robotic welder will assist in advancing the course.

“It makes the students much more valuable in the workforce,” Otto said. “They can weld manually and now with robots.”

The robotic welder was previously at the CLC Staples campus, where it has been since it was first acquired through the Advanced Manufacturing Education (AME) Grant.

Nursing student awarded Ladies Auxiliary scholarship

Central Lakes College student Joshua Guyse was chosen as a recipient of a $1,000 Marcella Arnold Nursing Scholarship by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Guyse, of Swanville, Minn., can use the scholarship for tuition, books, laboratory/similar fees, vocation or online courses.

CLC instructor Bruce Fuhrman named Outstanding Educator

Central Lakes College Photographic Imaging Technology instructor Bruce Fuhrman was one of 35 educators to be named 2015 Outstanding Educators by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

Fuhrman received the honor Wednesday at the MnSCU Board of Trustees 2015 Celebrating Excellence luncheon in St. Paul.

The award is an honor bestowed upon MnSCU faculty to acknowledge and reward exceptional individual professional accomplishment, and to encourage ongoing excellence.

The Outstanding Educator designation reflects the exceptional commitment that each of the nominees have demonstrated in teaching, in their continuous professional development, and in their service to students, the college, profession, and the MnSCU system.

Military and veteran graduates: Pick up your patriot cords

If you've served in the U.S. Armed Forces and are participating in the CLC commencement ceremony, be sure to pick up your red, white and blue patriot cord.

CLC, in coordination with the Veterans Resource Center, started a symbolic new initiative honoring the graduating military and veteran students. 

The red, white and blue patriot cords are available to any graduating former or current active duty member, guard/reserve, or veteran student who would like to wear one during the commencement ceremony in May. These cords signify the esteem that CLC holds for our military and veteran community for their service and sacrifice. 

Students interested in allowing CLC to honor their service with a Military & Veteran Patriot Cord should contact Theresa Harsha: tharsha@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8279.

Nursing student gets surprised with scholarship

Central Lakes College Practical Nursing student Samantha Goldberg was awarded a $500 scholarship from the local Forty and Eight veterans organization.

Goldberg, from Pequot Lakes, was surprised with the award Wednesday during class at CLC when four Forty and Eight representatives presented her with the $500 check.

The scholarship is awarded to a RN or LPN nursing student each year. Students apply for the honor, and the Forty and Eight choose the winner.

This year, eight applied for the scholarship.

Workshop being held for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

The Central Lakes College Diversity Club is hosting an event in honor of April being Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

The Diversity Club is bringing in Amanda Schwarfzkopf from the Brainerd Sexual Assault Services to speak on sexual harassment, consent and prevention at noon April 28 in room C236, Brainerd campus. 

The workshop is titled "Working Together for a Safer Campus."

Also joining in on the conversation will be Mary Sam, Director of Diversity & Tribal Relations; Dave Davis, director of Security & Law Enforcement Skills Coordinator; and Suzie Karsnia, counselor.

CLC Small Business Development Center client wins top award

Travis Kelley of Jen Tra Tools in Backus was recently named the U.S. Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Minnesota. Travis and his wife, Jennifer Kelley, developed the Cheatah door level system to assist contractors and homeowners with door installation. They started Jen Tra Tools to market the product, and are now working to expand their business nationally.

The Central Lakes College Small Business Development Center assisted Travis and Jennifer Kelley through their start-up, in obtaining early financing for their business, in participating in the Minnesota Cup competition and now is working to expand the company. The company also received assistance from the Cass County Economic Development Corporation, SCORE and Legal Corp programs.

Learn more about the company's product at www.jentratools.com.

For more information regarding the CLC Small Business Development Center contact 218-855-8145 or email director Greg Bergman at gbergman@clcmn.edu.

Videography students earn top spots in competitions

Several Central Lakes College Videography students placed in top spots in competitions last weekend.
At the SkillsUSA State Conference, two CLC teams took silver and bronze medals in the Digital Cinema Production category.
* Silver medalists were: David Rossow, of Sartell, and Kyle Yezek, of Brainerd.
* Bronze medalists were: Brandon Brown and Cody Roehl, both of Brainerd.
At the 2015 NATAS-Upper Midwest Regional Student Emmy Awards, CLC students won two Emmy awards out of the five total nominations.
Total, there were 260 entries from 40 different high schools and colleges in the region.
* Public Affairs/Community Service category: Bobbi Kruchten, of Brainerd, producer/director/writer for "Survivor.”
* News-General Assignment-Light News category: Brandon Brown, of Brainerd, Video Journalist; Riley Nelson, of Brainerd, reporter/writer; David Rossow, of Sartell, videographer.

Got the Ramen Noodle blues? iCare has a few ideas to revamp dinner

Ramen Noodles just may be the most popular go-to meal for college students. That's why the iCare hosted a Campus Community Connection event Wednesday, April 15 featuring (you guessed it) Ramen Noodles.

Each student got a free pack of Ramen and four recipe ideas for how to prepare it.

Below are those recipes, which staff combed the internet for. 

Future Campus Community Connection events (held every Wednesday in April from 12-1 p.m. 

April 22: Earth Day activities

April 29: Really cool car show.