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.