Connect with future employers with the Brainerd Community Job Fair

Straighten up that tie and dust off those dress slacks. It's time to impress your potential future employer at the Brainerd Community Job Fair. It runs from 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at CLC's Brainerd campus.

This is the place to go if you're looking for full-time work, a part-time gig, or even just summer work.

"It's a great opportunity for those looking for employment to see what's available," said Deb Norlin, Director of Placement/Academic Advisor at CLC.

Last year, about 125 people explored their career options during the long-standing job fair.

Plus, the face-to-face setting offers something that internet job searches can't.

"You're making that personal one-on-one connection with people in the hiring position," Norlin said. "It makes a big difference."

Come dressed to impress, Norlin recommends. Resumes could help, but more and more, employers are moving to an online application system, she said.

CLC’s Kari Frisch Receives National Award for Excellence in Online Learning

Central Lakes College instructor Kari Frisch recently received national recognition for earning the 2015 Distinguished eLearning Educator award. Only six faculty in total were recognized. Frisch was also one of two instructors from that group chosen to receive the ITC 2015 Award for Excellence in eLearning Outstanding eLearning Faculty. 

CLC Fire & EMS Program Delivers Air Care Landing Zone Training

Central Lakes College has partnered with North Memorial Air Care to provide helicopter landing zone training to Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Responder students. 

It is common in rural areas for law enforcement and emergency medical responders to receive calls for help in which they are first on the scene. First responders need to recognize when it is appropriate to call for advanced additional resources such as Air Care. 

March Cultural Thursday Features Cambodia and Vietnam

Central Lakes College Anthropology Instructor, Fred Sutherland, recently returned from an adventure to Southeast Asia and will be sharing his photos and impressions during the upcoming Cultural Thursday presentation on March 5 entitled "Cambodia and Vietnam: Where past and present collide".  Come explore the largest religious complex in the world, see a landscape where ancient and modern cultures collide, and learn how a region commemorates a tragic past. The presentation will be held at noon in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College.

AgCentric Launched

Three Minnesota colleges join forces for new AgCentric Center of Excellence -- Aims to prepare young people for careers in booming agriculture industry through shared resources. 

USDA studies show that now more than ever, agriculture is an industry that depends on science, technology, cutting-edge applications and advanced production practices to meet increasing global demands. To prepare tomorrow’s workforce for the challenges ahead, three technical colleges in northern and central Minnesota have combined resources to launch AgCentric, a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities agriculture center of excellence focused on customized training, education and outreach.

Traveling CNC office mill opens world of manufacturing to high schoolers

A new high-tech piece of equipment will bring the world of advanced manufacturing into the classrooms of 23 area high schools.

It's called a computer numerical control (CNC) office mill, and it allows operators to cut materials like metal at different depths using computer controls.

The CNC office mill was brought in through a partnership between Central Lakes College (CLC), the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and several industry businesses.

It was unveiled Wednesday at Brainerd High School where it will stay in the classroom of industrial arts teacher Brian Bordwell for the next few weeks before making its way to Staples High School.

Story courtesy of the Brainerd Dispatch by Jessie Perrine. Read more.

AgCentral News Conference

AgCentric was officially unveiled on Tuesday, February 3 at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Jim Boerboom greeted the crowd of about 25 legislators, MNSCU officials, Department of Education officials, Future Farmers of America representatives, and administrators of the three colleges affiliated with AgCentric. 

A presentation was be made by consultants HatlingFlint to share the development of the name, logo, mission and platform for this initiative.

Watch the news conference.

CLC Robotics Students are in High-Demand

Jeff Keyes, Arnie Anderson and Barry Norenberg from Bosch Packaging recently came to the Central Lakes College (CLC) Staples campus to give a presentation to students of the robotics program and to interview the second year students. Bosch needs to fill multiple positions and internships in their Shell Lake and New Richmond locations. 

Merry Tuba Christmas a "Booming" Success

The CLC Music Department sponsored its annual "Merry Tuba Christmas" on Saturday, December 6 at the Westgate Mall in Brainerd. The low brass ensemble was directed by Steve Anderson, CLC Instrumental Music Instructor.

Merry Tuba Christmas is a low brass player tradition going back to 1971 when it started in honor of Bill Bell, one of the greatest tuba players and teachers. Low Brass Players gather in groups ranging in size from a few to several hundred all over the United States each Christmas to celebrate the season and the art of low brass playing. 

Verse Like Water Series Presents: Tracy K. Smith

Verse Like Water: the visiting poet program of Central Lakes College, in collaboration with the Crossing Arts Alliance presents Pulitzer Prize winning poet Tracy. K. Smith. The reading will be held in the Chalberg Theatre at the Brainerd campus on Friday, November 21 at noon.

With her third book of poetry, Life On Mars, Tracy has established herself as one of the top poets in America. Tracy will read at noon, sign books immediately following the reading, and offer an informal talk on writing, the imagination, and creativity at 1:30 pm. All Verse Like Water events are free and open to the public.

CLC Offering Nursing Classes in Pine River

Beginning in January, Central Lakes College will offer nursing classes at a new satellite location in Pine River. The spring semester 2015 classes begin on January 13. The classes offered at the Pine River site are Nursing Assistant Class - 3 Credits and the Home Health Aide Class - 1 Credit .

A designated scholarship fund has been created for any student taking classes at the Pine River site. No residence requirements are necessary. Scholarships will be awarded on a first come first served basis and are available as long as the fund exists.

November Cultural Thursday Event: Cameroon

On November 6, Bemidji Schoolcraft French Instructor Megan Goplin will present on her time spent as an Agroforestry Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon. This month's event will be held in the CLC Music Rehearsal Room (E471) on the Brainerd Campus from noon to 1:00 pm.

Known as 'Africa in miniature,' Cameroon is one of central Africa's most diverse countries, both culturally and geographically. 

Brainerd Woman Continues to Raise Funds for Late Husband’s Scholarship

In the fall of 2013, Faye Abrahamson helped establish a scholarship fund for her late husband, Pat Abrahamson, at Central Lakes College (CLC). On Thursday, October 2, Faye presented a check for $1,470 to Pam Thomsen, CLC director of research development and director of the CLC Foundation, for the “Patrick Abrahamson Scholarship Fund”. The scholarship is for students enrolled in the small engine or auto mechanic programs with preference given to veterans. Thomsen said Katherine Rettkowski is the second recipient of the scholarship to be used this fall. Pat Abrahamson was an instructor at CLC in small engine and auto mechanic programs for 32 years. He retired in 2002. 

2014-15 Academic Year Opens

August 25, 2014

Fall semester classes began today at Central Lakes College Brainerd and Staples campuses. The new academic year features extended hours in student services and the college bookstore. Most services will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the early stages of fall semester.

CLC also offers "conciere" services during the first two days of the semester to help students find classrooms and to answer questions.

New students may still enroll for classes beginning this week through Friday, August 29. Students may also register for "late start" classes which begin later in the semester. Contact the CLC Admissions Office for more information.

Fall Semester Course Schedule

CLC Community Band to Perform Concert -- Departs for Europe

The Central Lakes College Community Band will depart on July 31 on a ten-day tour of England and Scotland. The tour will include four days in London, two in York and three days in Edinburgh with performances in venues from city parks, amphitheaters to the great hall of the Edinburgh Castle. The band will perform cooperatively with the London Metropolitan Brass Band in their first concert in London. 

NEW CLC Program Offering - Phlebotomy Certificate

The Phlebotomy Technician Certificate (17 credit) is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in the rapidly growing, high-demand field of health care support. Instruction is already in place during the fall semester of the Medical Assistant Program. This certificate would enable students to complete the academic requirements for a phlebotomy technician in one semester and complete the internship requirements following instruction. 

CLC Tuition Remains Frozen

Tuition at Central Lakes College will remain frozen in the 2014-15 academic year. “The benefits of freezing undergraduate tuition for the second year in a row continue to make MnSCU colleges and universities the lowest cost, highest value higher education option in the state of Minnesota,” said Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU chancellor. 

Local Manufacturer Collaborates with CLC

Each year Pequot Tool and Manufacturing (PTM) provides Central Lakes College with a guest presenter to address Machine Tool Technology students. 

PTM recently sent Tim Walker, Employee Development Coordinator who is an industry certified expert in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing to the Staples campus of CLC. Relying on his twenty plus years of GD&T instruction, experience in manufacturing and design, and a bit of humor, he engages the class over a four-day period. 

Central Lakes College instructors Ronn Redemske and Keith Hillstrom participate in the class and integrate these principles into their program work assignments. 

CLC Capital Projects Received Bipartisan Support

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters and regional legislators for their bipartisan work during this last legislative session. Some great things were done for this region that includes two Central Lakes College capital projects.

The college had two major capital projects under consideration in the bonding bill by the Legislature that were critical to the college. A $2 million project to replace the library roof on the Brainerd campus was at the top of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities list for asset preservation. A portion of the book collection sustained water damage during a major downpour two years ago. 

CLC Students Play Role at Governor’s Fishing Opener

The 67th annual Governor’s Fishing Opener, hosted by Governor Mark Dayton and held at Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake was the media “hot spot” in Minnesota this past weekend.

Along with the multitude of seasoned media professionals, two CLC Videography students recorded the events at Grand View Lodge for KARE 11 News. KARE 11 has contracted with CLC Videography to act as a bureau in this region when they need additional coverage.