Blood drive

Brandee Stomberg, Menahga, was among the 80 people who gave blood on Wed., Nov. 30 in the Brainerd campus gym as the Student Senate-sponsored project for the American Red Cross attracted numerous walk-in volunteers willing to donate a pint of red. Brandee said her fellow members of the Natural Resources Club hoped to contend for the prize awarded to the campus organization donating the most blood. The club captured that honor. This was Brandee's first such donation, and she did so just because she knows there is a critical need -- and you never know when you yourself may be the recipient of this life-sustaining gift. The senate thanks everyone who gave during the five-hour event. We'll get another opportunity in the spring at the Staples and Brainerd campuses.

Senators visit

Members of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee, led by Chairman David Senjem (R-Rochester), were welcomed to Central Lakes College Wed., Nov. 30 for a series of bonding presentations for proposed projects that could be approved for funding in the next legislative session. Other members scheduled to meet at CLC were John Carlson (R-Bemidji), Keith Langseth (D-Glyndon, ranking minority member), Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), Sandra Pappas (DFL_St. Paul), LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), and Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood). Other projects scheduled to present requests during the stop: Cuyuna wastewater infrastructure upgrades; Cuyuna drinking water infrastructure upgrades; Paul Bunyan Trail; Backus wastewater treatment facility improvements.

Check & Connect

Ann Chouinard and Aaron Mertes are two new employees at Central Lakes College, hired for the Check and Connect disabilities support program. They are referred to as “coaches” who will work as part of a team that includes counselors, advisers, Occupational Skills Program and disabilities services staff, faculty, family members, and the qualifying students. Ann last December received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica after receiving her AA degree from Central Lakes College. Chouinard began as a C and C coach in May and she is a licensed social worker. Chouinard resides in Aitkin. Aaron earned his B.A. from the University of Minnesota Duluth after receiving an AA degree from Central Lakes College. He is a Brainerd High School graduate and had been employed at Confidence Learning Center, Pine River-Backus High School, and Life Support Services to gain nearly six years’ experience working with people with disabilities. Check and Connect is an initiative funded, in part, by a Transition Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant for higher education. Partners in securing the grant include CLC and the OSP and disabilities programs at Ridgewater College, Willmar, and the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. The Check and Connect program at CLC is an inclusive and comprehensive model for engaging and retaining students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.

Humphrey Center donation

A bow that once belonged to the late Pete Humphrey has been placed in the Skone Family Conservatory housing the Humphrey Center for American Indian Studies. LaVonne Danzl, whose late husband Bob had received the six-foot basswood hunting bow as a gift from his canoeing pal, Humphrey, recently donated the bow to the Humphrey Center so that it may be displayed along with the many other artifacts housed in the facility adjacent to the Jon Hassler Library at CLC. Humphrey had bequeathed his collection to the CLC Foundation in 1995. Bob Danzl died in 1999. The latest addition to the conservatory is in line with expansion plans, said Mary Sam, CLC director of intercultural services, diversity and tribal relations. “Our long term plan is to generate dollars to fund building interactive kiosks within the Center, a smart board for showing American Indian films and teaching for all ages, and a hands-on area that will allow guests to learn about American Indian crafts,” Mary said. Total cost of this undertaking will be about $45,000. Mary said the goal is to utilize the Center as a cradle to college learning and community engagement on American Indian issues.

To be a better teacher

“B is for Bully,” a new production by Theatre for a Diverse Population at Central Lakes College, explores the lasting effects of bullying. Designed to stimulate discussion, the show features student actors, including Amy Claypool of Bemidji (pictured). "I like being in this cast," she said. "And showing everyone that bullying happens all the time and it's not right. We need to start making some changes. I'm planning on being an elementary teacher, and I think this play is a great experience to learn about bullying. When I see it as a teacher I'll be able to help students. It happens way too much in our society. People are taking their own lives because of what's going on. No one should feel this way. People need to be aware...I don't have any acting experience, but I feel strongly the message needs to get out there. That's why I am performing in this show." CLC instructor Nancy Smith and members of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, will conduct a talk-back session after each performance. The show will be staged Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 at 10 a.m., Dec. 1, at noon, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m., with American Sign Language interpretation. Joining Amy in the cast are Alex Schmolke, Garrison; Jeremy Boltjes, Brainerd; Ann Campbell, Fargo; Grant King, Germantown, Tenn.; Cassandra Patrick, McGregor; Dillon Pool, Rockford; and Bea Mitchell, Onamia. Tickets are pay-what- you-can, with a $1 minimum. Recommended ticket cost is $5. To reserve tickets call the theatre box office at 218-855-8199 or on the web at www.clctickets.com

Fall celebration

Forty students were recognized as fall graduates of the Central Lakes College Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program at Staples on Nov. 23. Keynote speaker at the fall celebration was Andy Mack of Strata Corp., Grand Forks, N.D., a member of the Heavy Equipment Advisory Board at CLC. Zachariah Helton of Baxter and Tad Woessner of Fergus Falls shared Outstanding Student honors for their participation level and demonstrated teamwork. Instructors participating in the event were Andy Anderson, Jeff Klehr, Mike Kuklok, John Maleski, Michael Sams, Corey Uhrich, and Gordy Vierkant. Staff participants included Jeff Wig, dean of career and technical programs and Staples Campus; Pam Thomsen, executive director of the CLC Foundation and Alumni Association; and Nancy Schmidt, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance program coordinator. 

Prize winners

Prize winners have been announced from the Oct. 27 and 29 Tour of Manufacturing in Brainerd, Crosby, Jenkins, and Merrifield. Elias Peterson of Aitkin won an Ipad. Mitch Treichler and Branden Spaid, both of Brainerd, won Ipods. Prizes were donated by Clow Stamping Co., Graphic Packaging International, Lakeland Mold Co., Pequot Tool and Manufacturing, Precision Tool Technologies, and Central Lakes College. The tour attracted hundreds of guests to five area manufacturers for an inside look at good-paying jobs and the training designed to put skilled workers into those local opportunities.The Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection along with Central Lakes College collaborated to get the word out to students.