Terrence (Terry) Leas, Riverland Community College president

A Riverland Community College tradition is to reflect on our successes of the past academic year and “brag” to the community in the May president’s column.

All of our students’, employees’

and institution’s successes are too numerous to list. The following are a few highlights illustrating the caliber of achievements throughout the college.

Student success

Riverland sent 24 students to the Minnesota SkillsUSA-VICA competition to compete with students from technical colleges from across the state in leadership and occupational skills contests.

Carissa Gabrielson, Alison Stutztman, and Dan Breuer will represent Riverland at the National Community College golf tournament this year.

Through a Service Learning project, students Dana and Christina Welsh assisted in providing diversity training to 650 K-8 students at the Shakopee Area Catholic Schools.

First-year nursing students participated in the “Healthy Seniors of Owatonna” program, assisting in respite care for Alzheimer individuals in the community.

2003 graduates from the radiography program had 100-percent job placement and passed the national certification exam with a class average score of 86 percent, above the national average score.

Employee success

Psychology Instructor Dr. Barbara Houle will spend this summer in Swaziland, Africa, conducting research for the “International Sexuality Description Project 2,” a survey study designed to assess various features of sexuality and personality in 70 nations.

The Minnesota FFA Association presented Ag Diesel Technology Instructor Charlie Uthke with an Honorary Minnesota FFA Degree for his leadership involvement in agricultural education.

Heidi Schara, executive director of institutional development, was named the Business and Professional Women’s Young Careerist of the Albert Lea Chapter and the Minnesota Business and Professional Women’s Young Careerist.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) named Farm Business Management instructor Gary Thome “Minnesota Businessman of the Year.”

Riverland Community College Vice President of Student Affairs Gary Schindler was named “Minnesota School Counselors Association 2004 Administrator of the Year” for his commitment to students, innovative programs and processes to increase student success, and support of school counseling services.

Institutional success

The College sponsored a free workshop series in Albert Lea and Austin entitled “Changes/Cambios” for women interested in making changes in their lives including exploring career and education options.

Riverland received $7,500 to participate in a Diversity and Anti-Racism Initiative. Riverland’s project, “Building Community: An Equity and Diversity Initiative,” addressed diversity and racism issues in rural communities.

The Riverland Community College business office earned the 2003 Excellence in Financial Management award and the 2003 Excellence in Facilities Management award from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

The culmination of this year’s success stories is our commencement ceremony. This year’s Spring Commencement Ceremony will be Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Arena in Austin. Congratulations to our graduates, and congratulations to all Riverland students and employees for their hard work and commitment to student success.

(Dr. Terrence (Terry) Leas is the president of Riverland Community College.)