Thank you! Over 300 of you attended the Riverland Community College Gala on Sept. 26. With your support we raised money for much needed scholarships, equipment and technology for our area students and programs.

This was the capstone event of the yearlong celebration of 75 years of Riverland Community College.  Guests entered into the enchanted and elegantly decorated Northbridge Mall, where they dined on fabulous food and drinks and danced to music by Bob & The Beach Comers and the Austin Big band.

Our gratitude goes to our generous sponsors: platinum sponsors, KIMT TV and Anonymous; gold sponsor, Albert Lea Tribune; silver sponsors, Albert Lea Electric, Austin Daily Herald, Cargill Meat Solutions, Freeborn County Shopper, Innovance Inc. and Streater; table Sponsors: Advanced Family Dental, Albert Lea Dental Care, ALEDA, Albert Lea Select Foods, Alliance Benefit Group, Dave Syverson Auto Center, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, ISC Financial Advisors, Mayo Clinic Health System, Minnesota State University in Mankato, Albert Lea Poker Club, Riverland Community College, Security Bank Minnesota and Flowers by Jane.

To the incredible silent auction donors and those who purchased these items. . . you helped us raise over $25,000! Frank and Renee Summers, Craig and Brenda Ludtke, Don and Henry Savelkoul, Dan and Kathy Deboer, Marilyn and Bob Blong, Wayne Busch, Power 96 and Anna Rahn, Granicrete Minnesota and Riverland Community College (Tom and Jean Eaton and Bob Bender), Tom and Barb Butler, Dawn King,Ken and Susie Petersen, Al and Pat Arends, Dan and Mary Jo Dorman, Hal Davis and West End Architectural Salvage, Southern Minnesota Landscaping (Andy Seuser), Jerry and Gerry Vogt, NASCAR (Eric Nyquist), Northstar Power Sports and Marine, Dave Syverson Ford, Steve and Christi Waldhoff, Lynn and Peter Cunningham, Sorensen Appliance and TV, Matt Bissonette, Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery, The Joseph Company, Sheryl Barton, Hy-Vee Floral, Marcia and Darv Habben and Sanco Equipment (Matt Greibrok).

The fabulous food and beverage sponsors Green Mill (Hillary and Tobin Korpi with Edward, Brayden, Toussiant, Shanna, Missy, Luis, Alex, Matt), Hy-Vee (Peter Streit, Bryan Cunningham, Andy Hansen and Eric Conchlin), MarketPlace Foods (Casey Connor, Lisa Samudio, Scott Fadden-Martin Brothers), The Interchange Wine and Coffee Bistro (Lisa and Vern Hansen),  Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Krieger Beverage (Earl Krieger, Melissa Wittmer), Lou-Rich Inc. (Ben Fryer), Pepsi-Cola of Rochester, and Culligan Water Conditioning Albert Lea (Kevin Krippner).

Our special sponsors and supporters who helped us provide a wonderful evening AmeriPride Linen, Celebrations Party and Gifts (Tami Staker), Church Offset Printing (Mike Kruse, Mary Ann Atchison and Sarah Davidson), Thompson Sanitation (Frank Thompson), Table skirting (Jolene Dillmuth), Farmers State Bank, Richard and Ann Flisrand, Tom and Judy Mullen, Lois Freeberg Requa, Zumbro River Brand, Mark Spitzer, Danny Muzik, Northbridge Mall (Shan and Allan), Erin Murtaugh Photgraphy, CliftonLarsonAllen, Peterson, Kolker & Benda, Ken and Susie Petersen and Lois Nelson.

The amazing student power that bussed tables, set up and tore down came from the following Riverland scholarship recipients: Emma and Chance Palmer, Joey Witham, Cory and Gabe Bennett, Angie Hummel, Justin Warling, Cole Mathews, Mike Deyo, Katie Hillman, Maria Ruble, Greg Matthies, Cody Johnson, Drew Folie, Mike Bute (instructor), Josh Carstenson, Alexis Laureano, Xavier Ocasio, Josean Matos, Nicole Donoso and Ian Manuel Lopez.

This could not have happened without the time, energy and enthusiasm for Riverland Community College, our students and our future workforce.

Those serving on this committee were food and beverage, Randy Kehr, Hillary Korpi and Jolene Dillmuth; decorating, Steve and Jane Haukoos with Becky and Kate Ausen, Hayley Wedin, Steph and Gary Richter, silent auction, Susie Petersen and Barb Butler with Matt Greibrok, Henry Savelkoul, Bob Blong, Brenda Ludtke, Gerry Vogt, LeAnn Dulitz and Wayne Busch; hospitality, Chuck Vanwey, students, Gary Schindler with Krils Gullord, Erin McCormick-Lee;  and sponsorships, Ellen Kehr and Steve Bowron with Laurie Minehart,  Kathie Hanson, Charlotte Elvebak and Sandy Roe.

Thank you community! Our success is your success!

Jean Eaton

Gala chairwoman

Albert Lea