Record enrollment growth of 14,338 students counted this spring at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Students enrolled in record numbers this spring at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, resulting in an increase of 14,338 students, or nearly an 8 percent gain, over a year ago, officials said today.

The state college and university system has 197,576 students taking credit courses, compared to last spring's enrollment of 183,238. The latest growth spurt was on top of a record increase last fall when an additional 12,641 students enrolled compared to the year before.

Riverland Community College students Katherine Kirsch (Albert Lea), Sergio Hernandez (Walters) and Ivan Okhin (Genichesk, Ukraine) were named to the 2010 All-Minnesota Academic Team in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and service to their college and community. Forty Minnesota two-year college students were honored at a ceremony on March 3 in Eagan, Minnesota.

Family, friends and the Riverland Community College community gathered on Feb. 26 at "A Shining Star, Katie Nelson Remembered," a benefit performance and auction to raise money for an endowment in Nelson's name. The money raised so far is $11,460 with donations still coming.

Nelson, 29, a theater major from Riverland and Minnesota State University, Mankato, was months away from completing her massage therapy degree at Riverland when she died suddenly last March of a brain tumor no one knew she had.

During the last year, this column has frequently touched on the economic challenges facing our state, nation and higher education. We have carefully stated our concerns to inform readers how we strategically are addressing those needs within the communities we serve. As we analyze the content of the latest economic reports, however, we must alert the public to the potential impact of this information on Riverland Community College’s health. The economic vitality of the communities and region we serve depends on a vital, healthy community college.

Dr. Ron Langrell, executive vice president for Riverland Community College, will be honored with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2010 Administrator Award of Distinction in Orlando, Florida on April 9. He is one of 24 recipients nationwide.

The Administrator Award of Distinction is awarded to college vice presidents, deans, or leaders other than college presidents/CEOs serving in an administrative capacity, who have demonstrated a strong level of support for Phi Theta Kappa.

Ivan Okhin, a Riverland Community College student and Phi Theta Kappa Member has been selected as a Guistwhite Scholarship recipient and will be recognized during the Phi Theta Kappa Convention in Orlando April 8-10, 2010.

Guistwhite Scholars are chosen based on academic achievement, participation in Phi Theta Kappa programs and service to their colleges and communities. Okhin is one of 20 recipients for 2010 selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 791 applicants nationwide. Each Guistwhite Scholar is awarded a $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies.

Recently, Riverland Community College reconnected with a former student who graduated with an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in 2006.  He continued his higher education at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English in 2008.

The PSEO program is available to students throughout the state to promote "rigorous educational pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students." Through PSEO, students receive both high school and college credit for college courses completed. PSEO students may take courses on a college campus or at their high school if available. PSEO courses offered at the high school are commonly called concurrent enrollment courses.

On April 6, Riverland celebrated a combined appreciation banquet and advisory committee meeting in the West Building Commons with more than 160 advisory committee members and other partners of Riverland career-technical programs.

Riverland Community College's Computer Technology program was named a World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) Academy in April. Bill Cullifer, founder and executive director of WOW, announced this honor after a computer technology industry summit with local business leaders focusing on web development and the computer technology profession.

WOW is a non-profit professional association established in 1996, providing community, education and certification for Web professionals worldwide.

Riverland Community College’s MN GreenStar house project is ready for public listing. Each year, Riverland’s carpentry technology and construction electrician students construct a home through a unique learning opportunity. Students build and wire the home under supervision and in cooperation with local sub-contractors. The home is available for sale to the public through a bidding process.

Riverland Community College ends another successful year at this month's college commencement. Given this excitement, you may wonder why I have chosen to address the topic of "financial crisis" in this month's column. The answer is simple: we understand the College's effect on the region we serve and want to be as transparent as possible in our communication as we plan for an uncertain future. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's recent news about tuition increases at campuses across the state has also raised awareness in the media.

On May 14, Riverland celebrated another successful academic year with 546 graduates in the Class of 2010. The end of the year also provides the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of our students, employees, and college. In a year that brought record enrollments and financial challenges unparalleled in our history, I want to share a few of our recent accomplishments.

Laura Meyer (Minneapolis), a Riverland Community College sophomore and Blue Devil softball player, received national recognition for athletic play during the 2010 season.

Meyer batted .535 this season for Riverland, collecting 77 hits in 144 at bats and had a 40-game hitting streak this spring. She led the team in batting (.535), hits (77), and runs (48) while her team finished as division champions, Fourth in the Minnesota Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) state tournament and runner-up in the Region 13 championships.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick said today he will recommend Scott R. Olson, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, to be the interim vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.

“Scott Olson brings a wealth of administrative and academic experience to this demanding job,” McCormick said. “Given the pressing challenge we have to produce more graduates, I am confident that we will continue to make progress on that front under Dr. Olson’s leadership.”

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) recently granted accreditation to Riverland Community College's concurrent enrollment program because the college has demonstrated their commitment to offering high quality concurrent enrollment programming.

The Board of Directors granted accreditation to Riverland's concurrent enrollment programs at its April 2010 meeting.

The Hormel Foundation will fund Riverland Community College's new Cycles for Success scholarship program at $200,000 annually for five years.

Riverland created Cycles for Success to inspire students at Austin and Pacelli High Schools to graduate and earn a college education locally and thus provide employers with a skilled workforce in high-wage, high-demand occupations.

The Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system today appointed Jessica M. Stumpf as interim president of Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids and Cambridge and Shari L. Olson as interim president of Anoka Technical College.

Stumpf, 57, is vice president of academic affairs at Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical, with campuses in Red Wing and Winona.

Olson, 49, serves as a system director in the Office of the Chancellor, coordinating projects related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and dislocated worker training.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees today appointed Scott R. Olson to be the interim vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.

Olson, 51, is the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato.