The national spotlight focused on community colleges recently is not the norm, but it is timely for families and the nation.  As the current economic recession drags on and unemployment remains frustratingly high, the issue of jobs tops everyone’s worry list.  Economic malaise has also driven an ongoing enrollment surge at the nation’s community colleges—an increase of almost 17% nationally. Riverland’s enrollment grew 11.6 percent from 2009-10, and enrollment of under-represented students rose 27 percent.

The Albert Lea Business Women’s Legacy (formerly Albert Lea Business and Professional Women’s -ALBPW) recently donated $40,000 to the Riverland Community College Foundation to sponsor an endowed scholarship that honors the memories of members, Donita King and Bertha Weiks.

Another academic year will soon end, and we will celebrate commencement with our 2011 Riverland Community College graduates on May 13. Last August, Riverland began its 70^th academic year. This historic milestone has inspired us to take a nostalgic look at past years and kindled a renewed interest in reconnecting with our alumni.

Riverland Community College students Olena Berezovska (Kherson, Ukraine), Eric Chouinard (Brooklyn Center), Andrew Howe (Lakeville), Natasha Spear (Waseca) and Kaylin Wolf (Blooming Prairie) were named to the 2010-2011 All-Minnesota Academic Team in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and service to their college and community. The ceremony, held March 25 in Eagan, honored 45 students from Minnesota's two-year colleges.

Riverland Community College recently announced that they would induct six into the Athletic Hall of Fame at a ceremony on October 29 at the Austin Campus.

This year’s inductees include Greg Carlson, football (1976-78); Nancy (Clemens) Martinz, Softball (1981-83); Denny Lebarron, tennis (1962-64); Don Miller, basketball (1951-54); Darrell Monson, baseball (1970-72); Kevin Wilder, football (1974-76).

Students from the Riverland Community College Choir and Vocal Ensemble attended the Minnesota Two-Year College Fine Arts Festival at Breezy Point Resort April 7 and 8. The festival is an annual event where choirs and bands from the state’s community colleges gather and make music. Riverland student Kristine Iverson (Austin) was selected as “Outstanding Performer.”

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities recently announced awards recognizing leadership and team effort for excellence in financial and facilities management. Riverland Community College received two awards of excellence: Excellence in Financial Management and Excellence in Facilities Management.

Riverland Community College Biology Instructor Pamela Anne Tranby was one of the four educators presented with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees’ highest academic honor, Educator of the Year, on Wednesday.

Several Riverland Community College SkillsUSA club members captured gold, silver and bronze medals at the SkillsUSA Minnesota 2011 State Leadership and Skills Conference in March at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington. The competitions focused on technical skill demonstration where students captured gold, silver and bronze medals in 75 competitive events in both divisions, with over 540 college students from 25 campuses of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities the competition focused on technical skill demonstration in 54 competitive events.

Riverland Community College student Katherine Kirsch (Albert Lea) has been chosen as a student Intern for the 2011 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting scheduled for June 2011 in Albuquerque, N.M.

“Wegner and Friends” opens Tuesday, April 25 in the James Wegner Art Gallery. The show features members of the Austin Area Arts Center, including James Wegner, Bonnie Lee, Barb Cafourek, Dustin DeBoer, Mary Gentle, Tammy Schneider, Shelley Aquino Brandon, James Murphy, William Olson, and Lucas Scott.

Riverland Community College’s Austin Chapter of SkillsUSA is having a rummage sale on Friday and Saturday to raise funds to send SkillsUSA medalists to the national competition.

Every spring, Riverland Community College’s advisory committees gather for an All College Advisory Committee Banquet and Meeting. This impressive group combines Riverland’s career technical program faculty with area business and industry community members who serve as program advisors.

Program advisors add value to Riverland's career and technical training programs. Committee members’ expertise, time and dedication boosts Riverland’s ability to meet the region's workforce needs.

The Riverland Training and Development (RTD) division of Riverland Community College recently announced a free training program in green technologies. Manufacturing company employees, dislocated workers, and students in manufacturing related programs all qualify for this unique program. The Green Enterprise Development program is quality curriculum from Purdue University, administrated by the Blue Green Alliance and brought to southern Minnesota by Riverland.

Riverland Community College honored current and outgoing faculty and staff at the College's annual Riverland Awards and Recognition Ceremony on May 13 held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin.

Riverland employees gathered to acknowledge staff members for their achievements through out the year including those who reached milestones of years of service and this year's retirees.

Last month, we explored how Riverland Community College has successfully completed specialized accreditation for its academic programs. This month, we examine how Riverland maintains regional accreditation using the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), an accreditation program of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) that encourages Riverland to employ continuous improvement strategies. The HLC, an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the 19-state North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), accredits Riverland.

Riverland’s Cycles for Success Scholarship program received the Innovative Partnering and Collaboration award. Cycles for Success, a private-public collaboration with Austin’s public and private K-12 system was created to increase high school and college graduation rates. The Hormel Foundation is contributing $1 million over five years for scholarships expected to assist about 200 students.

Effective July 1, 2011, Riverland Community College further restricted the use of tobacco on college property and became a Tobacco-free campus at all three of its locations in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna. The goal behind this new policy is not to punish smokers or tobacco users but to demonstrate Riverland’s commitment to creating a healthy, clean and safe learning and working environment for all students and employees.