Innovance/Lou Rich, a local manufacturer in Albert Lea, recently donated a Mori Seiki lathe machining station to the new machining program at Riverland Community College’s Albert Lea Campus. The station teaches students Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operation.

Riverland Community College Theatre and Music departments begins their 2015-2016 season with the beloved musical Into the Woods, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. Recently made into a popular Disney film, Into the Woods is a rare modern-day classic that continues to challenge and entertain us.

The U.S. Education Department recently announced that Riverland Community College will be awarded $219,997 in FY 16 as part of the $270 million provided to 968 institutions of higher education. These funds provide thousands of students with academic and other support services they need to succeed in college. The grants are aimed at helping increase the number of low-income college students, first-generation students and those with disabilities to successfully complete a program of study at the post secondary level.

James Douglass, Riverland Community College’s executive director of communications, media relations and marketing has been named the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) 2015 Communicator of the Year for District 5. NCMPR District 5 includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Manitoba, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

Riverland Community College, in conjunction with “College Knowledge Month,” will waive the application fee for all high school seniors that apply to attend Riverland Oct. 26-30. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system is participating in “College Knowledge Month,” a statewide effort to provide every graduating high school senior with the preparation, opportunity, and support needed to apply to college.

Riverland Community College’s U.S.A. Cultural Studies class is offering a new travel opportunity which includes four days and three nights exploring the cultural offerings of Chicago. Participants receive a round trip motor coach from Austin to a downtown Chicago hotel, with additional motor coach transportation within the city. Experienced faculty serve as guides and the course includes two pre-trip meetings to help participants customize the trip to their cultural, historical and personal interests.

Riverland Community College and South Central College will host several information sessions about area healthcare employment and education featuring these in-demand jobs: Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Patient Care Assistant (PCA), and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The healthcare profession needs people of all ages to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Long term care and other healthcare providers in our region have a growing need for trained LPNs, PCAs and CNAs.

Riverland has hired Kenneth Johnson as the new Director of Customized Training and Education, Business Solutions and Entrepreneurship. Johnson brings extensive experience to his new role in a variety of fields including manufacturing, agriculture, the public sector, retail management, consulting, and higher education. Johnson has more than 14 years of post-secondary teaching experience primarily in management, marketing, entrepreneurship, international business and finance.

Riverland Community College Foundation received a $13,000 AT&T donation today to support its scholarship programs during a check presentation on the Austin campus. The AT&T donation will support 13 scholarships at $1,000 each for Riverland Community College freshmen who are pursuing a STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and math) career pathway.

Riverland Community College Theatre department continues their 2015-2016 season with the Tony Award winningDancing at Lughnasa by Irish playwright, Brian Friel.

Riverland Community College has named Douglas J. Waldner (Hayfield) as women’s basketball coach. His coaching responsibilities will include conducting practices, coordinating athlete conditioning, travel with the team, recruiting future players and other related responsibilities.

Laura Beasley has accepted the position of director of nursing at Riverland Community College. The director of nursing is responsible for providing leadership, direction and administrative support to the college’s associate degree nursing program. She replaces Riverland Nursing Director Nancy Genelin who is retiring at the end of the year.

Members of Austin Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Kappa chapter have created an endowment fund for Riverland Community College student scholarships.

The Circle of Friends recently donated $4,389.90 to the Riverland Community College Foundation to sponsor an endowed scholarship that honors the memory of Elizabeth Ann Moen.