Jahren’s family, friends were present in the lab located in the East Building of the Austin Campus, Room N103 along with Riverland Administration, Faculty, Staff, former faculty and students.

Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun said, “It's so fitting to honor someone who had this level of commitment to teaching by naming the Physics Lab at Riverland Community College. We remember and proudly recognize his contributions by naming the Charles E. Jahren Physics Lab in his memory."

“We are very thankful for the generosity of the Jahren family and friends.  Through their gifts an endowment fund has been established with the Riverland Community College Foundation.  This fund will exist in perpetuity and will provide annual support for the Physics program here at Riverland Community College,” said Janelle Koepke, dean of institutional advancement at Riverland. 

Charles Edward Jahren was born December 19, 1923 at Austin, Minnesota, Charles graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1942. He graduated from the Austin Junior College in 1944 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering and received his MA degree from the University Of Minnesota College Of Education. Charles was married to Ida Mae Guild at the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, MN on June 20, 1953. The Jahrens made their home in Austin where Charles was a Physics and Mathematics instructor at the Austin Community College (now Riverland). He also worked in data collection with the Minnesota Geological Survey and as a Physicist with the US Geological Survey. Jahren died in September, 2016 at 92.

The Charles E. Jahren Endowment Fund will provide ongoing financial resources to support the Physics program and allow opportunities for faculty to be innovative and creative in their teaching.  The fund is open and gifts may be given at any time to strengthen the legacy of teaching and learning that will occur in this lab.

The Riverland Community College Foundation raises, manages and distributes resources to support, enhance and promote the educational opportunities Riverland Community College offers the people of the region. Because achieving dreams of a better life may be financially challenging, the Riverland Community College Foundation is committed to raising funds for scholarships. The Riverland Community College Foundation is a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) and is funded by local donors. Contributions to the Riverland Community College Foundation are fully tax-deductible.