75th-Anniversary-Edition-Issue-9

Meanderings is a publication of the Riverland Community
College Alumni Association.
Its purpose is to update our readers (alumni, donors, and
community members) of Riverland
and alumni news, programs, and activities..
Anniversary Edition, Issue 9
Riverland’s Phi Theta Kappa
Chapter, Zeta Eta, receives
National Recognition
Riverland’s Phi Theta Kappa members are all
smiles when Riverland’s Zeta Eta Chapter
was awarded a Most Distinguished Chapter
award. Scoring was based on the highest overall
for their combined Honors in Action Project and
College Award rankings. Riverland’s Zeta Eta
Chapter’s top-ten recognition highlights their
‘Best in Class’ status. For more information,
go to
http://www.ptk.org/sites/default/files/docs/
awards/2015_awards_program.pdf
A new Alumni Director
is coming your way soon!
Dear Alumni,
Soon, a new Director of Grants & Alumni Affairs will be in place
and my alumni relations duties (newsletters, committee work, and
assisting the Foundation and College with fundraising and alumni
events) will be transitioned to the new director. The Director of
Grants & Alumni Affairs will be dedicated to establishing a ‘Best
in Class’ grants and alumni affairs department.
My job has a new, exciting focus. In addition to supporting the
Office of the President, I will also serve as the College Events
Coordinator. I look forward to using my organizational skills and
passion for planning to monitor and ensure that events sponsored
by the President’s Office and Cabinet meet standards consistent
with the College mission and vision.
Stay tuned for an introduction from our new Director of Grants &
Alumni Affairs and many great things to come.
Marijo
Photo by Sue Grove, PTK Advisor.
Pictured left to right are Ebonee Carpenter, PTK
International President; Heather Fast, Riverland
student; Sue Grove, Riverland PTK Advisor; Tracy
Duenes, Riverland student; and Megan Giles, PTK
International Vice President.

Exchange Student from the Ukraine
reminisces about her time at Riverland
Page 2
Photo & Story submitted by Mel Morem, International Student Advisor
Julia Stodolinska recently wrote to Mel Morem and shared this update. “It has
already been eight years since I was an exchange student at Riverland Community
College as part of the Global UGRAD program but it seems like it was not so long
ago. Our international club activities, fundraisers, parties and trips with Mel Morem,
exciting and challenging business courses with Jill Holmes, fun French and truly
intercultural communication classes with Sue Grove, and warm and very useful
advice from Dani Heiny are still very vivid in my mind. All this and so much more
was part of a wonderful year at Riverland which influenced my further studies,
career, and even my personal life.
I am back in the Ukraine where I am teaching English, Business English,
Country−Study of USA at Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University. Each class
is different and all the students are really unique. It is a real pleasure to see them
grow professionally and to notice great interest in their eyes as they come to class.
I try to pass on to my students not only the knowledge I have but also my life
values and ideals. A year ago I defended my PhD thesis “Concept CHILDREN in
American Marketing Discourse: Linguistic and Cognitive, Communicative and Pragmatic Aspects” in Cognitive
Linguistics. The valuable experience gained in business classes at Riverland, during the internships at Hy-Vee and
the KSMQ studio, as well as the knowledge of linguistics and foreign languages acquired at my native university in
Mykolaiv, made this great achievement possible.
Another dream come true is my family. I am married to a wonderful person with whom we were apart for nine
months while I was studying at Riverland, and this year our son was born. My mom and grandma are a significant
and very valuable part of our lives as well.
Even though eight years have passed, Riverland teachers and friends are still part of my life. And I know for sure that
time and distance can be a real challenge but never a drawback.”
Julia Stodolinska
Austin Student Senate receives
MSCSA Student Senate of the Year Award
Photo & story submitted by Jeannie Kearney, Austin Student Senate Advisor.
The Austin Student Senate was honored at the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) Spring
General Assembly when they received the Student Senate of the Year Award in April.
The Austin Student Senate worked tirelessly
during the 2014 – 2015 academic year. They grew
their membership by adding strong, involved
students. They also participated in many activities
throughout the year including a Red Cross Blood
Drive, Get Out The Vote Campaign, Charting the
Future Gallery Walks, Veterans Awareness
Waffle Breakfast, and they attended regional and
state-wide leadership conferences. In addition,
they were instrumental in developing new policy
and procedure guidelines for Riverland.
For more information about the MSCSA awards,
go to www.mscsa.org/news-events/latest-
news/association-news/1373-association-update-
04-21-15.
Congratulations to our 2014 − 2015 Austin Student Senate members!

Riverland Radiography Students
Place First at National Conference
Page 3
Press Release by James Douglass, Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations and Marketing
In February, Riverland Community College Radiography students received first place in the Investigational Poster
Competition at the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology (ACERT) conference held in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
Sarah Fischer and Amber Schmidt, two second-
year Radiography students, received the honors
for their poster titled “Radiation to Incubation”
that addresses the cleanliness of the radiology
department. Fischer and Schmidt’s poster also
received first place honors at the Minnesota
Society of Radiologic Technologists conference
last fall. Eight radiography students also attended
the 40th
Annual ACERT Conference and
competed in the Student Challenge Bowl as well
as several lectures on patient care, radiation
physics, radiation protection and pathology.
ACERT is the Association of Collegiate
Educators in Radiologic Technology, Inc., a
non-profit educational organization that is
dedicated to improving the quality of education
at the collegiate level in radiologic technology.
The philosophy of ACERT revolves around the positive growth and development of the collegiate educational process
in Radiologic Technology. Ultimately, the education of competent radiologic technologists and educators will insure
high quality patient care and the growth of the Radiologic Technology profession.
Riverland’s Radiography program began in 1990 and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Radiography courses are available at the Austin Campus, but students complete
their clinical rotations in health care facilities across southern Minnesota.
The Radiography program accepts 16 students during the fall semester through a competitive admissions process.
The program can be completed in six semesters and currently requires 83 credits for graduation. Students also have
the option to complete elective credits for Mammography training and Forensics Radiography. Upon completion of
the 24-month program, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree from Riverland
Community College and are eligible to apply for the nationally recognized certification exam administered through
the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Riverland’s Radiography Program graduating classes of 2013 and 2014 completed the exam with a 100% pass rate.
The graduates are also able to complete their bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Science Leadership through an
articulation agreement with Concordia University in St. Paul.
Radiography students (left to right) Darin Ness, Megan Spinler, Amber
Schmit, and Sarah Fischer pose with Sandy Sellner-Wee, Radiography
Program Director and Dr. Adenuga Atewologun, President of Riverland
Community College.

Riverland’s 75th Anniversary
Wine Pairing Events in
Austin & Owatonna
Food, Friends & Fundraising!
Page 4
Photos by James Douglass, Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations and
Marketing and Laurie Minehart, Assistant Director of the Foundation

Blue Devils in the News
Congratulations Athletes!
Page 5
Blue Devils Baseball Team Wins Southern Division Title
Congratulations goes out to Coach Scott Koenigs and the Blue Devils baseball team as they swept Rochester
Community & Technical College (RCTC) 9 to 3 and 16 to10 to win the Southern Division title on Saturday, May
9. They shattered many records including wins in a row (24) and a winning percentage of 897 (35 wins to 4 losses).
They also advanced to the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) State and Region XIII tournament in St.
Cloud where they went 2-2. They lost 3-1 to Northland Community & Technical College, won 5-4 over Itasca
Community College, won 1-0 over RCTC, and lost to St. Cloud Technical & Community College 10-9. The Blue
Devils enjoyed a remarkable season with 37 wins and 6 losses.
Baseball Honors
Congratulations to Coach Scott Koenigs and two of his baseball players as they received the following honors:
Mitchel Kelly; All-Division, All-State, All-Region and 2nd
team ALL AMERICAN.
Zachary Schwieters; All-Division, All-State, All-Region and 3rd
team ALL-AMERICAN.
Softball Honors
Congratulations to Coach Michele Ihnen and one her softball players, Laura Siegfreid, who qualified to be an
Academic All-American over a two-year period. To qualify, student athletes must have been in school at least three
full-time semesters and attained a GPA of 3.65 or higher. Laura earned a 3.74 GPA.
Blue Devils Athletic 2015 Hall of Fame Induction
For the first time since the Hall of Fame began in 1997, teams (rather than individuals) were inducted. The team
rosters are listed below.
Football
1947-48
Basketball
1951-52
Baseball
1971-72
Softball
1979-80
Women's Tennis
1986-87
COACH: Mark Dean
Alvin Baldus
Lloyd Barnett
Robert Beck
Milton Bjerke
Kenneth Brooks
Joseph Carol
Carl Duenow
Douglass Fladland
Clyde Gaines
Benjamin Gorski
Donald Grimley
Ira Howden
John Howley
Loren Jacob
Kenneth Knutson
Leonard Krupicka
Lloyd McDaniels
Loren Mattson
Clarence Minkel
Oliver Nasby
Richard Nelson
William Nelson
Paul Sanders
Norman Schmidt
Edward Schutte
Lovell Solyst
Harry Strong
Charles Tedrow
Irvin Tiegen
Celestine Von Feldt
COACH: Hal Cuff
Bernard Anderson
Dick Anderson
Dick Dastyck
Don Freeberg
Bill Johnson
Tom Jordan
Tom Knauer
Don Miller
Blaine Nobbs
Dave Ochs
Bob Wagner
Dave Walker
COACH: Earl Perkins
Joe Dolan
Steve Haukoos
Bob Jacobsen
Duane Johnson
Rick Knutson
Randy Kvam
Randy Lea
Don Leathers
Darrell Monson
Dave Novak
Terry Rohne
Jim Schammel
Steve Seltz
John Skaar
Pete Skaar
Tom Smithson
Al Walters
COACH: Dan Ball
Sue Adams
Julie Anderson
Lori Bergstrom
Jan Gabrielson Tansil
Karol Hansen
Cheryl Hickey Pearson
Jacqueline Johnson
Mary Satern Hyland
Lynette Martin Richter
Nancy Scherer Carroll
Julie Schreiber Grahn
Linda Tapp
Kathy Upcraft Uppa
LuAnn Valek
COACH: Dave Dickinson
COACH: Terry Dilley
Kim Bass
Sue Brabbit Polzin
Wendy Dickinson Eickoff
Lynne Folk Wilson
Jill Falgren
Judy Hoeft Poser
Amy Ostergaard Miller
Golf
1965-66
Women’s Basketball
1976-77
Men's Tennis
1990-91
COACH: Red Hastings
Doug Gebhard
Jon Heismness
Dick Leimbek
Larry Libersky
Terry Nelsen
Harold Peters
Tom Smith
COACH: Vel Moen
Liz Ackerwold Erickson
Cindy Bosshart Fuller
Barb Erickson
Nancy Haddorff
Cheryl Jones
Sandy Larson Russo
Sue Nelson Erickson
Connie Opsahl Tsui
Debbie Persoon
Jennie Saaranen
Carolyn Wradislavsky
COACH: Dave Dickinson
COACH: Terry Dilley
Mark Anderson
John Dickinson
Brett Erlandson
Glen Gutz
John Hulet
Brent Kvam
Ken Lrason
Mark Severson
Tom Tauchnitz

The “Future Maverick Program, International Pathway Agreement” between Minnesota State University (MSU),
Mankato and Riverland Community College (Riverland) provides international students who enroll at Riverland a
seamless transfer process to MSU, Mankato while also promoting English language acquisition.
“Riverland Community College has always been a
destination college for international students,” said
President Atewologun. “This new agreement offers an
enhanced pathway to pursue academically focused
English language skills and cultural experiences while
students prepare to enter MSU, Mankato or other higher
education pursuits. Riverland students benefit from
existing robust multicultural opportunities and new
activities specifically designed for the incoming
international students that enables our college
communities to learn from each other and prepare our
students for a global future.”
”Riverland and MSU, Mankato have a shared
commitment to provide educational opportunities for
international students,” said President Davenport.
“This agreement is just the latest example of that
commitment, and it also demonstrates the ongoing
collaboration within the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system.”
International students who participate in the program will
be provided guaranteed college admission if they meet
certain criteria. Students in the program will also be
conditionally admitted to MSU, Mankato to promote
pathways to baccalaureate education and to strengthen the
VISA application process. Students who participate in the
‘Future Maverick’ program will consult with academic
advisors from both institutions to ensure their academic
plans meet degree requirements. Participating students
must also meet academic progress requirements and each
institution’s standard policies and procedures.
Students in the program will also be eligible to receive
MSU, Mankato’s Cultural Contribution Scholarship to use
to offset tuition, if they meet grade point average and
course load requirements and also complete 25 contribution
hours each semester.
For more information and specific MSU, Mankato
admissions requirements, contact David Jones, Vice
President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, by phone at 507-389-2121 or by email at
david.jones@mnsu.edu.
For more information and specific Riverland admissions requirements, contact Nel Zellar, Director of
Admissions and New Student Relations, by phone at 507-433-0832 or by email at nel.zellar@riverland.edu.
Riverland Community College &
Minnesota State University, Mankato
sign second ‘Future Maverick’ agreement
Page 6
Dr. Adenuga Atewologun, President of Riverland
Community College (on left) and Dr. Richard Davenport,
President of Minnesota State University, Mankato (on
right) sign a Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony
at Riverland’s Owatonna campus.
A group of international students pose with Riverland
staff after the agreement was signed. Ferne Sofio
Training & Development representative (far left), Attina
Earl, Tutor − Study Skills (fourth from right), Mel
Morem, International Student Advisor (second from
right) and Dani Heiny, Director of Retention & Student
Success (far right).

Riverland Community College &
Minnesota State University, Mankato
sign third ‘Future Maverick’Agreement
Minnesota State University (MSU), Mankato and
Riverland Community College (Riverland) jointly
announced a partnership that offers degree-seeking
Riverland students the opportunity to be enrolled in
the “Future Maverick Program, Transfer Pathway.”
The agreement signed in March is designed to
promote the completion of the associate’s degree
and seamless transfer of students from Riverland to
MSU Mankato’s bachelor degree programs.
Students in the program will receive dedicated
academic advising from both institutions to
develop plans of study that meet degree and course
requirements for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees.
In addition to academic advising, students will also
have full access to student support services at both
Riverland and MSU, Mankato including financial
aid, student activities, library services, computer
labs, career services and more.
A guaranteed tuition scholarship plan will be
designed to lock in the MSU, Mankato tuition rate
that is in effect when “Future Maverick Program,
Transfer Pathway Agreement” students begin their
second year at Riverland through their graduation
from MSU, Mankato.
In an interview with KTTC TV (NBC, Austin and Rochester), Richard
Davenport, President of MSU, Mankato stated, “Our latest ‘Future
Maverick’ agreement with Riverland opens pathways for even more
students. It also demonstrates the ongoing commitment on the part of
both institutions to meet the needs of our students. We look forward to
continuing our collaboration with Riverland.”
President Atewologun added “This transfer pathway agreement is
designed to encourage students to complete their associate and
baccalaureate degrees in record time and at the best financial value.
Not only are these students guaranteed admission at both Riverland and
MSU, Mankato, but they are eligible for generous scholarship and strong
student support to successfully complete their bachelor’s degrees in eight
or nine semesters from the time they enroll full-time at Riverland.”
For more information and specific MSU, Mankato admissions requirements, please contact David Jones, Vice
President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, by phone at 507-389-2121 or by email at
david.jones@mnsu.edu.
For more information and specific Riverland admissions requirements, please contact Nel Zellar, Director of
Admissions and New Student Relations, by phone at 507-433-0832 or by email at nel.zellar@riverland.edu.
Page 7
Dr. Richard Davenport, President of MSU, Mankato (standing
on the far left) and Dr. Adenuga Atewologun, President of
Riverland Community College (standing on the far right) made
the announcement official by signing a Memorandum of
Understanding at a ceremony at Riverland’s campus in Austin,
Minnesota. Looking on are Dr. Marilyn Wells, MSU,
Mankato's Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic
Affairs, (seated on the left) and Dr. Mary Davenport,
Riverland's Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs
(seated on the right).

Riverland’s 2014 − 2015
Leadership Group Page 8
Photo provided by Representative Peggy
Bennett.
Riverland’s Leadership Group visited the State
Capitol in May and met with some of our local
legislators.
Back row, left to right:
Representative Peggy Bennett, Lori Jensen,*
Wade Detwiler,* Tim Michaud,*
Representative Jeanne Poppe, Roberta
Czaplewski,* and Edel Fernandez.
Front row, left to right:
Ricki Walters, Celeste Ruble, Amanda
Mathews, and Sandy Sellner-Wee.
* signifies Riverland alumni.
Story submitted by the Riverland Leadership Development Group
The Riverland leadership team selected campus beautification as their project this year. They solicited ideas from
various stakeholders including administrators, employees and students as well as area landscapers. The first phase of
the project will address the main entrance areas in Albert Lea, Austin East and West buildings, and Owatonna.
A local landscaper will complete the Owatonna beautification project this summer. Bids are being collected from local
landscapers for the Austin East and West buildings and work will likely be completed in late summer or early fall.
Since the Albert Lea campus main entrance was recently landscaped, this beautification project will focus on the disc
golf course and the addition of signage.
Members of the leadership team said, “We are very excited about the campus project and anticipate that campus
beautification projects will continue at Riverland for years to come. To us, beautification is about color, vibrancy and
energy on our campuses. Students also indicated that campus appearance is important to them and statistics confirm
that 62% of students base their college selection on appearance.”
The leadership team is looking for administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni volunteers to help with the
campus beautification days (see dates, times and locations below). Employees must obtain approval from their
supervisors before they volunteer. The leadership team is grateful for any time you can volunteer; come for an hour
or two or spend the day.
All volunteers must wear closed toe shoes. They are also encouraged to bring their garden gloves and other favorite
gardening tools such as pruning shears, trowels, rakes, hedge clippers, wheelbarrows, spades, weed-eaters, etc.
Donations of hosta plants and day lilies are also welcomed.
Campus Beautification Dates, Times & Locations:
Owatonna Campus; date to be determined.
Tuesday, June 30 at the Austin Campus (East & West buildings); work begins at 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, July 9 at the Albert Lea Campus; work begins at 10:00 a.m.
Note: The leadership team will provide bottled water and host a potluck lunch for volunteers during each of
the campus beautification days. They will provide meat for the grill; volunteers are asked to bring a dish to share.
Please contact Amanda Mathews at amanda.mathews@riverland.edu or Lori Jensen at lori.jensen@riverland.edu for
more information or to let them know if you plan to volunteer at one of our campus beautification days.
Riverland’s Leadership Group Project
is Campus Beautification

Story and photo provided by Kris Gullord, Enrollment Advisor
Riverland alumna, Andria Casillas, spent the last six months working in
Kenya on the Action for Cheetahs project. This study tested light
deterrents to guide human and carnivore coexistence. This man versus
beast conflict is a serious global issue because it threatens both predators
and humans. Light deterrents were used to prevent crop raiding by
wildlife predators in the Salama area and carnivore raiding by humans in
the Samburu area. With good success in the preliminary tests, the Kenya
Wildlife Service has approved the study of Adriana Casillas from Antioch
University in New England and they are currently waiting for a permit from the Ministry of Education. To learn more
about this important project, go to http://www.actionforcheetahs.org/news/deterrent-light-testing.
Editor’s Note: Adriana was highlighted by Riverland instructor Vennie White in Meanderings third issue (fall
2011). At that time she was immersed in course work at the University of Minnesota and had experienced hands-on
learning at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville, the Wildlife Science Center, and the entomology research
labs. Adriana’s ongoing passion for learning has given hope to the people in Kenya that they can peacefully coexist
with the predators they fear. Her passion for learning and strong work ethic is an inspiring example of Riverland’s
‘Best in Class.’
AAdriana Casillas (center)
works in Kenya
Adriana Casillas works on the Action for Cheetahs
Project in Kenya and receives endorsement
from the Kenya Wildlife Service
Page 9

2015 Graduates are
‘Best in Class’
Page 10
 518 students graduated from Riverland’s fall, spring and summer
semesters.
 The age range of this year’s graduates was between 17 and 64.
Approximately 31% were 22 years old or younger; 69% were over 22.
 62% of the graduates received an associate (AA, AS, AFA or AAS)
degree; 38% earned various program degrees, certificates and
diplomas.
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

Riverland
Community College
has been
inspiring personal
success through
education
for 75 years
Page 11
Photos provided by BJ Witts, Graphic Arts Specialist
To see a small gallery of photos taken at the Jubilee Jam on Sunday, May 31, go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/
myriverland/sets/72157653444479248

Coldspring™ supports
IMMR Student Scholarships
Page 12
Facing the growing shortage for skilled labor
across Minnesota, Coldspring™ sought out a
partnership with Riverland to support students
preparing for a career in industrial maintenance
and mechanics. “We have a need for three to five
maintenance mechanics over the next five years
and Riverland has one of the best programs in the
MnSCU system,” said Coldspring™ Director of
Human Resources Scott Piecek.
Coldspring™ is providing two $2,500
scholarships for Riverland’s Industrial
Maintenance and Mechanics (IMMR) students
each year for the next three years. They will also
open the door for student internship opportunities
at their manufacturing plant in Cold Spring, Minnesota. Interns will be involved in joint marketing and recruiting
efforts that will encourage students to enroll in the Riverland IMMR program; the goal is to increase the number of
graduates available to work in the industry.
Steve Bowron, Riverland’s Dean for Institutional Advancement, praised Coldspring™ for their proactive approach to
establishing a relationship with Riverland students. “There is a high demand for hiring skilled workers like our
industrial maintenance and mechanic students. Collaborating with companies like Coldspring ™ helps bring attention
to the career pathway, provides financial support and encouragement for the students, and showcases the excellent
career opportunities that are available for individuals looking to improve their lives through education.”
“Partnerships between companies and educational institutions like Riverland are the best way to support career and
technical education as we move into the future,” Bowron said. “Building a strong, technically skilled workforce will
require partnerships to successfully understand and meet the needs of Minnesota’s business and industry. We applaud
Coldspring™ for investing in our students to create a skilled workforce.”
Photo (l to r): Bob Bender, IMMR instructor; students Scott Possehl &
Nicholas Malecha, Scott Piesek, Coldspring™ Human Resources Di-
rector; Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun, and Richard Finley,
IMMR instructor.
ABC 6 News/KAAL TV donates
a $1,000 Student Scholarship
ABC 6 News/KAAL TV, a news leader in Southeastern
Minnesota, recently provided a $1000 scholarship to the Riverland
Community College Foundation to support local students
improving their lives through education.
Steve Bowron, Riverland’s Dean for Institutional Advancement,
was excited about ABC 6 News/KAAL TV’s continued
partnership and said, “There is a high demand in the region for
college educated workers and scholarships make it possible for
students to attend community colleges like Riverland.
Scholarships help provide financial support and encouragement to
the students, making it easier for them to choose college as a
pathway to improving their lives.”KAAL TV News Anchor, Rachel Wick (on
left) presents a check to Steve Bowron , Dean
for Institutional Advancement.

Knutson Construction Provides
Scholarship to Carpentry Students
In an effort to address the growing
shortage of skilled carpenters across
Minnesota, Knutson Construction is
providing a $500 scholarship to
Riverland’s carpentry students who
are preparing for careers in the
construction industry.
“With the high demand for skilled
labor, it was important for Knutson
Construction to decrease the financial
barriers for carpentry students to
attend college and help prepare them
for the local workforce,” said Tom
Leimer, General Manager of Knutson
Construction in Rochester, Minnesota.
Knutson Construction’s $500 donation
came at a perfect time as it was
matched by Bremer Bank’s March
Millions” special fundraising campaign and by MnSCU’s Leveraged Equipment project. “As a community college, we
work hard to build strong partnerships with companies like Knutson Construction” said Riverland President Adenuga
Atewologun. “There is an exponential dividend and benefit to the community in particular and the society at large
when our students receive the necessary assistance to enroll and successfully complete degrees like our Carpentry
program offers.”
Page 13
Photo (l to r): Walt Alms, carpentry instructor; students Brenden Chadwick and
Jorge Alejo-Rubio; Tom Leimer, General Manager Knutson Construction; students
Eduardo Vega, Mark Paddock and Zack Smith; Matt Bissonette, Dean of Business,
Technology, Trade & Industry; students Bryer Kruse and Jared Bingham; Riverland
President Adenuga Atewologun; student Wyatt Blum; and Steve Bowron, Dean for
Institutional Advancement.
Auto Body Specialists & PPG® Automotive Refinish
donate a Waterborne Paint Mixing System
to the Collision Repair Technology Program
Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun accepted a
donation valued at $42,744.79 to the Collision Repair
Technology program from industry partners, Auto Body
Specialists and PPG®
Automotive Refinish. “This donation
demonstrates how partnerships with area and national
businesses can drive our college toward achieving our
vision to have ‘Best in Class’ programs,” said President
Atewologun. “This is a winning example of how private
and public come together to provide high quality education
to our future workforce through teaching, scholarship and
service.”
Photo (l to r): Jim Roddel, Auto Body Specialists; Riverland representatives, Mary Davenport, V.P. of Academic &
Student Affairs; Matt Bissonette, Dean of Business, Technology, Trade & Industry; and Jim Jensen, Collision Repair
Technology (CRT) instructor; Randy Cahoy, PPG; Wayne Nielsen, Riverland CRT instructor; Brad Mutsch; Auto
Body Specialists; Ben Stepan, PPG; and Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun.

President’s Message Page 14
Dear Alumni,
It has truly been a year of celebration of excellence! Best in Class efforts in teaching,
scholarship, and service produced accolades and recognitions from many fronts. The best of them
is for our students and alumni. In this issue of Meanderings, you read about a few of the awards to
our Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honors society chapter, the Austin Student Senate, Radiography
students, and our athletes! Others include All-USA Community College Academic Team winners
Elayna Dyke and Katie Hillman. Ellie is a high school junior who is attending Riverland in
Austin full time through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO). At Riverland, she is vice president of service
for PTK and is very active in Riverland’s theatre program. Katie is a nursing student at Riverland and is enrolled in
the new Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education (MANE) program. Katie plans to transfer to Metropolitan State
University to earn a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Another remarkable achievement is from Heather Fast . She
is one of 90 scholars selected nationwide to receive the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship award of up to $40,000/year for
the final 2 or 3 years necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree − this is perhaps a first in Riverland’s 75-year history.
Heather graduated this spring and is on her way to realize her dream of being a cardiovascular surgeon.
The legislative session ended with many positive news for higher education. We thank our local legislators who
fought mightily for the future of our state, workforce development, and regional economic vitality. A few highlights
of the final agreement are:
 $100 million for tuition relief at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, which is 70 percent of MnSCU’s
$142 million request. The $100 million will be split 50-50 for each year of the biennium.
 Money was appropriated for teacher preparation program.
 Student tuition relief to ensure tuition remains at 2014-2015 level.
 Grant money is available for faculty at MnSCU colleges with Farm Business Management (FBM) programs to
develop online Agriculture courses. In addition, Riverland will benefit from the language in the Ag and
Environment Bill: “MnSCU campuses that offer FBM may specify space availability in the delivery of FBM
courses.”
 Funds to assist foreign-born students and groups underrepresented in nursing to succeed in post-secondary nursing
programs.
 Continued support for Post-secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and Concurrent Enrollment programs.
Riverland Community College is on a breakthrough journey toward resurging Agriculture and Food Science education
by focusing on the convergence of agriculture, information/computer technology and engineering. Yes, something
new is growing at Riverland (http://www.riverland.edu/)! In August 2015, we will start offering five new programs:
Agricultural Sciences, Food Science Technology, Biotechnology, Precision Agriculture, and Agribusiness. Some of
Riverland’s alumni and friends have already pledged know-how and funds for scholarships and equipment. We are
very grateful for their support. If you would like to help, please contact Steve Bowron, Dean for Institutional
Advancement, at steve.bowron@riverland.edu.
There is an increasing need to seek funding from sources outside the traditional base of student tuition and state
allocation, therefore I am providing the Foundation Office a new position that will manage grants and alumni affairs.
The Director of Grants and Alumni Affairs will start in July or August. The new director will assume responsibilities
related to alumni relations that Marijo Alexander has been fulfilling so well in addition to serving as the Executive
Assistant to the President. The next issue of Meanderings will be prepared by the new director. Marijo will continue to
serve as the Executive Assistant to the President and take on a new role as College Events coordinator. Please join me
in thanking Marijo for her extraordinary performance as the director of alumni relations over the last five years.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this 75th
Anniversary Edition of Meanderings. It is full of news you could share proudly with
family and friends. You might even recognize some faces and names in the numerous photos and captions. Best
wishes for the summer. Please join us for the climactic 75th
anniversary Gala on Saturday, September26, 2015 at the
Northbridge Mall located at 2510 Bridge Avenue in Albert Lea, Minnesota. For details about tickets and time
see http://www.riverland.edu/75/index.cfm or call Laurie Minehart at 507-433-0630.
Sincerely,
Adenuga Atewologun, President

75th-Anniversary-Edition-Issue-9

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