Editor’s note: Tony Trow, who normally writes a Monday column in the Tribune, is on vacation.

It seems like yesterday that it was October, and I had arrived at Riverland Community College to serve as interim president. But, already, the time has passed and my last day was July 11. However, I am leaving my post in capable hands. Dr. Terrence Leas has been appointed by Chancellor James McCormick of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to be the incoming president of Riverland Community College. He began July 14.

Even though this academic year passed by quickly, we still had time to achieve many goals and accomplishments. The work of our staff and students generates countless success stories. The following are just a few from the past year.

Student success

Riverland Community College sent 25 students to the Skills USA-VICA state competition where they competed in contests related to the construction trades, diesel technology, industrial maintenance and mechanics and engine building.

More than 110 students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Zeta Eta Chapter this year and more than 620 students graduated from the college this past year.

By invitation only, members of the Riverland Choir and Briar’s performance group attended the National Community College Choral Festival in New York City last April.

Program success

Riverland received a 100 percent pass rate for first-year and second-year students from the Industrial Maintenance and Mechanics program for the State Boiler’s exam.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) granted a $10,000 Workforce Development Award to Riverland Community College for the bilingual nursing assistant program that addresses the pressing need for certified nursing assistants in rural facilities while serving a growing Hispanic community. This was one of only three grants awarded nationally.

Riverland Community College has been selected as a MentorLinks College for the AACC MentorLinks Program. MentorLinks is designed for community colleges that can benefit from technical assistance and networking

opportunities to improve undergraduate education that prepares technicians in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

For the tenth consecutive year, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) announced that 100 percent of Riverland Community College’s 2002 radiography program graduates have passed the nationally recognized ARRT Registry exam to become registered radiologic technologists.

Riverland’s carpentry technology, construction electrician and tile installation students constructed a home in Austin for sale to the general public. The list price of this year’s home was $270,000.

Institution success

The Riverland Community College business office was awarded the 2002 Excellence in Financial Management award and the 2002 Excellence in Facilities Management award by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

The two foundations that currently serve Riverland Community College, the Albert Lea Campus Foundation and the Riverland Community College Foundation, have merged to streamline all fundraising functions in support of the college and students.

Riverland signed an agreement with Kherson State Technical University in Ukraine to pursue mutually beneficial joint activities in the short- and long-term.

A new art gallery was unveiled at the Austin Campus West Building that will feature a diverse mix of student, community and professional artist work, traveling shows and the like.

More than 150 local high school students participated in Riverland’s Theatre Day at which the Guthrie On Tour Theatre Company provided a variety of theatre workshops and performed the debut of their production of The Stuff of Dreams.

The music department, in conjunction with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, co-sponsored a performance and master class conducted by a rising star from the international piano arena, Roberto Plano.

Riverland’s marketing and public relations department won five awards at the district level for marketing and public relation professionals at community colleges. The department also won a third-place award at the national level for their &uot;Your Dreams Are Closer Than You Think&uot; promotions campaign.

It has been a productive year, thanks to the excellent faculty and staff of the college and to the wonderful support of the college by our area communities.

(James Davis served as interim president of Riverland Community College until July 14.)