Yesterday I discussed some student, program and faculty/staff accomplishments over the last school year.

The following are some more success stories Riverland:

Institution Success

– Thousands of potential students have visited campus to explore Riverland through events such as Big Day On Campus, New Directions, Career Day, Theatre Day, MAKE IT in Manufacturing Day. The list is almost endless.

– We have moved to the new Owatonna College & University Center, a higher education/training center that serves the needs of the Owatonna service area. We have expanded our liberal arts classes at the facility and will increase our ESL offering next year.

– Six former athletes and coaches were inducted into the Riverland Community College Athletic Hall of Fame.

– Riverland was one of eight colleges and two universities to receive the 2001 Excellence in Financial Management Award and one of five schools to receive the Excellence In Facilities Management Award from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

– The Riverland Community College Foundation’s second Growing Together annual campaign generated more than $33,000. In conjunction, the Foundation awarded more than $6,000 in grants to faculty and staff through the Program Enhancement Fund. The Albert Lea Campus Foundation recently completed another successful Gala Event to raise money for scholarships.

The final culmination of this year’s success stories is our commencement ceremony. This year’s Spring Commencement Ceremony will be Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Arena in Austin. Graduates from both fall and spring semester will participate.

Representatives from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees including Chair Mary Choate and Executive Director Dr. Penny Harris Reynen will join us. Senator Grace Schwab will deliver the keynote address and an Honorary Associate of Arts Degree will be awarded to Allan Larson.

As college president I am very proud of the work that we have accomplished individually and collectively and I thank the Riverland community for their energy and efforts.

Dr. Gary Rhodes is president of Riverland Community College, which has campuses in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna.