Every January institutions reflect on the past year and implement plans for the next. Riverland Community College is no exception. Like most public colleges, the economy has challenged us to look toward the future in new ways. Struggle often leads to creativity, collaboration and inspiration.

Riverland Community College is pleased to announce the students whose academic achievement placed them on the 2010 fall president’s and dean’s lists. Riverland congratulates these individuals for their outstanding academic accomplishments.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) recently released its "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2011." Here is Riverland's view of the top five issues.

The Riverland Community College Farm Business Management (FBM) program and the University of Minnesota Extension collaborate to present the workshop “Farm Transition & Estate Planning: Create Your Farm Legacy” Monday, February 28 at Riverland's Austin Campus' West Building, room A-237.

This full-day workshop stresses practical information and strategies to help farm families begin the process of transferring the farm business to the next generation.

Riverland Community College joined in an unprecedented and unified action, signing a statement of commitment to increase student completion rates by 50 percent over the next decade joining six national organizations representing America’s 1,200 community colleges, their governing boards, their faculty, and their 11.8 million students. Nationally, Riverland became the 34^th college to sign.

The national spotlight focused on community colleges recently is not the norm, but it is timely for families and the nation.  As the current economic recession drags on and unemployment remains frustratingly high, the issue of jobs tops everyone’s worry list.  Economic malaise has also driven an ongoing enrollment surge at the nation’s community colleges—an increase of almost 17% nationally. Riverland’s enrollment grew 11.6 percent from 2009-10, and enrollment of under-represented students rose 27 percent.

The Albert Lea Business Women’s Legacy (formerly Albert Lea Business and Professional Women’s -ALBPW) recently donated $40,000 to the Riverland Community College Foundation to sponsor an endowed scholarship that honors the memories of members, Donita King and Bertha Weiks.

Another academic year will soon end, and we will celebrate commencement with our 2011 Riverland Community College graduates on May 13. Last August, Riverland began its 70^th academic year. This historic milestone has inspired us to take a nostalgic look at past years and kindled a renewed interest in reconnecting with our alumni.

Riverland Community College students Olena Berezovska (Kherson, Ukraine), Eric Chouinard (Brooklyn Center), Andrew Howe (Lakeville), Natasha Spear (Waseca) and Kaylin Wolf (Blooming Prairie) were named to the 2010-2011 All-Minnesota Academic Team in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and service to their college and community. The ceremony, held March 25 in Eagan, honored 45 students from Minnesota's two-year colleges.

Riverland Community College recently announced that they would induct six into the Athletic Hall of Fame at a ceremony on October 29 at the Austin Campus.

This year’s inductees include Greg Carlson, football (1976-78); Nancy (Clemens) Martinz, Softball (1981-83); Denny Lebarron, tennis (1962-64); Don Miller, basketball (1951-54); Darrell Monson, baseball (1970-72); Kevin Wilder, football (1974-76).

Students from the Riverland Community College Choir and Vocal Ensemble attended the Minnesota Two-Year College Fine Arts Festival at Breezy Point Resort April 7 and 8. The festival is an annual event where choirs and bands from the state’s community colleges gather and make music. Riverland student Kristine Iverson (Austin) was selected as “Outstanding Performer.”

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities recently announced awards recognizing leadership and team effort for excellence in financial and facilities management. Riverland Community College received two awards of excellence: Excellence in Financial Management and Excellence in Facilities Management.

Riverland Community College Biology Instructor Pamela Anne Tranby was one of the four educators presented with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees’ highest academic honor, Educator of the Year, on Wednesday.

Several Riverland Community College SkillsUSA club members captured gold, silver and bronze medals at the SkillsUSA Minnesota 2011 State Leadership and Skills Conference in March at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington. The competitions focused on technical skill demonstration where students captured gold, silver and bronze medals in 75 competitive events in both divisions, with over 540 college students from 25 campuses of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities the competition focused on technical skill demonstration in 54 competitive events.

Riverland Community College student Katherine Kirsch (Albert Lea) has been chosen as a student Intern for the 2011 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting scheduled for June 2011 in Albuquerque, N.M.

“Wegner and Friends” opens Tuesday, April 25 in the James Wegner Art Gallery. The show features members of the Austin Area Arts Center, including James Wegner, Bonnie Lee, Barb Cafourek, Dustin DeBoer, Mary Gentle, Tammy Schneider, Shelley Aquino Brandon, James Murphy, William Olson, and Lucas Scott.

Riverland Community College’s Austin Chapter of SkillsUSA is having a rummage sale on Friday and Saturday to raise funds to send SkillsUSA medalists to the national competition.

Every spring, Riverland Community College’s advisory committees gather for an All College Advisory Committee Banquet and Meeting. This impressive group combines Riverland’s career technical program faculty with area business and industry community members who serve as program advisors.

Program advisors add value to Riverland's career and technical training programs. Committee members’ expertise, time and dedication boosts Riverland’s ability to meet the region's workforce needs.