Representatives from Riverland Community College and Doherty Staffing Solutions met June 18 to celebrate the results of the seventh Doherty Scholarship Golf Classic held last June to raise funds that support Riverland students. The 2013 event raised $33,143 for student scholarships.

The golf event has raised $200,000 over the past seven years including gifts from the major sponsors Tim and Val Doherty, providing net proceeds of $120,000 available for scholarships. This is also the third year the Riverland Community College Foundation has awarded the Doherty Staffing Solutions Endowed Scholarship, which provides two $500 scholarships each year to students enrolled at Riverland studying a technical program.

Endowments are gifts invested by the Riverland Foundation. Only the interest income funds scholarships. An Endowed scholarship is a gift that continually helps Riverland students every year.

“I was thrilled to learn of my selection as a Doherty Endowed Scholarship recipient and deeply appreciate the support,” said Kyle Williams, who received one of the scholarships in 2012. “The financial assistance provided through this scholarship greatly helps in working to achieve my goal of graduating from the Industrial Maintenance Mechanics program at Riverland. I feel honored to be chosen as a recipient. Thank you for believing in me and my abilities for success.”

Doherty Staffing Solutions has been the primary sponsor of the Doherty Classic Golf fundraising event with Tim and Val Doherty donating an additional $10,000. The most recent event provides $33,143 of funding for Riverland students. Other major sponsors through the years have included Allina Health-Owatonna Hospital, Assurance Group, Avionte, Boeckerman, Grafstron & Mayer, LLC, Bosch, Cybex, Beth and John Fondell, Global Cash Card, Gopher Sport, Dan Gorman, Innovance/Lou Rich, Insurance Applications Group, LLC, Jennings Family Foundation, Gauher “Mo” Mohammad, Owatonna Granite & Monument Inc., Riverland Community College, SPX Corporation, Truth Hardware, US Bank, Viracon/Apogee and Wells Fargo Bank.

“The support provided to Riverland students through the past seven years has made a huge difference in students’ lives,” said Steve Bowron, Riverland dean for institutional advancement. “The scholarships and training made possible through this event enabled more than 250 students to obtain training which will help to improve and advance their careers, and provide the local skilled workforce with more advanced workers, especially in manufacturing”.

Doherty Staffing Solutions is a contract and temporary staffing firm that partners with clients to attract and retain a skilled workforce, allowing them to focus on their competencies. Proceeds from the tournament provide scholarships for Riverland Community College students who are taking classes to update their skills to advance in their jobs with local companies. With the skilled labor gap increasing for local business and industry, benefactors like the Doherty’s help students get trained in advance skills and allow them to stay in the area and obtain jobs in various fields, including welding, machining, maintenance, construction electrician, mechanics, carpentry, and forklift operations, contributing their new talents to our region.

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.