Lake Superior College News Releases

Dr. Kathleen Nelson, President of Lake Superior College (LSC), has announced her intent to retire after 13 years as the college’s CEO and after 30 total years as a leader in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.  Her retirement will be effective June 30, 2010.  Nelson became the second president of LSC in 1997, two years after the legislatively driven merger of Duluth Technical College and Duluth Community College Center created Lake Superior College.  The college, under Nelson’s leadership, has become one of the premier colleges in the state and a leading partner in education and training in Duluth and northeastern Minnesota.

Nelson exudes tremendous pride in the work of the college’s learning community.

“The college’s employees are tremendously talented, creative, and compassionate. They have, together, created a college culture which speaks clearly to our students and to our community partners about the value of the human spirit and the importance of higher education,” says Nelson.

Lake Superior College has seen sizeable enrollment growth and change throughout Nelson’s tenure.  LSC has nearly doubled in size, from the full-time equivalent of 1,900 students in 1997 to more than 3,500 today. More than 8,200 individual students are touched by the college’s programs and services each year.

“In her years as president, Lake Superior College has become a national leader in providing online courses and using cutting-edge technologies,” said Chancellor James McCormick, head of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “President Nelson has a passion for excellence and student success.”

McCormick also noted that she has achieved national recognition for her work on the Higher Learning Commission, the agency that accredits colleges in the Midwest, where she served as chair of the commission’s board.

Nelson’s entrepreneurial spirit undergirds much of the college’s progress during the past 12 years. The college’s leadership in e-learning has led the state and much of the nation in offering students an opportunity to complete courses and entire educational programs online.  LSC was the first public higher education institution in the state of Minnesota to receive permission from its regional accreditor to offer all of its programs through online learning.  Nelson herself took a major leadership role in this endeavor by being the founding chair of the Minnesota Online Council, the state’s online consortium of 32 colleges and universities. Governor Pawlenty visited LSC a year ago to announce his initiative to have all public higher education institutions offer at least 25 percent of their enrollment online by 2015. LSC surpassed that goal last year and currently offers approximately 27 percent of its enrollment online.

“Connections” has been a key concept during Nelson’s administration at LSC.  Connecting to and serving the community has been fundamental to LSC’s success as an education and training partner in the City of Duluth, the region, and the state.  Nelson’s energy and enthusiasm for community engagement has been the cornerstone to the college’s development of its highly successful Workforce and Community Development division.  Her belief in the importance of serving public education in true partnership has helped the college develop an outstanding High School Connections program.  Working with more than 30 high schools in northeastern Minnesota, the college has established successful programs to meet the learning needs of nearly 800 high school students each year, students who enroll in college-level classes on their high school campuses, online, or on site at LSC.

“The concept of community and community development is very important to me.  We serve others by being open and responsive to them.  We listen, and we act.  To engage in community learning and community work is one of the highest ideals to which we strive.  Civic engagement is clearly the reflection of democracy in action,” Nelson explains.

David Ross, President and CEO of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, offered the following assessment of Nelson’s contributions: “Our community experienced an energy surge when Kathleen Nelson arrived in Duluth to become the Lake Superior College president in 1997. It was my good fortune to immediately develop a close working relationship with Kathleen. Her leadership enabled LSC to quickly become a leader within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Beyond providing LSC exceptionally strong leadership, Kathleen has shared her time and abundant talent to move our community forward. LSC, and our community, are far better places because of Kathleen.“

Nelson has been an active community leader, a leader in state higher education and a leader in national higher education accreditation circles.  She is ending her term on the Higher Learning Commission’s Board of Trustees, having served two years ago as the board’s chair.  The Commission accredits all public, private, for-profit, and not-for profit colleges and universities within a 19 state region.  Nelson’s leadership has helped to shape the new policies and practices engaged in by higher education institutions, including an emphasis upon quality improvement and outcomes assessment.

True to her nature as an outdoors woman who loves to kayak and still camps in a tent, Nelson finds not only her most reflective moments on still waters and within the wilderness, but she derives a strong sense of professional pride in LSC’s commitment to environmental stewardship as well.  She is a signatory on the national President’s Climate Commitment, a national movement to commit LSC to reducing personal and institutional carbon footprints.  The college is a leader in its sustainability initiatives, supported by Nelson’s strong sense of the importance of environmental issues.

When Nelson speaks, you can see the pride she feels in the people, the programs, and the services she has helped to develop at Lake Superior College.  “A dear friend reminds me often that I said, 12 years ago, as I became LSC’s president, that our most important work is not about building new buildings but, rather about what goes on inside those buildings.  I still believe that today.  People create community.  Community creates a place where learning takes place.  LSC is the most wonderful learning community I know, and I have been honored to serve as the college’s president,” Nelson reflects.

What’s next for LSC’s president?  She states, “New adventures, new challenges, and, no doubt, more kayaking.”

“Locally Adapted Food Systems”

Finding whole, organic and unprocessed foods is becoming an increasing challenge in our hurry-up fast food culture.

But that might be changing.

In “Locally Adapted Food Systems,” presenter Randel Hansen discusses how more and more people are pursuing alternatives such as farmers markets, agricultural endeavors, community and household gardens. Hansen, a food systems planner, will also discuss actions, tools and resources for expanding the economic, ecological, social, and health benefits of local food production and consumption.

This presentation will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. in room S2964 on the Lake Superior College campus.

Past “Green 101” sessions have included such topics as “Greening Your Home: From Energy Efficiency to Renewable Energy Options,” “Solar Technology Introduction” and a make and take rain barrel workshop.

More information is available at www.lsc.edu/Green101.cfm. “Green 101” is presented by Lake Superior College – Workforce and Community Development.

Lake Superior College student Jess Randby is this year’s first place winner of the Car Care Council Women’s Board Scholarship. The program’s scholarships are awarded to female students who are pursuing education to prepare them for a career in the automotive field.

Jess Randby

Randby is a second year student pursuing an associate of applied science degree in LSC’s Automotive Technician program.

In addition to a $2,500 scholarship, Randby also wins an all expense paid trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, to attend the Automotive After Products Expo (AAPEX) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show (SEMA) later this year. She will be recognized for her award at a reception while in Las Vegas.

Randby is a resident of Duluth and a 2007 graduate of Duluth East High School. She also attended the Duluth Secondary Technical Center’s (STC) Automotive program and completed Automotive Youth Education System testing. Both LSC and STC are National Automotive Technician Education Foundation certified programs, which allows credit transfer between secondary schools and post-secondary education.

Lake Superior College Earns National Ranking for Technology

For the second year running, Lake Superior is among the nation’s most technically advanced community colleges.  According to an annual survey conducted by the Center for Digital Education and Converge magazine, Duluth’s Lake Superior College is one of the nation’s top examples of technology delivery in higher education.  LSC was ranked seventh among the medium-sized Community Colleges (3,000 – 7,500 students) in the fifth annual Digital Community Colleges Survey.  The survey identifies and spotlights colleges that provide a high level of service to their students and faculty through information technology.  LSC was ranked 10th last year.

“We are very proud of our staff’s efforts to provide service and technology to our college community,” explained Barry Dahl, LSC’s vice president of technology and the e-Campus.  “LSC continues to invest the time, expertise and resources needed to acquire the technology to provide an excellent learning environment.”

Schools were placed in three categories based on size of enrollment, with college officials providing information from the 2008-09 academic year. At the survey’s conclusion, the top 10 in each of the three categories were named.  The survey addressed multiple areas in digital technology, including online registration; distance learning; tutoring and advisory services; technology training for students and faculty, and Web 2.0 social and collaborative capabilities.

View the full list of winners at www.centerdigitaled.com or www.convergemag.com.

Marina Leight, vice president of the Center, said, “Community colleges, year after year, impress us as forward-thinking and quick to adapt. Our survey results show overwhelmingly that community colleges are fast embracing cyber technologies used by “First Digitals” fostering collaboration in learning by using tools students are familiar with. Those institutions chosen as this year’s top community colleges are exceptional examples of this investment in learning.”

The Center for Digital Education is a national research and advisory institute providing education and industry leaders with decision support, research and educational services to help them effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century.  The Center is a division of e.Republic, Inc. a national publishing, event and research company focused on information technology in the public sector.

For more information on the Center visit www.centerdigitaled.com.  For more information on the Digital Community Colleges Survey, please contact Janet Grenslitt at (916) 932-1363.

(Duluth, Minn.) –  As an offshoot of their “Green 101” Lecture Series, Lake Superior College is hosting a “Make ‘N’ Take” Rain Barrel Workshop this Saturday, October 10 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in room S2964.

Leading the workshop will be David Stark, owner of Stark Enterprises, LLC, an environmental consulting firm specializing in water, waste and energy conservation. He’ll provide expert information on how to properly design, construct, use and install your rain barrel. Participants will be able take a rain barrel home and after learning how to correctly install and use it.

The cost of participating in the workshop will be $50. This fee will cover material costs.

Future “Green 101” lectures include third of this three-part lecture series, titled “Locally Adapted Food Systems,” on Tuesday, October 27.
More information is available at www.lsc.edu/Green101.cfm. “Green 101” is presented by Lake Superior College – Workforce and Community Development.

(Duluth, Minn.) –  “Greening Your Home: From Energy Efficiency to Renewable Energy Options” will be the next free “Green 101” presentation to be held at Lake Superior College, taking place on Tuesday, October 6.

This presentation will cover the wide range of options for making your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It will also help you develop a plan that is right for your home.

Dean Talbott, a Conservation Improvement Program Energy Specialist and customer service representative for Minnesota Power, will be the featured speaker. Talbott has worked in the field of energy efficiency and healthy home construction for more 28 years in a variety of capacities in the energy and housing field.

This presentation will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. in room S2964 on the Lake Superior College campus.

Future “Green 101” sessions include “Locally Adapted Food Systems” on Tuesday, October 27 and a “Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop” on Saturday, October 10.  The “Food Systems” lecture is free. The rain barrel workshop requires a $50 fee to cover materials.

More information is available at www.lsc.edu/Green101.cfm. “Green 101” is presented by Lake Superior College – Workforce and Community Development.

College promotions recognized by National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
Lake Superior College’s Public Information Office recently won seven Medallion Awards from District Five of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR).   The awards include three Gold Medallion – representing a first place finish – in the e-Marketing category, TV Ad/PSA–Single, and TV Ad/PSA–Series categories.  LSC also received a Silver Medallions in the TV Ad/PSA–Single, and Print Ad–Single categories and bronze awards in Promotional Items and E-Marketing categories.

All of the LSC award winners can be viewed below.

“We are excited to be recognized by peers for our promotional campaigns,” explained Gary Kruchowski, LSC’s director of public information and government affairs.  “We owe much of the credit for these awards to the support and assistance of top-notch local vendors.”  Kruchowski cited creative contributions by Dave Kirwan, a Duluth-based freelance artist; Jon Godfrey, web designer for the Duluth News Tribune; and Bill Ward of Northland’s NewsCenter Creative Services.

The National Council for Marketing and Public Information is an organization for communicators working in college communications on two-year campuses.  It is an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges.  NCMPR’s District Five is comprised members from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba.  The awards were presented on September 20, 2009, at the organization’s regional conference in Souix Falls, SD. More information is available at www.ncmpr.org.

Gold – TV Ad/PSA – Single

Silver –TV Ad/PSA – Single

Together the two commercials won Gold – TV Ad/PSA – Series.

Gold – E-Marketing

http://www.duluthads1.com/proofs/LSCbuild/

Bronze – E-Marketing

http://www.duluthads1.com/proofs/LSC2/

Silver – Print Ad – Single

Bronze – Promotional Item/Nifty & Neat

Lake Superior College has announced that it will continue its “Green 101” series this fall with three free lectures. Along with the free lectures, there will also be an additional “Make ‘N’ Take” workshop. The “Green 101” series covers a variety of topics that focus on what it means to be “sustainably green.”

The series begins with a free lecture entitled “Solar Technology Introduction” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29. Solar energy is abundant, ever-present and holds great promise. It’s also a viable, Earth-friendly energy source compared to relying solely on the traditional energy grid. This lecture will provide an overview of current solar technologies and industry trends. The presenter is Tim Ollhoff, who works for RREAL, an organization that brings affordable solar technology to low income families.

The lecture will be held between 6:30 and 8 p.m. in room S2964 on the Lake Superior College Campus, at 2101 Trinity Road in Duluth.

Future sessions include “Greening Your Home” on Tuesday, October 6; “Locally Adapted Food Systems” on Tuesday, October 27; and “Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop” on Saturday, October 10.  All sessions are free and open to the public with the exception of the Rain Barrel workshop, which has a $50 fee to cover materials.

More information is available at www.lsc.edu/workforce/. “Green 101” is presented by Lake Superior College, Workforce and Community Development.

Lake Superior College (LSC) will set an all-time enrollment record when classes begin on Monday, August 24.  The college surpassed last year’s opening day totals early this week and expects to start the semester with an increase of approximately five percent in the total number of students enrolled.

“We’re going to have another significant enrollment increase this year,” explains Melissa Leno, LSC’s Director of Admissions. “We are projecting that we’ll have nearly 4,500 students enrolled by Monday.”

Based on past experience, the college expects to see enrollments continue to rise throughout the semester, as students finalize their schedules. Because students have five days to add courses and continuing education activity is also likely to contribute further to enrollment gains throughout the term, official enrollment numbers will not be announced until the 30^th day of the term.

“LSC continues to grow because we are meeting the needs of the students we serve by providing excellence in the classroom and expanding access and opportunity for students,” said Kathleen Nelson, Lake Superior College president. “I’m very proud of the effort that staff and faculty have put forth.”

College officials believe that economic conditions are a major factor driving enrollment increases.

“Historically, community college enrollments rise in recessionary periods” Nelson explains.  “We are seeing that pattern again this year at LSC and across the nation, as students seek training and education for the job market.”

Lake Superior College is a community and technical college located in Duluth, Minnesota.  The college offers more than 80 technical majors, courses and programs for transfer, continuing education, and custom training for business and industry.  LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

(Duluth, Minn.) – Lake Superior College is supporting the community-wide effort to build a new house for the Oakland Township, Wisconsin family of Howard and Jessica Huber. Jessica is a current LSC student who intends to pursue a nursing career and Howard, a firefighter with the Superior Fire Department, attended LSC’s ERTC fire technology program.

A crew of both second-year LSC Building Construction program and LSC Building Constructions graduates, led by faculty member Tim White, will help build the new house. “When you do good things for people, good things always come out of it,” said White. “We’ll most likely help insulate the foundation but we’re ready to do just about anything to get the house built.”

According to Paul Damberg, Lake Superior College Foundation executive director, donations made through the Extreme Builders Commonwealth Web site will help pay for materials and supplies to build the house. The LSC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is acting as the fiscal agent to Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

“We’re happy to help support the project,” said Damberg. “And we’re proud to act as the fiscal agent to Extreme Makeover Home Edition. When you make a gift, it’s being made to the Lake Superior College Foundation. Your donation may be tax-deductible; be sure to consult your tax preparer.”

To make a donation, visit www.extremebuilderscommonwealth.com.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 6,000 students enrolled this spring semester, LSC is northeastern Minnesota’s largest two-year college. LSC provides a wide range of programs and services, including liberal arts and science courses for transfer, technical programs intended to provide occupational skills, continuing education, and customized training for business and industry.  LSC is also a leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.