Lake Superior College News Releases

(Duluth, Minn.) – As a result of reductions to state support for higher education, ten employees will be laid off at Lake Superior College.  The layoffs represent a three percent cut to the college’s permanent workforce and will take place over the next several weeks, depending on various contract requirements.

In addition to the layoffs, LSC announced several other cost saving measures today at a series of meetings with employees. These measures include elimination of vacant positions, a voluntary salary savings program and instructional efficiencies.  Altogether the announced measures total $1.4 million. Prior to making the staffing changes, Lake Superior College cut their non-personnel budget by $950,000.

The budget reduction plan was developed in response to cuts to the state allocation and the anticipated gubernatorial unallotment. The reductions announced today affect all operational units and employee groups within the college.  The plan was developed over a five-month period, as various revenue and expenditure information became available.

The actions announced today are “Phase Four” of a five-phase process. College officials say additional adjustments to the budget may be required once impact of the governor’s unallotments, federal stimulus dollars, and legislative actions are fully assessed.

The college anticipates similar financial challenges for fiscal year 2010-11 and the subsequent biennium. LSC’s budget planning includes provisions to position the college to balance its budget into the next biennium.

(Duluth, Minn.) – A new workshop at LSC will show you how a squiggly little creature can recycle your leftover food scraps and turn them into rich fertilizer for your vegetable garden and houseplants.

As an offshoot of their Green 101 Lecture Series, Lake Superior College will host a Green 101 Worm Composting Workshop on Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. in room E2018.

Presenter and LSC biology instructor Theresa Hornstein will work with participants to construct a worm bin for indoor composting at home. She’ll also discuss specifics on worm composting (also known as “vermicomposting”), composting indoors and worm care.

For the past 12 years, Hornstein has worked with the Lake Superior College vermicomposting greenhouse, which is a hub for recycling kitchen scraps and coffee grounds.

There is a $15 fee for the event, which covers the cost of the bin, screening and starter kit.

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 the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

(Duluth, Minn.) — Lake Superior College’s Center for Advanced Aviation will host an open house for its professional pilot program Saturday, May 30 from 1 to 5 p.m.  The event will take place at LSC’s Flight School located near the Duluth International Airport.  Tours, refreshments and demonstrations will be offered.

The Cirrus SR20 is one of several aircraft in the LSC fleet.

LSC’s professional pilot program offers both fixed-wing and helicopter flight training.  For more information and directions, call (218) 733-7700.

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.

Dorian Beaulieu, LSC Art Instructor

(Duluth, Minn.) — The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities’ Board of Trustees recently presented Excellence in Teaching awards, the system’s highest academic honor, to four faculty members, including Lake Superior College art instructor Dorian Beaulieu.

The honorees were selected from the group of outstanding educators nominated by their college presidents. “The Board of Trustees’ Excellence in Teaching Awards are a clear demonstration of the board’s strategic direction to promote and measure high-quality learning programs and services,” said Dan McElroy, who chairs the board’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee.  “In honoring the best of the best within our system, we also can take great satisfaction in presenting to those outside our system the excellent faculty who are truly great teachers.”

A panel of judges that included faculty members, presidents, administrators and students reviewed the nominees and recommended the four honorees to the trustees.  In addition to Beaulieu, Chris Austin, economics instructor at Normandale Community College; Ernie Parker, fluid power engineering technology instructor at Hennepin Technical College; and Deborah Roiger, biology instructor at St. Cloud Technical College also received the award.

The awards panel cited Beaulieu for his emphasis on developing and helping students rediscover their creative talents and self-confidence. His use of problem-solving and small-group work informs his approach to artistic creativity. His respect for individual perception and the value of a creative attitude are integral to his classes. Student art exhibits also are a key component of his teaching methodology.

Chancellor James H. McCormick said, “The faculty members who are honored today are living examples of how the core of program and college excellence is teaching and learning.  These teachers are the ones who bring knowledge, experience and a passion for learning to our students. I am very proud that we are recognizing teaching as the cornerstone of our colleges and universities.  For me, there is no higher calling.”

The four honorees were selected from among 29 Board of Trustees Outstanding Educators. Cynthia Annable, an instructor in Lake Superior College’s Respiratory Care Practitioner program, was among the Outstanding Educators nominated for the award and recognized as an Outstanding Educator by the Board of Trustees.

This is the third year that the board has presented its Excellence in Teaching Awards. Each of the four honorees receives $5,000 and a medallion hand-crafted in the jewelry design and manufacture program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. A short video about the program featuring the four award winners is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYqZQeexXSE.

Additional information about this year’s award winners and nominees is available at www.mnscu.edu/media/newsreleases/current/article.php5?id=95.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employs nearly 11,000 full- and part-time faculty and comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.

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.

Topic is “Local Green Design and Building: Past Present and Future”

(Duluth, Minn.) – Lake Superior College will present the third and final Green 101 lecture with “Local Green Design and Building: Past Present and Future” on Tuesday, May 19.

Rachel Wagner, co-owner of Wagner Zaun Architecture will be the feature speaker.

Wagner will talk about what defines “green building,” and what it mean for our region. This presentation will include some history, some current events, and a look to the future about how we design, construct, and occupy the built environment. The talk will range from the general to specific - appropriate for the builder, the design professional, the homeowner, or the businessperson.

This lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until approximately 8:30 p.m. and will take place at LSC in room S1981.

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 the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

The Lake Superior College Automotive Service Technology Program has been awarded a $29,000 grant for a project called “Where the Rubber Meets the Road.” The grant was awarded by the 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence at Bemidji State University. It funds the conversion of a Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) into a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

The project calls for the LSC Auto Service Technology program to convert the car to a plug-in hybrid and equip it with low rolling resistance tires. They will also record performance data for 2,000 miles of travel prior to conversion and 2,000 miles after conversion.  The data will be reported to the grant provider along with a plan to integrate hybrid service training into the automotive curriculum at LSC.

“This project will allow our program to remain current with hybrid technology as it becomes more prevalent,” said Tom Tonkin, LSC’s Dean of Business and Industry.  “Our students will benefit greatly from participation in this project, when they enter the workforce.”

After completion of the grant project, the Lake Superior College automotive programs will use the PHEV for future program instruction and development.

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 the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

Photo caption: Lake Superior College’s Automotive Service Technology Program recently purchased this 2007 Toyota Prius with a $29,000 grant award in order to convert it to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Standing next to the Prius is (from left)LSC Automotive instructor Dennis Godfrey, students Steve Johnson and Cory Sundeen, Automotive Lab Assistant Roger Turner and student Dillon Lee.

They have names like “Spike,” “Roid Rage” and “Blood, Sweat and Gears.” They’re combat robots designed to fight each other in competition, and they’ll be doing battle at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth on May 12.

Lake Superior College is sponsoring the third annual Northeast Robotics “Battle of the Bots” competition on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The event will feature 15-pound combat robots competing in a 12-foot by 12-foot plexiglass arena. In addition to six teams from LSC, students from three area high schools will also participate this year.

This year’s “battle” will take place in the courtyard in front of Barnes and Noble at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, Minnesota. Competition starts at noon and continues until a champion is crowned. The competition is free and open to the public.

According to LSC machining instructor, Mike Koppy, robot competitions have proven to be an excellent way to interest students in manufacturing and engineering programs. “The challenge of designing and building a robot for competition engages students and get’s them fired up about the field,” Koppy reports.

Earlier this year, Koppy’s students designed and built robots intended to pick up and transport water balloons in a timed competition.

The tournament is sponsored by the Midwest Robotics League and LSC Integrated Manufacturing program.
Photo: LSC student Devin Ninneman makes adjustments to Team Rampage.

(Duluth, Minn.) — Lake Superior College is hosting a special free career development event for unemployed, underemployed and dislocated workers.  The four-day “Train for Change” event will provide two days of career information and training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 and 20, 2009, followed by two days of LSC college information and service sessions on Thursday and Friday, May 21 and 22.

The event is being offered in partnership with the City of Duluth – Workforce Development, the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development – Job Service.  It will feature presentations, training sessions and an information fair focused on career assessment, job-seeking skills, training opportunities and services available to job seekers.

“We believe that it’s especially important to organize and present employment information right now,” said Steve Wagner, Lake Superior College’s vice president of workforce and community development and one of the event’s organizers.  “With the current economic downturn, people need to develop strategies to return to the workplace as soon as possible.”

The Tuesday and Wednesday sessions will include a Keynote presentation from Drew Digby, Regional Labor Market Analyst for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.  He will discuss workforce trends in the region.

More information, including a schedule of sessions and activities, is available online at www.lsc.edu/trainforchange.cfm.

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.

(Duluth, Minn.) — Lake Superior College (LSC) will recognize this year’s graduating class at commencement exercises at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) on Monday, May 18.  More than 1,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be awarded to the class of 2009.

The event is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in the DECC Auditorium.  A reception for students, friends, and families will be held at 5 p.m. in the Harbor Side Ballroom.

“Commencement is a day of celebration for our students,” said Dr. Kathleen Nelson, LSC’s president. “It recognizes their educational accomplishments and signals the beginning of life’s next adventure. Whether the next step is the start of a career or the pursuit of more education, we know that the time and effort students spent at Lake Superior College will be remembered and valued. We wish the class of 2009 well.”

Colonel Penny J. Dieryck will be the featured keynote speaker.  She is the Mission Support Group Commander for the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota National Guard.  Her civilian position as a military technician with the Minnesota Air National Guard is Support Officer.

In her nearly 30-year career with the Air National Guard, Dieryck moved up through the ranks, most recently as Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander in 2004. She moved to Joint Force Headquarters in May 2007 and accepted her current assignment as the Mission Support Group Commander in June 2008.

Colonel Dieryck has worked in the civilian world for the City of Duluth Police Department and City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Department.  She currently is an adjunct instructor for the College of St. Scholastica and Concordia University-St. Paul.

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.

(Duluth, Minn.)  — Lake Superior College’s (LSC) 15th annual Spring Art Exhibit opens on Monday, May 4 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.  Free and open to the public, the reception will include refreshments and an opportunity to meet the student artists.

Students enrolled in LSC’s popular art courses will have an opportunity to display their work during the exhibit.  For many of the approximately 350 participating students, it will be their first-ever exhibition.

Students will present a variety of art, including watercolor painting, sculpture, jewelry, digital photography, drawings, two and three-dimensional design projects, and ceramics.

Artwork will be displayed in the upper and lower concourse in LSC’s main building.  The exhibit will be open during regular campus hours, beginning at noon on Monday, May 4, and continuing through Wednesday, May 6.

For more information, contact faculty member Tonya Borgeson, (218) 279-2669 or t.borgeson@lsc.edu.

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.