Lake Superior College News Releases

(Duluth, Minn.) — Lake Superior College has named Tom Tonkin interim dean of business and industry. He will administer and lead the college’s Business and Industry Division, supervising more than 70 full- and part-time faculty members and staff in 22 programs.

Tonkin served as dean of construction, manufacturing and transportation and taught surveying and civil technology at Hennepin Technical College in the Twin Cities. He has worked in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system since 1975. Prior to that, he taught high school industrial technology courses for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Tonkin is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is originally from Duluth where he now lives. He retired in 2005 and moved back home to Duluth after living and working in the Twin Cities for 38 years.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 4,800 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.) — Responding to increased demand for nurses by area medical communities, Lake Superior College’s Continuing Education Department is offering a timely refresher course for former registered and licensed practical nurses who want to return to their profession. People who have left the field or workplace who previously worked at least six months are encouraged to participate in this course, which combines online instruction, lab work on campus, and clinical placement.

Course curriculum will focus on current nursing procedures, skills, diagnostic tests, medications, and documentation. It will prepare participants for renewing their license with the state of Minnesota. The RN refresher consists of 150 hours (15 CEUs). The LPN refresher is 120 hours (12 CEUs). Online coursework and labs run February 25 through May 25 with clinicals in June and July. The cost of $995 includes a textbook. Seating is limited so early registration is encouraged. To register, contact Melissa Doolittle at (218) 723-4781.

Industry expert Julie Drake, RN, will be the instructor. With 27 years of experience, she has worked in a variety of medical settings and was an instructor at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn. She currently works at St. Luke’s Hospital and is an adjunct instructor at Lake Superior College.

For more information on continuing education courses, contact Amy Westbrook, Lake Superior College Customized Training and Continuing Education, at (218) 733-5917 or visit www.lsc.edu/continuingeducation/cecourses.cfm.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 4,800 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.) — Mixed Blood Theatre will present their touring production of Black Eagle on Thursday, January 31 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Lake Superior College’s Atrium. The event is free and open to the public and is hosted by LSC’s Diversity Committee.

The one-hour play revolves around the story of Dr. Ronald McNair, the African American scientist who was aboard the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger. He tells a dynamic, humor-laced story of a remarkable journey from a childhood in a small, segregated South Carolina town to the elite ranks of NASA astronaut. This short play outlines the rewards inherent in the pursuit of knowledge and Dr. McNair’s indomitable drive to overcome barriers.

As the play opens, Dr. McNair is answering taped questions from school children after the Challenger launch has been scrubbed again. He describes the nerve-tingling thrill of lift-off, the wonder of weightlessness, and the cheerful camaraderie of the diverse Challenger crew and his passion for books, music and his adventures in the halls of academia. As he departs in preparation for the next day’s launch, Dr. McNair leaves behind an inspiring personal history that serves as a model for those who follow.

Based in Minneapolis, the Mixed Blood Theatre Company is a professional, multi-racial theatre promoting cultural pluralism and individual equality through artistic excellence. More about Mixed Blood Theater at www.mixedblood.com.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 4,800 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.) — Among the thousands of runners who will participate in running events during Grandma’s Marathon weekend this June, a few dozen will be there to take a final exam. Lake Superior College is offering its unique online marathon training course again this spring, providing an opportunity to train for and run Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon for college credit.

The course provides race training and nutritional information in addition to history, etiquette, and basic skills. Course work is presented online through the Lake Superior College Virtual Campus, making it easily accessible to students at a distance. Enrolled students are guaranteed entry into the marathon or half marathon. They may also arrange to compete in a comparable race to meet course requirements.

Native Duluthian Katie Koski will teach the online physical education course. Koski is an elite runner who hopes to qualify for this year’s Olympic trials in Boston. She was asked to teach the online course for Lake Superior College because of her experience competing in Grandma’s Marathon. She has run in the event eight times, finishing in the top ten on several occasions.

The option to take the class as a non-credit course is also available for those who would benefit from the course content, but don’t need college credit.

More than 17,000 runners and 50,000 race fans from around the world are expected to participate in the June 19-21, 2008 Grandma’s Marathon weekend. The registration deadline to sign up for the Grandma’s Marathon course is March 21, 2008. For more information, contact Christine Torma, (218) 733-2030, c.torma@lsc.edu, or visit www.lsc.edu/online/.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 4,300 students enrolled this fall 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.