Lake Superior College News Releases

Funds will go toward “Lean Healthcare” training at St. Luke’s

(Duluth, Minn.) – A major state grant promises to increase efficiency, enhance quality, and improve employee satisfaction at St. Luke’s, one of the region’s largest health care systems. The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) has awarded a $287,897 grant to Lake Superior College to develop “Lean Healthcare” training for St. Luke’s hospital and clinics.

A grant-signing ceremony will celebrate this collaboration on Thursday, May 15, at 2 p.m. in St. Luke’s 3 East Conference Room with Dr. Kathleen Nelson, Lake Superior College president; St. Luke’s President and Chief Executive Officer John Strange; and Paul Moe, director of Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program, presiding.

“We are excited to partner with Lake Superior College through the MJSP grant to implement Lean Healthcare principles,” said Strange. “It gives us a common approach to improving processes for the care of our patients through the St. Luke’s system.”

Over the course of the three-year grant, 192 St. Luke’s employees will learn the Lean Healthcare principles and share them across the health system. “St. Luke’s is implementing Lean Healthcare in response to the increased industry pressure to serve their clients more efficiently, while improving quality and reducing costs,” said Nelson. By eliminating unnecessary steps and having the right resources at the right time, employees will be more satisfied with their work. Patients will ultimately benefit from a more effective and efficient health care provider.

Health care experts around the country are embracing the Lean Healthcare concept, which was originally based on the Toyota production system for improving manufacturing processes.

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership acts as a catalyst between business and education in developing cooperative training projects that provide new job training or retraining of existing employees. MJSP grants are given to educational institutions with businesses as partners. The program is part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the state’s principal economic development agency.

St. Luke’s, a comprehensive regional health care system, has built a reputation on providing quality care and putting the patient first. St. Luke’s hospital, along with 34 primary and specialty care clinics, offers a comprehensive continuum of care that includes trauma, medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehab services in the Twin Ports and the 17-county region of northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan.

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.) — They have names like “Extinguisher,” “Last Minute,” and “Team Ewok.” 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 15, starting at noon. The event will feature 15-pound combat robots competing in a 12-foot by 12-foot plexiglas arena. Student teams from across the region have been invited to compete.

This year’s event will take place in the indoor mall 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 Integrated Manufacturing instructor Mike Koppy, robot competitions have proven to be an excellent way to interest students in manufacturing and engineering programs. “Last year, this event attracted middle school students and high school students as well as college teams,” Koppy reports. “We expect the event to continue to grow.”

The tournament is sponsored by the Midwest Robotics League and the LSC Integrated Manufacturing program.

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.

Photo caption: LSC students Cheng Vang and Kenny Heehn make adjustments to “Extinguisher,” their entry in the “Battle of the Bots.”

(Duluth, Minn.) — The Lake Superior College Auto Club will hold its second annual Car Show and Alumni Event from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The event will take place in the west parking lots of the college’s Trinity Road campus.

Activities include a car corral, swap meet, tool and parts vendor booths, door prizes, pipe-rapping contests, auto body and auto service demos, a silent auction for parts cars and used equipment, and a “sledge hammer” car. Class trophies and a trophy for the most eco-friendly vehicle will be awarded.

The car show is free and open to the public. Swap meet and car corral spots are $10 each. Vehicle registration is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and awards will be presented at 4:15 p.m.

To reserve a spot or for more information, contact Dennis Godfrey at (218) 733-7602 or d.godfrey@lsc.edu.

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.) — Lake Superior College will recognize this year’s graduating class at commencement exercises at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) on May 16. 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.

More than 1,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be awarded to members of the class of 2008. Approximately 450 students are scheduled to participate in the LSC commencement exercises.

“Commencement is a momentous day 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 2008 well.”

Dr. Steven D. Crow will serve as guest speaker at commencement. Crow is president of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. He provides leadership to assure the effectiveness of regional institutional accreditation. Before joining the commission in 1982, he served as an administrator and taught at Bowdoin College, Vanderbilt University, Bates College, and Kalamazoo College. Crow has spearheaded collaborative efforts with other organizations to address distance education, student learning assessments, quality assurance for trans-regional organizations, and the on-going relationship with the federal government created through the Higher Education Act. Crow earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in U.S. history at the University of Wisconsin.

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.) – Lake Superior College (LSC) faculty members Kent Voelkner and Dorothy Rico have been honored as recipients of the college’s Teaching Excellence Awards.

They were also nominated for the Minnesota State and Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching Awards by LSC President Kathy Nelson and Vice President of Academic Affairs Candace Barnack. This statewide award recognizes outstanding faculty for their dedication to student learning throughout the 33 state colleges and universities in the MnSCU system. The awards are granted by the MnSCU Board of Trustees.

Voelkner teaches math and chemistry. He has been a faculty member at LSC for 20 years. “Kent creates a classroom climate where students are at ease and know they can ask questions because of his respect for the students,” noted Candace Barnack. “As a teacher, he believes that making mistakes is okay; it lets the student know you are human and they can concentrate on course content.” Voelkner has a B.S. and a M.S. in chemistry. He also completed 16 graduate credits in math to obtain an assigned field in math. Voelkner has been the Student Senate Advisor since 1990. He believes that advising students is a crucial role as an instructor. He has also served on the Student Life Committee for 13 years.

Rico teaches in the nursing program. She has been a teacher for more than 15 years. “Dorothy is an instructor who is always growing, always changing to ensure she is providing the highest quality of teaching and learning for her students,” said Barnack. “She continuously updates her computer skills and incorporates the latest technologies into the classroom.” Rico has been a leader within the LSC AD Nursing program, serving as a liaison to the Math and Science Departments as well as to local health organizations. She completed both undergraduate and graduate work in nursing; she received a M.S. in nursing 37 years ago. She has more than 20 years of experience working in an Intensive Care Unit and has maintained her Critical Care Nursing certification for more than 20 years.

Both nominees are considered campus leaders by their peers in providing student-centered, active learning environments and are considered invaluable resources for colleagues and co-workers.

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.