Lake Superior College News Releases

(Duluth, Minn.) — 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 tenth among the medium-sized Community Colleges (3,000 – 7,500 students) in the fourth 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.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts to provide service and technology to our college community,” explained Barry Dahl, LSC’s vice president of Technology and the e-Campus.  “The ranking is a testament to the dedication and skills of many members of our staff.”

Schools were placed in three categories based on size of enrollment, with college officials providing information from the 2007-08 school year.  At the survey’s conclusion, the top 10 in each of the three categories were named.  The survey examined areas of technology ranging from online admissions, student access to transcripts and grades, information security and infrastructure to weather and campus security alerts and online library capabilities.

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

Marina Leight, vice president of the Center for Digital Education, said, “Our revised 2008 digital community college survey showcases the best utilization of digital technology. Community colleges continue to be the place to look for innovation.”

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.  In addition to the Digital Community College Survey, the Center conducts Digital School Districts, Cities, Counties and States Surveys – all national studies that serve as benchmarks for excellence in IT applications and initiatives.

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.) – The public is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Lake Superior College’s Student Life Center on Monday, Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m. Refreshments and live music will be featured, including the LSC Community Choir.

A non-traditional “ribbon-cutting” will be held at 2:15 p.m. with Dr. Kathleen Nelson, LSC president, and Travis Johnson, LSC Student Senate president, squaring off in a game of pool.  Retiring State Representative Mike Jaros, who helped acquire the public funding for the remodeling, is also scheduled to speak.

The newly remodeled and expanded Student Life Center features an Internet Café with performing stage and Sip of Class coffee service, a student lounge complete with pool table, foosball and an entertainment center, and meeting space for student clubs.

The new Student Life Center also includes an Intercultural Center, a place which provides a comfortable environment where students can learn about the importance of diversity.  A Center for Student Development area provides students with numerous support and life skills services.

LSC’s newly remodeled and expanded Bookstore is also included in the celebration and will hold drawings for prizes and a special sale of 20 percent discount on LSC apparel.

“The space is designed with students in mind.   They can relax and hang out, meet for Student Senate and club activities or talk with staff,” said Roger Johnson, director of Student Life. “We know it’s going to be a well-used area.”

In order to fund the Internet Café in the project, students agreed to an increase in their student fees by $1 for five years.  “We discussed this modest proposal at the Student Senate and voted unanimously in support of funding,” said Travis Johnson, Student Senate president.  “We know that students will appreciate the new space.”

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.  With more than 4,200 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 a leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

(Duluth, Minn.) — Are you graduating from high school and thinking about college? Looking to change your career path? Carve out your future at Lake Superior College’s fall open house on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. where you’ll find opportunities at every turn.

More than 60 booths will feature information and demonstrations by various departments. There will also be free chair massages, refreshments, door prizes, and a drawing for six free college credits.

Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of Science degrees are available at LSC and allow students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree prior to transfer to a four-year university or college.  LSC also offers more than 90 certificate, diploma and degree programs in career/technical fields.

More than 130 online courses are offered through the popular Connect E-Campus.  These classes include fully transferable Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses as well as electives, technical program courses  and developmental courses.  For more information, call 1-800-432-2884, ext. 7601 or visit www.lsc.edu.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.  With more than 4,200 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 a leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

Skiers Earn College Credit for Training, Competing

(Duluth, Minn.) –Training and competing in the American Birkebeiner®, North America’s most prestigious cross-country ski race, is a big challenge. Once again this year, skiers will find help available in the form of an award-winning online preparation course offered by Lake Superior Connect, Lake Superior College’s e-Campus.

LSC is offering “X-Country Ski Marathon,” an online course intended to prepare participants to compete in the world-famous “Birkie.” The class will provide race training and nutritional information in addition to history, race etiquette and basic Nordic skiing skills. The students will prepare for the event over 12 weeks, beginning December 8, 2008, then ski the Birkie (51 kilometers) or the associated Kortelopet (23 kilometers) on Saturday, February 21, to complete the course requirements. Students may substitute another race of similar length if they wish. The class is available in both for-credit and non-credit versions.

Each year nearly 8,000 skiers of all ages and abilities participate in the American Birkebeiner. The race was established in 1973 and has grown into a premier event, attracting the world’s elite skiers as well as thousands of recreational enthusiasts. Held on trails near Hayward, Wisconsin, the American Birkebeiner, more than any other event, is responsible for the growth and popularity of the sport of cross-country skiing.

LSC will also sponsor an activity tent during the Feb. 19-21 race weekend.

“The American Birkebeiner is one of the region’s most important sporting events.  It attracts elite skiers from all over the world and thousands of spectators annually,” said Barry Dahl, LSC vice president for technology and the e-Campus. “The Birkebeiner is also a great partner. Their staff provides ongoing assistance with the development and promotion of our course, helping to make it a one-of-a-kind educational experience.”

LSC faculty member Joshua Tesch, a former Kortelopet champion, will teach the class. He encourages both beginners and race veterans to sign up for the course.

The two-credit course, which is widely accepted for transfer, is available to any student wishing to earn college credit for skiing the race. Fees and tuition for the college credit version are $398.42, which includes race registration. The non-credit course is $150, including race fee. Enrolling in the LSC course provides each student with a guaranteed entry into either the Birkie or the Kortelopet.

Over the past two years, Lake Superior College has offered similar courses in cooperation with Grandma’s Marathon and the NorthShore Inline Marathon. The League for Innovation in the Community College recently recognized LSC’s online physical education courses, naming them an “Innovation of the Year” for 2006. The unique classes also received a “Desire2Excel” award from the International Desire2Learn Users Conference.

More information about the American Birkebeiner and related events is available online at www.birkie.com.

With more than 140 courses offered via the Internet and over 2,000 online students, Lake Superior Connect is one of the region’s largest and most experienced e-Campuses.  For more information, contact Christine Torma at (218) 733-2030 or c.torma@lsc.edu or visit www.lsc.edu/connect/.