Lake Superior College News Releases

(Duluth, Minn.)  — J.Clark Laundergan has been appointed coordinator of the Tri-Campus Coalition on Student Drinking.  Laundergan will be responsible for organizing, guiding, and administering the work of the coalition toward its objective of promoting the responsible use of alcohol by students at three participating institutions:  the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), and Lake Superior College.  As coordinator, Laundergan will serve as a liaison with the community, interacting with organized citizen groups, law enforcement, and other government agencies.

Laundergan holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in sociology from Iowa State University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Laundergan taught at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 1966– 2008, most recently as a professor of sociology in the Sociology-Anthropology Department.

He also served as head of UMD’s Sociology-Anthropology Department from 1971–1976 and also directed UMD’s Center for Addiction Studies from 1991–2007.  He has published numerous studies on alcohol consumption in college populations.

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.

Lake Superior College has announced that Mark Winson will return as LSC’s Vice President of Finance and Administration. Winson recently left the college to serve as the chief administrative officer for the City of Duluth, a position he held prior to joining the College in 2005.

“I am pleased to announce the return of a familiar administrative voice to our learning community,” LSC President Dr. Kathleen Nelson announced in a e-mail message to the campus community today. “Mark Winson will reprise his vice presidential role at the college beginning May 18.  His heart is truly here with us at LSC, and he is looking forward to fulfilling his career within our learning community.”

“I’m very happy to be able to return to a challenging and rewarding job,” said Winson.  “I look forward to picking up where I left off and rejoining the LSC administrative team.”

In her message, Dr. Nelson also thanked Rob Waksdahl for his service as interim Vice President of Finance and Administration.  Waksdahl will return to his previous assignment as Director of Business Services.

Lake Superior College 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.

Lake Superior College President Dr. Kathleen Nelson has appointed Rob Waksdahl as the college’s interim vice president of finance and administration.

Waksdahl previously served as LSC’s director of business services. He replaces outgoing Vice President of Finance and Administration , who in February accepted the position of chief administrative officer with the City of Duluth.

“Ten years of experience in higher education finance have prepared me well to serve in this position,” said Waksdahl. “I worked closely with Mark (Winson) for the past month and the transition should be a smooth one.”

In this new position, Waksdahl is responsible for the management of the Lake Superior College’s facilities division, bookstore and food service operations, as well as all business and finance-related issues within the school.

With more than 5,000 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.

Lake Superior College of Duluth, Minnesota has announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Magnuson as vice president of academic affairs.  Magnuson will lead the college’s academic unit and supervise all instructional activities.

“I am thrilled to be joining such an excellent faculty, staff and college with the wonderful reputation of LSC,” Magnuson stated. “As LSC continues to move forward to serve the community’s educational and training needs, I am looking forward to working with the leadership team under Dr. Nelson and with everyone else at the college to foster student success.”

Prior to joining LSC, Magnuson served as division dean of liberal arts/general education at Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana in Indianapolis.  He also served as developmental education division dean and executive director of community campuses for Ivy Tech.  He has also held teaching assignments at the University of North Dakota and Kelsey Community College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“Dr. Magnuson has a passion for learning and a commitment to students,” Dr. Kathleen Nelson, LSC’s president explained. “He will bring energy, enthusiasm and creativity to his new assignment.”

Dr. Magnuson earned a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from the University of North Dakota. He also holds a master of education degree in K-12 educational administration, a bachelor of education degree in secondary education, a bachelor of arts degree in English and a bachelor of arts degree in history, all from the University of Saskatchewan.

Lake Superior College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 4,500 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.