Lake Superior College News Releases

(Duluth, Minn.) – Lake Superior College is supporting the community-wide effort to build a new house for the Oakland Township, Wisconsin family of Howard and Jessica Huber. Jessica is a current LSC student who intends to pursue a nursing career and Howard, a firefighter with the Superior Fire Department, attended LSC’s ERTC fire technology program.

A crew of both second-year LSC Building Construction program and LSC Building Constructions graduates, led by faculty member Tim White, will help build the new house. “When you do good things for people, good things always come out of it,” said White. “We’ll most likely help insulate the foundation but we’re ready to do just about anything to get the house built.”

According to Paul Damberg, Lake Superior College Foundation executive director, donations made through the Extreme Builders Commonwealth Web site will help pay for materials and supplies to build the house. The LSC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is acting as the fiscal agent to Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

“We’re happy to help support the project,” said Damberg. “And we’re proud to act as the fiscal agent to Extreme Makeover Home Edition. When you make a gift, it’s being made to the Lake Superior College Foundation. Your donation may be tax-deductible; be sure to consult your tax preparer.”

To make a donation, visit www.extremebuilderscommonwealth.com.

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.

Some days, Kyle Duncan lifts a hammer and carries 2×4’s. Other days, he lifts ballerinas and carries them across the dance floor.  Duncan is a talented young man whose interests range from mechanics and carpentry to theater and dance.

This fall, he began his second year in the Building Construction program on a full scholarship from Denfeld High School.  “Kyle is the type of student that everyone gets along with,” said faculty member John Calcaterra. “He is quiet and has kept his accomplishments to himself, making him very humble.”

Duncan has been challenged throughout his life with learning disabilities. “When I was in grade school, a teacher told my mother I would never do well. Because I struggle, this has made me find other ways to learn things and keep pushing myself.”

He discovered that working with his hands and figuring out design challenges, whether in dance and choreography or in carpentry and mechanics, came naturally to him.

“I always had my hands into something when I was little,” said Duncan. “I had a friend whose Dad owned an automotive shop.  I hung around there a lot, learning how to fix cars and weld.”

“Kyle has worked very hard to get to where he is today,” said LSC High School Connections Program Director Michelle LaPorte, who has known Duncan since he was in fifth grade. “I know his mom has helped him so much. We are all amazed and proud of him.”

In junior high school, Duncan got involved in the East Hillside Youth Theater Camp. “Acting helped me with my speaking,” he said. He was spotted in a theater production by a Minnesota Ballet representative who offered him a scholarship to study dance.  For the past six years, Duncan has taken dance workshops with the Minnesota Ballet. “During the summer, we studied five days a week, all day,” he said.

Duncan has toured with the Minnesota Ballet in the United States and Canada.  This exposure resulted in an offer from the Long Beach Ballet in California for more training and the opportunity of a lifetime. This past summer, Duncan traveled with the Long Beach Ballet to China where they performed for enthusiastic audiences in six cities.

“I was amazed at how friendly people were to us,” he said. “They showed their appreciation by clapping whenever they enjoyed something during our performances. Even though we didn’t speak Chinese, I could tell we were communicating through our dancing. I still can’t believe I was there.”

Duncan is busy with school and working a part-time stocking job at Super One, a local grocery store.  He’s also helping with choreography at Central High School and does on-call stagehand work at the DECC.

He has been asked to come speak at Washburn Edison School, his former elementary school, and Denfeld High School.  “They want me to talk to the students and tell my story,” he said, smiling and shaking his head. “I can’t believe that after having such a hard time in school, I will be going back there as a different person. I hope I can help someone else who might be struggling, too.”

Photo caption: LSC student and professional dancer Kyle Duncan gives fellow dancer Callie Robson a lift at the Great Wall of China.

Originally published in the Duluth News Tribune on Sunday, September 14, 2008.  Written by Janet Blixt.

(Duluth, Minn.) — Ten Business Professionals of America (BPA) student members from Lake Superior College (LSC) earned 14 national honors representing LSC’s Administrative Support, Accounting, Computer Information Systems, and Business programs. They competed against more than 1500 of the top winners from community, technical, and four-year colleges throughout the U.S. Competition was held in Reno, Nevada from May 6-10 at the BPA National Leadership Conference.

Keyboarding Production
1st place Heather Urbaniak

Medical Office Procedures
2nd Kayla Edwards
3rd Heather Urbaniak
Finalist Stephanie Buria
Finalist Mandy Newell

Database Applications
1st James Suess
3rd Lynette Kraskey

Medical Transcription
1st Kayla Edwards
4th Stephanie Buria

Fundamentals of XHTML
5th James Suess

C++ Programming
Finalist Lynette Kraskey
Finalist James Suess

VB.NET Programming
1st Lynette Kraskey

Banking & Finance
Finalist Jamie Luedtke

(Finalist indicates in top 10 but not 1st – 5th.)

Group photo of LSC BPA students: Top row, left to right: Heather Urbaniak, Andrea Johnson, Bill Walz, James Suess, Ryan Waterhouse
Bottom row, left to right: Stephanie Buria, Lynette Kraskey, Jamie Luedtke, Mandy Newell, Kayla Edwards

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.) — 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.) — For the second year in a row, the Lake Superior College (LSC) Surgical Technology program has earned a “Top 20″ designation from the Accreditation Review Committee on Surgical Technology. The honor is bestowed on programs with the highest student scores in the annual Program Assessment Examination (PAE). The results of the class of 2007 indicate that the LSC students are among the nation’s best-trained new surgical technologists.

The PAE is a 150-question test that is given to all program students as close as possible to graduation. It is intended to determine how well the program met the curriculum guidelines set by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and its Accreditation Review Committee on Surgical Technology.

The LSC Surgical Technology program was also on the “Top 20″ list in 2004. There are more than 400 AST member programs that participate in the PAE.

“It’s rewarding to know that LSC students compete favorably with other students from across the country,” said Candace Barnack, LSC’s vice president of academic affairs. “It validates our quality curriculum and instruction and is evidence that our students are ready to contribute to the health care system.”

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.

Lake Superior College will recognize this year’s graduating class at commencement exercises at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) on Monday, May 21, at 3 p.m. A reception for students, friends, and families will be held at 5 p.m. in the Harbor Side Ballroom.

More than 900 degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be awarded to members of the class of 2007. Approximately 300 students are scheduled to participate in the LSC commencement exercises.

“Commencement is a wonderful day for our students,”? said LSC President Dr. Kathleen Nelson (right). “It recognizes the completion of an educational goal 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 2007 well.”?

Dr. Patty Petite will be the featured speaker at commencement. Petite has more than 20 years of experience in program management and development with a focus on advocacy work to improve education resources and services for children and families. She is committed to serving community and to life-long learning.

Petite has recently accepted a new position as the president of the Fond du Lac Tribal College in Cloquet, Minnesota. She will be working on separating the accreditation for the tribal college now held jointly in partnership with the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. She is an enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Reservation where she lives with her family.

Petite was the former director of Fond du Lac Head Start Program for more than 12 years. Under her leadership, the Fond du Lac Head Start program added services for children pre-natal to kindergarten age and their families, including Early Head Start, Even Start, and Early Childhood/Family Education (ECFE). Petite also developed childcare services in partnership with the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College.

Petite completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota Duluth and her Ed.D. in policy and administration in higher education from the University of Minnesota. In 2004-2005 Petite was awarded a Bush Foundation Fellowship where she worked collaboratively with other institutions of higher education in the areas of teaching and administration. She is the past chair of the Northland Foundation and is currently a member of the Cloquet Education Foundation.

With more than 4,800 students enrolled this spring semester, LSC is Northeastern Minnesota’s largest two-year college and a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. 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.