Lake Superior College News Releases

Dr. Kathleen Nelson, President of Lake Superior College (LSC), has announced her intent to retire after 13 years as the college’s CEO and after 30 total years as a leader in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.  Her retirement will be effective June 30, 2010.  Nelson became the second president of LSC in 1997, two years after the legislatively driven merger of Duluth Technical College and Duluth Community College Center created Lake Superior College.  The college, under Nelson’s leadership, has become one of the premier colleges in the state and a leading partner in education and training in Duluth and northeastern Minnesota.

Nelson exudes tremendous pride in the work of the college’s learning community.

“The college’s employees are tremendously talented, creative, and compassionate. They have, together, created a college culture which speaks clearly to our students and to our community partners about the value of the human spirit and the importance of higher education,” says Nelson.

Lake Superior College has seen sizeable enrollment growth and change throughout Nelson’s tenure.  LSC has nearly doubled in size, from the full-time equivalent of 1,900 students in 1997 to more than 3,500 today. More than 8,200 individual students are touched by the college’s programs and services each year.

“In her years as president, Lake Superior College has become a national leader in providing online courses and using cutting-edge technologies,” said Chancellor James McCormick, head of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “President Nelson has a passion for excellence and student success.”

McCormick also noted that she has achieved national recognition for her work on the Higher Learning Commission, the agency that accredits colleges in the Midwest, where she served as chair of the commission’s board.

Nelson’s entrepreneurial spirit undergirds much of the college’s progress during the past 12 years. The college’s leadership in e-learning has led the state and much of the nation in offering students an opportunity to complete courses and entire educational programs online.  LSC was the first public higher education institution in the state of Minnesota to receive permission from its regional accreditor to offer all of its programs through online learning.  Nelson herself took a major leadership role in this endeavor by being the founding chair of the Minnesota Online Council, the state’s online consortium of 32 colleges and universities. Governor Pawlenty visited LSC a year ago to announce his initiative to have all public higher education institutions offer at least 25 percent of their enrollment online by 2015. LSC surpassed that goal last year and currently offers approximately 27 percent of its enrollment online.

“Connections” has been a key concept during Nelson’s administration at LSC.  Connecting to and serving the community has been fundamental to LSC’s success as an education and training partner in the City of Duluth, the region, and the state.  Nelson’s energy and enthusiasm for community engagement has been the cornerstone to the college’s development of its highly successful Workforce and Community Development division.  Her belief in the importance of serving public education in true partnership has helped the college develop an outstanding High School Connections program.  Working with more than 30 high schools in northeastern Minnesota, the college has established successful programs to meet the learning needs of nearly 800 high school students each year, students who enroll in college-level classes on their high school campuses, online, or on site at LSC.

“The concept of community and community development is very important to me.  We serve others by being open and responsive to them.  We listen, and we act.  To engage in community learning and community work is one of the highest ideals to which we strive.  Civic engagement is clearly the reflection of democracy in action,” Nelson explains.

David Ross, President and CEO of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, offered the following assessment of Nelson’s contributions: “Our community experienced an energy surge when Kathleen Nelson arrived in Duluth to become the Lake Superior College president in 1997. It was my good fortune to immediately develop a close working relationship with Kathleen. Her leadership enabled LSC to quickly become a leader within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Beyond providing LSC exceptionally strong leadership, Kathleen has shared her time and abundant talent to move our community forward. LSC, and our community, are far better places because of Kathleen.“

Nelson has been an active community leader, a leader in state higher education and a leader in national higher education accreditation circles.  She is ending her term on the Higher Learning Commission’s Board of Trustees, having served two years ago as the board’s chair.  The Commission accredits all public, private, for-profit, and not-for profit colleges and universities within a 19 state region.  Nelson’s leadership has helped to shape the new policies and practices engaged in by higher education institutions, including an emphasis upon quality improvement and outcomes assessment.

True to her nature as an outdoors woman who loves to kayak and still camps in a tent, Nelson finds not only her most reflective moments on still waters and within the wilderness, but she derives a strong sense of professional pride in LSC’s commitment to environmental stewardship as well.  She is a signatory on the national President’s Climate Commitment, a national movement to commit LSC to reducing personal and institutional carbon footprints.  The college is a leader in its sustainability initiatives, supported by Nelson’s strong sense of the importance of environmental issues.

When Nelson speaks, you can see the pride she feels in the people, the programs, and the services she has helped to develop at Lake Superior College.  “A dear friend reminds me often that I said, 12 years ago, as I became LSC’s president, that our most important work is not about building new buildings but, rather about what goes on inside those buildings.  I still believe that today.  People create community.  Community creates a place where learning takes place.  LSC is the most wonderful learning community I know, and I have been honored to serve as the college’s president,” Nelson reflects.

What’s next for LSC’s president?  She states, “New adventures, new challenges, and, no doubt, more kayaking.”

(Duluth, Minn.) –  As an offshoot of their “Green 101” Lecture Series, Lake Superior College is hosting a “Make ‘N’ Take” Rain Barrel Workshop this Saturday, October 10 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in room S2964.

Leading the workshop will be David Stark, owner of Stark Enterprises, LLC, an environmental consulting firm specializing in water, waste and energy conservation. He’ll provide expert information on how to properly design, construct, use and install your rain barrel. Participants will be able take a rain barrel home and after learning how to correctly install and use it.

The cost of participating in the workshop will be $50. This fee will cover material costs.

Future “Green 101” lectures include third of this three-part lecture series, titled “Locally Adapted Food Systems,” on Tuesday, October 27.
More information is available at www.lsc.edu/Green101.cfm. “Green 101” is presented by Lake Superior College – Workforce and Community Development.

(Duluth, Minn.) –  “Greening Your Home: From Energy Efficiency to Renewable Energy Options” will be the next free “Green 101” presentation to be held at Lake Superior College, taking place on Tuesday, October 6.

This presentation will cover the wide range of options for making your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It will also help you develop a plan that is right for your home.

Dean Talbott, a Conservation Improvement Program Energy Specialist and customer service representative for Minnesota Power, will be the featured speaker. Talbott has worked in the field of energy efficiency and healthy home construction for more 28 years in a variety of capacities in the energy and housing field.

This presentation will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. in room S2964 on the Lake Superior College campus.

Future “Green 101” sessions include “Locally Adapted Food Systems” on Tuesday, October 27 and a “Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop” on Saturday, October 10.  The “Food Systems” lecture is free. The rain barrel workshop requires a $50 fee to cover materials.

More information is available at www.lsc.edu/Green101.cfm. “Green 101” is presented by Lake Superior College – Workforce and Community Development.

Lake Superior College (LSC) will set an all-time enrollment record when classes begin on Monday, August 24.  The college surpassed last year’s opening day totals early this week and expects to start the semester with an increase of approximately five percent in the total number of students enrolled.

“We’re going to have another significant enrollment increase this year,” explains Melissa Leno, LSC’s Director of Admissions. “We are projecting that we’ll have nearly 4,500 students enrolled by Monday.”

Based on past experience, the college expects to see enrollments continue to rise throughout the semester, as students finalize their schedules. Because students have five days to add courses and continuing education activity is also likely to contribute further to enrollment gains throughout the term, official enrollment numbers will not be announced until the 30^th day of the term.

“LSC continues to grow because we are meeting the needs of the students we serve by providing excellence in the classroom and expanding access and opportunity for students,” said Kathleen Nelson, Lake Superior College president. “I’m very proud of the effort that staff and faculty have put forth.”

College officials believe that economic conditions are a major factor driving enrollment increases.

“Historically, community college enrollments rise in recessionary periods” Nelson explains.  “We are seeing that pattern again this year at LSC and across the nation, as students seek training and education for the job market.”

Lake Superior College is a community and technical college located in Duluth, Minnesota.  The college offers more than 80 technical majors, courses and programs for transfer, continuing education, and custom training for business and industry.  LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

(Duluth, Minn.) – As a result of reductions to state support for higher education, ten employees will be laid off at Lake Superior College.  The layoffs represent a three percent cut to the college’s permanent workforce and will take place over the next several weeks, depending on various contract requirements.

In addition to the layoffs, LSC announced several other cost saving measures today at a series of meetings with employees. These measures include elimination of vacant positions, a voluntary salary savings program and instructional efficiencies.  Altogether the announced measures total $1.4 million. Prior to making the staffing changes, Lake Superior College cut their non-personnel budget by $950,000.

The budget reduction plan was developed in response to cuts to the state allocation and the anticipated gubernatorial unallotment. The reductions announced today affect all operational units and employee groups within the college.  The plan was developed over a five-month period, as various revenue and expenditure information became available.

The actions announced today are “Phase Four” of a five-phase process. College officials say additional adjustments to the budget may be required once impact of the governor’s unallotments, federal stimulus dollars, and legislative actions are fully assessed.

The college anticipates similar financial challenges for fiscal year 2010-11 and the subsequent biennium. LSC’s budget planning includes provisions to position the college to balance its budget into the next biennium.

Topic is “Local Green Design and Building: Past Present and Future”

(Duluth, Minn.) – Lake Superior College will present the third and final Green 101 lecture with “Local Green Design and Building: Past Present and Future” on Tuesday, May 19.

Rachel Wagner, co-owner of Wagner Zaun Architecture will be the feature speaker.

Wagner will talk about what defines “green building,” and what it mean for our region. This presentation will include some history, some current events, and a look to the future about how we design, construct, and occupy the built environment. The talk will range from the general to specific – appropriate for the builder, the design professional, the homeowner, or the businessperson.

This lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until approximately 8:30 p.m. and will take place at LSC in room S1981.

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 the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

They have names like “Spike,” “Roid Rage” and “Blood, Sweat and Gears.” 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 12.

Lake Superior College is sponsoring the third annual Northeast Robotics “Battle of the Bots” competition on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The event will feature 15-pound combat robots competing in a 12-foot by 12-foot plexiglass arena. In addition to six teams from LSC, students from three area high schools will also participate this year.

This year’s “battle” will take place in the 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 machining instructor, Mike Koppy, robot competitions have proven to be an excellent way to interest students in manufacturing and engineering programs. “The challenge of designing and building a robot for competition engages students and get’s them fired up about the field,” Koppy reports.

Earlier this year, Koppy’s students designed and built robots intended to pick up and transport water balloons in a timed competition.

The tournament is sponsored by the Midwest Robotics League and LSC Integrated Manufacturing program.
Photo: LSC student Devin Ninneman makes adjustments to Team Rampage.

(Duluth, Minn.)  — Lake Superior College’s (LSC) 15th annual Spring Art Exhibit opens on Monday, May 4 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.  Free and open to the public, the reception will include refreshments and an opportunity to meet the student artists.

Students enrolled in LSC’s popular art courses will have an opportunity to display their work during the exhibit.  For many of the approximately 350 participating students, it will be their first-ever exhibition.

Students will present a variety of art, including watercolor painting, sculpture, jewelry, digital photography, drawings, two and three-dimensional design projects, and ceramics.

Artwork will be displayed in the upper and lower concourse in LSC’s main building.  The exhibit will be open during regular campus hours, beginning at noon on Monday, May 4, and continuing through Wednesday, May 6.

For more information, contact faculty member Tonya Borgeson, (218) 279-2669 or t.borgeson@lsc.edu.

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.

LSC presents “Expression Through Clay: A Workshop”

(Duluth, Minn.) – If you’ve ever sat at a spinning wheel and fashioned a piece of art with clay, you know it takes a soft touch and a lot of concentration. Many say it can be therapeutic.

The therapeutic part is the idea behind the upcoming “Expression Through Clay” workshop on Thursday, April 23 at 5:15 p.m. at Lake Superior College.

“Clay is a vehicle that records feelings and experience,” said LSC Art Instructor Dorian Beaulieu. “The art of creation will draw happy, sad or whichever emotions but those expressions of feelings will each be unique to the artist.”

The event, which is sponsored by the LSC Art Department, Diversity Committee, Campus Parents Club and United Students, is designed to bring awareness to domestic and relationship violence and how to stop the cycle of violence. Liz Dolph and Jeremy Nevilles-Sorell of “Mending the Sacred Hoop” a Native American non-profit social change agency that works to eliminate violence against women, will be the featured speakers for the event.

The event kicks off at 5:15 p.m. with a presentation from Dolph and Nevilles-Sorell. A clay demonstration by Beaulieu, along with a pizza reception, will begin around 6:30 p.m. The entire event will take place at the LSC Art Building, located on the far west end of the campus.

For more information on this event, contact Nancy Schumacher at 733-5985 or n.schumacher@lsc.edu.

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 the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

(Duluth, Minn.) — Lake Superior College’s Center for Advanced Aviation will host an open house for its professional pilot program this Saturday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The event will take place at LSC’s Flight School located near the Duluth International Airport.  Tours, refreshments and demonstrations will be offered.  LSC’s professional pilot program offers both fixed wing and helicopter flight training.  For more information and directions, call (218) 733-7700.

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.