2017 Calendar Report to the Community

2017

CALENDAR REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY Our Mission

RCTC provides accessible, affordable, quality learning opportunities to serve a diverse and growing community.

OUR CITY.

OUR COLLEGE.

Dear Friends: On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), it is my pleasure to share with you the College’s Annual Report Calendar, a summary of our 2016-2017 accomplishments and recognitions. As you flip the pages each month, take a moment to read about the success stories of our students, faculty, and staff and visualize the exciting opportunities that await you at RCTC. This past year’s accomplishments include such exciting things as implementing the College’s Strategic Plan and Master Academic Plan, hosting a Higher Learning Commission Site Team for our reaffirmation of accreditation site visit, securing two Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grant awards, partnering with Rochester Public Schools to open the CTECH facilities on our campus, being recognized nationally as one of seven finalist for the Harvard University’s Innovation in American Government Awards for our partnership with Rochester Public School’s Hawthorne Education Center, delivering (for the first time) offerings for the Associate Degree option for the Cancer Registry Management Program (only one of seven programs in the nation), and being recognized as a 2017 Top Online School for students with disabilities. We’re very proud of these accomplishments – they are just a small reflection of the quality programs and services you can expect at RCTC! So whether you’re a student, employee, graduate, community member, or friend of RCTC, thank you for making RCTC the great place to learn, work, and play!

Sincerely,

Mary Davenport, Ph.D. Interim President

VISION:2020

Rochester Community and Technical College’s Strategic Plan

STRATEGIC

PRIORITY

1

Provide high-quality, affordable, learner-centered educational pathways, workforce training, support services, and resources to meet the diverse needs of students, the region, and the global community.

1.1 Advance programs and services that support student success through evidencebased systematic planning, assessment, and review.

1.2

Achieve excellence in teaching and learning through rigorous and relevant educational offerings; engaging and innovative instructional delivery; and superior support services.

1.3

Nurture a comprehensive, learner-centered culture to support student from inquiry through completion.

1.4

Advance educational, business, and community partnerships to create opportunities for students to attain their educational and career goals.

STRATEGIC

PRIORITY

2

Collectively develop strategic approaches to systemically plan, prioritize, and implement futurefocused initiatives.

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

STRATEGIC

PRIORITY

3

STRATEGIC

PRIORITY

4

Cultivate a culture of collaboration and communication that values diversity and mutual respect.

Enhance RCTC’s image as the region’s college and employer of choice.

3.1

Foster an environment to encourage collaboration across College units that embraces our Core Values.

4.1 Communicate the value of RCTC’s high-quality, affordable, and accessible programs and services.

3.2

Engage college-wide stakeholders in the planning and allocation of resources to create innovative learning and working environments.

Improve internal communication structures and processes.

4.2 Heighten RCTC’s reputation as a world-class educational institution.

3.3

4.3 Recruit and retain exceptional and diverse employees.

Create on-going employee professional growth and advancement opportunities.

Provide exemplary, engaging service to students, employees, alumni, and the greater community.

3.4

Expand community partnerships that focus on diversity and inclusiveness to encourage multicultural experiences.

Implement continuous environmental scanning processes to strategically position the College for the future.

Advance continuous quality improvement processes to ensure college-wide accountability.

4.4 Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of hiring and onboarding processes.

SEPT 2017

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON

08 27

08 28

TUE 08 29

Labor Day - No Classes

3 Grandparents’ Day

10

4

THU

08 30

08 31

6

FRI

SAT

Last Day for all Book Returns

1

2

7

8

9

14

15

16

Full Moon

5

Patriot Day

11

WED

12

Student Success Day Non-Classroom Opportunities Available

13

Student Life Club Day

Student Life Trip to Orpheum - Aladdin

First Day of Autumn

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

10 1

10 2

10 3

10 4

10 5

10 6

10 7

RCTC FAST

FACT

RCTC now offers a hospitality management program.

A member of Minnesota State

OCT 2017

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

Students can complete the 2018-2019 FAFSA

FRI

SAT

Full Moon

1

2 Homecoming Week

8

THU

Columbus Day

3 Homecoming Week

9

4 Homecoming Week

10

11

Boss’s Day

5 Homecoming Week

6 Homecoming Week

12

13

Education Minnesota Conference - No Classes

Education Minnesota Conference - No Classes

7 Homecoming Football Game

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

31

11 1

11 2

11 3

11 4

11 7

11 8

11 9

11 10

11 11

29

30

11 5

11 6

RCTC FAST

FACT

Beat the Odds Scholarship Application Deadline Halloween

201 incoming, returning, and graduating RCTC students received scholarships, totaling more than $255,000.

A member of Minnesota State

NOV 2017

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN 10 29

MON

TUE

10 30

Daylight Saving Ends

WED

THU

FRI

SAT Full Moon

10 31

1

2

Election Day

3 Veteran’s Day Holiday Observed - No Classes

4 Veteran’s Day

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Last Day to Withdraw from Classes

Student Life Trip to Vikings Game

19

20

21

W 22

Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No Classes

Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No Classes

23

24

25 12 2 12 9

26

27

28

29

30

12 1

12 3

12 4

12 5

12 6

12 7

12 8

RCTC FAST

FACT

RCTC Surgical Technology graduates earned a 100 percent pass rate on the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting national certification test.

A member of Minnesota State

DEC 2017

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON

11 26

11 27

TUE

WED

THU

11 29

11 30

11 28

Full Moon

FRI

SAT 1

2

8

9

Book Buy Back Opens

3

4 Student Life Stress Relief Week

10

5 Student Life Stress Relief Week

11

6 Student Life Stress Relief Week

12

13

Pearl Harbor Day

7

Student Life Stress Relief Week

14

Spring Tuition Due Stress Relief Week Fall Semester Ends Book Buy Back Ends

15

16

22

23

First Day of Winter

17

18

19

20

21

1st Day to Charge Books using FA Deferments

Christmas Day

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1 1

1 2

1 3

1 4

1 5

1 6

RCTC FAST

FACT

Virtual Reality will be coming to campus after the College won a “Shark Tank” grant from Minnesota State.

A member of Minnesota State

SPRING PAYMENT INFO Tuition and fees must be paid in full, or an approved deferment in place by Friday, December 15, 2017. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration.

Friday, January 12, 2018 is the last day to set up a FACTS/ NELNET payment plan.

To avoid late fees, account balances need to be paid in full by February 5, 2018.

JAN 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN 12 31

MON New Year’s Day

TUE Full Moon

1

2

WED New Student Application Deadline - Spring 2018 (Fast Pass Day)

3

Spring Semester Starts

7

8

THU

FRI

4

SAT

5

6

12

13

19

20

25

26

27

2 2

2 3

2 9

2 10

Last Day to Drop

Beat the Odds Scholarship Event

(Full-term Courses)

9

10

11

16

17

18

Last Day to Set Up FACTS/NELNET Payment Plan

Martin Luther King Holiday - No Classes

14

15 Student Life Club Day

21

Last Day for all Book Returns

22

23

24 Blue Moon

Student Success Day Non-Classroom Opportunities Available

28

29

30

31

2 1

2 4

2 5

2 6

2 7

2 8

RCTC FAST

FACT

The College’s Practical Nursing Program increased the number of students accepted from 40 to 50, and added a new high-fidelity patient simulator.

A member of Minnesota State

FEB 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN 1 28 Student Life Super Bowl Party

4

MON 1 29

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Groundhog Day

1 30

1 31

1

2

3

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

21

22

23

24

3 2

3 3

3 9

3 10

Account Balances Due in Full to Avoid Late Fees

5

Valentine’s Day

11

12

13

President’s Day - No Classes

18

19

Spring Graduation Applications Due

20

25

26

27

28

3 1

3 4

3 5

3 6

3 7

3 8

RCTC FAST

FACT

RCTC teamed with Metropolitan State University to create a new Dental Hygiene Dual Enrollment program.

A member of Minnesota State

MAR 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN 2 25

MON 2 26 Spring Break - No Classes

4

TUE 2 27 Spring Break - No Classes

5

THU

6

1 Spring Break - No Classes

7

FRI

SAT

Full Moon

2 28 Spring Break - No Classes

Daylight Saving Begins

11

WED

2

3

9

10

Spring Break - No Classes

8

Faculty Duty Day - No Classes

12

13

St. Patrick’s Day

14

15

16

17

21

22

23

24

First Day of Spring

18

19

20

Blue Moon

Summer Graduation Applications Due

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

4 1

4 2

4 3

4 4

4 5

4 6

4 7

RCTC FAST

FACT

Men’s Basketball photo courtesy of Michaela Twitchell

RCTC students publish an award-winning newspaper, with an award-winning staff.

A member of Minnesota State

APR 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

April Fool’s Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

18

19

20

21

Last Day to Withdraw from Classes

15 Earth Day

W

22

16

Faculty Duty Day - No Classes

17

Administrative Professionals’ Day

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

5 1

5 2

5 3

5 4

5 5

5 6

5 7

5 8

5 9

5 10

5 11

5 12

Full Moon

RCTC FAST

FACT

The Computer Aided Drafting and Cancer Registry Management programs received the first two Workforce Innovator grants from Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges.

A member of Minnesota State

SUMMER PAYMENT INFO Tuition and fees must be paid in full, or an approved deferment in place by Friday, May 11, 2018. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration.

Friday, June 1, 2018 is the last day to set up a FACTS/ NELNET payment plan.

MAY 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON 4 2

4 1

TUE

WED

Scholarship Awards Night

1

7

FRI

SAT

Book Buy Back Opens

2 Spring Semester Ends

6

THU

8

Book Buy Back Ends

9

3 Commencement

4

5

Summer Tuition Due

10

11

12 Armed Forces Day

Mother’s Day

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

22

23

24

25

26 6 2 6 9

First Day of Summer

20

21 Memorial Day

Summer Session Starts

27

28

29

30

31

6 1

6 3

6 4

6 5

6 6

6 7

6 8

Full Moon

RCTC FAST

FACT

RCTC’s practical nursing program is ranked third in Minnesota.

A member of Minnesota State

JUN 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

5 27

5 28

5 29

5 30

5 31

3

4

5

6

FRI Last Day to Set Up FACTS/NELNET Payment Plan

SAT 1

2

7

8

9

14

15

16

21

22

23

Flag Day

10

11

12

13

Father’s Day

First Day of Summer

17

18

19

20 Full Moon

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

7 1

7 2

7 3

7 4

7 5

7 6

7 7

RCTC FAST

FACT

RCTC now offers an accredited associate degree option in Cancer Registry Management, one of only seven in the nation.

A member of Minnesota State

JUL 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Independence Day Holiday - No Classes

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Parents’ Day

Full Moon

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

8 2

8 3

8 4

8 9

8 10

8 11

29

30

31

8 1

8 5

8 6

8 7

8 8

RCTC FAST

FACT

IBM awarded RCTC two grants – one for the chemistry department and one for the physics department.

A member of Minnesota State

AUG 2018

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUN 7 29

MON 7 30

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Fall Tuition Due

7 31

1

2

3

4

Summer Session Ends

5 12

6 New Student Application Deadline - Fall 2018 (Fast Pass Day)

13

1st Day to Charge Books using FA Deferments

7

8

9

10

11

14

15

16

17

18

Welcome Day

19 Full Moon

20

21

22

23

Last Day to Set Up FACTS/NELNET Payment Plan

24

Last Day to Drop

Fall Semester Starts

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

9 1

9 2

9 3

9 4

9 5

9 6

9 7

9 8

RCTC FAST

FACT

(Full-term Courses)

RCTC acquired TV studio equipment from Quincy Media to enhance the College’s television production and mass communications opportunities.

A member of Minnesota State

FALL PAYMENT INFO Tuition and fees must be paid in full, or an approved deferment in place by Friday, August 3, 2018. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration.

Friday, August 24, 2018 is the last day to set up a FACTS/ NELNET payment plan.

To avoid late fees, account balances need to be paid in full

by October 1, 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS RCTC Student Donates Artwork to Art + Design Department RCTC student Jacquelyn Royds designed and donated custom artwork to the RCTC Art + Design Department.

The Kasson native graduated with an Associate in Fine Arts degree, an Associate in Science degree in Graphic Design, a Photography Certificate, a Motion Graphics Certificate, and a Digital Art Certificate.

The artwork can be viewed on the second and third floors of RCTC’s Art Hall.

RCTC Announces Operation Purple Heart and Super Heroes RCTC implemented Operation Purple Heart and Super Heroes, an initiative that created reserved parking for active military personnel, military veterans, police officers and fire department personnel. RCTC is the first college among Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to create such parking. RCTC students Alexis Aaby and Greg Gardner were instrumental in securing reserved parking for Purple Heart and Super Heroes at RCTC. RCTC Receives Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grant RCTC received a Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grant award of $48,913 for the Kerry project.

in American Government Awards competition. Bridges to Healthcare advanced from a pool of more than 500 applications from all 50 states.

RCTC Names 2017 Outstanding Educators Dr. Kim Rowley and Randy Renken were selected to receive the College’s 2017 Outstanding Educator Award.

Both instructors were nominated by faculty, students, and staff and completed a significant portfolio of their work and accomplishments at RCTC in order to be considered for the award.

Rose Pappas (Nursing Instructor) was selected as the outstanding adjunct/part-time faculty of the year.

RCTC’s Director of Business and Workforce Education, Jennifer Wilson, stated “this grant will allow for design of a training program for operators, team leaders, and maintenance personnel at the Rochester Kerry plant providing an opportunity to disseminate curriculum to similar production organizations located throughout Minnesota.”

RCTC Adds Associate Degree Option for Cancer Registry Management Program RCTC added an accredited associate degree option in Cancer Registry Management. RCTC’s Cancer Registry Management certificate program received full accreditation by the National Cancer Registry Association (NCRA), and is among only seven programs in the nation to offer an associate’s degree in Cancer Registry Management.

The Cancer Registry Management Associate’s degree courses are offered online.

RCTC Nursing Students Get High Scores on Board Exams RCTC announced that 91.58 percent of its associate degree (Registered Nurse) candidates passed the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) exam on their first try during the time period of July 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016. In addition, 90 percent of RCTC’s practical nurse candidates passed the national NCLEX-PN exam on their first attempt during this same time period.

RCTC’s Dr. Cory Rubin Receives Olmsted County Environmental Achievement Award for Education Cory Rubin, Ph.D., Biology and Environmental Science Instructor, was awarded the Olmsted County Environmental Achievement Award for Education. Dr. Rubin was recognized for making Olmsted County a more sustainable community through innovative programs and practices that demonstrate environmental leadership. Dr. Rubin was nominated by student, Ron Schreiber.

Brian LaPlante Achieves 400 Career Wins at RCTC RCTC men’s basketball coach and interim athletic director, Brian LaPlante, achieved his 400th victory on Saturday, December 3, 2016 when the Yellowjackets defeated Itasca Community College 118-75. RCTC athletics began in 1921, and Coach LaPlante is the first RCTC coach to achieve the 400-win milestone for sports playing 20-plus games in a season in the College’s history.

Rochester’s Pathways to College and Careers/Bridges to Healthcare Named Finalist in Harvard Awards Competition The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, recognized Pathways to College and Careers/Bridges to Healthcare as part of the seven programs named as finalists in this year’s Innovations

RCTC Wrestling Team Wins National Championship RCTC’s Yellowjacket wrestling team added the 2017 NJCAA National Division III Championship to its long list of accomplishments. The Yellowjackets won the 2017 Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) Region 13 North District Tournament Championship, were the MCAC Dual Meet Champions of the Year, and became the MCAC Conference Champions for the fifth straight year. RCTC finished ninth in the nation among all NJCAA teams.

Recently named MCAC Wrestler of the Year, Brett Bradford (Byron, MN) finished second in the 157-pound weight class. Coltan Laganiere (Kasson, MN) advanced to the semifinals and finished sixth at 149 pounds. RCTC freshman Alfred Daniel (Manhattan, NY) finished fourth at 165 pounds. Bradford, Laganiere and Daniel earned All-American honors.

Randy Rager was named NJCAA Division III National Coach of the year for the second time, and named MCAC Wrestling Coach of the Year for the fifth time.

RCTC Horticulture Student Wins National Competitions RCTC Horticulture Technology student Jeremy Garner (Heron Lake, MN) placed first in the nation for both Tractor Loader Backhoe Operation and Skid Steer Operation at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC). Jeremy also placed fifth in the nation for Compact Excavator Operation. Five RCTC horticulture students participated in 10 events including compact excavator operation, compact track loader operation, skid steer operation, hardscape installation, construction cost estimating, landscape plant installation, annual & perennial ID, truck & trailer operation, woody plant ID, and wood construction.

RCTC Celebrates 101st Commencement At the 2017 Commencement Ceremony, RCTC staff, faculty, and community celebrated 955 graduates; 163 of whom graduated with high honors (a grade point average of 3.75 or above), and an additional 138 students with honors (a grade point average of 3.5 – 3.749).

RCTC’s Practical Nursing Program Ranked Third in Minnesota RCTC’s Practical Nursing program is ranked third in Minnesota by PracticalNursing.org.

Methodology utilized by PracticalNursing.org included NCLEX-PN exam pass rates and the numbers of students at each college taking this exam. The NCLEX-PN exam is used by state boards of nursing around the country for testing proficiency and granting licensure. NCLEX-PN rates are one of the best ways to determine how well a school is preparing their students for a career in practical nursing.

RCTC Receives Two IBM Grants RCTC received two grants from IBM to support RCTC’s physics and chemistry departments. These grants were given in recognition of the volunteer service of retired IBM engineers, Eric Skuldt (Physics and Engineering) and Bruce Keller. (Chemistry).

The first $2,000 cash grant will support RCTC’s Physics and Engineering department, and make possible the purchase of lab and research equipment.

The second $2,000 grant will be used to support RCTC’s chemistry research program. The Chemistry Department will purchase a comparison microscope to be used in a newly created forensics chemistry course.

RCTC Surgical Technology Grads Earn 100 Percent Pass Rate on Board Exams All 24 RCTC surgical technology graduates who took the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) national certification test from June 1, 2016 – May 31, 2017, successfully passed the certification test on their first attempt for a pass rate of 100 percent.

The national average for the same period of time was 69%.

RCTC Awarded First Two GRAUC Workforce Innovator Grants RCTC’s Computer Aided Drafting and Cancer Registry Management programs were awarded the very first two Workforce Innovator grants from Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges (GRAUC) totaling $2,500.

RCTC Awarded “Shark Tank” Grant RCTC was awarded a $22,700 “Shark Tank” grant following a proposal presented at the Minnesota State Educational Innovations conference. The grant will help fund the creation and development of virtual reality labs for the College.

RCTC Announces Dental Hygiene Dual Enrollment Program with Metropolitan State University While RCTC has articulation agreements in place with Metro State University currently, this dual enrollment partnership is truly unique. The purpose of the Dual Admission and Enrollment Dental Hygiene program is to provide a smooth and successful transition for the student from Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) to Metropolitan State University (MSU) seeking a bachelor’s degree. Students who participate in the program are considered fully admitted to the RCTC Dental Hygiene Program and to the MSU Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program simultaneously.

RCTC Renames Campus Roadways RCTC updated the names of the roadways that cross the campus as part of the overall College rebranding project.

Following campus input and Rochester City Council approval, UCR Parkway SE, was changed to College Parkway SE; UCR Drive SE, was changed to College Drive SE; and UCR Place SE, was changed to Stadium View Place SE. RCTC Appoints New Athletic Director Michael Lester joined the College as Athletic Director in April. Lester came to RCTC from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona), where he served for over 20 years in varying roles including Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Eligibility and Compliance, Director of the Recreational Athletic Facility, and Head Volleyball Coach.

Echo Wins 7 Awards at Minnesota Newspaper Association Contest The Echo swept the column-writing category on its way to winning seven awards in the collegiate division of the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The Echo placed third in the General Excellence category, a noteworthy achievement because it competes against student newspapers from four-year universities. This is the first time a community college newspaper placed in the General Excellence category in the MNA contest since 2011. That year, The Echo placed first.

Presidential Swap for the Day

Student Senate President Sofia Alston switched spots with Interim President Davenport for the Day, with each participating in meetings and activities normally attended by their counterpart. President Davenport even attended Sofia’s classes including archery and modern dance.

The purpose of the swap was to give each other an opportunity to walk in the shoes of each other, understanding what a College President deals with on a normal business day, and for Dr. Davenport to better understand the life of a student.

HIGHLIGHTS Ruth Siefert Retires From RCTC After Four Decades of Service Former RCTC Business Manager, Ruth Siefert, says she had seen it all during her 43 years at Rochester Community and Technical College.

When she began working at the College the school used manual typewriters. Individual department balances were kept on ledger sheets. The cost per credit was a low $1.50. As Siefert calls it, they were the good old days, but ones that lasted for her entire career. It’s probably why Siefert was recognized by Minnesota State with an Outstanding Service Award recently. She retired as the longest serving employee from the community college side, with 43 years under her belt as of February 19, 2017.

Five Students Receive Beat the Odds Scholarships RCTC students Mikayla Brainard, Jawaher Awad Binhamoodah, Jessica Nelson, Caleb Ricks, and Isaac Williams each received a 2017 Beat the Odds Scholarship from the RCTC Foundation.

The program awards deserving students from Rochester and surrounding areas a $2,500 scholarship to attend Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC). To be eligible for a Beat the Odds scholarship, candidates must be a high school senior or a first-year RCTC student who has overcome obstacles such as personal or family hardships, abuse, neglect, poverty, disabilities, or language and cultural barriers. Despite their challenges, these students have persevered and endeavored to become personally and academically successful, and are preparing for the next step in life of attending college.

RCTC Installs New Signage Areas on campus got a face-lift with new signage over the summer. The main monument sign on 30th Ave SE, the two monument signs at Heintz on College View Dr, the Sports Center, and campus exterior way finding signs all got a fresh new look. These updates were part of the College’s overall rebranding initiative.

Foundation Scholarship Ceremony The Foundation Scholarship Ceremony was held on May 2, 2017. This year saw a record number of applicants at 777, and over 200 scholarships were awarded.

The Annual Yellowjacket Golf Classic was a Success The 23rd Annual Yellowjacket Golf Classic was held on June 16, 2017 at Willow Creek Golf Course.

While the event got called early due to heavy rains, a few holes of golf were played, a buffet dinner with a raffle and prize giveaways capped off a great day.

Those who participated helped support RCTC Athletics and RCTC Foundation scholarships.

RCTC Hosts Legislative Breakfast The RCTC 2017 Legislative Breakfast was held in the Heintz Center automotive repair lab–a first for the College.

Educators, administrators, and students spoke to area legislators during the event about support for campus construction projects and an increase in funding, citing things like a workforce shortage making RCTC an important place to train students in Southeast Minnesota.

HLC Site Visit After 18 months of tireless preparation, the time finally came. The Higher Learning Commission peer review team visited RCTC on April 24-26, 2017.

The College received positive feedback at the closing session, with the final report on the decision made by HLC on reaffirmation of accreditation coming in August 2017.

CTECH Opens its Doors

Commissioner Pogemiller Meets with RCTC Students Minnesota Higher Education Commissioner Larry Pogemiller was in Rochester on Wednesday, April 19, to meet with RCTC Interim President Davenport and RCTC students to discuss Governor Dayton’s budget proposal for higher education.

CTECH welcomed students for the first time in September, after nearly a decade of community planning.

The Career and Technical Education Center at Heintz (CTECH) aims to provide students with career and technical training, touching on seven career pathways including agriculture, engineering, health and biomedical science, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, and construction. RCTC collaborated with Rochester Public Schools on the project.

The training provided will directly impact the local workforce and local businesses in need of a trained workforce.

Two New Interim Deans Appointed Dr. Brenda Frame was named Interim Dean of Liberal Arts and General Education, and Dr. Brian Fors was named Interim Dean of Sciences and Health Professions.

RCTC Named A Top School for Students with Disabilities SR Education Group ranked RCTC as one of the country’s best schools for students with disabilities. RCTC was ranked along with 1,265 other schools, and the criteria specifically looks at online course offerings.

College Receives Television Studio Furnishings Quincy Media, owner of WSJV-TV in South Bend, Indiana (and Rochester NBC-affiliate, KTTC-TV), generously donated furnishings from their unused television studio at WSJV. The news set will be installed in the RCTC television production studio to enhance the College’s media productions as well as mass communications academic programming. The total value of the donation was over $140,000. RCTC partnered with Riverland Community College’s trucking program to transport the set pieces back to Rochester from Indiana.

BEST BEES Judy Kingsbury – April 2017 Nate Stoltman – March 2017 Craig Navreson – Feb 2017

Todd Jones, Julie Kiehne, Tom Kacir, Judy Kingsbury, Cheryl Klingsporn Morgan, Craig Knox, Gina Korf, Jon Krusmark, Brian LaPlante, Tammy Lee, Marty Leonard, Jeff Lepper, Donnie Lien, Linda Malec, Jenee McGurren, June Meitzner, Michelle Messenger, Rod Milbrandt, Randy Mohawk, Lisa Mohr, Greg Mosier, Michal Mussell, Tricia Olinger, Dennis Olson, Tim O’Neill, Melissa Pentz, Julie Platten, John Putnam, Sarah Quincey, Randy Rager, Marj Reif, Randy Renken, Kathy Richardson, Kathy Richie, Roxy Roadway, Bonnie Robinson, Wayne Roerish, Anthony Rostvold, Kimberly Rowley, Cory Rubin, Amy Sands, Glen Saponari, Joe Schlichenmeyer, Deb Schloegel, Sheryl Scholer, James Scott, Nancy Shumaker, Ruth Siefert, Eric Sime, Justin Slavin, Nate Smith, Johnny Somvang, Roman Staloch, Kim Stanton, Brian Steele, Nate Stoltman, Sue Sundlee, Amanda Swintek, Suzanne Szucs, Mark Thein, Paula Theisen, Courtney Thoreson, Daniel Vedamuthu, Nikka Vrieze, MJ Wagenson, Eric Waldstein, Xiaomin Wang, Josh Whalen, Jenny White, Karin Williamson, Jeanne Wilson, Jennifer Wilson, Shirley Wilson, Gayla Winslow, Liz Wirt, Rob Wittenberg, Gregg Wright, Stacey York, Alicia Zeone, Dan Ziebell

RETIREES Wayne Braa Rose Conway Linda Curtis

Leroy Deshotel Lynn Guenette Janell Holter

Vida Jech Linda Malec Jim Schunke Ruth Seifert

IN MEMORY • Christopher Dobbins, IT Specialist • Mildred Rae Frankson, Retired Business and Office Instructor • Leonard Goldfine, Former Institutional Researcher • Bev Hawkinson, Retired Secretary/Admissions Staff • Mary Lou Jensen, Former Business Machines/ Secretarial Program Instructor • Herbert Jertson, Retired General Maintenance Worker • Patricia Krautkremer, Former Reading Instructor • Matthew McConnell, Retired English and Humanities Instructor • Rodney Mendenhall, Retired Engineering Instructor • Tom Meyer, Retired Business Instructor • Marlin Wacholz, Retired Technical College President • Diana Wakefield, Retired BTECH Instructor ,

Chad Israelson – Nov 2016 Cara Fox – Oct 2016 Jeanne Wilson – Sept 2016

SHINING STARS Sandra Aaby, Dave Adams, Karla Alexander, Kyle Aure, Dale Amy, Don Baldus, Robert Banker, Jerry Becker, Tiffany Betcher, Chuck Blattner, Jason Bonde, Ginny Boyum, John Buchl, Kristin Buck, Chris Bushaw, Melanie Callister, Paula Carlsen, Jerry Casper, Ruth Casper, Julie Christie, Kevin Condit, Rose Conway, Len Cronin, Crist Dahl, Jennifer Dahle, Shelly Danielson, Mary Davenport, Veronica Delcourt, Beth Diekmann, Catherine Egenberger, Jennifer Erwin, Barb Ewen, Heidi Feldman, Liz Fleck, Dan Froelich, Mike Froisland, Brian Fors, Patti Gangl, Louis Garcia, JT Goh, Matt Haack, Julie Hager, Ben Hain, Tara Hammill, Niki Havekost, Darin Hoffman, Roxanne Holst, Janell Holter, Steve Hucke, Simon Huelsbeck, Rich Indrelie, Chad Israelson, Jeffrey Jacobsen, Susan Jansen, Lori Jensen, Rhonda Jensson, Tim Jones,

This document can be made available in alternative formats, such as large print, Braille, or audiotape, by calling RCTC Disability Support Services at 507.280.2968. It is the policy of Rochester Community and Technical College not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, sex, or handicap as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as applied in admissions policies, educational programs, activities, and employment practices. The designated Affirmative Action Officer and Title IX Coordinator is the Director of Human Resources. The designated coordinator for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the Disabilities Director.

Information contained in this document is accurate as of the printing date. Visit www.rctc.edu for the most up-to-date information.

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