Posts
A great year for LRSC
As the end of 2013 approaches, most of us pause to reflect
on the year’s events. We enjoy the holiday cards from friends and family. We
attend gatherings with friends and family for enjoyable conversation and
reminiscing.
Lake Region State College experienced many positive moments
in 2013 – occurrences that position the college for future growth and continued
positive impact on individual lives, the community, and region. I’d like
to take the opportunity to again celebrate such achievements and say thank you
to all who helped the college reach these milestones.
·
In June we officially cut the ribbon and
dedicated our wind turbine located 4 miles north of the campus. The turbine
allows wind energy technician students to learn in a live lab setting while
also providing electricity for the college. Students revel in the expanded
learning opportunities the turbine provides as they prepare for careers in wind
energy.
·
In October groundbreaking ceremonies celebrated
construction at the Erlandson Technical Center where we are renovating current
facilities and creating additional learning space for many of our technical
programs. The legislative commitment of funds is a wonderful investment in
infrastructure for LRSC and its students.
·
In November the Community College Foundation,
which supports Lake Region State College, held the best Key Event ever, raising
around $130,000 in one night.
·
In December the Dakota Precision Ag Center held
its ribbon cutting at its new location 1.25 miles north of campus in the former
Twete Inc., building. The facility houses the Dakota Precision Ag Center, the
precision ag program, and farm business management in one area.
Throughout 2013 we also saw new endowments appear. These
gifts to the Community College Foundation support students through
scholarships, program support, capital projects and more. Receiving gifts from
the community through such endowments support students’ educational goals.
Thanks to the North Dakota Challenge Grant initiative gifts
like endowments that support the college may be matched with $1 of state
resources to every $2 gifted. Matching funds are available to gifts that
support infrastructure projects (like additional enhancement to the Erlandson
Technical Center), technology, and enhanced academics through scholarship
endowments. Such gifts provide critical margins of excellence and create
student learning resources for today and tomorrow. Combine this with the ND
Endowment Tax Credit and you can create an endowment that keeps on making an
impact on students in perpetuity.
Finally, I’m honored to be completing my first year as
president of Lake Region State College. This college is a wonderful resource
for the community and state. I’m proud to have the opportunity to serve as its
president and ever thankful to the community, staff, and students for
supporting this great college.
Wishing you all a wonderful 2014,
Doug Darling, Ph.D., President
Lake Region State College
