A great year...........

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