3
PRESIDENT’S NOTESGreetings,
It’s been a great fall semester at Normandale,
and there have been so many events that showcase
the wonderful talents of our students. From the
programs and activities hosted by student clubs and
organizations, to the Fine Arts performances and
the myriad of workshops sponsored by academic
departments, this has been an amazing semester of
campus engagement.
One of the key areas the college is focusing
on this year is health and wellness. An example
of this aspect occurred on October 9, when the
Foundation hosted the second Roar N’ Red 5K
Run/2.5K Walk. This event gathered community
members, faculty, staff and students to run, walk
and offer encouragement to each other while
helping to raise funds for student scholarships and
programs.
The Foundation’s Scholarship and Donor
Recognition event was another highlight of the
fall. The event recognized students who received
scholarships and the generous donors who provide
these opportunities. This is a great way for our
students to show how appreciative they are for their
scholarships, and for the donors to hear remarkable
stories about our students.
In this issue of Creating Futures, you will learn
more about our efforts to promote health and
wellness, including a look at our outstanding
Exercise Science program. You will read profiles
of some of our scholarship recipients and donors
about the difference scholarships make. And you’ll
get updates on the amazing accomplishments of
our past students, other happenings from around
our campus, and information on some exciting
grants we have recently received.
I hope you enjoy reading about the stories and
events going on around campus. Thank you for
your support of Normandale!
Joyce C. Ester, P h.D.Joyce C. Ester, PhD
President, Normandale Community CollegeGALA/NORMANDALE PERFORMS 2-3
DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD 4-5, 9
A PICTURE OF HEALTH 6-8
CAMPUS CURRENTS 10-11
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON ANNUAL REPORT 12-17
ALUMNI NEWS 18-19
FACES AND PLACES 19
Creating Futures Volume 11, Number 2
The 2016 Creating Futures Celebration gala promises an evening of entertainment and fun—
all in support of a worthy cause.
Save the date! On April 30, 2016, Normandale Community College Foundation will host its third Creating Futures Celebration gala at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Mall of America.
The gala will be an inspirational evening that will feature the talents of our staff, students and board members. You will also hear heartwarming student stories about their lives and their perseverance in the pursuit of their goals. The event will include a reception, live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner, plus a special “Metamorphosis…Transforming Lives” program.
Proceeds from the event will help provide scholarships for deserving, hard-working students of all ages and backgrounds. Last year, we distributed nearly $615,000 to support student scholarships and college programs.
Purchase tickets and tables now to receive early bird pricing. Seat assignments are also made on a first-come, first-served basis, so it pays to get your tickets soon.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or donate auction items, call the Normandale Foundation at 952-358-8147 or go to www.normandale.edu/foundation/events.
Come to the gala, and enjoy a night of fun and excitement while helping to “transform lives and create futures!”
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!Normandale Performs to return to Mall of America.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Mark your calendars! Normandale is once again coming to Mall of America on Saturday, March 19, 2016 for the annual Normandale Performs event. Students, alumni, staff, faculty and Foundation Board members will be
on stage at the East Rotunda to entertain audience members and onlookers. As always, the afternoon willfeature a wide range of performances from the college’s gifted entertainment artists.
We look forward to seeing you at the event!
Large photo: student Matt Vinge performs on guitar. Small photos from left: student Heather Vander Tuin,
Interim Dean of Outreach and Enrollment Torrion Amie, student Jonathan Ceballos, student Kihre’e Cherry,
Normandale President Joyce Ester welcomes audience.Cover photos, clockwise from top left: Sarah Dibble,
Nahom Mossazghi, Brian Rose, Amanda Gomes Torres,
Ona Pinsonneault, Hai Nguyen-Tran, Ernie Lindstrom,
Muna Abdi.
5
Balancing finances
and academics is
one of the biggest
challenges in
pursuing a postsecondary
degree. Normandale has many
students who need to work one
or multiple jobs to help pay for
their education. Given that, any
amount of financial assistance
can help a student find the right
balance, one that allows him or
her to complete a degree and
find academic success.
Through the generosity
of organizations, businesses
and members from around
the community, Normandale
Foundation provides more than
200 scholarships each year to
deserving students who use the
assistance to reach their goals.
As the experiences of these
students and donors illustrate,
the scholarships make a
tangible, lasting difference.
44
Vy Dam, recipient, Robert Farley Ogden Memorial Scholarship
Vy Dam came to Minnesota
from Vietnam three years ago.
The transition to college wasn’t
easy, largely due to a language
barrier which made it hard
for her to understand course
content.
Dam’s other challenge: she
needed a job to afford her
tuition. Initially unsure about
applying for a scholarship,
encouragement from
classmates, friends, counselors
and instructors eventually swayed her. “The biggest part of applying
for a scholarship was overcoming my own fear,” she recalls.
The scholarship provided Dam with time to study and find
success in her classes. “I feel like I can spend more time studying,
and that has helped me be successful as a student,” she says. “That
has done a lot for my self-esteem and confidence.”
Her advice to students thinking about applying for scholarships:
“Don’t hesitate. If you think you can, you can. And believe in
yourself. If you don’t, nobody else will.”
Amanda Gomes Torres, recipient, Bud Gordon Memorial and Desmond Success Through Perseverance Scholarships
When Amanda Gomes Torres moved to Minnesota from Virginia
at the start of the last academic year, her goal was simple: Get
through school. Thanks to scholarship opportunities and getting
involved on campus, however, she says she has grown into a
completely different person.
Gomes Torres admits she didn’t know anything about
scholarships, and that she initially wasn’t interested in Normandale’s
clubs and organizations. A couple of chance encounters changed
her course. One of her club advisors, Craig Miller, told her she
would be a good candidate for scholarship opportunities available at
Normandale. He prompted her to apply, and she did.
“I am glad I applied,” says Gomes Torres. “It is such an awesome
thing that the Foundation does to set up these scholarships, and I am
so appreciative to receive them.”
Gomes Torres also had a classmate convince her to attend a
Student Senate meeting. After initially resisting, she began getting
involved. Not long after, the Senate’s president stepped down and
Gomes Torres was nominated and then elected to the position. In
addition to her presidential duties, she served on the Minnesota
State College Student Association Board and went to Washington,
D.C. to advocate for student education issues this past spring.
“I feel like I accomplished so much this last year, especially in the
Student Senate,” says Gomes Torres. “I am a
very different person and these experiences
have helped me learn a lot about myself.”
Gomes Torres is particularly gracious
about the Success Through Perseverance
Scholarship. “After hearing the story about
John and Janet Desmond’s business at the
State Fair and some of the obstacles they
overcame in their lives, I was humbled to
know I was chosen for the Success Through
Perseverance Scholarship,” she says. “It is
also humbling because my sister and I were
raised by a single mom who came to the
United States from Brazil when she was 21.
She did a lot for us, and I appreciate it.”
Kopp Family Foundation, donor, Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship
Lee Kopp was one of the top students
in his class when he graduated from
Minneapolis’ Patrick Henry High School
in the 1950s. Initially unsure if college
would be financially possible, a pair
of scholarships helped him attend the
University of Minnesota. After college,
Kopp went into the U.S. Navy. He credits
college and his time in the Navy for
building the foundation that would help
him become a successful entrepreneur and
investor.
In 1986, he started the Kopp Family
Foundation, which has provided
scholarships for high school and college
students around the state. In 1995,
COVER STORY
Doing Well by Doing Good cont. on page 9
AS THESE EXAMPLES SHOW,
SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE THE POWER
TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF STUDENT
RECIPIENTS—AND THEIR DONORS
DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD
Normandale was one of the first two-year
colleges in the state to receive donations
from the foundation.
“Lee feels you get ‘more bang for your
buck’ at two-year colleges,” says Kopp
Family Foundation Director of Charitable
Giving Lindsey Lang. “In addition to a great
education, it helps students find out what
they really want to do.”
The Kopp Family Foundation donates to
many different causes, but Lang notes that
education is the top priority. “A scholarship
can do two things,” she says. “It can help
financially, but it can also give a huge
boost in terms of confidence and feeling
good about yourself. It is a great feeling to
apply and get a scholarship—and know
that someone has confidence in you, is
helping you succeed, finish school and
make a positive impact on the world.”
Ona Pinsonneault, donor, Ona and Wayne Pinsonneault Music Scholarship
Ona Pinsonneault was a music instructor
at Normandale for 41 years. She started in
1969—one year after the college opened—
and retired in 2011.
During that time, she saw what students
had to juggle while getting an education.
“I saw students struggle with financing
and trying to balance work and study
schedules,” says Pinsonneault. “We
decided to donate a scholarship that
allowed students to work less and practice
more, since that is the key to their success
in music.”
Pinsonneault and her husband Wayne
endowed their scholarship in 2008. With
new funds from the Pinsonneaults and
others, the college was able to award two
scholarships for the 2015-16 academic
year.
Students audition for the scholarship
and also submit academic records and
a written statement. “The idea is for the
students who apply for the scholarship to
achieve a certain level of competency in
music,” says Pinsonneault. “We have set
up the music program to give students a
background that will allow them to pick
the area of their choice when they transfer
to their next college. The students who
have received these scholarships have
been prepared to attain high levels in their
chosen fields, and we are happy to provide
these opportunities.”
Alice Seagren, donor, Alice Seagren Scholarship
Alice Seagren has always believed in
the importance of education. Her parents
stressed it when she was growing up, and
it has played a big role in her career. She
served as commissioner of the Minnesota
Department of Education from 2004 to
2011, was also a member of the House
of Representatives, and has served on the
Ibusapedio et excerum volest, volupti usantis etus, con non poresequit.
Kopp Scholarship donor Lee Kopp
From left: Scholarship recipients Jeremy Hiniker and Sam Lackey,Pinsonneault Scholarship donors Ona and Wayne Pinsonneault.
Vy Dam (right) with her grandmother.
From left: Scholarship recipient Amanda Gomes Torres with Ernie Lindstrom, donor for the Ernie and Jeanne Lindstrom Scholarship. Lindstrom also
was key to bringing the John and Janet Desmond Scholarship (founders of Tom Thumb Donuts) to Normandale.
Health and wellness has long been a priority on
the Normandale campus. This year, the college
has put extra emphasis on it as one of the main
aspects of the work plan. The goal: Harness and
coordinate existing and potential student and
employee opportunities to provide holistic wellness
experiences for the college and the local community.
The initiative has taken numerous forms. For example, the
Foundation hosted two Roar N’ Red 5K Run/2.5K Walk events in
May and October. The Fitness Center’s hours have been extended,
along with the offering of many intramural and extramural
activities and on-campus fitness classes. Normandale also provides
integrated health offerings through Continuing Education, the
annual Health Fair, a Student Health Expo, and the college’s
Exercise Science program.
Exercise Science ProgramNormandale’s Exercise Science program offers Associate of
Science (AS) degree and certificate options for students looking
to pursue health and fitness industry careers. The Certificate path
is designed to prepare students to successfully participate in the
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal
Training Examination and enter the workforce as a personal trainer.
The associate degree path prepares students to also pursue a
776
bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and related areas.
“We have set up the curriculum so students can ladder through,”
says Department Chair of Exercise Science David Barrett. “You
can see if you like Exercise Science, get your certificate and then
decide if you want to get an ACSM National Certification. After
that, you can get an AS and move on to pursue a bachelor’s
degree.”
Last year, Normandale agreed on a partnership with Southwest
Minnesota State University (SMSU) to offer an Exercise Science
BS degree on Normandale’s campus, which started this fall. That
combination allows students to stay on Normandale’s campus
while completing a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that will
give them a variety of career options upon graduation. Students
going through the program also take several business classes with
Normandale partner Metropolitan State University to prepare for
the business aspect of the field.
“The AS track coursework mostly focuses on fitness and some
of the science behind it,” says Barrett. “However, the BS courses
expand to include rehabilitative sciences. Students who graduate
with an AS from Normandale and a BS here on our campus from
SMSU will have a background to get into occupational therapy,
physical therapy, athletic training or corporate wellness and
fitness. They can work as personal trainers or go to high schools or
colleges and work as certified strength and conditioning specialists.
They will also be able to work in community center roles or
management-type roles operating community programs.”
Personal TrainingThe Exercise Science program has long provided service learning
experiences for AS students who want to become personal trainers.
About five years ago, the program began matching up students
with Normandale faculty and staff members looking for personal
trainers.
The eight-week program starts with an initial consultation, in
which students determine if the faculty or staff member has any
medical limitations, or if he or she will need doctor’s clearance
to participate. During the second session, students perform a pre-
fitness assessment and set goals for the client. After that, students
and clients aim to meet twice a week to work on exercises and
goals.
“It’s a great experience for students to work with faculty and
staff members who have a variety of different backgrounds,” says
Exercise Science Instructor Angie Effertz. “The campus fitness
center provides a comfortable environment for students to learn
techniques and refine their skills prior to their certification exams.”
Effertz adds that it also allows students to work on their
professionalism in preparation for the workplace. “This experience
demands a higher expectation of them,” she says. “They feel as
if their performance is being evaluated, and they make sure they
present themselves in a positive way. We also make sure that
they are tending to current professional aspects of their career
development such as updating their LinkedIn profiles and having
an email signature.”
A PICTURE OF HEALTHNORMANDALE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE
OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS-RELATED
COURSES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
With a new partnership with SMSU, students can
stay on Normandale¹s campus to complete
a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Picture of Health continued on page 8
Activities-Based ClassesActivities-based classes are another aspect of the Exercise
Science program. They include courses such as Backpacking,
Badminton, Fencing, Fitness for Life, Soccer, Weight Training, Yoga,
and more. “These classes allow students to explore activities they
might want to learn about or participate in, and be in a situation
where they are not afraid to ask questions,” says Exercise Science
Instructor Jay Kam. “It is also a safe environment for students to get
comfortable with the weight room and other facilities. I find that
students are much more confident in their abilities at the end of
these courses.”
Kam has also noticed that a social component develops
among students, something that he feels is helpful to their overall
Normandale experience. When he taught soccer, he set up a
weekly match with the soccer club and his class. Three weeks after
the class concluded, the students took it upon themselves to get
together and play soccer. “It is great when students can participate
in a new activity and find out if it is something they like doing,”
says Kam. “It also builds friendships, and I believe when people
have friends on campus, they are more likely to feel supported and
succeed as students.”
On-Campus Facilities and Student Wellness GroupThrough Normandale Recreational Services, students, faculty,
and staff can play sports during open gym time, check out
equipment for activities, and participate in intramural and
extramural leagues. Normandale students compete in extramural
competition with other community colleges in flag football, ice
hockey and soccer. There is also an intramural basketball league
and one-day tournaments in other sports.
The College offers strength and cardio, boot camp and
yoga group fitness classes. Normandale Recreational Services
Coordinator Aimee Broman is certified to teach most of the fitness
classes, and other instructors come in to teach some specialty
classes such as yoga. “We have a lot of free, fitness-related
resources for students, faculty, and staff on campus,” she says.
Normandale Nursing students perform routine care for attendees at the college’s annual Success Day. Normandale staff member Lilly
Marquez receives personal training from student David Haile.
Normandale Foundation held its second annual Roar N’
Red 5K Run/2.5K Walk on October 9. Students, community
members, faculty and staff showed their support for student
programs and scholarships by running, walking, volunteering
and cheering on the event’s participants.
While school spirit was on full display at the event, a
number of groups went above and beyond. In particular,
the Student Senate, the Atoms Family (aka, the Chemistry
Department) and the Health Sciences Department all showed
remarkable enthusiasm.
The 5K run route looped twice around campus, winding
through the wetlands and local community. The 2.5K walk
took participants on a scenic tour that included the Japanese
Garden, the wooded hiking trail and the labyrinth.
Roar N’ Red was only one of many recent Normandale
events aimed at promoting health and wellness to the campus
and surrounding community. Sponsors for the event included
Mall of America, Park Nicollet Clinic & Foundation and TRIA
Orthopaedic Center.
Congratulations to everyone who supported Normandale
students by participating!
RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS
THE COLLEGE’S SECOND RUN/WALK EVENT
WAS A ROARING SUCCESS.
98
Picture of Health, continued from page 7Doing Well by Doing Good, continued from page 5
“They are a great way for students to get involved with activities
and sports in a fun, welcoming environment. We work hard to
have as many of these options as we can on campus.”
Broman is also the advisor for the college’s Student Wellness
Committee, which is made up of 15 to 20 students. Last year, the
committee put together the Student Health Expo and the Stress
Management Workshop. “For the Student Health Expo we brought
in about 25 different outside organizations to educate students
on their particular expertise,” says Broman. “We tried to cover all
areas of health, including mental, physical, nutritional, financial
well-being and other areas of wellness development. For the Stress
Management Workshop, we brought in a chiropractor to give
massages, had the Meditation Club promote how meditation helps
relieve stress, offered extra yoga classes and did puppy therapy
to relieve stress. These are great ways to educate our campus
community on some of the important components of a healthy
lifestyle.”
Employee WellnessNormandale’s Human Resources Department runs a variety of
events to help promote employee wellness. There is a Wellness
Committee that meets to put together events and initiatives for
employees.
That group, along with Human Resource Assistant Mai Lucio,
coordinates events and spreads the word around campus. Events
have included a workshop to help employees figure out their
strengths; the Frosty Challenge, which encourages employees to
maintain health habits over the winter; and a walking club.
Lucio also is in charge of the Health Fair for students, faculty,
staff and the community. In the past, Normandale has brought in
companies and vendors to promote health and wellness. However,
this year Lucio wants to add some new aspects to the program.
“We will be having a lot of participation this year from our Nursing
and Dental Hygiene departments,” she says. “We also plan to have
Continuing Education instructors talk about some of their Integrated
Health course offerings. There will be many great options available
to anyone who wants to learn more about different areas of health
and wellness.”
Normandale also received a 2015 Wellness by Design Bronze
Award for excellence in worksite wellness from Hennepin County.
The award recognizes organizations in the county that make
employee health a priority through creative and effective wellness
initiatives. Normandale also received a “+Green” designation for
companies that minimize their impact on the environment.
Bloomington School Board.
As a former member of the
Normandale Community College
Foundation Board, Seagren received
the Foundation’s Community
Connections award in 2005. “I
think community college is a very
affordable first step for people
pursuing postsecondary education,
and I believe that Normandale has
some of the best instructors and
offerings of any community college in the area,” she says. “I have
always been very impressed with Normandale. All of the programs
are just wonderful.”
Seagren always enjoys meeting the recipients of the various
Normandale scholarships, and is often impressed by their desire to
get an education—and to make sure others in their family have the
same opportunity. “I have met so many recipients over the years
with unbelievable stories,” she says. “The great part about talking
to the students is that many of them say that once they get through
their education and are successful, they want to give back. I think it
is great to see them already thinking about that while they are still
in the middle of trying to accomplish their goals.”
Indigo Upton, recipient, Chorzempa Family Scholarship
Indigo Upton has long had a
passion for music. All throughout
her childhood, she loved singing
and performing in musicals. At
age seven, she watched Kelly
Clarkson win on American Idol and
decided she wanted to follow in her
footsteps.
She attended the Main Street School of Performing Arts in
Hopkins, and took a year off after high school to volunteer to teach
choir at a middle school. That sparked her interest in teaching
music. “I really enjoyed being a student teacher for the choir,” she
says. “I always wanted to make my career as a performer, but when
I was teaching, I realized I love being a part of music, and that I
would enjoy teaching it as a career.”
Upton knew Normandale was her best route to an affordable
and quality education, and she threw herself into the endeavor. She
currently works at a Starbucks and a nursing home, and has a full-
time, 15-credit course load. Upton knew even with the two jobs,
she would need help with her tuition. Her next move: She checked
out the college’s Web site and applied for a scholarship.
She received good news via mail shortly afterward. “When
I learned I got the scholarship, I started crying because I never
thought I would get it,” says Upton. “It really helped out. The
money I am getting through the scholarship, financial aid and
my two jobs will help me finish on time and have the finances to
continue my education when I graduate from Normandale.”
Upton is taking music courses and is part of the college’s
Concert Choir and Vocal Ensemble. She is enjoying her music
classes. “The instructors are great. I’ve enjoyed learning about
music theory and other aspects that are an important foundation
for what I need to learn to be a music teacher.”
Mark Adkins, donor, Adkins Family Scholarship
Mark Adkins can appreciate
the different aspects of life that
Normandale students must
balance. He returned to school
as a nontraditional student while
working full time and helping to
raise four kids. “It was a financially
stressful time,” says Adkins. “I
decided that if I was financially
successful in my future I would like to give back to help ease the
financial burden of students in similar circumstances.”
Today, Adkins is a Vice President and Wealth Management
Advisor for the BWA Wealth Management Group of Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. He’s also made good on his promise.
He established the Adkins Family Scholarship in 2014, shortly
before joining the Normandale Foundation Board.
He is happy that his education, hard work and ambition have
given him the opportunity to give back. “I give to Normandale
because of the diverse student body, and large population of non-
traditional students.”
Nasrudin Aliy, recipient, Normandale FoundationScholarship
Before even starting at Normandale, Nasrudin Aliy decided
he wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene.
Normandale’s partnership with Metropolitan State University
allowed him to take Dental Hygiene classes for his associate’s
degree—and stay on campus to complete his bachelor’s degree.
He appreciated this arrangement, because he could pursue
the degree at a more affordable cost. But Aliy also realized he
would need financial help to pay his tuition. So he applied for a
scholarship, received it and used the support to pay for books and
the balance of his tuition.
Aliy mentions that it is easy to apply for the scholarship, but that
it is important to be to make sure you put in a good application.
“My advice to other students is to not wait until the last minute,”
he says. “Apply early and work on making sure you organize your
essay to be a quality one.”
1110
CAMPUS CURRENTS
Normandale Dual Enrollment and
Perkins Department: Academic Affairs
Coordinator Robb Lowe recently received
a 2015 Association for Career and
Teaching Education (ACTE)/Region III
Career Guidance Award. He was selected
from a host of worthy candidates from
Region III, which includes Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
The award recognizes guidance
counselors and career development professionals who have made
significant contributions to advocate, educate and communicate the
value of CTE as a viable career option to a variety of audiences in their
communities.
The programs Lowe oversees have followed innovative pathways
and doubled their enrollment rates in recent years. Lowe has been
at Normandale since 2004. His responsibilities include concurrent
enrollment, articulated high school-to-college agreements, Online
College in the High Schools, and Post-Secondary Enrollment
Options. In addition, he works with course equivalencies and prior
learning assessment, including Advanced Placement, International
Baccalaureate, and the College Level Examination Program.
REWARDING EXCELLENCENormandale’s Robb Lowe recognized for his
innovations in guidance counseling and career
development assistance.
Dr. Orinthia Montague, Normandale’s Vice President
of Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer, has been
selected by a national review panel to attend the prestigious
Executive Leadership Institute. Sponsored by the League
for Innovation in the Community College, the institute
only invited 36 participants, all of whom hold senior-level
leadership positions at U.S. community colleges.
The institute, which was held in Phoenix from Dec. 13-17,
2015, allows potential community college presidents or
those in transition to review their abilities and interests,
refine their skills, and participate in leadership discussions
with nationally and internationally recognized community
college faculty and leaders.
Formed in 1968, the League for Innovation is an
international association dedicated to catalyzing the
community college field. It hosts conferences and institutes,
develops Web resources, conducts research, produces
publications, and leads projects and initiatives with member
colleges, corporate partners, and other agencies—all with
a goal of making a positive difference for students and
communities.
DIFFERENCE MAKERNormandale’s Dr. Orinthia Montague
selected to attend the League for
Innovation in the Community College’s
Executive Leadership Institute.
On November 13, Normandale and
ReSound, a Bloomington-based hearing
aid manufacturer, hosted a ceremony to
announce the joint acceptance of a three-
year Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP)
training grant. The event, which was held
at ReSound’s headquarters, is a win for the
SOUND OF SUCCESSA new Minnesota Job Skills
Partnership grant will allow
Normandale to help a local
company—and help keep
the state’s employment base
healthy.
A Normandale
instructor shows off
his inventive teaching
methods at the
Great Minnesota Get-
Together.
Normandale Math Instructor
Christopher Danielson has a
reputation for developing inventive
teaching methods. He put those
skills on display this year at the Minnesota State Fair.
Danielson’s exhibit, Math On A Stick, featured a range of fun
and useful learning activities. Those activities included a photo
scavenger hunt called The Number Game, and an activity table
that allowed participants to make shapes and patterns and look
for similarities and differences. Some activities were led by visiting
mathematical artists (including Normandale’s own Kevin Lee) who
shared beautiful, mathematical creations—and helped fairgoers
make their own.
Danielson has put together a website called Talking Math with
Your Kids which can be found at talkingmathwithkids.com. The site
is designed to help parents support their children’s mathematical
development. His goal: Encourage parents to talk about math with their
kids as they encounter numbers and shapes in their everyday lives.
MATH ON A STICK?
A conversation with a
dean who retired from
Normandale—but who
has never really left the
college.
Can you tell us about your
experiences at Normandale and why
you continue to stay so involved
with the college?
I was a dean at Normandale for 30 years and had many different
assignments during that time. One area that reported to me was
the Office for Students with Disabilities. After I retired, I decided
that, rather than getting me a gift, I wanted people to give money
to a fund that would help students in the Office for Students with
Disabilities. I helped set up the fund, and talked with the OSD
Director to have the money available for students in that area who
have difficult situations and need financial help.
A year ago, I decided in addition to that program—which
retirees contribute to—we would set up a scholarship for qualified
students in the disability program. This year was the first time the
scholarship was awarded.
For the rest of Q&A: Manley Olson go to www.normandale.edu/
manleyolsonQA.
Q&A: MANLEY OLSON
From left: MnSCU System Director for Continuing Education and Customized TrainingMary Rothchild, Normandale President Joyce Ester, ReSound President Kim Lody.
college, the company, and the local community.
MJSP grants are awarded by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic
Development and aim to help cultivate the skills that will lead to solid employment
prospects for individuals—and also keep and expand jobs in the state.
ReSound is part of GN ReSound, one of the world’s largest providers of hearing
instruments and diagnostic and audiological instrumentation. The company, which
employs 500 people, will work directly with Normandale to develop courses that will
allow the organization to take advantage of an opportunity to
increase its presence in the customized device market.
The first group of courses will focus on preparing the
organization to learn. That foundation will allow ReSound to
develop customized processes and improve how it acts on
customer feedback. The final phase will help ReSound sustain
the learning by preparing in-house mentors, coaches, and
trainers.
“As our organization experiences exceptional growth and
innovation, it is imperative that we focus on the training and
development of our workforce,” says ReSound President Kim
Lody. “Partnering with Normandale, an organization in our own
backyard, was especially important, as many of our employees
have roots in the community.”
“We are especially excited to work with a company such
as ReSound because of our shared commitment to employee
development,” says Jeff Hudson, Normandale’s Director
of Continuing Education and Customized Training. “We
look forward to the grant—and to a long and productive
partnership.”
STATE OF THE ARTNormandale students create a custom mural
to adorn and celebrate Mall of America’s new
expansion.
Normandale’s Art
Department participated
in Mall of America’s
Community on Canvas
event with Twin Cities-based
artist Shane Anderson on
October 4. Normandale
students created a mural
combining imagery from the
Normandale Japanese Garden and the Normandale Community
College logo.
The students’ mural, along with projects by Anderson and
representatives from local art organizations, will be displayed in
the mall’s new Central Parkway area.
1313
NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARDEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANET BELLOWS – Chair Branch Manager, Amica Mutual Insurance Company AXEL STEUER – Vice Chair Higher Ed Consultant; Retired, Gustavus Adolphus President JOSEPH RAPACKI – Treasurer CPA, Owner, Rapacki and Company JANE WELCH – Secretary Principal, Morrison Sund, PLLCMARK ADKINS – Member-at-Large VP, Wealth Management Advisor, BWA Wealth Advisor, Merrill Lynch CAROLYN PRATT – Past Chair Professional Musician
ALAN ABRAMSON Sr. VP and CIO, HealthPartners, Inc. TIA AGATE* Student Representative, Phi Theta Kappa BERNARDINE BRYANT Retired VP, Administrative Services and Interim President, Normandale Community College
LAURA CATANIA Retired, Chief Administrative Officer, GMAC Residential Capital DR. JOYCE ESTER* President, Normandale Community College JOHN ETCHISON Senior Director IT, United Health Care PAULA FORBES CEO, Forbes Solutions PLLC REX GASKILL Retired, Dean and Instructor, Normandale Community College LARRY JODSAAS Retired CEO, PolarFab MIKE LEBENS Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager, Wholesale Banking, Wells Fargo RYN MELBERG Independent Consultant NAHOM MOSSAZGHI* Student Representative, Student Senate SANU PATEL-ZELLINGER Senior Manager, Best Buy MARYA ROBBEN Partner, Lindquist and Vennum LLP DEBRA SIDD* Faculty Member, Normandale Community College
COLLEEN SIMPSON* Executive Director, Normandale Foundation DUANE SPIEGLE VP Real Estate and Support Services, Park Nicollet JOE WALDOCH* Japanese Garden Committee Representative MARTHA WITTSTRUCK* Faculty Member, Normandale Community College
FOUNDATION STAFF
COLLEEN SIMPSON Executive Director JAYNE TEVRUCHT Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations NICHOLE AXTMAN Alumni and Donors Relations Manager BRIANNA MALM Development Office ManagerSHERRILL MOZEY Interim Development Office Manager
*Ex officio, non-voting
12
Front row from left: Laura Catania, Paula Forbes, Deb Sidd, Dr. Joyce Ester, Mark Adkins, Carolyn Pratt, Colleen Simpson, Marya Robben; Back row from left: Ryn Melberg, Axel Steuer, Martha Wittstruck, Bernardine Bryant, Rex Gaskill, Mike Lebens, Joe Rapacki, John Etchison,
Nahom Mossazghi, Joe Waldoch. Absent: Jane Welch, Alan Abramson, Janet Bellows, Tia Agate, Larry Jodsaas, Sanu Patel-Zellinger, Duane Spiegle.
Normandale Community College’s
Japanese Garden is a two-acre
oasis on its campus. The beauty and
serenity of the garden make it ideal
for contemplation and renewal of the
spirit, as well as special ceremonies and
photo moments. The garden is open
year-round at no charge, except when
reserved for special events.
The Japanese Garden was named by
KARE-11 as one of the “11 Most Relaxing
Places in the Twin Cities.”
For more information, visit www.
normandale.edu/community/japanese-
garden, email at japanesegarden@
normandale.edu or call 952-358-8145.
SPOTLIGHT: NORMANDALE JAPANESE GARDENOpen Year-Round
Left photo: Carolyn crosses the finish line inthe Foundation’s second Roar N’ Red Run/Walk event. Top right photo: Carolyn and Janet pose
with Foundation Executive Director Colleen Simpson at the Scholarship and Donor Recognition event.Bottom photo: Janet congratulates scholarship
student while Dr. Ester looks on.
FOUNDATIONBOARD CHAIRSUCCESSION
After serving four years as chairperson
of the Foundation’s Board of Directors,
Carolyn Pratt was given a warm
thank you for her hundreds of hours
of dedicated service to Normandale.
Carolyn remains on the Board as
immediate past chair. The Foundation’s
incoming Board chair, Janet Bellows,
local branch manager of Amica Mutual
Insurance Company, began her new
duties on July 1, 2015. Heartfelt thanks
to both of these amazing ladies for their
commitment, time, energy and devotion
to make a difference in the lives of
Normandale students.
ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
Janet Bellows
Carolyn Pratt
11
GIFT DISBURSEMENTScholarships $369,181
Program Support $219,857
Endowments $4,981
Emergency Aid to Students $5,405
TOTAL $599,424
SOURCE OF GIFTSFoundations & Corporations $596,755
Individual Giving $208,009
In-Kind $87,897
TOTAL $892,661
DONORSTotal of 692
55%
10%
35%
55%
10%
35%
14
HIGHLIGHTS: FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015
15
ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
MEMORIALS
A memorial tree has been planted in memory of Fred Moyer,
former Normandale head football coach and instructor who passed
away March 30, 2015. The tree’s dedication took place at the annual
Foundation-hosted retiree luncheon in October.
In his 22 seasons, Moyer led Normandale to 12 state conference
championships, 11 appearances in postseason bowl games, and 10
Top-10 national rankings. He is ranked as the fourth-winningest coach
in the history of the National Junior College Athletic Association
(NJCAA). Retiring in 1991, Moyer was elected to the Minnesota Community College
Conference Hall of Fame in 1992 and inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2000. Fred
loved his players, often stating, “These are not just football players. They are my sons.”
Academic Affairs VP Julie Guelich, Foundation Executive Director Colleen Simpson, Foundation Chair Janet Bellows and President Joyce Ester with 2015-2016 scholarship recipients
at the Scholarship and Donor Recognition Event in November 2015.
■ Normandale Foundation held the
2014-2015 Scholarship and Donor
Recognition event in April 2015 to
recognize student scholarship recipients
and generous donors who help make
scholarships and program support
possible. In total, 360 students received
$369,181 in scholarships, an increase of
150% over the previous year.
■ Several new scholarships were
established and awarded in the 2014-
15 academic year, including the Aaron
Hilden Memorial Jazz, Adkins Family,
Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME),
Nadine Bordwell Dental Hygiene,
SCHOLARSHIPS
Normandale Alumni, Olson-Dunne
OSD, Otto Bremer Foundation, the
Russ Smiley Memorial, and Wells Fargo
scholarships.
■ Normandale Foundation also established
the Roar N’ Red Scholarship with funds
raised from the first Roar N’ Red 2.5K
Walk/5K Run held in May. In total, 300
faculty, staff, students and community
members participated and volunteered
in an event designed to foster school
spirit, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and
promote the college and its beautiful
campus.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
■ Normandale Foundation received a grant of $200,000 from
the Otto Bremer Foundation to improve semester-to-semester
retention and on-time degree completion. The Normandale
Finish Line Program supports students within two semesters of
completing an associate’s degree through performance-based
scholarships with required program activities that include
academic planning, transfer application, resume writing, and
financial literacy. In addition, a grant of $14,000 was awarded
to facilitate discussion of best practices among the 10 MnSCU
institutions receiving Finish Line grants through the services of
The Improve Group.
■ Normandale’s Hospitality Management Program received a
grant of $358,137 over three years from the Carlson Family
Foundation to provide job skills training and employment
assistance to unemployed or dislocated workers, low-income
adults, recent immigrants, and youth for the hospitality,
travel, and tourism industries. Hospitality Pathways will
provide tuition and textbooks, mentoring, skills training, and
academic counseling as well as an internship or job shadowing
experience.
EQUIPMENT SUPPORT
■ Made possible through a gift from HealthPartners and matched
by a Leveraged Equipment grant from Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), the Normandale Nursing
Department purchased a Junior Sim(ulator). This programmable
and computer-controlled mannequin of an adolescent child
will provide active, hands-on learning experiences for nursing
students to develop clinical reasoning and response skills.
■ A grant from the Best Buy Foundation enabled Normandale’s
Vacuum and Thin Film Technology faculty to develop and
conduct a one-day camp of career exploration for middle and
high school students. Fifty-five students with the TRIO Upward
Bound and ETS Programs learned about degree and certificate
programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
through hands-on experiments and computer tablets purchased
with the grant. In addition, Normandale STEM and Education
students assisted industry professionals, faculty and staff in
conducting the activities and sharing college experiences.
■ With funding from Donaldson Company and a match from
MnSCU’s Leveraged Equipment grant, Normandale’s Fabrication
Laboratory acquired a profilometer to measure the thickness and
accuracy of thin film coated experiments. Donaldson Company
Foundation, together with Xcel Energy Foundation, H. B. Fuller
Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Bloomington Noon Rotary Club
Foundation, and Julie and Robert Guelich, fund scholarships for
STEM students in Normandale’s Academy of Math and Science.
Now in its ninth year, 37 Academy students received $54,349 in
scholarships during this academic year.
Students from first year cohort of Finish Line program withformer Program Coordinator Richard Webb (center, back row).
From left: Marketing VP, Bloomington Convention &Visitors Bureau Jan Kroells, scholarship recipients
Elizabeth Cooper and Erin Devereaux, Hospitality Management Instructor Brandon Supernault.
TRIO students at Best Buy-sponsored STEM camp.
11 1716
Visionary, $200,000and aboveOtto Bremer Foundation
Trustee, $100,000 - $120,000The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation
Regent, $20,000 - $50,999Donaldson Company, Inc.Larry JodsaasJohn E. Desmond and Janet C. Desmond FoundationKopp Family FoundationMall of America
Chairman, $10,000 - $15,000Bloomington Rotary Foundation (Noon)Julie and Robert GuelichH. B. Fuller Company FoundationHealthPartnersMahendra and Asha Nath
President, $6,000 - $9,999Amica Insurance Best BuyChorzempa Family FoundationDoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis SouthMae and Sylvester Weiss Foundation
Vice President, $4,000 - $5,999Bloomington Crime Prevention AssociationBloomington Daymakers Rotary FoundationEden Prairie AM Rotary FoundationJames and Tamarra GiertzInstitute for Mexicans AbroadKraus-Anderson Companies, Inc.The Laura Jane Musser FundEdward Meyer, Jr. and Peg MeyerGreg and Deb PetersonPolar Semiconductor, Inc.Russell T. Lund Charitable TrustAllan and Deborah SchneiderColleen and Kirk SimpsonThomson ReutersWells Fargo Bank Downtown Offi ce
Bonnie and David WestermoeXcel Energy Foundation
Dean, $1,750 - $3,999Janet Bellows and Harvey WormsHenry and Diane BenzBloomington Convention & Visitors BureauRichard BrownDoherty Employment GroupRobert and Kathleen HauerThomas and Beverly HorakRyn MelbergOna and Wayne PinsonneaultCarolyn Pratt and Jackson ThatcherJoe and Julie RapackiAlice and Fred SeagrenShakopee Rotary Scholarship FoundationCarole SmileyAxel and Loreli SteuerStiles Foundation Don & Leslie StilesTimothy StommelTRIA Orthopaedic CenterUS Bank–BloomingtonUS Bank–Normandale BranchJames and Linda Wallace
Ambassador, $1,300 - $1,749Mark and Joni AdkinsChanhassen Rotary FoundationEmbassy Suites BloomingtonKent EricksonRobert and Rhonda GibbsMetropolitan Mosquito Control DistrictOrinthia MontagueNETA (Nat’l Exercise Trainers Assoc)Manley and Ann OlsonRJ Ahmann CompanyKim and Pete SegarLisa and Richard Wheeler
Executive Director, $1,000 - $1,299Adolfson & Peterson ConstructionBank of America FoundationColleen BrickleLaura CataniaChick-fi l-ARamona DamianiJoy and David DrummondJudith and Charles DunneAngela EffertzRobert and Nancy Erickson
Excelsior Rotary FoundationBeth Heinz and Mark WerkmeisterHilton Minneapolis- BloomingtonLarkin, Hoffman, Daly & LindgrenErnest and Jeanne LindstromJanet MeyerMinnesota TwinsMoe Family Charitable FundLeslie NelsonNormandale Community College Dental DepartmentDavid and Karen TsurusakiJane Welch and Dan SchowengerdtMartha and James Wittstruck
Director, $600 - $999Susan AntKris BigalkCatherine and Jay BreuerGale ChovanecMatthew CrawfordDan and Janice CreedErin and Stephen DalyBrenda DickinsonJohn and Kathi EtchisonRex Gaskill and Paul StrandbergPatricia GonzalesJohn Haugen and Alicia ReevesJohn and Coral HouleMichael KirchLancer HospitalityMichael and Megan LebensNorman and Sharon MacDonaldMarco, Inc.Richard and Peggy MeyerAaron MoeNormandale Community College Art DepartmentNormandale Community College STEM and Education DivisionJack Norton and Alexa PragmanPark Dental Resource GroupDonald ReznicekCorey J. RuffDuane and Susan SpiegleLinda TetzlaffBeverly and Dale ThrondsonAndy and Amy Tix
Chair, $450 - $599AnonymousTorrion AmieKatherine AndersenAnime Twin Cities Inc.Bailey NurseriesConsilium Wealth GroupD&K Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Joyce EsterAmy FowlerFrank and Beth GrundKaren HansonJeff HudsonCharles and Sarah JacobsCary KomotoLehner Law Offi ce, LLCElizabeth LongleyJoseph McCullochCraig and Debra MillerThe Nekola Family Charitable Fund of InFaith Community FoundationGary and Mary Margaret NessNorthern Tools and EquipmentJoseph P. Opatz and Mrs. Pamela SteckmanPark Nicollet Health ServicesQuality Bike ProductsRBCUScience Museum of MinnesotaDebra SiddMeredyth and Bill SternStephen SullivanUnited Health FoundationWeber Deegan, Ltd.
Mentor $255 - $449AnonymousSunny AinleyLinda ArmstrongAngela Arnold and Jack KronebuschShirley BeilBloomington Affi liated Garden ClubBrainerd International RacewayJohn C. ChalbergMichael ChurtonDouglas and Nancy ClaycombComputerFixx ChanhassenJennifer CrawfordAnthony DunlopVicki ErdmannMary EstlickLaurie FrahmCarol Fung Kee FungJanice HardinSharon HarveyHilton MinneapolisJennifer IsaacBarney JohnsonJill JohnsonGeoffrey JonesErika and Herb KahlerKaren KilzerCindy Koopman and Steven PorterHoward M. and Arlene S. KursAmy Lau FongLexus of MaplewoodMinnesota Orchestra AssociationLeonard and Karen NordstromNormandale Community College BookstoreNormandale Community College Center for Applied LearningNormandale Community College Sociology DepartmentPatrick O’DonnellJohn OlsonSanu Patel-Zellinger and Fred ZellingerDouglas Pearson
Gifts received July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015
Joanna PiotrowskaCatherine PullingRaderstorf/Armstrong Family FundDavid RaysonBernard SmithRyan and Courtney SmithGerald SwarsenskyBrooke Thaden-KochHolley ThompsonUniversity of MinnesotaGloria Westerdahl
Educator, $200 - $254Robin ArnesonASPIRE BeveragesBalanced CareNicholas and Karen BasilTerry BongardBremer BankBernardine BryantSusan CammackMartin Chorzempa Jr.Lucille ChristiansonDionne DoeringChristopher EnnisMary ErnstTerrence GlarnerOlive GroseMichele and Kent GrosserBrian HolcombCoralie HunterMichael and Kimberly JackelenAni JanzenDavid JonesCarol JoslinBasant KharbandaDuane KramerMarina KuksenkoClare and Tom LarkinLawrence and Betsy LeeJames Lemmer and Patricia BrennanJames and Dolores LucasLacey MamakPeter and Barbara MeyerMugshots Coffee CompanyNew MartEmi and Naoya NobuhiroNormandale Community College English DepartmentNormandale Community College Human Resources DepartmentNormandale Nursing DepartmentNormandale Community College Theatre DepartmentNormandale Electric Co.Kerim OdqanOlson TechnologyPenny PetersonR. F. MoellerMary L. RenquistSharon and James RuppDiana ScheffMary SethAntoinette SomervilleTerry StirewaltCharles TatsudaBarbara TimmerWilliam WesterdahlLaura WillaertAnne WilsonFrank and Nancy Zacharias
Dean’s List, $100 - $199AnonymousAnonymousMark AhrensRalph and Rebecca AndersonRaymond and Barbara AnschelDavid BarrettSuzanne BeattyJudith BenkaPam BentzienTerry and Peggy BerndtBirch’s Restaurant & BarBMW of MinnetonkaBrave New WorkshopAaron BrosierJoseph BueltelR. Tom BurgessBurnsville ToyotaAnnette and Sean ByrdKristine CareyDenise ChambersBonnie and John ChaseColleen Childers Fogarty ChipotleJohan ChristophersonClarion Research, Inc.Carol and William ConnellyCulligan WaterMichael CumminsChristopher DanielsonMary DaunisEdward DonahueRaechelle DrakefordPeggy Duffy-JohnsonEdina Professionals Inc.Warren and Adele EidsnessJane ErbeleKaren FordJames and Kelly FrankenfeldKaren and Edward GleemanAlan GorackeGordon and Janet GrahamGreen Mill Restaurant and BarMelissa Gross and Brian HenningLyman HawbakerKathleen HaydenMonica HaynesKristen HenryBrooks HerrboldtMinda HillHoigaard’sNeena IngvalsonRonald and Michelle JackelenKrista JordheimJeffrey JudgeWilliam JurneySarah JustadYvonne and William KellyKincaid’s Steak Chop & Fish HouseKimberly J. and Roderick A. KleinSteven KochSusan KrookHella LangeCarol LarsenLindberg ChiropracticThe Loppet FoundationGene S. Luckfi eldCarol MarchNoel MartinsonMB25 Media SolutionsSara McAteePatricia McGowan
Patricia McPhersonMinneapolis Airport MarriottJames MoorePhyllis MyersMark NagelThomas NaughtonMark NelsonCharles Nikles IINormandale Community College Dietetic Technology DepartmentNormandale Community College Student LifeDaniel OdegaardCharles OjalaMiriam OlsonArland and Myrna OtteJonelle PalmerPedalPub Twin Cities, LLCJohn PhamPhilips Oral HealthcareTimothy PriceProcter & Gamble, Crest Oral BRodney RaaschRadisson BluLorna ReddingLynette Reini-GrandellMargaret RejtoRichfi eld Bloomington HondaFrederick RoosKay and Victor RudekLawrence RustRuttger’sRuth A. SanfordCathy SaternScott SchnuckleGreg SchouVictoria SchwabKurt SchweickhardtMartin SegalCarol SheridanJean SmallNiles and Virginia Smith David SonjuAndrea SpechtMary Stark-JohnsonPeter StilesLawrence StirtzLaurie StrandDaryl SulanderSharon SundEileen SwansonThe Day SpaDebra and David TillmanWilliam and Elaine TreacyUltradent ProductsSteven VadnaisKathleen VendelWilma and Willis VolkmerDouglas WagnerWagner’s Greenhouse Inc.Theodore and Maureen Wegleitner Kathryn Wijesinghe Wisser Family Fund Woolley’s Steakhouse Pamela Yost YourCause Ghidei Zedingle Andrew Zimmern
Honor Roll, Up to $99AnonymousAnonymousAbdallah, Inc.
Vivian AlexanderAmazonSmile FoundationPatty Lee AndersonSharon AndersonGloria AronsonKent AshlandJim BaglioBarnes & NobleJoyce BaughmanDiane BaumgartnerCandace BellThe Benevity Community Impact FundDavid BernerChastity BerquistHerbert and Nancy BerzeliusBibelotKathy BielmeierMichael BielmeierRichard and Catherine BlackFrances BlandElizabeth and Randy BlazerBlick Art MaterialsBloomington Theatre & Art CenterPhilip BlyEvelyn BriggsDale BrownBuca di Beppo Eden PrairieRosalie BungeChristine BurrByerlysCafe LatteCynthia Carow-SchiebeJames CarrNorma ChambersDonna and David Chatfi eldLana ChellsenJudith ChristiansonBrian ClemensRichard CloughAlex CooperKristen CooperCRAVECub FoodsRobert DanielsonDavid Fong’s RestaurantVal DeanAndrea DeotisPaul Desjardins and Amy SheldonDavid and Rita DocterAimee DuBoisRichard DunningMarilyn EckerleSusan EderMary EngelhardStephanie EricksonIgnatius EseleEuropean Wax Center - Edina Lavonne EvensonEarl and Shirley EvenstadFamous Dave’sLana FeddemaFrench Hen CafePhilip FuriaPaula GarlandTom GartnerSusan GekasLori Gerval-BridenstineGold Nugget Tavern & GrilleSusan GraberJeanette GrangerNancy GruberJames Gustafson
We apologize for any deletions or misspellings.Please call 952-358-8147 with corrections.
Nancy HaikAmy HamiltonLaura HandlerSharon K. HarrisKaren and Mark HausladenDan HenryJoe HigginsJeffrey and Sue HineLarry HinesApril HolthausJoAnn HuckoJohn and Maria JarosElsie JohnsonJill JohnsonJulie JohnsonRenee and Craig JohnsonWillie JohnsonPaul KachelmeierHanaa KadryBeth KainzWanda KanwischerSheila and Graham KimbleTeresa KlotzKowalski’s MarketsHeidi KreutzerMary KrugerudJames KurschnerRoxanne LamkinKevin Lee Live, Laugh, Love GiftsLorna LivingstonLucid BrewingNancy LuddenBernard MaegiRoland MaineBonnie and Timothy ManleyAdam MarsnikGreg MarutaniMassage Envy SpaJudy McMillanBeth MillerMinnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota Vikings Football ClubMinnesota WildStephen MondyMotorwerks BMWAllen MuerhoffLori Ann MurphyMarietta MurphySandra MyersJohn Frank NiesznerNordic WareJames and Shirley NormanNormandale Community College Offi ce of Student AffairsNothing Bundt CakesDick and Marit NowlinOlder Wiser Livelier, Sierras ClubBarbara OlssonGlenn OsterVictor PadronPark Nicollet OpticalNancy PatesPenn Lake True ValueMaren PetersenDale and Mary PetersonDennis and Maureen PetersonHeidi Peterson
Nancy and Richard PointerJudith PotthoffLinda RaaschGloria RadtkeSamuel ReasonerRed Balloon BookshopJane Travers RenderJoAnn RiceRich NailsRick Bronson’s House of ComedyMark and Julie RitterGloria RobinsonEdward RocheBrian RoseAva RosenblumJeannine RoufsSalon EssenceSam’s Club–St Louis ParkCarol Ann SanderSharon SchmidtJacquelyn and Kenneth SelbyRobin SelvigGeoffrey SerdarSusan SeymourJeannene SimonsonRoberta and Kevin SliwinskiLinda SmallKimberly SochaChristine SolsoMary SolversonLinda StahlDerek SteeleRae Dean StockertGenella StubrudJudith and Frank StuckiSummit BrewerySurly Brewing CompanyJames SuttonTiger SushiTiny Acorn PortraitsThomas Tollman and Carol JohnsonYoneko TsurusakiPeter and Cheri UlmenMary VavroskyVon Hanson’s MeatsJean WeinigStephen WileyCarole WillinkGeri WilsonDuane and Georgie WindahlGene and Debbie WinsteadCarrie WoodleySteven WyffelsCatalina YangCheryl Zachman
ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
THANK YOU to Our 2014-2015 Donors
ACCEPTING NOMINATIONSALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL / ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2015-16 ALUMNI
ADVISORYCOUNCIL
MEMBERS
Normandale's Alumni Advisory Council recognizes alumni
who have made outstanding achievements in their life with an
Alumni Achievement Award. Nominees must be an alumnus and
living at the time of nomination. The deadline to nominate is
January 19, 2016. The recipient(s) will be honored at a reception
attended by their peers and guests, and the honor announced to
the college and community.
Online nomination form is located at:
www.normandale.edu/nomination
Linda Tetzlaff, ‘91
Nick Schneider, ‘13
Barb Teed, ‘07
Erik Burns (2000-2002)
Amanda Lilgreen, ‘08
Chuck Jacobs, ‘95
Rowen Kellogg (student representative)
Past recipients include:2014-15
Antonia Felix (1976-77)
Jake Slegers, ‘91
2012-13
Richard St. Germain, ‘10
2010-11
Tammy Mencel, ‘90
2009-10
Richard (Rocky) Daly, ‘75
Jill D. Johnson. ‘88
CF p18k.qxp_Layout 1 12/15/15 5:25 PM Page 1
19
FACES AND PLACES
ERIK ELIASON, ‘06Eliason is the co-founder and CEO of
Storefront, which connects brands to retail
spaces for short-term rentals. Eliason was
named to “Forbes’ 30 Under 30” in Retail
& E-Commerce. He has also co-founded
Gemmyo (an e-commerce company
which makes customized Parisian jewelry
accessible) and SocialEarth Media Inc. (the
leading source for social entrepreneurship
news and information, which was
eventually acquired by 3BL Media). Eliason
graduated from Normandale in 2006, and
went on to graduate with a degree from
Entrepreneurship Management from the University of Minnesota in 2008. He
also graduated from Harvard Business School in 2011.
18
ALUMNI NEWS
BERNARD AKEM ‘14
Bernard Akem
recently graduated
from Northern Illinois
University with a
bachelor’s degree in
Biological Science.
He completed
research projects in Marine Sciences in
Charleston, S.C., Costa Rica and Alaska.
Akem graduated from Normandale in 2014
with an associate’s degree in Biomedical/
Medical Engineering, and currently works
at Normandale in the Business Office.
Akem will be going to graduate school in
the fall of 2016 to get his master’s degree.
DIANA MUNGU ‘15
Diana Mungu
graduated from
Normandale
Community College
with her mother
and brother in the
spring of 2015
earning an associate’s degree in Liberal
Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. This
fall, she started at the Carlson School of
Management at the University of Minnesota
where she is majoring in Marketing and
minoring in Management Information
Systems.
BRIAN ROSE, ‘15
Brian Rose graduated
from Normandale
Community College
with an associate’s
degree in Psychology
and Religious Studies.
Rose is currently
attending Hamline University where he is
pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Alcohol
and Drug Counseling.
Children’s Justice Initiative, Lead Judge
(2004-2014). He lives in Owatonna, is
married and has three children.
NORMANDALE TO HOST KENNEDY CENTER COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVALNormandale will host the Kennedy Center American College (KCACTF) Theatre Region V Festival in January
2016, the second year of a two-year commitment. Normandale is one of only a few two-year colleges in the
history of the event to have hosted a KCACTF Regional Festival. Last year’s festival brought in more than 1,500
participants. Founded in 1969, the KCACTF is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students from
colleges and universities nationwide. The KCACTF also honors excellence in playwriting, acting, criticism,
directing, and design. In 2013, the KCACTF awarded Normandale Theatre Department several honors,
including a Gold Medallion award for Normandale Instructor Anne Byrd.
Funds are being sought for expenses incurred for hosting this prestigious event. Please contact the Foundation
at 952-358-8147 with questions.
JESSICA MAKORI, ‘15
Makori graduated
from Normandale in
2015 and is currently
attending Carleton
College. This summer,
she met with First Lady
Michelle Obama as
part of the “Beating the Odds” Summit,
on behalf of “College Possible,” a non-
profit that helps students prepare for and
navigate the college application process.
At the White House summit, there was a
panel that included the First Lady and U.S.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to
JOSEPH BUELTEL
‘82
Bueltel is a
District Court Judge,
chambered in Steele
County, Minnesota. He
graduated from
Normandale with an
AA (Honors) in 1982,
followed by a BA from the University on
Minnesota and a JD (Cum Laude) from
William Mitchell College of Law. After
law school, he was a judicial law clerk,
in the private practice of law and was the
former Third Judicial District Chief Public
Defender. He was appointed to the bench
by Governor Jesse Ventura in 2002. He is
a member of the Criminal Jury Instruction
Guides Committee, (2005-present), Steele-
Waseca Drug Court, Lead Judge, Steele
County (2014-present) and Steele County
discuss tools and strategies students can use
to transition to college and achieve their
education goals. One workshop was led by
a high-ranking Google executive.
LYDIA WIFF, ‘14
Wiff graduated
from Normandale in
2014 and is currently
attending University
of North Dakota.
This fall, Wiff headed
the ground crew for
the University of North Dakota aviator’s
second-place team in the all-women Air
Race Classic.
PRESIDENT: Joyce C. Ester, PhD
FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Colleen Simpson
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Geoff Jones
EDITORS: Chris Mikko, Foundation staff
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Karla Caspari, Geoff Jones
WRITERS: Nichole Axtman, Steven Geller, Geoff Jones, Brianna Malm, Colleen Simpson, Jayne TeVrucht
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Steven Geller, Jerry Holt, Pavel Ignatenkov, Sandy May, Jayne TeVrucht
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Mary Solverson
Normandale Community College Foundation, 9700 France Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431-4399 • (952) 358-8147 • [email protected]
Creating Futures is published twice a year by the Normandale Community College Foundation. The Normandale Community College Foundation depends upon contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, foundations and the community to help respond to the educational needs of students of all ages. Normandale Community College Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Tax ID: 41-1295802. If you do not wish to be contacted by mail or telephone, please write to the address indicated in the left column.
If you have received duplicate copies or would like to have your name removed from our mailing list, please contact (952) 358-8147.
Normandale Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
This publication also may be found on the Web at www.normandale.edu/alumniFoundation or requested in alternate media by calling (952) 358-8623.
A MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SYSTEM
Normandale Community College Foundation9700 France Avenue SouthBloomington, MN 55431-4399
Nonprofit Org.U.S.Postage
PAIDTwin Cities, MNPermit No. 913www.normandale.edu/foundation
Volume 11, Number 2
CREATING FUTURES
EVENTS CALENDAR SPRING 2016
We thank you for your support that is greatly needed, truly appreciated and distributed very wisely. The Foundation
responds to financial needs of our deserving students with emergency financial aid. With a student population approaching
15,000 this year, the growing need for financial assistance is ever present. Every dollar truly counts!
“Metamorphosis...Transforming Lives” is the theme for our April 30, 2016 gala. Join us for a fun, fabulous spring event
featuring our students! Please contact us for tickets, auction donations and volunteer opportunities.
Because our fall gala was moved to a spring 2016 gala, hundreds of 2015 tax-deductible gala gifts did not occur this
calendar year. Your support is vital. Please help us TRANSFORM the lives of hardworking Normandale students as well as
their families, which ultimately builds a healthier economy in our communities.
Warmest regards for a joyous holiday season and a wonderful 2016!
Colleen Simpson, Normandale Foundation Executive Director
AS THE CLOCK TICKS TOWARD YEAR 2016
SAVE THE DATE!THEATRE PERFORMANCESThe Dining Roomby A. R. GurneyDirected byKathleen Bagby CoateFeb. 25-27 and March 2-5, 2016The 25th Annual PutnamCounty Spelling BeeMusic and Lyrics by William FinnBook by Rachel SheinkinConceived by Rebecca FeldmanDirected by Paul CoateApril 21-23 and 28-30, 2016
MUSIC CONCERTSJazz Combo—Feb. 29 and May 2, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Band and Jazz EnsembleMar. 3 and May 5, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Choir and Vocal Ensemble (at Christ the King Lutheran Church)—Mar. 4 and May 6, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
Spring Choral Concert with Century College(at Church of St. William)—May 1, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
ART EXHIBITIONSAaron Dysart: Preserve—Jan. 8–Feb. 13, 2016
South Suburban High School Conference Art Show—Feb. 19–Mar. 17, 2016
Metro West High School Conference Art ShowMay 12–19, 2016
Last Day to register for Spring Semester classes—Jan. 8Spring Semester classes begin—Jan. 11Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, No Classes—Jan. 18President’s Day, No Classes—Feb. 15 Success Day—Mar. 1Spring Break—Mar. 7-12Summer registration begins for current students—Mar. 14Scholarship application deadline, returning students—Apr. 1Fall registration begins, current students—Apr. 18 Commencement—May 16
Scholarship application deadline, new students—June 1
2016 DATES TO REMEMBER
Warmest regards for a joyous holiday season and a wonderful 2016!
Colleen Simpson, Normandale Foundation Executive Director