College News

By Janene Hodges Gilman, University of Minnesota Extension

One of the last things any parent and student wants to hear is that college costs are raising. College tuition can be an overwhelming expense. The sooner you start preparing for it, the easier it will be when the time arrives. What are the benefits of higher education for your children? What are the real costs of getting a degree?

Ridgewater College’s Center for Customized and Continuing Education Child Development program has scheduled an introductory course on equine-assisted therapy. The course is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, on the Hutchinson campus.

Ridgewater College’s Center for Customized and Continuing Education Child Development program is offering a seminar next month on emotional behavioral disorders.

The seminar, which takes place from 7 to 9 p.m., Oct. 23, at the Hutchinson campus, will help participants understand children’s mental health disorders and their impact on learning and functioning.

Andrew Nordin started his art education with an associate of arts degree from what is today’s Ridgewater College’s Willmar campus. He was planning on a career in graphic arts.

By the time he graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, the painting courses he thought would enhance his graphic design interests had become his focus.

Prospective students, business owners exploring customized training options for employees and the general public will all find something of interest when Ridgewater College has its second annual College Showcase open house next week.

The open houses, from 4 to 7 p.m., take place Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Hutchinson and Thursday, Sept. 25 at Willmar.

The College Showcase is an event planned with the community in mind, according to Sam Bowen, the Ridgewater’s marketing director.

Students heading to Ridgewater College next month will find that the school is joining other higher education institutions in Minnesota in implementing a tobacco-free campus policy on its Willmar and Hutchinson campuses.

The policy will be effective at the start of fall semester, Aug. 25. No tobacco use of any kind will be permitted on the school’s grounds. The new policy expands on one prohibiting tobacco use in college buildings and vehicles that has been in place for several years.

Students attending college in Minnesota this fall may be eligible to receive a $1,200 Achieve Scholarship if they took rigorous high school courses.

The Achieve Scholarship was established and funded in 2007 by the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty and is designed to encourage students to make the most of their high school opportunities by challenging themselves with rigorous high school courses. Scholarships are awarded to students on top of any federal or state grants, or college scholarships and a separate application is required.

Youth and young adults with disabilities are invited to a free opportunity to explore careers in manufacturing. Ridgewater College will be one of three regional sites to host a Minnesota Manufacturing Camp for young adults 16 years or older.

The annual Ridgewater College Summer Camp will be July 21-24 on the Hutchinson campus. The camps consist of four days of action-packed, learning opportunities for kids who have completed grades 5, 6, 7 or 8. This is a chance for students to extend learning into the summer, and explore a variety of careers for their future.

New this year is an early-bird discount for people who register by the end of the day Thursday, June 12. The discounted registration is $69. After that date, the fee goes up to the standard $99.

Two Ridgewater College professors have been recognized by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with Outstanding Educator awards. Amy Maher and Kathy Steffen were honored with a ceremony, medals and cake at the Hutchinson campus this week.

“The true award, the true honor is from the students. It’s when they say, ‘I get it,’" Maher said. "It’s when they get that job and they’re so excited. Having that opportunity to have a positive impact on somebody’s life is a great thing.”

For details, check out the Thursday, May 1 print edition of the Leader.