Forging New Connections - Normandale Community College

a n n u a l r e p o r t ISSUE • w i n t e r 2 0 1 3
Creating Futures
Forging New Connections
Larry Jodsaas (left), Normandale
President Joe Opatz.
Larry Jodsaas turned a humble
start into success and is helping
Normandale students do the same.
Page 6
G a l a C e l e b r at e s R e a c h i n g F u n d r a i s i n g G o a l • Pa r t n e r s i n P r o g r e s s
six years of pride and
progress
Dear Friends,
Normandale has experienced exciting
Record-making inaugural Creating Futures Celebration Gala and
Normandale Performs showcase the college’s diversity and talent.
activities and events during the past few months.
We recently celebrated partnerships with
Metropolitan State University and Minnesota
State University, Mankato for several new campus
bachelor’s degree offerings. The collaborations,
due in large part to the addition of our newly
opened Partnership Center, allow us to greatly
expand the range of degrees we offer to respond
to the needs of our community and students.
We recently enjoyed an inaugural community
event, the Foundation’s Creating Futures
Celebration gala. The evening featured numerous
displays of talent and inspirational stories from
our diverse student population. Long-time
Normandale donor Larry Jodsaas was honored at
the event for his dedication to the college. The
event also raised a record net amount for student
programs and scholarships. It was extremely
gratifying to see the dedication and support that
hundreds of our community members, donors
Above photo: Normandale Student Jazz Combo; large photo: gala guests mingle and peruse silent auction items.
Middle row, left to right: honoree Larry Jodsaas with his family (story on pages 6-7); Normandale Dean of Student
Services Cappy Breuer sings “Over the Rainbow”; Academy program directors Maria Mhiripiri and Kim Klein with
alum Sandrine Akem; student volunteer. Bottom row, left to right: Mrs. Bev Horak, Normandale President Emeritus
Tom Horak, Normandale Marketing Communications Director Geoff Jones and wife Chreese; gala guest bids on live
auction item; table of guests enjoy festivities.
The first annual Creating Futures Celebration
gala provided a tremendous platform to showcase
Normandale. Nearly 370 people attended the
event, which was held at Radisson Blu Mall of
America on November 1. Supporters raised a
record total of more than $161,000 for student
programs and scholarships. Guests enjoyed
live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner, and
dancing to the 17-piece South Side Big Band.
Larry Jodsaas, a Normandale Foundation Board
member and long-time friend of the college, was
honored for his tireless efforts to promote and
support Normandale.
Heartwarming stories and remarkable talents
of Normandale students and faculty provided the
evening’s other highlights. Recent alum Sandrine
Akem and student Sara McAtee shared their
touching stories with the crowd. The talented
performers included students Zach Churchill,
Tom Guyn, Sam Hultman, Paran Kashani, Sara
McAtee, the Normandale Jazz Combo, the
Normandale Guitar Ensemble, and Dean of
Student Services Cappy Breuer.
On September 28, Normandale faculty, staff
and students also displayed their talents at the
inaugural Normandale Performs event at Mall
of America’s Rotunda. The performers’ diverse
talents stopped passersby in their tracks on all
levels of the Rotunda. (See photos on page 5.)
Normandale extends a sincere thank you to all
of the students, faculty, staff, sponsors, donors
and community members whose dedicated
efforts made the Creating Futures Celebration and
Normandale Performs huge first-year successes.
(More gala photos on page 4.)
and volunteers continue to provide for the
college.
In this issue of Creating Futures, you’ll meet
Normandale graduates enrolled in the Twin Cities
Engineering program, along with an alumnus
who found his career path through the Academy
of Math and Science. You’ll read about our
special partnership with a local company, Polar
Semiconductor. And you’ll learn about some of
our other outstanding partners and supporters in
and around the Twin Cities.
This issue offers a glimpse of the great work
the college and foundation continue to do and
why Normandale is such a special institution.
Thank you again to all of the individuals and
organizations that have supported Normandale.
It is an honor to serve the college and work with
each of you.
Joe Opatz
Joseph P. Opatz, Ph.D.
President
Normandale Community College
ation notes
Creating Futures Volume 9, Number 2
showcase for success
cover story: forging new connections
2-5
6-7
Filling the void / engineering achievement
8-9
Campus currents
10-11
annual report
12-17
foundation notes
18-19
3
Normandale administrators, foundation, staff and community leaders display total net gala proceeds. Thank you for your generosity!
Normandale performs
at mall of america
T
he Normandale Performs talent showcase was held at the Mall of America
on Saturday, September 28. The Foundation-sponsored event raised
awareness and visibility for the college and was a teaser for November’s gala
GALA PHOTOS
at Radisson Blu Mall of America.
Continued from page 3
Counterclockwise, from large photo: Marketing
Communications Director Geoff Jones and
Foundation Board Chair Carolyn Pratt; student
Madison Frank; student Sara McAtee; student Paran
Kashani; student Sarah Mealey; students Tom Guyn
and Zach Churchill; Normandale instructors Mary
Ellen Seth, Peggy Rejto and Shirley Beil; student Rob
Evans. Inset photo: Student Adi Alvarado on stage.
4
11
5
COVER story
Forging
New Connections
Larry Jodsaas turned a humble start into a spectacularly
successful career. He’s been working to help Normandale students
do the same for more than 15 years.
L
arry Jodsaas has certainly made his mark on Normandale. He has served on the Normandale
Foundation’s Board of Directors since 1999. He donated a major gift that named the Jodsaas
Science Center, received the Normandale Community Connections Award in 2007, and
continues to do outstanding work in the Bloomington community.
It might come as a surprise, then, to learn that Jodsaas did not attend Normandale.
How did he get involved with the college? It started during a conversation with thenpresident Tom Horak. Horak, who helped honor Jodsaas at the recent Celebration
graduated in 1962 with an electrical engineering degree.
Jodsaas worked for Control Data for 28 years, ascending to top management before
purchasing the company’s semiconductor division, VTC Inc. In 2000, Jodsaas sold VTC
to Lucent Technology but retained the manufacturing portion of the business. He
then founded PolarFab (now called Polar Semiconductor), a foundry that supplies
design processes to independent design companies, before retiring in 2005.
Jodsaas attributes his career success to his start at the community college
level. Every time he visits Normandale, he sees a hub of activity, a place where
Normandale that could be helpful for your business?”
students are learning and accomplishing their goals. “When I come through
the doors at Normandale, everyone is moving,” he notes. “Moving to gain
volunteer on the spot. Their first project together was the development of the college’s
more knowledge, moving toward a better life, moving toward a better future.
Vacuum Technology Lab.
Education will do that for them.”
Moving ahead
A native of Lisbon, N.D., Jodsaas quit school at age 15 to work full time to support
his family. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 19, serving as an electronics technician
on submarines. At the same time, he earned his GED through the U.S. Air Force
Institute. Four years later, he attended community college at Wahpeton State
College of Science (now renamed the North Dakota State College of Science). He
From left: Normandale Foundation Director Colleen Simpson; Normandale President Joe Opatz; former
Minnesota Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren; Nath Companies CEO Mahendra Nath; Jodsaas; Kopp
Investment Advisors CEO Lee Kopp; businessman Greg Peterson; Normandale President Emeritus Tom Horak.
6
through the doors
at Normandale,
everyone is moving.
Gala, initially approached Jodsaas with a simple question: “What could we do at
Jodsaas found the gesture so refreshing and unique he practically signed on as a
Jodsaas during his days as a
young Navy recruit.
“When I come
Normandale President Joe Opatz is extremely grateful for Jodsaas’
involvement with the college. “Larry (Jodsaas) has been a great partner to
Normandale Community College for many years,” says Opatz. “He has
consistently dedicated his time, resources and energy to ensuring quality
experiences for Normandale students. Larry has also played a big role in
introducing the college to new community partners. We are extremely
thankful for his many contributions to Normandale.”
Jodsaas, who loves to engage with students, talks with a
scholarship recipient.
7
Filling the Void
Engineering Achievement
Strong relationships between Normandale and local companies
have played a key role in the growth of the area’s semiconductor
industry.
hundreds of individuals. It also helped
build a long-term relationship between
Normandale and Polar Semiconductor
co-founder Larry Jodsaas (See related article
on pages 6-7).
Thanks to the MJSP program and a
2006 National Science Foundation grant,
Normandale implemented six technician-
The Twin Cities Engineering Program provides students
with a unique way to advance their careers.
N
ormandale opened its Partnership Center in January 2013 in part to allow
students and community members to stay on campus while pursuing
bachelor’s degrees. It achieved that goal by partnering with Minnesota State
University, Mankato to bring the Twin Cities Engineering (TCE) program to campus.
TCE is an innovative program built around project-based learning in which students
gain knowledge and skills by working with industry members on real-life design
projects.
level instructional modules, developed a
Robert McLean
plasma technology teaching lab, and set
up an in-house plasma process training
system. Jodsaas’ generous financial
N
uniformity of instruction, and the flexibility
workforce development assistance
to schedule classes at shift transition
in the Bloomington area. While the
times, thereby lowering impact to
production. The information that our
learning for numerous industries, its work
employees have gained has been
with the semiconductor industry has proved
particularly useful.”
particularly beneficial.
Bloomington now has the Midwest’s
greatest concentration of semiconductor
has helped fuel that growth via training
partnerships with Polar Semiconductor
and other local companies. In 2011, the
college and Polar Semiconductor received
a Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP)
grant focused on advanced training for the
company’s maintenance and equipment
technicians.
“Polar has benefited tremendously from
the partnership,” said Polar Semiconductor
Engineering Manager Surya Iyer. “We get
access to top quality instructors on-site.
This enables higher participation rates,
and Normandale christened the remodeled
Several factors drew another TCE group
building as the Jodsaas Science Center. The
member, Robert McLean, to the program. He
Center now houses the Vacuum and Thin
liked the reasonable price and the opportunity
Film Technology program and lab.
to get hands-on experience—along with a
chance for a fresh start.
McLean moved to Minnesota from Jamaica
“Polar has benefited
tremendously from
this partnership with
Normandale.”
nine years ago. He had attended college in
Jamaica, but wasn’t ready to fully commit to
his education at the time. After a few years, he
decided to return to school. “I mentioned the
idea to a friend,” said McLean. “He knew I was
interested in engineering and told me about
— Polar Semiconductor
Engineering Manager Surya Iyer
companies and employment. Normandale
8
renovate and improve its science facilities,
ormandale has a rich legacy of
college has provided training and applied
Robert McLean—opening
new doors
donations also allowed the college to
Key leaders of Polar Semiconductor enjoyed Normandale Foundation’s Creating Futures
Celebration gala on November 1 and cheered on their good friend, Larry Jodsaas.
Polar Semiconductor was a major donor. Front row, left to right: Kristine Ekstrand,
Rajesh Appat, Ralph Rauterkus, Carol Taylor, Andy Horn. Back row, left to right: Hamid
Berenjian, Steve Kosier, Deb Roberts, Robert Maddox, Jeff Potter.
Addressing a pressing need
Normandale’s Vacuum and Thin Film
Technology program has helped to build the
foundation for much of these efforts. The
program was originally founded in 1996
after several Twin Cities’ semiconductor
manufacturers—Seagate, Cypress
Semiconductor, Honeywell, and VTC—
approached the college with a pressing
need for trained vacuum maintenance
technicians.
Since then, the program has trained
“The current grant project has benefited
the college because we have been able
to update our curriculum for the degree
and certificate programs as well as
for our customized training methods,”
said Normandale Program Director for
Continuing Education Ann Anderson. “We
are now savvier about applied learning
opportunities for technical jobs. We look
forward to continuing our support of Polar
and other regional companies that employ
Tom Kloss
Normandale’s great reputation.”
McLean enrolled at Normandale in the
Tom Kloss—hands-on learning
Current TCE student Tom Kloss came to Normandale after attending the University
of Minnesota when he realized a mechanical engineering degree would be a better
fit. During one of his classes, a guest speaker discussed the TCE program. Kloss knew
he wanted to pursue it. “It captured my attention because it was geared to hands-on
learning, which is a style I prefer,” he said.
The program has provided Kloss with valuable experience. For instance, the spring
2013 group had the responsibility of looking at a budget and helping decide what
equipment to purchase for future students. Students also worked on such skills as
public speaking, technical writing, résumé writing, and job interview preparation.
summer of 2010 and soon found the Academy
of Math and Science. The experience was eyeopening. “It was a lot of hard work, but the
instructors were there to help,” he said.
McLean was accepted into the TCE program
to focus on mechanical engineering after
graduating from Normandale in the fall of
2013. “It has been a smooth transition,” he
said. “I am taking Minnesota State University,
Mankato coursework. But Normandale is a
place I really like. I’m glad to stay on this
campus.”
vacuum technology.”
9
campus currents
partners in progress
From left: Normandale President Joe Opatz,
Metropolitan State University President Susan
Hammersmith.
Normandale has been
awarded several grants to
support a pair of critical
programs.
Normandale celebrates productive and innovative
partnerships with a pair of four-year colleges.
N
ormandale has created productive
on October 2, Metropolitan State and
and innovative partnerships
Normandale celebrated partnerships in
with a pair of MnSCU four-year
accounting, business administration,
colleges. On September 12, Minnesota
computer science, dental hygiene and
State University, Mankato and Normandale
nursing.
celebrated the first year of the Twin
Cities Engineering (TCE) program. And
funding
success
The first is a Great Lakes College
Ready Grant from the Great Lakes Higher
Education Guaranty Corporation providing
$23,175 for the college’s Upward Bound
“We have been diligent in the past few
Program. This program develops strategies
years to expand our capacity and meet the
to prepare 6th through 12th grade students
for college by helping them improve
academic performance.
From left: Normandale President Joe Opatz, Normandale Dean of STEM and Education
Cary Komoto, Xcel Energy Manager of Community and Local Relations Michelle Swanson,
Normandale Foundation Board Chair Carolyn Pratt, Normandale Foundation Executive
Director Colleen Simpson.
The grant will enhance a summer
At the Twin Cities Engineering (TCE) Program
Kickoff Event on September 12.
program in which high school students take
included H.B. Fuller Corp., Donaldson Co.,
scholars meet one or more of these
math, science, English, and world language
Medtronic, the Bloomington Noon Rotary
underrepresented groups in STEM
courses, along with college preparation
Club, Xcel Energy, Thompson Reuters, and
education and career development.
workshops. During the academic year,
Polar Semiconductor.
programming includes after-school tutoring
at the four partner schools (Richfield,
Shakopee, Southwest, and Washburn).
Several grants fund Normandale’s
Academy of Math and Science
scholarships. During the 2006-2007 school
year, the Foundation Board of Directors
and Normandale’s academic administration
demands of our community and students
North Hennepin Community College and
for degrees beyond an associate’s degree,”
Saint Paul College.
said Normandale President Joe Opatz.
“We are excited about the opportunity
partnership allows students who have
to expand these programs and contribute
completed associate’s degrees to transfer
to the success of the MnSCU system in
into Metropolitan State programs and
delivering important programs to this region
complete requirements for their four-year
of the state.”
degree on Normandale’s campus. The
TCE is built around project-based
Above, from left: Normandale
President Joe Opatz, Minnesota
State Mankato President Richard
Davenport.
10
dental hygiene program has provided a
learning, in which students learn traditional
unique dual-enrollment model that affords
engineering knowledge and skills by
students many benefits.
working with industry members on real-life
Top photo: Normandale Business
Dean Michael Kirch emcees the
Normandale-Metro State Partnership
Kickoff Event on October 2.
The Normandale-Metropolitan State
When Normandale opened its
design projects. Students may transfer into
Partnership Center in January 2013, one
the TCE program for the final two years of
of the goals was to provide these sorts
their bachelor’s degree curriculum after
of degree options. The partnerships with
completing two years of preengineering
Metropolitan State and Minnesota State
coursework. TCE is the product of a larger
Mankato are a good example of the
collaboration between Minnesota State
expanded opportunities that the Center
Mankato and Normandale, Anoka-Ramsey
provides.
College, Inver Hills Community College,
team conceived of the Academy to recruit
and support STEM students. Since the
program’s inception, contributors have
Overall, 103 students have transferred
The Academy group, on average,
includes the following:
n
60% from families whose parents did
not have a post-secondary degree
n
35% as the first member of their family
to pursue a higher education degree
n
55% students of color
n
40% Pell Grant recipients
n
48% female students
In total, over 80% of Academy
A Healthy Start
Normandale partners on a project to provide
much-needed health IT training for rural
communities.
Normandale recently partnered with the Lac qui Parle Health
to four-year institutions. The most recent
group of graduates transferred to Minnesota
State University, Mankato; University of
Minnesota; University of North Dakota;
University of St. Thomas; and the New York
Institute of Technology, among others.
Academy graduates also have gone on to
work for such companies as Atomic Data,
Bolton & Menk, Xcel Energy, Fairview
Southdale Hospital, and United Health
Group.
the grant partners in identifying best practices, modeling effective
planning, and implementing and optimizing health IT systems to
meet the needs of the rural community.
As the training partner for the grant program, Normandale
is recruiting unemployed or underemployed individuals
for training services, apprenticeship opportunities, and job
placement assistance. More than 100 individuals will receive
Network; the Medi-Sota Healthcare Consortium; Minnesota West
health IT training, transforming them into highly valuable, skilled
Community & Technical College; the Southwest Minnesota Private
professionals who are connected to their communities and who
Industry Council; and Healthland, a Minneapolis electronic health
will also have an incentive to remain in them.
records vendor, to receive a $900,000 grant over three years from
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The grant funds the Modeling Effective Network Training
Opportunities for Rural Health Information Technology (MENTOR
Health IT) project, which provides health IT training and connects
The MENTOR Health IT program will address the crucial health
IT needs of the rural community and provide trainees with critical
hands-on experience in clinical settings.
Normandale is the only health IT training provider in Minnesota
to participate in this competitive grant program.
11
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Report to the Community
In Memoriam
It is with
great sadness
A Heartfelt
THANK YOU
that we share
the passing of
our wonderful
to Don Stiles for his
12 years of service
on the Normandale
Community College
Foundation Board of
Directors
Don has led by example,
Board
Member and
Normandale
Alumnus,
Lori (Carsik)
Mathiowetz.
Lori joined the
Foundation
Board in 2011 to acknowledge her fondness
devoting his time to the
and respect for Normandale’s contribution
Foundation as treasurer, advisor
to community education and economic
for the financial records and
partnerships, and to help others achieve their
scholarship programs, and chair
goals through education. She was a blessing to
of the Fundraising Committee
Normandale and the Foundation, and will be
during his years on the Board. He has been a tireless and inspired ambassador
for the college and given generously in support of the Foundation. Don is an
dearly missed.
The Mathiowetz family has asked that gifts
active community volunteer for many organizations and remains close to the
in Lori’s memory be made to the Normandale
Normandale Foundation, recently co-chairing the ticket committee for the
Foundation. Please send to Normandale
Creating Futures Celebration gala. We thank Don for his devoted service on
Community College Foundation, 9700 France
the Board and wish him well as he continues to serve Normandale and the
Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431-4399
community for many more years.
or donate online at www.normandale.edu/
foundation.
Chapter
Two
Jonathan Turnquist offers a
powerful example of how
Normandale’s Academy
of Math and Science—
started by the Normandale
Foundation and donorsupported—can help
transform an individual’s
career and life.
T
he 2008 financial crisis had a farreaching impact beyond the housing and
global financial markets. Jonathan Turnquist
wasn’t exempt from its grip. After working
as an electrician for four-and-a-half years, his
employer handed him a pink slip. Turnquist’s union
during his
In fact, it predicted he’d have to wait more than two
internship that
years before he’d find a new job. With little money
Xcel hired him as
to pay his mortgage, Turnquist quickly realized that
a first-year student, setting
the best route back to economic security lay in a
aside its normal protocol of waiting
new degree. So he took action.
to hire interns until they are juniors or seniors.
With years of electrical knowledge under his belt,
Normandale Community College Foundation Board
Carolyn Pratt – Chair
Professional Musician, Arts Administrator
Larry Jodsaas
Retired CEO, PolarFab
ted wegleitner
President & COO, TRIA Orthopedic Center
janet bellows – Chair Elect
Branch Manager, Amica Mutual Insurance Company
Mike Lebens
Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager,
Wholesale Banking, Wells Fargo
debra sidd*
Faculty Member, Normandale Community College
Ed Meyer – Treasurer
Retired Executive, Wells Fargo
Ryan c. smith – Secretary
Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren
Ryn Melberg
Independent IT Executive and Management Consultant
Martha Wittstruck*
Faculty Member, Normandale Community College
*Ex officio, non-voting
Sanu Patel-Zellinger
Senior Manager, International Merchandising, Best Buy
Foundation staff
JOHN eTCHISON
Technology Executive, UnitedHealth Group
Tom Peterson
Vice President, Human Resources, Marquette Real
Estate Group
Colleen Simpson
Executive Director
t.j. hara
Japanese Garden Committee Representative
Corey ruff
Advisor-Project Management, Cresa
Beth heinz
Vice President, Operations, Regions Hospital
Colleen simpson*
Executive Director, Normandale Foundation
Robert Gibbs – Past Chair
Retired Executive, Wells Fargo
Luke boelter – Student Representative
Normandale Community College
Jayne TeVrucht
Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Maureen Peterson
Executive Assistant
During his time at Normandale, Turnquist also participated in the Academy of
Turnquist decided to pursue an electrical engineering
Math and Science. He is extremely thankful for the Academy’s support, which
degree at Normandale. At first, he was intimidated
provided him with a personal counselor and awarded him scholarships that
by the high-level math classes he would need to
greatly lowered the cost of his education. As an Academy scholar, Turnquist also
become an engineer. “I struggled with math in high
had the opportunity to speak at various donor recognition events. Though he
school and hated it, quite frankly,” he says. “But with
says it was “terrifying,” he notes that the experience helped improve his public
one-on-one support from Normandale instructors
speaking skills.
and the college’s small class sizes, I got the push I
needed and excelled in my classes.”
After his first semester, Turnquist landed an
Joe Opatz*
President, Normandale Community College
Turnquist on the job at Xcel Energy
was sympathetic, but didn’t offer any job prospects.
After completing his associate’s degree at Normandale, Turnquist transferred to
the University of Minnesota and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He’s
now happily employed as an engineer at Xcel Energy. “I’d love to work there for
internship at Xcel Energy. At that point, life got a lot
the rest of my life,” he says. “Xcel is so great that you want to go to work every
more intense. To pay his bills, he needed to work
day.”
between 25 to 30 hours a week. He would head
Turnquist plans to continue advancing in the engineering field at Xcel and is
to work at Xcel early in the day and return home
also excitedly planning for another big change—he and his wife are expecting a
late in the evening after classes. Or vice-versa.
baby in February.
Though it wasn’t easy, Turnquist pushed on with
He adds that Normandale played a huge role helping him open this new
the support and encouragement of his advisors and
chapter in his life. While he admits it wasn’t always easy, the college’s faculty
family. It worked. He made such a strong impression
continually drew him in and helped keep him engaged and motivated.
Tim thompson
Shareholder/Auditor, Weber & Deegan, Ltd.
12
13
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Highlights: Fiscal Year 2012-2013*
scholarships
Source of gifts
aid to students
student success
Foundations & Corporations $162,336
Individual Giving $316,083
Special Events $142,547
Scholarship and Donor Recognition
2012, Normandale’s Service-Learning
received a grant from the Great Lakes
$80,752
event celebrated the academic and
Department designated support to
Higher Education Guarantee Corp. to
personal success of 140 Normandale
the Campus Cupboard food pantry, a
enhance ACT testing preparation in the
students who received $164,778
collaboration with Good in the ‘Hood.
2013-2014 academic year. The federally
in scholarship support. Mark your
In its first year, the Campus Cupboard
funded TriO program provided academic
calendars for the 2014 event, Thursday,
saw 4,351 visits from students in need
support to first generation, low-income high
March 27.
of food and resource materials.
school students, creating a clear pathway
n Students experiencing unexpected
and message that college is attainable and
In-Kind Total $701,718
donors
Total of 553
n Creating Futures, Changing Lives
n Normandale Community College
43%
42%
investment in our students and our
them from successfully continuing their
n Normandale Student Success Mentors (SSM)
community. By providing these hard-
studies are supported through the Kopp
received training through a grant from the
working and deserving students with a
Family Foundation’s Random Acts of
C. Charles Jackson Foundation to improve
quality education, donors are making a
Kindness and the Manley Olson Fund
their engagement and teamwork skills and
brighter future for us all.
for Students with Disabilities.
enhance their role as tutors and mentors
179 students since the program’s
innovative education
gift disbursement
interactive On Course workshop developed
n Normandale’s Division of Health
SSM leadership and facilitation skills and
58 Academy scholars received
Dental of Minnesota to develop and
Normandale Foundation scholarships
implement an Innovative Community
totaling $96,090 with support from
Health Worker and Navigator Program.
corporate donors including H.B. Fuller,
With the triple aim of improving health,
Xcel Energy and Thomson Reuters,
improving health care and lowering the
community partner Bloomington Noon
cost of care by improving quality, the
made a significant gift in memory of her
Rotary and many individuals.
newly developed certificate program
late husband, Visvanatha (Prem). The
will meet current and projected
generous donation helped students attend
to partner with local Rotary Clubs
workforce and student body needs.
a national theatre festival, host a Theatre
supporting scholarships for STRIVE
The interdisciplinary curriculum will
Department outreach event, provide
(Students Taking a Renewed Interest in
represent all fields of health sciences
additional staging, and honor Prem on a
the Value of Education), a mentoring
(dental, nursing, health education,
plaque outside the newly named Dr. V.
program for high school seniors with
dietetics and informatics).
Premanand Theatre and Concert Hall.
instructors, advisors, and counselors.
memorials
n Retired faculty member Jaya Premanand
n Normandale’s Education Training
n The Foundation has also set up a designated
secondary education. Normandale
Academy (EdTrAc) is making a
fund account for donations in memory of
Program Support $73,057
Foundation matches 50% of a STRIVE
difference in our community by
Dr. Russell Smiley, a popular Normandale
Emergency Aid to Students
$12,000
scholarship award. This past year, 21
improving literacy and the love of
instructor who was internationally
students received $23,187 through
reading for all ages through community
recognized for his work in Tai Chi. Donors
11 Rotary Clubs and Normandale
service. EdTrAc students are installing
can designate their gifts to the Russ Smiley
Foundation support.
and maintaining “Little Libraries” in
Scholarship Fund or Russ Smiley Sacred
low socio-economic neighborhoods.
Space Fund, which will create a place of
Coughlan Companies donated more
reflection on the Normandale campus.
Total *Audit in process
$369,112
than 100 assorted children’s books for
Program director Liz Sabel (2nd from left) with Student Success mentors for 2012-2013 academic year.
built stronger relationships with NCC 1000
Sciences received a grant from Delta
emphasis on preparing for post$284,055
experience course. The two-day, highly
inception in 2007. This past year,
n Normandale Foundation is also proud
43%
Scholarships in NCC 1000, Normandale’s new student
making a difference in the lives of
15%
accessible.
financial hardship that would prevent
successfully completed its sixth year,
42%
n Normandale’s Upward Bound program
Foundation recognized donors for their
n The Academy of Math and Science
15%
n As participants in Toast of the Town
Student Success mentor Bernard Akem (center) works with student in NCC 1000 class.
the project.
14
15
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
thank you to our 2012-2013 donors!
Gifts received July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013
Visionary, $50,000 and above
Dr. Jayaseetha Premanand
Trustee, $25,000 - $49,999
Kopp Family Foundation
Benefactor, $10,000 - $24,999
Delta Dental of Minnesota
Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp.
Julie and Robert Guelich
H. B. Fuller Company Foundation
Larry Jodsaas
Mall of America
Nath Family Foundation
Chairman, $5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
Bloomington Noon Rotary Club
G. Patrick Bonnie
C. Charles Jackson Foundation
Chorzempa Family Foundation
Education Foundation of Bloomington
Patrick Porter Scholarship Program
Robert and Rhonda Gibbs
HealthPartners
Mae and Sylvester Weiss Foundation
Allan and Deborah Schneider
Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
Thomson Reuters
Wells Fargo Bank
Bonnie and David Westermoe
White Dove Foundation
Gilbert Williams
President, $1,000 - $4,999
Amica Mutual Insurance Co.
Architectural Lighting Designs, Inc.
Janet Bellows and Harvey Worms
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Bloomington Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Bloomington Crime Prevention
Association
Bloomington Daymakers Rotary
Foundation
Dr. Colleen Brickle
Richard Brown
Coughlan Companies Inc.
Joy and David Drummond
Desmond George
James and Tamarra Giertz
Robert and Kate Hauer
Thomas and Beverly Horak
Lancer Hospitality
Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren
Ernest and Jeanne Lindstrom
Marquette Real Estate Group LLC
Lori and Virgil Mathiowetz
Ryn Melberg
Ed and Peg Meyer
Janet Meyer
Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal
Orinthia Montague
National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)
Dr. Joseph Opatz and Pamela Steckman
Park Dental Resource Group
Pearson Custom Publishing
Greg and Deb Peterson
Ona and Wayne Pinsonneault
Polar Semiconductor, Inc.
16
Carolyn Pratt and Jackson Thatcher,
MD RBCU
RJ Ahmann Co.
Keith Root
Rotary Club of Chanhasses
Rotary Club of Eden Prairie
Rotary Club of Edina
Rotary Club of Excelsior
Rotary Club of Lakeville
Rotary Club of Waconia West Carver
Science Museum of Minnesota
Shakopee Rotary Club
Jeffrey Stenbom
Stiles Foundation - Don and Leslie Stiles
Timothy Stommel
The Stonebridge Group of Thrivent Financial
Dr. Thomas Sundquist
U.S. Bank-Bloomington
Chuck and Denise Waletzko
James and Linda Wallace
Lisa and Richard Wheeler
Ed and Cherie Wines
Margie and Woody Woodhouse
Dean, $500 - $999
Katherine Andersen
Anime Twin Cities Inc.
Chris Austin
Henry and Diane Benz
Kris Bigalk
Bloomington Affiliated Garden Club
Bloomington Sister City Organization
Catherine Breuer
Anne Cassens
Gale Chovanec
Consilium Wealth Group
Matthew Crawford
Dan and Janice Creed
Erin and Stephen Daly
Martha Dayton
Robert and Brenda DeFlores
Robert and Nancy Erickson
Mary Ernst
John and Kathi Etchison
Finish Line Marketing
Richard Fisher
Frauenshuh, Inc.
Terrence Glarner
Patricia Gonzales
Michele and Kent Grosser
Frank and Beth Grund
Beth Heinz and Mark Werkmeister
James and Eiko Hoffman
Tari Johnson
Michael Kirch
James Lemmer
Lerner Publishing Group
Dr. Elizabeth Longley
Norman and Sharon MacDonald
Dr. Joseph McCulloch
Richard and Peggy Meyer
Minneapolis Regional Chamber
of Commerce
Minnesota Valley Country Club
Thomas Mooney
Navigate Forward
David Niekerk
Jack Norton and Alexa Pragman
Manley and Ann Olson
Eric Olson
Dr. Douglas Pearson
Raderstorf/Armstrong Family Fund
Steve Scott
Alice and Fred Seagren
Kim and Pete Segar
Bernard Smith
Andrew Tix
Toro Company Giving Program
UTC Aerospace Systems
Wagner’s Greenhouse Inc
Wells Fargo Foundation
Brian Wolff
Steven Wyffels
Educator, $150 - $499
Mark Adkins
Sunny Ainley
Susan Ant
Robin Arneson
Gloria Aronson
Dr. Suzanne Beatty
Shirley Beil
David and Nancy Berg
Big 10 Restaurant & Bar
BKBM Engineers, Inc.
Robert and Janice Black
Kristin Boda
Lawrence Borgen
Laura Brandt
Bremer Bank
Eldon and Carol Buschbom
Lucille Christianson
Douglas and Nancy Claycomb
Comfort Inn - Airport
Carol and William Connelly
Courtyard by Marriott - Minneapolis
Bloomington
Jennifer Crawford
Mary Daunis
Brenda Dickinson
Anthony Dunlop
Angela Effertz
Dr. Christopher Ennis
Vicki Erdmann
Craig Erickson
Michael Flom
Karen Ford
Carol Fung Kee Fung
Jenny Hanson
Janice Hardin
Sharon Harvey
John Haugen and Alicia Reeves
Melanie Henricksen
Brooks Herrboldt
Jeff Hudson
Shirley Huskins
Jennifer Isaac
Michael and Kimberly Jackelen
Geoffrey Jones
Carol Joslin
Karen Kilzer
Loren and Stacey Klassen
Andrea and Steven Kodner-Wenzel
Cary Komoto
Teresa Daly and Greg Konat
Cindy Koopman and Steven Porter
Clare and Tom Larkin
Carol Larsen
Amy Lau Fong
Michael and Megan Lebens
Doug and Tammy Long
Kathleen and Michael McCann
Mens Garden Club of Minneapolis
Craig and Debra Miller
Minnesota Lynx
Mortgages Unlimited
Mark Nagel
Thomas Naughton
The Nekola Family Charitable Fund
of the Lutheran Community Foundation
Emi and Naoya Nobuhiro
Leonard and Karen Nordstrom
Old Shakopee Auto Center
Dr. John Olson
PCL Construction Services, Inc.
Thomas and Julie Peterson
Dr. Joanna Piotrowska
Plekkenpol Builders Inc.
John Polenek
Timothy Price
Catherine Pulling
Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson Lindeke
Architects
David Rayson
Razoo Foundation
Redhawk Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Mary L. Renquist
Gloria Robinson
Rotary Club of Chaska
Rotary Club of Richfield
Corey J. Ruff
Bob and Wanda Schoeneberger
SeaLife Aquarium
Jeffrey Sears
Mary Seth
Debra Sidd
Dr. Russell Smiley
Dr. Ryan and Courtney Smith
St. Croix Promotions & Retail
Starbucks
Genella Stubrud
Judith and Frank Stucki
Stephen Sullivan
Linda Tetzlaff
Jayne and Patrick TeVrucht
Brooke Thaden-Koch
Beverly and Dale Throndson
Rebecca Voelkel
Kenneth and Barbara Waletko
Don Waletzko
Cynthony and Gary Warnberg
Weber Shandwick
Stephen Wiley
Nat and Harriet Wisser
Martha Wittstruck
Candace Bell
Amy Bengtson and Kristi Hoff
Duane and Lareine Bengtson
Cheryl I. Bennett
Pam Bentzien
Jody Beresford and Robert Mayer
Michael and Suzanne Berndt
David Berner
Michael Bielmeier
Kathy Bielmeier
Lisa Bjorkman
Frances Bland
Elizabeth and Randy Blazer
Jamie Blomgren
Bloomington Theatre & Art Center
Nancy Boatman
Bobby and Steve’s Auto World
Barbara J. Bobrowitz
Cassandra Bondesen
Antoinette Bowling-Harris
Sandra Branstiter
Angela Brochman
Kristen Brown
Patrick Bryant
Yvonne Bublitz
Rosalie Bunge
R. Tom Burgess
Christine Burr
Peter and Cheri Burton-Ulmen
Byerly’s
Annette and Sean Byrd
Sean and Annette Byrd
Joyce Carey
Cynthia Carow-Schiebe
Monica Carpio-Munoz
James Carr
John C. Chalberg
Denise Chambers
Bonnie and John Chase
Donna and David Chatfield
Chipotle
Judith A. Christensen
Judith Christianson
Johan Christopherson
Lela Clark
Kathleen Coate
Kristen Cooper
Mark and Melanie Countryman
Michael Cummins
Chelsea Dale
Hattie Dambroski
Christopher Danielson
David Fong’s Restaurant
Val Dean
Carrie Dickson
Mary E. Djerf
Roderick N.Dolan
Lisa Dow
Aimee DuBois
Susan Duhamel
Dr. Richard Dunning
Marilyn Eckerle
Thomas and Vida Edmond
Marthanne Edwards
Jessica and John-Paul Edwards-Smith
John Ellis
Ruth and Brent Engelbert
Clara Engelbert
Mary Engelhard
Jane Erbele
Dr. James Erickson
Ignatius Esele
Lavonne Evenson
Earl and Shirley Evenstad
Famous Dave’s
Thomas and Linda Ferber
Karen and Marion Forslin
Honor Roll, Up to $149
Abdallah, Inc.
Virginia and James Adamsheck
Mark Ahrens
Sandrine Akem
Alexa Alemayehu
Amanda Allen-Bauer
Llewelyn Alloteg
Beth Anderson
Ralph and Rebecca Anderson
Patty Lee Anderson
Jay Anderson
Raymond and Barbara Anschel
Aqualand Aquarium Center, Inc.
Linda Armstrong
Angela Arnold and Jack Kronebusch
Lynne Bachschne
Barnes & Noble
Dr. David Barrett
Nicholas and Karen Basil
Jeffrey Becker
Chastity Beckius
Corrinne Bedecarre
Kathleen Bednark
Deborah Belfry
Carina Belinco
11
Amy Fowler
Laurie Frahm
Robert Frame
James and Kelly Frankenfeld
Claudia Freese
Wendy Friefeld
Paula Garland
Rex Gaskill
Susan Gekas
Greg Glarner
Karen and Edward Gleeman
Gary Goetz
Gordon and Janet Graham
Green Mill Restaurant and Bar
Susan and Steve Greenway
Matthew Crawford
Melissa Gross and Brian Henning
Nancy Gruber
Michael and Loellen Grzeskowiak
Carrie Gustafson
Jane and Thomas Guyn
Nancy Haik
Hankes Builders Inc.
Toyna Hanson
Leota Hanson
Sharon K. Harris
Meredith Hauer
Karen and Mark Hausladen
Monica Haynes
Becky Hennen
Diane Henry
Kristen Henry
Jeff Hess
Patricia Hickey
Jane and William Hills
Larry Hines
Carolyn Hotchkiss
Donna and John Husemoller
Carole Hyder
Kelly Jacobson
Jodi Baglien LLC
Dr. Julie Johnson
Renee Johnson
Krista Jordheim
Jeffrey Judge
William Jurney
Royce Kail
Gary Kanwischer
Kathryn Kanwischer
Scott Kanwischer
Wanda Kanwischer
Sonie Karbbar
Clarella Kinard
Pamela and Mark Kircher
Victor Kirsch
Barney and Janis Klecker
Kimberly Klein
Heidi Kreutzer
Susan Krook
Mary Krugerud
Howard Kurs
Yanchy Lacska
Mary Beth and Leo Lake
Hella Lange
Kevin Lee
Harold Liebersbach
Mariana Lippa
Jeri Livingstone
Erik Loge
Lonna Mosow’s Center for Mind Body Fitness
Robert Lowe
Gene Luckfield
Nancy Ludden
Carol Lureen
Diane P. Lynch
Debora Lynch-Rothstein
Michael Reutter
Greg Lyons
Dr. Donald Reznicek
Christopher S. MacLennan
Mary and Charles Richards
Bernard Maegi
Sarah and Mike Ritzenthaler
Michelle M. Maher
Janet and Dennis Rodning
Roland Maine
Howard Root
Marolen Mao
Dr. Ava Rosenblum
Adam Marsnik
Steven Rosenstone
Massage Envy Spa
Jeannine Roufs
Jessua Mathieu
Kathryn Rudd
McDonalds
Rocio Ruelas
Patricia McGowan
Elizabeth Sabel
Judy McMillan
David Sailer
Maria Mhiripiri
Sam’s Grill
Beth Miller
Donna Sandberg
Anita Miller
Carol Kerner Sander
Chaudette Miller
Ruth A. Sanford
Minnesota State College Faculty
Gail Scheid
Minnesota Timberwolves
Susan Schmidt
Minnesota Twins
Scott Schnuckle
MN Community College Faculty Greg Schou
Normandale Chapter
Kurt Schweickhardt
Aaron Moe
Robin Selvig
William Mood
Susan Seymour
Joanne and William Morgan
Colleen and Kirk Simpson
Shawn Morrison
Roberta Sliwinski
Fred and Carol Moyer
Niles and Virginia Smith
Nancy Moyer Graves
Tami Smith
Christina Muench
Kimberly Socha
Fusake Muro
Mary Solverson
Phyllis Myers
Francis Sothy
Sandra Myers
Seetha and Ashok Srinivasan
Sandra and Peter Nekola
Richard Stanville
Gary and Mary Margaret Ness
Derek Steele
Matthew Netland
Sheri Steinke
Diane Nguyen
Rae Dean Stockert
Charles Nikles II
Gregory and Sandra Stofer
James and Shirley Norman
James Sutton
Dick and Marit Nowlin
Patricia and Lawrence Svien
Nyquist Fantastic Alliance
Tai Chi for Health Institute
Kerim Odqan
Target Stores
Charles Ojala
The Container Store
Derek Olien
The Creative Spirit
Robert and Julie Olson
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Christian Olson
Foundation
Barbara Olsson
Debra and David Tillman
Arland and Myrna Otte
Timber Lodge Steakhouse
Eissas Ouk
David and Mary Trevor
Victor Padron
Wayne Twito
Harry Palmer
Bruce R. Tyler
Sanu Patel-Zellinger and Fred Zellinger
Mary Udseth
Nancy Pates
Cynthia E. Uhlemann
Jeffrey Patry
Steven Vadnais
Kenneth and Carol Pavett
Linda Varvel
Perkins Restaurat & Bakery
John and Linda Villas
Julia N. Perry
Lee Ann Villella
Mary Jo and Patrick Peters
Carolyn Vinup
Maureen Peterson
Wilma and Willis Volkmer
Dennis and Maureen Peterson
Von Hanson’s Meats
Diana Peterson
Valera and Clayton Wagner
Katie Peterson
Dan Waller
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
Brook Ward
Gretchen and Lawrence Pinsonneault
West Side Perk
Pinstripes
Paige Wheeler
Mark Plenke
G. Luella Whiting
Ruth Plourde
Why Not LLC
Joseph Poell
Steph Wilenchek
Rodney Raasch
Linda Willaert
Linda Raasch
Geri Wilson
Gloria Radtke
Jeana Wong
Lisa Raetz
Catalina Yang
Jordan Reason
Ghidei Zedingle
Samuel Reasoner
Joanne and Gerald Zeitler
Lorna Redding
Regions Hospital
We apologize for any deletions or
Nancy and Douglas Reichert
mispellings. Please call 952-358-8147
Lynette Reini-Grandell
with corrections.
Margaret Rejto
17
foundation notes
2013-2014
returning to campus—
and looking ahead
Fine Arts Calendar
Former faculty and staff memb
ers gather
for the annual Retiree Luncheon
.
Normandale held its annual Retiree
Luncheon on October 18, 2013,
in
the Garden Room of the Kopp Stud
ent Center. A total of 50 attendees
, along
with their guests, gathered at the
event. During the luncheon, Norman
dale
President Joe Opatz provided upd
ates about the college, Normandale
Foundation Executive Director Coll
een Simpson gave updates on the
Foundation, and the group watched
a feature story video from WCCOTV
about former Normandale Head Foot
ball Coach Fred Moyer.
The luncheon also allowed the retir
ee group to
come together to support its scho
larship. Retiree
Scholarships are awarded each year
to students
who have completed 10 credits or
more at
Normandale, have a GPA of 2.5 or
better, and are
not receiving any other financial
assistance. This
year’s recipients of the scholarships
are Christine
Cabor, Laavanya Cutler, Erika Fred
eriksen-Dull,
Stephanie Goodman, and Jonathan
Noble.
THEATER All performances are in the Premanand Theater
Retiree staff and faculty from over
40 years of Normandale life gather
to eat, reminisce and pool their
resources to benefit students.
Metamorphoses
By Mary Zimmerman
Directed by Anne Byrd
December 4–7, 2013
at 7:30 p.m.
December 7, 2013
at 2:00 p.m.
Fuddy Meers
By Deborah Brevoort
By David Lindsay-Abaire
February 26–March 1, 2014
at 7:30 p.m.
March 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
All Shook Up
Inspired by and featuring the songs
of Elvis Presley
Book by Joe DiPietro
Directed by Sean Byrd
April 24–26 & May 1–3, 2014
at 7:30 p.m.
April 26, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
ART All exhibitions are in the Fine Arts Gallery.
Nov. 6-Dec. 19, 2013:
Face Time: Lazare Rottach/Benjamin Rogers
January 8-February 14, 2014:
Andrew Nordin
February 21-March 21, 2014:
South Suburban High School Art Exhibition
March 27-May 1, 2014:
Normandale Student Exhibition
May 6-May 16, 2014:
Normandale AFA Student Exhibition
June 3-July 29, 2014:
Young Art Exhibition
MUSIC All performances are in the Lorenz Auditorium.
Chamber Ensembles
Dec. 5, 2013, 2:30 p.m.
Jazz Combo Concert
May 5, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Jazz Combo Concert
Dec.9, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Band/Jazz Ensemble
May 8, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Band/Jazz Ensemble
Dec. 12, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Choir/Vocal Ensemble
May 9, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Choir/Vocal Ensemble
Dec. 13, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Jazz Combo Concert
March 3, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Band/Jazz Ensemble
March 6, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Choir/Vocal Ensemble
March 7, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
18
Chamber Ensembles
May 1, 2014, 2:30 p.m.
19
Normandale Community College Foundation
9700 France Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55431-4399
www.normandale.edu/alumniFoundation
Nonprofit Org.
U.S.Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 913
Creating Futures
Volume 9, Number 2
On the Map
Normandale’s Japanese
Garden earns prestigious local
honors.
Normandale’s Japanese Garden was one of
eight Bloomington landmarks featured August
30 to October 4 as part of the Bloomington
Mapworks III exhibition at the Bloomington
Theatre and Art Center.
The exhibit featured interpretations of
eight Bloomington landmarks from six Twin
Cities-area artists. In addition to the Japanese
Garden, the other landmarks included the
Old Town Hall, Nine Mile Creek, Bush Lake
Ski Jump, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
Refuge, Bloomington Civic Plaza, the Mall
of America, and David Fong’s Restaurant.
Bloomington residents selected the landmarks
Dale Brown and Sheryl McRoberts, along with several Normandale students in an exhibit that
through a survey conducted in August 2011.
was displayed in the college’s Fine Arts Gallery from August 19 to September 13.
Normandale also featured works of the
Japanese Garden by Normandale instructors
In May, the Japanese Garden was named by KARE-11 as one of the “11 Most Relaxing Places
in the Twin Cities.”
PRESIDENT: Joseph P. Opatz, Ph.D
FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Colleen Simpson
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Geoff Jones
EDITOR: Chris Mikko
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karla Caspari
WRITERS: Steven Geller, Erin Randall, Jayne TeVrucht
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kent Flemmer, Steven Geller, Jerry Holt, Sandy May
Normandale Community College Foundation
9700 France Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431-4399
(952) 358-8147 • foundation@normandale.edu
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