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 • 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

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