“I’m incredibly honored to be selected for the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship,” Norman said. “This is a unique opportunity to learn from national leaders in higher education and bring back strategies that will directly benefit 91�Թ��� students and our college.”��

Many sitting community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, creating an opportunity for college trustees and system heads to select leaders who have the skills and knowledge to achieve better outcomes for students. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of diverse college leaders, including by institution and geography, representing 19 states and ranging from small rural to large urban colleges. The fellows will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents and thought leaders over ten months to learn from field-leading research, examine demographic and labor market conditions in their communities, assess student outcomes at their colleges, and advance a clear vision for excellent outcomes for all their students while in college and after they graduate.������

“Our research on excellent colleges reveals that they have a few big things in common: They have presidents who focus on a few large-scale reforms that transcend enrollment and completion goals and centrally focus on whether graduates are set up to succeed in the next stage of their lives—either the world of work or at a university where they aim to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “This cohort of fellows is clearly committed to advancing student success and has the talent to lead transformational reforms. We are really looking forward to our year with them in the fellowship and bringing their talents into our alumni network.”.������

During her time at 91�Թ���, Norman has been a thoughtful and student-centered leader dedicated to fostering academic excellence, equity, and institutional sustainability. She provides leadership in academic programming, student services and institutional planning. ��

Rising Presidents Fellows are chosen based on their commitment to student success, the extent to which they exhibit the characteristics of excellent presidents revealed in , and interest in pursuing a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As Aspen Presidential Fellows, they join a network of over 430 forward-thinking peers—197 of whom are sitting college presidents—who are applying concrete, grounded, and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges at their colleges.����

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the Burton Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, College Futures Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation.������

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The honored student-athletes listed all met sport-specific athletic requirements and possess a cumulative grade point average at or above the standards as established by the members of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference.

Raiders recognized:

Brandon Burgau: Baseball
Atreyu Marcelo: Baseball
John Cromwell: Baseball
Asher Borle: Baseball
Isaiah Usher: Baseball
Eli Owen: Baseball
Daniel Miller: Baseball
Sebastian Bark: Baseball
Taevyn Brown: Baseball
DeWayne Givens: Men’s Basketball
Johnny Tong: Men’s Basketball
Noah Morris: Men’s Basketball
Jaiquavious Ackey: Men’s Basketball
Kyan Reichhoff: Men’s Basketball
Jayden Broadnax: Men’s Basketball
Makieth Deng: Men’s Basketball
Josh Rogers: Men’s Basketball
Wylee Dauenbaugh: Men’s Basketball
Lake DeJongh: Men’s Basketball
Coco Bowstring: Women’s Basketball
Reese Hartl: Women’s Basketball
Natalie Eckhoff: Women’s Basketball
Megan Matarelli: Women’s Basketball
Kaylee Mudgett: Women’s Basketball
Cali Cross: Softball
Kierra Kohoutek: Softball
Kaitlyn Geschwill: Softball
Megan Hattenberger: Softball
Natalie Kossan: Softball

The post Raiders named to Spring��MCAC��All-Academic Team appeared first on Central Lakes College.

The post 91�Թ��� Announces 2024-25��graduates appeared first on Central Lakes College.

Set in a mythical world that feels both ancient and modern,��Hadestown��follows the poet Orpheus on a quest to rescue his love Eurydice from the depths of Hades. As the lovers struggle against poverty, fear, and fate itself, audiences are reminded of the power—and cost—of hope. The Tony Award-winning musical by Anaïs Mitchell blends American folk, jazz, and blues in a uniquely theatrical experience that resonates across generations.

Directed by Amy Borash, with vocal direction by Kennedy Niska, the production stars��Brody Schultz��as Orpheus,��Gwendolyn Bowen��as Eurydice,��Randall Mitchell��as Hades,��Teagan Johnson��as Persephone, and��Colton Armbrust��as Hermes. The cast also features an ensemble of passionate student performers, many making their stage debuts or returning after standout local performances.

In the role of Orpheus,��Brody Schultz��makes a powerful final bow before heading off to Luther College this fall. Known locally for standout performances in��The Sound of Music��and��Rent, Schultz brings sensitivity and passion to the music and message of the show. Opposite him,��Gwendolyn Bowen��makes her theatrical debut as Eurydice in one of the production’s most demanding roles. Bowen’s performance captures the heart and grit of a young woman caught between survival and love.

“This cast dove headfirst into one of the most emotionally and musically demanding scores in contemporary theatre,” said Producer Joey Yow. “And this group of teens—every one of them—rose to the challenge.”

The production is directed by��Amy Borash, with vocal direction by��Kennedy Niska, and features a seasoned creative team, including Assistant Director��Noah Barnhart, Stage Manager��Travis Chaput, and designers��Heidi Eckwall��(Lighting),��Rachael Brutscher��(Costumes), and��Tim Leagjeld��(Scenic Design).��Hadestown: Teen Edition��is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

This project is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the��Minnesota State Arts Board��and��Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tickets are on sale now at����or by calling��218-855-8199. Come see what happens when young artists bring an epic story of love, loss, and resistance to the stage.

Performance Dates:
June 24–27 at 7:00 PM
June 29 at 2:00 PM
ASL Performance: June 25
Location: Chalberg Theatre, Central Lakes College, Brainerd, MN

Tickets at����or 218-855-8199

The post Hadestown: Teen Edition��opens June 24 appeared first on Central Lakes College.

Raiders honored:

John Cromwell, Baseball

Mercedes Schulz, Softball

The post Raiders named to MCAC��Spring Sports All-Sportsmanship Team appeared first on Central Lakes College.

Raiders include:
Kaitlyn Geschwill
Morgan Kloss
Natalie Kossan
Lily Roehl
Kierra Kohoutek

The post 5 Raiders named to NJCAA All-Region 13 softball team appeared first on Central Lakes College.

Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, has announced its 2025 spring semester honors lists.

Dean’s List

President’s List

Updated to add Heavy Equipment students (Grades were released later)

Dean’s List

President’s List

The post 91�Թ��� announces spring honors lists appeared first on Central Lakes College.

MCAC��North All-Division Team
First team
Kaitlyn Geschwill (Player of the year!)
Morgan Kloss
Natalie Kossan
Lily Roehl
Kierra Kohoutek

Second Team
Cali Cross
Megan Hattenberger

Coach of the Year:

Ray Austin

All-MCAC Team
Kaitlyn Geschwill
Morgan Kloss
Lily Roehl
Kierra Kohoutek

The post Raiders honored with MCAC All-Division, All-MCAC Team awards appeared first on Central Lakes College.

Run by the Bent Pine Journal Club, this journal publishes art and writing from 91�Թ��� students, staff and faculty. New this year, the Lakes Area Writers Alliance funded the writing award winners and will be publishing the pieces from the winning students in their annual publication,��“The Storyville Project”.����

This publication was inspired by the original Bent Pine, which was first published back in the 1960s at Brainerd Junior College. Every year, English and Art instructors at 91�Թ��� select three writing award winners, three visual art winners, and one cover winner from student submissions. Each winning student receives $100.��

The college holds an event each year to celebrate the publication and the winners. Students also get a chance to read from their work and share about their art at the event.��

“This journal is a joy to work on because The Bent Pine student club that drives it is so committed to providing an outlet for the many creative and talented students at 91�Թ���,” said Brandy Lindquist, 91�Թ��� writing instructor and Bent Pine Journal Club advisor. “They are passionate and work hard on this project–they believe in the power of art and know the imperative of keeping the arts alive at 91�Թ���. These students care deeply about the Bent Pine Journal and all of the people impacted by its pages. We are glad to join a rich diversity of arts options at the college, including the Verse Like Water poetry series, the Performing Arts opportunities, the Art Department’s gallery exhibits, and so much more.”��

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Winners for the 2025 volume: ��

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Faculty Selection Writing Awards (funded by LAWA)��

Charlie Smart: The Garden of Mary-Beth (non-fiction essay)��

Ella Hautala: Sister of the Forsaken (poem)��

Andrew Stone: The Sanity of Man (poem)��

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