Gunsmithing student Christian Kolling wins scholarship

Pine Technical College and East Central Energy have partnered again in 2009 to offer a $1,000 scholarship to a PTC student. ECE has offered the scholarship program to students in its service area since 1988, and PTC students have consistently won the scholarship year after year.

This year’s recipient, Christian Kolling, is a student enrolled in the Pine Technical College gunsmithing program.

"This scholarship is really going to help me out. I am very happy to receive it," Kolling said. "I am thankful to ECE for the scholarship and Pine Technical College for the opportunity to pursue my diploma in gunsmithing," Kolling added.

ECE will be awarding a total of $60,000 in scholarships this year, and to date, the cooperative has awarded scholarships totaling near $500,000.

"These scholarships are available as the result of Capital Credits, which have remained unclaimed after several attempts to locate past members of the cooperative," said Jennifer Veeser, ECE Communications and Marketing Manager. "ECE is excited to be able to use this money for something as valuable as education," Veeser added.

Kolling and other scholarship winners must meet certain requirements, and winners are selected based on several criteria including prior academic achievement, community service and involvement and financial need. Additionally, the winners must be ECE members or a son or daughter of an ECE member.

Kolling and his family reside in Pine City and are active in the community. A member of the Pine Technical College Shooter’s Association and the association’s Director of Advertising, Kolling also coaches his daughter’s junior high school basketball team at Pine City Schools.

Pine Technical College is proud to partner with ECE to bring this welcome scholarship to so many PTC students over the years. East Central Energy www.eastcentralenergy.com is a member-owned electric cooperative that serves more than 57,000 homes, farms and businesses in east central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. ECE provides electricity, high-speed Internet and long distance services, as well as community and business development and environmental services.

2009 graduation ceremony recognizes graduates, Teacher of the Year and Presidents' Awards

The 2009 Pine Technical College graduation ceremony was held at Pine City High School on Friday May 15, 2009 in front of a full house.

The ceremony began with Glenna Reierson on the piano playing the processional march. Nancy Mach, Dean of Student Affairs, gave opening remarks, followed by Mr. Jeff Ruth, Chapter President, Minnesota State College Faculty and Mr. Sean Dunaway, Pine Technical College Student Senate President with a welcome address.

Two prestigious awards are given each year -- the Teacher of the Year and the President's Award. For 2009, the award for the Pine Technical College Teacher of the Year went to Julie Shores, computer sciences and accounting instructor, and the President's Award, given to students who continuously earn a 4.0 grade-point-average during their entire academic career at Pine Technical College, went to two graduates, Jami Marquardt and Jamie Ruiz; both were awarded practical nursing diplomas.

The commencement address was given by Mr. Tony Thomann of Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, who inspired graduates and guests with quotes from Yoda of Star Wars and other short stories relevant to trying hard, doing good and living well. Thomann's address was well-received; the audience applauded and many whistled in agreement with his comments.

The presentation of the graduates' certificates, diplomas and degrees was more personal in 2009. Faculty members presented each graduate within their programs with his or her scroll. Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests gathered in the Pine Technical College student lounge for a reception with cake, fruit and punch.

All Pine Technical College faculty and staff members wish the class of '09 success and happiness. "Congratulations!"

Staff and faculty members honored at Fifth Annual Ribfest

Pine Technical College President Dr. Robert Musgrove hosted the Fifth Annual Ribfest Thurs. May 14, 2009 in the gunsmithing lab.

“This is a casual event just for all our faculty and staff members that work so hard,” Dr. Musgrove said. “The Ribfest is held at the end of the school year to honor all their hard work carried out throughout the year,” Musgrove added.

Musgrove, from the Lone Star State, served up Texas-style smoked ribs with his own secret seasoning. To add to the event, faculty and staff members brought many of their own specialty dishes. Some of the dishes included homemade rhubarb cake from Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach’s kitchen, guacamole from CIO/Technology Director Ken Ries, and grilled burgers by Gunsmithing Program Advisor and Instructor Dave Defenbaugh, just to name a few.

More than 75 staff and faculty gathered for the annual event to enjoy the ribs, each other’s company and the wrap of another school year.

Pine Technical College prepares for record-setting graduation ceremony

More than 120 Pine Technical College students are registered to participate in the May 15 ceremony to be held at the Pine City High School gymnasium.

“This is the largest graduation ceremony we’ve hosted in terms of numbers of graduates,” said Nancy Mach, Dean of Student Affairs. “We’re expecting a record turnout since most students bring family members and guests to the ceremony,” Mach added.

In previous years, the College held its annual spring graduation ceremony at Pine City Elementary School. The 2009 ceremony is the first to be held at the high school which offers a larger facility.

“We are making plans to accommodate everyone wishing to attend,” said Dr. Robert Musgrove, President. “Our graduation ceremonies always draw a crowd – this community is so proud of its graduates,” Musgrove added.

130 degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded this year, and 92 percent of the graduates are participating in the ceremony. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend in support of the graduates. For more information, call 320-629-5100.

Earth Day Fair held at Pine Technical College

On Wed. April 22, Pine Technical College hosted the Inaugural Earth Day Fair. The College hosted more than 20 information booths on topics such as renewable energy, sustainable farming, recycling, composting and organic foods.

Many students from Alexis Grinde’s biological sciences courses designed presentations along with students from other programs such as gunsmithing and automotive technology. Attendees included more than 200 Pine City Elementary students, Pine Technical College students, staff and faculty members and many community-minded and environmentally-conscious Pine Citians seeking information.

During the month of April, Pine City Elementary students focus on environmental topics. The students showed great enthusiasm for the exhibits and participated by potting seeds and collecting fliers and information.

Motivated by the success of the inaugural event, Grinde, with the Pine Technical College Ever Green Club, are already preparing for the 2nd Annual Earth Day Fair in 2010.

Special thanks to Pine Technical College staff including Erin White, Theresa Fish, Nancy Johnson and Amanda Spencer for sponsoring booths and to everyone supporting the new event.