Tuesday, June 28, 2011

PTC welcomes incoming MnSCU Chancellor Rosenstone


Photo above: Andy LeTourneau, JCS staff member, demonstrates the capabilities of virtual reality equipment to incoming Chancellor Rosenstone as PTC President Robert Musgrove looks on.

Incoming MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone toured PTC today and met many of PTC's administrators and staff and faculty members. Rosenstone, vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs, and professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, was selected in February as the next chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by the Board of Trustees. Rosenstone is set to begin Aug. 1 and will succeed James H. McCormick, who is retiring as chancellor of the 32-institution system with an enrollment of more than 434,000 students in credit- and non-credit courses.

"I look forward to meeting and working with the students, faculty and staff. I also plan to connect with business leaders and other members of the public. Minnesotans are rightfully proud of their state colleges and universities, and I will work hard to make an outstanding system even better," says Rosenstone.

Rosenstone has been vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs at the University of Minnesota since 2007. He came to the university in 1996 to serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Under his leadership, the college revamped the undergraduate experience, created state-of-the-art facilities and forged new partnerships with businesses, communities, cultural and civic organizations.

Over the years, Rosenstone led numerous university systemwide initiatives, including the national conference on Keeping Our Faculties of Color and task forces on scholarships, private fundraising, and long-term financial strategy. Rosenstone was awarded the McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair for his service to the university.

Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Rosenstone was an assistant, associate, and then full professor of political science at Yale University until 1986 when he became a professor of political science at the University of Michigan and program director in the Center for Political Studies. He is the author of four books and numerous scholarly articles on elections, political participation, and the challenges facing higher education. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Rosenstone received his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Washington University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the board of directors of the Guthrie Theater.

Photo above: Terri Nelson, PTC/Healthcare Alliance staff member, demonstrates a SimMan -- a hi-tech manikin used to teach and train healthcare students -- as incoming MnSCU Chancellor Rosenstone finds the manikin's pulse.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

US Bank gives $2500 to PTC’s Bridging the Dream scholarship campaign


US Bank of Pine City gave $2500 to Pine Technical College’s annual Bridging the Dream scholarship campaign on Monday. The gift will support two scholarships for two full-time PTC students starting this fall.

"We are proud to support higher education in our community,” says Frank Christopherson, President of US Bank of Pine City. “Pine Technical College is a great asset to the county and region, and we are pleased to be able to assist PTC students, and in turn, the college, and the community,” Christopherson adds.

The PTC Foundation initiated the annual Bridging the Dream campaign in 2000, and each year, the campaign raises and awards nearly $30,000 to PTC students in the form of scholarships. US Bank has been a longtime supporter of PTC; the bank has given regularly to the scholarship fund since 2003. Altogether, US Bank has given $14,250 to the college and PTC students.

“The entire PTC community is grateful to US Bank,” PTC President Robert Musgrove says. “Our students directly benefit from the annual campaign, and in the long run, the community benefits by having educated graduates contributing to the economy and serving in their various, trained roles,” Musgrove adds.

Photo at top: Frank Christopherson, President of US Bank of Pine City, gives a check in the amount of $2,500 to Robert Musgrove, President of Pine Technical College. The gift represents a significant portion of PTC’s annual Bridging the Dream scholarship fund.

Monday, June 13, 2011

THE LINK now available online


PTC proudly announces the 2011 issue of THE LINK, the college's annual magazine, is now available online. Click here for the interactive 2011 edition, featuring profiles of several star students and alumnae, plus many more campus highlights!

Monday, June 6, 2011

PTC to host manufacturing summer camp, Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs!


Pine Technical College will host the Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® Advanced Manufacturing Summer Camp next week for high school students who have completed grades 9–11. Designed to help inspire the next generation of inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs and manufacturers, the camp is a technical, hands-on experience to introduce students to 21st-century manufacturing technology and basic entrepreneurial skills.

During the camp, there will be daily team Robotic Challenges, like maneuvering the robotic arm through an obstacle course and writing a letter with the robot. Projects will include machining parts for a paperweight/pen holder and assembling it in a robotic cell; making a keychain, a box with hinges, and a bottle via plastic injection molding and blow molding; producing a personalized medallion with a CNC router; laser engraving a carabiner; and, creating a design in CAD SolidWorks to print in 3D on a plastic disk. Lead Instructor Dave Carroll, an automation and robotics expert, is an inventor and entrepreneur who holds many patents and has built several businesses.

Just the basics about the camp...
WHO: High School Students who've completed grades 9–11
WHAT: Advanced Manufacturing Camp, with an entrepreneurial focus.
Participants will explore product design and creation, utilizing
• Entrepreneurship
• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programming / Machining
• Automation and Robotics
• Plastic Injection and Blow Molding
• Visits to Area Manufacturers
WHEN: Monday – Friday, June 13 – 17, 2011, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day
WHERE: Pine Technical College in Pine City, Minnesota
COST: $60.
• includes T-shirt, daily lunch, all instruction and materials, and field trip transportation)

One college credit will be awarded to all campers successfully completing the camp. Scholarships are available for those with a demonstrated need to help cover registration and transportation to and from the camp. For more information, click here, or contact Marlene Mixa with questions, mixam@pinetech.edu or 320-629-4557.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Introducing the new associate degree in nursing mobility!


PTC will offer an associate of science nursing degree beginning in the fall of 2011, when the first class will begin their studies. The new program seeks to address the growing nursing shortage in East Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The program, designed for early to mid-career practical nurses who want to advance their education and careers as leaders in healthcare organizations and in community health settings, is a natural progression for LPNs who want to build on their education and work experience.

"By providing this program, first, we are helping to address workforce needs in this area," says Krista Hoekstra, PTC Director of Nursing. "The program is ideal for current LPNs who wish to gain their RN credential; it’s essentially a third year of college for them – on top of the two-year practical nursing diploma program we have in place." Hoekstra explains.

Because the program is designed for LPNs, admission is selective and requires a practical nursing diploma or its equivalent plus the license; documentation of current Health Care Provider CPR course; completion of a criminal background check; and, students will need to complete a physical and obtain certain immunizations. The program is comprised of both in-class lecture and an advanced clinical component.

"Our program is designed to do a lot!" says Hoekstra. "It will enhance retention of educated nurses in our community; it will prepare nurses for leadership roles; and, it will provide a pathway for nurses to pursue advanced credentials and degrees. Altogether, we’re very proud of our newly expanded nursing program, and we’re looking forward to educating a robust, strong cohort of nursing students this fall. We’re ready to educate the next generation of RNs," Hoekstra adds.

Classes start Aug. 22; however, applications to the new program are due by June 27. For specific program information and a list of courses, visit the program page.