St. Cloud Technical College

Two Different Fields, One Shared Life
by Elizabeth Bouska

Dale and Dianne Gruber

They say education can bring people together. This was the case when Dianne (Johnson) Gruber and Dale Gruber were introduced by a friend in Dianne's class at SCTC.

In 1974 Dale graduated from SCTC in carpentry, while Dianne graduated in two programs. Dianne graduated in the secretarial program in 1975 and in the child development program in 1976.

Dale owns Dale Gruber Construction, specializing in light commercial construction. He also owns Home Check Plus, the home owner's resource for repairs and remodeling. In 1983, he started in business out of his home and eventually moved the business to its current address in St. Cloud. His businesses employ 10 people, four of which are SCTC alumni. Dale hires SCTC graduates because of his confidence in the college and the high quality employees he receives.

Dianne also owns her own business. In 1981 Dianne started her own daycare business called Dianne's Daycare. Dianne currently provides daycare for nine children out of the home. Dianne has provided SCTC students with internships for many years. Looking back, Dianne's most memorable experience at SCTC was her internship as an elementary aid working with mentally challenged and pre-school children.

Being married for almost 30 years, Dale and Dianne enjoy spending time at their lake home with their three daughters Medora, Rachel, and Meghan. Both Dale and Dianne feel proud to be SCTC alums. Dale says that SCTC is a well respected college in the community. Both Dale and Dianne valued and enjoyed their instructors when in college, and enjoyed the fact that when they attended, tuition was free!

Dianne and Dale believe that without their degrees, they would not have the skills necessary to succeed in their respective fields. One way they show their support of the college is through scholarship donations. They both believe that SCTC students are a great asset to Central Minnesota.

Although much has changed at SCTC since they graduated, Dale and Dianne agree that the hands-on experience they received was invaluable and that the college has helped them to become who they are today. Their education has helped them in their different fields, and inadvertently brought them together.