| Alumni Spotlights |
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The SCTC Alumni Association is proud of our alumni, and we are pleased to showcase how their college experiences have changed their lives and our community. Please take a few minutes to read about the accomplishments of SCTC graduates. Inspire Others-Share your SCTC Success Story! Tell us about your career and journey after SCTC. Your success may inspire others. Submit your Story | Send your Photograph Dan Kvaas 1976 Real Estate/Insurance Sales Career: Self Employed in the Remodeling Business Favorite Instructor: I'd like to say a few words about Charlie Carr, my favorite instructor. Charlie was a great influence on me. I was a young free spirit who had better things to do than study. But Charlie challenged me through his unique teaching style to make a stand. He taught me to dedicate myself to things such as DECA competitions despite my fear of public speaking. He also said to take pride in the little steps to making yourself a better student and person. Through his humor and mentoring, Charlie's compassion instilled self esteem which made a difference for me and my classmates. I didn't turn insurance into a career. But my remodeling business success is a reflection of growing up with Charlie's help. I thank him. Dale Mueller 1997 Civil Engineering Technology Career: Program Chair and Land Surveying-Civil Engineering Instructor at Southeast Community College Favorite Memories:
Accomplishments: I accepted a job at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska as an instructor in the Land Surveying/Civil Engineering Program. Six months later I was chosen to be the Program Chair of the program. I work closely with all branches of the administration at the college. I evaluate other programs, evaluate instructors, work on the college's general education team, and administer DACUM's of other programs. I also complete the program's yearly budget, assessment, long range plan, and capital equipment requests. I manage the programs yearly budget of over $235,000. Favorite Instructors: Rich Antony and John Dahl were my favorites because they have vast knowledge in the land surveying industry and inspired me to shoot for the moon. What I learned in the program I teach here as SCC. Their inspiring approach to teaching made me excited to learn in any class they taught. They also rewarded students for a job well done. How SCTC Changed My Life: I was able to continue with my passion to teach which I did several times in the U.S. Navy. With the knowledge I achieved at SCTC I was able to pick up a job at SCC and continue with teaching. Joan Guggenberger 1999 Practical Nursing Career: LPN at Assumption Campus Favorite Memories: The clinicals at the St. Cloud Hospital Family Birthing Center. I saw my first live birth and will never forget it. Accomplishments: I am married with 4 kids and currently working as an LPN casually at Assumption Home in Cold Spring, and have been there for 12 1/2 years Favorite Instructors: Jan Hooper, she was very insightful and very approachable. How SCTC Changed My Life: Gave me the knowledge and experience to bring to the workplace. Chris Schilling 2004 Advertising Career: Systems Sales Professional at Microelectronics Corporation. Favorite Memories: I don't really have a single moment, however the overall caring of my profs. including but not limited to; Brown Robert, Scheffler Eldon, Palm Jeff, Leuthard Penny, made me feel that my future success was just as important to them, as it was to me! Accomplishments: About a month after graduating a friend of mine with a similar degree as mine got me interested in a technology sales position in computer retail sales. Since then I have used my knowledge in Advertising, Graphic Design, Merchandising and Retail Sales skills acquired at SCTC to become the #1 sales associate in Minnesota #6 in the country at Microcenter, the number one rated computer sales store in the US by consumer reports. My expectations out of college were that I was going to intern a while and hopefully make around $28k as an entry level graphic artist. In my first year I grossed $35,000 and $65,000 the second year leading my to believe the sky is the limit. Much of this confidence I have obtained comes from listening to many of Jeff Palms lectures. (I don't think he thought I was even paying attention, I was!) Now with a mortgage and stability in life at age 25 I guess you could say my education has definitely payed off! Favorite Instructors: Jeff Palm, he'd probably be pretty shocked knowing this. He was the hardest on me of any professor I have had. He couldn't even remember my name much of the time, but after a few years he got it. (it's Chris not Troy) He had a way of not only preparing students for industry but also life lessons as well. I really appreciate all he taught me! How SCTC Changed My Life: It helped me grow up. Marilyn Weir 1984 Administrative Support Career: Office Manager at United Methodist Church Favorite Memories: It was so convenient to finish a complete degree in a nine-month period. I was an unemployed teacher, laid off in a budget cut, and this extra degree put me back in the work force. Accomplishments: I moved back into Northwestern Minnesota, and I have been working in offices here ever since. I worked for an AVTI, a collection/reporting bureau, the USDA, and am now in my 16th year at my church office. Favorite Instructor: Willa Campbell...she instilled pride in us. How SCTC Changed My Life: It put me back in the job market. Teaching jobs were nearly impossible to secure in those days. Chad Lexcen 2001 Sales & Management Career: Operations Manager at Belrose Wood Floors Favorite Memory: My favorite memory is being around the sales and management staff/teachers and students. The teachers made the program fun. Accomplishments: After SCTC I started working for a hardwood floor company out of the SW twin cities. At the time it had been a 2 person operation. After two years of hard work and dedication the company had grown to 18 employees. The growth of the company took off due to our fine detailed work in sanding, refinishing and Installing. We are employed by homeowners and contractors in commercial and residential work. I manage the crews, estimate jobs, buy products for the company, and train new employees. Come this June it will be 7 years in this line of work. Still to this day I love my job. I just want to thank all the teachers in the sales and management dept. They helped prepare me for a job like mine. Favorite Instructor: I had no favorite. I enjoyed learning from them all. How SCTC Changed My Life: It prepared me in areas of my line of work. It helped to make situations easier. It gave me a positive outlook on work life. Bill Riner 2007 Architectural Construction Technology Career: Owner of Virtual Residential Design, LLC Favorite Memory: My house design was selected for the 2007 Cantius neighborhood project. Accomplishments: I started Virtual Residential Design,LLC; a residential design business concentrating in 3D modeling and computer generated photo-realistic rendering. Favorite Instructor: I can not select just one. Two teachers, Bill Vennes and Jed Johnson, are fantastic teachers who helped teach an old dog new computer tricks. How SCTC Changed My Life: It helped me launch a second career in residential design at the age of 64. Tiffany (Higgins) Rodenwald 2002 Sales & Management Career: Broker/Owner of Custom Mortgage Services, LLC Favorite Memory: I really enjoyed being part of DEX and holding the title of Public Relations officer for Sales and Management during my second year (2001-2002). This position allowed me to grow as a person, really find my voice and work outside of my comfort zone. Accomplishments: After graduation I started working with a mortgage company to learn the business. Then in February 2005, after only working there for 9 months I decided to start my own company, Custom Mortgage Services, LLC in St. Cloud. Currently, in March of 2008 I opened another location in Long Prairie, MN. I have two other employees and love being my own boss. Favorite Instructor: I really enjoyed ALL of the Sales and Management teachers from the 2000-2002 year. They all impacted my life in one way or the other and helped me become the business owner I am today. How SCTC Changed My Life: It has in so many ways. However it has truly allowed me to find my voice and to share my thoughts openly. In high school I was shy and reserved but in college I felt more compelled to get involved and make the most of my time in college. |
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