Issue 4, Spring 2012 - Riverland Community College

Spring 2012
Issue 4
Stephen C. Wright, 1942 Graduate and
Valedictorian of Austin Junior College
honored with Scholarship
News release and photo submitted by Steve Bowron, Dean for Institutional Advancement
Steve Bowron, dean for institutional advancement and Laurie Minehart, associate director of the Riverland Community
College foundation, recently met with Shirley Wright to thank her and her sons George and Charlie for the recent
$50,000 donation to the Riverland Community College Foundation to establish a scholarship to honor the memory of
Shirley’s husband and their father, Stephen C. Wright.
Stephen C. Wright was Valedictorian of the first graduating class of Austin Junior College (Riverland Community
College) in 1942. Stephen went on to serve in World War II, as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, serving 16
months in the Pacific. He returned from the war, received his degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State
University, and spent more than 40 years working as an engineer for Hormel plants nationwide. He retired in 1987.
Stephen was also an avid Austin community servant where he was a member of the Park and Recreation Board, Y’s
Men, R.O.A.R. and the American Legion. Stephen also served as a member and past president of the school board of
Austin Public Schools.
With the donation the family will annually provide two $500 scholarships to Riverland Community College students
pursuing Associate of Arts degrees leading to a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
with a preference given to students focused on a career in engineering. The first scholarships were awarded in the 2011
fall semester to students Hannah Hemann, Stacyville, Iowa, pursuing a career in mathematics education and Brady
Waldhauser, Owatonna, Minnesota, pursuing a career in Biology.
“It has been extra special working with the Wrights on this
scholarship since it honors one of the students in the first graduating
class of our wonderful community college,” said Steve Bowron, Dean for
Institutional Advancement.
“Their generous gift provides a lasting legacy for one of our
extremely successful alumni.”
Photo: Shirley Wright, wife of Stephen C. Wright, and sons, Charlie and
George, accept a framed poster of her husband’s 1942 graduating class of
Riverland Community College (Austin Junior College).
Pictured from left to right: Charlie Wright, George Wright, Shirley
Wright, and Steve Bowron.

Campus News Page 2
Preisdent’s
Message
Happy New Year! We have just completed a very successful fall semester in which
Riverland Community College accomplished a great deal in terms of academic quality,
fundraising, and partnerships.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Associate Degree
Board of Commissioners recently awarded Riverland Community College in Albert Lea,
Austin, and Owatonna initial accreditation for its five business degree programs. The
following programs received accreditation:
Accounting, Associate in Applied Science
Administrative Assistant, Associate in Applied Science
Business, Associate in Science
Business Emphasis, Associate in Arts
Medical Administrative Assistant, Associate in Applied Science Accreditation by ACBSP
documents the high-quality of our business degree programs and builds on Riverland’s
reputation for excellence in teaching and learning.
Doherty Staffing Solutions recently presented Riverland Community College Foundation
with a check for more than $23,000. The money, raised at the Fifth Annual Doherty
Scholarship Golf Classic, provides scholarships to students attending Riverland. Doherty
Staffing Solutions is a contract and temporary staffing firm that collaborates with clients
to attract and retain a skilled workforce, allowing them to focus on their competencies.
Proceeds from the tournament provide scholarships for Riverland Community College
students who are taking classes to update their skills to advance in their jobs with local
companies. Each year, more than 500 students graduate from Riverland Community
College. Eighty percent of them stay in the area, and 94 percent find jobs in various fields,
including welding, machining, and forklift operations, contributing their talents to our
community.
Recently, Riverland Community College announced a more than $3-million addition of a
community Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) to Riverland’s Austin campus. This
capital project, scheduled for completion next fall, addresses a top-ten need cited in recent
Mower County United Way survey results.
In a local partnership between the private and public sectors, Riverland will convert about
17,000 sq. ft. in its Austin campus’s West Building into an ECEC with a capacity to serve
approximately 400 preschool children. Although complete funding is not finalized, The
Hormel Foundation has committed $2 million and the Hormel Foods Corporation
Charitable Trust has pledged another $1 million to the project.
The Hormel Foundation’s vision is that every child in Austin will have access to a worldclass
learning facility. By the time children enter kindergarten, they will have acquired the
necessary academic, language, and social skills for success in the school system and
beyond. In addition to achieving the desired educational outcomes, plans will make scholarships
available for low-income families. This charitable strategy will ensure greater access
to the ECEC, promote student success, and secure a skilled workforce for local employers.
You will learn about many more exciting developments at Riverland and catch up with our
alumni in this issue of Meanderings. We invite your participation in college activities, including
Blue Devils athletic events, exhibits at the James Wegner Art Gallery, lecture
series, musical concerts, and our theatre productions.
Thank you for your continued support of Riverland and the many thousands of students
who depend on it to begin successful careers.
Sincerely,
Terrence Leas, Ph.D.

Upcoming Alumni Events
Page 3
Story and photo submitted by Roger Boughton
Attention Phi Theta Kappa Inductees:
Sue Grove, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, is planning a Phi Theta Kappa reunion for all
PTK inductees from 1947 to 2012 this summer. If you would like to help plan this
event, please contact Sue Grove at sue.grove@riverland.edu.
Be Your Best & Beyond Reunion!
Be Your Best Summer College Prep Academy
Alumni Recognition & Art Dedication
This summer, Be Your Best will celebrate its six-year anniversary with more than
120 graduates.
Alumni are invited to share their experiences and accomplishments at the Be Your
Best & Beyond reunion. In addition, the Be Your Best class of 2012 will celebrate
their art dedication.
If you would like to help plan this event or to get more information, please call
Yesenia Mendoza at 507-433-0644 or email her at ymendoza@riverland.edu.
Music & Theatre Alumni Event
scheduled for Saturday, August 18
Riverland Community College theatre and music alumni will come together to
present an evening of entertainment to raise money for scholarships.
For the first time ever, Riverland will present “24 Hour Plays” – original plays
written, rehearsed, and performed all in the span of just 24 hours. Combined with a
variety of musical performances, a silent auction, and refreshments, this one-nightonly
event is not to be missed.
If you would like to participate in the alumni show or get more information, please
contact Lindsey Williams at lindsey.williams@riverland.edu or Scott Blankenbaker
at scott.blankenbaker@riverland.edu.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Matthew Boughton
Matthew Boughton, a 1994 graduate of Austin High School, and graduate of
Riverland Community College and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, was
honored by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA).
Matthew was selected and honored for standing out and going above and beyond in all
aspects of the tennis industry, from tennis coaches to players to volunteers during its
annual national awards breakfast during the USPTA World Conference on Tennis at
Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida on September 22, 2011.
Matthew is the director of tennis and a tennis professional at the YMCA in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin. He helped grow the junior tennis program, increasing membership revenue by twenty percent and lesson
revenue by thirty-nine percent. His work with the Eau Claire tennis community and YMCA is what earned him the
top USPTA Industry Excellence Award, recognizing business acumen and a charitable attitude.
The award is sponsored by the Tennis Industry Association and supported by Tennis Tutor ball machines.
Matthew is married to Sara and has two young daughters - Gracie and Jillian.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Nancy Martinz
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Story submitted by Nancy Martinz
On October 29, 2011, I was honored along with five other athletes as we were inducted into the Riverland Community
College Athletic Hall of Fame. I want to share with you how that came to be and what I am doing now.
I attended Austin Community College from 1981 to 1983, and played center-field on the women’s fast-pitch softball
team. I received All-State honors as a sophomore and All-Conference honors during my freshman and sophomore years.
Other career highlights include finishing third in the state tournament my freshman year, winning the division title,
regional championship, and advancing to the NJCAA tournament. After graduation, I went on to Mankato State
University where I was the center-fielder on the women’s fast-pitch softball team from 1983 to 1985.
When I was sixteen years-old, I went to Yellowstone National Park. It was a defining moment in my life because I knew
then and there that I wanted to be a park ranger. While in high school I took an aptitude test, and my counselor told me,
“From what I see, Nancy, the only thing you’ll be good at is being a housewife and having babies.” When I visited a
college in northern Minnesota known for resource management, that counselor told me, “Women can’t be park rangers.”
Then my mom and I drove to Austin and met with another counselor. I told him I wanted to be a park ranger. He looked
at me and said, “Nancy, you can be anything you want to be.” I got where I am today because I never gave up or
listened to the naysayers.
I was hired in Yellowstone in 1986 as a Gate Ranger, collecting entrance fees at the northeast entrance. After my first
summer season, I wanted more. That winter, I enrolled in the seasonal Law Enforcement Academy for the National Park
Service in Nelsonville, Ohio. I graduated from the academy and returned to Owatonna, Minnesota where I then enrolled
in an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class. Upon my return to Yellowstone for my second season, I was a Law
Enforcement Park Ranger and a Nationally Registered EMT.
In the vastness of Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, I have been on several man-hunts, looking for wanted felons that we
knew were in the area, and trapped and relocated bears and aggressive elk during the fall rut. Along with my law enforcement
duties, I fought forest fires; worked on search and rescue, and snowmobile and back country horse patrols;
assisted with presidential visit details, instructed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in the local
schools, served as a communications dispatcher, assistant fee coordinator, fish program manager, field training officer,
and physical security specialist; and I was deputized with the Park County Sheriff’s Office, and worked as a Contract
Guard for the United States Marshals Service.
Some of my most memorable times working in Yellowstone were the fires of 1988. While working on a fire near Lake
Yellowstone, a wall of fire separated my 20-person crew. As we ran toward our predetermined safety zone, the fire
roared toward us. The fire was loud and sounded like a waterfall, and the smoke was so thick, it was hard to see where
we were going. When we made it back to camp, we found that red-hot embers had floated onto our tents and started
them on fire. When my crew was packed up, I stood on the lakeshore waiting for someone to come and evacuate us. A
large boat came to take us back to Lake Yellowstone Village. While crossing the lake, we encountered waves with
seven-foot swells. I wasn’t sure if we were going to burn up or be drowned that day.
Perhaps one of the best things that happened to me while working in Yellowstone was the day I met my husband of
twenty years. We met on a forest fire on September 3, 1987 in West Yellowstone. Duane and I have had the privilege
of living and working in Yellowstone for nineteen years, and also raising two boys, Cody (17) and Blake (13) in
America’s 1 st National Park.
In 2005, I advanced in my career, and we headed for the “Shrine of Democracy,” Mount Rushmore National Memorial
in South Dakota. I enjoyed taking friends and family to the top of the heads. This was a rare event that no longer occurs
due to Homeland Security breaches.
Many exciting opportunities happened for me while I worked at Mount Rushmore. I met and worked with people such
as Steve Irwin (Crocodile Man), John Walsh (America’s Most Wanted), Ty Huntington (Extreme Home Makeover),
Hilary Clinton, the Oak Ridge Boys and many others. I was in charge of the film permit for Disney’s National
Treasure II Book of Secrets and worked with the entire cast and crew, including Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of the
film. Also, working on the July 3 rd fireworks display, ranked fourth in the top ten in the nation, brought about many more
challenges for me and my employees. Nearly 30,000 people attended the Mount Rushmore’s firework display.
After three years at Mount Rushmore, I accepted a position with the United States Forest Service as a Law Enforcement
Patrol Captain. I oversee the law enforcement of four National Forests in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska which
encompasses about seven million acres. There are many exciting challenges before me; I do what I love, and I love what
I do. As you can see, dreams do come true. Follow your dreams and accept the challenges. Who knows where it can
lead you?

The Story of an Austin State Junior College Prank (Part 1)
This is the narrative of a prank played on two Austin State Junior College teachers and the college
administration during the 1966-1967 school year. Story submitted by Gregg Nelson, copyright 2011.
Editor’s Note: I talked to both Frank Bridges and Eugene Auringer about this story, and they were equally
impressed with Gregg’s finesse. Mr. Auginger said, “You should have seen the look on Rex’s face!” Mr. Bridges
compared Gregg’s story to a Tom Sawyer-like escapade. Read on and discover Gregg’s amazing adventure!
Background
I was five years old in 1951, when my parents moved from Padden Avenue (9th Avenue SW) to a newly built house on
College Street (2nd Avenue SW). Our new house was just two houses west of Banfield Elementary School, which was
under construction at the time. Since no school was closer, I attended kindergarten at Shaw Elementary School. I walked
to and from Shaw most days, which was nearly one mile from our new house.
The construction of Banfield made it a terrific site for exploration. On many occasions several playmates and I would
crawl through the tunnels beneath the hallways, enter the boiler room, and explore classrooms as the building neared
completion. Once Banfield was complete and opened for school, I attended first through sixth grade there as did all my
neighborhood friends.
The farmstead home, where the family lived who farmed the land where Banfield School was constructed, still stood at
the corner of 1st Avenue and 15th Street SW for a couple of years after the school opened. No one lived there anymore,
and our explorations never took us inside. We did, however, play around the home, in the small apple orchard along 15th
Street Southwest, even going so far as to construct a simple tree house in a pine tree which stood along the drive leading
to the house. A bit of advice: don't use a pine tree for a tree house. Our hands were sticky with sap for days and must
have given our mothers fits getting it out of our clothes. A row of giant cottonwood trees ran along the western edge of
the farmstead lot.
Exploring new construction around town was one of the passage rites of young boys in those days. We visited the Sacred
Heart Care Center during its construction. So it was not unusual that many years later, the site of the new Austin Junior
College interested us.
I attended Austin Central High School for grades 7 through 12, graduating in 1965. At that time, Austin Junior College
used classrooms on the third floor of the 1941 addition to the high school.
I attended the University of Minnesota for the fall and winter quarters of my first year of college then returned to Austin
State Junior College for the spring quarter. That spring construction began on a new Junior College in its present
location.
New Junior College
Friends and I visited the new college site a number of times as construction progressed. Initially, it was nothing but a few
holes in the ground and some poured footings. Then slabs appeared on top of the footings. Later brick walls rose around
the edges of the slabs. The college was constructed as several separate buildings, all on one level. Glass breezeways
connected the separate buildings.
We knew from our earlier explorations there were tunnels running beneath nearly all the hallways. The tunnels carried
electrical conduits and heating pipes from the heating plant to the rest of the college. Trap doors that led into these
tunnels were located in the floor of classrooms closest to the breezeways. A special tool was needed to open the doors
from above. From below a simple lever opened the latch.
On one of our last visits to the college prior to summer’s end, we were startled to discover all outside entrances had been
closed and locked. By that time, our explorations had discovered another way in through a utility tunnel which was
covered only by a sheet of plywood leaning against the opening. Once inside, we noticed many of the classroom doors
had locks installed. Empty lock boxes were strewn everywhere; we picked one up and found a sheet of installation
instructions and a small spanner wrench. We read the instructions and discovered how easy it was to remove a door lock.
The spanner wrench was needed to unscrew a collar under the inside handle. The other end of the wrench could then be
used to press a small lever under the collar. At that point, both inside and outside knobs popped off.
A plan was forming in our minds as we held the door lock in our hands. We knew enough about locks to know there
must be a master key for the college. Wouldn't it be fun to have the college's master key during the school year? We
didn't have any intention of committing crimes or serious mischief. It seemed more like a challenge. Who knew what
use to which we might put the master key?
Page 5
“Prank” continued on page 6

Fabricating a Master Key
We decided to remove a door lock, take it home, take it apart, and fashion a master key. So, following the
instruction sheet from the box, we removed a door lock. We didn't think it would be that noticeable since some
doors still needed locks installed. Anyway, we would bring the lock back as soon as we were finished with it.
We took the lock to a basement workshop in one participant’s home. We were careful in setting up the workbench
because we knew the pins in the lock had to be maintained in their original order if the lock were to be usable after we
were finished. It was also important that the key we were making would work in the other locks at the college. We used
a small notebook to record the order of the pin holes and pin lengths as each was extracted. Loops of masking tape,
adhesive side up, kept the pins in order, one strip for each pin hole.
We removed the lock cylinder from the external knob and carefully moved a metal slide covering the pin holes just
enough to reveal the first hole. The spring was now visible and was removed. The pins had to be retrieved in their correct
order, so we tipped the cylinder sideways just enough so that the top-most pin came out. We measured the pin with a
micrometer, recorded its length in the notebook, and then added it to the strip of masking tape. By recording the pin's
length, we could still put the lock back together correctly even if we accidentally dropped several. We continued in that
fashion until all pins were removed.
While removing the pins from the sixth hole, we encountered something unexpected. After the first couple of pins, three
tiny ball bearings fell out. We didn't know what they were for and set them aside for the time being. All we knew was
they had to go back in the same pin hole they came out of and in the same order. At this point in time, we didn't fully
understand all the features of the lock which I will explain later.
Each pin hole had a spring on top, one or more ordinary pins in the middle, and a key pin with a conically shaped nose
on the bottom that fell into the key slots. We knew that a master key meant some or all of the slots had multiple pins,
which also meant there was more than one break line for the pins: an individual key break line and a master key break
line. By “break line,” I mean a separation between pins in each hole that aligns with the interface between the inner and
outer cylinder such that no pin prevents the inner cylinder, called the “plug,” from turning.
We had purchased key blanks for that make and model from the Sterling Benjamin Franklin. We inserted a blank key
into the inner cylinder, inserted a small punch into the pin hole, and tapped it lightly with a small hammer. This made a
small indentation on the key blank indicating where the key slots were centered. The key was removed and the first slot
filed until the top of the key pin was level with the top of the plug. We added another pin and continued to file the slot
until the master key break was even with the top of the plug.
We proceeded in this fashion until the first four key slots were complete. There were additional pins (plus ball bearings)
in the fifth and sixth pin holes. That meant there were additional break lines for those holes, which meant there were
several possible configurations for the master key.
We proceeded to make one of the master key configurations by filing the fifth and sixth key slot. After each filing, we
went back to the college to test it. There was no way we could determine the correct configuration from the single lock
we had. We didn't need to go inside. Any outside door would work for the test. The first attempt failed. However, the
second succeeded! We put the lock back together, went back to the college, and used our new master key to get in
through an external door. We re-installed the lock on the door from which we had removed it and left. Participant 2, who
was mechanically inclined and had access to metal working tools, fashioned a tool that opened the utility tunnel doors
from the classroom side.
So now we had a master key which could open any door to the building. What to do with it? Best to do nothing at all
until an unusual situation presents itself. Participant 2 had graduated from Austin State Junior College the prior spring
and was off to the University of Minnesota in the fall.
Fall quarter began, the first in the brand new building. It was a wonderful facility after the years on third floor of the high
school.
Chemistry instructor Rex Sala recalls . . .
“When I joined the faculty in September of 1965, Austin Junior College was a very nice, two-year liberal arts
college whose students, for the most part, transferred to other four-year colleges and universities. Our students
generally increased their grade-point averages upon transfer due to the rigor of our curriculum. The college
offered a secretarial program that was the only vocational program we had at that time. We also provided the
college courses needed by the Albert Lea three-year Registered Nursing program. A few business courses were
offered in connection with a DECA program, but no specific two-year degree. The vast majority of the
curriculum was standard liberal arts courses. The college was in the throes of being taken over (purchased) by
the state of Minnesota. (The state had made a commitment that there should be an institution of higher
education within thirty-five miles (commuting distance) of every student in the state.
“Prank” continued on Page 7
Page 6

The college was growing by leaps and bounds and had outgrown the space that had been allotted to it on
the third floor of the high school. Classes were being held in available buildings and churches in downtown
Austin. The city of Austin had just passed a bonding bill to build a new college building in Northwest
Page 7
Austin. The college president, Dean Meland, was recovering from a very serious disease (nearly killed him), and
the place was being run by academic dean Eugene LaVine. Due to the influx of students and the anticipated
further increases, numbers of faculty were being added. We were all about the same age and fresh from various
graduate schools with master's degrees. We endured the chaos of the 1965-66 academic year, anticipating that
the fall of 1966 would find us establishing our identity in the new building.
The fall of '66 found us in the new building, but we were in turmoil; shelving in the library had yet to be
installed, shelving in the chemistry storeroom had to be ordered and installed. The faculty was trying to get
organized and provide us with some leadership and order, and the state was trying to standardize the working
agreements for all the 18 new junior colleges it now owned. Through it all, Deans Meland and LaVine must have
been going crazy with trying to run a new building, something they had never had to do before, in addition to
satisfying the demands of all the characters making up their new faculty and deal with a new state hierarchy.
One problem with the new building was that of access. It seemed the entire world had access to any part of the
building at any time, and we had numerous break-ins. I don't remember anything being stolen. At one point,
some of us (faculty) organized and patrolled the halls during the weekends with baseball bats to deal with the
intruders. I think one of the major concerns was that the intruders might gain access to our papers and exams.
With all that turmoil, it is a wonder that any education took place, and it is not at all surprising that the master
key for the building was changed.”
This was my second year of college, and I took my usual load of courses. I also volunteered to sing in the Briars, a small
select choir that performed at both college and non-college events. I didn't have a great voice, but I enjoyed singing. I
could sing parts, carry a tune fairly well, and basses were always in short supply.
The college's new theater was in a separate building connected to the rest of the complex by a breezeway. The theater
itself ran the full length of the building. On each side of the theater, there was a hallway flanked by a row of classrooms,
including an orchestra practice room which also served for choir practice. As I came and went from the choir room, I
would look through the open door onto the theater stage. Across the stage was a fascinatingly complicated
looking lighting control system that drew me in; I wanted to learn its intricacies and run it during performances.
After class one day, I spoke to theater director, Frank Bridges, and told him my desire to work with the lighting system.
He agreed to let me work on lighting for that year's fall play, O'Neil's The Emperor Jones. In addition to the main
lighting panel at one side of the stage, there was a remote control panel in a glass-enclosed control room at the top rear
of the theater, behind the audience.
I had a wonderful time crawling up ladders, moving lights around above the stage, planning special lighting effects for
certain scenes, and experiencing the excitement of being a part of a theatrical production. Being in front of an audience
was something I long had a desire to do but to this point had never allowed myself to pursue. Now I was making a small
start and also doing something that fed my technical curiosity.
A friend who was on the student council (the brother of participant 2 and who knew about the master key ) told us of
several break-ins during the fall quarter. Entry was gained by smashing a window alongside an entrance door. Of course,
had we wanted to enter the school, we wouldn't have needed to use that method, and we never did enter the school
during the fall quarter. There was no point. We weren't thieves.
Christmas Break
The fall quarter came to a close. Christmas holiday break arrived and with it my friend, participant 2, who had helped
with the master key, returned from the U of M. While hanging around looking for something to do, someone came up
with the idea of playing a prank on the college using the master key. The idea may have been mine, but I can't say for
sure. We agreed to do it late at night when we believed no one would be at the school during the holiday vacation.
While discussing the plan for the prank, participant 2’s brother told us the college administration had changed the master
key combination because of the break-ins that had occurred. He said all that was necessary was to insert a special key.
Having taken a lock completely apart, we thought we knew everything about it and told him that was impossible. He
insisted the master key combination had been changed. We didn’t believe him at that point and decided to find out.
We drove out to the college in the evening and parked some distance away. It got early, of course. The college was
surrounded by trees, and the closest houses were some distance away. We went to an outside door and tried our master
key, one where it had previously worked. It would not open the lock! We were dumfounded. How had they changed the
master key configuration? “Prank” continued on Page 8

We were ready to give up on our plans, but we decided to try the key on other outside doors. We walked
around the college through the snow from door to door trying our key. It failed in every door. They had
changed the master key configuration in some unknown way. What frustration!
There was only one door left to try, that of the heating plant. The heating plant was a small separate building a short
distance from the rest of the college, but we knew from our previous explorations it was connected via a tunnel. We
went up to the door expecting our key to fail again. We inserted the key and turned it. It worked! Whatever mechanism
the administration used to change the master key, they had forgotten the heating plant. We were in!
We didn't go any further than trying the heating plant door. We knew we had access to the entire college via the utility
tunnels. Now we had to prepare for the assault. We also knew the brother on the student council was correct. There was
some internal mechanism in the locks that allowed for changing the master key. We wanted to know how it worked. We
believed we could discover it by taking apart another lock. We could then make a new master key matching the new
configuration. This was the first step in the prank we had planned.
We went home and loaded a tool box with a collection of tools, including a micrometer, notebook, flashlights, work
light, spanner wrench, masking tape, and tunnel door opener. We also brought a pair of cheap two-way radios. A third
participant agreed to park on a street alongside the college and alert us if anyone such as maintenance personnel,
administrators, or police should appear to investigate.
It was about midnight as we arrived at the heating plant door and quickly let ourselves in. The door opened onto a small
grated platform near the ceiling of the building. From that vantage point, we could look over the entire heating plant
since the upper level was essentially empty. A stairway led down one wall to the main floor a dozen or so feet below
ground level where the boilers, pumps, ducts, piping, and other equipment were installed. We set up a small work area
on top of a large duct, which was at the right height, spread out our tools, and drew up chairs from the maintenance person's
desk. We quickly discovered the radios were of no use as their range was insufficient, so we went outside and
asked Participant 3 to join us.
We first had to obtain another lock to take apart. We needed a lock in which our original master key did not work which
meant the lock's master key configuration had been changed. We went up the small staircase to the tunnel door that led
into the main building and started into the tunnels. We knew our way around since the tunnels followed the main
hallways. We came to a side tunnel which led to a tunnel trapdoor in a classroom. We easily opened the door with the
lever, hoisted ourselves into the classroom, and were inside the darkened college.
To obtain the required lock, we had to find a door that was ajar because the doorknobs could only be removed from the
inside. It took some time since most doors were closed and locked and our original key didn’t work in them. Some that
were ajar still had the old master key configuration and were of no use. Eventually, we found a door ajar which our
master key would not open. We quickly unscrewed the inside collar with the spanner wrench and removed both knobs.
We went back through the tunnel trap-door from which we had entered and worked our way back to the heating plant.
The tunnels had dirt floors and were only a bit more than four feet high, so we had to bend over quite low to make one's
way through them as piping hung from the tunnel ceiling.
Once back at the heating plant, we set about dismantling the lock. We were determined to be extra careful this time so
there would be no surprises. We proceeded as before removing pins from one hole at a time, measuring them with the
micrometer, recording their lengths, and sticking them on a strip of masking tape. We expected to see the three tiny ball
bearings when we got to the sixth hole but they weren't there. We had removed all the pins, but no ball bearings
appeared. Had we made a mistake? Would we be able to make the new master key?
It seemed impossible the bearings had been removed from all the locks. That would have been a monumental task. Now
that all the pins were out, we slid the plug out of the outer cylinder and the three bearings fell out! How could this be?
Where could they have been if not in the last pin hole where they were when we dismantled the first lock last summer?
We examined the plug closely. There were two small drilled pockets, one on either side of the sixth hole. Suddenly, the
master key changing mechanism dawned on us!
By inserting a special key and twisting it from side to side, the master key combination could be changed once and only
once. The special key aligned the pins in the sixth hole, so the ball bearings were just above the plug. Of course, all the
other pins had to align as well to permit the plug to turn. Moving the key from side to side caused the ball bearings to
drop into the tiny pockets on either side of the sixth pin hole. The master key slot for the sixth hole was then different by
exactly the diameter of the ball bearings.
Page 8
Now that we understood the lock completely, it was relatively easy to make the new master key. We clamped a key
“Prank” continued on Page 9

lank together with our first master key, and filed the first four slots to match. We inserted the partially
complete master key into the plug, and added pins in order to the fifth and sixth holes. There were still several Page 9
possible pin break lines for the fifth and sixth holes, so we tried them one at a time. After filing to a break line,
we took the key up into the college to test it. It took several attempts, but the third time was the charm! We now had the
new master key. We went back to the heating plant, reassembled the lock, and installed it on the door from which we had
taken it. Our plan was only half complete. The actual prank remained. It had taken approximately two and a half hours
since we first entered the building.
Editors Note: “Prank” will conclude in the Fall 2012 edition of Meanderings. Stay tuned!
"Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the
Dakota and Ojibwe Nations" Exhibit
Photos by Dustin Heckman, Executive Director, Mower County Historical Society
Story by Danielle Heiny, Chief Diversity Officer for Students
Riverland Community College was chosen as a host site for a traveling exhibit that was a collaborative project of the
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Humanities Center, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the
American Indian. The exhibit helps establish American Indian sovereignty as an ongoing continental reality and
provides a vehicle for all Minnesotans to learn new and innovative ways to create community, build sustainable
systems, and relate to one another. Riverland was selected to host the exhibit through a competitive application
process. Danielle Heiny, Chief Diversity Officer for Students, said, “The exhibit was part of Riverland’s
programming to support and enhance diversity education for students, staff and faculty. We were honored to be
one of the twenty-two sites selected throughout the state to host the exhibit. The comments and feedback about the
exhibit were very powerful. Most people didn’t have a good grasp of the historical events leading up to the treaties
being created. Many were not aware that our American Indian tribes in Minnesota are actually sovereign nations.”
The exhibit was onsite at the Austin campus from October 24 through November 23, 2011. More than 3,400
individuals toured the exhibit or attended one of the related programming events. Related programming included a
concert by the Austin Symphony Orchestra featuring an American Indian flautist and storyteller, a lecture series, and
a writing workshop. In addition, KSMQ Public Television aired a series entitled We Look in All Directions, featuring
the Ojibwe in Minnesota during the exhibit’s stay at Riverland.
To learn more about the exhibit, visit www.treatiesmatter.org

Massage Therapy Program News Page 10
Story Submitted by Karla Caruso, Massage Therapy Instructor
The Riverland Massage Therapy Program is currently in its eighth year and going strong. We have an eighty-five to
ninety percent job placement rate, and some former students are getting exciting job offers as well as recognition in the
field of massage therapy.
Prospective employers seek out Riverland massage graduates before they are even done with school. Being recognized
as a high-quality massage program is very exciting for instructors Karla Caruso and Kris Graff. “We strive to provide a
well balanced program so students are ready to successfully begin their career upon graduation.”
Some comments from Riverland’s massage therapy students include:
“I learned so much in a short amount of time and was able to apply the techniques.”
“I learned massage was much more then just relaxation. There are lots of types of massage that add to the
therapeutic benefits. The small class setting and knowledgeable teachers also helped me learn.”
“The warm and caring personalities of the instructors really make learning about the body an enjoyable and fun
experience. I feel supported on my path.”
Austin Student Senate News
Story and photos submitted by Suzan Hebrink, Student Senate Co-Advisor
Amelia Holcomb,
President
Richard Brown,
Vice President
The Riverland Community College Austin Student Senate is up and running this year with
plenty of new faces. Mindy Askelson along with Suzy Hebrink are first year co-advisors
this year.
Voted in as new President is Amelia Holcolm, a second-year nursing student, who took over
as President after the recent resignation of former Student Senate President Ed Gonzales.
Replacing Amelia as Vice President is Richard Brown, a Computer Technology Program
student. Faith Snater, a Liberal Arts major, returned as Secretary; she graduated in fall semester
2011 with her Associates in Arts degree. A new Secretary will be voted in soon.
The Austin Student Senate has grown to twenty-one members; fourteen are Liberal Arts
majors and eight are in our Career Programs. With many first-time Senators, this is a
learning experience for all.
Jordan Wylde, Amelia Holcomb, Gustavo Xicara and Ed Gonzales along with Advisor
Mindi Askelson attended the Fall General Assembly meeting in Minneapolis for a long
weekend of fun, networking, and much learning. With their renewed energy, our Senators
are eager to bring their expertise to college/campus committees as they work to represent the
Riverland Community College student body at the state level.
Faith Snater,
Secretary/Treasurer
ALUMNI, our 75th anniversary is only three
years away. Send your ideas to Marijo
Alexander at marijo.alexander@riverland.edu and help
us plan a “platinum” alumni celebration in
2015!

AAUW - Austin Branch
Awards Scholarships
to two Riverland students
Page 11
Story and photo submitted by Liz Richardson, AAUW co-president
The Austin Branch of the American Association of University Women
(AAUW), working in conjunction with the Riverland Community College
Foundation, recently awarded two $1,000.00 scholarships to students at
Riverland Community College.
Left to Right: Sue Grove, Titian Butash,
Alexander Jacobsen, and Bonnie Rietz
Mankato where he will complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in history.
The award recipients are Titian Butash and Alexander Jacobsen. Titian is
an award winning sculptor and writer from Austin, Minnesota. She will
pursue a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in sculpture at Minnesota State
University, Mankato, after completing an Associate of Fine Arts degree at
Riverland. Alexander completed his Associate of Fine Arts degree at
Riverland last spring, and transferred to Minnesota State University,
The AAUW branch in Austin raises scholarships funds by sponsoring a tour of homes every
other year, and collaborating with the Friends of the Austin Public Library on their annual used
book sale. Austin’s active AAUW branch has awarded $13,000 in scholarships to Riverland
students over the last ten years.
Doherty Golf Classic raises funds for Riverland students
News release and photo submitted by Steve Bowron, Dean for Institutional
Advancement
Doherty Staffing Solutions sponsored the Fifth Annual Doherty
Scholarship Golf Classic on June 13, 2011 to raise funds for Riverland
Community College student scholarships. The event raised a net total
of $23,615.17 for scholarships to students attending Riverland
Community College.
The event included an 18-hole tournament in a four-person scramble
format. A social hour, dinner with program, and prizes followed the
tournament.
The 2011 Doherty Take a Break for Education raffle winners were
Kristen Mathias from Mankato; she received a 7-day trip to Cancun, Mexico;
and George Walter from Owatonna received a 7-day vacation to a condo on
the beach of St. Augustine, Florida and $1,000 voucher for airfare. Both prizes
were donated by Lynn and Peter Cunningham from Austin, Minnesota.
Terry Leas, President of Riverland Community College, said “We are delighted to have the generous support of Doherty
Staffing Solutions. Their scholarships enable students, many of whom are dislocated workers, to build their skill sets and
value to local employers.”
For the complete story, go to http://rvrcm.riverland.edu/Riverland/Riverland/?p=703
Left to Right: Tim Doherty , Val Doherty,
Steve Bowron, and Dr. Terry Leas
Mark your Calendars & Save the Date! The 2012 Doherty Golf Classic fundraising event will be
held on Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Owatonna Country Club. All alumni are encouraged to participate.
Registration information will be available on the foundation website later this spring.

Announcing new Foundation
Scholarships awarded for the
first time this year
Page 12
Scholarship information submitted by Steve Bowron, Dean for Institutional Advancement
One of the joys of the Riverland Community College Foundation is partnering with alumni, local individuals,
organizations, and businesses to provide scholarships to students. We are proud to have so many generous and dedicated
people in our community who partner with the foundation to sponsor scholarships and help students with financial
assistance as they attend Riverland and move a step closer toward their chosen education and careers.
Even though the Riverland Community College awarded 294 scholarships to students in FY2011 for a total value of
$207,325, we still turned away 152 deserving students due to a lack of available funds.
The Riverland Community College Foundation welcomes new sponsors of scholarships for our students. If you, your
organization, or your business would be interested in sponsoring a scholarship, please contact the Riverland Community
College Foundation Office at 507-433-0630 to talk with a representative.
Let’s all work together to help CHANGE LIVES, CREATE DREAMS, AND BUILD HOPE!
Albert Lea Business Women's Legacy Endowed Scholarships, $1,000 each, fall semester
The Donita King scholarship was originated in her memory by the Albert Lea Business & Professional Women's
(BPW) Club.
The Bertha Weiks Scholarship was originated by the Albert Lea Business & Professional Women’s Club. Bertha
received the Woman of the Year award from the Albert Lea Business & Professional Women's Club at the age of 88.
The Business & Professional Women’s Foundation encourages partnership to create successful workplaces, those
that embrace and practice diversity, equity and work-life balance.
Terrance N. Dilley Endowed Liberal Arts Scholarship, $500 spring semester
Sociology and philosophy instructor, Terrance Dilley, established this scholarship to support students intending to
pursue study and careers in the liberal arts.
Doherty Staffing Solutions Endowed Scholarship, $500 fall & spring semesters
This scholarship was created by the management team of Doherty Staffing Solutions. Doherty has a passion for
education and desires to support students working toward a career pathway in career and technical education at
Riverland Community College.
Annette Federman Scholarship, $500 (two) summer sessions
This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Annette Federman who was a true woman of the 50’s. She
believed it was a woman’s right to have her hair and nails done as often as possible. Above all else, Annette truly
appreciated and rewarded good customer service.
Jerome L. Girton Endowed Musical/Theatre Scholarship, $500 spring semester
Jerome (Jerry) Girton, longtime Riverland Community College theatre instructor, established this endowed scholarship
to provide a lifetime of scholarship support for Riverland students with a passion for music and theatre.
Russell & Gudrun Harding Endowed & Presidential Scholarships, $1,000 & $500 fall & spring semesters
The Hardings were very committed to giving of themselves to help others succeed. As educators, they witnessed
first-hand the benefits of a good educated community, and established an endowed scholarship for Riverland Community
College students that are majoring in education.
Stephen C. Wright Scholarship, $500 fall & spring semesters
Stephen C. Wright was a 1942 graduate of Austin Junior College (Riverland Community College). In Stephen’s
memory and honor, his wife Shirley and family set up a scholarship for students at Riverland Community College.

American Association of University Women (Owatonna) Scholarship, $800 spring semester
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through
advocacy, education and research. AAUW breaks down barriers to ensure that women and girls have access to
higher education, and the opportunity to achieve excellence in their chosen professions.
Page 13
Beta Sigma Phi-Xi Kappa Chapter Scholarship, $500 fall semester
The Beta Sigma Phi-Xi Kappa Chapter established this scholarship in 2011 to support non-traditional women from
Mower County pursuing an education at Riverland Community College to enhance their careers. Beta Sigma Phi is an
international non-academic sorority founded in 1931 to provide social, cultural and civic enrichment for its members.
Jim & Evie Bowron Family Military Veteran scholarship, $500, spring semester
Steve and Jody Bowron established this scholarship in 2011 to honor Steve's parents and family members who have
proudly served the United States of America through military service. Jim and Evie Bowron served in the United States
Air Force and a number of their children, grandchildren and/or spouses have served in various military branches.
Wayne Broecker Scholarship, $500 fall & spring semesters
Wayne Broecker was the first director of the Albert Lea Area Vocational-Technical School (Riverland Community
College). Wayne also served on the Riverland Foundation Board of Directors, was active in the community ride services,
taught 55 Alive driver safety classes, sang in the Legion Carey Aires, and was a sparkplug for the Albert Lea
Chamber Visitors Bureau.
Iverson Family Theatre Scholarship, $500 spring semester
Steve and Theresa Iverson and their children are long time supporters and participants of Riverland Community College
and Summerset theatre and music. They established this scholarship to honor their love for theatre and music, and to
support Riverland students active with Riverland theatre and music as they pursue their educational goals.
Nelson's Marketplace Business Scholarship, $500 spring semester
Nelson’s Marketplace is a longtime supporter of the Albert Lea/Freeborn County community. This scholarship was
established to support Freeborn County residents enrolled at Riverland Community College pursuing business-related
careers.
Northwestern Singers Scholarship, $500 fall semester
The Northwestern Singers have held a benefit concert in November featuring school choirs from Austin. Money from
their annual ticket sales is donated, and more than $30,000 has been raised for Austin’s choirs over the last nine years.
In 2011, the Northwestern Singers established a scholarship for students enrolled in the Fine Arts program.
Riverland Radiography Alumni & Friends Scholarship, $250 fall, spring & summer semesters
The Riverland Radiography Alumni and Friends Scholarship was established in fall 2010 and is awarded each semester
to students pursuing a degree in Radiography. These scholarships are funded annually by donors who support the
Radiography program.
College Prep English Scholarship- In honor of Vennie Eline White, $125 (two) spring semester
Vennie Eline White, a recently retired English instructor and Writing Center Coordinator for Riverland Community
College, established this one-time scholarship with funds contributed during a retirement celebration at the Writing
Center. Vennie had such joy in working with Riverland students that she elected to establish this one-time scholarship to
support students whose success in one or more College Prep English courses made them eligible to enroll in Freshman
English.
Riverland Community College Foundation Presidential Scholarship (Austin campus), $1,000 fall semester
This scholarship is supported by the Riverland Community College Foundation to honor our current and past presidents
who have served at the Austin campus. This award along with the other Presidential scholarships, are among our most
prestigious scholarship awards available to students.
For more information, or to make a donation to the Riverland Community College Foundation , please visit
http://www.razoo.com/story/Riverland-Community-College-Foundation?referral_code=share

Riverland Theatre - Fall Highlights
Page 14
The Fantastics
Story by Lindsey Williams
“The longest-running musical in
the world returns to Austin!
The Fantasticks tells the story of
a boy, a girl, and the family feud
their parents have invented to
make sure that their children fall
in love.
With an unforgettable score
filled with classic songs such as
“Try to Remember,” “Much
More,” and “They Were You,”
The Fantasticks is a timeless
fable of love that is both nostalgic
and universal.”
Photo: Amelia Holcomb as Luisa, and Jordan Wylde as Matt
Be Aggressive
Story by Lindsey Williams
“Vista del Sol, California is paradise. But when
seventeen-year-old Laura’s mother is killed in a car
crash, her world turns upside-down.
Struggling to both take care of her family and keep
her spot on the varsity cheer squad, Laura turns to a
new friend, Leslie, who thinks she has the answer:
driving cross-country to attend an exclusive
cheerleading camp.
Called “a new, exciting, and unique voice in the
American theatre,” Annie Weisman’s poignant satire
paints a resonant picture of adolescence and its
challenges.”
Photo: Victoria Torkelson as Leslie and
Samantha Johnson as Laura.
Summerset XLV Season Passes are available now!
Announcing our 45th season at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre. One ticket for all three shows is only $37!
Please call the Theatre Box Office at 507-433-0595 to order your tickets.
The Sound of Music
June 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
The hills will be alive with this family favorite featuring classic songs such as
"Do Re Mi," "Edelweiss," and "Climb Every Mountain."
Picasso at the Lapin Agile
July 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 By Steve Martin
Actor Steve Martin's award-winning comedy puts a group of unlikely characters together in a Parisian café
to discuss philosophy, art, and science...with a few surprises!
Cash on Delivery!
July 31, August 1, 2, 3, 4 By Michael Cooney
Mistaken identities, dead bodies...and a maternity dress? This fast-paced British farce about a con-man who
gets in over his head will have you rolling in the aisles!

Page 15
Blue Devils Softball
Al Eckmann joins Riverland athletics as Lady Blue Devils head softball coach. According to
Jan Waller, Dean of Academic Affairs, “He has tremendous coaching experience and looks forward
to leading the Riverland softball team. His experience includes winning three Minnesota state
championships and seven Big Nine Conference championships. In addition to this impressive
record, his experience includes three years as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota
where he was very active in the recruiting process.
Ron Bergstrom joins Riverland athletics as Lady Blue Devils assistant softball coach.
Note: The following information was taken from the Blue Devils Softball brochure. “He has more
than twenty-five years of softball experience as an amateur player (pitcher) and coach. He pitched
his teams to five Minnesota state amateur titles, and played in four national tournaments.
Additional achievements during his career include a Big Nine Conference title and Section Coach
of the Year award. He also coached several all-state and all-American pitchers.”
Please welcome Al and Ron to Riverland &
watch our Lady Devils in action this spring!
2010 Lady Devils Softball Team
The Lady Devils host NIACC in their season opener on March 22. Games are
scheduled at 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. For the complete softball schedule, go to
http://www.riverland.edu/softball/schedule.cfm. NOTE: On April 28 and
29, the Lady Devils will host a “Crossover Tournament” (four teams from
Minnesota and four teams from North Dakota). More information on this
tournament will be posted as it becomes available.
Returning Lady Devils: Bridget Bergstrom, Cassie Masberg,
Jodi Holmquist, Kim Craig, Morgan Roemhildt-Herda, and Robin Arjes.
New Lady Devils: Ashley Hinz, Brooke Coughlin, Sara Sundberg, Whitney Bamrick, Marissa Dather, and
Rebekah Swancutt.
Save the Date for Riverland’s
25th annual Athletic Golf Fundraiser
You won’t want
to miss this
GREAT event!
Mark your calendars for Monday, June 4, 2012! The 18-hole best-shot OR best-ball
tournament is scheduled at the Austin Country Club, with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start.
The cost to golf is $75/per player (includes hotdogs and beverages throughout the day and
dinner at 6:00 p.m.). The cost to rent a cart is an additional $20/per rider. For those nongolfers,
dinner-only is $25/per person. Silent auction items will be up for bid throughout the
day.
To register for this event, make a donation or get more details, please contact
David Lillemon at (507) 433-0543 or david.lillemon@riverland.edu, or Kasey Cotter at
(507) 433-0531 or kasey.cotter@riverland.edu.
Net proceeds go to support the Riverland Community College Athletic Club.

Page 16
Lady Devils Basketball Updates
2011-12
Lady
Blue
Devils
Riverland’s Brittany Murphy, left, and Skylar
Anderson pressure the ball on defense in a
scrimmage against St. Kate’s.
Photo by Rocky Hulne, Austin Daily Herald.
Photo: The 2011-2012 women’s basketball team.
Season Update: For a complete recap of season play, go to
http://www.riverland.edu/WomensBasketball/index.cfm.
The young Lady Blue Devils worked hard on their game the first half of the season, but they also
found time to give back some of their time and talent.
Story and photos submitted by Susan Hebrink,
Head Women’s Basketball Coach.
Blue Devils Buddy Camp: Oct. 29 th the Blue Devil
Basketball teams led the 21 st annual Blue Devil Buddy Camp.
Run by Head Women’s Basketball Coach Suzy Hebrink, who is in
her 13 th season, the camp brought in over 50 campers grades 1-4.
Coach Hebrink commented, “This is a great community event.
Our athletes do an incredible job making this two hours of fun
while working with the young campers on their game. The energy
in the gym is awesome.”
Hall of Fame: Following camp, the activity continued with the Hall of Fame luncheon along with both Men’s and
Women’s alumni games. The Lady Devils took on a team of alumni women in a close competition. Both teams played
hard, and the game ended in a tie.
Rent-an-Athlete: The following day the Lady Devils were back out in the community raking and bagging
leaves, washing windows, and doing some household cleaning for the annual athletic department Rent-an-Athlete day.
3-on –3 Tournament: On November 19, the women’s basketball
team held their final community fundraising event. The 3-on-3 Tune Up
Tournament was for boys and girls grades 5-12. This was the second year for
the tournament and what a hit it has been. This event brings in many local and
area teams, along with participants from as far away as Northfield, New Ulm
and Goodhue. With over 80 players each year and close to 200 spectators, this
looks to be an annual event sponsored by the Lady Devils.

Riverland Celebrates
Dia de los Muertos, a.k.a. Day of the Dead
Page 17
Story and photos submitted by Miguel Garate, International Student
Advisor and Yesenia Mendoza, Multicultural Coordinator
Dia de los Muertos” is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico
and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings
of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family
members who have died.
It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a
National Holiday, as all banks are closed. Celebrations take place on
November 1 & 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints'
Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).
Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars to honor the deceased using sugar skulls,
marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.
Thank you to Miguel Garate, Mel Morem, Yesenia Mendoza, and Ricki
Walters for making this celebration a huge success!
Bread of the Dead & Churros, Delicious!
Alumni Share their Favorite Memories
Curtis Barnett:
The community college end-of-the-year picnic at Todd Park ,and being on the winning Tug-of-War team!”
Roberta Czaplewski (Sing): “Being overwhelmed with college algebra after a 25+ year absence from college. Thank
goodness for Carol Busch, Riverland Community College math instructor, who is passionate in her work and diligent in
connecting with students to assure their understanding of the topic at hand.”
Nancy Haddorff: I look back on my two years at Riverland (ACC as we remember it) and think those were two of the
best years a person could have experienced.”
Mary Robbins (Degen): “Hours of studying medical terminology and disease conditions terms, hours in the cafeteria
studying, good friends and new friends, and special days.”

Story and photos submitted by Beth
Hamilton, Club President, and Michael
Huerkamp
Left Ear Art Club gives Riverland
students an opportunity to explore
artistic activities outside of the
classroom.
Some of our recent activities include
our involvement at Re-Fest, the
Riverland Student Snow Sculpture
contest, and our open to the public
Haunted House.
Each year, Left Ear students are
invited to the Minnesota Community
College Fine Arts Festival. The
event offers multiple how-to classes
such as glass bead making, making
your own art supplies, meeting
famous artists from around the world,
and much more.
Along with the Art Festival, Left
Ear students also take an end of the
year art trip. Previous trips include
going to the Walker Art Center and
the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Left Ear Art Club Membership is
open to all Riverland students and
faculty. Our purpose as a college
art club is to promote artistic ability
in all aspects to Riverland students,
as well as bringing art awareness to
the Austin community.
Left Ear Art Club
Page 18

Thank You to Skills USA for a Successful
Holiday Food Drive
Page 19
Story and photos submitted by Jessica Quinn, Skills USA Community Service Chair Member
Skills USA members held a food drive this past December. As you can see in the photos below, they collected an
assortment of food items at the Austin East and West buildings, as well as the Austin Hy-Vee Food Store. All proceeds
and donated food items went to the Salvation Army of Austin for their food shelf.
Faculty Salute ‒ Marie Lechelt & Amnesty International
Honored by Austin Human Rights Commission
As part of the Martin Luther King Day celebration held at Riverland Community College on January 16, the Austin
Human Rights Commission awarded five human rights awards to the following people for their outstanding
contributions concerning human rights issues.
Mower County and Austin City Officials, Kristin Nelson, county attorney; Jeremy Clinefelter, assistant
county attorney; Brian Krueger, chief of police; and Dave McKichan, police captain, work together to
serve and protect the rights of undocumented residents who are victims of crimes.
Danyel Borgerson Nesvold, Community Against Bullying (CAB) organizer, was instrumental in bringing
“The Scary Guy” to Austin Public Schools.
Maria Lechelt, Riverland Community College instructor of English for Academic Purposes and Amnesty
International Advisor, organized several events highlighting local and global human rights causes including the
Ciudad Juarez murders and homosexual intolerance.
Jennifer Lloyd, Sumner Elementary School teacher and Constellations Program Advisor, mentors families
through the Mower County Mentoring program, coordinates after-school programs, and teaches English to non-
English speaking Latino families.
Dr. Fred and Carolyn Bogott, mentor scientists working at the Hormel Institute. Fred also assists the scientists
create research papers, and prepare for international presentations.

In Memoriam
Juanita M. Angell, Austin Junior College, passed away 11/07/2011.
Harry O. Askerud, Austin Area Vocational-Technical School, passed away 10/07/2011.
Leon Billat, Austin Junior College, passed away 11/04/2011.
John M. Christenson, Albert Lea Area Vocational-Technical Institute, passed away 10/17/2011.
Brian L. Corkill, Albert Lea Area Vocational-Technical Institute, passed away 12/23/2011.
Donald D. Dankert, Austin Junior College, passed away 10/21/2011.
James Dunbar Flannery, Austin Junior College (alumnus & college president) passed away 9/21/2011.
Dean R. Gilbertson, Austin Area Vocational-Technical School, passed away 1/06/2012.
Myron J. Heimer, Austin Junior College, passed away 10/04/2011.
Craig Hemmingsen, Austin Junior College, passed away 10/28/2011.
Margaret M. (Zwiener) Hogan, Austin Community College, passed away 11/09/2011.
Troy L. Mueller, Austin Community College, passed away 1/16/2012.
James S. Nielsen, Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute, passed away 9/26/2011.
James W. Nystel, Riverland Community College, passed away 2/08/2012.
Karen L. Oldenkamp, Austin Junior College, passed away 12/13/2011.
Lowell Laverne Peterson, Austin Community College, passed away 11/10/2011.
Mark D. Riskedahl, Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute, passed away 1/25/2012.
Thomas J. Raschke, Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute, passed away 11/29/2011.
Wilbur L. Sayles, Austin Junior College, passed away 11/19/2011.
Donal E. Underdahl, Austin Area Vocational-Technical School, passed away 10/03/2011.
Luke D. Unverzagt, Riverland Community College, passed away 2/25/2012.
Chad N. Williamson, Albert Lea Area Vocational-Technical School, passed away 2/10/2012.
Page 20
Alumni, help me locate and build our alumni database: Riverland Community College is in the process of
updating our alumni database. We found that many of the addresses we have on file are incorrect, and there are
many alumni we have yet to “discover.” Our reason is simple - we want to keep them informed of upcoming alumni
events, provide campus news, highlight their accomplishments, and celebrate their successes in our alumni
newsletter, Meanderings.
If you, or alumni you know, have recently moved, have a new phone/cell number or e-mail address, or have a new last
name, please send the updated contact information to marijo.alexander@riverland.edu, so I can keep our alumni
information up to date.
- OR - You can direct them to our website to enter their contact information. It’s easy, just tell them to click on
the “Get Connected” icon located at www.riverland.edu/foundation/index.cfm.
Riverland believes that the relationships formed within our halls are just as important as skills learned and knowledge
gained. Our alumni are shining examples of success. We are proud of all you have and will continue to accomplish in
the future.
Help us improve! Alumni, we want to know:
Greetings from your Editor
1. What are you doing today?
2. While at Riverland, is there a class (or classes) you wish had been offered here?
3. What advice would you offer our current students?
Send your answers to marijo.alexander@riverland.edu.

ART MUSIC PERFORMING ARTS
Page 21
Spring Event Highlights
March 23: Eugenio Zapata, featured pianist; music with dance, photography, video,
animation, and poetry, FWB Theatre, Austin. 7:30 p.m. $8 adult/$6 senior/$4 student/free for Riverland
students. Information about Eugenio Zapata is located at http://www.eugeniozapata.com.
April 1: No Foolin’ - A Variety Show, FWB Theatre, Austin, 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for
children under age 18, and $2 for Riverland students. The 12th annual Riverland variety show promises something for
everyone, including performances by “Frequency.” Proceeds will be used to fund the Riverland choir trip to New York
City in June where the choir will perform at the Lincoln Center. If you would like to participate in the variety show or to
get more information, please contact Scott Blankenbaker at 507-433-0547 or sblanken@riverland.edu.
April 20 - 22 & April 26 - 29 : RENT, FWB Theatre, Austin. Evening performances at 7:30 p.m.,
Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Call the box office at 433-0595 to reserve your tickets. $15/free for Riverland students.
RENT follows a year in the life of a group of friends struggling to make it in the big city. With an unforgettable rock
score (including the iconic song “Seasons of Love”) and a story that resonates across generations, RENT is a groundbreaking
musical that reminds us there’s “No Day But Today.” Suggested for ages 14 and over due to language and
adult content.
April 15: Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin High School Knowlton Auditorium, 2:00 p.m.
Advance tickets available at HyVee & Coffee House on Main; adults $10; tickets at door are $15 adults; seniors &
Riverland college students $12; K-12 students free.
May 2: Fine Arts Showcase, FWB Theatre, Austin. Art reception begins at 7:00 p.m.; music and theatre
performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
Spring Sports: Baseball & Softball
Fall Sports: Soccer & Volleyball
Winter Sports: Basketball – Men’s & Women’s
Visit our Blue Devils athletics page at http://www.riverland.edu/athletics/index.cfm for the latest news,
athletic highlights, sport schedules, and coach bios.
I’m looking for you to get involved!
Don’t be shy − get involved in creating content for our future newsletters. Let
me know what you want to know, or simply send me a column, cartoon,
editorial, short-story, or your updated biography, and include your favorite
photos (in jpeg format) to marijo.alexander@riverland.edu.
Meanderings is the perfect venue for you to showcase your talents and
accomplishments, and a great way to keep in touch with your fellow alumni.
I hope to hear from you soon!