Special Donor Issue - University of Minnesota, Crookston

great start. I will always be appreciative ofthat,” Kevin reflects.Kevin went to work after graduation forMannings, Inc., a national food servicemanagement corporation. He lived in bigcities like Omaha and Denver, and alongthe way, realized that he would like toreturn to Minnesota. Kevin completed amarketing education degree from St.Cloud State University in 1976 and did hisstudent teaching at Alexandria TechnicalCollege. Following graduation, he wouldteach for the next ten years in Alexandria.He beganworking onhis master’sdegree in1986, whenhe received acall fromBrainerdoffering a jobas a vice presidentat theBrainerdKevin Kopischke and his daughter,Lindsey, a student in thenursing program atAlexandria Technical College.TechnicalCollege. Heacceptedknowing thathe wanted theopportunity to gain experience at whatwould become his new passion, highereducation administration. He and his familylived and worked in Brainerd for fiveyears.When a position opened up inAlexandria, Kevin, his wife, Donna, andtheir three children, Kristi, Jay, andLindsey, would move back, and Kevinwould take over as vice president in thearea of customized training. He earnedhis Ed.D in 1995 at the University ofMinnesota. Later, he would become chiefof staff under then president, LarryShellito. When Minnesota Governor TimPawlenty appointed Shellito adjutant general,Kevin became president ofAlexandria Technical College—a job heloves. His passion for higher educationand his background in marketing makehim a strong proponent for the campus inAlexandria, andhe believes thatit is serving avital role intraining studentsto not justget a job, butalso create jobsfor others.Kevin remembersand relishesthe time hehad at UMC, “When I reflect, I know howUMC was lead by Stan [Sahlstrom], a veryaggressive and respected man with highstandards. He built a college that hadexcellence as a benchmark. His exampleset us all out on a path to be good at whatwe do and to be proud of it.” Kevin has alot to be proud of both personally andprofessionally. His years at UMC wereinfluential in developing his leadershipskills and professional life. No matter whatstudents choose to do as a career, participationin college life helps create a foundationon which to build. Kevin Kopischkehas done that as well as anyone. ✦Kevin Kopischke graduated in 1972 with a degree in Hotel,Restaurant, and Institutional ManagementKevin Kopischke sits at a table in his office withprints by art students at Alexandria Technical Collegein the background.“When I reflect, Iknow how UMCwas lead by Stan(Sahlstrom), avery agressive andrespected manwith high standards.He built acollege that hadexcellence as abenchmark. Hisexample set us allout on a path tobe good at whatwe do and to beproud of it.”— Kevin Kopischke13