More than 400 graduates received degrees Friday night at Riverland Community College’s commencement ceremonies at Riverside Arena.

Saturday, May 19, 2001

More than 400 graduates received degrees Friday night at Riverland Community College’s commencement ceremonies at Riverside Arena.

The ceremonies were the culmination of the dedication, commitment and self-sacrifice of the students.

The Riverland College Choir entered commencement guests with a pregraduation concert before the students dressed in Riverland blue gowns marched to their seats.

Dr. Gary L. Rhodes, college president, welcomed all, noting the 2001 graduating class ranged in age from 17 to 61 and included a father and daughter duo among those earning associate degrees.

Rhodes reminded all, "This was not a solo effort" and said the families and friends who supported the students throughout their post-secondary education also should be congratulated.

The Riverland Briars entertained with a musical selection, featuring Jon Olson.

Shirley Cherry gave faculty remarks and John Morley and Johanna Frazier gave student remarks. Morley was student senate president at the Albert Lea campus. Frazier was student senate treasurer at the Austin campus.

Rhodes introduced guest speaker, Timothy M. McManimon, president of Wells Fargo Bank in Owatonna.

Rhodes also introduced retired Austin businessman Elliott Dubinsky, who received an honorary degree acknowledging his long-time support of the college’s mission and contributions to the growth of academic excellence at Riverland.

Then, it was time for the long-anticipated conferring of degrees.

Pamela Tranby, vice president of academic affairs, Gary Schindler, vice president of student affairs, and Rhodes presented the graduates.

This year’s graduating class included 43 percent who earned associate of arts degrees.

About 60 percent of the graduates are 21 or younger.

After the commencement ceremonies, the graduates, families and friends attended a post-commencement party at the Holiday Inn of Austin.

 

Pinning ceremonies

Pinning ceremonies were held for 36 new registered nurses earlier Friday.

Patricia Parson, nursing instructor, welcomed the students and their families to the ceremonies at Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Riverland east campus.

Rhodes congratulated the graduates on their academic accomplishments.

Donna Schumacher, dean of health sciences, offered the traditional "words of wisdom" from nursing legend Florence Nightingale.

Then nursing instructors Joan Anderson, Cindy Fullerton, Patricia Parsons, Stacey Rosenberg and Jane Rysavy plus Jane McKinley, nursing lab assistant, presented the class of 2001 and conducted the pinning ceremonies.

Chad Schlecht, one of the nursing program graduates, offered a musical selection and nursing instructor Rysavy gave closing remarks.

The new nurses include Lisa Aden, Gloria Alphs, Julianne Anderson, Karen Austad, Deborah Boley, Barbara Callahan, Jenny Emanuel, Patricia Engel, Karen Ferguson, Sara Follmuth, Lynn Fortner, Jammy Galligan, Nicole Gibson, Jody Hogstad, Michelle Knutson, Michele Langer, Andrea Lux, Tara McNelly, Michelle Millam, Tracy Mullenbach, Barbara Nefstead, Kelli Nelson, Jennifer Overland, Naida Pressly, Joy Prochazka, Tracy Roush, Brian Schaefer, Chad Schlecht, Cory Schwarz, Scott Selig, Michelle Tiede, Cindy Vaughn, Elizabeth Weitzel, David Williamson, Jillian Witte and Paula Zacharias.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.