A big thank you to everyone who made Riverland Community College’s “Big Night On Campus” on Nov. 13 such a big success. “Big Night On Campus” is an annual college-wide event for all ages that is free and open to the public. Participants learn about programs, try hands-on activities and win prizes. This year’s event in Austin attracted a record number of participants.

A bonus this year was the Second Biggest Cake in Minnesota that helped create the Hy-Vee Scholarship for Riverland students. A huge thank you goes to Hy-Vee of Austin and manager Todd Hepler for making this fundraising event a reality.

They provided the cake, frosting and technical expertise. Hy-Vee’s cake decorator Dawn Stern created a work of art. Thanks, also, to our “celebrity” frosters: Dr. Bruce Anderson (Austin Public Schools); Duane Germain (KAUS Radio); Nicole King (KAAL-TV).

Business and individual sponsorships, combined with cake sales, raised nearly $2,500 toward the scholarship.

Sponsors (in alphabetical order) included: Accentra Credit Union, Austin Country Club, Austin Medical Center, Corbin Law Office, Culver’s (Austin), Damel Corp., Hill Larson Walth and Benda, KSMQ Public Television, Riverland’s Business Department, Multi-Cultural Club and Writing Center, Smith Family Thanksgiving, US Bank (Austin). (Leftover cake was donated to the Austin Salvation Army and other organizations.)

A final thank you goes to Riverland employees and students for their efforts to make Big Night an event to remember.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate Riverland with the entire community.

Riverland Community College President Dr. Terry Leas and Riverland Community College Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson

Riverland Community College

Austin