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MinnesotaBrown |
Posted: 18 Mar 2015 12:21 PM PDT  The Northeast Higher Education District consists of Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Mesabi Range College in Virginia and Eveleth, Rainy River Community College in International Falls and Vermilion Community College in Ely. Each college is independently accredited, but shares administrative leadership and services through NHED. Significant enrollment declines have plagued the five colleges for three years. One reason for the decline is an improving economy that has pulled many students into the workforce. Another is the continuing decline in enrollment at area high schools, still bleeding enrollment as they have for three decades. Since 2000, Minnesota leaders have significantly reduced the allocation for higher education, relying increasingly on tuition dollars to pay for the cost of educating the next generation of workers, leaders and tradespeople. This makes enrollment an even bigger factor in college budgets, and in Northeastern Minnesota the result has been a brutal series of budget cuts. Maki will inherit this dilemma, but was selected largely because of his experience solving similar budget problems at BSU. Having seen Maki’s candidate presentation at HCC a few weeks ago, he did a remarkable job explaining how tough times do not need to be bad times for the health and future of colleges or a region. That’s an important message, one that applies not just to colleges but the whole of the Iron Range. I look forward to working with our new president. (Disclosure: I am a faculty member at Hibbing Community College. This blog is unrelated to my work at the college, but it’s not unreasonable to assume that I won’t spout anything negative about my employer here. You’ll just have to believe me that I honestly, truly am happy with this development and have confidence that Maki can do a good job. For real). Written by Aaron Brown for Minnesota Brown © 2014 | MNSCU Board selects Maki to lead Iron Range colleges |
Posted: 18 Mar 2015 06:00 AM PDT There is only one constant, and that is change. Our lives are but marks along the way of change. Nowhere is that more evident in the fact that four generations after mud roads and a multi-lingual society in the remote forests of Northern Minnesota, the Grand Rapids (Minn.) Area Library is now sponsoring a Springtime Peeps (TM) diorama contest. And it’s going to be adorable. Peeps are marshmallows, traditionally molded into the shape of small yellow chicks. Big Gelatin, however, has since ramped up market supply with multi-colored chicks and the addition of rabbits. Since eating Peeps is considerably less desirable than the *idea* of eating Peeps, contests like the one in Grand Rapids have cropped up around the Christian world touched by Peeps. Peeps are ideal art fodder, since they start out highly moldable before hardening like cement when exposed to industrialized air supply of large public buildings. The Grand Rapids Area Library Peeps Diorama Contest prize this year, as it is every year, is a $10 Target gift card, a tooth brush, and toothpaste. There are several categories based on age, ranging from children up to adults, and a “Peep’les Choice” award. Entries must be brought to the library by Friday, March 30. I could attempt to draw a line between colorful marshmallow chickens and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth celebrated annually with Easter, but WE HAVE TO WORK ON OUR PEEPS DIORAMA! Enter our famous Peeps Diorama Contest!! Here’s the entry form and information:http://t.co/eK3m5nLpMY pic.twitter.com/WZ6r9EnML5 — Grand Rapids Library (@GRapidsLibrary) March 16, 2015Written by Aaron Brown for Minnesota Brown © 2014 | Grand Rapids Library wants YOU to make Peep diorama |
