The Southeast Technical Finance Office has been recognized with an award for Excellence in Financial Management  by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities during 2010. The awards program, which began in 1997, publicly recognizes the outstanding contributions of the system’s college and university employees who work in finance and facilities management.  The system’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer,  Laura King  said, “We are proud that we have so many outstanding employees, with their leadership and assistance of every employee at every Minnesota state college and university, tremendous progress continues in finance, facilities and administrative excellence.”

Nominated by Southeast Technical President James Johnson, the Outstanding Service awards are given to individuals who demonstrated outstanding contributions toward furthering professionalism in financial management or other contributions in financial reporting, data integrity, internal controls, budget development and monitoring.  Johnson said, “It is essential in these critical times that we have a financial team that understands the need to leverage dwindling resources for the future and Mike Kroening and his financial division are one of the benchmark teams in the system.”  

College Vice President and CFO, Michael Kroening explains that although the award is directed toward the finance office, it is really a college-wide effort that is a result of events that include a cross section of faculty and staff representatives who have been involved in Continuous Quality Improvement planning. “Under increased need to become more fiscally educated, the group has been successful in recommending changes in the way that we operate and achieve cost efficiencies and awareness, it really takes the cooperation of the college as a whole to make it happen.”

Southeast Technical students from the Chinese Culture and college English classes, held a Chinese New Year celebration on campus, Thursday, February 17.

The festivities, under the advisement of Instructor Yanmei Jiang,  included informative displays, presentations on Chinese culture, tasting of authentic Chinese food (some prepared by students) and a demonstration by an authentic Chinese Calligrapher. Other activities included traditional Chinese music performances, a Tai Chi presentation, children's games and a Ping-Pong challenge. The Chinese Culture class is offered as part of an ever-expanding list of Liberal Arts courses that are available on our two campuses (Red Wing and Winona) and online. To see a photo collection from the evening's events, join us on Facebook and become a fan of  "Southeast Technical."

As the guitar program continues to attract local and national interest – with open seats that fill quickly to capacity, waiting lists continue to grow each year with eager men and women who seek a career in guitar building; Southeast Tech continues to be noticed by curious reporters from print, radio and television media. Our musical instrument repair and construction programs have tempted many journalists to spend time observing our labs and maybe dreaming of a career with strings in their own future.  For those who would like to see what the buzz is all about, the program will host their annual Guitar Show, Tuesday, May 10, the public is invited to attend.

Auditions for the annual college talent showcase will be held Wednesday, February 23 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on the Red Wing Campus. Ensembles, single acts, all are welcome; however, at least one entertainer must be either a student, staff, or faculty member of the college.

The main event will be held at the Sheldon Theatre, Saturday, April 2. Bring your talent to auditions and be ready to "Shine" at this much-anticipated community event. 

Dates to Remember

Watch for further updates.

The Snow will be melting soon and golf is just around the corner, dust off your clubs and get out to the driving range - Save the date (Thursday, May 26) for the Annual Community Connections Golf Outing in Red Wing. The event is coordinated through the faithful efforts of the annual volunteer committee and the Foundation office.  

The golf tournament is a four person scramble that includes on course games and prizes for first, fifth, tenth, and last place. Following golf, there will a banquet style dinner including silent and live auction, and a raffle drawing. You can register for both the golf tournament and dinner or each event separately. Proceeds from the events support the Southeast Technical Foundation Scholarship program. More information coming soon - To learn more, contact Casie Johnson at 507-453-2663 - 877-853-8324 ext. 2663.

Students from Lanesboro, St. Charles, Holmen, Viroqua, Winona Senior High School, Riverway Learning Center and Blair-Taylor high schools attended Business and Health Day on the Winona campus of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical on Thursday, February 3. Groups toured program areas and worked in labs that included: Health services and support, radiography, cosmetology, massage therapy, and business programs in accounting, office support, networking, sales management and our new criminal justice program. Southeast Technical students, staff and faculty led and assisted in guiding the event.

Photo Caption: Alex Lau and Natalie Lilla, WSHS learn how to take blood pressure readings at Southeast Technical’s Business and Health Day.

Steven Rosenstone, vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs, and professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, was selected Wednesday as the next chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in a 14-1 vote by the Board of Trustees. 

 "I am excited that we have found a leader who is uniquely qualified for this position,” said Scott Thiss, chair of the Board of Trustees.“Dr. Rosenstone is a proven leader who brings the vision and breadth of skills and knowledge that we need to lead this system.  The Board of Trustees and Chancellor James McCormick look forward to working with chancellor-designate Rosenstone.”  Rosenstone, 59, told the board he could begin Aug. 1. He will succeed James H. McCormick, who is retiring as chancellor of the 32-institution system with an enrollment of more than 434,000 students in credit- and non-credit courses.    "I am honored to be chosen,” Rosenstone said. "I look forward to the tremendous challenges that lie ahead and this opportunity to serve the people of Minnesota by leading the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities."

Rosenstone told the trustees he is eager to visit campuses and find out more about the individual colleges and universities. “I look forward to meeting and working with the students, faculty and staff. I also plan to connect with business leaders and other members of the public. Minnesotans are rightfully proud of their state colleges and universities, and I will work hard to make an outstanding system even better.”  “I want to extend my congratulations to Dr. Rosenstone,” McCormick said. “I am proud of the students, faculty and staff in this system, who contribute so much to the high quality of life in Minnesota. I will work with Dr. Rosenstone to help ensure a smooth transition.”

David Olson, chair of the Search Advisory Committee and president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, said the caliber of candidates was outstanding. “The Board of Trustees has selected an outstanding future chancellor to carry on the exemplary leadership of Dr. McCormick,”said Olson, a former board chair.

Rosenstone has been vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs at the University of Minnesota since 2007. He came to the university in 1996 to serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Under his leadership, the college revamped the undergraduate experience, created state-of-the-art facilities and forged new partnerships with businesses, communities, cultural and civic organizations. Over the years, Rosenstone led numerous university systemwide initiatives, including the national conference on Keeping Our Faculties of Color and task forces on scholarships, private fundraising, and long-term financial strategy. Rosenstone was awarded the McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair for his service to the university.

Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Rosenstone was an assistant, associate, and then full professor of political science at Yale University until 1986 when he became a professor of political science at the University of Michigan and program director in the Center for Political Studies. He is the author of four books and numerous scholarly articles on elections, political participation, and the challenges facing higher education. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Rosenstone received his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Washington University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the board of directors of the Guthrie Theater.

(News Release issued by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities office February 2, 2011)

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system also serves about 277,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 157,000 students in non-credit courses.  Released by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities office 2/2/11

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Students from Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical’s Chinese Culture and college English classes, invite the public to join in the college’s first celebration of the Chinese New Year, Thursday, February 17, at 4:00 p.m. on the Red Wing campus. The Chinese New Year Planning Committee, under the advisement of Instructor Yanmei Jiang, will be hosting several events relative to the celebration, which will include post presentations on Chinese culture, information booths on various topics, games, tasting of authentic Chinese food, traditional Chinese music performances, Tai Chi presentation, and a Ping-pong challenge. The Chinese Culture class is offered as part of an ever-expanding list of Liberal Arts courses that are available on our two campuses (Red Wing and Winona) and online.

The Chinese New Year - often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it is actually lunisolar - is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Despite its winter occurrence, in China it is known as "Spring Festival.”  As an important festivity in the Chinese culture it is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. The celebration of the Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most. This is the year of the rabbit.