When Ray Johnson, formerly of Cosmos, enrolled in the Machine Tool program in 1981 at 黑料网 (then Willmar Area Vocational Technical Institute), he likely had no idea what an impact it would have on his life. Once he launched and owned JMD Manufacturing of Willmar for 32 years, Johnson knew he wanted to give back to his alma mater to help change other people鈥檚 lives as well.

He just probably didn鈥檛 anticipate it would happen before he retired. Johnson, most recently from Kandiyohi, died from cancer June 30, 2023, at the age of 61.

His legacy will live on though. Beginning Fall Semester 2024, Ridgewater students in manufacturing programs will be eligible to apply for the first Ray Johnson Memorial Scholarships for Spring Semester 2025. Johnson鈥檚 $1 million estate donation is the largest donation on record for the 黑料网 Foundation, according to Foundation Executive Director Kelly Magnuson.

Annually, some very fortunate students will receive full tuition and fees support for their education in such programs as Machine Tool Technology, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Welding, and Nondestructive Testing Technology. An endowment of this size will typically generate $40,000-$50,000 in scholarship dollars each year.

鈥淲e are deeply honored and grateful to Ray for putting his trust in us to carry out his wishes in this way,鈥� Magnuson said.聽鈥淗is generosity will impact students and our community for years and years to come.鈥�

鈥淩ay was very passionate about trade programs,鈥� explained Susan Laabs, Johnson鈥檚 longtime companion from Grove City. 鈥淗e would often say, 鈥楢 machinist made that, or an engineer designed that, or someone had to draw that, program it, run it, and make it.鈥欌�� He couldn鈥檛 say enough about how technical programs are important in helping people succeed, Laabs said.

鈥淚 am so proud that Ray did this,鈥� Laabs said, to donate so much from the very estate he grew from his use of his own technical skills and the skills of his half a dozen employees who were like family.

Johnson鈥檚 staff at JMD Manufacturing create a wide variety of machining parts for many other companies. Laabs, who worked at Johnson鈥檚 company for many years before retiring, said a couple of the well-known products were swing-away mailbox posts and agricultural drainage pumps.

In 2022, Johnson was diagnosed with cancer. He was planning to retire in about a year, and so was creating a personal shop at home to continue small jobs and tinkering in his retirement, according to Laabs, but the cancer progressed faster than anticipated, and instead, he began planning his legacy.

Mike Kutzke, longtime friend of Johnson and Ridgewater vice president of student success, was instrumental in helping Johnson with the first steps of creating his endowment fund with the Ridgewater Foundation. He also spoke at Johnson鈥檚 funeral.

鈥淩ay was my neighbor and friend growing up,鈥� Kutzke said. 鈥淗e was an inventor and innovator from an early age and could imagine something in his mind and then create it. He was a gifted mechanic and always had the drive to be the best and create the best in everything he was involved in.鈥� Kutzke said he is so proud that Johnson鈥檚 spirit will live on. 鈥淎s Ray and I talked about this gift to 黑料网 students, he highlighted how important his time at 黑料网 was to him, personally and professionally. He wanted to share his success with students, his career field, and the community. Even in his passing, Ray continues to give back by creating opportunities for others to be their very best also.鈥�

The educational impact is expected to be broad, since Ridgewater offers manufacturing programs on both Willmar and Hutchinson campuses, as well as online.

For more information about ways to give to support 黑料网 and its students, go to Ridgewater.edu/foundation.

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黑料网 is one of several colleges offering Minnesota residents scholarships up to $5,000 per individual to become licensed paramedics, thanks to a $3 million commitment from the 2023 Minnesota Legislature.

Paramedics begin as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and then advance their skills to become paramedics.

According to the Minnesota Ambulance Association, 800 ambulances with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers respond to almost 715,000 service calls across the state each year.

Data from the Minnesota Emergency Medical Regulator Services Board showed in 2021, during the continued peak of the pandemic, that about 4,400 EMS workers (including both EMTs and paramedics) let their certifications expire, contributing to the current shortage.

黑料网 Paramedic instructor Cody Aston hopes the temporary scholarship program is a partial solution to meeting the critical need. Aston shared that a Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Task Force was established in 2023 to study the crisis. When comparing data from 2023 and 2022, the number of Minnesota workers who left the EMS field by letting their certifications expire was up 21 percent. In addition, the number of new EMS providers being trained in the state and entering the workforce for the first time is down nearly 26 percent, Aston shared regarding the findings.

These are not positions that communities can live without.

黑料网 is dedicated to being part of the solution. Ridgewater offers a 60-credit Paramedic Associate of Applied Science Degree and a 46-credit Paramedic Diploma. Ridgewater鈥檚 program is a blended delivery of live, online lectures and in-person skills practice labs on designated Saturdays on the Willmar campus.

鈥淲ith our accelerated platform, we have been getting interest from students across the state!鈥� explained Ridgewater鈥檚 Mary Leyk, dean of Allied Health programs. 鈥淭his new scholarship program is really exciting because there is such a need in our rural communities.鈥�

According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education website, the one-time legislative appropriation is expected to award up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 for students enrolled in programs in Fall 2024, with all funds needing to be awarded by June 2026. Eligible scholarship applicants can be new to the program or be current paramedic students. The application period opened on January 1.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Being enrolled at one of the eight Minnesota-eligible paramedic programs, like Ridgewater
• Being considered a Minnesota resident for state financial aid
• Holding a current EMT license
• Planning to work as a paramedic in Minnesota
• Meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements

鈥淩idgewater鈥檚 accelerated Paramedic program offers an opportunity to those currently working to further their career while performing clinicals in their communities,鈥� Aston explained. That has become key during semesters like this one when he has students from as far as Rochester and Grand Marais. 鈥淭he hybrid program offers an evening online lecture format with 16 Saturday labs over the course of 12 months, with clinical opportunities throughout the state to minimize commutes.

鈥淭hough the program year is rigorous, the rewards of diligent and dedicated deeds are worth the devotion of time lasting a lifetime to service the communities in which you live,鈥� Aston added. The program has already expanded its faculty to meet the recent, current, and future demands.

Learn more about the accredited Ridgewater Paramedic program and the scholarships at .

For questions specific to the scholarship, contact the Office of Higher Education at info.ohe@state.mn.us or 651-642-0567.

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As demand grows for electric vehicles (EV) across Minnesota and the entire country, the importance of having a trained workforce of electric vehicle service technicians also increases. Thanks to industry funding of more than $85,400, 黑料网 will be at the forefront of training the next generation of electric vehicle service technicians.

Kandiyohi Power Cooperative (KPC) and Great River Energy have joined efforts with Ridgewater鈥檚 Automotive Service Technology program to expand training to better service this expanding line of vehicles. According to Kelley Blue Book鈥檚 website, an estimated 1 million electric vehicles were sold in 2023, the most ever sold in a single year in the United States.

The industry donation of $85,408 includes $73,408 from KPC in unclaimed capital credits over several years, and a $12,000 contribution from Great River Energy. The combined support was instrumental in obtaining an EV training simulator and in the development of its software and a new automotive Ridgewater course.

Kandiyohi Power Cooperative CEO Ryan Nelson explained how the decision to donate was driven by the by cooperative members. 鈥淲e have heard different concerns from member-owners over the push to drive electric,鈥� he said.聽鈥淥ne of those concerns is about who is going to work on these cars for owners, which is a valid concern.聽Workforce development is a critical, but an often-overlooked piece to the electric vehicle transition. If the dollars we donate alleviate some of these concerns and help students in our community, I consider that a good investment.鈥�

Ridgewater Automotive Service instructor Jon Friton agreed. 鈥淥ur current curriculum includes some electric vehicle safety and system operation, but this industry donation will provide an electric vehicle simulator for students to troubleshoot hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles, as well as fuel cell vehicles.鈥� Friton chose a simulator that can be adapted for nearly any model of EVs on the roads today. The donation will also provide instructor training, battery packs, controllers, and electric motors to be used in classes.

To maximize the focus on safely maintaining and repairing electric vehicles, Ridgewater has created a new, one-credit course that will begin this February. The course will run four afternoons in February and March. 鈥淭his class will be voluntary and open to current and past students to dive deeper into the exciting and advanced world of electric vehicles,鈥� Friton explained. So far, nearly half of the program鈥檚 current students are planning to take the training, but it is also open to Ridgewater alumni during this first semester.

Great River Energy, a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative that provides electricity to approximately 1.7 million people through its 27 member-owner cooperatives and customers including Kandiyohi Power Cooperative, has a long history of helping its member-owners navigate the sometimes-murky waters of the EV adoption.

鈥淲e think it’s important to support members and their communities when it comes to the ramifications of emerging technologies,鈥� said Rodney De Fouw, Great River Energy Member Electrification Strategist. 鈥淧roviding this donation is a way we can provide resources that will produce tangible results that will positively impact our member-owners and the communities they live and work in.鈥�

鈥淲e hope this training simulator provides a cost-effective way for local students to work on all different types of electric drivetrains safely and effectively,鈥� Nelson added.聽鈥淲e would love to see Ridgewater become one of Minnesota鈥檚 top schools for EV Maintenance and Repair.鈥�

For more information about the new Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Safety course starting in February, contact Jon Friton at jonathan.friton@ridgewater.edu or 320-222-5580. For more information about the Automotive Service Technology program, go to .

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The 黑料网 Foundation recently recognized and bid farewell to two longtime board members and leaders, Diane Knorr of Hutchinson and Colleen Thompson Michels of Spicer.

Through the generous support of donors, the 黑料网 Foundation raises, manages, and distributes resources to support, enhance and promote the educational opportunities offered by Ridgewater to the people of our region. Each year it supports college programs and initiatives with approximately $500,000 in cash and noncash support while providing students with more than $400,000 in scholarships and emergency grants.

Knorr of Hutchinson鈥檚 Thrivent Financial completed three three-year terms on the Foundation Board — including four years as president, while Thompson Michels, former 黑料网 president, completed two three-year terms.

鈥淲e are grateful for Diane and Colleen鈥檚 service and dedication during their terms,鈥� said Kelly Magnuson, 黑料网 Foundation executive director.

Michel鈥檚 leadership and involvement in the Foundation鈥檚 Membership Committee helped recruit several new board members. 鈥淐olleen is a strong advocate and supporter of 黑料网, and we are grateful for her commitment and service to the Foundation these past six years,鈥� Magnuson said.  Michels was 黑料网鈥檚 president from 1998 to 2003, and prior to that, served in other leadership roles and as a speech/communications faculty member for many years.

In reflecting on the nine years Knorr spent on the Foundation Board, Magnuson said 鈥淚 had no idea when Diane joined our board what an impact she would have on moving the Foundation forward and what a great leader she would turn out to be.鈥� She added, 鈥淒iane really has been a 鈥榙ream鈥� board member — she is engaged, committed, and always positive and supportive.鈥� 

The new Foundation president is Erika Kellen of Edina Realty in Hutchinson.

For more information about the 黑料网 Foundation, go to .

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WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN 鈥� The 黑料网 Foundation is proud to announce three new members to its board of community volunteers: Amber Erickson of Hutchinson, Kristie Haefner of Litchfield, and Leslie Valiant of Willmar.

鈥淚 am thrilled to add Amber, Kristie and Leslie to our Foundation Board,鈥� said Kelly Magnuson, Ridgewater Foundation executive director.  鈥淭hey each bring a unique perspective from industry, are well-known and engaged in the regional community, and are strong supporters for 黑料网.鈥�

Amber Erickson is a social producer for a company called Goodbye Vanilla, specializing in social media marketing and video production development.

Erickson is a member of the Think Local committee and Hutchinson Area Dollars for Scholars. She has also served on the River Song Music Festival Board, Hutchinson Jaycee Water Carnival Committee and has volunteered for other local non-profit organizations.

Erickson and her husband, Andrew, reside in Hutchinson with their five children: Deaja, Aiden, Isabella, Ayla, and Tryceton. Erickson enjoys spending time with her family, walking, biking, and learning more about gardening.

Kristie Haefner is a 2002 alumnus of 黑料网 who rounded out her college experience at Winona State University in 2004 with an undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management. She joined the team at Doosan Bobcat in 2020 as a human resources manager supporting multiple manufacturing sites. Her work history involves experience in non-profits, hospitality, accounting, consulting, and corporate manufacturing.

Haefner has been a board member with United Way of West Central MN since 2014, serving as secretary, president, Community Investments Committee chair, Special Events committee member, and more. Haefner is also a 2016 alumnus of the Vision 2040 program and briefly served on the marketing committee. A proud graduate of 黑料网, she is excited to be back serving her alma mater as a volunteer.

Haefner and her family recently relocated to Litchfield, MN, and enjoy exploring their new community. She enjoys being anywhere with her husband, Travis, and their children Gabriel and Madelyn.

Leslie Valiant holds an Accounting associate degree from the former Willmar Vo-Tech and Accounting and Business Administration degrees from St. Scholastica. Her work experience includes accounting and finance work for the Litchfield Public Utilities Commission and the city of St. Joseph, and city administration for Spicer and now Willmar. She has owned her own business and was the gambling manager for the Litchfield Baseball Association for 12 years.

Valiant enjoys working with people and finding creative ways to support and encourage economic development. Her hobbies include golfing, traveling and biking. In her spare time, Valiant is very involved with her grandchildren.

Foundation Board

Erickson, Haefner, and Valiant will fill vacancies left by Robert Hantge of Hutchinson, Mark Olson, of Willmar, and Eric Lipke, of Stewart, who served one, two and three three-year terms, respectively.

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The Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial鈥檚 donor-advised fund, has granted $825,000 to community and technical colleges across the cooperative鈥檚 144-county territory, including $75,000 to 黑料网.

鈥淏ecause Compeer clients often list workforce development among their highest concerns, our board agreed that vocational agriculture education should be a high priority for the fund,鈥� said Rodney Bosma, a Compeer Financial director. 鈥淥ur partners in higher education provide opportunities for young adults in rural communities every day, and we hope this support will enhance those training programs to prepare them for a successful future in agriculture.鈥� The organization has committed $1.9 million in grants and scholarships over the next five years to further develop agriculture鈥檚 workforce.

Ridgewater has used its funds to purchase and vinyl-wrap a 45-foot agriculture technology mobile trailer with inspiring photos to help promote Ridgewater鈥檚 10 ag programs through hands-on technology. Additional grant priorities included investing in a new Meat Cutting certificate program and purchasing an NIR (Near Infra-Red) Silage Moisture Tester.

Ridgewater is one of four Minnesota community and technical colleges receiving this grant support. Recipients were chosen based on their ag education offerings, ag workforce development and geographic impact. These grants are expected to directly impact more than 2,700 students studying agriculture and agriculture-related fields, and help to enhance the curriculum offered by more than 125 faculty instructors.

鈥淐ompeer Financial recognized a need to assist community and technical colleges with funding innovative and leading-edge agriculture programs and initiatives,鈥� said Jeff Miller, Ridgewater dean of instruction for technical programs. 鈥淲e are grateful. The Ag Technology trailer will provide unique opportunities for K-12 students, post-secondary students, and industry professionals to learn the requisite skills needed in the precision agriculture industry.  Use of the trailer will strengthen 黑料网鈥檚 already strong and long-standing Precision Agriculture program (formerly known as GPS/GIS Systems).鈥�

Compeer鈥檚 Karen Johnson attended the annual Ridgewater Ag Banquet on Tues., April 5, to share the milestone of the completed trailer and the progress in development of the Meat Cutting program.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see how community and technical colleges provide a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity focused on the needs and careers in the local communities,鈥� Johnson said.

鈥淲e are proud to recognize the vision of the 黑料网 Ag Department faculty for the trailer and the learning opportunity they will provide students as they complete the highly technical build and installation of various hardware and software needed for the trailer,鈥� Miller added. 

Each grant partner college is also receiving two annual $1,250 scholarships for ag program or pathway students during the next five years. Recipients of the 2022 Ridgewater Compeer Financial Scholarships were named at Tuesday鈥檚 banquet: Leah Mohs (of Rice) and William Pell (from Alpha).

The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by the Compeer Financial Board of Directors in 2019 to make signature investments in programs and projects that directly address the needs of farmers and others who work in agriculture. The grants are part of Compeer鈥檚 commitment to supporting clients and communities, creating sustainable and long-term success in the industry, according to Bosma.
 
Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Compeer Financial provides personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry.

Learn more about Ridgewater Agriculture at . Learn more about Compeer Financial at .

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Industry partners support Ridgewater鈥檚 10 ag programs in so many ways, including equipment and supply donations, internships, participation in career fairs and ag expos, and volunteering as classroom presenters and guest speakers.

鈥淲e have such great industry partners in our region,鈥� said Tammy Howe, Ridgewater Agriculture Coordinator. 鈥淥ur new sponsorship program gives industry partners an opportunity to increase their business鈥檚 visibility and enhance brand awareness to Ridgewater students who are potential future employees and customers. It also provides enhanced career exploration avenues for our students through networking, collaboration, mentorship, and more.鈥�  

Community partnerships across all areas of the college are essential to the success of the institution and the success of students, explained Kelly Magnuson, Ridgewater Vice President for Advancement & Outreach and Foundation Executive Director.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the overwhelming response to this new program 鈥� it鈥檚 a win-win for the college and the partners and really highlights the industry鈥檚 confidence in our agriculture programs,鈥� Magnuson said.

Ridgewater鈥檚 Agriculture Department, which is the largest two-year program in Minnesota, includes 10 programs, everything from agribusiness and agronomy applicator technician to dairy and farm management, poultry, precision agriculture, and now meat cutting.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really about engaging and connecting,鈥� said Jeff Miller, Ridgewater dean of instruction. 鈥淲e want to ensure the next generation of ag professionals know about the wide variety of exciting employment opportunities and resources that are out there.鈥�

Donated funds will be used for new program equipment and student technology, a new Precision Technology trailer to help promote ag programs to high school students, and other expanded outreach and program support initiatives. Donations to the program are 100% tax deductible through the 黑料网 Foundation. 

鈥淭he Industry Partner Sponsorship program from 黑料网 is an amazing opportunity for Form-A-Feed to support the future of agriculture in our area,鈥� said Sarah Kuechle of Form-A-Feed. 鈥淔or years, we have enjoyed working with their faculty to provide unique learning opportunities for students.  Many of our current customers and customers鈥� children have benefited immensely from the phenomenal, hands-on curriculum provided at Ridgewater and we are proud to support it officially, as an Industry Partner.鈥�

To learn more about the Ridgewater Ag Industry Partner Sponsorship program, contact Tammy Howe at tamara.howe@ridgewater.edu  or go to .

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WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN 鈥� The 黑料网 Foundation is proud to announce two new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Michael Williams of Litchfield and Stuart Giere of Spicer.

鈥淲e are excited to add Dr. Michael Williams and Stuart Giere to our Foundation Board,鈥� said Kelly Magnuson, Ridgewater Foundation Executive Director. 鈥淭hey each are involved in their communities and bring unique industry perspectives to our team.鈥�

Dr. Michael Williams

Williams is a retired veterinarian residing in Litchfield, MN, and graduate of the University of Minnesota. His career as a veterinarian started 1975 and he practiced in both Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He has experience in both large and small animal medicine and surgery. Williams was at a practice in Litchfield, MN, for 30 years. He has been involved with the Litchfield Rotary and Pheasants Forever roughly 30 years and is still a member of both organizations. 

Stuart Giere

Giere is a graduate of 黑料网 and South Dakota State University, each of which contributed to his degree in mechanical engineering. He has held executive leadership roles in Engineering, Business Development, Sales, Marketing, and Technical Services while working for Hutchinson Technology, Inc., in Hutchinson, MN, Nova-Tech Engineering in Willmar, and Prinsco in Willmar. Stuart holds a professional coaching certification and is involved in many local organizations including the Little Crow Ski Team, Convention and Visitors Bureau Travel and Leisure Committee and the Kandiyohi Food Shelf Board of Directors.

Outgoing Board Member

After six years, Jennifer Lownsbury of Willmar ends her service on the 黑料网 Foundation Board. 鈥淲e are grateful for Jennifer鈥檚 service and dedication over the past six years. Her insight and energy will be greatly missed,鈥� said Magnuson.

For more information about the 黑料网 Foundation, go to www.ridgewater.edu/foundation.

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