WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN – şÚÁĎÍř student Jayden Kruse has been selected as an inaugural 2025 Chime Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Kruse is a Machine Tool Technology student from Hutchinson and an officer for the Ridgewater chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. Chime Workforce Scholars are selected based on outstanding academic achievement, engagement, leadership potential, and career readiness.

The Chime Workforce Scholarship is generously provided by the Chime Scholars Foundation. It awards $200,000 in scholarships to 200 community college students enrolled in workforce-ready programs. The funds help cover traditional educational expenses as well as costs specific to entering the workforce, such as certification fees, uniforms, and tools.

“We are so proud of Jayden for receiving international recognition through this competitive scholarship process,” said Dr. Bradley Wolfe, Ridgewater PTK co-advisor. “Our Ridgewater honor students have done a great job of representing our college at the highest levels of PTK.”

“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and long-term opportunity,” said Jeni Izuel, president of the Chime Scholars Foundation.” We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families.”

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Officer Team Award

Earning the 2024 PTK Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award were student officers Brian Wagenius (Nondestructive Testing student from Gaylord), Christopher Larson (Nursing and Liberal Arts and Sciences, Waconia), Jude Roberts (Liberal Arts and Sciences, Benson), and Melissa Rosenow (Nursing, Hutchinson). It is the second consecutive year Ridgewater brought home this international two-year college honor society award, according to Co-advisor Dr. Bradley Wolfe, although last year’s award honored different officers.

“Chapter officers did a great job of creating synergy to grow our chapter and meet our goals,” Wolfe said. He commended their involvement at Ridgewater, in communities and at regional levels with other chapters.

“Our outstanding officer team put a great deal of effort into events on both campuses and outreach to our community last year,” explained Ridgewater PTK Co-Advisor and science instructor Lori Anderson. Examples included successfully revitalizing the PTK chapter after the pandemic with members from both Hutchinson and Willmar campuses as well as online students, hosting an ice cream social, conducting fundraisers, and successfully writing a grant to obtain support for student self-care projects. Membership doubled in a year.

New Advisor Award

Not only did officers receive recognition for their leadership and teamwork, but Co-advisor Anderson of Buffalo Lake received an award also.

“I humbly express my gratitude to our Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society students for honoring me with the Paragon Award for New Advisors,” Anderson said. “Our students inspire me daily, and I am grateful for the chance to guide them toward their full potential as students and members of our communities…. Together, we will create a legacy of growth, resilience, and achievement!”

In Anderson’s nomination from Heidi Olson, Ridgewater’s Dean of Students, Olson highlighted Anderson’s exceptional dedication, transformative contributions, and commitment to connecting academics to positive mental health. “Lori’s dedication to raising awareness of Phi Theta Kappa has been unwavering.” Olson said that Anderson proudly advocates PTK and its commitment to scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service with students, administration, and community. “Her enthusiasm is contagious, inspiring students to explore opportunities at regional and international conferences.”

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şÚÁĎÍř students Cecelia Lhotka, Melissa Rosenow and Ethan Peterson  have been nominated and will represent Ridgewater on the 2023-2024 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) National Honor Society All-Minnesota Academic Team.

The All-Minnesota Academic Team program provides the opportunity to celebrate some of the state’s highest-achieving college students in associate degree and certificate programs, considering classroom academic excellence and rigor, plus community service and leadership.

Rosenow of Hutchinson is a Nursing student studying to become a registered nurse. Also of Hutchinson, Peterson is a Liberal Arts and Sciences student on the Hutchinson campus with plans for a computer science career after transferring to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Lhotka, of Darwin, is an online Peace Officer student looking forward to becoming a state trooper.

The three students will now be considered in the competitive process for the All-USA Academic Team. All-State recognition and nomination to the All-USA Academic Team national program means the three will be considered for special PTK scholarships and will be honored at a special ceremony on April 19 at the Como Park Rainforest Auditorium.

“Opportunities like this are quite inspiring for students,” said Dr. Bradley Wolfe, Ridgewater PTK co- advisor.

In Wolfe’s nomination letter for Peterson, he highlighted Peterson’s dedication, intellectual curiosity, and strong work ethic. “Currently engaged in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, Ethan is on track to complete an impressive 64 college credits with Ridgewater, all while maintaining an outstanding 3.9 g.p.a (grade point average).”

Rosenow’s nomination highlighted her proactive commitment to the Ridgewater PTK chapter and her passion for helping people in health care. Her nursing background helped the chapter implement an action project using play to support mental health and self-care.

“The opportunities that this honor provides are unparalleled,” said Lhotka. “It will help me further my goal of helping others in their greatest times of need.” The second-year student will graduate in May, take her peace office skills training in Alexandria, and then plans to cap it off with state trooper training at Fort Ripley.

Peterson said he hopes that the honor will give him an edge in scholarship applications as he continues his education. That would helpful Rosenow also, as her plans include continuing to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while juggling family.

Minimum requirements include being enrolled in a minimum of six semester credits, having completed 36 credits, having a minimum 3.5 g.p.a. on a 4-point scale, being on track to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree, being a U.S. resident, and possessing clean student and criminal records.

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