As we wrap up 75 years of educating St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) students and transforming communities, we recently celebrated with our most exciting event of the academic year - our 2024 Commencement Ceremony. This was such a fitting end to SCTCC’s Diamond Anniversary celebration. Throughout the academic year, our students demonstrated how they sparkle and shine in their academic achievements, their leadership qualities, and the skills and talent that they bring to our region to enrich our lives every day.
When I think of the history and evolution of SCTCC, I cannot help but think about my personal history with the College and what attracted me to a career at SCTCC over twenty-five years ago. I was encouraged to apply for a Business Office Manager position by a former supervisor in August of 1998. Pursuing a career change was not on my agenda, but the individual who encouraged me shared that St. Cloud Technical College, as it was known at the time, was a shining star in the Minnesota State College and University system. Upon joining the College, I found he was right. The College was, and continues to be, a shining star.
So, what is it about SCTCC that made it a shining star then and how do SCTCC and our students continue to shine? Well, it is our Diamond Anniversary and diamonds are a perfect example of how SCTCC and SCTCC students sparkle and shine. Why? What makes diamonds shine? Clarity and cut. The more facets a diamond has, the more reflective surfaces exist to bounce and scatter light that creates sparkle and shine. And SCTCC and our students have so many facets that make them shine.
SCTCC alumni are one of many facets that shine. We frequently hear success stories and see our alumni working, supporting, and giving back to our community in a variety of ways. This includes economic contributions, serving on advisory committees, monetary support, volunteerism, and giving back to current students by mentoring, speaking, and serving as role models throughout St. Cloud and our region.
We shine due to our retired faculty and staff. We are here because they came before us and we continue to build upon the foundation they established. Those individuals who started St. Cloud Area Vocational Institute in 1948 and those individuals who helped us to become St. Cloud Technical College and then St. Cloud Technical & Community College in 2010. Those employees had the vision, dedication, and passion to make SCTCC a foundational college for our community and created the setting that makes it possible for SCTCC to continue to shine and sparkle today.
Our community and business and industry partners are an additional facet that make SCTCC shine. We simply could not exist without collaborative partnerships that provide resources and training opportunities for our students. Whether it is serving on advisory committees, providing internships, clinical sites, donations, equipment, sharing of resources, collaborative opportunities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Center, or countless other ways in which the community supports SCTCC and our students, we truly are the community’s college and we are honored to have such dedicated community support.
A crucial facet that serves as a shining element of SCTCC is our current employees. While the facilities, equipment, and infrastructure needed to operate a college are important, student success simply does not happen without dedicated faculty, staff, and administration using resources effectively. As one student shared, “I found a supportive community that helped me navigate challenges and excel in my studies. The sense of belonging I found at SCTCC has truly shaped my college experience for the better.”
SCTCC employees are committed to serving our students. They are passionate about student success. They advocate for SCTCC students. They give in countless ways to make SCTCC the best it can be to serve our students and the community today and beyond.
Finally, the diamonds themselves. SCTCC students who shine and sparkle. Our students come to SCTCC with a desire to learn, and to be successful in the pursuit of their academic and personal goals. The following are just a few examples of how SCTCC students shine:
- Collegiate DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) results at International Competition included Kenneth Horn placing third in Professional Sales and Vanessa Santana in the top 10 in Professional Sales.
- Six students will represent SCTCC at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in June after competing in the state competition. Auto Body Collision Technology; Automotive Service Technician; Electrical Construction Technology; Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration; and Medium Heavy Truck (Diesel) all placed at the state competition.
- Marketing and Design placed third at the American Advertising Federation District Competition, placing among universities. This was their first time at the competition.
- Cyclones Softball tied for the MCAC Southern Division title, and Cyclones Baseball won the North Plains District and is headed to the NJCAA Division III World Series for the fourth straight year.
- 99% of SCTCC graduates available for work find jobs in their fields.
We are incredibly proud of our students, the diverse experiences they bring to SCTCC, and their commitment to their hopes and dreams for an education that provides them with the ability to equitably participate in our economy, our society, and our democracy.
Congratulations to our diamonds, the graduating class of 2024. With nothing but possibilities in all facets of your future, we know that you will continue to sparkle and shine!