Some retirees from SCTCC leave the area; others don’t think to check out what’s happening at the College. But Lana Feddema? The experience she had as an employee and student led her to always be aware of SCTCC’s goings on and the people who work here.
During the Grand Opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Lab and the 75th Anniversary Celebration, Feddema showed up to support the new space and the big birthday. It was an opportune time to chat with her about what SCTCC means to her.
Feddema started out working at the College as a temp, then filling an open position in Customized Training. After that, she moved to the Records and Registration Dept., where she remained until her retirement after nearly 25 years at SCTCC.
“No two days were the same. It was a fun place to work,” she said.
During her time in Records and Registration, Feddema started taking classes that helped her with her job, which she ultimately realized would probably equal a degree. She first finished up a secretarial diploma then an accounting AAS. After that, she went to Lake Superior to complete her AA before transferring to St. Cloud State for a bachelor’s.
“Find something you’re going to love. Find something you’ll be happy doing a long time. Find something in an area that really tickles your curiosity and you want to know more about,” Feddema said about finding a career.
When she started taking classes, she was 42 years old; an increase in non traditionally aged students is one of the biggest changes she’d seen during her time while working at SCTCC. But that didn’t didn’t deter her in one of her classes with traditionally aged students, which was primarily HVAC students and started at 8 a.m. She and her coworker Roxy Schaff attended class and could tell they didn’t want to be there.
What Feddema really appreciated, though, was the support she received to continue her education. After the two SCTCC credentials, the president at the time encouraged her to advance her degree.
And while the education, training, and job were important, what she misses in retirement is the people, and not just her coworkers.
“I can’t imagine working in higher ed without student contact. It’s vital,” Feddema explained. Working with students to see what classes they needed, what transferred, what the degree audit said: it all was in support of the students’ success.
Work was fun almost all the time, too, with the people she worked with. Between potlucks and the encouraging way everyone is, it’s no wonder she misses the people.
Feddema hopes the college recognizes the balance it takes to succeed in the future.
“I hope that they stay in touch with the changing economic needs, the changing business needs, but they don't lose sight of the people in that,” she said. “Business and industry are important, but they're not the whole picture. And students are important, but they're not the whole picture. It's really all of those pieces have to fit together to have that next 75 years.”
Feddema left the interview with one tidbit for any SCTCC retirees or future retirees: there is a monthly lunch group that gets together. The people who attend change each month, but it keeps it interesting, and it’s about being able to connect with others when possible. Track her down and keep in touch.