Annual soccer scrimmages support Evan Thornton

Blue Knights Men’s Soccer Team

Evan Thornton

On April 20, 2013, Blue Knights men’s soccer at Dakota County Technical College hosted the team’s annual spring scrimmages at the Irish Sports Dome in Rosemount, Minn. About 200 fans, players, family and community members attended the scrimmages, which included a fundraiser to support Evan Thornton, a local 10-year-old diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of primary bone cancer. The event brought in $750 to help pay for Evan’s cancer treatments.

The Knights took on the University of Wisconsin-Superior varsity, coming from behind to defeat the Yellowjackets 3–2. In the following game, UW Superior’s JV scrimmaged ACME, a men’s team in Monday Division D2 of the Minnesota Recreational Soccer League, or MRSL. Evan’s father, Mike Thornton, is a member of ACME and a longtime community soccer player.

“This event was a great way for our young college athletes to recognize the struggles faced by Evan and his family,” said DCTC Head Soccer Coach Cam Stoltz. “The scrimmages fostered kindness through the sport of soccer and gave our players the opportunity to support a local community member in a time of great need.”

Greg James, a friend of the Thornton family, was at the scrimmages collecting donations for Evan. “This was a fun event and I am very pleased with the funds raised,” James said. “The $750 will help Evan and his family pay for Evan’s hospital bills.”

The latest news from Evan’s mother, Trina Thornton, reports that Evan will be receiving whole-lung irradiation at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Whole-lung irradiation is often used on Ewing’s sarcoma patients with pulmonary metastases that do not respond to chemotherapy.

To learn more about how you can support Evan in his battle against cancer, please visit and like his Facebook page, Evan Thornton – Punch Cancer In Dah Face, and follow Evan’s story on CaringBridge.org. A benefit will be held for Evan Sunday, May 5, 2013, at The Bulldog Uptown from 2 p.m. till  6 p.m. Donations can be mailed to:

Evan Joseph Thornton Benefit Fund
TCF National Bank
801 Marquette Avenue
#100
Minneapolis, MN 55402

For more information about Blue Knights soccer, contact:

• Cam Stoltz
  Athletics Coordinator and Head Soccer Coach
  651-423-8462

Coach Piv achieves career milestone in second season at DCTC

In January 2013, Jay Pivec marked his 600th win as a head basketball coach. Pivec achieved this coaching milestone as head coach of the Blue Knights men’s basketball team at Dakota County Technical College. The win came against Dakota College at Bottineau Jan 19 at the Salvation Army Community Center when the Knights downed the Lumberjacks 70–40. The Knights finished their second season at 18–12. Pivec’s record at DCTC is 42–19. His career record overall is 605–258.

Jay Pivec | Head Basketball Coach

“Being a coach is extremely rewarding,” said Pivec. “Everyday I have the opportunity to see young people grow.”

Coach Piv is famous for mentoring his players while preparing them for the highest levels of college basketball. “The relationship with my players develops into a friendship,” he said. “I truly appreciate being able to stay in touch with so many of them.”

Pivec is one of the top coaches in NJCAA Division III basketball history. Before coming to DCTC, he coached the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Mavericks for 20 seasons with a record of 425–115.

Jay Pivec | Head Basketball Coach

“After the program at MCTC ended, DCTC gave me the opportunity to continue coaching while building a new basketball program,” said Pivec. “I am thankful DCTC gave me the chance to reach this wonderful career milestone.”

Professional Achievements

• Minnesota College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1993, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010)
• Minnesota College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (2002)
• NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame (2010)
• NJCAA Region XIII Coach of the Year (1993, 1995, 2004, 2009)
• Phi Theta Kappa Teaching Excellence Award (1995)
• Head Coach NJCAA National All-Star Team (2009)
• NJCAA National Coach of the Year (2009)
• MCTC Head Coaching Record (20 Seasons: 452–115)

For more information about Blue Knights men’s basketball at DCTC, please contact:

• Jay Pivec
  Head Basketball Coach
  651-423-8675

Or visit GoBlueKnights.com

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system today appointed Tim Wynes, president of Inver Hills Community College (IHCC), to also serve as interim president of Dakota County Technical College (DCTC).  His new appointment is effective July 1, 2013.  A search for a permanent president will begin early in the fall.

Wynes has served as president of IHCC since 2010. Previously, he served from 2002-2010 as chancellor of the Iowa Valley Community College District and from 1996-2002 as executive dean of grants and governmental affairs at Indian Hills Community College (IA). Wynes has served on the full-time faculty at the University of Missouri School of Law and as an adjunct at Iowa State University, Buena Vista University (IA), St. Ambrose University (IA), the University of Missouri Graduate School of Social Work, and Missouri Southern State College.

In recommending Wynes’ appointment, Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU chancellor, said “Tim Wynes is an outstanding leader who works effectively with community leaders, elected officials, area business and industry, and public schools and is deeply committed to Dakota and Scott counties.  DCTC and Inver Hills have entered into some very exciting and productive joint initiatives for customized training and continuing education that have resulted in cost savings and improved service to students and the community.  The appointment of Tim Wynes will ensure the continuity of these activities, ensure a smooth transition from one administration to the next, and help the college recruit a stellar new president.”

Wynes holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell College, a juris doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law (MO), and has completed coursework in the doctorate program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Iowa State University.

Wynes succeeds Ron Thomas, who is retiring after 13 years of service as president of DCTC.

Thirty-seven students place at 2013 MN State Championships

A total of 67 students from 25 different academic programs at Dakota County Technical College competed in 30 contests at the 46th Annual Minnesota SkillsUSA Championships Conference held Friday, April 5, Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2013, headquartered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington and held at various host sites in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. More than 30 DCTC faculty and staff directly contributed to student success at the competitions.

DCTC students placed 34 times, winning 15 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals with eight honorable mentions. All told, DCTC students took home 46 medals, including medals for team competitions. Eighteen students from DCTC qualified to compete at the SkillsUSA Championships at the 49th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference June 24–28, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo.

View photos from awards ceremony
View photos from competitions

Gold Medal Winners

• Clay Carlson—3-D Visualization and Animation (Team)
•  Mitchell Rolland—3-D Visualization and Animation (Team)
•  Wen Li—Computer Programming
•  Kristofer Frelix—Customer Service
•  Jake Leritz—Diesel Equipment Technology
•  Russ Gamache—Digital Cinema/Video Product Dev. (Team)
•  Max Slocum—Digital Cinema/Video Product Dev. (Team)
•  Jessica Jackson—Early Childhood (Preschool Teaching)
• Michael Doyle—Engineering Technology (Team)
• Mason Green—Engineering Technology (Team)
• Vladimir Kovalchuk—Engineering Technology (Team)
• Garret Roach—Extemporaneous Speaking
• Eric Anderson—Industrial Motor Control
• Eric Musolf—Masonry
• Brandice Carlson—Medical Math
• Leah King—Medical Terminology
• Alex Just—Photography
• Garret Roach—Prepared Speech
• Brian Warzeha—Related Technical Math

 Silver Medal Winners

• Maria Barrick—Early Childhood (Preschool Teaching)
• Chad Brown—Electrical Construction Wiring (RWI)
• Vadym Snesrud—Entrepreneurship (Team)
• Joyce Mallery—Entrepreneurship (Team)
• Kiara Hollie-Sessions—Entrepreneurship (Team)
• Samantha Hrbek—Entrepreneurship (Team)
• Gabriel Hartog—Extemporaneous Speaking
• Troy Ellefson—Job Skill Demonstration A
• Steven Odom—Masonry
• Brandice Carlson—Medical Terminology
• Jessica Hutton—Pin Design
• Mason Green—Quiz Bowl (Team)
• Michael Doyle—Quiz Bowl (Team)
• Vadym Snesrud—Quiz Bowl (Team)
• Nanci Al-Kordi—Quiz Bowl (Team)
• Timothy Fink—Quiz Bowl (Team)
• Jessica Hutton—T-shirt Design

Bronze Medal Winners

• Cierra Baumgartner—Advertising Design
• Adam Oxborough—Automotive Service Technology
• Meghan Miller—Early Childhood (Preschool Teaching)
• Leah King—Job Interview
• Emily Dean—Photography
• Stacy Peterson—Promotional Bulletin Board (Team)
• Maria Barrick—Promotional Bulletin Board (Team)
• David Vo—Related Technical Math
• Timothy Fink—T-shirt Design
• Tyler Dulitz—Welding

Honorable Mentions

• Dalton Leritz—Diesel Equipment Technology
• Blake Jensen—Electrical Construction Wiring
• Vadym Snesrud—Job Interview
• Michael Doyle—Job Interview
• Miao Li—Pin Design
• Michael Doyle—Related Technical Math
• Clay Carlson—T-shirt Design
• Taran Bridgemohan—Welding

DCTC advisors, support staff, competition hosts and volunteers

• Brenda Arneson
• Alicia Atwater
• Nathan Blommel
• Dawn Braa
• Mark Brantner
• Mike Buck
• Andy Chernisky
• Jeff Choban
• Jeff Copeland
• Jason Dean
• Scott Determan
• Darryl Erickson
• Tim Felch
• Roger Gartner
• Paul Geisler
• Mark Grant
• Ron Gruenes
• Benjamin Jackson
• Ken Klassen
• Scott Logan
• Peter Latner
• Tim McCluskey
• Nicole Meulemans
• Donnie Myers
• Mike Opp
• Christine Pigsley
• Gerry Rainford
• Pete Skoro
• Jerry Stiles
• Darrell Tangen
• Kathy Tettam
• Kristin Vanevenhoven

For more information about SkillsUSA at DCTC, contact:

• Anna Voight
  Assistant Director of Student Life
  651-423-8649

Divisional VP Rick O’Gara accepts award at True Blue Gala

SKB Vice President Rick O’Gara (right) accepts DCTC Advocacy award from DCTC President Ron Thomas

SKB Environmental was honored at the 2nd Annual True Blue Gala with the 2013 DCTC Advocacy Award. SKB has been a leader in the waste disposal and recycling industry for more than 30 years. The DCTC Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or business that has displayed extraordinary support for the college mission through partnerships, community engagement and the promotion of technical education as a pivotal component in the quest for economic prosperity. SKB Divisional Vice President Rick O’Gara was present to receive the award at the True Blue Gala, which was held at Brackett’s Crossing in Lakeville, Minn., on Thursday evening, April 11, 2013.

Under the leadership of O’Gara, SKB’s former owner and president, the company grew from a fledgling new business into the largest privately held waste management firm in Minnesota. In the summer of 2012, O’Gara and his business partner, Mark Ryan, sold SKB to Waste Connections, Inc., a premier national solid waste firm. O’Gara has been instrumental in achieving the company’s remarkable growth and diversification. Under his leadership, SKB Environmental has become the state’s most progressive construction and demolition, and industrial waste management firm.

John Domke, SKB’s longtime vice president, attended the True Blue Gala reception and later gave a pre-recorded acceptance speech. Domke continues to direct SKB operations as a divisional landfill manager. He is in charge of the company’s C & D, industrial and special waste management services. In recognition of his experience, he was asked to help develop a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) certification course for C & D landfill operators. He also served as an instructor.

John Domke acceptance speech for DCTC Advocacy Award

SKB’s commitment to their employees and surrounding communities is reflected in the company’s flawless environmental record and excellent safety record as well as the strong relationships the company has forged with their neighbors and organizations in Dakota County.

SKB has always placed a priority on environmental protection, a guiding principle showcased in facility designs that far exceed regulatory requirements. That principle is also advanced through the responsible management of precious resources that includes recovering valuable materials from landfill sites. SKB is perhaps most proud of never receiving a single environmental violation at any SKB facility throughout the company’s entire history.

In 2008, SKB received a Meritorious Achievement Award from Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Minnesota Safety Council in recognition of excellence in injury prevention performance and occupational safety. This award resulted from more than 210,000 work-hours without a reportable incident.

SKB has gone above and beyond to be a good corporate citizen and valued asset to the community. In addition to championing many community organizations in Dakota County, SKB has proudly supported DCTC and the important role the college plays in educating and training the state’s future workforce. SKB has funded several annual scholarships for more than a decade, donated in-kind earthwork services for the construction of the campus soccer complex, and provided tools for students working in technical program labs. Over the years, on top of other numerous contributions, SKB has hired DCTC graduates, including the company’s most recently hired technician.

DCTC President Ronald E. Thomas, Ph.D., was more than pleased by SKB’s selection as this year’s winner of the DCTC Advocacy Award. “SKB Environmental’s generous support of the college mission represents collaboration at its best between industry and higher education,” Thomas said.

For more information about SKB Environmental and the DCTC Advocacy Award, contact:

• Tharan Leopold
  Executive Director of DCTC Foundation and Alumni
  651-423-8293