Visitors from area communities turn out in record numbers
The 6th Annual DCTC College Showcase, which rolled with a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory theme this year, took off as fun galore for a cheerful crowd of visitors who traveled to Dakota County Technical College to explore the tremendous career potential offered by a modern technical education.
More than 3,000 guests found their Golden Ticket and attended the Showcase, which took place on Wednesday, April 1, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the main commons area on the college’s Rosemount, Minn., campus.
In partnership with the six Dakota County Chambers of Commerce, the College Showcase gave area residents the chance to explore DCTC and learn more about the college’s programs and business partners in a festive atmosphere made for networking and discovery.
Forty-nine area businesses sponsored the Showcase, contributing $64,000 in scholarship funds. DCTC Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Larsen reported that DCTC staff and faculty were inspired to give their very best this year, working hard to spotlight their programs while informing people about the benefits of higher education
Showcase Sponsors, Partners & Scrumdidilyyumptious Vendors
“Attendance at the DCTC College Showcase continues to grow,” Larsen said, “as does student recruitment. Our Admissions department reported triple the inquiries for enrollment information compared to last year’s event.”
Guests sampled free food provided by 19 surrounding restaurants while visiting virtually nonstop with DCTC faculty, staff, students and admissions representatives.
The faculty and coaches from the college’s more than 50 academic and sports programs who staffed booths and interactive displays were very busy all evening providing information, offering demonstrations and answering questions.
That evening DCTC also moved ahead with the launch of Project Work/Plan, a new program for dislocated and underemployed workers built on partnerships between DCTC, the Minnesota WorkForce Centers, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the CAP Agency and area faith-based organizations.
Beginning Monday, April 6, 2009, Project Work/Plan will allow community members to visit the college any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 2–4 p.m. to network with other professionals, obtain career search advice and explore a centralized reservoir of career advancement options. Project Work/Plan is designed to provide an extensive range of resources for dislocated workers, including:
- Networking opportunities with seasoned professionals and peers
- Access to computer labs
- Career workshops on topics such as résumé building, marketplace trends and interviewing skills
- Information regarding short-term educational and training options
- Access to DCTC faculty, advisors and administrators
Project Work/Plan Contact Information
- 651-423-8612
- workplan@dctc.edu
Gold or No Gold
Full Deal or No Deal, a scholarship giveaway game based on the NBC game show, Deal or No Deal, returned for the second year in a row—this time as Gold or No Gold. Two contestants played for the chance to win full-ride scholarships to the academic program of their choice.
Greg Miller, Dakota Electric CEO and chairman of the DCTC Foundation, served as host of the live-performance game show, taking on the role of Mr. Willy Wonka complete with top hat, purple topcoat, paisley vest, ruffled shirt, and walking stick.
Scott Ramsdale, president of Anchor Bank Apple Valley, stood in for the mysterious Banker, in this case as the “Anchor Banker.”
Twenty-six college faculty and staff volunteered to function as DCTC Case Security. The two contestants were chosen in a drawing from a pool of future and current students who registered at the admissions booth on the night of the Showcase.
- Contestant 1: Erik Ellefson, a current student in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology program
Scholarship Award: $800
Scholarship Amount in 1st Case Selected: $4,500
- Contestant 2: Juva Wolf, a future student from Eagan, Minn., who is interested in taking computer-related classes
Scholarship Award: $2,250
Scholarship Amount in 1st Case Selected: $20
“A college education continues to be the best way to achieve lasting career and financial security,” Larsen said. “Our College Showcase invites metro area residents to experience firsthand how DCTC holds promise for the future. Gold or No Gold was our way to give two students a financial head start in their higher education career.”
Larsen went on to say that the college’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aidprovides assistance to 93 percent of DCTC students.
52″ Flat Screen TV Raffle
Sam’s Club in Apple Valley donated a 52″ Philips Flat Screen TV that was raffled off during the evening. Showcase guests participated in the raffle after completing an entertaining and informative scavenger hunt.
All proceeds raised through DCTC College Showcase sponsorships are directed toward need-based scholarships for DCTC students. The 7th Annual DCTC College Showcase will take place Wednesday, April 7, 2010, same time, same place.
