Award winners will be honored during the True Brew Gala April 28
The Dakota County Technical College Foundation has named its 2016 Award recipients. Each recipient was nominated by peers and selected by a 12-person committee.
The recipients will be honored at the DCTC Foundation’s True Brew Gala on April 28, 2016. Held at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville, this year’s gala will highlight DCTC’s new brewing program and will feature local craft beer, Granny’s donuts, and fundraising trivia by Trivia Mafia. To purchase your tickets go to www.dctc.edu/gala.
The recipients are as follows:
DCTC Rising Star- Christine LaMott
The Rising Star award recognizes a young alumnus who is making significant contributions to society through professional and philanthropic work. This year’s recipient, Christine LaMott, certainly fits that description.
Christine attended DCTC as part of the Business Management Program. Christine said she chose DCTC because it would allow her to be a mom, wife and full-time employee. After graduating from DCTC with an Associate’s degree in Supervisory Management, Christine went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degrees in Human Resources at St. Mary’s University. She credits DCTC for inspiring her to continue her education.
Christine is an HR consultant who works as an HR Manager and Leadership Development Director for one company and a Strategic HR Coach for another.
“I enjoy motivating leadership to the next positive and productive phase of their business and helping to make their employees proud of being a part of it along the way,” said Christine.
Outside of work, Christine is a wife and mother. Christine has three children including 10-year-old Molly, eight-year-old Matthew and 26-year-old step-daughter, Brittany.
During her time at DCTC, Matthew was diagnosed with Autism. Christine said Matthew’s Autism creates challenges and rewards daily and his service dog Lloyd brings peace and joy into their lives.
Her family’s experience with Lloyd led her to become involved with Can Do Canines, a non-profit that pairs assistance dogs with people who have special needs including hearing loss, mobility needs, seizure disorders, Type 1 Diabetes and childhood autism. She’s a strong advocate for the organization and recently spoke on campus about the organization.
DCTC Advocacy Award- Bob Erickson
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.
Bob Erickson’s professional successes and extensive volunteer contributions have spanned over 25 years. He’s known for his commitment to legislative efforts, fiscal accountability and fundraising for DCTC.
During the past decade, Bob has been a tenacious advocate on the DCTC Foundation Board, serving on as Board Chair for two years.
Well respected in the South Metro, he has leveraged his personal and professional connections to benefit DCTC students, raising money for scholarships, hardship grants, and equipment.
Additionally, Bob has been active in other Foundation initiatives including the establishment of the Foundation Finance Committee, lobbying for Phase 1 & 2 State bonding projects which resulted in the renovation of 118,000 sq.ft, and his favorite event, Scholarship in the Haystack.
Bob has provided valuable insight as the college has gone through strategic planning, HLC reaccreditation and the Charting the Future.
Bob continues to serve the South Metro community in a variety of roles including: Chair of the Friends of the Lakeville Area Art Center, Lakeville Area Schools Board of Education, Treasurer, Citizens Bank Board, Vice Chair Intermediate School District 917 BOE and President Bellante HOA.
DCTC Outstanding Alumni- Ann Fritz
The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional leadership, work ethic, and dedication as part of the DCTC community.
Ann Fritz graduated from DCTC with AAS in Interior Design in 2004. She has since established herself as an award winning leader in the commercial interior design industry in the Twin Cities. She began as an intern with Elness Swenson Graham Architects and in eight years, she advanced to Director of Interiors. In the process, Ann developed the exacting standards, collaborative processes and design leadership that distinguish ESG’s interiors department on a local, regional and national scale.
Ann’s masterful color and materials palette emerged from her fine arts and communications background, and is continually enlivened through her ongoing study of art and design. Her formal education in interior design also established the foundation from which she’s compiled a roster of award-winning residential, corporate and hospitality projects.
Ann has been a strong advocate for DCTC’s Interior Design program. She has served on the advisory committee from more than 5 years and as a guest speaker and critic for multiple design presentations. Lastly, Ann has hired numerous graduates form the program.
Spirit of DCTC Award-Scott Gunderson
The Spirit of DCTC Award recognizes an individual who has contributed selflessly to the college mission while showing boundless support for student success in the classroom and beyond.
Scott Gunderson started his tenure at DCTC in 2000 as a Business Management instructor, a role in which he continues to serve today. Scott said he loves teaching and is constantly looking for ways to give value to students.
“To me the spirit of DCTC is when students come in like a lamb and leave like a lion. Then you know you’ve given them the tools to go out and succeed.”
Committed to the success of the campus a whole, Scott has taken on a number of other roles including serving on the Academic Standards Council, the Faculty Shared Governance Council, Assessment Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Yellow Ribbon Committee which serves our veterans. Additionally, he’s the advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa and administers the Credit for Prior Learning program. Of his various involvements, Scott said it’s important to him to be involved and make sure the interests of students and the campus are represented.
Lastly, Scott advocates for DCTC outside the walls of the campus. Currently he serves on the Institute of Certified Professional Managers board of regents as Vice Chair and Scott will serve as Chair next year. He also works with area businesses in conjunction with DCTC’s Customized Training Department.
