Rosemount and Apple Valley BTYR fund scholarships for veterans, service members and their families
In September 2010, Dakota County Technical College was proclaimed a Yellow Ribbon Company as part of the statewide Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) raises awareness and connects Minnesota military personnel and their families through community support, training, services and resources.
Yellow Ribbon Companies have developed a sustainable action plan for supporting military families during the deployment cycle and after service members return home. Often families with deployed service members believe their situation goes unnoticed by their local communities. Families may even feel apprehensive about asking for needed support.
DCTC works with all BYTR organizations in Minnesota, including two Yellow Ribbon Communities in Dakota County, Rosemount and Apple Valley.
According to Dakota County, which has 10 cities involved in the Yellow Ribbon campaign: “Cities in Minnesota can be recognized as Yellow Ribbon Communities by creating a comprehensive network that connects and coordinates agencies, organizations, resources and employers for the purpose of proactively supporting service members and military families.”
Salute Our Troops Golf Tournament

Elsbeth Howe (far left), Inver Hills Foundation development director, and Amy Eppen (middle right), DCTC Foundation development director, accepting Salute Our Troops Golf Tournament sponsor plaque from Tom Neumann (middle left), Rosemount BTYR president, and Marvin Jansma (far right), helped with tournament fundraising efforts
Co-sponsored by DCTC and Inver Hills, the Salute Our Troops Golf Tournament took place August 10, 2020. Despite the ongoing pandemic, more than 60 sponsors supported the event, which reached its full capacity of participating foursomes, including one foursome invited from the two colleges: Tim Smith, Inver Hills student and U.S. Navy veteran, Susan Long, Inver Hills board member, Scott Kardlik, DCTC board member, and Bruce Kunkel, DCTC graduate and U.S. Navy veteran.
The one-day event at Cannon Golf Club in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, is a key fundraiser for Apple Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and Rosemount Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, which provide BTYR Scholarships for veterans, active-duty service members and their families attending DCTC.
BTYR collaborations
Amy Eppen serves as the DCTC Foundation development director. Amy reported that over the last five years Rosemount BTYR has donated $9,000 to support scholarships for veterans and active-duty service members and their families, including spouses and dependents; Apple Valley BTYR contributed an additional $500.
“DCTC is dedicated to meeting the needs of student-veterans and active-duty service members,” Amy said. “Some veterans face personal, relationship, education and employment challenges. Veteran’s families also may need support while their loved ones serve overseas and when they return home. As a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company, DCTC greatly appreciates the scholarship donations from the Rosemount and Apple Valley BTYR organizations.”
Joel Broberg, a student in the Construction Management program at DCTC, served six years as an aerospace ground equipment mechanic in the 148th Fighter Wing, a unit of the Minnesota Air National Guard located at Duluth Air National Guard Base. Joel received a $500 BTYR Scholarship in fall semester 2020.
“This scholarship is something that I will forever be grateful for as it allows me to afford the opportunity to work toward my goals of eventually owning my own plumbing business,” Joel said. “The skill set that I will have learned from the Construction Management program will help me in this pursuit. Thank you again for your generosity and support.”
If you would like to support veteran and military students at DCTC, visit: dctc.edu/give.
- Donation Categories > Select “Other (please indicate below)” from the drop-down menu
- Other Donation Category – Please Indicate > Type “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” in box
MAKE A DONATION
About the DCTC Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee
Chris Tran, resources navigator, and Michael Crider, financial aid assistant, co-chair the college’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee. Chris explained that DCTC is recognized nationally as a military-friendly campus.
“We opened a newly remodeled Military and Veterans Service Center in 2016,” Chris said. “Military Times ranked DCTC #4 in the nation and #1 in Minnesota on Best for Vets: Colleges 2020: Career and Technical Colleges. DCTC has been ranked nationally by Best for Vets four years in a row: #4 in 2020, #6 in 2019, #7 in 2018 and #12 in 2017. Our collaborative efforts with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organizations in our area is a key factor in why DCTC continues to succeed as a military-friendly campus.”
Mission
The mission of the Dakota County Technical College Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee is to support student-veterans, service members and their families; honor their service; and advocate for military-friendly policies and practices.
Objectives
- Support the retention and academic success, well-being, and career success of student-veterans, service members, and their families.
- Increase campus awareness of veterans’ challenges, military culture, and best practices to support the military community.
- Advocate for military-friendly policies and practices.
- Honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of veterans, service members, and their families.
- Track effectiveness and success of military-related initiatives and continuously improve services to student-veterans, service members, and their families.
- Collaborate with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon networks, government agencies, community partners, and nonprofit organizations.
Useful links
- Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Minnesota
- Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Rosemount
- DCTC Military & Veteran Services
Learn more about Military & Veteran Services and the BTYR Committee at DCTC by contacting:
Kathy Bachman
MDVA Higher Education Regional Coordinator
651-423-8274
Military and Veterans Service Center: Room 2-303
Chris Tran
Resources Navigator
651-423-8217
Michael Crider
Financial Aid Assistant
651-423-8554
Kendrah Pearson
Director of Prior Learning Assessment
651-423-8602
Learn more about the DCTC Foundation by contacting:
Kim Shaff
Interim Executive Director of Foundation
651-423-8236
Amy Eppen
Foundation Development Director
651-423-8265