Play "PTC Breakout!"

Pine Technical College and the Johnson Center for Simulation (JCS) have teamed up to bring fun, new games to the PTC website. "PTC Breakout," the first game developed by PTC and JCS staff is a hit with PTC students. The game is available now through the end of March, until "PTC Collapse" takes its place.

"We've developed a lineup of fun PTC-themed games that will be featured regularly on our website," says Dani Chandonnet, PTC Director of Marketing and Admissions. "The games are simple and fun, and they get website visitors involved in the PTC brand."

The lineup of games for the rest of the year includes PTC Breakout, PTC Collapse, PTC Word Search, and possibly a version of PTC Tetris -- each game debuting about every three months.

"This kind of project is right up our alley," says Brandon Schapekahm, Digital Artist with the Johnson Center for Simulation. "While we specialize in simulations and serious game development, this is exciting and one of our more fun projects."

JCS was founded in 2000 as part of a regional project to extend East Central Minnesota's technology infrastructure and services and is housed at PTC. The company has 10 projects completed and 35 in planning or under development. Their current projects include scenario and procedural training applications, military immersive simulations and game development.


Image: Snapshot of "PTC Breakout," a new computer game offered online at www.pinetech.edu.

Welcome, MaryAnn Schefers, to Business Services

Pine Technical College warmly welcomes MaryAnn Schefers to the Business Services Office. Schefers begins work at PTC as Accounting Officer Jan. 20 and replaces the position vacated by Janis Wegner when Wegner was promoted to CFO in Sept. 2009.

Schefers holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Cloud State University and brings extensive experience in accounting and information systems to the college. Schefers most recently served as Finance and Fund Development Assistant at the Initiative Foundation in the Donor Services and Finance Department, a position she's held since Sept. 2002.

"I'm happy to be a part of Pine Technical College," Schefers says. "Transitioning will be easy with such a welcoming team, and I'm excited to be a part of the Business Services team at PTC," Schefers adds.

Curt Hanson, Vice President for Donor Services at the Initiative Foundation, who worked closely with Schefers during the past seven years, says, "MaryAnn thrives on hard work, is reliable and very conscientious. She solves problems rather than pointing them out. PTC made a good choice."

PTC welcomes Jason Rengo, new faculty

Pine Technical College welcomes Jason Rengo, new to the PTC biology faculty this Spring semester. Rengo will teach BIOL 1260, Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and BIOL 1250, General Biology 1.

Rengo, a 2007 graduate of Minnesota State Univ., Mankato, earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science with an impressive 3.83 grade point average and later attended the Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, where he earned a master's degree in integrative physiology in May, 2009, finishing with a 4.0 grade point average. Originally from Blaine, Rengo says it’s nice to be "home again," in Minnesota.

"I’m proud to be here and a part of PTC," Rengo says. "It’s good to be back in my home state and doing what I love – teaching," Rengo adds. While working toward his master's, Rengo taught courses in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, nutrition and research statistics at UC-Boulder. Rengo says he is already enjoying the diverse student population found at PTC.

"I especially like teaching a diverse student body, and my classes have a good mix of students from all walks of life," Rengo says. "Some students are young – just out of high school, some students are changing careers after 20 years, and some students are retired and here just to learn something new. It’s an excellent mix, and they [students] are really engaged learners," Rengo explains. For fun, Rengo enjoys running and is an accomplished mid-distance runner. Rengo also coaches the men's cross country and track teams at the Univ. of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

"We enthusiastically welcome Mr. Rengo to the PTC family," says Dr. Robert Musgrove, President. "He brings expert knowledge and valuable teaching experience. He truly will be an asset to our faculty," Musgrove adds.

PTC Shooter's Association to host 27th Annual Gun Show

The Pine Technical College Shooter's Association is set to host the 27th Annual Gun Show on campus, Feb. 27 and 28. More than 120 vendors will spread out in the PTC Student Lounge, classrooms and labs to feature the latest in firearms innovations and interesting historical pieces. More than 3,000 are expected to attend and will be able to buy, sell and trade firearms.

"This is the Shooter's Association premier annual event," says Greg Shufelt, PTC Shooter's Association President and second year gunsmithing student. "This event offers something for everyone, whether they are a first-year gunsmithing student, a once-a-year hunter or an avid collector," Shufelt adds.

The 27th Annual Gun Show is open to the public and runs Sat. Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun. Feb. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $5 and free to children 12 and under. Food for purchase will be available.

The Shooter's Association is a student group comprised of 40 PTC gunsmithing students, staff and faculty members. Shooter's Association members host and manage the popular annual show, and have grown the event since its inception in 1983 into the anticipated event it is today.

"We're very proud to host this event," says Shufelt. "This is a chance for our members to really showcase their craft to the community, and it shows," adds Shufelt.

Most members of the Shooter's Association are gunsmithing students at PTC. The program offers a 26-credit gun repair certificate and a 68-credit gunsmithing diploma. Alongside gun repair and gunsmithing, students learn skills in woodworking, metalworking and welding. The program boasts a 100 percent job placement rate.

For more information about the 27th Annual Gun Show, call 800-521-PINE, ext. 572. For more information about the PTC gunsmithing program, call 800-521-7463.


Photo: Gun Show attendees buy, trade, sell and view firearms at the 26th Annual Gun Show at Pine Technical College (2009).

Spring semester enrollment shows increase of 60 percent in just three years

At the start of Pine Technical College’s spring semester, new enrollment figures show a 60 percent increase in student headcount compared to the same time in Jan. 2007 – just three years ago. The college’s classrooms, halls, lockers and parking lot are filled to capacity this semester – something the college has not experienced until now.

"Classes are full with waiting lists, all the lockers are taken, students are struggling to find parking, and Fridays – a typically slower day on campus – are just as busy as Mondays," says Nancy Mach, PTC Dean of Student Affairs.

Each of the 32 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities experienced a spike in enrollment in recent semesters, due to a mix of many factors, mostly attributed to the economic downturn. Research shows during a recession, college and university enrollment increases. However, Pine Technical College experienced the largest percentage of enrollment increase in Aug. 2009 – the fall semester. At that time, PTC’s enrollment had increased by 19 percent just in one year. Today, the college stands with a headcount of 846 students, compared to an average yearly enrollment of 540 to 600. It is predicted PTC will again show the largest spike in enrollment for the spring 2010 semester, but final numbers will be reported after the initial flurry of Add/Drop Week, after Jan. 15.

The college has initiated a Facilities Master Plan Committee to develop a more long-term plan for the college with more classroom and office space. The committee unveiled several draft plans at the college’s spring in-service, and all versions were received warmly. All versions depicted at least one more building on campus, an expanded Continuing Education and Customized Training facility and more parking.

"We will break the milestone of having a 1,000 student headcount very soon," says PTC President Robert Musgrove. "The Facilities Master Plan Committee is working hard to design a campus that will accommodate this growth and more. It’s definitely an exciting, growing time for the college."

PTC's Ever Green Club brings holiday light recycling to Pine Area

The Pine Technical College student-run Ever Green Club has partnered with the Recycling Association of Minnesota to bring holiday light recycling to the Pine Area. Pine Area residents now may drop off their old holiday lights just inside the main entrance of Pine Technical College (look for the labeled box) now through the end of January, 2010. At that time, RAM representatives will pick up the lights and handle recycling.

"We heard about RAM establishing and growing a holiday light recycling program, and we wanted to be a drop-off site," said Heather Hanson Mead, Pine Technical College Ever Green Club President. "This kind of project is exactly what the Ever Green Club is all about," Mead added.

RAM, headquartered in St. Paul, is an association of recyclers around the state. RAM's Holiday Light Recycling Program is new, and drop-off sites are scattered around the state in Carlton, Duluth, Ely, Hutchinson, Mankato, Redwood Falls, St. Cloud and more. RAM announced they have collected and recycled 15,000 pounds of holiday lights since Dec. 3 this year.

Thanks to the efforts of PTC's Ever Green Club, Pine Technical College is the official collection site in Pine City for holiday lights recycling.

"I'm so happy students are getting involved!" said Ellen Telander, Executive Director of RAM.

-----------------------------------------------

UPDATE: The holiday light recycling program came to a close at the end of Jan., and the PTC Ever Green Club collected more than 350 pounds of lights in just four weeks. After turning in this large amount from the Pine Area to RAM, RAM in turn recycled more than 50,000 pounds.

"Thanks to everyone who participated in the first Holiday Lights Recycling Program," Mead said. "We will make plans to do this again next holiday season," Mead added.

PTC students donate to Pine City Food Shelf

Pine Technical College Student Senate leaders packed up 1,000 pounds of non-perishable food items collected from students, staff, faculty and community-minded citizens and delivered it to the Pine City Food Shelf today, bringing the 2009 food drive to a close.

Student senate officers initiated the food drive in Oct. 2009, and food items have been stocked in the Student Senate Office since then.

"This is the biggest food drive we've ever held," said Amanda Spencer, PTC Student Senate Vice President. "The Pine Technical College community is happy give to the local food shelf that will help those who are less fortunate, especially during the holidays," Spencer added.


Above: Donated food items fill up a trailer at Pine Technical College.


Above: Pine Technical College Student Senate Officer Dusty Leis shows off the full trailer of donated food items.


Above: Pine Technical College Student Senate officers Amy Smyser, Dusty Leis and Jessica Houghton stand before the fully loaded trailer of donated food items.