Pictured at the game are l-r Howie Conrad, Summerfield, FL and Phil Trebnick, The Villages, FL.

Awards Ceremony
Approximately 100 students received nearly $200,000 in scholarships and awards at the Awards Reception held May 6 in the Irene M. Bickley Library on the ICC campus.  Dr. Mike Johnson, ICC Provost and Dr. Barbara McDonald, Dean of Academic Affairs welcomed students and their guests, thanked donors for their generosity and introduced the faculty and staff in attendance.  A roll call of recipients recognized each student receiving a scholarship and/or award.  Pictured at the Awards Reception are l-r Dr. Barbara McDonald, scholarship recipient Robert Hildreth with friend, Angel Jerry.

Successful Fundraiser Held
A very successful ICC Foundation raffle fundraiser was held in partnership with the Reif Center in January.  Prior to and during intermission of the lively and amusing performance of Church Basement Ladies, raffle tickets were available for purchase by members of the audience.  At the conclusion of the performance the lucky winners were drawn by Suzanne Nelson, one of the authors of the play.  Thirty-two businesses contributed wonderful raffle prizes for this event.   Hard-working committee members for the fundraiser were Tessie Guyer, Laurie Dame, Sandy Antonovich, Jean Czekalski, Edie McTamaney, Katie Henriksen, David Marty, Ken Smith and Beth Anderson.  Additional help at the event was provided by Cricket Guyer, Trika Smith, Hannah Benzie and Roger Czekalski.  Net raffle proceeds go to ICC student scholarships for 2010-2011.

Itasca Community College and the ICC Foundation held The Irene M. Bickley Library Celebration and Dedication on October 7. Jean Bickley Holten, Itasca Class of 1947, has a long history of support for Itasca. She has provided generous funding for music, theater and classroom equipment, theater and library structural renovation and established the Jean Bickley Holten Contemporary Literature Collection and the Bickley Holten Library Fund. Jean also provides funding for the Jean Bickley Holten Scholarship, awarded annually to Itasca students.

Recognizing this generous support, the college collaborated with Jean to name the library in memory of her mother Irene M. Bickley. Mrs. Bickley was born June 9, 1897 in Antigo, WI and attended Oshkosh Normal School, Oshkosh WI, earning a degree in elementary education. She taught in Stevens Point WI and Hibbing MN before moving to Grand Rapids to raise her family. Maintaining a lifelong interest in education, Mrs. Bickley died in 1978.

Alumni and friends visited Itasca during the Open House held on July 24. Campus tours, memorabilia and seeing former classmates and friends was enjoyed by those attending. Picture l-r are Cricket Guyer, Trika (Guyer) Smith and Ardeth and Bob Johns

Eleven members of the class of 1959 were honored at the Golden Grad event on May 14. A special luncheon and program, campus tour and recognition at ICC's graduation ceremony were the highlights of this annual event. Picture l-r, front, are Gary Titus, Shirley (Fideldy) Sobtzak, Nancy (Loberg) Raich and Elmer Mattila; back, Jerome Ingstad, Ray Jones, John Hecimovich, Jerry Robinson, Terry Maciej, Rankin Ahlm and Keith Austin.

Donald R. Booth, Itasca Class of 1951, has been selected as the 2009 Alumnus of the Year. Don grew up in Marble, graduated from Greenway High School and attended Itasca Junior College. While at Itasca he was active in debate, winning the Upper Midwest Junior College debate title. Don and classmate Dean Mitchell represented Itasca at the national competition in Bakersfield, California.

He continued his higher education in California attending Whittier College, Claremont Graduate School and UCLA where he completed his Ph.D. in 1970. Don is the Larry Parlett Professor of Economics at the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University in Orange, California and is celebrating his 50th year of teaching at Chapman this year.

His professional experience is impressive and extensive ranging from research fellow at Claremont Institute to serving on the Board of Directors of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Don's national and international expertise has resulted in consulting, lecturing and teaching opportunities in Washington, D.C., China and Russia as well as publishing numerous articles relative to those economies. His areas of specialization are price theory, property rights, environmental economics and international economics.

Don's loyalty to Itasca and support of its students is noteworthy and appreciated. He has attended the Itasca mini-reunions in California for many years and has organized and hosted the event at Chapman numerous times. Don and his wife Louise, are long time donors, most recently establishing the "Dean's Academic Achievement Fund" here at Itasca.

Don is truly representative of the success of Itasca's alumni and we are pleased to select him as the Alumnus of the Year.

Hoping to downsize possessions and responsibilities, Larry and Janet Reed (Itasca Class of 1954) Eichman discussed what to do with a family coin collection, stored by them at their home in Jamestown ND for many years. Larry's father, L.E. Eichman, had been an accounting instructor at Itasca Community College and an avid coin collector. The Eichmans felt the coins should benefit Itasca as Mr. Eichman compiled the majority of the collection during his tenure at the college. They gifted the extensive and valuable collection to the Itasca Community College Foundation.

Now sold, the coin collection proceeds have been added to the longstanding Eichman Merit Award, a scholarship for outstanding accounting students established by L. E. Eichman upon his retirement and enhanced by family members' generous gifts over the years. The Eichmans are delighted with the full circle journey of the coins and gratified to know their value will support student scholarships well into the future.

If you are interested in learning more about scholarships and programs to benefit Itasca students, please call Mary Richie, Itasca Community College Foundation Executive Director, at 218.322.2450.

Janet Reed Eichman (IJC Class of 1954), Larry Eichman and Mary Richie, at the recent Itasca Mini-Reunion in Mesa, AZ.

Itasca Community College's annual Awards and Scholarship Program was held on the Itasca campus on Thursday, April 23, 2009. 55 student recipients, 30 presenters and numerous family and friends filled Davies Theater to celebrate academic achievement by current and incoming Itasca students. Master of ceremonies Dr. Michael Johnson, ICC Provost, noted 121 scholarships were awarded to 91 students, totaling over $200,000 in funds.

The Itasca Nursing program also honored its students at the annual Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Monday, May 4, 2009 in the Theater at Davies Hall where nearly $5,000 in scholarship funds for nursing students were awarded.

Theresa Troumbly presents the Jennie Guyer Memorial Scholarship to Brooke Geisler.

Ron Ulseth presents the Women in Engineering Scholarship to Katherine Marking.

Itasca Community College Foundation and the Reif Center hosted a joint event to benefit the Reif Endowment and ICC student scholarships on Saturday, February 21, at the sold-out "Winter Dance Party" performance at the Reif. Pictured with donated raffle items from area businesses and individuals are ICC Foundation members (from left to right) : Mary Richie, Executive Director, Edie McTamaney, board member, Kjersti Holstad, student worker, Laurie Dame, board member and Ken Smith, board member.

Board Members l-r: Tom Newman, Beth Anderson, Robin Omberg, Jean Czekalski, Rick Seeling, Tessie Guyer, Christopher Worth, Shirley Johnson, Doug Johnson, Duane Helmer and John Kannas

1st Picture: Pictured l-r, Front: Jean (Archibald) Monico, Celeste (Bechtel) Jensen, Louise Booth; Second Row: Dr. Barbara McDonald, Jan (Murray) Clune, June (Merhar) Holmes; Third row: Beth Anderson, Don Booth, Mitzie (Merhar) Zappala; Fourth Row: Margaret (Burkhart) Desjardin, Elizabeth (Skurich) Bruiger, Mary Richie, Pete Santrach; Back Row: Bob Murray, Lou Monico, Howie Clune and Jim Thompson.

2nd Picture: Pictured l-r, are Bob Murray, Beth Anderson, Margaret (Burkhart) Desjardin and Mary Richie

3rd Picture: Louise Booth and Celeste (Bechtel) Jensen enjoyed the mini-reunion.

Itasca and Greenway alumni living in southern California once again enjoyed a fall reunion at Chapman University hosted by Don Booth, IJC Class of ?51 and his wife, Louise. Don is department head and professor of economics in the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman. A short program was presented by Itasca representatives Dr. Barbara McDonald, dean of academic affairs, Mary Richie, development director and Beth Anderson, alumni director.

Nine classmates celebrated the 50 year anniversary of the Itasca Class of 1958. Saraphine (Lisa) Borelli, David Bunker, John Erickson, Gerald Hofer, Larry Longmore, Jerry Snyder, Arthur Stevens, Maurice Talonen and Thomas Weyrick participated in the event.

The afternoon celebration included lunch, a campus tour and attendance at ICC's Commencement where the Golden Grads were introduced and recognized as alumni from the Class of 1958.

Two deserving alumni share the honor of being named the 2008 Alumnus of the Year, Cricket Guyer, Class of 1979 & 1990 and Trika (Guyer) Smith, Class of 1976. The announcement was made at ICC Commencement on May 15.

Sisters Cricket and Trika grew up in Taconite, both graduating from Greenway High School,Cricket in 1978 and Trika in 1974.

Cricket graduated from Itasca in 1979 after completing the secretarial program. She completed her Associate of Arts degree in 1990 and has been employed at Itasca for 27 ½ years.

Cricket volunteers frequently on behalf of the college and the Alumni Association. She was on the planning committee for the 2007 All-Class Reunion, assists with the Golden Grads celebration, represented the college at the California alumni mini-reunion in 2006 and constantly promotes the college and Alumni Association.

On campus she serves as Advisor for the Jen Guyer Leadership Program and is on the Global Education Committee. Cricket has traveled extensively through Europe, and recently to China. She was co-lead on the ICC trip to Greece in 2006 and will serve in that capacity again 2009 on the trip to Egypt.

She has served on the boards of the Reif Center, the United Way and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. She currently is participating in the Blandin Leadership Program. She is secretary of the Coleraine Centennial Committee and a member of the Greenway Referendum Committee.

Trika graduated from Itasca in 1976 with an Associate of Arts degree. Continuing her education at Bemidji State University she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1978.

Trika began her teaching career at Itasca in the fall of 1981, teaching math and computer classes. Besides teaching she has been actively involved in various college committees throughout her career currently serving as Vice-President of the ICC Faculty Association.

She was a charter member of the ICC Alumni Association Board of Directors in 1982 and continues to volunteer frequently on behalf of the college and the Alumni Association. Trika served on the planning committee for the 2007 All-Class Reunion, assists with the Golden Grad program by preparing a presentation and quiz and constantly promotes the college and Alumni Association. She also represented the college at the California alumni mini-reunion in 2006.

Trika is currently on the Coleraine Centennial Celebration Committee and the First United Church Worship Committee. She was very involved with all of her children?s activities when they were of school age.

With their dedication and continuous enthusiastic support of Itasca, its students and alumni we find it very fitting to name Cricket Guyer and Trika Smith warrant the title of 2008 Alumni of the Year.

1st Picture: Elizabeth Miskovich, Executive Director, Grand Itasca Foundation presents Carey Reiten with the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital/Grand Itasca Foundation - Debbie Shrout Memorial Scholarship

2nd Picture: Brenda Morris, recipient of the Helen M. Stuber Memorial Scholarship, and Dr. Barbara McDonald, Dean of Academic Affairs

3rd Picture: Beth Anderson presents Susan Durocher with the Mae Anderson Scholarship

The Itasca Nursing program honored its students at the annual Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Monday, May 5, 2008 in the Theater at Davies Hall, Itasca Community College. The program featured student speakers, scholarship presentations, perfect attendance awards, pinning of students by family and friends, naming of students of the year, the nightingale pledge and a video program tribute.

17 student awards, totaling nearly $8,000, were presented from the following scholarship funds:

 • Mae Anderson Nursing Scholarship
 • Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 13
 • Mary Lou Learmont Gerontology/Geriatric Scholarship
 • Wayne Jacobson Geriatric Nursing Education Award
 • Dr. Maurice McKenna Memorial Scholarship
 • Grand Itasca Foundation - Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kelly Scholarship
 • Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital/Grand Itasca Foundation - Debbie Shrout
    Memorial Scholarship
 • Helen M. Stuber Memorial Scholarship
 • Women of the Moose Scholarship
 • Violett Nursing Scholarship
 • Cecilia Wilcox Scholarship

Itasca's annual Awards and Scholarship Program was held on the Itasca campus on Thursday, April 24, 2008. 80 student recipients, 30 presenters and hundreds of family and friends filled Davies Theater to celebrate academic achievement by current and incoming Itasca students.

Master of ceremonies Dr. Michael Johnson, ICC Provost, noted 163 scholarships were awarded to 104 students, totaling over $207,000 in funds.

2008 marked the first award year for the following scholarship funds:

 • High Achieving Engineering Student Scholarship (Blandin Foundation grant funded)
 • Engineering Alumni Scholarship
 • Del and Lila Matteson, L & M Supply Entrepreneur Scholarship Award
 • Kenneth and Mary (Makedonsky) Erickson Scholarship
 • Emil and Josephine Shipka Scholarship
 • M.G. Shaw Scholarship
 • Ann Turek Scholarship
 • Betty Shannon Scholarship
 • Robert A. Stuber Scholarship
 • Ethan Robert Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Honored students and their families were treated to an ice cream social in the school cafeteria following the program which was organized by the Itasca Community College Foundation staff.