Spring 2016 Dean's List

5/20/16
Each semester Minnesota West recognizes our students' outstanding academic achievement through the Dean's List. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 graded credits and earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average to be eligible for Dean’s List honors. Spring 2016 Dean’s List honors were extended to the following students:

Dental Assistant Program Accreditation Visit

5/20/16
Canby Campus

On September 8-9, 2016, the Minnesota West Dental Assistant Program will be hosting representatives from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association, for an on campus site visit as part of the seven year cycle of accreditation.

The Commission provides an opportunity for third party comment with respect to the programs scheduled for review. Comments must be signed, and signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program. Comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process. Third party comments are due in the Commission’s office no later than 60 days prior to the site visit, which would be July 8, 2016.

A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission

The mailing address and other contact information:
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800-621-8099 extension 4653.

Fluid Power Grad Returns with Daughter

5/19/16

Michael Pate, a 1997 Minnesota West Fluid Power graduate, comes back to tour the Granite Falls campus with his daughter. Rachel Pate wants to follow in her Dad’s footsteps.  She is a high school junior making plans for after graduation. Michael, a native of Texas, was attracted to the Fluid Power program on the Granite Falls campus as a high school student.  He worked in a hydraulics shop and enjoyed it. His Dad started looking around for schooling and found out there was a good school in Minnesota - Minnesota West Community & Technical College.

Michael is now the president, owner, and founder of DNP Americas in Alvin, Texas. The company is a manufacturer of hydraulic quick couplings and hydraulic valves. “A lot of the components that go into the systems that we learned about in this school,” notes Michael.

When asked how Minnesota West prepared him for what he is doing today, the immediate response from Michael was, “Priceless. When I came here, I didn't know what a cylinder was. I didn't know what a pump was.  All I knew was a little bit about hydraulic hose and fittings. The things that they taught me here, every year, it's something new. I still use my training for what I did last week and what I did the first week out of school. I went straight to Nigeria, Africa after graduating and got a lot of experience. I was a little scared but the education kicked in. If it weren't for it, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

“My wife and I talk about this all the time. My father and I talk about this all the time. This program, in two years, will give you the necessary tools to work in the field and make the money that you need. You can pretty much work anywhere in the United States that you choose. It's one thing that you do not have to go to any place that you don't want to be at. You will find work as a hydraulic technician, a hydraulic salesman, a hydraulic manufacturer, “ comments Michael.

“My child, Rachel, is obviously a girl; and we were a little bit hesitant because this is dominated by ninety eight percent men, but I take disadvantages and turn them into advantages. I think a female on the sales force, if she knows just as much as a male, could be more deadlier in sales than a man can be. I highly recommend females coming out to fluid power school and getting the training and the knowledge.”

The Minnesota West Fluid Power program most recently has combined with Industrial Technology, meeting industry demand and changes. The program is now offered as Mechatronics.