Passport to Inver raises more than $40,000
The Inver Hills Community College Foundation hosted Celebrate Inver 2018 Thursday, April 19, at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul, Minnesota. The annual fundraising event brings together alumni, community leaders, business and corporate partners, faculty, staff and distinguished guests in support of Inver Hills students. Proceeds from the event sustain the work of the foundation, which helps students stay in school and graduate with less debt.
This year’s Celebrate Inver theme was Passport to Inver: Your Future, Your World. The evening began with a social hour and silent auction. Dinner was served to all guests at hosted and numbered tables. A program, live auction and heads-or-tails game completed the event.
“On behalf of the Inver Hills Foundation Board, thank you for making the Celebrate Inver 2018 a tremendous success,” said Michelle Boe, JD, interim director of Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College foundations. “With your overwhelming generosity, we raised more than $40,000 to support the work of the foundation.”
The event also raised more than $11,000 for Gail’s Fund. Created to recognize the work of Gail Morrison, the foundation’s former director, the fund helps support single parents attending college.
“We greatly appreciate everyone who participated in our event, provided sponsorships, and donated or purchased auction items,” Michelle added. “Thank you for your steadfast support of our college’s mission: ‘Dedicated to the power and promise of education, we inspire students, build careers and strengthen communities.'”
Supporting Inver Hills and DCTC foundations
Ryan O’Gara with SKB Environmental works to assist students at a community college and technical college
Ryan O’GaraGovernment Affairs Liaison, SKB Environmental
DCTC Foundation Board MemberRyan O’Gara has worked for SKB Environmental for more than 20 years. For the last 17, he has served as the company’s government affairs liaison. He is responsible for monitoring and lobbying issues at the Minnesota State Capitol as well as political issues at the county and city level. Ryan has a B.A. in English from the University of Colorado.
Ryan O’Gara Q & A
Why did you join the DCTC Foundation Board of Directors?
Working for SKB, I have seen firsthand the benefits that the DCTC Foundation has provided for students in our community. I was honored when I was asked to serve on the Board.
Why do you think it’s important for business and industry to support local two-year colleges?
I believe that two-year colleges are uniquely capable of adapting and responding to the workforce needs currently and in the coming future. They are well suited to tailoring programs and degrees to prepare students for available positions in the market. While there will always be a place for the classic four-year degree, business and industry need to support and grow two-year colleges to ensure the workforce we need will be prepared for the jobs we provide.
How does SKB Environmental support the foundations of both colleges?
For many years, SKB has provided financial support and contributions to DCTC and Inver Hills. We have sponsored events and activities where the proceeds go directly to the program recipients. SKB has also contributed to targeted programs such as TuitionMatch-MN that leverage additional funding sources. In addition, serving on the DCTC Foundation Board as a volunteer has allowed me the opportunity to support the Foundation in that way as well.
What advice would you give business leaders thinking about joining a college foundation board?
I can’t overstate how rewarding it has been serving on the DCTC Foundation Board. The diverse backgrounds and expertise of my fellow Board members has, selfishly, provided me with many opportunities to learn and form new friendships.
But the truly rewarding part comes when you get to meet the actual students whose lives are benefited by the Foundation’s work. It is very heartwarming when you realize that growing the Foundation’s programs doesn’t just add numbers to a spreadsheet line item—it actually is impacting the lives of real people who are striving to better themselves (and in turn our community as a whole).
More about SKB Environmental…
With over 35 years of recycling experience, SKB Recycling is Minnesota’s longtime leader in innovative processing, recycling, and total waste management solutions. SKB provides hauling, waste processing, recycling and environmentally sound waste disposal services. SKB Recycling, a subsidiary, serves the construction and demolition industry by providing complete recycling services and recycled products for green-building programs.
Learn more by visiting SKB Environmental.
Celebrate Inver 2018 gallery
Minnesota Historical Society project and upcoming 50th Anniversary joint celebration
DCTC and Inver Hills are collaborating with the Minnesota Historical Society on a three-phase project leading up to the 50th Anniversary campaign in 2019 followed by a joint celebration in 2020. The Minnesota Historical Society provided a grant to fund Phase I of the project, which focused on collecting oral histories from key constituents from both colleges, including community members, faculty and leaders.
A second grant will fund historical-context research regarding changes and events in Dakota County and the Minnesota State system since the inceptions of DCTC and Inver.
Sponsorship Information
The Inver Hills Foundation wishes to thank our grand list of sponsors for Celebrate Inver 2018. We greatly appreciated the support of the following businesses, organizations and individuals.
International Presenting Sponsor
Continental Sponsors
National Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Gregory S. Miller
Hiller Commercial Floors
Print Sponsors
For more information about the Inver Hills and DCTC foundations, contact:
Michelle Boe, JD
Interim Executive Director of Foundation
Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College
DCTC Office: 651-423-8236
Inver Hills Office: 651-450-3519
Chris Hinrichs
Foundation Business & Accounting Coordinator
651-450-3643
