“It is an honor to lead this great organization during Dunwoody’s centennial year,” President Wagner said. “Like Dunwoody, the ATEA has long been an advocate for the importance of technical education to the U.S. economy. I will use my ATEA presidency to continue to make the case for the value of applied learning to improve lives, businesses and communities.

“I also have a message for my fellow higher education administrators and faculty members: we can no longer afford as a nation to overlook the importance of an applied education or a liberal arts education or a STEM education. Individual students will vary in how much of each area they want or need, but they need a solid foundation in and exposure to all three, especially in K-12. The modern workforce requires that technicians, salespersons and managers all have practical, hands-on skills, critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate well with others.”

Dunwoody College will also host the ATEA annual conference in March of 2014.

Dr. Wagner is the ninth president of Dunwoody and has served in that position since July 2009. A resident of Waconia, he holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota.

Prior to being named president, Dr. Wagner was the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Dunwoody College. He started his academic career teaching in the College’s electrical program. Prior to entering higher education, Dr. Wagner served 10 years in the United States Navy, including four years as an electrician/technical supervisor on a nuclear submarine before becoming a Navy instructor.

ATEA was chartered in Delmar, NY, in 1960. The mission of the American Technical Education Association, which is housed at Dunwoody College, is to serve as the premier provider of professional development for postsecondary technical educators. It holds both a national conference and regional conferences.

About Dunwoody:  Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is the only private, non-profit, technical college in the Upper Midwest. Dunwoody changes lives by building opportunities for graduates to have successful careers, to develop into leaders and entrepreneurs, and to engage in “the better performance of life’s duties.” For more, visit dunwoody.edu.

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The Collision students, advised by Bruce Graffunder and Bob Brandon, made a complete sweep of the awards, taking first through fourth place in the contest. Kevin Wendt advised two teams for the Web Design contest, and they placed first and second.

Overall, 16 Dunwoody students competed in seven contests, including Collision, Automotive Refinishing, HVAC, Computer Programming, Computer Maintenance, Web Design, and Internetworking.  The students medaled in five of the contests with three in first place, two in second place, three in third place, and two in fourth place.  The full results are:

Collision Repair– Advisors: Bruce Graffunder and Bob Brandon

1^st: Erik Campion

2^nd: Trevor Multhaup

3^rd: Huey Lewis

4^th: Andy LaRue

Internetworking – Advisors: Rob Bentz and Dave Mansheffer

1^st: Donald Geer

Computer Web Design –Advisor: Kevin Wendt

1^st Place Team:  Joe Packer and Brett Lidfors

2^nd Place Team:  Martin Sheeks and Brady Skaurad

Automotive Refinishing – Advisors: Bruce Graffunder and Bob Brandon

3^rd: Erik Campion

4^th: Huey Lewis

Computer Maintenance – Advisor: Dave Mansheffer

3^rd: Lee Reiners

The first place winners are eligible to compete at the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City, Mo., June 24–28.

Kevin Wendt and Bruce Graffunder will be attending the national competition as advisors for the contests.  Four Dunwoody faculty members are going to the national competition to judge: Lonny Lunn and Dave Duval for the Automotive competition, Heather Gay for the Teamworks competition, and Polly Friendshuh for the Electrical Construction Wiring competition.

For more information about SkillsUSA Minnesota, visit www.mnskillsusa.org.

SkillsUSA Minnesota is part of a national organization that serves over a quarter million student members annually, organized into more than 14,700 chapters and 54 state and territorial associations (including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands). The Minnesota Association has offered leadership opportunities to over 200,000 student members since 1967, with a current annual membership of over 3,000. There are chapters in 29 technical colleges and 50 high schools or cooperative centers, with potential to serve many more. SkillsUSA is governed by a Board of Directors, elected from teachers that advise local chapters, and representing both the high school and college divisions and industry representatives. All programs are offered as integral to the curriculum.

Nicole Curtis

Nicole Curtis, Television Host, Rehab Addict-HGTV/DIY Network, will be the guest speaker at the Kate L. Dunwoody Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Dunwoody College of Technology, 818 Dunwoody Blvd., Minneapolis.

The luncheon is in recognition of the vision and generosity of Kate L. Dunwoody.

Curtis will talk about using her strengths and passion to achieve success in a non-traditional career.

There will be a meet and greet with Curtis following the program, until 1 p.m.

The luncheon runs from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The cost is $12 at the door; there is no charge for Dunwoody students to attend.

RSVP by October 19, to Kat Christopherson at 612-381-3064 or development@dunwoody.edu

About Nicole Curtis 

A self-taught home rehabber and designer, Nicole is also a mom, a master of salvage picking, and a spirited advocate for saving old houses. Resourceful, creative and always in motion, Nicole is hands-on with all of her projects and wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s a whirlwind of ideas, energy and vision, skilled with every tool in her belt (plus a few secrets she’s got tucked up her sleeve).

Nicole harnesses her experience with interior design, contracting and real estate in her award-winning, hit TV Show Rehab Addict proudly featured on HGTV & DIY Network. She also consults and tackles projects for clients ranging from revamping a single room to redoing an entire home.

The Dunwoody Partnership Award is given annually to an organization or company that makes a significant contribution to Dunwoody’s mission to provide a career-focused, applied education leading to immediate jobs and successful careers in business and industry.

Pentair, a global, diversified industrial company offering water, fluid, thermal management and equipment protection solutions, supports a variety of nonprofits, including Dunwoody, through The Pentair Foundation.

“We are always looking for ways to support traditional learners and students in nontraditional programs,” said Pentair spokesperson Betsy Day.  “Dunwoody is a great example of experiential learning with an emphasis on hands-on learning and a history of getting students into the workforce.”

Pentair has given approximately $285,000 to Dunwoody over the past 20 years to support general operating costs.

“Pentair has been a supporter of the College for several decades now,” said Dunwoody President Rich Wagner. “We appreciate that support, and especially are grateful for the interest Pentair Foundation staff show in our mission and our students. It’s always a delight to have them on campus.”

ABOUT PENTAIR LTD.

Pentair Ltd. (www.pentair.com) delivers industry-leading products, services and solutions for its customers’ diverse needs in water and other fluids, thermal management and equipment protection.   With pro forma 2011 revenues of more than $7 billion, Pentair employs more than 30,000 people worldwide.

Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is the only private, not-for-profit technical college in the Upper Midwest. It has provided a hands-on, applied technical education to more than 250,000 men and women, who in turn have gone on to meaningful and rewarding careers. Located on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis, Dunwoody is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (ncahlc.org).