CROOKSTON, Minn. (April 26, 2007) – Polaris Industries, Minnesota-based manufacturer of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Victory motorcycles, announces commencement exercises celebrating the company’s first-ever graduates on Thursday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Polaris Industries in Roseau, Minn. – thanks to a unique educational partnership.

The commencement exercises are the result of a collaborative effort among the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC), Thief River Falls, Minn., and Polaris that enables its employees to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree onsite in Roseau. Faculty members from both UMC and NCTC travel to Roseau one day a week to teach the lecture/lab courses.

UMC graduates receiving a bachelor’s of manufacturing management include: Gregory Anderson; Michael Bodell; Steven Pavek; Jeffrey Tureson; Bonnie Zimmerman; Marie Reid; Deborah Rinde; Penny Erickson, with a minor in Business Management; Maureen Langaas; Tammy Wahl, with a minor in Business Management; Wonda Osborne; and Jason Dobmeier.  NCTC students receiving certificates in Lean Manufacturing include Glen Buckta; Cindy Butler; Timothy Doneth; Paul Hlucny; Camille Hogenson; Nicole Rygh and Joseph Tesarek. Mary Jo Olson will also be receiving a certificate in Production and Inventory Management from NCTC.

This graduation ceremony brings together officials from the U of M and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), including U of M Regent Clyde Allen, UMC’s Chancellor Charles H. Casey, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Thomas Baldwin and UMC faculty. NCTC guests will include President Ann Temte and Director of Workforce Development Kirsten Melby, along with the instructors from the certificate programs.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. UMC is dedicated to helping students and the region aim higher, reach further and dream bigger dreams. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

Local contacts for more information:

Jennifer Stella
Human Resources Generalist
Polaris Industries
Roseau, MN
218-463-7838

Elizabeth Tollefson
Assistant Director of Communications
University of Minnesota, Crookston
Crookston, MN
218.281.8432

Kirsten Melby
Director of Workforce Development
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, MN
218-681-0719