Cutting the ribbon to signify the opening of the new 34,000 square foot addition to Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus are (front, from left) Jaime Lind, Anoka-Ramsey Community College Student and Ruth Grendahl, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU).

Other dignitaries celebrating the ribbon-cutting include (back, from left) James McCormick, MnSCU Chancellor; Jack Williams Jr., Cambridge-Isanti School Board Chair; Jeff Edblad, Isanti County Attorney; Dennis Troff, Foundation Chair; Marlys Palmer, Cambridge Mayor; Michael Seymour, college Vice President; Bruce Novak, Cambridge-Isanti Superintendent; Rob Eastlund, State Representative; Patrick Johns, college President; Rick Olseen, Senator; Brad Wold, college Faculty; Deidra Peaslee, college Dean; Nicki Klanderud, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President.

“I started taking classes in the pole barns,” Teich said, looking at the new addition. “It’s taken me a while to get my degree. I took a break when each of the boys was born.”

Teich, who plans to complete her associate in arts degree this year, was one of nearly 400 other people at the official opening of the $10.4 million, 34,000-square-foot addition to the college’s Cambridge Campus. With more than a hint of sadness, she spoke about how she and her husband had to sell their dairy farm last year due to low profits. And with abundant hope, she spoke fondly of the college, which has allowed her to get an education on her own timeline.

Her positive sentiments were echoed by Dennis Troff, chairperson of the Cambridge Campus Foundation, who said in his address to the gathering that the “college has had a partnership with the community from the very beginning.”

Since Cambridge Campus opened in 1978, the college has grown from metal buildings to brick to meet the increasing demand for a higher education. The partnerships of the college have also grown, currently resulting in an estimated $25,435,579 per year and 335 jobs to the local economy, according to Wilder Research.

With the estimated growth in the area the partnership between the community and the college will require more room to continue to meet the needs of the community.

“Even as we celebrate the opening of our addition, we are essentially bursting at the seams,” ARCC President, Dr. Patrick M. Johns said to the crowd. “This new building will not be able to accommodate the growth of new or existing programs, support services or customized training.”

Johns knows what he’s talking about. The addition replaced the ‘pole barns’ Teich referred to but did not provide any additional space. Further, the Minnesota State Demographic Center estimates a 35 percent growth increase in Isanti County between now and 2030, and current residents like the Teich family will need to continue to partner with the college.

As Michelle Teich completes her associate’s degree and pursues her plan to take advantage of the newly-offered bachelor’s in science degree in special education from Minnesota State University Moorhead offered at the Cambridge Campus, her three boys, now less likely to go into the family farm business, will need access to higher education to remain in the area as well.

“All my boys plan on attending Anoka-Ramsey when they are ready for college,” Teich says. Her sons agree with vigorous head nods and a few ‘yeahs.’ “Having Anoka-Ramsey here has made all the difference.”

See photos from the Cambridge Campus Building Dedication Aug. 23, 2007.

For more information about education at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu or call 763.433.1100.