The Annual Minnesota Life College Program and Scholarships Gala on April 30, 2011, was a huge success and raised an outstanding amount of money for scholarships for current and prospective students to attend the program. Minnesota Life College is a three-year, post-secondary life-skills and vocational training program located in Richfield, Minn., for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. The gala truly went the distance with a sports theme, with the slogan “Be in the Game! Achieve Independence.”
The event was sponsored by 31 community partners, including Roe and Beverly Hatlen and the Hatlen Foundation; Dorsey & Whitney, LLP; Best Buy, and the Gulstrand Family. The sponsors helped to make the gala a hugely successful event with record-breaking attendance of over 670 guests. Gopher sports announcer Dick Jonckowski emceed the event, with special appearances by Goldy, Crunch, and the Vikings Cheerleaders. Highlights of the night included the stories shared by undergraduate Jeffrey Monzingo and graduate Cory Barnes about the dramatic life changes they have experienced as students at Minnesota Life College. All proceeds from the evening benefited Minnesota Life College students as they learn Real Skills for Real Life ™ on their journey to personal and financial independence
Click on the photos to see names of those pictured.