More than 450 of the 800 Central Lakes College graduating students have registered to participate in the 2008 spring commencement ceremonies in Staples and Brainerd.
The Staples campus will host its graduation at 7 p.m. May 21 in Centennial Auditorium at Staples-Motley High School.
The Brainerd campus ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 22 in the Brainerd High School gymnasium.
Giving the commencement address at Staples will be retired CLC vice president Ray Gildow. Even before he retired, Gildow was a professional fishing guide. He continues to enjoy that occupation.
Ray Gildow
He also is an author, freelance writer and an independent television producer. He is a longtime and award-winning assistant basketball coach at Staples-Motley High School.
Gildow serves as a pro staff member for Lund Boats, Quantum Tackle Co. and Mercury Marine.
He is a former director of a regional energy agency and has served as an energy consultant to the United States Consumer Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Education.
He has conducted hundreds of workshops for schools districts and governmental agencies regarding energy and energy conservation.
At Brainerd, the address will be presented by Dan McElroy, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
McElroy is a trustee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
Dan McElroy
He is a former legislator who has served as chief of staff for Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He was named the governor's senior adviser on innovation in 2005.
He is a member of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, Blandin Foundation's Broadband Initiative Advisory Board and the Minnesota Bio Business Alliance Board.
The Student Senate presidents will share comments. Erich Heppner, of Warroad, will speak at the Staples ceremony and Joshua "J.D." Berns, of Brainerd, will speak at the Brainerd ceremony.
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