By Jon Tatting
jon.tatting@ecm-inc.com

Approximately 180 eighth graders from Isanti Middle School and the year-round Minnesota Center experienced a slice of college life last week through a unique program offered by the University of Minnesota.

Taking part in the University’s expanding U Connects Kids on Campus program, the pre-high schoolers on Friday morning, Nov. 6 learned about the importance of making people connections, pursuing a college education and its impact on the future as well as life in general.

Under the leadership of school counselor Mary Ellen Sparrow, who initiated talks with the University on including Isanti eighth graders, the class received an enthusiastic welcome from U Connects Coordinator Tex Ostvig in the 3M Auditorium at the U’s Carlson School of Management on the West Bank.

Pictured: Sitting 10 to a table, IMS eighth grade students numbering around 180 experienced the fine dining luncheon under the high ceilings and a huge decorative globe of the state-of-the-art Carlson School building. (Photo by Jon Tatting)

“You are pioneers. You are the first kids on campus, the first group to be here. You are setting the trail in many ways. It’s a special experience for me. This is exciting,” expressed Tex in his coaching voice.

Though the U Connects program has served 5,000 students since the University launched the effort two years ago, the Isanti class represented the first to participate on the Carlson School campus.

Also unique was Isanti’s 180 or 185 students participating (the usual number is 50-60 at a time); the rural factor (since metro schools are mainly involved); the business focus; and the instruction piece, which offers a mini-college course atmosphere instead of just a tour of the campus.

The idea is to put students in a college classroom setting while students, as well as instructors, gain from the experience, Tex said near the end of the day’s session.

During his introduction to the Isanti class, Ostvig noted students in grade school who visit a college at least six times have a 40 percent higher chance of going to college than those who don’t.

Tex, who already spent time with the eighth graders through recent visits to Isanti, also discussed choices in life. “Attitude controls altitude. If you want to soar to the highest skies, you must have a positive attitude.”

Connections

He handed out U of M rubber wristbands to the students who chose to sit in the auditorium’s front row. “People who sit in the front have greater opportunity for achieving A grades. You’ll have better listening skills, you’ll pay attention. Life is about (making) connections, connecting with experiences,” he explained.

“Education can open up a lot of opportunities for a better future and society. Some of the best students in the United States are sitting in your seats. We know our present exists, but we don’t know what our future holds,” added Tex.

College means more jobs. Over 43 million people will retire by 2020, so we need educated people to fill those vacant jobs. “We need you for the future,” Tex emphasized to the students.

“Every one of you is great. But you need to find out how great you can become,” he concluded.

Isanti eighth graders Garrett Kelly, Breanna Anderla, Tia Thomton, Monica Pavin and Aaron Prebil were a few of the many students who participated in Friday’s U Connects session.

Despite the unknowns of the college experience, they agreed—while sitting in the front seats of the school bus that brought them home—that college can be an opportunity that can open doors for future jobs and dreams.