Central Lakes College

from 2022 Lakes Area Graduations

by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

Pierz - Healy High School

Staples Campus - Practical Nursing Pinning/Commencement Wednesday, May 11. 15 students walking. Staples Campus — Career and Technical Education Commencement Wednesday, May 11. 100 students walking Student speaker: Tate Richter.

Brainerd Campus — Career and Technical Education Commencement

Thursday, May 12. 140 students walking. Student speaker: Beck Barber.

Brainerd Campus — Nursing Pinning/ Commencement

Friday, May 13. 77 students walking.

Brainerd Campus — Liberal Arts And Sciences Commencement

Friday, May 13. 190 students walking. Student speakers: Beck Barber and Breena Burgstaler.

Student speakers

Beck Barber

Beck Barber began attending Central Lakes College in the spring of 2021 and is graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. While attending CLC, he has been active on campus advocating for students and creating fun events. In his first semester, he joined the senate and became a senator and then was ready to take over the president’s position in his second semester. In addition, Beck served on committees focusing on technology, student life and COVID-19. Beck is a postsecondary enrollment options student and will be graduating from Brainerd High School as well. This coming year he plans to go to Grand Canyon University and major in economics. When not representing students, Beck can be found on the tennis courts or on the lake with the boys.

Breena Burgstaler

Daughter of Brent and Tena Burgstaler of Aitkin, Breena Burgstaler began at CLC in the fall of 2020 and is graduating with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree. She has also earned a CLC Honors Program certificate. She is the president of the nursing club and an active member of the Honors Program. She led the Brainerd Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge Clothing and Hygiene Drive as part of her capstone project in her Honors Leadership course, and her team collected two van loads of supplies. In addition, Breena has had many leadership roles outside CLC, including serving as the Aitkin High School FFA president and Region II historian, as well as president of the Aitkin High School National Honors Society, student council, and the Cedarbrook 4-H Club. Outside the classroom, Breena enjoys engaging in furniture refurbishing projects, like the dresser she recently overhauled, spending time with nieces and nephews, traveling to new places and trying new foods.

Congrats Graduates!

Tate Richter

Tate Richter began attending Central Lakes College in the fall of 2020 and is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in robotics and automated systems. While attending CLC, Tate was active on campus advocating for students, communicating successes and improvements with staff and faculty, and assisting students in finding their voice within the senate. In his first semester, he joined the student senate and was ready to take over the president’s position by his second semester. During his presidency, Tate helped maintain the activities of the student senate by increasing the number of students volunteering for Ruby’s Pantry, along with having game nights. Tate is currently interning at Acieta in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as a service technician and will continue his internship through the summer. When not representing students or trying to hide behind his computer playing games, Tate can be found playing pool with his friends.