Dr. Patrick M. Johns named College President of the Year
According to a representative from MSCSA, Dr. Patrick M. Johns was chosen as College President of the Year for his continued commitment to students by working to maintain the lowest tuition and fees among Minnesota colleges and universities for several years. Johns' dedication to and presence on the college's campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, along with his tireless effort to increase student scholarships, were noted as reasons that students chose him for this award.

"Our goal is to be within the financial reach of those we serve," explains Johns. "Many families believe a college degree is beyond their financial reach. Our job is to provide a quality education which means excellent teachers, an exceptional learning environment, degrees and fields of study needed by our students, community and state, however all of this must be affordable. There is no benefit to the community or state if our constituents cannot afford to attend our college."

In his acceptance speech, Johns credits outstanding students like Crystal Holzer with inspiring him to work hard each day to provide an affordable college education.

Crystal Holzer named Student Leader of the Year
Crystal Holzer, a Coon Rapids Campus sophomore, was chosen as Student Leader of the Year for her strong involvement with MSCSA's platform committee that works on legislative and policy agendas for the organization. Her work as a reporter for "Student View," the MSCSA quarterly newspaper; editor of the "Salmagundi," the college's student newspaper; and involvement in the College Foundation, Student Senate and Phi Theta Kappa were additional activities that revealed Holzer's leadership abilities.

"I'm able to stay so motivated outside of the classroom because a lot of student activities make real changes that actually effect students," says Holzer. "I became involved with MSCSA because they have been able to make real changes when it comes to student issues, and they have great leadership training open to all students in the two-year system."

Holzer also received Anoka-Ramsey's 2007 Student Leadership Award, the 2007 Outstanding English and Journalism Student Award, and was named to the 2008 All-Minnesota Academic Team. She will graduate from the college this spring and plans to transfer to St. Cloud State University to major in Journalism and Creative Writing.

For more information about Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu or call 763-433-1100.

About the Minnesota State College Student Association
The Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) is an association of the Minnesota public two-year college students, which works to ensure accessible, quality, and affordable public higher education while providing students with representation, leadership development, and communication across the state. Any two-year college student is invited to be active in the Minnesota State College Student Association.