Schools

Oakdale Man Elected President of Century College Alumni Association

Caleb Anderson is a 2008 graduate of Century College and works at Minneapolis-based Tunheim Partners.

Oakdale resident Caleb Anderson, 26, was recently elected president of the Century College Alumni Association.

“I feel honored and happy to have an opportunity to serve Century,” Anderson said in a release from the college. “I am hoping to use the skills and experience I gained at Century to work with others and grow the Alumni Association. I want to focus on making meaningful connections with former students and current students to increase their chances of success.”

A 2008 graduate of Century College and a former member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, Anderson works for the Minneapolis-based Tunheim Partners public relations and marketing firm.

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“Century opened my eyes to so many new ideas,” he said. “I started reading so many different types of books, and became more interested in current events. Plus, the professors and the staff really cared about how I was doing. It was amazing.”

Anderson, who first attended Century as a post-secondary student for part of his 2005 senior year, was named the college’s Exemplary Student in 2008. He was also:

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  • active in Century’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society;
  • named Minnesota’s 2008 New Century Scholar;
  • honored at the American Association of Community Colleges convention in Philadelphia as part of the All-USA Academic Team competition;
  • involved in starting up Century’s student newspaper;
  • participated on the debate team;
  • served in student government; and
  • performed in several plays.

“My motivation for working so hard in college was partly because I was adopted and I wanted to be the best person I could be to honor my birth mother, who had gone through so much,” Anderson said. “I also wanted to thank my parents who adopted me for all their the love and support, and to make them proud. Finally, I wanted to show people who doubted my abilities that I could succeed if I worked hard enough.”

After graduating from Century, Anderson married Rachel Norlien and the couple has a 3-year-old daughter, Harmony. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from Hamline University last December.

“Century represents opportunity and a chance at success for so many people,” Anderson said. “I want to help students get involved with Century and stay involved after they graduate. It will be good for them as individuals, and good for the community.”

 


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