RRCC Blog | News

Welcome to Rainy River! We are excited to have all of you on campus and ready for a great year. If this is your first time here or your second year, there is a great deal to enjoy and learn both on and off campus. One thing you will see quickly is that all the faculty and staff are dedicated to your success. We will all get to know you and your names, just give us a bit of time. We are here to help you take the first steps on the voyage to your future. A few things to look for and visit on campus –

• The Academic Success Center. Located near the front doors and just down the hall from the library, the Center will offer one on one tutoring, digital assistance, group tutoring as well as a variety of other services. Check it out – the tutors and faculty are there to help.
• The library is also a great place to get together to study, look something up on the computer or just hang out and read. The library is staffed by a tech and a number of student workers. Ask them for help or guidance – they are more than happy to help. The bookstore is also in the library area. Along with books there is a good selection of Voyageur gear for purchase.
• Great food service in the cafeteria. Try out the new menu that offers a variety of choices that should appeal to everyone! There is also a deck just outside to enjoy the nice weather and a lounge area with comfortable chairs for studying or just relaxing between classes.

In addition, the campus also has a great exercise area, weight room, and disc golf course. You might also enjoy watching our athletic teams – volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball and hockey. The athletes appreciate when we show our support and Rainy pride.

My door is always open should you want to stop by and talk or share some information or maybe even offer a suggestion for improvement. We are very pleased you have chosen to join us at Rainy River. I am glad you are beginning your lifelong educational voyage with us!

Rainy River Foundation Hires Administrative Assistant, Anne Homkes

As of April 2019, the Rainy River Foundation has a new Foundation Assistant! Anne Homkes joins the Foundation with a Business degree from, and several years of Higher Education experience at Hope College.

She and her husband moved to the International Falls area when her husband took a position at Voyageurs National Park in 2018. Anne is thrilled to be back in Higher Education and is excited to be part of the future of Rainy River and the Rainy River Foundation.

Summer Updates from the Foundation:

• Over $150,000 in academic scholarships have been awarded for the 2019-2020 academic year.
• The annual Golf & Social event, held on June 13th, raised over $16,000.
• The Foundation has established a new scholarship: The Francis W. Einarson Aviation Scholarship. Recognition and thanks goes to the family and friends of Francis W. Einarson.
• The Foundation has funded a campus grant request for the purchase of 10 iPads for our campus recruiter to use during recruiting season. This allows students to better interact with our campus and website at college visits.

Voyageur Women's Volleyball Underway with Four Sophomores and Eight Freshmen

The 2019 Voyageur Volleyball season is off to a great start. The team participated in the Northern Division Jamboree on Tuesday at Itasca. They matched up well against the competition. This weekend the Voyageurs travel to St. Cloud Tech to participate in the Crossover Tournament. They will play: Fergus Falls, St. Cloud, Ridgewater, and MN West. The first home game is Wednesday, September 4 at 6:30 when RRCC will host Northland.

The team welcomes back four sophomores, Bianca Carlson, Summer Leonard, Kora Martin and Teah Goulet. The team welcomes eight freshmen, Mariah Leahy, Felicity Kelly, Alex Spuzak, Hailee Barnard, Emily Bushie, Trista Boulette and Chance Duda.

As the academic year commences Rainy River Community College is pleased to announce it has filled the seats in their partnership nursing programs. Ten practical nursing students are beginning their journey into the world of healthcare, while ten registered nursing students are advancing their careers. This is the first time in five years that both nursing programs at this campus have been filled. The recommended student to clinical instructor ratio is ten which determines the number of spots delegated to RRCC.

Over the last three years there have been 25 unduplicated students who have successfully obtained their nursing license as either RN or LPN with 100 % job placement and/or continuing education. Despite this number of graduates, there continues to be a shortage of healthcare workers in the area. Rainy River will continue to recruit and educate nursing students to help fill this need. Rainy River partners with Itasca Community College for the practical nursing program and Hibbing Community College for the registered nursing program. Pictured are the May graduates from the nursing classes.

The I-Falls Disc Golf Club will be once again hosting a Disc Golf Tournament on August 24th at 11:00AM. The tournament is one of the many activities and competitions that have become one of the central pieces of the larger International Falls Bass Championship weekend. The Rainy River Disc Golf Course has become a destination course and draws players from all over the Midwest and Canada.

However, if you have never thrown a round of Disc Golf, or only have played sparingly don’t be intimidated. There are multiple levels players can compete at. If you are a Novice and would like to try it out we have a division for you as well. In fact, if you are a beginner, Tournament Director Chris Beyer would be happy to give you an instructional prior to the tournament (Please show up 45 minutes early for the instructional). Come one, come all.

Voyageur Women's Basketball Welcomes New Recruits

Rainy River Women's Basketball Coach, Dieter Humbert, said, "The 2019/20 Women’s Basketball team has an exciting new makeup this season with only two returning Sophomores and seven incoming Freshmen. The Voyageurs will need to play an uptempo brand of Basketball if they are to maximize their team strengths."

Humbert said, "The Voyageurs are coming off two strong seasons in which they qualified for Post season play both years. Two time All American Daeja Monroe and Meoshia Peterson received Athletic Scholarships are are currently attending and will be playing Basketball for Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas. The Voyageurs will provide lots of energy and exciting Basketball so come on out and have some fun while supporting your home team."

Voyageur Men's Basketball Welcomes New Recruits for Upcoming Season

Rainy River Men's Basketball Coach, Bill Engel, said, "The Voyageurs return Fabian Figueroa and Nehemiah Harrigan to go along with a strong class of incoming freshman which include Faizon Francis, Cesar Linarez, Leomar Castillo, Jordan Hamburger, Marc Paris, Corey Friar, Jerry William and DeAndre Morris."

Engel said, "Those talented freshman will be joined by an equally gifted group of transfers which include Trey Winkler, Shaquoy Ferrol, Isaiah Woodstock, Sam Merchant and Eugene Barnes. The team is excited to embark on a new season as they will, arguably, play the most difficult Division III JUCO schedule in the nation; taking on five Division I (JUCO) opponents; including: Bismarck State, United Tribes, Trinidad State, Eastern Wyoming, and perennial top 20 powerhouse Western Nebraska CC."

Voyageur Softball Team has a talented, deep and local flavor this season. The Voyageurs will feature seven International Falls Broncos comprising their fourteen player lineup. The remaining seven players come to Rainy River Community College from Texas, Edmonton AB, West Virginia, Kenora Ont. and Roseville MN."

Humbert said, "The roster features four pitchers, three catchers and a nice balance of infielders and outfielders. This is one of the most complete and talented teams we have had for several years and therefore we know that must not lose focus and need to remain humble and hungry. The Sophomores however, have shared their excitement with the Freshmen about the potential this team has and as a result there is a great sense of optimism as we embark on a new school year and Fall Softball."