HUTCHINSON, Minn.—Terry Gaalswyk of Worthington was recently elected to the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) Board of Directors.
Gaalswyk is president of Minnesota West Community and Technical College, with campuses in Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone and Worthington and centers in Luverne and Marshall. He has over 20 years of service in higher education including appointments as a mathematics instructor, division chair, associate dean of instruction, dean of instruction, and executive vice president. He has served at Southeast Technical Institute, South Dakota State University, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Iowa State University and most recently at Western Nebraska Community College.
“We are so pleased to have Dr. Gaalswyk join our Board of Directors,” said SWIF President/CEO Diana Anderson. “He has an incredible commitment to rural communities, as well as the mission of community and technical colleges. His leadership will serve us well as we continue Grow Our Own, an initiative to support all southwest Minnesota kids from cradle to career. I’m excited to learn with and from him.”
Gaalswyk holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Northwestern College, a master’s degree in Vocational/Technical Education and a master’s degree in mathematics, both from South Dakota State University. He has a doctorate in Educational Leadership/Policy Studies from Iowa State University.
He is equally proud of his vocational background, having worked alongside his parents building custom countertops and cabinets in a family-owned business in Sibley, Iowa, where he also graduated from Sibley-Ocheyedan High School.
In addition to Gaalswyk, the SWIF Board of Directors includes Chair Janice Nelson, Montevideo; Vice Chair Randy Reinke, Litchfield; Secretary Tim Connell, Luverne; Treasurer Jan Ludebrek, Benson; Past Chair Bob Thurston, Olivia; Christie Hantge, Hutchinson; Patricia Loehr-Dols, Willmar; Mary Maertens, Marshall; Teresa Peterson, Upper Sioux Community; and Mark Titus, Jackson. Past Chair Rob Saunders, Bird Island, completed a 10-year term June 30. This is a volunteer board.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation is a single connection offering unlimited possibilities to grow and promote people, businesses, entrepreneurs and communities in rural southwest Minnesota. As a regional community foundation, SWIF has contributed more than $73 million through its grant and loan programs. SWIF has helped more than 700 businesses start or expand through its business finance programs, which have created or retained more than 8,590 jobs. SWIF has also established 16 Early Childhood Initiative coalitions, 25 community foundations and more than 100 donor-advised, school foundations and other funds. The Southwest Initiative Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To learn more, visit www.swifoundation.org.
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