From the President's Desk: April 2026

This spring, our students once again demonstrated what is possible when learning extends far beyond the classroom.

From the creativity and precision on display at the Border Beauty Showcase to the innovation and collaboration driving Farm 4.0, our students took ownership at every level. Border Beauty brought together student and industry competitors in a live hair and makeup competition, while Farm 4.0 transformed our campus into a hub for agriculture technology, connecting producers, innovators and future leaders through a student-organized conference and tradeshow.

The Round Up Sale was a meaningful milestone for our animal science technology students. They had spent the year working in their Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) groups caring for, managing and preparing cattle and equine livestock for auction, welcoming producers to campus for the same. It was the culmination of months of responsibility, decision making and hands on experience that mirrors the realities of the industry.

Among all this activity, our campus farm was busy with rodeos, 4-H events and more – including Band in the Sand, our annual country music concert that our agribusiness students plan, market and host from start to finish.

Our business students put service into action. Through student-led tax clinics, they supported newcomers, students, seniors and low income families, applying their skills to make a tangible difference in the community. 

Beyond these major events, many programs wrapped up the semester with year-end presentations that highlighted the depth and breadth of student-led learning. From SMF groups and veterinary technology teams, to agribusiness projects and agricultural technology practicum presentations, our students demonstrated the skills our graduates carry with them long after they leave campus.

Beyond campus, our human services and university transfer students travelled to Mexico to put their skills and compassion into action. Our energy students completed their practical assessments. Our environmental sciences students got outside for labs and field trips. Our interior design technology students are working on their student-designed sauna project. And across many of our programs, students are heading off on practicum placements.

What connects all of these moments is our commitment to experiential learning. At Lakeland, students are trusted with responsibility early and often. They plan real events, manage real assets, solve real problems and learn from real outcomes. The real world doesn’t wait, and neither do our students.