By Sara QuamHigher education is coming to Luverne for the first time.Minnesota West Community and Technical College President Dr. Ron Wood said the system intends to start a "storefront" operation out of the former Luverne Community Hospital.The details aren’t quite worked out yet, but he made intentions clear to the Luverne City Council Tuesday.He said, "We’d like a partnership that won’t be a burden to the college or the city. We hope we can bring this opportunity to Luverne."The college will probably lease the space from the city.The college has budgeted $100,000 in 2006 for curriculum development, site renovation and a minimum of staff for the first year.Looking to the future, Wood said he saw old rooms suitable for dormitories, already wired for cable and Internet."I see this as a continuing part of economic development," Wood said. "We can tap a larger regional model and draw people east."He said the new campus could be seen as continuing education and training ground for business people and a way for non-traditional students to earn degrees."I’m not an engineer, but in my personal opinion, it’s a great building," Wood said of the hospital. "It’s really very exciting. This could be a great win-win for everyone."Luverne Economic Development Director Jill Wolf said, "It has been very exciting working with Dr. Wood and Minnesota West to bring higher educational opportunities to our community as well as find a viable use for the old hospital. We are still in the planning stages of this project, but the opportunities seem endless."There may be limited coursework available in January of 2007, but full classes, including some online and on interactive TV, will likely be available in September 2007.
