A Grants Pass student has earned distinguished academic recognition from Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota, for the Spring 2025 term. Alec Van Manen, a student pursuing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), has been named to the college’s Dean’s List.
Ridgewater College announced its Spring 2025 Dean’s List this week, recognizing students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. The honor is awarded to students who achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher, are enrolled in at least nine credits, and meet additional academic and conduct standards set by the college.
Located in central Minnesota, Ridgewater College is a comprehensive community and technical college serving students from across the state and the nation. The college offers a wide range of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs across various fields, including health sciences, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and liberal arts. Its Computer Aided Drafting and Design program prepares students for careers in engineering, manufacturing, architecture, and other industries where precision technical drawings and digital modeling are essential.
Alec Van Manen’s achievement reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence and professional development within a challenging and highly technical field of study. The CADD AAS program combines rigorous coursework in computer-aided design software, engineering principles, and applied mathematics, requiring students to master both creative and analytical skills.
Being named to the Dean’s List is a notable accomplishment, particularly in programs that demand both technical proficiency and consistent academic focus. The recognition places Van Manen among the top-performing students at Ridgewater College this semester and highlights their dedication to advancing in a field that is increasingly vital to modern industry and design.
Ridgewater College emphasizes not only technical expertise but also the importance of fostering a learning environment that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration. Students in the CADD program work with industry-standard tools and technologies, gaining practical experience that prepares them for immediate entry into the workforce or for further academic pursuits.
For students like Van Manen, earning Dean’s List honors is an important milestone in their educational journey. It serves as both a personal achievement and a professional credential that can enhance future employment and academic opportunities. In a competitive and evolving industry landscape, such recognition underscores a student’s ability to meet high standards of performance and adaptability.
As Ridgewater College continues to support academic excellence and workforce readiness, its Dean’s List provides a meaningful way to celebrate the accomplishments of students who exemplify these values. For the Grants Pass community, having one of its own achieve this distinction at an out-of-state institution also reflects the talent and drive of local students making their mark on a national stage.
Alec Van Manen’s success at Ridgewater College stands as a testament to hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence in the field of Computer Aided Drafting and Design. The recognition earned this spring is well deserved and signals a promising future ahead.