Streets were blocked throughout Eagan as neighbors gathered in the community on Aug. 5 to celebrate National Night Out—an annual event to encourage community togetherness and prevent crime. The Rasmussen College Eagan campus also participated in this year’s festivities, opening its doors to the community.
“It is important for us to create relationships within the communities in which we operate and show the community that we are an active participant in making this a great place to live,” said Matt Specht, director of admissions at the Eagan campus. “We are a huge part of this community. We want people to know that Rasmussen College is here to enhance Eagan, not detract from it, and our doors are always open.”
Food, games, prizes, a bouncy house and a dunk tank all featured in the festivities at the campus. Community members also had the opportunity to meet Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-51) and Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL-51A).
“We hope the community members saw that as an opportunity to speak with their elected officials at a non-threatening, relaxed function,” Specht said.
“Being an active citizen is important in all cultures and communities,” added Soma Jurgensen, Rasmussen College School of Business chair. “As an educational institution it’s critical that we support open discourse. Inviting our legislators and candidates to talk with their constituents is a natural extension of informal learning opportunities.”
Additionally, it was fitting for the Eagan campus to be a part of an event promoting crime prevention since its new state-of-the-art Law Enforcement Training Facility opened in January. The facility includes several modern training rooms in which students can practice scenarios they may encounter as law enforcement officers.
“We are a law enforcement hub and National Night Out is an event to show appreciation for law enforcement, fire fighters and emergency service personnel,” Specht said. “What better way to spend a night than with our community?”
Rasmussen College has the first program in Minnesota to offer skills training
on nights and weekends only, and the facility benefits both individuals studying law enforcement and communities throughout the state.
Campuses in Fargo-Moorhead and Green Bay also took part in National Night Out.
