University of Minnesota, CentraCare Cut Ribbon on St. Cloud Regional Campus

(KNSI) – The ribbon has been cut on the first University of Minnesota Medical School expansion in 50 years.

The CentraCare St. Cloud Regional Campus welcomes its first class of 24 students next month. With a focus on rural medicine for Greater Minnesota, several of the initial class of students fit that bill to a tee, including Grayson Klobuch of Rice. He says, “Rural Minnesota has been my whole life. I grew up doing 4-H, all these sorts of rural activities. And the community that’s formed out here, it’s unbelievable, super supportive. And that has to do with the med school. Also, everybody’s come together to make sure that this med school will happen.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday afternoon, a public open house was held at the campus in CentraCare Plaza. Hundreds turned out for the informational tour. Live music and food trucks turned the event into a true celebration.

Speaking at the ceremony were the president of the University of Minnesota and the Board of Regents, executives from CentraCare, St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson (Dave Kleis was also in attendance), a host of state lawmakers, and other dignitaries. Student Zachariah Flaten says he is feeling the weight of being part of the first class, but in a good way.

With only 24 people included, he expects it will lead to a tight bond among the group. “I really look forward to it. I think we’re gonna be a part of something very special, and I can’t wait to see how close-knit we become as a group, and get to know each other, and then work through this process.”

Another student, Mitchell Grahek, described committing to St. Cloud as a calculated risk. “When you’re going to a new institution of any kind, especially a med school, there’s always a leap of faith with it, but they were very upfront with us.”

When Grahek first visited in April, the location was raw and unfinished. It had to be converted from former office space. It was an IT hub with a sea of cubicles.

Now, it boasts two stories of polished learning spaces. The two-story school is equipped with an anatomy lab, a patient evaluation simulation center, and a fitness center, in addition to traditional classrooms. They are each named after the hometowns of the 24 incoming freshmen. All are from the state of Minnesota. Just one of the permanent marks, Grahek and his peers will make on the school.

Grant Dossetto/KNSI News

The first floor is accented by CentraCare blue. U of M maroon is found throughout the second-story rooms. A 96-unit dormitory complex, offering everything from studio apartments to three-bedroom units, is attached to the medical school by an enclosed walkway. It was built to accommodate the variety of backgrounds among the students.

The first class includes everyone from recent college graduates to former EMTs with gray specks in their beards and three children. Officials say they are proud of the fact that every student initially offered a place in St. Cloud following the application round said yes.