On behalf of the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium we recognize and honor the career of Alene Fink, Northfield Senior Center Director, as she moves to her new status as Director Emeritus. This honor is bestowed with mixed emotions since we will no longer have her leadership directly involved, but we also have the joy of welcoming her to our select group.

Alene’s leadership of the Senior Center during the past 25 years moved the organization from a dining group with a small membership and a small budget to the premier center in Minnesota with over 1600 members and a budget approaching one half million and assets over one million. Her clear goals and her leadership have made all this possible by quietly moving people beyond their expectations. Alene always had time for and genuine personal interest in all members. At the same time, her vision was leading the organization to expand and provide programs for a wide range of interests and needs. One day there is senior dining with a few card games, and then voila!, we have a full range of exercise and wellness programs, a swimming pool, a members’ computer center, a furniture store and pop corn wagon to serve the community, travel programs, interesting presentations, and the list goes on. Members flock to the center in large numbers for numerous activities and socializing. The Northfield Senior Center is a monument that represents the work of Alene Fink.

The Collegium has greatly benefited from Alene’s leadership. She had the vision for strong senior education long before CVEC was started and when a leadership core emerged she provided important ideas and advocacy to make CVEC the model for life- long learning in Minnesota. It was Alene who insisted that the tuition be no more than $50 per course so that everyone could participate. Though opposed by some who thought higher tuition was necessary for self-sufficiency, her vision proved correct. Our tuition remains at $50 and we are, in fact, self-sufficient. Alene quietly provided key guidance during our early years. Ron Ronning, a key early leader, said, “I personally consider her early contribution to our Collegium as the strongest influence of the many who participated.”

We are pleased to honor and recognize this quiet Angel who has done so much to make Northfield an exciting community of choice for retired citizens.

William Carlson Vern Failettaz

Director Board Chair