Hours before President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, Central Lakes College (CLC) President Larry Lundblad had a close view of activities leading up to the president’s address.

Lundblad, the guest of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn, reported Tuesday that he had dinner with Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., Monday night and was scheduled to dine with Franken on Tuesday. He said he toured the Capitol Monday and the White House on Tuesday.

Lundblad was chosen to attend the speech as a leader for fostering partnerships between business and education that are designed to make sure workers have the right training for available jobs. CLC has been involved with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber’s Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection and participating Brainerd area school districts. The educator said both Franken and his wife are very aware of the business-education partnerships in the Brainerd area.

While Lundblad said he expected the president to speak on education he was not expecting a shout-out for Bridges Career Academies or Workplace Connection.

“Well, that would be quite something if that happened.” he said of a possible mention in the State of the Union. “I would be totally shocked.”

MIKE O’ROURKE, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5860 or mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com. He may be followed at www.twitter.com/MikeORourkenews.