Ridgewater opens Student Massage Center in Hutchinson
January 24, 2022
HUTCHINSON and WILLMAR, MN – People who enjoy giving and receiving have a new way to combine the two. Schedule an appointment at the newly opened Ridgewater Student Massage Center in Hutchinson and you’ll give Massage Therapy students a chance to practice their craft while you receive a relaxing or therapeutic massage. It’s a win-win!
“We are so excited to start the Spring Semester with a grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony on our center’s opening day,” said Massage Therapy instructor Katy Lundell-Stuhr. “The students are ready to share what they’ve learned and practice new massage techniques they continue to develop each week. We are thrilled to be a part of an industry that so many people enjoy and incorporate into their wellness routines.”
Opening of the center on January 21 on the Hutchinson campus was the next step of the Massage Therapy program expansion from the Willmar campus to now the Hutchinson campus also. The program in Hutchinson is currently full with eight students.
“We have known that demand is high and growing for this healthcare career option, but to see how quickly spots filled and how excited students were to have the option in Hutchinson now also – it was just awesome to see,” said Mary Leyk, Ridgewater dean of allied health programs.
First-semester students spend their time learning massage modalities, techniques and best practices, and then practicing them on each other and on college students and employees through chair massages. They are definitely excited for the Student Massage Center to be open to the public, Lundell-Stuhr said.
Most Fridays from January 21 to May 6, the four-table Student Massage Center will be open for 30-, 60- or 90-minute relaxation or deeper tissue therapeutic massages from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hot stone therapy is also available as an add-on option. Services range from $25 to $55 and will be very similar to those available at the Willmar campus Student Massage Center, but that center is open Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“As a practicing graduate and massage entrepreneur from the Ridgewater Massage Therapy Program, the opening of the Student Massage Center is such an exciting time!” said Kiley Kruggel, Hutchinson’s Student Massage Center lab assistant. “The students have worked hard to improve their skills each week and I am looking forward to watching them continue to grow and learn!”
To learn more, go to www.ridgewater.edu/massage or contact the center at [email protected] or 320-234-8530.