Ridgewater College is a public community college in Willmar and Hutchinson, Minnesota. It was founded in 1996 as part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It was created by the consolidation of Willmar Community College (founded in 1962) and Hutchinson-Willmar Regional Technical College (itself a merger of independent Willmar and Hutchinson technical colleges). Its name refers to the rivers and lakes near the colleges and to the glacial ridge in the region. References External links Official website Two-year colleges in the United States Community colleges in Minnesota Educational institutions established in 1996 1996 establishments in Minnesota Willmar, Minnesota Education in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota Education in McLeod County, Minnesota