John Hand

The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College met in special session Tuesday to act on the retirement of a fellow trustee.

The trustees accepted the retirement of John Hand, effective June 15. Hand served for two decades representing the Emmetsburg area.

After the meeting, John Hand reflected on his service to the board.

"I would just like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my 20 years on the board. Serving Iowa Lakes has definitely been a highlight in my life," Hand said. "Because of recent health problems, my wife and I feel that this would be a good time for me to retire."

Hand said he'd miss the people he has been associated with over the years and then looked to the future.

"Iowa Lakes is a premier institution and it's future looks bright," he said.

The two trustees who were in Estherville for the teleconference heaped praises on Hand.

"He has done an excellent job serving as board president," said Trustee Jan Lund. "We respect his decision to retire and we wish him well. He has really served his community well!"

Trustee Bud Kyle reaffirmed Lund's tribute to Hand.

"John has been an invaluable board member," Kyle said. "He has really shown his leadership. I will miss him on the board. He's one of a kind."

"I wish to echo the comments of John's fellow trustees and add that John's leadership as board president has been a steady and extremely valuable influence both at the board level and in terms of overall college leadership," said President Harold Prior.

"In addition, John has represented Iowa Lakes Community College on the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees Board for many years and has served with distinction."

Also during the teleconference meeting, the trustees acted on identifying a new Board President effective June 16. Jan Lund moved, and Jim Miller seconded, to elect Jack Tatman as president. That's a position Tatman has held in the past.

Jan Lund will remain as vice president of the trustees.

At the next meeting of the trustees, June 24, the board will appoint a replacement trustee for Hand's term. That person will serve until elections are held in September. The official organizational meeting occurs a month later in October.