EXECUTIVE DEAN RESIGNS AT IOWA LAKES

Mary Larscheid

Several new faculty members at Iowa Lakes Community College met the members of the Board of Trustees at their meeting Tuesday afternoon in Estherville; and an executive dean stepped down.

The executive dean of the Estherville campus of Iowa Lakes Community College has turned in her resignation and the trustees accepted it.

Mary Larscheid has been named regional director for Buena Vista University's Professional and Online Studies in the Hills Region in central Iowa. She will start there in January.

"I have many fond memories of my years working for Iowa Lakes Community College," said Larscheid. "I will continue to think highly of this college and the wonderful education that it offers."

Larscheid began working for Iowa Lakes in 1991 as an adjunct instructor. Three years later, she was hired full time.

She taught a variety of biology courses and was one of the first professors at the college to begin teaching online courses. She also worked with other educational agencies on instructional projects.

This past spring, Larscheid was named to the prestigious Chair Academy's International Practitioners Board for Leadership and Development. The 21-member board includes a wide range of educators from across the country. This group initiates and oversees leadership training for postsecondary educators at midlevel manager positions.

Prior to coming to Iowa Lakes, Larscheid taught science for grades 6-9 in the University of Wyoming Lab School while simultaneously training prospective secondary science teachers. She also taught college classes and worked as a consultant for science curriculum and learning centers for the University of Wyoming.

"We appreciate Mary's years of service as both a professor and campus dean at Spirit Lake and subsequently at Estherville," said Dr. Harold Prior, president of Iowa Lakes. "Everyone here at Iowa Lakes wishes Mary the best in her new endeavor."

Chief Academic Officer Mary Mohni introduced new classroom instructors to the trustees. The faculty members then each had a chance to share information about their past employment as well as what drew them to Iowa Lakes.

The Iowa Lakes Report for November featured Jolene Rogers, executive director of Institutional Advancement. Rogers reviewed gifts received from employees this fall, highlighting the strong participation from staff. She also covered efforts with alumni of Iowa Lakes. Growing relationships with alumni will be a priority for the Institutional Advancement staff. A newsletter was recently distributed electronically with the remainder mailed.

Two building projects were discussed. A change order was approved for the college's new Wrestling facility, which was dedicated just prior to the board meeting. Additional improvements were needed at a cost of $14,650. That was offset by the first change order that actually saved the college more than $20,000.

The trustees also learned from Delaine Hiney, executive director of Facilities Management, that proposed specifications for a second addition to the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology building will be ready by their next meeting in December.

Executive Vice President, Valerie Newhouse presented an early retirement plan to the Trustees. The Trustees approved the plan which will be offered to employees who are nearing retirement age.

In other business, the Trustees approved 260F Training Agreements, approved the bills and then heard from fellow board members on various committee work conducted in the past month.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Estherville.