TRUSTEES START 'NEW YEAR'

The Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College wrapped up one year and began another at their monthly meeting held at the Administrative Offices in Estherville Tuesday evening.

Their first step was to accept the election results from September.  That board was then adjourned and the new board was called to order at which time two incumbent board members, Jack Tatman of Spirit Lake and John Hand of Emmetsburg, were administered the oath of office.

The Trustees then elected officers.  Jack Tatman was re-elected as the President of the Iowa Lakes Trustees; John Hand was re-elected to the position of Vice President.  In addition, Clark Marshall was appointed to serve as secretary, and, Bob L'Heureux as treasurer.

After other annual routine business, international students attending Iowa Lakes Community College were featured in the Iowa Lakes Report.  The college has 12 international students from throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.  Four more are expected to enroll for the spring semester.  This is in keeping with a national trend - international student enrollment has been decreasing at four-year colleges and universities, while it has been growing at community colleges.

"Students come to Iowa Lakes for a variety of reasons - because of a specific program such as aviation, to participate in a sport, because they have heard about us from friends or relatives, or through a program such as Youth For Understanding," said Dennis McDonald, coordinator for International Students.

Delaine Hiney, Executive Director of Physical Plant, addressed the Trustees concerning building projects.  Work on the Max O. Pelzer Student Center is progressing well with the roof done and the brick veneer about 50 percent complete.  In addition, AEDs - Automated External Defibrillators - are being installed in all locations and staff training is being offered on the machines.

The Trustees accepted an ISJIT Investment Agreement.  This agreement will allow the college to invest liquid funds.   In other business, the Trustees heard routine reports from other members serving on statewide and regional boards.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18 in Estherville.