PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE BANQUET HELD

The Student Center at the Estherville campus was the scene of much activity as Iowa Lakes Community College hosted the first ever President’s Circle Banquet, March 8. Guests enjoyed Student Senate Vice President Jeremy White and Representative Jeff Hougen as they told of their educational goals and Student Senate plans on campus. Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program coordinator, Al Zeitz, took the group through this relatively new program’s beginnings, massive growth in the last three years and exciting plans for future expansion in enrollment and facilities. Wind Energy students revealed what generated their interest in Iowa Lakes and the program.

President Dr. Harold Prior’s dream was the President’s Circle, a group of individuals and businesses which would annually offer support to Iowa Lakes Community College. Members would be encouraged to allocate their gifts to whatever area of the college interested them the most.

Since September 2006, Prior and Institutional Advancement Executive Director Shan Ray have been making this dream come true by visiting with businesses and individuals in the five-county college district spreading the word of what Iowa Lakes Community College is doing now and hopes to do in the future.

"We are overwhelmed with the positive comments we have received regarding Iowa Lakes Community College" said President Prior. "Having so many individuals and businesses eager and willing to support the college has been most gratifying."

To date there are 45 members in the Iowa Lakes Community College President’s Circle. Members dined with the President and were presented with an exclusive President’s Circle logo shirt.

Ray noted, "We cannot begin to express our appreciation to the new President’s Circle members; we intend to do everything in our power to live up to their expectations and plans for Iowa Lakes Community College." This year the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation agreed to underwrite the start up costs for the Circle.

Ten new scholarships have been established, 11 existing scholarships enhanced and many programs improved due to the 2006-07 President’s Circle members. Gifts that were not allocated by members will be used for the expansion planned in the renewable energy programs at Iowa Lakes Community College.

For more information on the Iowa Lakes Community College President’s Circle contact Shan Ray at 712-362-0491 or 800-242-5106 ext. 4491.