currents
k i r k w o o d
c o m m u n i t y
c o l l e g e
Spring 2016
#1
AGRICULTURE
PROGR AM
IN THE NATION
a pu blicat ion of t h e
president’s letter
Dear friends,
Happy Anniversary! Spring officially marks Kirkwood Community College’s 50th year
of providing accessible quality education and training, along with opportunities for
lifelong learning.
In this newsletter, you’ll get a glimpse at what makes us proud to be part of Kirkwood:
• One of the original members of Kirkwood’s Board of Trustees, Morris Allen, and his wife Diane, have made a lasting impact on the college through their generosity.
• One of our Agricultural Sciences students has discovered that the emerging field of precision farming has practical applications on her parents’ farm, and now she is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Geospatial Technology.
• The family of an alumnus whose lifelong dedication to education was realized at Kirkwood has created an endowment in his honor to benefit Kirkwood students.
• Our outstanding Agriculture Sciences department—one of Kirkwood’s original programs—was just named the top two-year agriculture program in the nation for its innovative courses.
As we celebrate our milestone anniversary, mark your calendars to be part of our upcoming events:
On Friday, April 8, Kirkwood Alumni & Friends presents the fifth annual Celebration of Success. Distinguished
alumni, business partners and leaders in higher education will be honored. Find out more by visiting
www.kirkwood.edu/alumnicelebration.
50th anniversary celebrations are being held at all of our locations throughout 2016. The Iowa City Campus hosts
their open house on Thursday, May 12. Subsequent celebrations are noted on the calendar.
Commencement is Saturday, May 14. This will be held at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids. The
best of luck to the Class of 2016 as they graduate!
Kirkwood is the community’s college. We are proud of its history and look forward to the next 50 years. Wonderful
things are happening here! Thanks for being part of our celebration.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mick Starcevich
President
calendar of events
MARCH
27
Easter Brunch
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
APRIL
4
50th Anniversary Celebration
Linn County Regional Center
7–10 Spring Play
Brothers Menaechmus by Plautus
Ballantyne Auditorium
Thursday–Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Sunday matinee 2 p.m.
29
Concert Choir and Chamber Singers Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
MAY
5
50th Anniversary Celebration
Cedar County Center
7
Kirkwood Concert Band
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
8
Mother’s Day Brunch
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Iowa City Campus
8
Celebration of Success
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
12
9–10
Baseball NIACC vs. Kirkwood (Doubleheader)
1 p.m.
14 Commencement
14
50th Anniversary Celebration
Jones County Regional Center
16
Instrumental Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
16
Taste of Jazz
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
17
Honors Recital
Ballantyne Auditorium
2 p.m.
22
Spring Fling Concert
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
24
Softball Iowa Central vs. Kirkwood (Doubleheader)
12 p.m.
18
Alumni & Friends Veterans Dinner
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
19
50th Anniversary Community Appreciation Event
Linn Hall Atrium, Cedar Rapids Campus
5–7 p.m.
JUNE
2
50th Anniversary Celebration
Benton County Center
19
Father’s Day Brunch
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
AUGUST
Celebration of Success
26
50th Anniversary Celebration
Iowa County Center and Tippie-Mansfield Center
For a full listing of college events, visit www.kirkwood.edu
Kirkwood Alumni & Friends presents
An evening of celebrating distinguished alumni,
business partners and leaders in higher education
Friday, April 8, 2016 • The Hotel at Kirkwood Center • 6 p.m.
For ticket information visit www.kirkwood.edu/alumnirsvp
donor feature
Learning together hand-in-hand
morris allen
“‘Education is the
answer to everything
in life.’ Morris really
believed that and
loved how Kirkwood
made that possible for
so many people.”
–Diane Allen
The plot of their lives might seem to
some to be the basis of a sentimental
Hollywood screenplay, but for Morris
and Diane Allen, real life gave them
a fascinating, fortunate story. Their
story simultaneously unfolded with
Kirkwood’s. Morris grew up in
Decatur County in south central Iowa.
He and his brothers came of age in the
shadow of World War II. Morris went
to college, earned a degree and taught
for a couple years. Then he found
himself drafted into the Army and
assigned to an infantry division. After
serving in Korea, he returned to Iowa
and earned his University of Iowa law
degree, supported by the new GI Bill.
When his best friend got married
in Marion, Morris spied the maid of
honor, Diane Hess. The courtship
of Morris and Diane led to a 1955
wedding, five children and eventually
an apple orchard home at the edge of
Marion, Iowa.
“Morris always had a dream of
having some apple trees. He found out
that instead of buying just five trees,
if he ‘went commercial,’ he could get
200 trees for the same price. That was
the beginning of Allen’s Orchard,”
Diane recalled. That orchard would
become a Marion landmark with the
family operating it from 1969 to 2010.
Morris’ active work with the
community and schools put him in
key leadership positions, including
his service as Marion’s city attorney.
It was because of this visibility that
he was recruited by a core group
of educators to help shape Iowa’s
community college system. He stood
with his fellow founding board
members on a May night in 1966, took
the oath of office and launched the
fledgling institution known then as
Area Ten Community College.
Kirkwood’s founding Board of
Trustees faced many key decisions
and obstacles in the early years.
Morris not only enjoyed the work,
he was dedicated to the cause and its
service to the community. He served
more than 17 years in that position,
forming some of the keystone policies
and decisions that continue to guide
Kirkwood Community College.
Diane recalled warmly her
husband’s experience in the bold
initial days of the college’s founding,
and how their lives were influenced
by learning, community service and
working as a family. She remembered
a viewpoint from founding President
Selby Ballantyne as being key to how
this group related to each other.
“Selby always told the board that,
‘we can argue and we can disagree.
But when the meeting is over and we
sit down to dinner, we should do so
as friends.’”
Morris served on the board for
several terms, eventually stepping
aside to encourage some new
membership. After a few years,
pressing college needs and an open
seat brought Morris back to serve
another term.
The Allen’s two youngest
children started their college
careers at Kirkwood. Their son Ed,
an agribusiness executive in St.
Louis, studied for three semesters
at Kirkwood before transferring to
Iowa State.
donor feature
“He came home and told us he
thought the best classes he had so far
in college were at Kirkwood. He then
transferred back to Kirkwood and
finished his final semester,” Diane
recounted.
Daughter Barbara Robison
graduated from Kirkwood and
worked for several years as a
respiratory therapist at a local
hospital while raising a family. She
later returned to school, graduating
from the University of Iowa. Today,
she owns her own accounting
business in Marion.
In 2010, as Morris was struggling
with declining health, he and Diane
initiated an endowed scholarship
through the Kirkwood Foundation.
“We set up the Morris and Diane
Allen Endowed Scholarship to reflect
our appreciation for Kirkwood,”
Diane said.
For the past several years, their
endowed scholarship has provided
support to dozens of students, part
of the growing level of assistance
keeping Kirkwood students on track
to reach their goals. As an endowed
gift, their scholarship ensures new
possibilities for Kirkwood students,
in perpetuity, helping to carry on the
college’s legacy.
When Diane considers their
family’s 60-plus years in Linn County
and their involvement in 50 years
of Kirkwood history, she is quick to
point to college strengths that exist
just as they were back in 1966.
“Oh, my—the outreach to the
community is as deep as ever!
The growth in student numbers,
the buildings, the strong presence
all around our counties is really
amazing. One thing Morris always
believed was, ‘Education is the
answer to everything in life.’ He
really believed that and loved how
Kirkwood made that possible for so
many people.”
Congress has extended
the IRA Charitable
Rollover and made
it permanent!
If you are 70½ or older you can
benefit from an IRA charitable
rollover this year and in future
years if…
You wish to make a significant
gift without using cash or
other assets.
You do not need all or a portion
of your IRA income.
You are paying too much in
taxes and are looking to reduce
your income.
You do not itemize deductions.
Because a rollover gift can
reduce your income and taxes,
you can still benefit from
charitable giving even as a
non-itemizer.
You want to give over and
above your normal giving. An
IRA rollover gift does not count
toward the 50 percent annual
limitation on charitable gifts.
To learn more, please
contact Susan Ovel at
susan.ovel@kirkwood.edu
or 319-398-5409.
The swearing in ceremony of the first board of directors; (back row l–r) Max
Lewis, Lewis M. Dreibelbis, B.A. Jensen, Paul Wolfe, James Sauter (front row
l–r) John M. Gerber, Robert Davidson, Morris L. Allen, M.A. MacAllister
scholarship feature
For the love of agriculture
r i ta u r m i e
Growing up on a farm just
outside of Bennett, Iowa, Rita
Urmie was interested in the
agricultural world at a very
young age. For as long as she can
remember, she has helped her
parents raise chickens and grow
corn and soybeans, and she has
loved every minute of it. So, it
seemed only natural that Rita’s
interests in farming led her to
pursue agriculture at Kirkwood
Community College.
Choosing Kirkwood was an
easy choice for this Tipton High
School graduate. During an
initial college visit she talked to
agriculture faculty, toured the
facilities and left feeling like it was
a good fit.
“It’s close to home. The
people are really nice – both
the faculty and staff. Campus is
beautiful, and the ag program is
phenomenal,” said Rita.
Rita is a first-year student
Ted and Lillian Feder Endowed
in the Agricultural Geospatial
Scholarship, she’s very thankful.
Technology program. Her interest
Receiving the scholarships
in the field developed during
relieves some of the stress in
time she and her dad spent
paying for college, allowing her
working together to figure out the
to spend more time concentrating
technology involved with
on her studies
“It’s
close
to
home.
their grain yield monitor.
and activities
“Kirkwood’s
The people are really involvement. But
Agriculture Geospatial
above all, Rita
nice – both the faculty feels great about
Technology program
seemed like a good
and staff. Campus is herself due to the
choice for me because
recognition from
beautiful, and
the technology aspect is
Kirkwood.
appealing and it keeps
Rita’s leadership
the ag program
me directly involved in
positions and
is phenomenal.”
agriculture,” expressed
volunteer
Rita.
–Rita Urmie involvement in
Scholarships definitely
high school played
played a part in Rita reaffirming
a direct role in her scholarships
her choice to come to Kirkwood.
from Kirkwood. Recipients of
As a recipient of The Leaders
The Leaders for Tomorrow
for Tomorrow Scholarship, the
Scholarship must demonstrate
Vaughn and Bernice Hartzell
strong leadership qualities
Endowed Scholarship, and the
during their junior and senior
scholarship feature
years of high school and in the
community. The Ted and Lillian
Feder Endowed Scholarship
requires students to be involved
in a music, performing arts
program or ensemble group,
along with being recommended
by Kirkwood faculty.
Though her days now at
Kirkwood are mostly filled
with class and studying, Rita
continues her involvement
in extracurricular activities.
She is involved with the Ag
Tech Club and plays trumpet
in Kirkwood’s Concert
Band. This past fall, Rita
participated in the Iowa
Postsecondary Agricultural
Student Leadership
conference held at Kirkwood.
She also went on a program
trip to Kansas for Agricultural
Geospatial Technology and
Agricultural Production
Management students.
The group toured Kansas
State University, Landoll
Corporation and Topcon
Precision Agriculture.
With her first year almost
complete, Rita is really
enjoying the geospatial
program and very proud to be
enrolled in the number one ag
program in the nation!
“The best thing about Kirkwood
is the environment. Everyone is so
nice and friendly,” explained Rita.
“Teachers want you to succeed.
They are very willing to help you.
They’re great!”
After she completes her
Associate of Applied Science
degree in Agricultural Geospatial
Technology in the spring of
2017, Rita plans to go directly
into the field working as a GPS
technician for a farm equipment
manufacturing dealership in
eastern Iowa. Or she may continue
at Kirkwood for a third year to get
her Agriculture Business degree.
While she clearly enjoys her
time at Kirkwood, Rita also likes
heading back home to Bennett to
help her parents with the crops.
She especially enjoys the harvest
season because she gets to drive
the combine.
“I returned home this past
fall to help. My dad saved one little
spot for me to finish,” beamed
Rita all smiles.
Agricultural Geospatial
Technology Program
Kirkwood’s program is one
of only a handful of precision
agriculture programs in the
nation. Courses include: Global
Positioning Systems (GPS),
agricultural applications of
Geographic Information System
(GIS) and data collection, in
addition to agronomy and
agriculture economics. This
degree can apply to many career
areas and can be customized
as needed. It’s a good fit
for students with a strong
background in math and science.
Potential Careers:
Precision Ag Specialist
Geospatial Information Scientist
Precision Farming Consultant
Remote Sensing Technologist
alumni and friends
Dear friends,
Alumni
Leadership
Council
Melanie Abu-Nameh ‘01
Kirkwood Community College
Chad Bosch ‘99
Bosch Financial
Shawn Gallagher ‘86
Ladco, Inc
Deborah Gertsen ‘83
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Stephen Hanisch ‘11
Kirkwood Community College
Michael Ivester ‘88
ITC Midwest
Dennis Jordan ‘89
Mortenson Construction
Patrick Kettmann ‘07
Rockwell Collins
Mary Klinger ‘88
St Lukes Foundation
Brad Marcus ‘90
US Bank
Brenda Moore ‘72
Retired, UIHC
Andy Petersen ‘03
KISS Country FM
Robyn Rieckhoff ‘92
Freedom Festival
Mary Schneekloth ‘82
Kirkwood Community College
Chris Wheeler ‘86
Point Builders, Inc
Virginia Wilts ‘84
Guaranty Bank & Trust
Student
Representatives
The simple phrase “it’s a small world” resonates
frequently in the alumni office. Today more
than 74,000 Kirkwood alumni are succeeding
in life all over the United States and beyond.
Although separated by miles, we all share a
common Kirkwood experience that prepared
us for rewarding careers and lifestyles. It’s
this experience that leads many alumni back
to Kirkwood to express their gratitude for the
college’s impact on their lives.
Gestures of appreciation arrive in the
alumni office in various ways: a note, a visit,
scholarship contribution, or even a planned gift to the college. For all of these
gifts, thank you! And thanks to those who have come back for a reunion, to
attend alumni and campus events, or enroll as lifelong learners.
There are countless options to stay connected. We hope you will continue
wholeheartedly to be a part of your community college. Consider attending
these events:
On Friday, April 8th we will be celebrating our 5th annual Celebration of
Success, an alumni recognition dinner. Join us for an enticing evening of
spirits, a four-course dinner, celebratory program and live entertainment.
Tickets are only $30 per person or $300 for a table of ten. We promise
Celebration of Success will be a night to remember. Reserve your seat at
www.kirkwood.edu/alumnirsvp.
Are you looking for a way to network with other Kirkwood alumni and serve
a greater purpose in the community? Kirkwood Alumni & Friends is forming
a team to support Day of Caring with United Way of East Central Iowa on
Thursday, May 12. Our project is yet to be determined, but we can assure you a
fun, gratifying day on the Kirkwood Alumni & Friends Day of Caring team! If
interested, email jdonald@kirkwood.edu.
Kirkwood is extremely proud of its students and alumni who are veterans of
the United States Armed Forces. We are honored to be one of the top militaryfriendly schools in the nation. We welcome all Kirkwood alumni veterans to
a complimentary dinner on Wednesday, May 18, at The Hotel at Kirkwood
Center. Seating is limited. Register at www.kirkwood.edu/veteranrsvp to
reserve your place.
Thank you for staying connected with us. We look forward to hearing from you
or seeing you at an upcoming activity. No matter where in this small world you
are, Kirkwood will always be your college, providing opportunities to start here,
go anywhere!
Warm regards,
Cassandra Brower
Bethany Oberbroeckling
Geret Smith
Tyler Soenksen
Jody Donaldson
Scholarship and Alumni Officer
alumni feature
Education for a lifetime
d r . da l e lu m pa
After graduating from high school,
Dale Lumpa arrived at Kirkwood the
way many students do, unsure of what
he wanted to study or even if college
was the right path for him. Growing
up in West Branch, Iowa, Dale was the
youngest of four children in a sportsloving family, with a natural talent
for playing baseball. Good grades
did not come easily, but early on
Dale recognized they were the key to
moving forward in life – and playing
baseball after high school. With
encouragement from his West Branch
social studies teacher, Dale saw that
he could handle college.
Living at home and working at a
local grain elevator helped Dale focus
and pay his way through Kirkwood,
which provided a great education and
the chance to play on Kirkwood’s
baseball team.
“Baseball was what brought him
to Kirkwood,” Kay Lumpa said
of her husband. “He was not a
stellar student but he knew he had
to maintain good grades to play
baseball. That was his love, and what
got him through high school.”
He started with business classes
and finished his AA in two years. By
then, he knew business wasn’t for
through adjunct classes and
him, but education beckoned. He
workshops.
loved hanging out with kids, which
In November 2015, Dale died at
ultimately drew him to coaching.
age 54 near his home in Thornton,
Dale went on to
Colorado, after a
finish his BS at the
long struggle with
University of Iowa in
cancer. “We thought
physical education
about the best way to
in 1983. From
memorialize him,”
there, he completed
Kay explained. “We
his Masters,
want to help kids
Specialist and
like Dale. College
Doctorate degrees
scholarships tend to
in Administration
be for super-talented
at the University
or gifted kids. This
of Missouri. He
is for the kids in the
dedicated his life
middle – the average
to education and sports,
“Kirkwood was ones who get overlooked.
becoming a school
He was always advocating
a great stepping for kids in the middle,
principal at age 26 in
Missouri, and then
encouraging them not
stone for him.”
in Colorado where he
to give up – to try it.”
–Kay Lumpa Students with a 2.0 grade
ultimately served as district
wellness director for Englewood
point average or higher may apply for
schools. Dale was nominated for
the Dale Lumpa Memorial Endowed
Colorado Principal of the Year in
Scholarship. Recipients will forever
2000, and named Colorado Middle
draw upon this man’s inspiration
School Physical Education Teacher
and legacy.
of the Year in 2009. He retired in
“Kirkwood was a great stepping
2014 after 30 years in education, yet
stone for him,” Kay noted. “He found
continued to share his knowledge
out at Kirkwood that he could do it.”
YOU’RE INVITED TO KIRKWOOD
ALUMNI & FRIENDS
VETERAN DINNER
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 • 5:30 p.m.
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
For ticket information visit
www.kirkwood.edu/veteranrsvp
department feature
Agricultural Sciences
l e a d i n g t h e n at i o n
Over the past 50 years,
Rockford Road Southwest in Cedar
Agricultural Sciences at Kirkwood
Rapids, where students repaired
Community College has become
tractors and other machinery in the
a recognized leader among
well-equipped shop.
Iowa community colleges and
Today’s program has grown
throughout the United States. The
to 610 students in 14 program
department consistently ranks
areas. It has expanded to cover
as one of the top agricultural
a broader spectrum of the
programs in the nation and
agricultural industry, including
has a reputation
horticulture, animal
for innovation and
health and several
“Kirkwood is
ideas. This past fall,
areas of technology.
always leading the The program’s success
Community College Week
way, working to
ranked Kirkwood’s
throughout the years
Agricultural Sciences
stay up-to-date on is attributed to keeping
program number
the curriculum relevant,
what’s needed and looking ahead to the
one in the nation for
2015. This annual
preparing students future and listening
recognition is based
to industry partners.
for
the
workforce”
on the total number of
Students realize that
degrees awarded by a
–Scott Ermer this field evolves
two-year college in the
constantly and that
area of agriculture.
Kirkwood stays ahead of this curve.
Agricultural Sciences Dean
A big part of community college
Scott Ermer declared, “We have
education is hands-on training.
an excellent curriculum, facilities
This has always been the approach
and faculty. This ranking really
for Kirkwood’s agriculture program.
validates and affirms the work we’ve
The first students in the Production
believed in and done for many
Agricultural program started the
years. We are on the right path.”
first livestock enterprise in the
This pinnacle of Kirkwood’s
spring of 1969. This consisted of
Agricultural Sciences program has
12 sows and a beef cow herd of
been 50 years in the making. In the
40 purebred Angus, with classes
fall of 1966, Kirkwood (then called
and offices located in a modest
Area Ten Community College)
farmhouse. Today, the Agricultural
appointed a blue-ribbon committee
Sciences program features a 600of farm experts to recommend
acre working farm that includes a
agricultural courses. Two years
300-head beef complex, a swine
later Kirkwood’s Agricultural
complex, a 1.5-acre vineyard and a
Sciences program opened its doors
full production winery. In addition,
to students under the direction
there is a 32,000-square-foot
of Assistant Dean Larry Statler
horticulture/floral careers building,
with 33 students enrolled in the
which features a greenhouse, plus
Farm Equipment Management
an indoor natural soil floor used
program. Classes took place in a
to teach patio building and other
manufacturing building located on
outdoor skills year-round.
Industry partnerships are integral
in helping provide equipment,
internships and speakers, and in
maximizing resources available to
students. The industry invests in its
future and reaps an excellent return
on the investment. Kirkwood’s
partnerships include local farmers,
agricultural production agencies,
equipment dealerships, landscaping
companies, golf courses, athletic
turf facilities, veterinary clinics,
county conservation offices and
the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources.
“The diversity of our programs
directly reflects the diverse
interests of our industry partners
within our region,” described
Scott. “We will have a huge
population to feed by 2050 and
practices used today won’t be
able to do that. Industry has to go
through more change to meet that
future demand.”
Kirkwood’s agricultural program
has also grown to be more global
over the past few years as a way to
provide students an opportunity
to look beyond Iowa. Kirkwood
provides an annual opportunity
for agriculture students to study
abroad and experience the
influence of agriculture in different
countries. This spring, students
will be travelling to Brazil to
work with partner schools while
learning about agriculture in
South America.
“It takes a teamwork-based
environment—we’re all in this
together—to produce students
that are very competent and
confident in the agriculture
industry. We have that here at
Kirkwood,” smiled Scott.
department feature
(l–r photos) Kirkwood's Agricultural Sciences program
throughout its 50 year history.
Kirkwood’s agriculture program
generates the largest number of
graduates among two-year colleges
in the nation. Facilities include:
A 600-acre working farm complete with beef
and swine complexes.
A 1.5 acre vineyard and full production winery.
The Iowa Equestrian Center, the Midwest’s
premier event equestrian facility which hosts
prominent regional and national horse shows.
A 32,000-square-foot Horticulture/Floral
Careers building, which features a greenhouse
and an indoor natural soil floor used to teach
patio building and other outdoor skills in all
weather conditions.
Visit www.kirkwood.edu/clusterag
to learn more.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cedar Rapids, IA
Permit No. 94
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. S.W.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
Kirkwood Foundation Board of Directors
Kirkwood Leadership
Steve Caves, President
Gary Rozek, Vice President
George F. Grask, Treasurer
Rose Rennekamp, Secretary
Mick Starcevich
President
Robert W. Allsop
Jeff Cannon
Pat Cobb
Jim Dunn
Richard L. Ferguson
Jay Gruenwald
Dwight Hughes, Jr.
G. Richard Johnson
Foundation Staff
Maureen Kenney
Kevin King
Roger Klouda
Sherry Kramer
Gerald Meis
James Mollenhauer
Greg Neumeyer
Anne Parmley
Chuck Peters
Bernard Rehnstrom
Sara Sauter
Audrey Savage
Chris Skogman
John M. Smith
Kent Statler
Stephen West
Emeritus
Pat Baird
John C. Bloomhall
Mike Denney
Steven Dummermuth
Barbara Hennings
Marcia Rogers
David Unzeitig
Kathy L. Hall, CFRE
Executive Director
Jody Donaldson
Scholarship and Alumni Officer
Tresa Ertmer
Executive Assistant
Susan Ovel
Director of Planned and Endowed Giving
Sarah Peters
Senior Accountant
Eric Weiler, CFRE
Annual Giving Officer
(319) 398 -5 4 42 • fa x (319) 398 -7106
w w w. k i r k wo o d . e d u / f o u n dat i o n
phon e