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 2015
Shawn
Gallagher
From a family of Eagles
a pu blicat ion of t h e
letter
Dear friends,
At Kirkwood Community College, we are focused on success. Whether you are a
prospective student or parent, an employer or simply someone who cares about the
growth and vitality of eastern Iowa—you have an energetic, committed partner with us at
Kirkwood. Since the mid-1960s our graduates have worked, raised families and prospered
in this area. More than 70,000 of these grads have applied their academic degrees to
work in a host of fields. Tens of thousands more have enjoyed life-enriching experiences
through our Continuing Education programs.
As our college has grown, so have the tools and facilities to meet the changing needs of
our Creative Corridor. A key part of that growth in service is our network of regional
centers. These strategically placed learning hubs give both high school and college
students a wider, more in-depth set of class choices than would be possible at each school
district alone. From Monticello, Washington and Hiawatha, these regional centers are advancing possibilities. In the
summer of 2015, our next regional center will set a new standard. On the north side of the Iowa City metro, Kirkwood
has partnered with the University of Iowa and several school districts to further expand quality opportunities in
education. This is the first time in American education that a major university has welcomed a two-year college to
build and teach on its current campus. Together, we expect many good things to grow from the shared work across our
seven counties.
As people come to visit us at Kirkwood, many say, “This looks like a four-year college!” We appreciate hearing that.
These modern, functional facilities reflect our broader mission of doing our utmost for the success of our students. We
have to be ready to serve our area as quickly as the needs of our economy and our nation change. That is why we want
our students to be ready, too; ready to learn and spark innovation, ready to work and create their own new possibilities
for family, friends and fellow citizens.
We invite you to be a part of our invigorating work at this world-class learning center. New stories of success and
fulfillment are being written every day at Kirkwood. Yours could be the next!
Sincerely,
Dr. Mick Starcevich
President
Kirkwood Community College
u
o
y
k
n
a
h
T
The K irkwood Foundation would like to
our alumni and f riends, for
donating and mak ing an IMPACT
on our students’ lives.
“As a native resident of Cedar
Rapids, I’m greatly appreciative
“This scholarship is a great
that people from the community
blessing. I know I still have a long
reinvest in the blue-collar
road ahead of me, and I know
workforce by whom this city
receiving this scholarship is simply
was founded. Working toward
a step in the right direction. I will
filling the gaps in the blue-collar
achieve my dream with pride in
workforce not only betters this
hopes of becoming a role model
industry, but the entire region.”
to other minority females.”
brent fountain
marlene larios
cnc machining
pre-engineering
michael and janice gould
act endowed scholarship
endowment for the
area of greatest need
“It has certainly helped to
“This scholarship money will
receive scholarships that allow
help me minimize my debt in
me to reach for the goals in my
these upcoming years so I may
life, and I am grateful for each
enter the workforce without the
person or company that decides
crippling loans many college
to use their resources in such
graduates have to deal with.”
a beneficial way.”
lillian meyer
jacob br an
liber al arts
lan management
west music
&
family music
education endowed scholarship
br adley
&
riley pc
endowed scholarship
scholarship feature
W
Matt Cain
ith his positive attitude
and sincere, ready
smile, Matt Cain could
be a poster boy for Kirkwood. He has
worked in Student Life and has been
on the Student Leadership Council
since his first day as an Eagle, and
he’s recruited his younger brother
to Kirkwood.
Matt’s own college career started
at the University of Northern Iowa,
where he took his general education
courses. “I’m happy I covered all my
gen eds at UNI, but my first year there,
I was overwhelmed,” Matt admits. “My
first class had 400 people in it, which
was larger than my entire high school
in my hometown.”
While Matt was at UNI, he was
unsure of the path he wanted to take
in school. After his second visit to
Kirkwood, he realized he’d always
known what he wanted to do: he
would enroll in the Fire Science
program and become a firefighter.
“My dad is the Fire Chief in Goose
Lake, and I’d been enrolled in the
Junior Firefighters program at his
station since I was 16. I grew up in the
industry and always enjoyed it, but
didn’t consider that it could be what I
did for a living,” Matt recalls. “Once I
had this realization, Kirkwood was the
natural choice for me. They’re great
about sending people all over Iowa for
ride-alongs, and the instructors in the
program are actual Cedar Rapids and
Iowa City firefighters. You’re not going
to get a better learning experience
than from those who live the work
every day.”
In addition to his hands-on
academic experience, Kirkwood has
recognized Matt with several other
opportunities, including awarding
both the Student Life Scholarship and
the Loggins Area of Greatest Need
Endowed Scholarship to him. “The
scholarships I’ve received have boosted
me in all the activities I’ve explored;
it’s much easier to be involved in
the way I want to be because I don’t
have to be earning additional money
in my spare time. As a work-study,
I’m able to do my homework, and
this job helped me to be chosen to
go to Washington DC to represent
Kirkwood with three other students,”
Matt says. He joined President
Mick Starcevich, Seth Vander Tuig,
associate director of student life, and
several Kirkwood board members on
this trip to explore community college
funding. “It was my first visit to DC,
and I learned a bit more about how
politics and education work together,”
he remembers.
Matt’s goals are reflected in
his advice to incoming Kirkwood
students: “Get involved. Get out
of your comfort zone. You’ll meet
more people and get the most out of
your college experience this way,” he
states. “Go to the free events hosted
by the college. Being involved and
pushing yourself will help make the
transition from high school to college
much easier.”
scholarship feature
M
Macy Cox
oving from Oswego,
KS five years ago to live
near her grandparents
in Vinton, IA, Macy Cox is starting
to feel comfortable in her role as an
Iowa transplant. Her mom became
a Kirkwood alumna in May 2014,
and her younger sister plans to be an
Eagle, as well.
“Kirkwood has already given me
so many tools and lessons I need to
reach the next level in my career,” she
says, noting that a faculty member
at the Benton County Center first
told her about the scholarships that
Kirkwood offers. Macy received the
Lynn Fraker Memorial Scholarship
and the Louis Hill Jr. Memorial
Endowed Scholarship. “The first
award notice came right after my
birthday! I tucked away the money
from my second scholarship so I’d
have money in savings to draw from.”
Macy is a second year Accounting
student at Kirkwood, attending
classes at both the Benton County
Center and the main campus in
Cedar Rapids. “I’ve always been good
at math,” she says. “In eighth grade,
I took freshman math; my freshman
year I took tenth grade math and so
on, until I was receiving college credit
as a senior in high school… I’ve
always loved accounting. Everything
in the field has a set purpose and
those all flow together clearly. You
have to have solid bookkeeping
in any business to ensure it runs
smoothly,” she asserts.
While Macy has a clear focus on
where she wants to go in her career
(Accounts Payable or Accounts
Receivable in an established
company), she is still looking for
extra time to focus on another
love: painting. Having shown at art
shows in high school, she carried
her talent into her job in Vinton. “I
started a program at a shop called
‘CreARTivity’ that would teach kids
to paint. We called it Cookies &
Canvas,” she notes. “I really enjoy
using acrylics and pastels – but I have
to plan out everything about how the
piece will look finished before I lay
any color on the canvas,” she laughs.
This meticulous trait serves her
well in her chosen field. Currently
working part-time through
Accountemps, Macy can already see
where her future is taking her: “I’m
working at TaxACT right now, and
Accountemps is already sending
me full time job offers. I’m putting
my degree to use before I’ve even
graduated. It’s incredible to be able
to get offers for such great jobs after
just two years of schooling.”
alumni and friends
Alumni
Leadership
Council
Melanie Abu-Nameh
Kirkwood Community College
Chad Bosch
Bosch Financial
Kristine Chiafos
Carl & Mary Koehler History Center
Michele Doyle
Wartburg College
Shawn Gallagher
Ladco, Inc
Deborah Gertsen
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Stephen Hanisch
Kirkwood Community College
Michael Ivester
ITC Midwest
Dennis Jordan
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
Patrick Kettmann
Rockwell Collins
Mary Klinger
St Lukes Foundation
Brad Marcus
US Bank
Brenda Moore
Retired, UIHC
Craig Mrkvicka
Kirkwood Community College
Andy Petersen
KISS Country FM
Dear friends,
When I reflect on the past 6 months and the
hundreds of alumni I have spoken with, the
words that continuously come to mind are,
“thanks for the memories.” I am fortunate to
hear your own Kirkwood story, of a fond or
humorous event that took place while you were
a student, someone you will always remember,
or the way you felt while you were here – those
are priceless memories. Kirkwood has certainly
touched lives and made a lifetime impression on
many. The Kirkwood Alumni & Friends program
hopes to foster those positive feelings through our communications
such as Currents and various events.
This April, we will be hosting our fourth annual Celebration of Success.
This event allows us to recognize three distinguished alumni, an outstanding
business partner, and an exceptional leader in higher education. Please join
us for a wonderful evening among friends and fellow alumni and register at
www.kirkwood.edu/alumnirsvp.
We were also fortunate to see many of you at the Iowa State Fair! It’s during
our time at the fair that we often hear the funny college stories, or meet the
multi-generations of alums from one family. We always appreciate seeing our
alums at the fair.
Thank you to those who attended the annual Family Day event that took
place the first weekend in October 2014. Over 1,400 attendees enjoyed a
host of free activities, an open campus, live music and a barbeque. This is
always a great opportunity for everyone to step back on campus and see all
the wonderful changes we’ve made over the years, and opportunities we now
offer to the community.
With nearly 50 years of serving the Corridor and producing over 72,000
alumni, we always enjoy opportunities to get reacquainted with past students
and hear your Kirkwood stories. It is through you that we are able to stay
focused on our mission and allow future Eagles to “Start here, go anywhere.”
As always, thanks for the memories.
Warm regards,
Robyn Rieckhoff
Freedom Festival
Stephanie Roberts
Rockwell Collins
Mary Schneekloth
Kirkwood Community College
Chris Wheeler
Point Builders, Inc
Virginia Wilts
Guaranty Bank & Trust
Jody Donaldson
Scholarship and Alumni Officer
Kirkwood Alumni & Friends presents
Celebration
of Success
An evening of celebrating
distinguished alumni, business partners
and leaders in higher education.
Friday, April 10, 2015
6 p.m.
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Sponsored by
Dessert reception to follow program
Sponsored by
TM
For reservation and ticket information
www.kirkwood.edu/alumnirsvp
alumni feature
“i
owe everything i
have to the beginning
k ir k wood gave me .”
G
Shawn Gallagher
rowing up in Waukon, IA,
with a population of almost
4,000, Shawn Gallagher
moved to the big city of Cedar Rapids
when choosing where to pursue his
higher education. He’d looked at
DMACC and had been accepted into
art school at the University of Iowa,
but believed Kirkwood Community
College was the right place for him to
get his start.
“It was a nice next step after living
in such a small town,” Shawn says.
“It provided a great transition into
the professional world. Back then,
you could really design your own
curriculum.”
This open course plan worked well
for Shawn, who began his academic
career in Pre-Engineering, then
moved on to Mechanical Design
Technology before landing in the
Architectural Design program from
which he would graduate.
“Realizing my love for the art of
architectural drafting and design
was really the pivotal point in my
schooling. My family has a business
in the auto technology field that I
could have gone into, but I chose a
different path. You have to love what
you do for a living – or it’s just not
worth it.”
This sentiment is something he
and his wife, Tina, have passed onto
their children, both of whom also
have spent time at Kirkwood. Corbin
Gallagher started at Luther before
moving to Kirkwood his second year
of college, and received a scholarship
for a study abroad program in
Vietnam. Chase Gallagher earned
his EMT certification in high school
and pursued a career in health care,
becoming a paramedic through the
University of Iowa’s program. Then,
Chase became interested in Culinary
Arts, and is currently enrolled in
Kirkwood’s program. He now works
in the restaurant at The Cedar
Rapids Country Club when he’s not
in school.
“Kirkwood affects my whole
family. We all support the school –
it’s impacted every single one of us,”
Shawn stresses. This affect extends
beyond academics; Shawn and Tina
met while they were both enrolled at
Kirkwood.
“We didn’t cross paths much on
campus since we were enrolled in
such different programs,” Tina, who
was enrolled in the Legal Assistant
program at the time, explains. “We
did all our talking at Target, where
we both worked.”
Finding lifelong love in both
his career and personal life has
prompted Shawn to join Kirkwood’s
Alumni Leadership Council. “I just
want to give back,” he says. “I owe
everything I have to the beginning
Kirkwood gave me. I strongly believe
Kirkwood is the perfect starting
place for anyone.”
faculty feature
“ k ir k wood
is an
excellent ex a mple
of w hat a commu nit y
college should be .”
faculty feature
D
Scott Samuelson
r. Scott Samuelson’s
office is exactly what a
person would hope to
find in a philosophy professor’s
work space: the shelves are
colorfully festooned with books,
most of which he’s read and one
of which he’s written – though it’s
buried under familiar tomes by
the likes of Roethke and Plato.
“Some of its content actually
comes out of my time teaching at
Kirkwood,” he notes of his own
book The Deepest Human Life. “I
have such an interesting mix of
students here. For instance, right
now I have Sudanese immigrants
in a class who lend an entirely
different scope through which to
view the subjects I teach. I teach
people of all ages from all different
walks of life. In philosophy, a blend
of ethnic and cultural backgrounds
is especially enriching.”
Improving and enhancing his
students’ lives is precisely Dr.
Samuelson’s goal. When asked
what his favorite lesson is to
teach, he becomes pensive. “This
is what occurs to me to say,” he
starts after a minute or so has
passed. “In Plato’s works, Socrates
says, ‘The unexamined life is not
worth living.’ I want my students
to see how important it is to
examine life. I want to try to get
them to see how the immediate
answers they provide to my
questions aren’t yet complete.
If they improve in their abilities
to think, write and argue well,
they’ll find a sort of liberation in
thinking about themselves and
their individual purposes.”
Scott has proven to find many
purposes in his own life – he’s
been a professor of philosophy
for almost 15 years. He publishes
scholarly articles and papers on a
regular basis. He is a Little Village
movie critic for the love of it, and
hosts Ethical Perspectives on the
News on KCRG. He just finished
his term as president of the
Community College Humanities
Association (CCHA) last year.
With his wife, Helen, he’s raising
two children, Billy and Irene, both
entering their teenage years. “I
think that all children are natural
born philosophers, wondering
about what’s right and wrong,
where things came from, if there’s
more to the world than meets the
eye. Part of the reason I wrote
the book was to have something
to hand down to my kids –
something that explains to them
what their dad does.” Luckily,
he finds that in his crowded
schedule, “the more I do, the more
I find I’m able to do.”
Regarding his tenure as
CCHA president, Dr. Samuelson
remarks, “I’m a big believer in
community colleges in general. I
like the blend of liberal arts and
technical training that such an
institution can offer – Kirkwood
is an excellent example of what a
community college should be.”
He goes on to emphasize
the value of education beyond
workplace skills, and encourages
students of any subject to think
of how their education extends
beyond the goal of obtaining a
paycheck. “Though it is certainly
important to get a job, don’t reduce
your education to one goal,” he
advises. “Part of the excitement
lies in thinking for yourself and
finding meaning in your life and
thoughts… Whenever we think of
education, we should think about
the possibilities of a newborn baby.
When I hold a baby in my hands,
I wonder, ‘who will this little
person become? Will this baby be
the president one day? An artist?
A scientist discovering a cure for
disease?’ The child is going to
be some mix of worker, player,
thinker, lover, friend and citizen.
Education is about developing all
of these capacities, as opposed to
whittling a person down to what
they do for a living.”
donor feature
Lucky
My name is Lucky and I am a
loving, soulful and gregarious dog.
I was living in a shelter when a kind
lady named Charlotte Wilson rescued
me. She adopted me and gave me a
secure home that makes me feel very
“lucky” indeed. I like to lie on the
deck and watch squirrels, watch TV
on the sofa and nap in lots of different
places. Occasionally I have a bath and
get my nails done. It beats me why
“ the
lucky w ilson
scholar ship is
m ak ing a differ ence
in those car eer
plans by helping
me move forwar d
in my education,
and to face a
challenge every
college student
encou nter s .”
women enjoy those things. Clean isn’t
as comfortable but people seem to like
me better so I go along. I must like
people more than most dogs because
whenever we go to the dog park I like
to sit on the benches with people, chat
and get petted! If they really like me
I sit on their laps and lick their faces.
Apologies are expressed which is silly;
I’ve done nothing wrong and people
just say I’m a really friendly dog –
which I am!
So friendly and lucky – that’s me –
but only because lots of good people
were there to help me. Charlotte
got the ball rolling and it has built
momentum ever since. She decided
to establish multiple scholarships at
Kirkwood Community College, one
of which is structured to meet the
growing demand for educated shelter
workers who care for, advocate and
understand the unique needs of
homeless animals. And her support
for these scholarships continues as
I’ve watched her put envelopes in
the mailbox addressed to Kirkwood.
She tells me they are gifts made in
tribute to, or in memory of, some of
my closest friends - and that always
means a lot to me!
Charlotte is a remarkable person
who recognizes that exceptional
training leads to exceptional care - for
all kinds of animals. She understands
the critical nature of this cycle and
talks frequently about the outstanding
animal health programs at
Kirkwood. I pay special attention
to these conversations because
I know students face lots of
hurdles. A special “lift up” may
remove barriers that stand in
their way – just like the “lift up”
Charlotte gave to me.
I am a “lucky” dog who got a
“lucky” break, and both Charlotte
and I hope others will decide
to “pay it forward” so that more
students are able to receive the
assistance they need to succeed.
Charlotte always receives thank
you notes from her scholarship
recipients. She often reads them to me
because the students always talk about
how lucky they are and I like to hear
my name. Here is one that made me
feel especially good…
“The Lucky Wilson Scholarship will
help me continue to pursue a goal I
have had since I was a little girl. I’m
very lucky to be accepted into the
veterinary technician program, and
I will graduate, then start a career.
The Lucky Wilson scholarship is
making a difference in those career
plans by helping me move forward in
my education, and to face a challenge
every college student encounters. I am
very thankful for the chance to meet
that challenge.” Bailey Jedlicka.
Thanks, Bailey, and thanks to
each of you for reading my story...
there are so many of us waiting for
your help.
Love & Licks
from Lucky
Calendar of Events
March
21 Men’s Baseball
Doubleheader at Kirkwood vs. DMACC
1 p.m.
22 Men’s Baseball
Doubleheader at Kirkwood vs. DMACC
TBD
April
6–7
The Corridor Jazz Project live concert
Sinclair Auditorium, Coe College
6:30 p.m.
9–12
“A Lost Letter” by I.L. Caragiale,
translation by Mircea Tomus
Ballantyne Auditorium
Times vary
10 Celebration of Success
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
6 p.m.
the top
military-friendly college
in the state has
scholarships for
veterans and
their families.
18
Jazz Ensembles
directed by Al Naylor
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
19
Women’s Softball
Doubleheader at Kirkwood vs. DMACC
12 p.m.
24
Spring Fling featuring the Kirkwood
vocal e
nsembles, directed by Dr. Fred Kiser
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
24
Taste of Jazz
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
5:30–8 p.m.
May
spread the word.
call 319-398-5633 or email
veterans@kirkwood.edu.
1
Kirkwood Concert Chorale
directed by Dr. Fred Kiser
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
9
Kirkwood Concert Band
directed by Dr. Beth Zamzow
Ballantyne Auditorium
7:30 p.m.
16Commencement
U.S. Cellular Center
10 a.m.
July
17
Jazz Band Camp concert
Ballantyne Auditorium
5:30 p.m.
For a full listing of college events,
visit www.kirkwood.edu
department feature
Spotlight on Linn Hall
Linn Hall’s construction began
in 1968, just two years after
the school’s implementation.
On October 26, 1970, Linn
Hall was dedicated as the first
permanent building on campus.
The president’s office and
boardroom were on the second
floor of Linn Hall until Kirkwood
Hall was erected in 1989.
Jazz 88.3 KCCK began onair operations in Linn Hall in
1975. After renovations, KCCK
remained in its original home on
the second floor.
Three new flagpoles were
installed in front of Linn Hall in
1984: the American flag, the
Iowa state flag and Kirkwood’s
own flag.
Significant renovations were
made to Linn Hall in 2006,
retro-fitting the facility with
energy efficient heating
and cooling, and improving
access to the building for
handicapped individuals.
In January 2013, the lobby
received two exciting additions
– the six-foot globe that was
originally installed in Cedar
Rapids’ airport in 1953 and
stained glass windows,
designed by famed glass artist
Louis Millet, that were removed
from the Cedar Rapids First
Christian Church before its
demolition in 2012.
In August 2014, a ribbon cutting
celebrated the completion of a
major three-year $24.5 million
dollar renovation, taking Linn
Hall into the 21st century.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cedar Rapids, IA
Permit No. 94
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. S.W.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
Let’s talk more!
To receive our monthly e-newsletter,
or to update your contact information,
contact us at (319) 398-5442
or foundation@kirkwood.edu.
Please consider including the
Kirkwood Foundation in your
charitable and estate plans.
Kirkwood Foundation
Board of Directors
Steve Caves, President
John C. Bloomhall, Vice President
George F. Grask, Treasurer
Marcia Rogers, Secretary
Stephen West, Past President
Robert W. Allsop
Pat Cobb
Mike Denney
Jim Dunn
Richard L. Ferguson
Jay Gruenwald
Dwight Hughes, Jr.
G. Richard Johnson
Kevin King
Roger Klouda
Sherry Kramer
Gerald Meis
James Mollenhauer
Greg Neumeyer
Anne Parmley
Chuck Peters
Bernard Rehnstrom
Rose Rennekamp
Gary Rozek
Sara Sauter
Audrey Savage
Chris Skogman
John M. Smith
Kent Statler
Emeritus
Foundation Staff
Pat Baird
Don Canfield
Pat Dreibelbis
Steven Dummermuth
Pat Falconio
Barbara Hennings
Kathy Lamb
Bob Sierk
David Unzeitig
John Vernon
Kathy L. Hall, CFRE
Executive Director
Kirkwood Leadership
Mick Starcevich
President
Kirkwood Community College
Kathy L. Hall, CFRE
Vice President, Development
Kirkwood Community College
Carrie Anderson
Executive Assistant
Jody Donaldson
Scholarship and Alumni Officer
Tresa Ertmer
Foundation Services Specialist
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