To the editor:

I am writing this letter in support of the upcoming election authorizing Iowa Central Community College to issue $29.5 million in bonds to allow the college to better serve the students and communities in its service area.

I began my post high school education in the fall of 1964 when I enrolled at Fort Dodge Junior College. FDJC was under the administration of the Fort Dodge Community School District. My classes were held in the east side of the Fort Dodge High School. When I left FDJC in May 1966 the school district was just beginning to build the first two college buildings in southwest Fort Dodge. As a result of state of Iowa legislation, FDJC along with the Junior Colleges at Eagle Grove and Webster City became Iowa Central Community College in July 1966.

I was employed at Iowa Central for a period of 38 years. One of my areas of administration was over the physical facilities of the college. One of the needs of Iowa Central is for “General Updates,”investing in their aging infrastructure. For a number of years, because of lack of funds, maintenance had been deferred. When  continuing  to repair rather than replace older equipment, repair parts become scarce and thus more expensive, using time and resources that could be better used elsewhere.

With dedicated instructors, support staff and administrators Iowa Central provides your family  a quality, accessible, low-cost education, be it classes for transfer to a university, choosing from one of over 40 career fields,  enrolling in adult and continuing education classes or the training and re-training of the area’s workforce to provide more opportunities for better paying employment.

The development of and governance of Iowa Central presented what at times had to be almost overwhelming challenges to the board of trustees and employees. The public perception of Iowa’s community colleges being no more than an extension of high school education had to be overcome to create the community college’s own identity. As a result of the dedication and vision of many from its infancy in 1966 to the vibrant college of today, Iowa Central has experienced tremendous growth (enrollment more than doubled since the 90’s) and has become a significant contributor to the economies of the area.

You, the residents of the area, should be proud of the past and excited about the future of Iowa Central. Vote “yes” on Dec. 6.

Chuck Peterson

Fort Dodge