To the editor:

For a little over 11 years, Dr. Dan Kinney has been at the helm of Iowa Central Community College. In those 11 years he has done an outstanding job in helping to lead Iowa Central in its mission to be the premier learning community, and college of choice, preparing the best citizens and workers for our region and beyond. Beginning Jan. 1. Kinney will take over the reigns from his father as president of Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. The current pandemic has eliminated the possibility of a public reception to both recognize Dan and and thank him for all he and his family have done for not only the college, but for our communities well.

During Kinney’s tenure at ICCC he has led an institution nationally recognized for its strong academic and innovative approaches to student support services. Under his leadership, Iowa Central has seen significant enrollment, retention and completion growth. In January 2020, Iowa Central was ranked sixth of all two-year colleges in Student Success Rate by the Chronicle of Higher Education with 96% of all students either completing their degrees, transferring or were still enrolled. Supporting the growth has resulted in more than $70 million in college facilities construction and improvements, including Bioscience Health Sciences Academic Center, Student Resource Center, a new campus road system, Triton Cafe and Conference Center, Greehey Student Services Building, Storm Lake Industrial Training Center, Iowa Central’s East Campus Training Facility, Campus Maintenance Service Building, Residential Halls, High School Career Academies in Eagle Grove, Jefferson and Laurens, William and Marlys Smith Healthcare Simulation Center, upgraded safety and security system, Institute for Culinary Arts Facility, and a number of athletic facilities.

Dan also was involved in the community as well. He served on numerous local boards, including Chair of the Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Webster City Regional Career Agricultural Academy, St. Edmond Catholic School Board and many others. In addition to the community involvement, he was very active on the state and national levels which are too numerous to mention here. Suffice it to say, Dan considered his responsibilities as ICCC President to include so much more than his duties at the school itself. He understands the importance of involvement outside of the campus and how it leads to improvement of the way we serve our students and community.

With all that he did here, his most admirable trait was his dedication to his family. In a position such as a college president, oftentimes a family can get lost in a hectic schedule. Dan was always conscience of his priorities when it came to Jen, Paige and Rylee which made him not only a good President but a good husband and father as well. The Iowa Central board would like to publicly thank Dan for all he has done here and wish he and his family the best in his future endeavor at Western Iowa. They are fortunate to have you.

Mark Crimmins

Fort Dodge