January 27, 2012, DES MOINES—Iowa Senator John P. “Jack” Kibbie, who is often referred to as “the father of Iowa community colleges,” was honored on January 26, 2012, at the Iowa statehouse by those who have been impacted the most by his leadership in action. Some 200 Iowa community college students, Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) board members, community college presidents and staff, along with agency boards and directors, gathered at 7:30 a.m. on the first floor of the State Capitol East Rotunda to show their respect for Kibbie’s efforts through the years. During the ceremony, state legislators and special guest Iowa Governor Terry Branstad made remarks regarding Kibbie’s significant contribution to Iowa’s educational system.
In 1965, Kibbie sponsored the bill to create Iowa’s community colleges. During his tenure as an elected official in the Iowa House of Representatives, as a member of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees, and in the Iowa Senate, Kibbie has remained a steadfast supporter of Iowa’s community colleges. Kibbie was first elected to the Iowa House in 1960. He served on the Iowa Lakes Community College board from 1970 to 1988, when he joined the Senate. Kibbie will not run for re-election in the 2012 elections.
“We owe a great deal to Senator Kibbie and this is an excellent opportunity to honor the person who effectively created Iowa’s community colleges by floor managing the legislation in 1966. There is no one else in the state who is so well versed with the 46 years of history of the community colleges,” said Janice Lund, IACCT board chair.
Other speakers during the event included Senator Mike Gronstal; Representatives Mary Mascher and Linda Upmeyer; as well as Lund and members of the audience.
IACCT serves the 15 community colleges of Iowa, which are the largest postsecondary education system in the state. During the 2010-11 academic year, Iowa’s community colleges served more than 155,140 college students and more than 254,000 non-credit students. Iowa’s community colleges are the workforce trainer of Iowa offering a wide variety of short-term and long-term credit and noncredit programs/courses to meet the needs of business and education in their local communities. Iowa’s community colleges serve nearly 22 percent of Iowa’s working population.
PHOTO ABOVE: Senator Jack Kibbie (center front) poses with SWCC's representatives at a reception in his honor.