Iowa Lakes maintains student enrollment
By Michael Tidemann - Staff WriterDespite an economic downturn that has wracked the world economy, Iowa Lakes Community College has continued to maintain a steady enrollment and make a positive contribution to the area economy.
Iowa Lakes President Val Newhouse told Estherville Rotarians Thursday that new programming such as the wind turbine and energy technology program and new athletic programs such as wrestling and soccer have helped the college sustain its number of enrolled students.
That's important, considering that the state took back 1.5 percent or $159,000 in funding already granted for the current academic year plus another 6.5 percent of what was expected for next year. That makes a shortfall of $709,000 from what the college expected a year ago.
However, there's a bright side for Iowa Lakes and other community colleges, Newhouse said.
"In tough economic times, historically community colleges do quite well," she said.
Iowa Lakes is in fact working to reverse the economic downturn locally with its rapid response team to help laid-off workers find jobs. The college offers resume labs to displaced workers.
Iowa Lakes wind turbine and energy technology program has gained fame far and wide. The program has grown to the point that it is difficult to build buildings and hire instructors fast enough to accommodate the mushrooming number of students applying to the program.
Iowa Lakes will host the second annual Iowa Wind Energy Association annual conference this year. On the same date the college will break ground for Phase III of the latest expansion of the wind energy building. Iowa Congressman Tom Latham just this week announced that the House had approved $475,750 in funding for the facility.
Iowa Lakes also recently hosted 17 representatives from colleges in other states who came to the college to look at the wind program and see how they could develop similar programs. The representatives came from places as far away as Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Montana.
Newhouse also announced that starting this fall ELC students will be offered a career academy option right in Estherville. Students can choose from CAD, criminal justice, sustainable energy or arts and science programs.
Newhouse said nearly 22 percent of ELC students have taken Iowa Lakes classes.
