Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program featured at April Board Meeting

(Emmetsburg, Iowa) The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College gathered in Emmetsburg Tuesday afternoon for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting and learned about the Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program (formerly known as Marine Service Technology).

Tom Brotherton, Executive Dean of the Emmetsburg Campus, introduced Rick Brichta, Assistant Professor of the Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program, who highlighted the program, opportunities available to students upon graduation and industry support.

Brichta stated, “The Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program has recently undergone a name change to assist with program promotion and to provide students with a better understanding of what will be experienced while enrolled.”

The Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program is a dual track program where students have the opportunity to receive a diploma or an Associate in Applied Science degree.

“Our program includes hands-on, diverse training that prepares students for a career as a boat and watercraft technician. Students learn how to repair personal watercraft, inboard, outboard, and stern drive engines and receive industry training while experiencing the internship segment of our program”, said Brichta.

The Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program at Iowa Lakes receives industry support from corporations such as Arctic Cat, Evinrude/Johnson outboards, Mercury Marine, Snap-On, Yamaha and Volvo Penta.

Brichta also stated, “The industry support provided to our program allows our students to experience the latest recreational equipment available.”

Students, Jackson Greenhaw, Center Point, Iowa, Chase Schilling, Garner, Iowa,  and Jon Tomsche, Avon, Minnesota, (pictured) are current students of the Boat and Watercraft Mechanics program shared with the board why they chose Iowa Lakes and the positive experiences they have had while attending.

Julie Williams, Executive Dean of Students, presented the board with the first reading of a new policy regarding Freedom of Speech and Expression on college campuses. The Board approved the first reading of the new policy that complies with the law Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds recently signed. The board made a motion to wave the second reading.

Delaine Hiney, Executive Director of Facilities Management, provided the Board with an update on the current building status of the Fine Arts Facility on the Estherville Campus.

Jolene Rogers, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations, requested board approval to submit applications to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the Accelerated Career Education program. The applications will expand the Emergency Medical Services training and will create a new Renewable Energy Technician training program. Both are non-credit, short-term, skill up programs. Students enrolling in these programs may be eligible for GAP funding.

Board approval was granted.

The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2019, at the Spirit Lake Campus, 800 21st Street, Spirit Lake, Iowa.

For More Information:

Beth Elman
Executive Director of Marketing
belman@iowalakes.educreate new email
712-362-7947