Iowa Lakes Community College Student Leaders Are Organizing Special Events As Veterans Day Approaches

(Estherville, Iowa) In honor of veterans throughout the region, Iowa Lakes Community College student leaders are organizing special events as Veterans Day approaches.

“All five campuses will be very involved in showing gratitude to our past and present veterans,” said Kent Schmidt, Veterans Liaison and member of the college’s veterans committee.

All campuses have decided to display ‘Honor Trees.’ Multi-colored ribbons are placed near the Honor Trees and signs next to the trees encouraging students, staff and faculty to tie various colored ribbons to the trees to recognize those who have served, as well as those currently serving in the U.S. military.

In Emmetsburg, students will have a ceremony on Monday at noon in the cafeteria area. Maggie Jackson and Kyley Anderson will sing the national anthem. Student veterans are welcome to attend a lunch following the event, paid for by the student senate. In addition, Emmetsburg student senators reach out to the community by donating money for a wreath to grace the Veteran’s Memorial in downtown Emmetsburg.

Students are encouraged to write essays regarding their favorite veteran or about what Veteran’s Day means to them. The Buena Vista University Lakes Region will assist with a gift to the winner of the contest. BVU is also planning special recognition for students at the Estherville, Spencer and Spirit Lake campuses.

In Estherville, student senators are hosting a free meal over the lunch hour on Monday for Laker Veterans (students, faculty, and staff.) That meal will follow a recognition ceremony with patriotic music provided by the Iowa Lakes choir and band slated for noon in the atrium of the Estherville campus.

In Algona, students will sign “Thank you for your Service” printed cards to be handed out at the annual Hy-Vee Veterans breakfast on November 12th along with Hershey candy Kisses & Hugs.

In Spencer, student senators plan to have a patriotic balloon send-off along with a formal ceremony on Monday.

At the Spirit Lake campus, there will be a patriotic display along with essays from students honoring veterans.

“Iowa Lakes Community College has taken great strides in showing respect for all our veterans and has garnered many awards for their efforts,” said Schmidt.

Iowa Lakes recently received the U.S. Veteran’s Magazine “Best of the Best” award, one of only three community colleges in the nation to receive this award.  For the past six years, they have won “Military Friendly” status from Victory Media. In addition, the college is a Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMP). In 2018, Iowa Lakes was the public sector state nominee to compete for the prestigious national level Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Freedom Award. The college also works with the chamber and economic developers in all five counties as part of the Home Base Iowa effort. And, in-state tuition is provided to military veterans, and several scholarships have been established specifically for military families to help pay for college costs.

For More Information:

Kent Schmidt
Veterans Liaison/Career Center Coordinator
kschmidt@iowalakes.educreate new email
712-362-8360
712-852-5284