New Kirkwood president to highlight chamber banquet

     At the start of the 2018-19 school year at Kirkwood Community College, Dr. Lori Sundberg became the first female president in the history of the regional community college.

     Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Sundberg, a graduate of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Ill., was not only that college’s first female president, but the first Sandburg graduate to hold the position. She served as president for eight years.

     Sundberg has more than 23 years of experience in community college leadership.

     Her education and leadership prompted the Monticello Chamber of Commerce to reach out and invite Sundberg to be the keynote speaker during the chamber’s annual awards banquet.

     The event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the Monticello Eagles Club. Tickets are $25 and include a meal. Social Hour will start at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner at 6:15. The chamber awards program will get underway at 7 p.m., with Sundberg speaking around 7:30.

     “With all of the good things going on here in Monticello and with Kirkwood (Jones Regional Education Center, we wanted to invite Dr. Sundberg to speak,” explained Chamber Director Jan Hoag. “Our community’s partnership with education is critical, and we want to weave education within the community and within all of our focus areas.”

     Edward Jones Financial Officer Chris Brokaw, a member of the chamber board of directors, praised Kirkwood for “seeing the benefit of education in a community like Monticello.”

     While the theme of Sundberg’s speech has yet to be firmed up, Hoag hopes she touches on how education can impact a community. “Education can help support a growing community,” she said.

     And continuing education falls in line with the chamber’s mission, helping to connect its members/businesses to job training opportunities. That’s where JREC comes into play.

     Aside from hearing from Sundberg, the public is invited to attend to see who will be recognized as the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement award winner, as well as the Community Pride winners.

     Community Pride awards highlight four categories: Existing business renovations, new construction, community services, and economic development.

     The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an outstanding chamber member for their leadership and promotion of the community.

     Hoag said she would like to see the chamber bring back a long-standing award recognizing Chamber Ambassador attendance in welcoming new businesses/business leaders.

     New and out-going chamber board members will also be recognized.

     Attendees can also try their chance at a 50/50 raffle.

     The chamber banquet is open to the public, and Hoag encourages public input when it comes to the happenings of the chamber.

     “It’s important we bring the public in to support the chamber and businesses, which in turn supports the community,” she said. “The money we raise helps to provide services for everyone in the community.”

     She said it’s also important to support Kirkwood through the banquet “and what the college brings to this community.”

     Brokaw added, “It allows the public to have a voice in how Monticello thrives.”

     “Come and share in the good news about Monticello,” encouraged Hoag.

     For information on tickets, contact the chamber at 319-465-5626.