New LCSC President Hits the Road 

New president, Dr. Dene Kay Thomas, will lead an entourage of LCSC representatives in a tour of area communities July 17, 18 and 19.
The group will travel to outlying communities served by the college. The three-day tour is intended to personally introduce Lewis-Clark State’s new president and offer a forum for discussion of the school’s role and direction for the future. Dr. Thomas is known for her desire to be accessible and knowledgeable about constituents’ concerns.

Community, tribal and state government representatives, local public school personnel, LCSC alumni, new and prospective students are among those expected to attend the events.

Dr. Thomas’ tour will begin on Tuesday, July 17, with stops in Orofino, Kamiah, and Kooskia. Wednesday will begin with a stop in Lapwai, followed by another in Grangeville. The third day will see her in DeSmet and Coeur d’Alene. A welcoming reception in Lewiston on Friday, July 13—billed as “LCSC’s lucky day,” introduces her to the college’s home the week she arrives on campus.

The idea for the tour came from the president herself. In addition to meeting local residents, she is expected to talk about her vision for LCSC, its relationship with area communities and its position within the state’s higher education system. She also hopes to gather firsthand knowledge of specific interests and concerns of communities she views as stakeholders in the college. “LCSC is uniquely situated to be of service to these communities,” Dr. Thomas explained, “Not only is it a natural place for young people to consider when they go away to college, but the college itself can be a resource for continuing enrichment of the lives of people who live in these communities—through outreach programs, dual enrollment programs with the local high schools, and other services."

The tour is indicative of the new president’s style and energy: Dr. Thomas will be out and about, visible and listening to and sharing with LCSC students, constituents and personnel almost immediately.

Director of College Advancement, Jody Oftelie, summarized on-campus feeling about the events: “This is very exciting. Here we have the new president coming in, and one of the first things she does is make a gift to the LCSC Foundation. Then, right away, she’s off to visit stakeholders around the area, to gather information and input, as well as sharing her hopes and plans for the college. This approach renews our momentum and is truly in keeping with LCSC’s strong connection to Idaho communities and students.”

Kathy Martin, Interim Assistant Vice President for Extended Programs, directs the college’s outreach programs—which focus on providing learning opportunities to outlying communities: “LCSC has a long and vital commitment to rural residents and non-traditional students: we offer a wide variety of academic, technical, and continuing education programs to meet their needs. Our new president is obviously ready to literally put that commitment into motion!” She goes on to say, “We are pleased Dr. Thomas is placing a high priority on visiting our outreach communities.  Sometimes we can get really caught up in the more-faster-bigger-better mindset, and forget that a lot of people in this region are best-served with a smaller, friendlier, less frenetic scenario—The president recognizes this and is ready to remind everyone about all we have to offer and listen to their concerns.”

Thomas and other participants will depart Lewiston each morning in an RV outfitted with its own meeting space, courtesy of Lewiston RV Center. LCSC’s Workforce Training instructor, Sam Landrum, who coordinates the school’s truck driver training program, will pilot the RV. Refreshments will be served. All interested parties are invited to attend. The tour schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, July 17:
Kooskia, 12:00 noon, Clearwater Valley High School Library
Kamiah, 3:00 p.m., Community Center
Orofino, 7:00 p.m., Orofino High School Library

Wednesday, July 18:
Lapwai, 3:00 p.m., Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center
Grangeville, 7:00 p.m., Super 8 Motel Conference Room

Thursday, July 19:
DeSmet, 3:00 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Tribal School
Coeur d’Alene, 6:00 p.m., North Idaho College: Driftwood Bay Room