NICC sets up scholarship in honor of long-time teacher

Bill Wermers

NICC has created an endowed memorial scholarship fund in memory of William "Bill" Wermers, a 30-year NICC accounting instructor who made a difference in the lives of students during his tenure from 1969 to 1999.

Wermers continued his service to the college after retirement. The veteran NICC instructor was an avid golfer who participated in nearly every NICC Foundation Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fundraiser each year near the Calmar campus. The events raise scholarship funds for current and future NICC students seeking to earn a college degree.

Wermers' influence, talent for teaching students and relationships with NICC graduates produced many career success stories for the college's alumni. Over the past three years, nine of the current 32 NICC Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are Accounting program graduates who learned the tools and skills needed for their profession at NICC, and prepared for their business careers under the guidance of Wermers.

One Hall of Fame alumnus, Roger Huinker, of Decorah, credits much of his success in banking to how Wermers combined textbook and life lessons. "Bill Wermers taught me that in order to better myself in life, I had to be involved and show leadership. I learned the foundation of my business education at NICC," Huinker said. The 1972 Accounting Specialist graduate is now vice president and trust officer at Decorah Bank and Trust.

Wermers was a resident of Spillville.  He is survived by his wife Eunice and his sons and their families.