Decorah's Don Roby honored by NICC

Decorah resident Don Roby, who served as president of Northeast Iowa Community College from 1990 through 1998, has received the college's Outstanding Retiree Service Award."

In addition to serving as NICC president in the '90s, Roby worked for the school from 1979 to 1984 as vice president.  During that time he rovided administrative leadership for the new Peosta campus and the relocation of academic programs from the Dubuque area into the Main Building facility.

"The best thing about the completed Main Building at the Peosta campus was it brought all of our programs into one facility. Previously, our programs were all spread out in the Dubuque area. This was an exciting time for our College, and the staff had such enthusiasm," Roby said. "We achieved these things as a team – a group of leaders across the College."

Roby's interest in the mission of community colleges, and especially their affordability and access for students, developed early on in the formation of the two-year schools.

"I was working on my master's degree at the College of William and Mary, and read this article about community colleges being developed in the U.S. I read about their philosophy, and I realized that a lot of people could not afford to attend a four-year school," he said. "Community colleges create opportunities for others. I believe that we have an obligation to help."

During his tenure as an administrator at NICC, the Foundation was established, Northeast Iowa Technical Institute earned community college status, the Iowa Communications Network was developed, the College introduced alternative school and dislocated worker programs, and several bond issues passed successfully. Roby has served twice as interim president of Southeastern Community College in Burlington and as a member of the Iowa State Board of Education.

Don and Sue Roby have been married for 57 years, have two children, Lori and Scott, and five grandchildren.