Western Iowa Tech Community College President Terry Murrell has announced his upcoming retirement, after the college board of directors on Monday approved an early retirement package.
Murrell has been president for 14 years and has worked at the college for nearly two decades.
The WIT Board of Directors in their meeting passed the early retirement measure, after first airing it in the prior two meetings since July.
Murrell spoke with Siouxland Public Media News on his big decision.
"The last few years I've had some personal loss that has really changed my priorities in life, made me sit back and think — What do I want to do, what is everything for?
"At the same time, I really feel like I've contributed all I can to this school...Everything that I had on my list, I kind of ticked off," Murrell said.
He described a host of changes over his WITCC tenure, which were achieved via the work of devoted employees. Murrell cited programs, technology and facilities improvements, including a big uptick in graduation rates. The college also now offers athletics, and there has been a new branding and mission statement.
"We're a different college than we were 15 years ago. And hopefully when a new person starts in, they will be able to do some of the same, as they put their stamp on things," Murrell said.
Western Iowa Tech has a main campus in Sioux City, plus satellites in other towns such as Cherokee and Denison, which is where the board meeting was held Monday.
The voluntary early retirement package would allow six workers who are at least age 57 and with specified tenures to get a special compensation package if they retire.
Also on Monday in Denison, college officials held an open house for the Denison Regional Career Academy.
The academy aims to bring high-quality career and technical education to high school students from five nearby districts, according to a WITCC release.
Those cooperating high schools are Denison, Boyer Valley, Woodbine, Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek Ida Grove, and Maple Valley Anthon Oto-Charter Oak.
The academy, funded in part by a $2 million state grant, will offer training in four career pathways, with agriculture, business, auto technology, and education.
*WITCC holds the license for Siouxland Public Media.
