The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees has formally appointed Dr. Ken Flowers to serve as the next college president, effective April 11.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the board authorized Chair John Grover to execute a three-year contract with Flowers, with a base rate salary of $229,000, while making the appointment official. Reading the motion, Grover said Flowers has served Lake Michigan College with distinction and brings extensive experience and institutional knowledge to the job.
Flowers currently serves as executive vice president, managing academic and student affairs. He tells us it’s an honor to lead an institution he’s been a part of for decades.
“I stepped foot on this campus 40 years ago, and so for me to stand here today is a success story for any student that had a great vision and wanted to see themselves like this,” Flowers said. “I’m just really proud of the college and really proud to be here and looking forward to the opportunity.”
We asked Flowers what his priorities will be moving forward.
“The biggest focus is making sure that students can understand that coming in and getting an education impacts their economic mobility and really trying to get them to understand that that’s really what we’re about. We’re trying to have students come in, find jobs that can help them go to the next level.”
Also Tuesday, trustees voted to name current LMC President Trevor Kubatzke as president emeritus, effective April 11. Kubatzke’s retiring after nine years with LMC and told us the new title tells him he’s done good work. He thanked the community.
“I hope everybody knows how wonderful a place this is and what a jewel this is for our communities, and it wouldn’t be possible if our community wasn’t supportive,” Kubatzke said. “So I thank all the community members who welcomed me and my wife into this community and we will never forget that.”
Kubatzke said he’ll remain active in the community and at LMC.
“We’re not going anywhere for a while, so we’ll live here and I’ll still be out and about and still helping the college in any way I can. I’ll be working with Dr. Flowers on a transition even after the 11th and then working in the community after that. You know, I’m looking for some volunteer opportunities, so if there’s any organizations that need some help, just let me know and I’d love to help out any way I can.”
Grover said Tuesday LMC policy indicates a minimum of ten years of service for the title of president emeritus, but the board has made an exception for Kubatzke. He joked that 2020 could be considered multiple years anyway.
Photo: Kubatzke (left) and Grover (right.
