Lorentzen wins top FVCC award

Flathead Valley Community College awarded its Eagle Award to Ivan Lorentzen, a psychology instructor.

The award annually honors a person from the college or community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community college.

Lorentzen received the award at the college's recent President's Donor Dinner. Trustee John Engebretson and college President Jane Karas presented the honor.

"Ivan has shared his gifts of knowledge, concern for the human condition, sense of community and a passion for teaching and learning with students and the community," Karas said.

Lorentzen has taught psychology at the college for 33 years. His contributions include organizing the annual honors symposium, faculty leadership and innovation in education.

The 15th recipient of the award, Lorentzen served as division chair, faculty senate president, union president, as a member of the building committee and a member of the School District 5 board of trustees.

Recipients in recent years have included F. Charles Mercer, Annie Beall, Kathy Hughes and Herman "Chet" Ross.

Each year, the award winner's name joins past recipients on an engraved gold plate on a soaring bald eagle permanently displayed in the foyer of Blake Hall on the Kalispell campus.