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Trustee wins top college award

| May 24, 2009 1:00 AM

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas presented Board of Trustees Chairman John D. Engebretson with the college's prestigious Eagle Award during the recent President's Donor Dinner.

The award honors people who have made outstanding contributions to the community college.

Engebretson has served on the board of trustees for 18 years and as board chairman for nine terms.

In her presentation, Karas acknowledged Engebretson as "an individual who has used his gifts of vision, leadership and encouragement to help our students, the college and our community."

Karas recognized Engebretson for attending almost every college event and activity, such as theater productions, art exhibit openings, scholarship events, accreditation visits and committee meetings.

"He dutifully attends foundation meetings, legislative hearings and every community conversation, and he reviews scholarship applications," Karas said.

She added that he rarely misses staff parties and shakes every student's hand at commencement.

Karas said she regarded Engebretson's wisdom and knowledge as valuable resources to many former presidents and trustees as the college grew from a new campus with four buildings on 40 acres in 1990 to a 209-acre campus with seven state-of-the-art facilities.

The perpetual award of the college symbol, a soaring bald eagle, is permanently displayed in the foyer of Blake Hall on the Kalispell campus. Each year, the new recipient's name is engraved on a gold plate and placed under the eagle.