Merv Cronbaugh honored by Iowa community college peers
A veteran trustee for Kirkwood Community College was recently honored for his dedication and leadership. Mervin “Merv” Cronbaugh was presented with the John P. Kibbie Award at ceremonies of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees July 31. The annual conference of the IACCT member colleges was held in Sioux City at Western Iowa Tech Community College.
The Kibbie Award is given to one Iowa community college leader each year, recognizing extraordinary achievements, influence and dedication to the two-year college mission in the state. Cronbaugh’s family and several of his fellow Kirkwood trustees joined other college leaders in congratulating him on the award at the Sioux City program.
Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich praised Cronbaugh’s long-term leadership in comments after the presentation.
“We are truly fortunate to have this great educator on the team for Kirkwood and the whole state of Iowa. Merv’s devotion to student success goes back to his early days as a counselor in the Cedar Rapids schools. He has dedicated long hours to important projects for IACCT and has represented Kirkwood in statewide discussions many, many times. Plus, Merv and Ginny are delighted to be true members of the Kirkwood Family. They are well-known at so many events on campus and in the community at all times of the year. He is a superb example of what Iowa’s educators can aspire to be,” Starcevich said.
The John P. Kibbie Award is named for Iowa State Senator Jack Kibbie, an early and strong supporter of two-year colleges in the state. Kibbie served in the Iowa House from 1961-1964 and the Senate from 1964 – 1968. He was re-elected in 1988 to the Senate where he currently serves as Senate President. Kibbie also served on the Iowa Lakes Community College Board for 17 years, 10 of those years as president.
Merv Cronbaugh is in his 21st year of service on the Kirkwood Board of Trustees, first elected in 1987 to represent a large part of the Cedar Rapids metro area. He is the longest-serving member of Kirkwood’s governing body. He retired from the Cedar Rapids Community Schools in 1998 after more than four decades as a school counselor.
Cronbaugh holds degrees in education from Simpson College, Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois. In addition to his education service, Cronbaugh has also served on the Cedar Rapids Enterprise Zone Commission, including a term as chairperson.