IOWA FALLS, IA – Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) Board member Larry Johnson has announced his retirement from the Board of Directors after 40 years of dedicated service to the district.

Johnson was first elected to the IVCCD Board of Directors in 1986 and officially resigned this month. The Board of Directors is expected to appoint a new board member to fill his remaining term, which expires in 2027, during its October meeting.

 

Decades of Commitment and Educational Impetus

Johnson holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Secondary Education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, as well as a J.D. from Drake University. An attorney in private practice, Johnson previously spent 12 years teaching school—including three years in Missouri—before moving to the area in 1972, where he taught at Iowa Falls High School prior to attending law school.

When former board member Gary Hoffman, a personal friend of Johnson's, was finishing his term, he along with local high school superintendents encouraged Johnson to step forward and take the open Board seat. 

"It was a good opportunity for me to step up and do my part for the community," Johnson said.

His deep interest in education and local development made the transition a natural fit. 

"I was working on the development corporation files before I got on this board, and I could see that our workforce training was having a significant economic and educational impact on local businesses," Johnson said. "I wanted to see if I could help keep that momentum going. That is really what triggered my interest."

His family ties to the district run deep as well. Several family members took classes at Ellsworth Community College. Beyond his service to IVCCD, Johnson has been active in numerous civic and professional organizations, including Kiwanis, the Ellsworth College Foundation, the United Methodist Church, the Iowa Falls Area Development Corporation, IOOF, and the Hardin County Bar Association.

 

Transforming and Unifying the District

Reflecting on the state of the district when he first joined the board, Johnson noted how much progress IVCCD has made toward regional unity and collaboration, calling his involvement in that effort one of his proudest accomplishments during his time on the board.

"Through a concerted effort from our staff and administration with encouragement from the board, the district has become much more unified. Both campuses now understand that what is good for one is good for the other, and we put more district-wide approaches in place to make things easier for our students,” Johnson said.

"My contact with the faculty, administration, and students here has been one of the greatest honors of my life and one of my most pleasurable experiences," Johnson said. "Over 40 years, I participated in hiring five different district presidents. They were interested in coming to Iowa Valley because of the people here. I contend that the students, faculty, and administration across this district are the best in the state among all 15 community colleges, without question."

 

Student Stories and Community Impact

Throughout four decades, Johnson maintained that the core of IVCCD's mission lies in the personal success of its students. 

"Every student here has a story, and they are overwhelmingly positive about their experiences at Iowa Valley," Johnson said.

He recalled traveling to Texas to visit family when he struck up a conversation with the passenger seated next to him. 

"It turned out she was a former homecoming queen from ECC from the 1970s named Cassie Riley," he said. "She talked about how much she enjoyed the faculty and her overall experience before transferring to UNI. She is now the Communications Director for Waste Management in Des Moines. I invited her back to speak at the annual Ellsworth Gala Fundraiser, where she shared her story and life path. Incredibly, when we returned from Texas, we ended up on the exact same flight again. There are thousands of these stories out there."

Johnson said that he frequently encounters IVCCD connections wherever he goes, whether wearing his college hat in neighboring towns or speaking with alumni who continue to support campus foundations and scholarship funds.

Looking ahead, Johnson expressed enthusiasm for the district's momentum, including three major grants awarded that will upgrade training programs and strengthen the regional workforce. 

"By upgrading those programs and the training we offer, we are going to make people's lives better," Johnson said. "We will draw investors and companies into our district because they see the clear value of what we are providing."

 

Tributes and Statewide Recognition

During his 40 years of leadership, Johnson earned significant recognition across the state. In 2011, he received the 25 Years of Service Award from Community Colleges for Iowa, followed by the prestigious John P. Kibbie Award in 2020. In May 2025, the Ellsworth College Trustees conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate during commencement.

Leaders across the state and district shared their appreciation for Johnson's lasting legacy:

"For 40 years, Larry Johnson has been a trusted voice for students, communities, and community colleges in Iowa. While his service to Iowa Valley has been exceptional, what stands out most is his commitment to the success of all Iowa community colleges. Larry has consistently looked beyond his own district to support statewide priorities, strengthen partnerships, and advance a collective vision for student success. His receipt of the 25 Years of Service Award in 2011 and the John P. Kibbie Award in 2020 are fitting recognitions of a leader whose influence has extended far beyond a single boardroom. Larry’s legacy is one of steady leadership, thoughtful advocacy, and a deep belief in the power of community colleges to transform lives. We are grateful for his service and the example he has set for trustees across Iowa." - Emily Shields, Executive Director, Community Colleges for Iowa

"Since joining Iowa Valley Community College District as President in November 2023, I have had the privilege of working alongside Director Larry Johnson. Larry has been an incredible mentor to me, and his commitment to Iowa Valley has been extraordinary. Forty years of service on the Board of Directors is truly unprecedented. His leadership and unwavering dedication to our students, employees, and communities have helped shape Iowa Valley into the institution it is today. We are deeply grateful for his service and the lasting impact he leaves behind." - Anne Howsare Boyens, Ph.D., IVCCD President

"For 40 years, Larry has given his time, leadership, and heart to our college and our community. His service on the Iowa Valley Board, support of the Ellsworth College Foundation, and belief in the power of education have helped shape our college and strengthen our community. Thank you for four decades of remarkable service and dedication, Larry." - Barb Klein, Ellsworth Community College Provost

 

Family Support and Final Advice

Reflecting on his four decades on the board, Johnson emphasized that his service would not have been possible without his family, including his wife, Sandy.

"I could not have made it through 40 years without the support of my spouse and my family," Johnson said. "I was away from home a lot for meetings, but they understood that this work was a priority for me and gave me the freedom to pursue it. I want to give a special shout-out to my wife, Sandy, who has put up with me for almost 60 years and has done a fantastic job. She loves the college just as much as I do."

As he departs the board, Johnson left a clear message for the district's ongoing leadership, staff, and community:

"Make sure you always remember that in this district, students come first. That is our number one priority. We have that embedded in our mission, and we need to keep that at the forefront of everything we do going forward. Students come first, and everything we do is for the benefit of the students we are able to welcome to Iowa Valley."