Four BHC trustee candidates share their views

Building upgrades and new course offerings at the East Campus, the relationship between the two campuses and making college affordable–

Those were some of the issues discussed Thursday at the Kewanee League of Women Voters candidate forum at City Hall.

The four candidates for two six-year terms on the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees attended the forum. On the April 1 ballot will be Douglas Strand, Jon Looney, Dougal Nelson and Mark Carlson.

Looney, who is from Kewanee and had been a college trustee from 2017 to 2023, said he recently visited the East Campus and saw a need for extensive building upgrades. These are particularly needed in the original campus buildings, which were built in the late 1970s.

Looney also said he would like to see Black Hawk add some four-year programs that would lead to what he called a “technical bachelor’s degree.”

Strand has served on the Board of Trustees and is its vice chairman. He has taught at the college. 

Strand also said the college needs to focus on technology in its course offerings. Major challenges facing the college, he said, include declining population in the college district and continued inadequate funding from the state.

State funding last year, for example, fell short by $600,000, Strand said.

Asked by Mayor Gary Moore about the relationship between the Kewanee and Moline campuses of the college, Nelson said he sees the two campuses as unified, but that people on both sides of the college district need to be made aware of educational opportunities at each campus.

Nelson, who is president and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Heartland, also suggested that college officials should use news media to “share the good news” about Black Hawk.

Carlson said Black Hawk College will be competing with other colleges for students, and college officials must make sure prospective students are aware of the advantages Black Hawk offers.

He also said a focus on technology in course offerings is needed.

The candidates were asked how to spend the money if the college were to receive a $1 million grant.

Looney said to use the money to lower costs to students. Carlson said college officials should “not be in a hurry to spend it,” but should carefully study were the money should go.

Strand suggested dividing money among various programs at the college, or allowing students to apply for some of the funds to offset their college expenses.

And Nelson said the money could be used to develop programs that focus on preparing students for the workforce.

Looney also called for increased use of Black Hawk’s Community Education Center in Kewanee, and wants more of a community partnership for the center.

“We need to bring people in,” he said.

Looney summed up his beliefs: “Black Hawk College’s best days are ahead of us. They’re not behind us.”