Community Members
Part of our mission at Flathead Valley Community College is to enrich the arts community and contribute to the region’s vibrant social culture. We take this role seriously, providing educational outlets and social events open to everyone. Here’s what some community members say about FVCC:
Flathead School District Trustee Ann Marie Bailey.
“I love attending the plays. The FVCC theatre department is excellent, including the summer theatre,” says Ann Marie Bailey, Flathead school district trustee. She donates to the FVCC scholarship program and participates in the Flathead Business and Education Council discussions.
“The Art Department is excellent. I took two semesters of art history with John Rawlings and went on the Italy trip sponsored by the college twice. I enjoy seminar classes and the spring symposium lectures. How lucky we are to have this high-quality community college in Kalispell.”
Flathead County Commissioner Joe Brenneman.
“FVCC is an excellent place to start a career, enhance a career, change a career or just scratch an intellectual itch.
“As a volunteer fireman/EMT and part of the local ski patrol, I’ve used FVCC’s EMT and climbing classes in a very practical way. I’ve taken a number of classes just because of an interest I had, like a sailing class, creative writing class and a class on mythology. The instructors are very committed to their jobs.”
Kootenai River Development Council Executive Director Paul Rumelhart.
“I support FVCC financially through the foundation. It’s an extremely economical way for local people to further their educational desires,” says Paul Rumelhart, who works closely with the FVCC Libby County campus.
“Graduates are very well trained, very knowledgeable in their fields and very eager to contribute. The present director, Patrick Pezzelle, is an exceptional asset. He’s involved in the economic development of the area and a great participant in the community, which speaks well of the college.”
Kootenai Job Service Workforce Center Manager Johnette Watkins.
“We consider FVCC as one of our strongest community partners,” says Johnette Watkins, a former FVCC student and Kootenai Job Service Workforce Center manager.
“When the local lumber mill, one of our main employers, laid off more than 300 mill workers, the majority enrolled in retraining programs. Locally, FVCC’s Pat Pezzelle was instrumental in designing curriculum around the needs of the community and the workers. Pat has also arranged numerous human resource seminars for leaders in our business community. He has been amazingly proactive in bringing in training and certification programs to assist new and growing local businesses to develop their workforce.”