John Dolan to receive ECC honorary degree
Monday / April 25, 2016
John Dolan
John Dolan has spent a lifetime teaching and serving others, and he’s not done yet! A former Ellsworth Community College professor and coach, he continues to serve the College as a longtime member of the Ellsworth College Board of Trustees and a frequent volunteer. In recognition of his lifelong service, Dolan will be the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Finance (honoris causa) degree at this year’s annual ECC commencement ceremony on Friday, May 6.
“I’m extremely honored and indebted to many folks affiliated with Ellsworth Community College,” says Dolan. “I taught here from 1963 to 1974, starting back when ECC was under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Falls K-12 school system. I got my teaching assignment in late summer and was assigned to the College, which I didn’t even know existed! At age 26 I wasn’t prepared for that … it was a rough first year. The next 10 years, though, were the best of my life. I found it so rewarding to be one of the College staff, and I feel I will always be one of them.”
In addition to teaching Business, Dolan was an Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Baseball Coach. During that time the Panther football teams earned two trips to the Sterling Bowl in Sterling, KS, and the baseball team garnered a 3rd place finish at the 1965 NJCAA Tournament. In 2000 Dolan was named to the Ellsworth Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dolan’s wife, Dalene (Dee), later became involved with the College by coordinating the Home Away From Home program for 11 years. That program matched out-of-state ECC students with local families to ease the students’ transition to college life and involve the community more closely with ECC students.
Dolan says one of his most treasured possessions is a letter of reference he received from then-ECC Dean Glennon Warford, which served to transition him from higher education into the world of corporate finance. “I always thought I’d come back to education, but I never did. I felt withdrawals from not being around the kids, but my world changed.”
“I believe that everyone is blessed with skills and should contribute those skills,” explains Dolan. “I have never sought out positions of leadership, but when asked I have responded. I think everyone should give to their community and their country when called … why would you not? If you have time and abilities to share, it’s a rewarding thing to do with your life.”
“As a Trustee, it’s a privilege to implement the ongoing vision of Eugene Ellsworth,” Dolan continues. “We get to play Santa, giving upwards of $1 million a year to benefit the College and its students. I really want to acknowledge the ECC and District Office staff for all they do as well. I have seen it all over the years, and as I look at the accomplishments and accolades they have garnered over the past decade I think, ‘Wow!’ IVCCD Chancellor Dr. Chris Duree and his staff have created a culture of cooperation that’s very broad, and I’m excited about the College’s long-term future under the leadership of ECC Provost Dr. Martin Reimer. Administratively, I think we’ve never been stronger.”
Dolan received his BA in 1959 and his MBA in 1963 from the University of Northern Iowa. He completed post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota and received his CPA from Drake University in 1975. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960, serving six months on active duty and five and a half years in the Reserves. Dolan began his teaching career at Ventura High School in 1959, then came to ECC in 1963. After leaving Ellsworth, he became General Manager and Chief Financial Officer for Iowa Veterinary Supply (IVESCO), where he served until his retirement in 1999.
Both Dolans have a long history of community service and involvement with St. Mark’s Catholic Church. John is currently Chairman of the Iowa Falls Rotary Club and is a member of Century Club and Knights of Columbus. He served two terms with the Chamber of Commerce Board and two terms on the Hospital Board; he received the Iowa Falls Community Service Award in 1984. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, traveling to visit kids and grandkids, and doing outdoor yardwork and gardening.
The Dolans have three children: Jacqueline, Patrick and Regina, all of whom attended ECC. They have six grandchildren: Meghan (22), Shannon (19), Caitlin (16), Anya (14), Jack (14) and Kate (10).
The honorary degree will be presented to Dolan during the ECC commencement ceremony on Friday, May 6, at 2 p.m. in the Dittmer Gymnasium on the Ellsworth campus in Iowa Falls. A reception will follow the ceremony.