National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday,
November 29. Items for report included updates on the campus master plan, strategic
plan and fundraising initiatives. 
The Board welcomed special guests Mayor Pat McCabe and Representative Les Warren.
Mark McCorkle was introduced as the student of the month for October. He is a Computer
Information Systems (CIS) Programming student. His instructors describe him as very
conscientious, professional, and willing to assist his peers. He serves as a tutor
for various computer courses, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and works full-time.
Tyler Wingfield was introduced as the student of the month for November. He is from
Mount Ida and is working toward a degree in criminal justice. He hopes to transfer
to complete his bachelor’s degree and work as a game warden. His instructor, Dr. Tamara
St. Marthe described Wingfield as a student with “a quiet confidence about him.”
Steve Trusty, Vice President for Finance and Administration provided a financial
report. He shared the College received a clean audit report from the Legislative Joint
Auditing Committee with no reportable findings.
Trustee Jim Hale provided an update on progress toward phase one of the campus master
plan. The Board approved a $15 million campus expansion at a special called meeting
in August, which includes construction of a new student commons facility, renovation
of the Fisher Campus Center, and updates to technical program facilities. Next steps
include engineering studies, survey work, and soil borings. Working drawings from
the architect should be completed early next year. Hale hopes to begin accepting bids
in February with the goal of completing the project by 2019.
Foundation Director, Dr. Sara Brown reported a clean and clear audit for the foundation for the third consecutive year. She noted in-kind gifts for technical programs have totaled over $178,000 over the last 18 months. The Development Office has established 11 new scholarships and endowments, including planned gifts, this year totaling $1,145,000. In fiscal year 2017, they raised over $751,000 through annual scholarships and donations. Foundation investments are held with Morgan Stanley and began at $683,479 in 2008. Brown joined the foundation in 2013 with a fund balance of $1,962,417. Today, the foundation investment account has grown to over $3,115,000, a 59 percent increase in four years. “From $1.9 million to $3.1 million in four years is pretty substantial,” said Board Chair Forrest Spicher. “I commend the work that you’ve done, Sara, with your team and everyone. It is no easy task.”
Darla Thurber, Special Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity Officer updated the Board on the 2015-2020 strategic plan. The College’s strategic plan is directly tied to the budget, high priority objectives and Higher Learning Commission requirements. Campus leadership is working to formulate budget priorities for the next fiscal year based on strategies from the strategic plan.
Dr. John Hogan concluded the meeting with the president’s report. He shared results from a community wide survey conducted to help gather feedback about interest in bachelor’s degrees being offered in Garland County. Survey responses were overwhelmingly positive and attracted a large amount of attention. Hogan went on to explain how an infusion of bachelor’s degrees could greatly impact economic development and help bring average household incomes more in line with state and national averages.
Hogan expressed his gratitude to the Board and to campus employees for all of their hard work and innovative ideas this year that result in increased student success. “This all happens because you support it and encourage it, and empower the president and the campus to be aggressive and to make these decisions and support the strategy behind it.”
