Bill Lapczenski Retires

Isaiah Banwart, Writer

After 38 years, Bill Lapczenski time at Iowa Lakes is finally ending. As Director of Auxiliary Services, his final year at Iowa Lakes has been busy overseeing the Smiths Wellness Center, campus stores, dining services, Emmetsburg student senate, and the Parts Department. “This last year, with the pandemic, is the most unique event in the 38 years that I have worked at Iowa Lakes,” remarked Bill. His plans for retirement are simple with an emphasis on traveling and relaxing with family.

Faculty has been quick to comment on Bill’s leaving. The Executive Dean of the Emmetsburg Campus, Thomas Brotherton, perhaps phrased it most succinctly: “Bill Lapczenski has served Iowa Lakes Community College for 38 years. Bill’s experience and knowledge of the community will be missed.”

Since first attending Iowa Lakes as a student in 1974, Bill has seen a lot of change come to the community college. “The number of students served each year, increase of programs, construction of dorms, advancements in technology, new buildings on the five campuses, updating of existing buildings, and additional sports offered,” listed Bill. “I was a student in 1974, College Drive in Emmetsburg was a gravel road and North Superior was a dirt road. I’ve been fortunate to experience the growth of Iowa Lakes over the years. It has been a great place to work and I will miss the co-workers and students.”

Asked about one of the most unique activities he has helped organize for Iowa Lakes, Bill had one come to mind immediately. “When RAGBRAI stopped for an overnight stay in Emmetsburg, I was suddenly in charge of housing and feeding thousands of people.”

Jacob Oliver, a returning graduate assistant to Iowa Lakes, has been working in close proximity throughout the past year. “On paper, Bill Lapczenski is the directory of auxiliary services here at Iowa Lakes, and he does a fine job at that. Now to me, but not only to me, I see him as my logistics officer. Bill makes sure the forces on the ground, i.e., his colleagues and the students, get the supplies and services they need to complete the mission at hand. You need something? Whether it be a job opportunity or art supplies, Bill will set you up, and sometimes he knows what you need before you even know yourself! And if he can’t help you, he will send you to someone who can.”

“Working with student housing for a year now, and seeing more of what Bill does behind the scenes, I have a tremendous respect for him,” continues Oliver. “He’s truly the glue that holds everything together. I remember Bill as an Iowa Lakes student before I worked here, too. He was always giving things away or talking about fun things to come, like a new event on campus. He has contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the students at the college; I don’t know a single student, both now and back then, who didn’t like Bill. For example, I coach the swim team now, but just four years ago I was on it myself. When I was a swimmer in the first week of classes, me and the rest of freshman on the swim team just called Bill the “really cool guy with the mustache” before we figured out his name. I noticed he was called the same thing by the freshman this year too. I thought that was so hilarious. He’s only called this by the students for a week or less however, because as a student living on the Emmetsburg campus, you figure out his name post haste, probably for survival purposes.”

“Bill has made me a better man,” digressed Jacob. “He sets a high standard for what makes adult behavior. He was never unduly harsh as a supervisor when I slipped up, but he made sure I corrected my mistakes. He’s been a great role model to me, and I’ve recently found myself trying to act like him more. He gave me books to read so I could create better habits for myself in order to supercharge my professional life. Even better—him giving me himself as an example to observe and imitate.”