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The public is invited to attend the NIACC Alumni Association’s 20th Annual Pathways to Success luncheon on Wednesday, April 14.  The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Muse Norris Conference Center on campus. 

Tickets are available for $13 through the NIACC Business Office, 1-888-GO NIACC, ext 4188.  Sponsors are NIACC Student Senate and the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors. 

During the program, over 40 current students will be recognized for their scholarship, leadership and character.  Senator William Dotzler Jr. will also be honored for his accomplishments with the Outstanding Alumnus award, and Dianne L. Dethmers Paca will receive the Distinguished Alumna award.

A 1969 graduate, Sen. Dotzler will serve as the keynote speaker.   As the assistant majority leader and chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee in the Iowa Senate, Sen. Dotzler also serves on numerous committees including Appropriations, Labor & Business Relations, Economic Growth, Human Resources and Ways & Means.

Sen. Dotzler enjoyed a long and varied career prior to his work in the legislature.  He graduated from NIACC in 1969.  After graduation, he went on to serve with the United States Army Security Agency in military intelligence.  Before receiving an Honorable Discharge, he was an honor graduate in Special Identification Techniques Operator School.  Sen. Dotzler also received Top Secret Cryptographic Security Clearance and completed a tour of duty in Berlin, Germany from 1970–72.  He then resumed his college education attending the University of Northern Iowa, graduating with honors in 1975.

A retired employee of John Deere Waterloo Works, Sen. Dotzler was employed as a machine operator and also served as a labor representative.

Sen. Dotzler has received numerous special recognitions and awards, including the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, the Governor’s Special Recognition Award and the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for saving the life of a Mason City banker while attending NIACC.  In 2000, he received the International Citation Award for workforce development, an award once granted to President Kennedy. 

With the goal of becoming a teacher, Dianne L. Dethmers Paca, a Garner native, enrolled in Mason City Junior College, graduating in 1960. Following her graduation from Drake, a long and accomplished career in education began. 

Paca taught school in Britt before taking time to raise her three children. She went on to serve the Garner-Hayfield School Board from 1970 to 1980, one of only 11 women in the state serving on a school board.  She was appointed to the State Board of Education from 1980-1992.  During her tenure, she served as the liaison to community colleges, allowing her to work closely with all 15 Iowa community college presidents and their trustees.  Paca later served as a Hancock County Supervisor from 1995 until her retirement at the end of 2002. 
Generous with her time, several organizations in the area have benefitted from her  expertise.  She has served terms on the NIACC Foundation Board, the Iowa Public Television Board, and has been very active as a member of St. Wenceslaus church in Duncan.

For more information on the NIACC Alumni Association, please call 641-422-4386.

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