Brandon K. Watson
News Editor

Adriana Attleson marveled at an artistically self-made quilt gracing the wall of her McAllister Hall office. She may darn quilts more often at the conclusion of the spring semester as she steps down from her post as Mathematics Division chairperson, retiring after 27 years of employment at NIACC.

Double majoring in math education and English, Attleson graduated from the University of Northern Iowa after spending her first two years at Northwestern College in Orange City, her hometown.

The Walled Lake School District, wedged in between Detroit and Pontiac, Mich., extended Attleson an enticing teaching position upon her graduation. Anxious to step foot into the employment ranks, she accepted.

"I taught elementary in Walled Lake for one year," Attleson said. "My reason for going there in the first place was because they offered more money than school districts in Iowa did at the time."

A year of teaching both English and math under her belt, Attleson said she was compelled to return to Iowa for several reasons. Most notably was that she and her then-future husband Richard were both offered teaching positions in Mason City, with Adriana's being at John Adams Middle School, once again teaching both English and math.

Her first year of teaching middle school students at John Adams was challenging, though the following year was a much better experience. It was after her second year of teaching at John Adams that she took an eight-year hiatus from educating students to pursue another full-time career as a stay-at-home mom.

"When I began to have my three children, I stayed at home to raise them," Attleson said. "This was something that I wanted to do."

When her oldest child reached the age of two, Attleson referred to daycare services for her children and went back to work, albeit on a part-time basis as a math tutor in NIACC's Student Learning Center.

This was also a period in which Attleson began to pursue her graduate education at UNI, commuting there several times a week. She then transferred over her graduate hours from UNI and earned a master's degree in higher education from Iowa State University, taking nearly five years to complete.

Attleson's ascension to Mathematics Division chairperson slowly evolved. Beginning as a math tutor on a part-time basis, she then taught the first basic math course at NIACC.

Years later she accomplished another outstanding feat when she became the first women hired full-time in NIACC's math department. Calculus, Math for Decision Making and Differential Equations are some of the courses she has taught over the years at NIACC.

"I worked with really great faculty, but they were all men," Attleson said about her experience as a minority faculty. "That has changed a lot since then."

Al Alcock, also a NIACC math instructor, said it has been a great experience working with Attleson. "Attleson's desire to help out students in math will truly be missed," Alcock said.

Attleson said upon her retirement she plans to travel frequently, visiting various grandchildren and may serve as an adjunct instructor in the future.

Heather Sherman
Staff Reporter

From serving as coordinator in the Office of Veterans' Affairs to registrar and many positions in-between, after 32 years Larry Mozack will retire from NIACC.

In 1974, after serving in the Air Force for four years, Mozack began his career at NIACC serving as the coordinator in the Office of Veterans' Affairs. Today, he is still helping veterans apply for the G.I. Bill.

"It is very rewarding working with veterans," Mozack said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have spent 32 years helping those men and women pursue their educational goals."

However, as the number of veterans needing his assistance declined, Mozack said so he took on other additional roles at NIACC.

He also worked in Admissions and Academic Advising.

Mozack also helped coach two sports. He was the assistant football coach for several years, and the head golf coach for three years.

In the early 80's, Mozack became the director of Placement and Cooperative Education. During this time, Mozack said he helped students find jobs and worked with them on job training sites.

Mozack's job title switched to director of Financial Aid in 1992, and in 1997 he moved to the registrar's position.

"It has been a very rewarding career," Mozack said. "I'm thankful for being able to work in different areas and grow professionally."

Once retired, Mozack said he plans to spend a lot of time out doors golfing, fishing and working around the house.

"I'm looking forward to slowing down," Mozack said.

However, his co-workers will miss Mozack.

"Larry Mozack is a man of high integrity," Larry Kollman, a co-worker of Mozack for seven years, said. "He is very student focused and is fair and balanced in his approach to helping students resolve their concerns with credits."

Heather Sherman
Staff Reporter

On June 30, after 17 consecutive years of hard work and dedication, Karmen Shriver will retire from NIACC much loved and missed.

Shriver started her career at NIACC as one of two instructors in the Adult Basic Education Division.

In addition, for the past five and a half years, she has been the director of Learning Support, where she works towards helping students become academically successful .

"I love my job and I love the (Student) Learning Center," Shriver said. "It was a hard decision to retire."

Shriver received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa. From there, she pursued her master's degree in education from Iowa State University.

With a master's degree under her belt, Shriver started her teaching career at West Branch High School. However, as time went on she covered all levels of teaching including middle school, elementary, adult education and finally college.

Shriver said she's enjoyed the last 17 years. "I have got so much more out of this whole experience then all the time and effort I have put in," Shriver said.

In fact, Shriver said she has had so many wonderful memories at NIACC that it would be impossible to name them.

However, she said it always brings a smile to her face when students come into the Student Learning Center and tell her that they passed a test or course.

Seeing the sun come up over the big windows in the Student Learning Center, students humming as they concentrate on their studies and all the wonderful faculty members are some of the things Shriver said she will miss once she retires.

Shriver's co-workers will also miss her.

"I will miss working with Karmen and our early morning chats," Jeanette Armstrong, Shriver's co-worker over the past 17 years, said. "She is excellent with students and always makes things interesting for both the students and the staff."

Looking back, Shriver said she has made and kept in touch with a lot of terrific friends whom are faculty members at a number of community colleges.

She met many of these people through various meetings that she has attended over the years.

Once retired, Shriver said she plans to spend time with her two grandchildren.

In addition, she hopes to visit one of her daughters, who currently resides in Peru, and her son who is living in Morocco.

Along with spending more time with her family, Shriver said she wants to do relaxing activities such as reading and working in her garden.

"I feel so proud to be able to work at NIACC," Shriver said. "I have had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences I will never forget."

Heather Sherman
Staff Reporter

"Work hard and play hard" is the way that Larry Hibbs looks at life.

After 25 years of working hard at NIACC, Hibbs will be able to play hard once he retires.

"I feel that people should go to work and give it all they got," Hibbs said. "And then they can go home and play hard."

Once retired, Hibbs said he plans to hunt at his cabin in the woods near Basset, Iowa. He said he and his wife also plan to spend time with their grandchildren.

Hibbs has worked in many areas of the Business Division over the past 25 years.

He started his career at NIACC working in the Retail Management Program. From there he became a classroom instructor.

Currently, Hibbs is the marketing management program leader.

Hibbs said he has also served as the chairperson of the Academic Affairs committee for many years.

"Some of the best memories I have involve meeting and visiting with former students who have become successful in the business community," Hibbs said.

Many will miss Hibbs at NIACC.

"Larry is totally dedicated to his students," Greg Lauer, a co-worker of Hibbs for seven years, said. "He really cares about his students and is always trying to keep them up to date on current activities."

Hibbs will be retiring from NIACC on June 30, 2006.