As summer winds down and students head back to class, I find myself reflecting on my own experience at Kirkwood Community College—and I wanted to share a bit of that with you.

Before graduating from Kennedy High School, I knew I would attend Kirkwood. My family saw how it transformed my older brother’s life after the Army, and they insisted I follow that path.

During my first semester in 1988, I worked full-time at Sun-Mart and barely kept up with school. I failed several quizzes despite taking copious notes and highlighting every textbook sentence. One professor noticed my effort and pulled me aside. He spent two hours teaching me how to study—how to take relevant notes in class and how to read a textbook for comprehension, not just for memory. That changed everything.

I passed the class with a “B” and went on to graduate from Kirkwood with a solid GPA. I transferred to a four-year university and earned my bachelor’s degree in finance. I am now the Commercial Market President for MidWestOne Bank, with over 30 years of experience in the industry.

Deep down, I knew learning didn’t come naturally to me, but Kirkwood offered hope. Kirkwood wasn’t easier than a four-year school, it was more personal. Teachers had time for me. My Art Appreciation professor met with students after class to discuss culture and current events, showing myself and others the world beyond business.

While the Kirkwood campus has grown and modernized since then, its heart remains the same.

This fall, thousands of students will walk into class full of the same nerves and hope I once had. With over 150 programs, affordable tuition, and transfer agreements with top universities, the college continues to open doors. For me, it’s the people who make the difference. I wouldn’t be where I am without Kirkwood.

I’m proud to support the Kirkwood Foundation—it’s the least I can do for a place that gave me so much. As we enter another school year, I invite you to join me in giving back.

Your support can help open doors for the next student who just needs someone to believe in them. Together, we can ensure Kirkwood continues to change lives, one student at a time.

Sincerely,
Robb Loftsgard ’90
Commercial Market President, MidWestOne Bank

P.S. – Designate your gift to the fund that is most meaningful to you, such as Area of Greatest Need or a Departmental Scholarship.