If you’ve walked down campus hallways and seen colorful posters advertising LBCC events or student productions, there’s a good chance the department of Institutional Advancement created it.
But community flyers are just the beginning of what they do. They also handle course catalogs, press releases and online outreach via social media outlets.
Dale Stowell, LBCC's new executive director of Institutional Advancement, began his work in the department this week. Stowell succeeded Marlene Propst, who acquired the position herself in 2003.
As an alumnus and former Commuter editor, Stowell is naturally excited about his new responsibilities.
“I’m constantly reminded of how much this feels like home,” he said while shuffling through the 1978-79 Commuter archives in his administrative office.
Stowell’s personal experiences with the college make him an ideal choice for LBCC’s chief information officer. He says the department of Institutional Advancement is about meeting and connecting with people while reaching out to students, improving relationships and strengthening the overall community at LBCC.
In other words, the department reaches out to current students, future students and college friends by distributing information for anyone seeking it. By doing this, both students and staff are more likely to accomplish their goals.
“We find ways to make this a better community,” he said. “Creating opportunities is really what we do.”
As for future goals, Stowell hopes to transform our current web services into a “world class” system for both prospective and current students preparing for success at LBCC.
“We have a solid suite of web services now, but I’d like to see it go up a notch,” said Stowell. “We have the people that can make it happen.”
Joe Sherlock, manager of LBCC’s publications (online and offline), is one of these individuals. Sherlock is constantly striving to enhance community experiences in our college.
“Our job is to help promote college programs and activities,” he said. “We want to have a consistent image that identifies the college.”
Sherlock says the department of Institutional Advancement also works closely with admissions, which allows LBCC to efficiently distribute recruitment materials to high schools throughout the area.
“We work with them to develop materials they take with them,” he said.
There are currently two video features under construction, including a behind the scenes video of an LBCC play and information regarding a sleep tech program here at the college.
But the department of Institutional Advancement doesn’t just market the college’s general image and activities; they also promote student achievements.
Lori Fluge-Brunker, the publications assistant, says the department regularly keep tabs on accomplishments of students on campus, which include a variety of student success stories and tales of individuals overcoming adversity.
“It’s a great way to talk about students and their success,” she said.
Fluge-Brunker says the department regularly keeps contact with local newspapers in order to promote the college’s community and get more individuals involved.
Under Stowell’s fresh leadership, the department of Institutional Advancement has a bright future. Like every project in life, Stowell says there’s always room for improvement.
“It makes sense to strive for the best,” said Stowell. “When you’re looking to be the best, you’ll stretch out further.”
At a Glance...
Contacts:
Lori Fluge-Brunker, Publications Assistant
College Advancement, College Center 109
(541)917-4410
E-mail: flugebl@linnbenton.edu
Joe Sherlock, Manager of Publications and Web
E-mail: joe.sherlock@linnbenton.edu
LBCC News Blog
LBCC Facebook
LBCC Twitter
- Dale Stowell is a former LBCC student, who first attended in 1977. He was on the commuter staff during the '77-'78 year and served as the editor in chief during the '78-'79 school year. Stowell succeeds Marlene Propst as the executive director of Institutional Advancement.
- The department of Institutional Advancement is located in Calapooia Center near the administrative offices on the first floor.
- Lori Fluge-Brunker manages many of the college's press releases. Joe Sherlock is responsible for overseeing production of course catalogs and on-campus flyers. He also manages web services and publications.
