Indian Hills Community College

Indian Hills Community College was formed by the consolidation of three previously existing post-secondary education institutions: Iowa Tech-Area XV Community College, Centerville Community College, and Ottumwa Heights College. The first steps toward merger took place on June 3, 1966 under the guidance of the Iowa Board of Public Instruction, with operations beginning on July 1, 1966.[2] At first known as the Iowa Tech Area XV Community College, classes were held at the Ottumwa Regional Airport and consisted of technical programs formerly administrated by the Ottumwa public school district. Centerville Community College was added to the fold on July 1, 1968, with a new 72-acre campus completed in 1970.[2] The merged institutions were renamed Indian Hills Community College in 1970.[2]

The college has experienced relatively low turnover in the school administration since its founding. Dr. Mel Everingham, who oversaw the merger of the disparate institutions into IHCC, remained on as the college's first President, serving until 1973.[2] Dr. Lyle Hellyer took over as President in 1973 and over the next twenty-eight years orchestrated considerable growth in campus facilities, student enrollment, and program offerings. He retired in 2001 and the Hellyer Student Life center is named in his honor. In 2001 Dr. Jim Linenmayer was named the third President of IHCC.[2] Linenmayer began his career at Indian Hills in 1980 as a college recruiter.[7] Under his leadership student enrollment increased by 45-percent, the Job Corps center was opened, and new academic programs were introduced.[7] In early May, 2013 Lindenmayer announced his retirement as IHCC President.[7] On May 13, 2013 the IHCC Board of Trustees named Dr. Marlene Sprouse as Lindenmayer's successor. Sprouse, previously the Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs, becomes the colleges fourth President when Lindenmayer officially steps down in Fall, 2013. She is an IHCC alumnus and previously served as Dean of the IHCC - Centerville campus.[8]

Indian Hills Community College Associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

IHCC "Falcons" baseball complex in Centerville.

Indian Hills participates in the National Junior College Athletic Association in the following sports.[9]

• Women: Volleyball, soccer, softball, cross country, and track and field, Wrestling
• Men: Basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, cross country, and track and field, Wrestling
• Coed: Cheer team and sports shooting.

The Lady Warriors softball team began at the Centerville campus in the mid-1970s, but since 1988 have been based in Ottumwa. They have made 16 appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association softball tournament. Home games are played at R.L. Hellyer Field, next to their indoor practice facility, funded by and named for IHCC alumnus Tom Arnold.[10]

The men's basketball team pulled off a "three-peat" in the late 1990s, winning the NJCAA National Championship back-to-back-to-back in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The Warriors also advanced to the NJCAA National Championship game in 2014, but lost to Jones County Junior College 87-77.[11] The Indian Hills men's golf team also won an NJCAA Championship in 2000, 2011, and 2012.[12] Indian Hills golfers have also won individual NJCAA national championships as well: Adam Collins was Division II champion in 2003, and Brad Smith was NJCAA Division I individual national co-champion in 2006.[12]

All teams use "Warriors" as a mascot/name except for the baseball team and the wrestling teams which use "Falcons", an homage to their past heritage as Centerville Junior College. The baseball team has made eleven trips to the Junior College World Series.[13]

IHCC offers on-campus student housing at the main Ottumwa campus and the Centerville campus. Both apartment-style and traditional double-occupancy dorm rooms are available. All are non-smoking. Internet, cable television, and telephone service are provided. All dormitories are air-conditioned and laundry facilities are available.[14] A student health and wellness clinic staffed by a Registered Nurse practitioner is located in Trustee's Hall on the main Ottumwa campus.

Extracurricular activities available include over forty clubs and organizations. A variety of organized intramural sports are offered. Students interested in the performing arts can participate in school-sponsored theater productions, the Camerata Singers, the IHCC Jazz band or the Warrior Basketball band. Those with interest in the written word may participate in a variety of poetry readings through the academic year and submit their own work for publication in the Hills Review: The Journal of Student Poetry.[15]

• Tom Arnold, actor/comedian
• Kenny Bednarek, professional track and field sprinter
• Ernest Brown, former NBA guard for the Miami Heat
• C. J. Bruton, former NBA and NBL guard.
• Dwight Buycks, professional basketball player who plays for Oklahoma City Blue
• LaRon Dendy, professional basketball player who currently plays for BC Ferro-ZNTU
• Irving Falu, professional baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds organization
• Ali Farokhmanesh, retired professional basketball player
• Dwight Hardy, professional basketball player who currently plays for Trabzonspor
• Cory Hightower, former NBA guard.
• Riley "Brock" Kjeldgaard, first baseman who currently plays for the Lancaster Barnstormers
• Duane Kuiper, MLB second baseman for the Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants
• Glen Kuiper, MLB broadcaster for the Oakland Athletics
• Rick Mathews, former bullpen coach for the Colorado Rockies
• Jonathan Mathews, former coach for the San Diego Padres
• Pete Mickeal, former ABA league MVP and International basketball player.
• Marcus Relphorde (born 1988), basketball player in the Israeli National League
• Kevin Ritz, former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
• Orlando Román, professional baseball player who plays for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
• Johnny Taylor, NBA and International basketball player.
• Rick Upchurch, former NFL Wide receiver for the Denver Broncos.
• Tony Galbreath, former NFL Running back/Wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.
• Ramón Vázquez, retired Major League Baseball infielder.

• Official website