Judy Meyer named NIC's first Trustee Emeritus
Members of the North Idaho College Board of Trustees present former, longtime board member Judy Meyer with a framed copy of the board’s resolution granting Meyer Trustee Emeritus status. Meyer became the first emeritus status member of the NIC board Wednesday. From left: Board Vice Chair Brad Murray, Judy Meyer, Chair Christie Wood, Secretary Joe Dunlap, and Trustee Ken Howard.
By Maureen Dolan
One of Idaho’s champions of education, Judy Meyer, is North Idaho College’s first Trustee Emeritus.
Meyer was granted emeritus status this week by the NIC Board of Trustees. She served on the NIC board for 22 years until her retirement from the board in 2018, during her fifth term.
“None of this would have happened without all of you,” Meyer said, as she received a standing ovation during the NIC board of trustees meeting Wednesday.
Emeritus status is an honorary designation the NIC Board of Trustees may confer, at its discretion, to former trustees in recognition of exceptional contributions to the board.
To be eligible for Trustee Emeritus status, a candidate must no longer serve the college in any official capacity; must have served on the board for at least 12 consecutive years; and must have established a record of outstanding and notable service to both NIC and the local community.
“She’s always sharing knowledge with the younger generation,” said Meyer’s husband, Steve, as Judy Meyer helped the couple’s 5-year-old grandson Jasper cut a piece of cake during a reception following the board’s adoption of a resolution granting Meyer emeritus status.
Meyer’s service as an NIC trustee began nearly three decades ago. She was on the NIC board from 1990 until 1994, when she was appointed by Gov. Cecil Andrus to serve on the Idaho State Board of Education where she served as president.
After completing her term on the state board, she returned to the NIC Board of Trustees where Meyer was elected to the board again in 2002, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Highlights of Meyer’s distinguished service as an NIC trustee and to the local community include: management of annual balanced budgets during a period when enrollment increased by 46 percent; purchase of the former Stimson mill site for future college expansion; designation of a capital reserve fund that enabled the construction of Parker Technical Education Center, and expanded delivery of Career Technical Education programs. Meyer’s tireless efforts over the years are illustrated by the development of NIC’s popular dual credit program for high school students; the growth and improvement of computer-based learning; and the receipt and use of a $3 million grant to establish the Aerospace Center and associated programs.
Meyer’s support for the greater community is demonstrated by her strong support for the local high school districts’ creation of KTEC; her close relationship with Kootenai Health and partnership in support of expanded health care education programs; and strengthened educational collaboration with LCSC and U of I.
Meyer’s personal commitment to board governance is extensive and extends beyond NIC. She was on the board of directors of Blue Cross of Idaho from 1993 to 2002. She served on the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Meyer is a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of the Community Library Network; and was a founder and board member of Hospice of North Idaho. She served for 12 years on the board of the Idaho State Historical Society and is now an emeritus member. Meyer is on the Idaho Public Television Advisory Board, and she is a founding member of Idaho Business for Education.
In recognition of her contributions to education in Idaho, Meyer received the President’s Medallion from Lewis-Clark State College in 2002, and the President’s Medallion from the University of Idaho in 2004.
Meyer and her husband, Steve, started Parkwood Business Properties, a commercial real estate developer in the Coeur d’Alene area, in 1975. The Meyer Health and Sciences Building on NIC’s main campus is named after them.
As an emeritus member of the NIC board, Meyer is invited to attend NIC ceremonies, including commencement. She received a lifetime NIC events pass and a lifetime parking permit, and she will be listed as Trustee Emeritus in NIC publications.
Maureen Dolan is the community relations coordinator at North Idaho College.
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2019
