News
CCC-Hastings Names Outstanding Alumni Award Winner
May 19, 2020
Joni Ransom
Carol Welke of Hastings has received the 2020 Outstanding Alumni Award from Central Community College-Hastings.
She earned a two-year diploma in dental assisting in 1976, becoming the first member of her family to graduate from a postsecondary school.
When she started classes at CCC-Hastings in 1974, she walked onto the Rams volleyball team and was selected in 1975 as the team’s co-captain. She also was on the drill team her first year and a cheerleader in her second year.
Welke has been employed by Landgren Family Dental for more than 35 years. She worked for many years as a chairside assistant to Dr. George Landgren before being promoted to running the front desk and training incoming dental assistants. When Dr. David Landgren joined his father in his practice, she was Carol was promoted to office manager. She had planned to retire in March, but COVID-19 led Landgren and Uden Family Dentistry to ask her to stay longer because of her experience and expertise in the office.
Her community activities have included serving as vice president and president of The Arc of Adams and Clay counties and as a member of the ESU #9 Parents Advisory Board and the Mid-State Dental Assistants Society. She also has been an asset to the CCC Dental Assisting Advisory Board and has helped dental assisting instructor Marie Desmarais place CCC students in clinicals. Desmarais was Welke’s instructor when she was attending CCC.
She has been active in the Methodist Church, including working with its youth group, Sunday school and children’s choir. Over the years, she has played on community sports teams and coached youth sports such as volleyball, softball and baseball. She also was a coach for Special Olympics bowling and the Special Olympics Alumni Group.