DMACC Pioneers
Questions? Contact Us!
DMACC
Pioneers
pioneers@dmacc.edu
515-964-6868
Welcome DMACC Pioneers
Established in 1994, the DMACC Pioneers are a group of retired and former DMACC faculty and staff who provide continued service to the College through their time, talent and resources. Pioneer members reconnect with former colleagues, remain informed on developments at DMACC, participate in DMACC activities and monthly programs, and support scholarships fundraising activities through the DMACC Foundation. All former DMACC employees are welcome and invited to join our efforts!
Unless otherwise noted, meetings are at 11:30 a.m.
2025
- September 4 Pioneers Kick-off - Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m. - Atrium, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- October 9 “The Last Lecture” by DMACC President Rob Denson - Oak/Maple Rooms, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- November 13 “Red, White & Move”- Low impact and easy moves to patriot music. Celebrate our Veterans! - Oak/Maple Rooms, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- December 9 Pioneers Holiday Party - Lakeview Inn, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC
Ankeny Campus
Notes: This meeting is on a Tuesday!
Bring your favorite sweet treat or appetizer to share.
2026
- January No Meeting
- February 12 Valentine's Lunch in the Bistro - Lakeview Inn, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- March 12 “Iowa’s Amazing State Parks” by Kevin Szcodronsky - Oak/Maple Rooms, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- April 9 “Kids Say the Darndest Things” by Judy Vogel, Barb Schmidt & Julie Semanski - Oak/Maple Rooms, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- May 14 Pioneers Social at WineStyles -
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m., WineStyles, 1450 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny, IA - June 11 Picnic, Location: TBD
- July 9 Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Iowa by Steve Stimmel - Oak/Maple Rooms, Iowa Culinary Institute, Building #7, DMACC Ankeny Campus
- August No Meeting – Pioneers Leadership Council Planning Retreat
| Craig McEnany - President | camcenany@gmail.com |
| Judy Vogel - Past President | judith_vogel@hotmail.com |
| Dana Zeiser - Secretary | danazeiser@msn.com |
| Robin Zimmerman - Treasurer | rlzimmerman3@dmacc.edu |
| Sue Gibbons - Membership | sagibbons@dmacc.edu |
| Dee Johnson - Communication | djohnsonathome@aol.com |
| Lois Kiester - Volunteerism | lmkiester50@gmail.com |
| Barb Schmidt - Programs | bjschmidt42@q.com |
| Bonnie McBee - Hospitality | bkmcb@hotmail.com |
| Harold Zarr - History | educator_1989@hotmail.com |
| Foundation Liason | pioneers@dmacc.edu |
- Pioneers Constitution - updated 4/20
- Pioneers Procedures - updated 10/21
Pioneer of the Year
- 2009 – Sharon Eckstrom
- 2010 – Dale Wagner
- 2011 – Mike Perry
- 2012 – Delores Johnson
- 2013 – Marcia Johnson
- 2014 – Pauline Skarda
- 2015 – Carroll Bennett
- 2016 – Lyla Maynard
- 2017 – Shirley Muehlenthaler
- 2018 – Verlyn Noring
- 2019 – Warren Pitcher
- 2020 – Sue Gibbons
- 2021 – Marian Tonhouse
- 2022 – Dana Zeiser
- 2023 – Linda Miller
- 2024 – Bonnie McBee
- 2025 - Judy Vogel
Pioneers Legacy Award
- 2022 – Don and Millie Kerr
- 2023 – Dee Johnson
- 205 - Don Zuck
Join us for a trip down memory lane as we capture the history of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) through those who helped to create and shape the great institution we enjoy today.
Original Pioneer History Committee:
- Carroll Bennett, Chair
- Dee Johnson
- Jan LaVille
- Lyla Maynard
- Shirley Muhlenthaler
- Verlyn Noring
- Mike Perry
- Dale Wagner
Current Pioneer History Committee:
- Harold Zarr, Chair
- Judy Vogel
- Dana Zeiser
- Dee Johnson
Spotlights
- DMACC History - The First 10 Years
- DMACC History - The First 50 Years
- Recollections
- Special Topics
- Oral History
- Academic Program Histories
- Academic Discipline Histories
- Campus & Center Histories
- Department Histories
Pioneers Recollections
Please share your thoughts and complete the following form to assist the DMACC Pioneer History Committee in its project. Your answers will be compiled into a web page for all to read and reminisce. Thanks for your input, and we hope you have as much fun as we did thinking back!
Share Your StoryContact Us
DMACC Pioneers
Mailing Address: 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Bldg 22, Ankeny, IA 50023
Phone: 515-964-6868
Email: pioneers@dmacc.edu
What have you been up to since leaving DMACC? We'd love to hear from you! Please send any news or updates to Dee Johnson at djohnsonathome@aol.com.
DMACC in the '60s - This classroom was in DMACC's very first location. The space had been a grocery store
before we inhabited it, and today it is home to the Iowa Christian Academy. The instructor
of this class was True Sherman. True was in attendance as we unveiled a plaque at
this location to commemorate our beginning during DMACC's 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Support DMACC Students & the DMACC Pioneer Scholarship
You can make your donation online. Please specific “Pioneers Scholarship” in the comments section.
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