Gehlen Catholic sets Plan for Expansion. Invites Community to Informational Session on August 21
General Chairs: L to R – Rick & Mary Kneip and Kelli & Mike Langel
Gehlen Catholic School is pleased to announce an elementary expansion and significant investment in campus upgrades. Later this fall, the Legacy Campaign: Honoring our Tradition. Building His Future is set to launch. This initiative was set in motion by the extraordinary generosity of Paul Brauch, whose bequest has inspired renewed vision and opportunity for the school.
Rooted in the values that Brauch cherished – faith, stewardship and commitment to the next generation and beyond – the Legacy campaign aims to ensure a thriving future for their students and community.
“As the educational landscape evolves and our needs change, it’s clear that now is the time to invest in our school’s future,” said Dr. Amanda Anderson, president of Gehlen Catholic. “Paul Brauch’s legacy has given us the opportunity and responsibility to dream big for our students.”
In recent years, Gehlen Catholic has assessed its campus needs and opportunities for capital improvements by working closely with FEH Design of Sioux City. Guided by input from stakeholders across the entire community, the school identified key areas where classroom expansion and facility enhancements are urgently needed.
To guide this next phase, Gehlen Catholic expanded its Vision Committee to include members from the school board, finance committee and buildings and grounds team. The committee, led by Dr. Anderson and lead architect Brittney Ruba, a Gehlen Catholic alumna, took collective feedback from the community and finalized the scope and goals of the campaign.
Gehlen Catholic alumni Mike (’78) and Kelli (’78) Langel and Rick (’82) and Mary (’85) Kneip are helping to lead the Legacy campaign as general chairs.
The Langels took on the responsibility because of the importance Gehlen Catholic has played in their own lives. “Gehlen has played a meaningful role in our lives for more than 50 years,” they said. “We’re committed to carrying that legacy forward so future generations can experience the same sense of community, faith and excellence. By continuing to invest in strong Catholic education and modern facilities, we can ensure Gehlen remains a place that families are proud to call home for years to come.”
When asked why they are involved, Rick Kneip said, “Mary, I and our four boys graduated from Gehlen Catholic. I know I will have grandchildren going here in the future. But along with that, I have been on the finance committee for 24 years. I have seen the ups and downs in many different years. I truly believe this is something needed and the time is now to do it to ensure Gehlen Catholic’s continued success.”
As part of their ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration, Gehlen Catholic invites all members of the community to a public informational session at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Rose Mary Deegan Cafeteria inside Gehlen Catholic School.
Attendees will have the chance to learn more about the proposed projects, ask questions and share feedback with school leaders.
“Your voice matters,” Dr. Anderson said. “We want to move forward in a way that reflects our shared hope and values. This campaign is about building up our community as well as our campus.”
All parents, parishioners, alumni and friends are welcome to join in shaping the future of Gehlen Catholic. School leaders hope that this can expand on the tradition of faith, excellence and stewardship that defines Gehlen Catholic.
Art Room Rendering example
For more information, contact the Gehlen Catholic School office at 712-546-4181.
Changes On the Way for Windmill Park in Orange City
Orange City will soon begin renovations to Windmill Park, and the city is being gifted funds to revamp the landmark.
Earl Woudstra, the City Administrator for Orange City says the site will have a new area with tulips, sculpture, and a new gazebo. Woudstra says the additions will be a real transformation of the downtown area.
The revitalization comes as a gift from Diamond Vogel.
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the paint company founded in Orange City and the company wanted to pay homage to the city with a gift.
Woodbury County Supervisors Approve A Framework for a Nuclear Energy Facility
The Woodbury County Supervisors gave final approval to the last of three readings tuesday regarding amending the county’s zoning ordinance to include nuclear energy facilities, nuclear waste storage, and related uses.
Many citizens weighed in on the issue both for and against it.
One person who spoke said it appeared the supervisors had already made up their minds no matter what input they received.
Among the supporters was a spokesman for building trade workers in Western Iowa.
Supervisor Mark Nelson spoke about how there are concerns about losing MidAmerican Energy’s local coal fired electric generating plants, so that’s a reason rezoning for nuclear is being considered.
Nelson says on a daily basis, wind and solar energy only currently provide 20% of electrical power to our region, and solar is off the grid at night and wind turbines only generate around 50% of the time.
County officials again said that there is no nuclear energy facility trying to come into Woodbury County at this time, and that the ordinance provides a framework to review an application if one is ever submitted.
