MOUNT VERNON – Cornell College President Les Garner has been elected to the board of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU).
“We’re fortunate to be a part of this broad affiliation of Methodist institutions with a common heritage of access to higher education,” said Garner. “IAMSCU allows us to network with over 750 like-minded institutions around the world to better serve our students.”
Cornell College, established in 1853, is a Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college best known for its innovative One-Course-At-A-Time calendar, where students take one course each month.
“President Garner actively sustains and enriches Cornell’s relationship with The United Methodist Church in Iowa, nationally, and globally,” said Fr. Catherine Quehl-Engel, Cornell College chaplain. “His involvement with IAMSCU expands this commitment by tapping global United Methodist Church connections to include service learning opportunities for our students around the world.”
President Garner also serves on the boards of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM), the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges (IAICU), the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission, as well as the Board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). He has served as Chair of the Board of the NAICU, ACM, IAICU, and of the Iowa College Foundation. He is Past-President of the Board of the Cedar Rapids Symphony and Past-Chair of the Board of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
IAMSCU was established at the 16th World Methodist Conference in Singapore in 1991. At present, there are 775 Methodist educational institutions around the world. The vision of IAMSCU is to develop a dynamic, worldwide network of member institutions, resulting in effective inter-institutional cooperation and collaboration to prepare a new generation of leaders.