Comment on Iowa House honors longtime community college advocate

DES MOINES — Steve Ovel of Cedar Rapids, a fixture at the Iowa Legislature for many years as a lobbyist for Kirkwood Community College, has been honored by the House for his work on education and workforce issues.Ovel, who was executive director of governmental relations at Kirkwood for 30 years and later was the legislative liaison and consultant for the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees until retiring from that position in 2018, was recognized with a resolution for “the numerous programs and legislation he helped develop which have benefited, and will continue to benefit, countless Iowans.”House Resolution 10, sponsored by 25 Democratic and Republican House members, recognized Ovel as “the premiere Iowa community college expert in economic development and workforce training.”Lori Sundberg, who became Kirkwood president after Ovel retired, knew Ovel by reputation and through his work as a member of the community college’s board.