Decker Family Donates to Iowa Central Community College Center for Performing Arts Building Project

Public Information Office
6/20/2023

Fort Dodge, IA - A generous donation from Don and Dianne Decker of Fort Dodge will help Iowa Central Community College renovate and expand their auditorium. The auditorium, which was named in recognition of Don’s parents’ substantial donation in 2006, will carry on their legacy and leads the way in donations for the building project. “We are grateful for the ongoing generosity and support from the Decker family. Today’s gift will raise the curtain on the transformation of our auditorium into a Center for Performing Arts,” states Dr. Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central Community College. “We are proud to shine new light into the auditorium while honoring the Decker name,” adds Dr. Ulrich.

Don Decker, an alumni of Iowa Central, says he and his company, Decker Truck Line, support the college because the college supports the community. “Iowa Central in an integral part of our region, and when Iowa Central grows, our communities’ benefit. Supporting Iowa Central is important as they have a significant rolein training our workforce and adding value to our economy,” shared Decker.

The $1 Million dollar gift from the Decker’s will have a tremendous impact on the project. “Iowa Central’s vision to renovatethe auditorium into a modern Center for Performing Arts will allow the college to better serve students and the greater Fort Dodge community,” notes Dr. Ulrich. The new Center will feature numerous improvements that will enhance the audience experience including significant acoustic upgrades, sound and technology enhancements, better lighting, new seats, more bathrooms, and handicap accessibility including an elevator to balcony seating.

The Decker family has long supported Iowa Central and its endeavors. Each year, the Decker family and Decker Truck Line provide scholarships to Iowa Central students. Additionally, they gave a generous gift to help support a new electronic scoreboard in Hodges Fieldhouse and matched grant funds to purchase modern equipment for the truck driving program. “We’ve had a relationship with Iowa Central for over three decades and it’s an excellent community college. Also, a significant number of our employees are Iowa Central graduates and many of our employees’ children have or are currently attending Iowa Central. We want to invest back in our community and the college is a great way to accomplish that,” says Don Decker.

The future Center for Performing Arts will be the largest venue in the college’s nine county service region and with the improvements, touring groups will be able to offer a performance in Fort Dodge. “In addition to providing students with a top-notch experience, this space will add to the quality of life in our region,” shares Dr. Ulrich. Construction of the center will add space for three classrooms, a student gathering space, a scene shop for building play sets, an extended lobby with a new entrance, and make-up and dressing rooms backstage. Additionally, there is a large Ensemble room, Theater practice room, and Concert / Marching Band room.

Construction for the new Center for Performing Arts is underway and the college will be launching their community wide fundraising campaign in August. If you are interested in learning more about the project, go to: https://www.iowacentral.edu/dreambig/ or contact Mary Ludwig, Vice President of Development at 515-574-1145 or via email at ludwig@iowacentral.edu.