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The Southeast Community College Board of Governors selected Dick LeBlanc to fill a vacant District 4 seat during a special meeting of the Board Tuesday at the Milford Campus. The vacancy was created when longtime Board member James Garver died on March 30.

LeBlanc, Kristi Chambers, J.P. (James) Caruso, and Penny McCord submitted applications for the vacancy and were interviewed by the Board on Tuesday. LeBlanc garnered the most votes and will be sworn in June 21.

“I’m currently retired,” said LeBlanc, 78, “and I’m tired of being retired. I’m looking forward to being a part of a professional and progressive board.”

Originally from Crook, Colorado, LeBlanc served as executive director of the Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds (the state land office) before retiring after a 14-year career. Most recently he performed work for Lincoln Berean Church and North Pointe Community Church.

LeBlanc holds a master’s degree in Ag Business from Colorado State University, where he also served as student body president. He and his wife, Miriam, have served as proctors for those pursuing their GED®.

“I am excited about what’s going on at SCC with the new 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, what’s planned for coming years and the way the College goes about it,” LeBlanc said. “They have specific goals and values and a specific plan to target progress on each of those items. They measure and see how they’re doing.

“I’m also excited about the new building projects.”

A daughter and son-in-law both attended SCC “and it was a great help to them to move forward with a career path,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc and his wife have two married daughters, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He said he’s looking forward to being part of a board again.

“I’m currently retired, but I’m tired of being retired,” he said. “I’m looking forward to actively being part of a professional and progressive board.”

LeBlanc will complete the remainder of Garver’s term, which expires on Jan. 5, 2023.