By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
At each regular meeting for the Barton Community College Trustees, an agenda item includes the president’s report of monthly activities. Prior to showing the list for December, Trustees Chairman Mike Johnson thanked Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki for getting out in the public and getting to know as many people as possible in his first few months in Great Bend.
"I get a lot of comments from those in the community who see Dr. Garstecki out and about," said Johnson. "I appreciate his enthusiasm to get out and meet with stakeholders and partners wherever it may be. I appreciate that."
The Trustees voted in favor of Garstecki this past January to become the college’s sixth president. Originally from Wisconsin, Garstecki served as the chief enrollment management officer at Northern State University in South Dakota prior to coming to Great Bend.
Trustee Gary Burke has attended several meet and greet events and presentations at civic organizations with Garstecki.
"Every presentation has been a hit," said Burke. "They have been well received. I'm amazed at how many people that Dr. Garstecki already knows by name. I'm trying to introduce him to people and he's walking up to them and knows them already."
Garstecki’s contract with Barton started July 1, 2024.