By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Dr. Carl Heilman has served as the president at Barton Community College for the past 17 years. He oversaw the college when Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs was hired 13 years ago. For his entire career at Barton, the leadership has remained the same for Rolfs. That changes at the end of the 2023-2024 school year when Heilman retires.
"I think when you look back at all the things Dr. Heilman has done to calm the waters and solidify athletics, compliance and the college as a whole...it's been remarkable," said Rolfs. "We could go on and on about the growth of the college under his leadership."
Rolfs stated in his first meeting with Heilman, he was told compliance was going to be a top focus. Rolfs felt Heilman and himself have similar leadership styles, clearly outlining goals and expectations.
Rolfs admitted it is a nervous time as an athletic director, knowing new leadership will be arriving next summer.
"Dr. Heilman has made it very clear with me and other leaders at the college," said Rolfs. "He understands the full scope of things. There's a lot of pieces to the pie at the college. Athletics is certainly a big piece and an important piece. But within the confines of the collective pie, we have to make sure we all understand the roles and the place that each of those pieces has at the college."
Applications to become Barton’s next president are being accepted until Nov. 10 before a search committee will narrow down semifinalists for interviews.