The Highland Community College family has recently experienced the loss of two remarkable individuals whose lives and contributions helped shape our institution and the communities we serve. Mark Rounds and Dan Glynn served Highland in different capacities, but both shared a deep commitment to education, service, and the belief that investing in others creates opportunities that extend far beyond ourselves.

As we reflect on their lives, we are reminded that the history of Highland Community College is not simply a story of buildings, programs, or milestones. It is a story of people. People who believe in the transformative power of education. People who give generously of their time and talents. People whose influence continues long after their service has ended.

Mark and Dan were two such individuals.

 

Mark Rounds: A Champion for Highland and Northeast Kansas

Mark Rounds was much more than a member of the Highland Community College Board of Trustees. He was a passionate advocate for our students, a dedicated public servant, and a tireless champion for the communities of Northeast Kansas.

Mark understood the important role Highland plays in the lives of our students and the economic vitality of our region. He carried that message well beyond our campus, advocating for the College in Topeka and Washington, D.C. He believed deeply in the mission of community colleges and understood that providing educational opportunity in rural Kansas was essential to the future of our communities.

For me personally, Mark was also a close friend, trusted mentor, and steadfast source of encouragement. His support was rooted in his genuine belief in the College, its people, and its potential. He challenged us to think bigger, work harder, and never lose sight of the students who depend upon us.

Mark brought conviction, compassion, and remarkable loyalty to his service. He cared deeply about Highland, and he was never hesitant to lend his voice when he believed the College or its students needed an advocate.

His passing leaves a tremendous void, both within our institution and in the lives of those who knew him. I will miss his friendship, his counsel, and his unwavering commitment to the College we both love.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with his wife, Anita, their sons, Andrew and Alex, and all those whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

Dan Glynn: A Lifetime Dedicated to Teaching and Learning

For 37 years, Dan Glynn was a dedicated member of the Highland Community College family. His extraordinary career as an educator reflected a lifelong commitment to students, academic excellence, and the power of the written word.

Dan's service included 29 years as a full-time instructor, five years as a part-time instructor, and three years as a regional instructor while pursuing graduate studies at Kansas State University.

Throughout his career, Dan taught an impressive range of courses, including English composition, American and world literature, oral communications, journalism, and narrative film. He also developed courses in creative writing, short stories, and sports reporting, creating opportunities for students to discover their voices and explore new interests.

His dedication extended far beyond the Highland campus. Dan taught evening courses at 15 locations throughout the College's service area, including area high schools before Highland established its regional campuses. Through this work, he helped bring higher education directly into rural communities, opening doors for students who might otherwise have faced barriers to pursuing a college education.

Dan also served as chair of the English and Communication Department, participated in numerous institutional committees, and twice served as president of the faculty association, including during the merger with the Atchison Technical Center. He contributed to the College's accreditation efforts as a writer and editor of Highland's institutional self-study.

Among his lasting contributions was his stewardship of the Reese Scholarship, which recognized deserving Highland students for their writing accomplishments. Through this work, Dan helped encourage and celebrate the academic achievements of future generations.

Although Dan retired before I arrived at Highland, I have come to appreciate the extraordinary legacy he left behind. His decades of service helped build the institution I have the privilege of leading today.

The true measure of an educator's legacy cannot be captured in a list of courses taught or committees served. It lives in the students who discover confidence in their abilities, the graduates who pursue opportunities they once thought impossible, and the countless lives changed through the dedication of a teacher.

Dan's legacy lives on through those students and the communities they serve.

A Legacy That Lives On

Although Mark Rounds and Dan Glynn served Highland Community College in different ways, their lives reflected the same fundamental truth: meaningful service to others creates an impact that extends far beyond our own lifetimes.

Mark helped champion the institution and its mission. Dan helped bring that mission to life in classrooms across Northeast Kansas.

Both understood that Highland Community College is more than a place where students earn degrees or certificates. It is a place where lives change, opportunities emerge, and communities build a stronger future together.

The strength of Highland has always rested upon the dedication of people who believe in something greater than themselves. Mark and Dan exemplified that spirit.

As we remember these two remarkable individuals, may we find inspiration in their examples and renew our commitment to the students, colleagues, and communities they served so faithfully.

Highland Community College is a better institution because of Mark Rounds and Dan Glynn. Our communities are stronger because of their service, and their contributions will remain part of Highland's story for generations to come.