News
Vet tech students help dogs find forever homes
By Gibson Lowenberg, Creative Director and Kota Winterboer, Photo Editor
- Increase of political extremes with far left, right candidatesStudents who have been paying attention to the political landscape over the last year might have noticed a rise in the popularity of extremism on both the left and the right. Figures like Zohran Mamdani and Nick Fuentes might have been outcast long shots 10 years ago, but [Continue Reading »]
- Students prepare for gubernatorial electionNext year is set to be a big year for Iowa politics due in large part to the fact that the race for governor is up for grabs, and a new name will be chosen no matter who wins. Additionally, many Kirkwood Community College students will be voting [Continue Reading »]
- Kirkwood expands global reach despite visa challengesKirkwood Community College is stepping up its efforts to welcome more international students, especially from Africa, despite the tough visa challenges that many applicants face. According to Elizabeth O’Brien of the Global Learning Office, the department works year-round to bring students from around the world to Kirkwood, [Continue Reading »]
- Public Safety provides tips for winter weatherAs the winter season arrives, Public Safety has provided information about how the college makes decisions during severe weather and what steps students can take to stay prepared. Winter conditions in Iowa can change quickly, and a little planning now helps keep the entire community safe. When winter [Continue Reading »]
Feature
- Students share what drives their career paths
Everyone has a different career path. Some students hope to land high-ranking, world-class jobs, while others prefer working in small businesses. Students at Kirkwood Community College recently interviewed one another about what interests them in their chosen majors. KaVarez Coleman, a first-year Kirkwood student majoring in HVAC installation, [Continue Reading »] - Women in Natural Resources club makes waves
The saying goes “Virginia Beach is for Lovers,” but this November, Virginia Beach was for Kirkwood Community College. Ten Kirkwood parks and natural resources students attended the National Association of Interpreters conference in this coastal city. Each student who attended is a member of the Women in [Continue Reading »] - The life of a professor: Lisa Angelella
The life of a professor is something most people would not understand unless they lived it every day. Most students don’t know what it’s like or how similar or different it is from their own lives and schedules. Lisa Angelella is a professor of English at Kirkwood Community [Continue Reading »] - College provides multiple scholarship opportunitiesKirkwood Community College continues to demonstrate its commitment to student success by offering a wide range of scholarship opportunities to support both domestic and international students. Every year, the Kirkwood Foundation awards more than $3 million in scholarships to deserving students across various programs and departments. Applications for [Continue Reading »]
- Anime club unites students through shared passionsHow did the club get started? It was started by a group of Kirkwood students who love to talk and discuss all aspects of anime, animation, manga, games, etc. What is the purpose of the club? To make new friends that share an interest in anime, watch and discuss anime, [Continue Reading »]
Lisa Folken: Impacting students through communication
By Gibson Lowenberg, Creative Director
Sports
Athletic trainer aims to keep Eagles soaring
By Gibson Lowenberg, Creative Director and Roman Meister, Staff Writer
- Communiqué Sports Recap (1/19/26-1/25/26)It was a busy week for Kirkwood Community College’s athletics. The basketball teams went a combined 3-1 and went on a four-hour road trip to Estherville. In the middle of the doubleheader on Saturday, there was the Kirkwood Athletic Hall of Fame recognition. Men’s Basketball: Kirkwood 67 at [Continue Reading »]
- Books and baskets: Perspectives from a student-athlete
Between practices, classes and study tables, sophomore Olivia Wren has exactly what it takes to juggle the demands of being both a student and an athlete. Balancing these worlds isn’t easy, so in this Q&A, Olivia talks about how she manages both worlds. Can you tell me your [Continue Reading »] - Get involved and compete: Intramurals matter
When students talk about Kirkwood Community College sports, the conversation often centers on the recent national champion men’s basketball team or the top-five volleyball team. What is often overlooked is the slate of intramural activities offered at the Rec Center. Intramural sports allow students to compete against one [Continue Reading »] - Kirkwood finishes fifth in national tournament
The Kirkwood Community College Eagles’ volleyball season has come to an end after they finished fifth in the NJCAA Division II Volleyball National Tournament. This concludes an astounding season, where the Eagles finished with an overall record of 37-3, as well as boasting an 18-0 record at home. [Continue Reading »] - Basketball teams faced with youth movementLast season the Kirkwood men’s basketball team took home the NJCAA national championship, and only four players remain from that team. Similar to the women’s basketball team, after finishing fourth in the national tournament last season, the Eagles return just four players for the upcoming season. Men’s basketball [Continue Reading »]
- Olivia Bailey: Bouncing back with basketball
Olivia Bailey has played basketball all of her life; she committed to Kirkwood Community College to further her athletic career after recently graduating high school from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. Bailey officially committed to Kirkwood in January of this year. What motivates you to want [Continue Reading »] - Netolicky unites team through leadership
Coming off a national championship last season the Kirkwood Community College men’s basketball team has high expectations for this upcoming season. A product of the hometown Xavier Saints, Tyler Netolicky is looking to have a big season to continue the Eagles success. When did you realize that you [Continue Reading »]
Art & Life
- The cast of ‘Urinetown’ rehearses for anticipated musical
- Inhale Fear, Exhale Terror: Respiratory Therapy Club hosts Haunted Hospital
Kirkwood Community College’s Respiratory Therapy Club gave visitors a lung-lasting scare as they transformed the Katz Family Simulation Center into a spine-chilling Haunted Hospital. Complete with a fog machine, bloodstained rooms and ghostly staff and patients, the annual event left people gasping for air as a way to [Continue Reading »] - Glass artist and former faculty fuses fire and form
Upon entering the Iowa Hall Art Gallery on Oct. 9, guests were immediately drawn to the gorgeous, detailed and carefully crafted pieces that hung like a statement of how wide the spectrum of art and creativity really is. The event was an artist reception for Barbara Shultz-Hetrick, a [Continue Reading »] - Jazz and Java in Iowa Hall: Music faculty compose tunes for students
Faculty members from the music department took the stage Oct. 8 with the Standard Java session on Iowa Hall Stage. A new house band featuring choir director Fred Kiser, director of instrumental music Chris Navarrete and piano instructor Julia Andrews made its debut in front of a small [Continue Reading »] - Jazz Jam: Students lighten up Iowa Hall with live music
Kirkwood Community College hosted the Jazz Jam in Iowa Hall on Sept. 23. The group consisted of the college’s Jazz Band and Director of Instrumental Music Chris Navarrete. While many of the songs played were instrumentals, a handful were not. The voice of the Jazz Jam was [Continue Reading »]
Jazz and Java in Iowa Hall: Music faculty compose tunes for students
By Gibson Lowenberg, Creative Director
Capture Kirkwood
Newscast
Opinion
- Threats against Iowans: Protection through peers, papers Recent immigration actions have diminished the sanctity and safety of our campus. In October 2025, hundreds of volunteers have stood outside of the Cedar Rapids Field Office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure the safety of fellow Iowans during their routine check-ins. These check-ins are mandatory [Continue Reading »]
- Finding the best Christmas gifts for familyThe holidays are a busy time for many students, especially around Christmas. There are decorations to put up, an Elf on the Shelf to remember to move, outdoor lights to hang before it gets too cold or snowy, family visits to plan and, of course, presents. Even though [Continue Reading »]
- U.S. immigration enforcement makes us less safeI’m sure nearly everyone living in the United States has heard of the recent uptick in immigration incidents. It seems like every day there are reports of U.S. citizens and noncitizens alike being forcefully arrested for seemingly no reason other than to terrorize. Just a few examples of [Continue Reading »]
- Balancing academic requirements with fall breakWhen Thanksgiving comes around, students at some other area colleges are given the entire week off. However, Kirkwood Community College still holds classes on Monday and Tuesday of that week, giving students and faculty only three days off. At first, we, the Communiqué editors, were ready to join [Continue Reading »]
- A taste of home missing at The CaféAs an African student from Ghana studying at Kirkwood Community College, one of my daily struggles isn’t academic; it’s food. Each time I walk into the campus cafeteria, I’m met with the same routine: French fries, pizza or maybe a scone. Those are my go-to meals, not because [Continue Reading »]
- Sweatshirts vs coats: Which is better? Point/counter-pointBEN CLIFTON As temperatures drop, the need for warm clothes is suddenly apparent. So here are some reasons why you should say no to coats and embrace the hoodie. Number one, they look good. Let me ask you this: when was the last time you saw someone [Continue Reading »]
Kirkwood Student Productions
Images courtesy of Kota Winterboer | Kirkwood Communiqué, Gibson Lowenberg, Roman Meister | Kirkwood Communiqué, Gibson Lowenberg | Kirkwood Communiqué and KCCK