Dr. Frederick Wenck honored for 41 years of service on LTCC board

Dr. Frederick “Fritz” Wenck, a longtime local dentist and Board of Trustees member for Lake Tahoe Community College for 41 years, was recently honored for his service by the Community College League of California. During their Annual Trustees Conference last weekend the League honored community college trustees with 20, 30 and 40 years of service from around the state.

Dr. Wenck was the only trustee to be recognized for four decades of commitment.

Dr. Wenck first became a trustee on March 5, 1974, when the very first Board of Trustees was elected by South Lake Tahoe voters. At the same time, they also voted in favor of creating the Lake Tahoe Community College District, making it possible for a college to arise in South Lake Tahoe. Joining Dr. Wenck that day were William Conlon, Rev. Donald Swanson, Dr. Will Cluff, and Roberta Mason, who retired as an LTCC trustee and Board president in December 2014.

According to the Community College League, trustees are leaders who “promote and sustain their colleges’ missions to assure student learning and make a difference for their communities.” That’s a description that fits Dr. Wenck perfectly.
“Trustees from around California honored Dr. Wenck with a standing ovation in honor of his 40 years of dedication,” noted LTCC Board of Trustees President Kerry David.

Dr. Wenck says that he “didn’t expect to be around this long” as a trustee, but he committed to it for the long haul because of the importance of the work and the college’s meaning to the town. “My goal and interest right from the start was to get a college here, and to be a help to students and citizens of our town. It was important that they could access a quality education here at home. Getting the school in place and making it open and accessible to anyone who wanted access, for vocational and transfer students in particular…this has been the most important part of the job,” said Dr. Wenck.

Dr. Wenck’s current term as trustee ends in December 2016, when he plans to retire after 42 years. He gives thanks to his wife, “the support from the Board, and the three presidents I’ve had the pleasure of working with closely – Dr. James Duke, Dr. Guy Lease, and Dr. Murillo. It’s always been a learning experience with them. It’s always been interesting.”