News and Events

For 24 years, from 1961 to the end of the school year in 1984, Vern Maack served as Director.

He coined the phrase “The School That Cares” and created the “We Care” culture that has been so important in the history of ATCC. He also developed the “Find ‘em, Teach ‘em, Place ‘em” philosophy that has been critical to the development and success of our career technical programs. 

A visionary, an innovator, and a man with incredible ambition to accomplish his dream, “Mr. Maack,” as he was known around campus, was also an expansionist who measured success by how much expansion had occurred.  If each year there was one more student, one more square foot of building space, one more brick, or one more dollar spent on equipment, it meant success. 

Throughout Mr. Maack’s tenure, the college grew in enrollment every year, from 23 students in 1961 to over 1830 in 1984. The number of program offerings grew from 3 (Carpentry, Farm Equipment Mechanics and Machine Shop) to 36.  Responding to industry demands, Practical Nursing, Sales and Marketing, Welding, Law Enforcement, and Tool, Die and Mold Making were among the programs added. 

The college is deeply saddened by the loss of its founder, but his personal and professional investments live on as we continue his legacy as “The College That Cares.”

Services will be held on Thursday, June 15, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria.  Visitation will be from noon to 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral at 1:00 p.m.

Portrait by Myron Sahlberg