A Real Success Story

     Here's a great human interest story of a BOONE resident..........not the type of story you've seen very often in recent years in the Boone/Ames Republican.
     Jerry Anderson retired July 5, 2016, after 21 years of service to the Woodward Academy in Woodward. Woodward Academy has grown into a nationally recognized leader in juvenile residential care. Please note, this is NOT the Woodward State Hospital.
     Jerry has served that facility since it opened July 10, 1995. At that time, the academy welcomed four students and Jerry was one of the original 13 staff members. Late in that year, he was asked to assume the role of Business Manager, a position he held until 2000 when he joined the Board of Directors and was elected President. His presidency continued the next 16 years until his recent retirement, and what's been done, under his direction, in that time frame, is absolutely amazing.
     To begin with, the academy now has 262 students with a portion of them looking forward to graduation ceremonies each year. On YouTube you can see some of the most recent, emotional graduation ceremonies. It is so impressive to see that these "young people" finally "get it," via Woodward Academy, and are ready to become successful citizens.
     But there's more.......much more.
     In a recent edition of the Knightly Knews, a picture of Jerry looms large on the cover and inside the publication is a great story, "Presidential Blueprint," which details all the various ways Jerry Anderson's finger prints have benefited the academy.
    One paragraph in the story explains, "every expansion project is a direct result of Jerry's work. He was involved in the Linden Court dormitory expansion projects, and the construction of the Education Center, its Annex, and the Learning Center that is named in his honor, the Gerald D. Anderson Learning Center. He also acquired and installed the "temporary" school building, known today as the PODS. His work also helped start up each athletic program, the facilities they use, and many employment opportunities for students. Jerry's impact on Woodward Academy's campus cannot be overstated."
     Jerry Anderson grew up in rural Iowa, received a bachelor's degree from Luther College and a Master's degree from the George Washington University. He first enlisted in the Naval Reserve and then later, accepted a Regular Commission in the U.S. Navy. For 27 years, he served on ships at sea, attended schools, and served on assignments ashore at the U.S. Naval Academy, in the Pentagon on the Navy Staff, and in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his time at sea, he commanded two Navy ships. Retiring from active duty in 1991, he and his wife, Karen Judge Anderson, an area native, moved to Boone. They've been married 48 years and together, have five children and nine grandchildren.
     Editor's notes: (1) This humble guy, Jerry Anderson, never quits "giving." As a fellow member of Augustana Lutheran Church, its not unusual at any time for the Kornerman to see him "involved" in some way or another, inside and outside the church building. Oh yes, he's also a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
     (2) There are numerous other Boone residents who have, in their own way, achieved great success in various endeavors. Many, many such stories waiting to be told.......enough to consistently fill a daily newspaper, along with the normally expected council/hospital/police segments. The Kornerman will always believe, had that been done consistently after the Schaub's relinquished local ownership, adequate circulation standards would have followed and the "real" BNR might still be "alive."
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    Max Moore, BHS-46, wrote, "my good friend, Boone native Skinny Anderson, passed away this week. He would be 89 in November. He will be buried in Portland, OR. We talked once a week. In fact, the day before he passed, we talked. Sad to lose my good friend."
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Ethel Marsden, 89, Ames. Born in Boone County and lived in Ogden, among other places, while her husband, Clem, was an educator. OHS grad.........Mary Kay Davis, 56, Ogden. Worked in dietary positions. Boone area survivors include her husband, John, daughter, Natalie Davis and son, Michael Davis, all of Ogden.........Marilyn Longhenry McKee, 72, Perry. Stratford HS grad. Was a secretary for a law firm in Denver, CO. Moved to Perry in 2013. Boone area survivors include a brother, Kenny Longhenry of Ogden and sister, Alice Westrum, of Boone.........Layton Burkhart, 80, Huxley. Born in Ogden. OHS-54. Farmed near Ogden before becoming an electrician at ISU. Boone area survivor is a sister, Nyla Good, of Boone.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.