50 Years in the Making: Honoring Joseph Novak

LBCC’s fifth President Dr. Rita Cavin and Joseph Novak at his
retirement from the college Board of Education
in January 2007. Novak helped hire Dr. Cavin,
who served as LBCC’s first female president.

Through the years, LBCC has been fortunate to have had many dedicated people who gave their time and energy to help make it the great institution it is today.

One of those people was Joseph Novak. When Joseph retired from the LBCC Board of Education after serving 25 years, he said, “I think LBCC is the finest community college in this state. Education is the greatest tool you can have in terms of economic development.”

As one of the longest-serving college board members, serving from 1981 and 2006, Joseph gave not only of his time but also his unending passion. His recent passing in January reminds us of his many contributions to LBCC.

Joseph served three terms as the college board chair and four terms as vice chair. He worked with four of six LBCC presidents, helping to hire three. For more than 30 years, Joseph consistently advocated to legislators for more state funding for community colleges.

In 2007, LBCC honored Joseph with a Distinguished Service Award. That same year, LBCC student leaders also honored Joseph with an honorary membership into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges.

Joseph’s dedication to LBCC, to students and to his community touched many lives and many hearts. LBCC will continue to do great things because of people like him.  

LBCC’s fifth President Dr. Rita Cavin and Joseph Novak at his retirement from the college Board of Education in January 2007. Novak helped hire Dr. Cavin, who served as LBCC’s first female president.