Jesse Ulrich Received Virgil Lagomarcino Laureate Award
Iowa State University honored the college president for his notable contributions to the field of education.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Awards
Jesse Ulrich, president of Iowa Central Community College, was honored with the Virgil Lagomarcino Laureate Award at Stephens Auditorium in Ames. The award recognizes alumni whose professional achievements have significantly impacted education.
Why it matters
The award celebrates the professional legacy of Virgil Lagomarcino, the first dean of education at Iowa State University, by highlighting modern leaders who demonstrate similar dedication to educational excellence.
Jesse Ulrich earned both a master's degree in 2008 and a Ph.D in 2017 from Iowa State University. He previously served on the Education Preparation Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2021.
The players
Jesse Ulrich
He currently serves as the president of Iowa Central Community College.
Virgil Lagomarcino
He served as the inaugural dean of the College of Education at Iowa State University.
Iowa State University
This public land-grant research university is located in Ames and grants the Laureate Award.
The details
Ulrich has led Iowa Central Community College since 2021, following his tenure as superintendent of the Fort Dodge Community School District from 2018 to 2021. The ceremony at Stephens Auditorium served as a formal acknowledgment of his career trajectory in state education leadership.
Timeline
Jesse Ulrich earned his master's degree from Iowa State University in 2008.
He served on the Education Preparation Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2021.
Ulrich earned his Ph.D from Iowa State University in 2017.
He worked as superintendent of the Fort Dodge Community School District from 2018 to 2021.
The award presentation ceremony took place at Stephens Auditorium on October 2, 2026.
Culture Shift
The award highlights a broader cultural trend of university systems actively maintaining deep ties with their alumni through recognition of professional leadership. This mirrors institutional efforts to validate the long-term impact of their advanced degree programs on regional workforce development.
The recognition of a local college president reinforces the academic prestige of Iowa State University's graduate programs for prospective students. This award serves as a tangible indicator of the professional success attainable for graduates choosing to advance their careers within the region.
The takeaway
Alumni recognitions like this serve as markers of the enduring influence academic programs have on the careers of their graduates. Professionals can look to such milestones as examples of how consistent engagement with university advisory boards and local education systems builds long-term industry reputation.
Further reading
For more information on recent local honors, visit Ames Awards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Messengernews.
