SCC Names Peevler, Schwenker Distinguished Alumni 2015

05/07/2015

West Burlington, IA- Southeastern Community College (SCC) will honor two alumni at its upcoming commencement ceremonies in May. Tim Peevler is this year’s Keokuk campus Distinguished Alumnus and Ken Schwenker will be honored by the West Burlington campus. Each honoree will deliver the commencement address at their campus’ ceremony.

Tim Peevler graduated from SCC’s Keokuk campus in 1976 with an Associates of Applied Arts in Retail Marketing.  Peevler went on to earn a BA in Business from Northeast Missouri State University.

For the next 20 years, Peevler rose through the ranks to be store manager at Pamida & Jack’s stores. In the evenings, he studied for his real estate license, eventually purchasing a small agency in Keokuk. Since then, Peevler has grown Peevler Real Estate into a successful and respected firm.

Growing up in a single-parent household, Peevler’s youth wasn’t always easy. He decided early on not to let circumstances define him. “I don’t have any special talents.  I just try to do the best I can with what I’ve been given. Each one of us has an opportunity to make a difference. Every day we get to choose.”

In fact, there are few organizations or events in Keokuk that Peevler and Peevler Real Estate haven’t supported. He has especially enjoyed his work with area schools, his bicycle restoration and give-away program, sponsoring a Little League team and Habitat for Humanity.

Peevler and his wife, Bonnie, live in Keokuk.

West Burlington Distinguished Alumnus, Ken Schwenker graduated from Burlington High School in 1971 and then attended SCC. “Choosing SCC was a natural for me. And I’d always enjoyed watching the Blackhawks play basketball.”

After SCC, Schwenker traveled through Europe and eventually returned to the Burlington area to join his father’s growing business, Standard of Beaverdale.

As an innovative business manager, Schwenker championed for his company to be one of the first in the industry to develop and implement a computerized inventory management system. Today, under Schwenker’s resourceful leadership, the business continues to flourish.

Although he has traveled the world, to Schwenker, home is best.

Schwenker finds great satisfaction in supporting local communities and organizations. He makes significant cash and product donations for many area projects, and rarely turns down a fundraising request. Schwenker often underwrites promotional advertising for community events, expecting little in return.

“If people want to see their area improve, then they need to do something, because it won’t just happen by itself,” says Schwenker. Ken greets every customer who comes through his door with a smile and a can-do attitude. “I do it because of the thanks I get in return. It’s a great feeling.”

SCC will host receptions for Peevler and Schwenker prior to May 2015 commencement ceremonies. Peevler will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 at Baymont Inn & Suites in Keokuk. Schwenker will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

Both pre-graduation receptions are open to the public and include hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and beverages; cost is $15. For reservations, call the SCC Alumni Association Office at (319) 208-5062 or jglasgow@scciowa.edu by noon on May 11.

To view past honorees, visit http://bit.ly/SCCDistinguishedAlumni

Candidates may be nominated for the award at http://bit.ly/AlumniNoms. The annual deadline is August 1.

For more information, contact Becky Rump at (319) 208-5065 or brump@scciowa.edu.

For more news or to learn about Southeastern Community College, visit: https://www.scciowa.edu/rss/news/index.html