Longtime educator, college president, Don Warkentin announces retirement

During his time as president at WHCL, the college grew from a thousand students to more than 4,500 students now housed on more than 100 acres in the City of Lemoore, serving Kings County. Under his leadership the college is now a fully accredited institution, one of 112 in the California Community College System.

West Hills Community College District’s Board of Trustees, at its recent board meeting, approved the retirement request – effective in late fall of 2015 – for Warkentin, 68. The board will take several months to do a national search for a replacement.

“You don’t replace a Don Warkentin.” said Chancellor Frank Gornick. “He played a significant role in the growth and development of our college in Lemoore and served our institution and the community with great distinction. He will be missed as a friend and colleague.”

His retirement will end a 42-year career in education. Warkentin began in 1973 as a biology teacher for Lemoore High School. During his tenure there, Don was also a football coach, baseball coach, athletic director, and principal of the continuation school. In 1986, Warkentin moved over to West Hills College, serving as Associate Dean of what was then the WHC Kings County Center. With the help and guidance of his leadership, the college has increased enrollment from 400 students to 4,500 students on the campus that spans 100 acres. He was a driving force in making WHCL an independent campus in 2002, as well as building the Golden Eagle Arena and currently overseeing the construction of a state-of-the-art Student Center.

Long active in civic affairs, Warkentin was named Citizen of the Year by the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce in 2014. He is currently a member of the boards of both the chamber and the Kings County Economic Development Corporation. He also served 12 years on the Lemoore Union Elementary School Board.

Warkentin served 12 years on the Lemoore Union Elementary School Board. He also served as a director of the Lemoore Chamber Board and is the past chairman of the Kings County Economic Development Corporation Board. He is active in the Lemoore Kiwanis Club and the Odd Fellow’s Club.

Warkentin expects to continue being involved in community affairs after retirement. “I enjoyed the experience and all that West Hills College has given me and my family these last 29 years,” he said. “I saw the college grow to a full-fledged campus, an experience I will never forget.”

As a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he was a platoon leader with the 25th Infantry and was on the front lines during the Vietnam War, where he received two Purple Hearts. He is a strong supporter of veteran’s organizations.