PABLO — In a room that wouldn’t have been without him, surrounded by a campus built by his vision and perseverance, Salish Kootenai College President Joe McDonald announced his retirement last week. The atmosphere was bittersweet in the Three Wolves Cafeteria last Wednesday morning when SKC founder and long-time president announced his plans to step down at the end of the 2010 school year.

As the 75-year-old president held the microphone and addressed the crowd a voice from the audience expressed the room’s sentiment, the best when it shouted out, “Say it ain’t so Joe!”

Those gathered in front of him knew it was so, though. The man who has been president of SKC for 29 of the college’s 31 years and virtually built the campus from the ground up will pass the torch 15 months from now.

“They say nobody is irreplaceable, but this is the closest I’ve ever come to doubting that,” SKC board member Doug Allard said at the conference. “I don’t care who you get, there will never be another Joe McDonald — but somewhere out there we may be able to found a person with Joe’s dedication to the success of this college.

“It will be more difficult without him, but it can be done,” he said.

McDonald’s role was crucial in beginning and shaping SKC into arguably the most successful tribal college in the United States. It has grown into a 140-acre Pablo campus with over 1,100 students pursuing bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in numerous fields.

SKC director of career services Roger McClure has worked with McDonald since 1977. He’s seen the college’s exponential growth, from 20 students and no buildings, to a facility with dorms, a theater and expert educational opportunities.

 “I had the privilege and pleasure of working with dr. McDonald and founding SKC vice president Jerry Slater since 1977,” McClure said. “It was tough in the early years, but through Joe and Jerry’s perseverance, and the support of many board members and tribal council members over the years, we have followed Joe’s vision to what we have accomplished today.” 

Best known before his involvement in scholastics as a top-notch athlete and coach, McDonald had a basketball and football career that spanning high school and college, He was an all-conference player at both levels, and he’s coached at all those levels, too.

McDonald, born and raised near Dixon, briefly attended Mission High School made his way through college, eventually receiving a doctorate in education from the University of Montana, after coaching football at Ronan High School for many years.

The news, of course, means a monumentally tough task is ahead for search committee members.

 SKC board member Patty Stevens said that although it is too early to say anything about any candidates, they have been planning for this for a couple years now as they knew of McDonald’s intentions.

“During Joe’s last year as president I want us to celebrate,” Stevens said. “I want us to celebrate the man, his vision, and all that we’ve accomplished at this college with Joe at the helm.”

Stevens added that it would take some time for who ever the replacement is to earn the nationwide respect and presence McDonald has accrued over the years.

McClure said details of the search will be forthcoming.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Council Chairman James Steele Jr. said at the conference the day was a happy and sad occasion, but gave McDonald credit for putting SKC on the map as the flagship of tribal colleges in America.

“On behalf of the council, we have the flagship because of Joe’s vision and all his efforts,” Steele said. “Now it’s our turn to carry that vision on and step up a notch.”

McDonald’s presence as the college’s president and as a renowned sports around the state led to SKC naming a building after him — the Joe McDonald Health and Activities Center. Several weeks ago, the new facility hosted the American Indian Higher Education Consortium National Championship tournament.

Upon his retirement, McDonald will also be named President Emeritus of the college.

“All of us here at SKC are grateful that he will remain as President Emeritus after he retires, that will allow the next president, whoever he or she is, to get their feet on the ground while Joe remains our major contact with state and national AIHEC and the other tribal college for the state of Montana,” McClure said.

Regardless, the impact McDonald has had personally on so many lives will long transcend such monuments or titles as the man will not soon be forgotten by anyone.