PABLO — The atmosphere was bittersweet in the Three Wolves Cafeteria on Wednesday morning when Salish Kootenai College founder and long-time president Joe McDonald announced his plans to retire 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!”

Unfortunately, it is 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. This, of course, means a monumentally tough task is ahead for search committee members.

“They say nobody is irreplaceable, but this is the closest I’ve ever come to doubting that,” said SKC board member Doug Allard. “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,” Allard added.

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.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Council Chairman James Steele Jr. said 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.”

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

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

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.