Margaret Lekander, owner of Wheaton’s for 35 years, was honored Thursday as the 2011 Distinguished Alumni of Flathead Valley Community College.

Calling Lekander one of downtown Kalispell’s greatest supporters, Suzy Williams, chairwoman of the college’s Ambassadors & Alumni program, announced Williams as the recipient of the award at a luncheon at the college.

She listed Lekander’s many civic and community activities, including the Kalispell Business Improvement District, the Center for Restorative Youth Justice and the alumni association.

“She’s an outstanding representative of FVCC,” Williams said.

In accepting the honor, Lekander recalled how excited she was the day she learned she had passed her math requirement at the college, clearing her way to graduate.

“Algebra has served me so well in my business,” she said. “Thank you, Pete Wade.”

College President Jane Karas thanked the alumni, ambassadors, foundation and trustees for their support. She said the college would not have the expanded campus without their support.

Karas said enrollment has grown by 75 percent over the last 10 years. She listed many renovations and improvements completed in recent years such as the renovation of the Eagle’s Nest.

“We’re really trying to make this a user-friendly campus,” Karas said.

Another alumnus, Rick Weaver — publisher of the Daily Inter Lake and the keynote speaker — noted the dramatic change since he was a student attending classes in leased space in downtown Kalispell. He attended classes in the building that now houses the Museum at Central School.

Weaver said he had earlier attended junior high school at Central School. By the time he graduated from Flathead High School, the building had become part of the community college.

“As I look at the campus today, it’s a little surreal,” he said. “I can tell you I definitely got a great education at Flathead Valley Community College.”

Ben Woody, a student and editor of The Mercury News, followed Weaver. He spoke of the challenges he faced as a student and the support he received from the staff that led to his success.