LUCERNE — On Tuesday and Wednesday officials from Marymount College visited Lake County to complete the first phase of exploration and dialogue to realize the possibility of bringing the four-year learning institution to the Lucerne Castle Hotel.
“It”s kind of like when you look through a kaleidoscope. All of the elements are there. You turn it and turn it until everything falls into place and creates a perfect picture,” Superintendent of Lake County Schools Wally Holbrook, said.
The purpose of the visit was to begin discussions about a partnership between Marymount College and the county.
The agenda was divided into two major categories: Academic assessment and project feasibility assessment. Within the two categories are specific topics of discussion to help the group move toward a strategic plan and feasibility study.
Tuesday events included a group gathering to discuss continued opportunities from partnerships with Mendocino College, Yuba College, University of California Cooperative Extension and Lake County Office of Education, and a tour of the Lucerne Castle Hotel.
An academic group from the Native American History Project/Higher Education Committee presented an American Indian Studies Program proposal.
On Wednesday a discussion on the overall project outcomes and key project thoughts took place at the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the Lake County Courthouse followed by a discussion on learning outcomes and next steps.
During the visit, Marymount officials met with The Lake County Winery Association and The Lake County Winegrape Commission.
Marymount Provost and Dean of Faculty, Ariane Schauer, described the potential partnership as an “exciting opportunity.”
“The welcome here was overwhelming,” Schauer said. “We have common values, a sense of mutual recognition and a complementary vision about the role of education as it is tied to service and the community.”
Schauer said “We want to build on the educational landscape with education for social and community impact.”
She said the Castle building conveys a sense of long-term stability.
“We like to think of education as something solid that could be embodied in the Lucerne Castle.”
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said the partnership would lend to the development and transformation for the Lake County community.
Lake County Deputy CAO for Economic Development Debra Sommerfield said during a gathering at the Lakeport English Inn on Tuesday, “We”re so thrilled to see so many members of the community come together. This partnership could really create a transformation for Lake County.”
County officials are moving forward to bring the partnership to fruition.
“We”re working with Assistant to the President of Marymount, Kevin Grant now on a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the county and the college,” Cox said Friday.
