Iowa community college president resigns after controversial photo

By The Associated Press | Thursday, August 28, 2008

FORT DODGE, Iowa  — The president of Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge is resigning after 13 years in the wake of a controversial photo that raised questions about his conduct.

Mark Crimmins, the president of the college’s board of trustees, said he met with Robert Paxton on Wednesday and both parties agreed on Paxton’s departure. Crimmins says Paxton always said he would resign if his presence adversely affected the college and “he is keeping true to his word.”

The photo, which was published in The Des Moines Register last Saturday, shows Paxton with a group of young people on a boat. He is holding a keg above a young woman’s head.

Crimmins says the Iowa Central board will likely approve a severance package for Paxton at a meeting today. The board will also vote on Paxton resignation.