WATERLOO - A large, framed photograph of Mary Theroith hangs on the wall.

Her smiling face looks down on the desk where she used to sit. Although she has been gone for more than a year, Warren Wortham says he can still feel her presence at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center of Hawkeye Community College.

Wortham, 38, replaced Theroith, who had led the center from 1995 until her death. Quentin Hart served as the center's manager in the interim.

"I've got some humongous shoes to fill," said Wortham, who was named the center's manager May 1. "One of the biggest things Mary did was make the center visible and branded it as a place to actually help people."

The center offers general educational development (GED) tests, some college-level courses, summer school opportunities and other cultural and educational programming. Wortham said the center's location at 515 Beech St. is a key to its success.

"I love that the center brings an education component to the people in the neighborhood," he said. "In this area, transportation is a big issue. This is easier to access. There are smaller class sizes. And for those who do complete their GED, it's great knowing that they can continue their education right here."

Wortham is a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a degree in human services. He was executive director of the Jesse Cosby Center and worked with the Promise Jobs program through Workforce Development. Linda Allen, the school's vice president of academic affairs, said his knowledge of community services was just one quality that made Wortham stand out.

"He had worked with people who were looking for educational or work opportunities and while our mission is education, we also try to help our students locate other resources. We needed a member of the community who would know how to pull those resources together," Allen said.

Hart said his childhood friend's professional and personal background will serve him well in this new role.

"I was excited that Warren was hired," Hart said. "He's been in the community and done a wonderful job at the Jesse Cosby Center. He has a background in education and social services and that is what you need to be successful at the center. Beyond that, he has a heart for this community and a passion to see other people be successful. Those are all important ingredients for the manager of the center."

Wortham already is working to secure the accreditations needed to offer full two-year college programs.

"This is an idea I was already thinking about, but I was the new guy here," he said. "When I went in to talk with Linda Allen, I asked her about her vision for the center, and she said she would like to see each individual center offer two-year programs."

Wortham said he is excited for what the future holds for the MLK Jr. Center and his hopeful role in its growth.

"Keep your eyes and ears open and look for the center to go to a whole new level of bringing education right to the people," he said. "It will be nice to say that community has moved from a great community to an even greater community and be able to tell our kids 'Yeah, we played a role in that.'"

Contact Emily Christensen

at (319) 291-1570 or

emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.