Iowa college president fired over misconduct allegations

By Associated Press

Last update: August 29, 2008 - 11:21 AM

FORT DODGE, Iowa -- Iowa Central Community College is losing its president after a photo that appears to show him pouring beer into a young woman's mouth surfaced and raised questions about his conduct.

The school's board of trustees on Thursday unanimously approved Robert Paxton's resignation. It also approved a severance package that officials said was valued at about $400,000.

Mark Crimmins, the president of the board, said although the incident happened in Paxton's private life, "it reflected poorly on the college."

"Based on our discussions, it was determined that it would probably be in Dr. Paxton's best interest and the college's best interest that he resign as president," Crimmins said.

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 small keg above a young woman's head. The Register said the photo was taken over the Fourth of July weekend at Lake Okoboji and sent to the paper unsolicited.

The board also approve a severance package for Paxton, who had recently signed a new, three-year contract. As part of the package, Paxton will be paid for two of those years and get health benefits for a period of time.

Chuck Peterson, former vice president of financial affairs, was tapped to step in as liaison during the search for Paxton's replacement.

A message left at Paxton's office wasn't immediately returned.

Another board member, Thomas Chelesvig, said his personal opinion is that it would be hard for Paxton to earn back the public's respect if he stayed at the college.

"It's not something that's very responsible and it wouldn't be accepted by the average public in that respect," he said. "Even though it was a private outing, he still has and holds a high position that doesn't look good in the public eye."

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