MOUNT VERNON – All good things must come to an end.
That phrase, attributed to an epic poem by Geoffrey Chaucer in the mid-1300s, applied to Dick McLarnan on Wednesday.
McLarnan directed his final meeting as president of the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) Governing Board, ending nearly half a century of his service to public education.
Friends and family gathered at the Knox Technical Center to witness the brief meeting, which preceded a reception in McLarnan’s honor.
After monthly reports by Treasurer Melissa Carpenter and Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley, McLarnan asked, “Does any board member have anything?”
When there was no response, McLarnan said, “Well, then we are adjourned.”
He drew laughter when he added, “Let’s party.”
McLarnan’s first meeting as a member of the ESC board occurred at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1975.
That same night – virtually at the same hour – millions of Americans were chuckling at the antics of leather-jacketed Fonzie on ABC’s “Happy Days” and Archie Bunker on CBS’s “All in the Family.”
That first meeting began a tenure of 48 years on the ESC board and a nearly identical length of service on the Knox County Career Center Board of Education.
He served decades as president of both.
After Wednesday’s meeting McLarnan, a 1952 graduate of Centerburg High School, recalled his reasons for filling a vacancy on the ESC board.
“I had kids in school and I wanted to make a contribution to the schools,” he said. “Over the years I had the opportunity to be in the schools often and be around the students. I will miss that.”
Under McLarnan’s leadership the Knox ESC office in Mount Vernon has developed, implemented and operated cooperative, shared educational services for the Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon City school districts, as well as the Knox County Career Center.
McLarnan also served on the committees that led to construction of the Knox County Career Center and the Knox Technical Center.
After presenting McLarnan with a large wooden plaque in the shape of a paddle, Mackley said McLarnan’s leadership and commitment to education will be greatly missed. The two have worked together for 12 years.
Mackley repeated his earlier praise of McLarnan: “I have never known a better board president or a more friendly, sensible and agreeable person.”