(Wahpeton)– Lakeside Laboratory has a new Executive Director.
Peter van der Linden has been on the job about a month now.
Van der Linden is a 1971 graduate of Sibley High School. He went on to attend Iowa State University, obtaining a B.S. and M.S. in botany in 1975 and 1980.
As Executive Director, van der Linden oversees programming and operations of Lakeside Lab along with management of the buildings and grounds.
Van der Linden says he’s no stranger to Lakeside Lab, having been a student there some 33 years ago.
Van der Linden says he plans to develop a master plan for Lakeside Lab’s facilities. He says they also hope to increase enrollment at the lab in upcoming summers; and to provide more opportunities for life-long learning ranging from programs for pre-school teachers to elder hostel programs.
Van der linden says they’ll also be making plans soon for Lakeside Lab’s centennial celebration coming up in 2009.
Lakeside Lab for years has been regarded a best-kept secret of the Iowa Great Lakes. Van der Linden says he’ll continue to work to try to change that perception by having more going on at the lab property to attract more people–such as public programs, outdoor sculpture displays and doing some landscaping at the main entrances off Highway 86.
Van der Linden is the son of John and Marjorie van der Linden of Spirit Lake. He and his wife Judith have three children.
