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Dakota Midday: Presidential Visit to Lake Area Tech

On Friday, Watertown hosted the first presidential visit to South Dakota in more than a dozen years. President Barack Obama  delivered the commencement address during Lake Area Technical Institute’s graduation ceremonies at the Watertown Civic Arena.

The president praised the school saying there are few institutions more important to America’s economic future than community colleges, and there are few community colleges as important as Lake Area Tech. He told graduates that he came to “this tiny little school in this tiny little town” not to inspire them, but because they inspire him. He mentioned five graduates by name and told their stories as examples.

Lake Area Technical Institute President Michael Cartney joined Dakota Midday and discussed Obama's visit.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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