LEEMAN
EDUCATION CENTER

CELEBRATING FAITH, FAMILY, AND FREEDOM

Guided by the Cedar Valley Foundation's mission to "Continue to Serve and Grow the Community," board members and staff restored the Cedar Valley Seminary campus in Osage, Iowa by converting the former

Mitchell County Press-News building into the Leeman Education Center.

The Leeman Education Center (LEC) is named after Gerald "Germ" Leeman, an Osage native who emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected wrestlers and wrestling coaches in U.S. history. Leeman's life story, one of perseverance strengthened by secure ties to his hometown, will inspire youth to realize their own potential for overcoming obstacles and living an impactful and fulfilling life.

This new Center also serves as a place for career exploration. The exhibitions present a wonderful variety of career paths taken by Mitchell County Heroes and explores how their choices allowed them to make a difference in their community and beyond. Discovering their stories creates an important opportunity for youth to explore potential career paths and their own educational goals.

Bob Kern -Exhibit

The LEC will memorialize three main Osage natives. One exhibit showcases the family connections and contributions of Robert (Bob) Kern, founder of Generac Generators and the Kern Family Foundation and son of Rev. John Kern who served the First Baptist Church of Osage.

Bill Fox -Exhibit

Another main exhibit highlights the patriotic service and engineering expertise of William (Bill) Fox, who led development of the highly classified SR-71 Blackbird, widely acknowledged as the most outstanding aviation achievement of the 20th century.