Blue Mountain Community College is looking for input on its search for a new president.

The college is hosting a community forum Oct. 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Morrow Hall, room 100, on BMCC’s Pendleton campus to learn what the public is looking for in a new leader for BMCC. Students and other community members can also join the forum remotely from the college’s Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Boardman and Baker City campuses.

Current president Cam Preus is leaving at the end of the month to become the executive director of the Oregon Community College Association in Salem. The college’s board of education has hired executive search firm Gold Hill Associates — which recruited Preus for the job during BMCC’s last search — to assist in finding a new president. The community forum Thursday will help them put together a “presidential profile” of skills and attributes to look for in a candidate.

The public is also invited to a farewell celebration for Preus on Oct. 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Student Union of Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus.

Dr. Connie Green, retired president of Tillamook Bay Community College, will serve as BMCC’s interim president until Preus’s replacement is hired. The BMCC board hopes to have a new president in place by next July.

HermNaz celebrates Pastor Appreciation Month

HERMISTON — In recognition of Pastor Appreciation Month, Hermiston Church of the Nazarene is celebrating Pastor Eric Fritz, his wife Sharon, and their children Gabrielle, Graydon, Gideon and Geric.

A work party at the Fritz Farm is planned Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. People are invited to help winterize the property, including cleaning flower beds and some outdoor painting. Also, dessert will be served Sunday at 7 p.m. in the church’s ministry center, 1520 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. The HermNaz board encourages people to come out and enjoy a time of fellowship. In addition, cards, gift cards or notes of thanks/encouragement can be left in the church’s card basket.

For more information or to sign-up for the work party, contact 541-567-3677 or hermistonnaz@gmail.com.