Local financial planner Cole Schwarz gave his oath of office and joined the Barton Community College Board of Trustees during the board’s meeting Tuesday evening.

Schwarz said he believes the college is a tremendous asset to Barton County and central Kansas.

“Student debt has become one of the more significant issues facing today’s young adults,” he said. “Barton provides young adults the opportunity to acquire quality education for a fraction of the price and gives them a chance to get into the workforce with the experience they need without leaving them in a situation where they have to push back some of life’s other goals, such as homeownership or starting a family. It is bringing young adults to our community and providing education to our military.”

Schwarz said he will use his experience as a financial planner to bring thoughtful advice and creative solutions to address the situations brought to the board. 

He is originally from Silver Lake, Kansas and attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. He then lived in Topeka for a few years before moving to Great Bend, where he began working at Anderson Financial.

“The Great Bend community has been nothing but warm and welcoming to me over the past few years, allowing me to feel at home quickly,” he said. “Buying a house almost two years ago here became a simple decision after the warm welcome; that, and the relationships I have been able to develop with clients and our staff make it easy for me to call Great Bend home.”

Schwarz’s appointment filled a vacancy on the board left by the late Trustee Mike Boys, who passed away in early June.

For more information about the Barton Board of Trustees, visit trustees.bartonccc.edu.