Samuel J. Kirkwood was Governor of Iowa (1860-64, 1876-77) during the Civil War years. He also served as a U.S. Senator and U.S. Secretary of the Interior under President James Garfield from March 8, 1881 to April 17, 1882. He was a resident of Kirkwood Community College's seven-county service area and represented the strength, pioneer spirit, leadership and ability to unite people and communities that parallels the college's efforts. The college became known officially as Kirkwood Community College in August, 1969. Until then, it was known as Area 10 Community College.