Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce has named Three Rivers College faculty members William “Buddy” White, Professor of Music; and Harvey French, Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics, as the college’s Teacher of the Year and Adjunct Teacher of the Year. The awards were given at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Teacher of the Year banquet on April 12.

“We’re proud to honor these teachers, these educators who prepare the leaders of our community,” said Steve Halter, President of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. “We believe it’s important that education and business work together to train the future workers for our businesses.”

The chamber traditionally honors seven teachers at the banquet: a full-time faculty member and an adjunct instructor from Three Rivers, three Poplar Bluff R-1 district and grade level teachers, and two teachers from local parochial schools.

Music professor William “Buddy” White was named Teacher of the Year for Three Rivers. White has been teaching at Three Rivers for 25 years, alongside his wife Cindy, who is Chair of the Three Rivers Music Department. White specializes in instrumental music education, and leads the Three Rivers College Symphonic and Jazz Bands.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the years to build up the Music Department at Three Rivers, and make it a place where local musicians can come and hone their craft,” said White. “In addition to our Three Rivers students, we’ve also been fortunate enough to host music festivals and events that helped educate and inspire thousands of local high school musicians throughout the last two decades.”

Mathematics adjunct Harvey French received the Adjunct Teacher of the Year award for Three Rivers. French has 47 years of experience teaching mathematics, six of which he has spent at Three Rivers. In addition to his work at Three Rivers, French has taught at high schools across the region, including Doniphan, Corning, and Naylor.

“I enjoy teaching mathematics in general, and teaching at Three Rivers in particular. My coworkers are a pleasure, and the students are remarkably hard-working,” said French. “I believe teaching math is important because you’re teaching more than just equations—you’re teaching how to think analytically. It helps people learn to make good decisions in life, not just in the classroom.”

“We’re extremely proud of the work that Buddy White and Harvey French have done in our classrooms,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “They’re just one example of the excellence all of our instructors display, and the kind of high quality education that our students receive.”

Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.

Shown in the photo are the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year award recipients for 2016 are (from left), Fawn Luecke, Jan Gray, Buddy White, Harvey French, Amy Byrne, Gretchen Pendley, and Michael Berry.