Three Rivers College has released its Dean’s List for the Spring 2020 semester. The honor is awarded to students taking 12 or more credit hours in a semester, who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Dean’s List honors are also used at graduation to help determine eligibility for honors or highest honors.
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.
Advance - Kassi Bright, Mikayla Mikels
Bell City - Tina Weakley
Bernie - Dena Costin, Katelyn Pulliam
Bloomfield - Jewel Chism, Evan Dowell, Mollie Fields, Zachary Hadley, Tyrah Hartle, Caroline Jones, Harlie Leeper, Ashley Miller, Mason Pulley, Sara Tackett
Dexter - McKenzie Anthony, Brittany Axelson, Johnny Boham, Layla Brown, Cheyenne Burch, Alexander Calonne, Kaylee Carey, Demi Cecil, Katie Cecil, Katie Condict, Phillip Dobbs, Christopher Dye, Rylie Frizzell, Sierra Green, Sarah Grummert, Kaitlynne Hann, Chantel Heath, Casie Layton, Kelsie Lorelli, Jadyn Northcutt, Jesse Pugh, Marsha Richardson, Shannon Smith, Tana Stock, Scott Strickler, Hannah Thurmon, McKinna Tidwell, Bailee Williams
Dudley - Shelby Hobbs, Kaitlee Mayabb, Kayleigh Wilkerson, Cole Yoebstl
Essex - John Gaddis, Matthew Miller
Puxico - Kasen Barnfield, Ashley Clinton, Melissa Manis, Matthew Mitchell, O'Shen Schaefer
Three Rivers College recognized more than 40 of its highest performing students with its Annual Student Excellence Awards. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor societies, and major student organizations.
Ryan Bambrough is from Sikeston and is majoring in Literature.
“The Student Excellence Awards are a celebration not only of academic success but of the hard work and commitment of our student body,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “The success these students have achieved is not only an indication of natural ability and talent, but also their dedication to putting in the time and doing the work that makes them the standouts of Three Rivers.”
Winners from academic and career programs are chosen by that program’s leadership based on recommendations from faculty members. The leadership of each organization selects student organization, external location, and honor society award recipients.
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.
Three Rivers College recognized more than 40 of its highest performing students with its Annual Student Excellence Awards. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor societies, and major student organizations.
Courtney Putnam is a from Dexter and is in the Student Nursing Association program.
“The Student Excellence Awards are a celebration not only of academic success but of the hard work and commitment of our student body,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “The success these students have achieved is not only an indication of natural ability and talent, but also their dedication to putting in the time and doing the work that makes them the standouts of Three Rivers.”
Winners from academic and career programs are chosen by that program’s leadership based on recommendations from faculty members. The leadership of each organization selects student organization, external location, and honor society award recipients.
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.
As Missouri lifts its stay-at-home order, Three Rivers College will reopen its facilities to faculty and staff members on May 4, TRC President Dr. Wesley Payne has announced.
The College is planning a phased approach to reopening and will be closed to the public until June 1.
“Beginning June 1 we will we be fully open unless health officials recommend otherwise,” Payne said.
While College facilities have been closed since April 6 to all but personnel completing essential tasks that can’t be performed remotely, TRC has continued to serve its students. All TRC classes moved to online in March. Faculty and staff have been working remotely since April 6 to continue to provide services such as tutoring, library services, advising, and financial aid assistance.
“Everyone has pitched in to provide resources and reassurance to our students and to help them continue on their education journeys,” Payne said.
Staff will return to normal hours at the Three Rivers Campus in Poplar Bluff and at its location buildings in Sikeston, Dexter, and Kennett on Monday, May 4, with guidelines in place for social distancing, personal safety, and enhanced sanitation protocols. TRC faculty will return as needed.
As part of Phase 2, May 18-June 1, certain classes with hands-on elements will start bringing back students to complete those classes. Those students will be contacted by their instructors.
“We will continue virtual registration through the end of May and plan to allow in-person registration starting June 1, when College operations return to normal as part of Phase 3,” Payne said. “Summer classes will all be online. The plan for Fall is to hold classes as normal.”
Fitness classes will resume in the Bidwell Fitness Center beginning May 1, with limits of no more than 10 individuals in the room at one time and following social distancing and enhanced sanitization guidelines. The classes will resume at normal capacity beginning May 18 unless health officials recommend otherwise.
Payne met with area heath and emergency management officials to help plan the phased reopening of the College.
“The College has a great plan to begin the process of bringing staff, and then students, back and continuing the great work Three Rivers does for our community,” said Robbie Myers, Director of Butler County Emergency Management Agency. “They are looking at all the things they need to do to keep people safe.”
“The College’s structured approach to reopening is excellent and is in lockstep with state guidelines,” said local family physician Dr. Chris Montgomery. “We appreciate the leadership role the College has taken during this situation.”
Butler County Health Department Administrator Emily Goodin said her agency has been “working with Three Rivers to ensure the safety of staff, faculty, and students as they return back to work and school.”
Gene Bess, J.P. McLane, Paula Corder King, Matt Palmer, and the 1979 National Championship Raiders Basketball Team were the first inductees in Three Rivers College’s new Athletic Hall of Fame. A banquet was held in their honor on January 31 at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.
Located in the Libla Family Sports Complex, the Hall of Fame is now open for viewing during every event in the arena.
“Three Rivers College has a long and storied history of excellence in intercollegiate athletics. The athletic programs provide opportunities for our student athletes and fans of all ages to share and support a common goal,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “We are proud to honor these individuals and their achievements as Raiders and in their lives.”
The inaugural inductees are:
Gene Bess
Gene Bess began his career at Three Rivers in 1969 as assistant basketball coach and was named head coach in 1970. His career record entering the 2019-2020 season is 1,281-404, making him the all-time most winning basketball coach in the nation.
Bess has won two national junior college championships, in 1979 and 1992. He has led the Raiders to 17 NJCAA tournament appearances and reached the final four nine times. He has been recognized as NJCAA Coach of the Year twice, Regional Coach of the Year 23 times, and MCCAC Conference Coach of the Year 19 times. In 2016, he received the highest award the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame gives when he achieved legend status. He also is a member of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
J.P. McLane, Contributor
McLane has been involved with the Three Rivers Booster Club for more than 40 years. He has been generous with both his time and money, including giving a large donation to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. In addition to serving on the Booster Club, he has been a fixture at Raiders games for decades and has worked continually to benefit Raiders athletics and Three Rivers College.
Paula Corder King
The first Lady Raiders basketball player to have her number retired, Paula Corder King had a storied career at Three Rivers during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons. She was a two-time NJCAA All American, named 2nd Team All American her freshman year and 1st Team All American as a sophomore. Corder King was also named All Region 16 and All MCCAC Conference both of her seasons at TRC. She is the All Time Leading Scorer for the Three Rivers Lady Raiders basketball team and best Free Throw Shooter in Lady Raiders basketball history.
Matt Palmer
While at Three Rivers, Matt Palmer established himself as a fierce and durable pitcher. In 2000, he was voted by Region 16 coaches as the region’s Top Player. He was selected in the Major League Baseball draft twice, first in 2001 by the Colorado Rockies and in 2002 with the San Francisco Giants, who he signed with. His 13-year professional career, 2002 – 2014, was highlighted by an amazing 2009 season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim where he compiled an 11-2 win/loss record and a 3.93 ERA.
1979 National Championship Raiders Basketball Team
The 1979 Championship Team includes: Players Don Brown, Mark Guethle, Sylvester James, Chuck Johnson, Robert Kirby, Marvin “Moon” McCrary, Wesley Murray, Pat Niemczyk, Dale Purnell, Dwayne Walker, Thurlon “Sam” Weaver, and Milton “Pike” Woodley; Head Coach Gene Bess; Assistant Coach Roger Pattillo; Manager Rick Alsup; and Radio Announcer Mark Parris.
In 1979, basketball was still a relatively new sport at a relatively new Three Rivers Junior College. The Raiders didn’t have a gym of their own. The team played their home games at the Poplar Bluff High School Peters Gym and held practices at Sears Youth Center. They ran at Bacon Park and lived in a dorm in downtown Poplar Bluff.
Despite the lack of facilities, the team lost only three games that season. The first three games of the National tournament saw the Raiders beat No. 1 Westchester 68 to 64, the Coffeyville Red Ravens 110 to 81, and Western Texas 109 to 103. The Raiders won the Championship game against Mercer County 60 to 59 in overtime.
Members of the inaugural Three Rivers Athletic Hall of Fame class stand for a photo at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff. Members include Three Rivers Raiders basketball coach Gene Bess, Paula Corder King, J.P. McLane, Matt Palmer, and the 1979 Three Rivers men’s basketball National Championship team, which includes Don Brown, Mark Guethle, Sylvester James, Chuck Johnson, Robert Kirby, Marvin “Moon” McCrary, Wesley Murray, Pat Niemczyk, Dale Purnell, Dwayne Walker, Thurlon “Sam” Weaver, and Milton “Pike” Woodley; head coach Gene Bess; assistant coach Roger Pattillo; manager Rick Alsup; and radio announcer Mark Parris.
