Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Libla family finalized a seven figure donation to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust during a signing event held at Three Rivers College on Monday, May 8. In return, the college announced that institution’s proposed athletics building would be named the “Libla Family Sports Complex.”
“We’re proud to help Three Rivers College launch this endeavor, and this is part of our commitment to giving back to the community as much as we can,” said David Libla. “By having this project named for the Libla family, it serves as a remembrance of our parents, and hopefully inspires our children and grandchildren to continue giving back to this community which has given so much to us.”
Attending the signing ceremony were Sen. Doug and Elaine Libla, and David and Mary Libla. The agreement was also signed by Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; Ben Ressel, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees; Phil Davis, Vice Chair of the Three Rivers Board of Trustees, and Emily Parks, Executive Director of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust.
“It’s so amazing to see a self-made family building businesses, living the American dream, then giving back to their community,” said Ressel. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you to all those who have made this project possible.”
The donation makes possible the construction of the college’s new Sports Complex on its Poplar Bluff Campus, which will replace the Bess Activity Center as the home of the Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams. The current proposal is for a 75,000-square-foot structure incorporating a 3,000-seat gymnasium, offices for all of Three Rivers’ coaches, improved training and locker room facilities, and a Three Rivers Sports Hall of Fame. The facility also will have a FEMA-certified safe room capable of withstanding an F5-strength tornado funded by a $2.5 million SEMA/FEMA grant.
“The Liblas have supported our community in many ways, both seen and unseen, and their generous donation is making the Libla Family Sports Complex possible,” said Dr. Payne. “With this, we should be able to move forward with this state-of-the-art facility, that will serve Three Rivers for many years to come.”
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.
The game begins at 7 p.m. All interested media outlets are invited to attend.
The ceremony will include a presentation of the game ball from Coach Bess’ historic 1,200thwin. There will also be presentations from Three Rivers College, the Three Rivers Booster Club, and distinguished guests such as State Senator Doug Libla and State Representative Steve Cookson.
Bess is the only coach in all of college basketball to achieve 1,200 lifetime wins, and is now one of the top five highest-winning coaches in all of basketball. Bess achieved his milestone win with a 91-51 win vs. State Fair Community College on January 8, 2015, in Sedalia, Missouri.
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.
Advance
Megan Bates, William Below, Michelle Conley, Kelcee Davault, Shelby Courtney, and Kelsi Sturgeon.
Bell City
Sierra Bradshaw
Bernie
David Baker, Angelee Barnes, Kaitlyn Blanchette, Marcena Briles, Amy Cluck, Courtney Counts, Caleb Ellenburg, Courtney King, Jodie McGowan, Jeffery McNece, Alyssa Phillips, Lari Spizer, and Brittany Ward.
Bloomfield
Amy Adkins, Donita Birk, Marsha Blakenship, Harley Durall, Lindsay Hutchinson, Rebekah Northern, Jean Perason, Kasity Twaddell, Kristi Venable, and Ruth Zook.
Dexter
Faith Anderson, Hali Bahner, Kristin Bailey, Brooke Baker, Chelsea Burch, Austin Burns, Adam Carlson, Brittney Cato, Bethany Christian, Kimberly Christian, Justin Cowart, Tabatha Crow, Bridget Dixon, Maci Dowd, Larry Durham, Hunter Frampton, Stephani Fulford, Sara Gentry, Sarah Gibson, Micaela Griffin, Jennifer Hayes, Christopher Helton, Kayla Hester, Lindsey Hindman, Hailee Hubbard, Haley Hutchinson, Miranda Johnson, Jessica Kinchen, Elizabeth Kohlbaker, Savannah Mace, Haley Machado, Michael McCollough, Teyrsa McDonald, Tate Midkiff, Tisha Moore, Dialina Morgan, Jordan Meyers, Nicholas Noble, Kara Owens, Taylor Owens, Jonathan Page, Alexis Rauls, William Rudd, Sarah Skinner, Christina Smith, Marife Smith, Joseph Tafoya, Brandi Thurman, Sarah Tolbert, George Warren, Victoria Wiley, and Mackenzie Young.
Puxico
Charles Arnold, James Bowling, Ashley Cupp, Melissa Price, and Trentan Rogers
Congratulations to all of the students!
Three Rivers College Patron of the Arts is sponsoring the performances of Robin Hood and The Emperor's Clothes on February 2nd and March 2nd. The plays will be presented by The Imaginary Theater Company out of St. Louis.
Shown in the photo are Randy Northington of the Dexter Kiwanis Club, Davy Crockett of the Dexter Elks, Michael Hobbs of First National Bank, Janice Nichols of Southern Bank, Billy Fowler of the Dexter Lions Club, and Three Rivers Dexter Campus Coordinator Bill Hampton.
The businesses and civic organizations furnished the funding for the student tickets, assuring a seat for every elementary student in Dexter.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The MFA Oil Foundation, based in Columbia, has awarded a grant to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, to be applied toward the cost of purchasing and mounting new TVs in an ITV classroom at the Sikeston Academic Building.
The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees. Since it was established in 1998, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants.
MFA Oil President and CEO Mark Fenner described the MFA Oil Foundation as “a program that allows our company to give support back to the rural communities that are the foundation of our business. The grants the Foundation awards help support many youth programs and organizations active in addressing and solving community problems and improving the quality of life.”
The Three Rivers Endowment Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization that receives and manages donations on behalf of Three Rivers College. The Endowment Trust provides a mutually beneficial means for individuals and businesses to partner with the college. For information on donating to scholarships, building projects, or other college needs, contact Endowment Trust Executive Director Emily Parks at 573-840-9077
Joe Miller, Southeast dispatch manager for MFA Oil Company, presents a check on behalf of the MFA Oil Foundation to Michelle Reynolds, development officer for Three Rivers College. The grant will assist with the upgrade of one of the ITV classrooms at the new Sikeston Academic Building.
