Three Rivers College recognized more than 50 of its highest performing students at its Annual Student Excellence Awards ceremony. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor societies, and major student organizations.

 

“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. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.

 

Three Rivers College has selected faculty members Elizabeth Deken, Professor of Engineering Technology, and Dr. Michael Malone, Adjunct Instructor in the Information Technology Specialist program, as the College’s Teacher of the Year and Adjunct Teacher of the Year. The awards were presented at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Banquet.

 

“We’re proud to honor 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.”

 

In the technical classes and math classes that she teaches at Three Rivers, Deken said she focuses on helping students learn problem-solving skills in addition to subject skills.

 

“Learning is a lifelong process and helping students to see that education is important and doesn’t end with a degree or certificate is an important part of my approach to teaching,” said Deken, who has taught at TRC for 20 years.  “Treating students with respect and setting learning expectations so that each student is challenged is also important in the approach I use with all of my classes.”

 

Deken holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, and Master of Science in Industrial Management.

 

Malone has taught at Three Rivers for three years. He teaches classes in the Information Technology Specialist program, including Server Administration and Programming.

 

“I focus on three things: (1) prepare, prepare, prepare; (2) don’t be afraid to admit you’re wrong; and (3) if you don’t know something, admit it, say you’ll find out, and follow through,” Malone said.

 

Malone said he likes the small class sizes at TRC and the College’s focus on teaching.

 

“At large institutions it’s difficult to build relationships between students and faculty. Here, the faculty’s focus is on teaching, not research,” he said.

 

Malone holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Software, a Master of Science in Computer Information Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organization and Management, with a specialization in Information Technology Management.

 

“Both of these instructors are committed to providing the best educational experience possible for our students,” said Dr. Justin Hoggard, TRC Dean of Instruction. “They have a passion for helping students achieve their dreams and goals for college, career and life.”

 

“We’re extremely proud of the work that Liz and Mike have done in our classrooms,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “They are examples of the excellence that 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.

         

Crystal Thomas of Poplar Bluff has received the Ozark Federal Credit Union Scholarship to attend Three Rivers College.  Thomas is married to Sedrick Thomas and is the daughter of Mark Willyard Sr. of Pierre Part, La., and Patricia Martin of Wappapello.  She is a 2004 graduate of Puxico High School.  Thomas plans to obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing while at Three Rivers.

 

Ozark Federal Credit Union awards up to two $500 scholarships each year.  To be eligible for the OFCU scholarship, the student must be a current OFCU member, in good standing, and planning to attend Three Rivers College.  The scholarship is open to both traditional 1st-year students and non-traditional students.  OFCU scholarships are determined based on merit.  Funds are awrded yearly and disbursed between two semesters for the amount of $250 per semester.  The scholarship is for one year only and the student must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain a full-time student for the entirety of the year in which the scholarship is awarded.   

 

Three Rivers College, recognizing outstanding academic achievement as well as financial need, has a number of established institutional and endowed scholarships to assist students in realizing their educational goals. To apply for scholarships and other financial aid at Three Rivers College, visit trcc.edu/financialaid. For information on contributing to scholarships at Three Rivers, contact the College Development Office at 573-840-9077.

 

Three Rivers College offers a wide variety of college transfer and career/technical programs on its main campus in Poplar Bluff; at locations in Sikeston, Kennett, Dexter, and Cape Girardeau; and online. For additional information, visit the college website at www.trcc.edu or call toll-free 877-879-8722.

 

Pictured: Crystal Thomas (center) receives scholarship from Danielle McFadden of Three Rivers College (left) and Davine Conover of Ozark Federal Credit Union (right). 

Sikeston, Missouri - U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) will visit Three Rivers College – Sikeston at 3:45 p.m. May 2.

 

According to Blunt’s office, the senator will tour the TRC facility at 1400 S. Main in Sikeston, visit with students, and talk about the importance of Pell Grants, a federally funded needs-based program that helps students pay for a college education.

 

The Pell Grant program was expanded this year to provide grants for Summer classes, as well as the Fall and Spring semesters. Year-round Pell will allow qualifying students to continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster. For details on Pell Grants and information on applying for financial aid, visit trcc.edu/financialaid.

 

Three Rivers has been offering classes in Sikeston since the 1980s. In 2005, Three Rivers opened a location there. In 2015 Three Rivers opened its present Sikeston facility, a 36,000-square-foot building that includes 10 classrooms; four computer classroom/labs; two science labs; LPN-to-RN Bridge Program facilities; a Learning Resource Center/Library; and the Sikeston Room, an auditorium/community meeting room for student and community events. For more information on TRC-Sikeston, call 573-472-5223.

 

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. Registration is open now for Summer and Fall classes; for a getting started checklist, visit trcc.edu/admissions. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.

 

Keith Mitchell family makes named gift to TRC-Kennett

 

The Keith Mitchell family made a named gift to Three Rivers College - Kennett. The donation includes naming rights for the atrium of the building.

“Education is the backbone of small towns such as Kennett,” said Keith Mitchell. “Our family is proud to be able to invest in Three Rives College and its students.”

“We very much appreciate the support of the Mitchell family,” said Kathy Ballard, Director of TRC-Kennett. “Their donation will be used for unexpected needs of the Kennett location not foreseen in the yearly budget.”

Three Rivers College – Kennett is an external location for Three Rivers College. It allows area residents to pursue higher education close to home by offering quality and affordable college transfer and career-technical programs at its location at 1002 Great West Drive in Kennett.

The donation was made through the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization designated by Three Rivers College to receive and manage gifts on behalf of the College. The Endowment Trust acts as a trustee for donations to assure that gifts are distributed in the manner specified by the donor.

For more information on Three Rivers-Kennett, call 573-888-6381. For information on donating to the College, visit trcc.edu/development or call 573-840-9077.

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.

 

Pictured: Keith Mitchell and Robbin Mitchell (third and fourth from left, respectively) are recognized by representatives of Three Rivers College for their donation to TRC-Kennett. From Three Rivers are Eric Schalk (from left), Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Kathy Ballard, TRC-Kennett Director; TRC President Dr. Wesley Payne; Dr. Maribeth Payne, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness; and Michelle Reynolds, Director of Development.