SIKESTON– Three Rivers College is pleased to announce the appointment of Missy Marshall to the position of Director for the college’s Center at Sikeston.

Marshall, currently the Executive Director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, will begin work on Monday, June 4.  Marshall announced her intent to resign to the leadership of the Sikeston Chamber on Monday, May 7.

“I will stay at the Chamber while they’re searching for my replacement,” stated Marshall.  “Even once I’m at Three Rivers, I will continue to assist the new director and the Board of Directors at the Chamber in that transition process.  The Three Rivers administration and I do not want to leave the Chamber in a difficult place.  We want to make sure the transition is smooth, and that the Chamber can continue to do the work that it does.”

“This move is in preparation for the expansion of our operations in Sikeston, and to facilitate the success of our capital campaign,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers College.  “Missy’s role will include administrative oversight for the Center at Sikeston, as well as assistance with government relations.  She will also serve as our official liaison to the Delta Regional Authority, and will assist us with the coordination of new and existing partnerships.”

Marshall commented it was an exciting time for the college, with the future growth of the Sikeston campus.

 “Because of the growth at the existing campus, and the capital campaign for the new campus that is taking place, the college really has an opportunity to further service the larger Sikeston area.  This effort is not just restricted to Sikeston residents,” Marshall said. “This campus is the educational home to the surrounding communities throughout a multi-county area, and I am excited to be a part of that growth.  To be a part of helping people grow in their careers and their business opportunities – who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”


“We think that Missy is the perfect individual to help create that seamless transfer from quality lower-division coursework offered at Three Rivers to junior class status at Southeast Missouri State,” added Stephenson.  “That in itself creates tremendous opportunity for the Sikeston region.”

Stephenson also explained that the addition of Marshall would help strengthen Three Rivers’ relationships with public schools, government officials and other groups in the Sikeston region. 

“She is well-acquainted with the region, and well-connected within the region, and we think she will utilize all those resources to strengthen our service,” said Stephenson.  “Ultimately, what we’re about is creating educational opportunities, economic development and improving the quality of life.  Missy embraces and demonstrates our same commitment to becoming the preeminent community college, and we believe that one of our prime growth spots is in the eastern region of our service area, up and down the I-55 corridor.”

Marshall has a background in administration, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver, Colo.  Last year was her 11th year as Executive Director with the Sikeston Area Chamber, having previously served as City Administrator of Miner and Director of Patient Services for the American Cancer Society, overseeing at four-state region.  She and her husband Frank, an attorney, reside in Sikeston where they have raised their son and daughter.

“I want to continue to grow our customer service to our students and to expand the offerings at the Sikeston center,” said Marshall, regarding her goals for the Sikeston center.  “We need to work with the main campus to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of our students in the community. I will continue to reach out to our employers and constituents in the area to make sure that Three Rivers is moving in the right direction, and that we continue to be flexible and work to make sure this area grows as a whole.  If our citizens and residents are well prepared, then the community will be able to grow economically, as well.  We’ll work with employers in the area to develop the workforce they need to meet the demands of the local, national, and global economies.”

Photo Above" Missy Marshall (center) chats with Dr. Wes Payne(left) vice president of Three Rivers College and President Dr. Devin Stephenson. The trio is near the site of the new Three Rivers campus in Sikeston. (photo courtesy of Jill Bock, Sikeston Daily Democrat)

POPLAR BLUFF - The Three Rivers College Jazz and Symphonic Bands will host the final concert of the academic year and feature some toe-tapping tunes and classic works for symphonic band.

The concert will feature the Three Rivers Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. The concert will be held at 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the TRC campus in Poplar Bluff.

A number of musicians from the Dexter area will perform in the concert as members of both the TRC Symphonic Band and Jazz Band.

A highlight of the Jazz Band’s performance will be the classic “Big Swing Face” by Bill Potts, which was written for and performed by the famous Buddy Rich Jazz Band. 

“This is the same chart the Buddy Rich Band performed, not a watered-down arrangement,” said William White, Three Rivers College music instructor and band director. The Jazz Band will also perform “Swingtime in the Rockies” by Benny Goodman and James Mundy, arranged by Dave Wolpe, and “Steamsville” by Mark Taylor.

The Symphonic Band’s showcase will include “The Sinfonians” by Clifton Williams, “Down A Country Lane” by Aaron Copland, “A Touch of Tuba” by Art Dedrick, “American Patrol” by F.W. Meacham and “Masque” by Francis McBeth.

“Both bands are performing what I call ‘Gems of the Concert Stage’,” said White.  “Clifton Williams’ ‘The Sinfonians’ is a classic band work which has defined the highest standard of what symphonic band literature can be. ‘Masque,’ by Arkansas native Francis McBeth, is also a staple of band literature. Dr. McBeth passed away Jan. 9, 2012.  This is the band’s tribute to one of the world’s greatest wind band composers.” 

The Symphonic Band is a unique group consisting of community members, area band directors, Three Rivers College and high school students. 

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information on the spring band concert, please contact William White at wwhite@trcc.edu.  Additional information on the music program and other areas of study at Three Rivers College can be found at www.trcc.edu.

Members of the Dexter Future Farmers of America Chapter attended the 84th annual Missouri State FFA Convention in Columbia on April 19-20. Over 9,100 FFA members, parents and guests attended this year's convention. Dexter members attending were Derek Felker, Chelsey Massey, Shelby Edwards, Christin Sitzes, Brianna Madigan and Jackson Hubbard. Massey and Felker each received a proficiency award from the state. Sitzes and Hubbard performed with 200 other FFA members from across the state in the State FFA Choir. The Dexter members worked in the state media room and worked with the state Courtesy Corps. The FFA members also attended a workshop presented by Seth Pratt, Western Region National FFA Vice-President. Pictures at the convention were (front row, from left) Shelby Edwards, Brianna Madigan, Christin Sitzes, Chelsey Massey; (back from , from left FFA Advisor Ronnie Shipman, Jackson Hubbard, Derek Felker. (Photo submitted by FFA Advisor Felker)