Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Dr. Devin Stephenson, who has served as President of Three Rivers College since 2009, announced his intentions to leave the institution at the monthly meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday, June 25. Stephenson requested a sabbatical leave through November 30, to be followed by the voluntary termination of his contract. The board then named Dr. Wesley Payne, Vice President for Learning, as Interim President of Three Rivers.

Stephenson cited a desire to pursue alternative opportunities related to higher education as the reason for his request. During his sabbatical, Stephenson will serve as a consultant to the college to ease the administration’s transition. As per his request, the sabbatical period began immediately.

“I wish Three Rivers College nothing but the best as it continues to fulfill its mission in providing educational opportunities and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Southeast Missouri,” wrote Stephenson in his request letter to the Board of Trustees. “My wife and I have had the honor and privilege of working with some of the finest people we have met, and our thoughts and prayers will always be for progress and the advancement of the college, and the continued success of its students.”

Randy Grassham, Chairman of Three Rivers’ Board of Trustees, said that the college would likely not begin seeking a permanent successor to Stephenson until after the sabbatical period ends, with Payne serving as Interim President in the meantime. Payne expressed his confidence in the ability of Three Rivers to remain stable and strong during the interim.

“I can say without hesitation that this is one of the finest groups of educators I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and I am fully confident that we will continue to serve the region with the same dedication and excellence,” said Payne. “I have been working extremely closely with Dr. Stephenson on all the college’s major projects, and I’m fully confident that this will be a smooth transition.”

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

Dexter, Missouri - T.S. Hill Middle School announced their 4th quarter Honor Roll students.  Students must maintain a B average to be on the Honor Roll each quarter.

Making the honor roll is not as easy as one might think.  Middle School students who are high achievers acquire and develop excellent study habits and skills, especially in time management.  To manage time efficiently, students use a student calendar or planner. 

Successful, lifelong learners set aside a time and a space every day to do their homework.  Student who can manage their daily workload have a better chance of attaining academic success.

Congratulations to every 6th grader who made the honor roll for the 4th quarter of the 2013 – 2014 school year.

In alphabetical order: Matthew Agey, Eric Allen, Jakob Almakuter. Ashley Arneson, Jillian Avery, Madeline Ayers, Shea Baker, Jade Baran, Cole Barker, Lucas Becker, Carson Bell, Kirsten Bess, Victoria “Gracie” Bess, Hayley Bridges, Alexis Burns, Jaden Cato, Emmalee Irene Chandler, Colby Christian, Clair Comfort, Sarah Grace Deal, Dawson Duckworth, Evelyn Eschenweck, Ryder Foster,  Katelyn Fields, Jordan Geary, Dalton Granger, Addyson Green, Austin R. Guy, Madilyn Mae Hampton, Landon Hardin, Samantha Hartline, William Hayes, Shelby Haynes, Garrett Henson, Haden Hillis, Nicolas Horn, Irene Huang, Mya Jackson, Emily Jarrell, Trey Johnson, Marlin Jones, Trent Jung, Mason Keena, Ann Marie Long, Madyson Lowman, Brian S. Lucas, Audrey Lutmer, Landree Markham, Allisyn May, Hailee Mayfield, Makayla Maze, Abigail McCormick, Gracie Lynn McDonald, Olivia “Grace” Milam, Lillian Montgomery, Brice Moore, Sarah Mooy, Kolby Musgrave, Margo Nea, Macyn Okan, Madeline Parker, Wyatt Parker, Nidhi Patel, Josiah Payne, Brodie Ryan Pollock, John Quick, Maci Rauls, Blair Rogers, Meadowe Scott, Jack Scruggs, Chandler Ship, Annmarie Paige Slaton, Madison Slaton, Celine Smith, Andrew Soule, Alex Stidmon, Rebecca Traw, Genevieve Turner, Parker Vanslyke, Travis Waldner, Preston Walton, Spencer Warren, Alexa Werneck, Luke Whitaker, Lydia Whitaker, Andrew Williams, Logan Wyman

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Public School system received a total of $3,000 to cover the cost of archery equipment for their National Archery in Schools Program that was recently implemented.

The Missouri Department of Conservation granted the district $1,000 along with $1,500 that was awarded by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Superfund.    The local chapter of the NWTF, the Crowley's Ridge Limbhangers also donated an additional $500.

“The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) was developed to serve these specific educational and conservation purposes. NASP® was co-created by the Kentucky Departments of Fish & Wildlife Resources and Department of Education and Mathews Archery in the late summer and fall of 2001. The program was launched in 21 Kentucky middle schools on March 3, 2002.”

"Wildlife Conservation agencies are concerned too many young people are forgoing learning outdoor skills that will inspire them to spend more time with wild things in wild places. Natural resource professionals are convinced learning target shooting skills will result in character and self-reliance development that will serve the future of wildlife conservation well," according to NASP.

Shown in the photo are from left to right:  Austin Bond, Cameron Pulley, Coach Jason Karnes, Conservation Agent Mark Reed, and Nathan Newell.

Dexter, Missouri - T.S. Hill Middle School students accompanied by Asst. Principal Angie Duncan and Middle School Counselor Nancy Langley traveled to the Jr. Beta Club's National Convention in Richmond, Virginia on Friday.

The students are competing, performing and exhibiting their work throughout the week and will return on Wednesday.  They earned this honor by competing earlier in the year at the State level convention held at Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

These 16 students will be competing in arts, crafts, banners, scrapbooking, poetry, living literature, photography, watercolor, sketching, cross-stitch, quilting, sculptures, science, social studies, woodworking, spelling, music, and essay contest.

Congratulations on a well deserved honor!

Dexter, Missouri - Three Rivers College has announced that it will offer Certified Med Tech (CMT) and Insulin Administration courses at its Center at Dexter this summer for qualified Certified Nursing Assistants wishing to improve their qualifications.

The college’s CMT course is available to Certified Nursing Assistants who have worked at least six months in a long-term care facility. The course is fully funded through the “MOHealthWins” grant and is free to qualifying applicants.

“It’s a great opportunity for experienced CNAs to add to their skills and become qualified for better positions with increased pay scales,” said Deb Avery, Instructional Supervisor for Three Rivers’ MOHealthWins-funded programs. “Since the course only takes a month to complete, it’s a quick and cost-effective way for local professionals to increase their skills.”

Avery urged interested applicants to act quickly, as registration for the CMT course ends on June 24, and the course has a 10-student limit. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have proof of six months of employment as a CNA in a long-term care facility, and submit a letter of recommendation from the administrator or Director of Nursing at their facility. They must also present proof of high school graduation or the equivalent, and complete a “WorkKeys” assessment. For more information or to apply, please contact Deb Avery at 573-840-9681

Registration continues for Fall classes at all Three Rivers College locations. To search for classes, visit trcc.edu or call 573-840-9605.

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