Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Three Rivers Endowment Trust has elected its new chairman for the coming year.
Dr. Marty Michel, a pharmacist, was elected as the new chairman at the annual meeting held in June. His term began on July 1. Michel and his wife, Julita, own and operate Key Drugs in Poplar Bluff and Dexter.
“This is an exciting time for the Three Rivers Endowment Trust,” said Michel. “With the culmination of a successful major gifts campaign, it’s rewarding to see the completion of the Three Rivers - Sikeston building, the completion of the new classroom building on the Poplar Bluff campus, and the start of the construction of the Libla Family Sports Complex and work to pursue other initiatives to support Three Rivers College.”
Michel graduated from the University of Mississippi Pharmacy School with honors. He continued his education with William Woods University and received a Master’s in Business Administration. Michel has served on many local, state, and national boards, including Missouri Board of Pharmacy, Missouri Pharmacy Association, Butler County Health Department Board of Trustees, and Ozark Foothills Healthcare Consortium. He received the Citizen of the Year award presented by the Poplar Bluff Police Department in 1994. Currently he is an Adjunct Clinical Instructor in Pharmacy Practice with St. Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Pharmacy, and The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.
“I’m looking forward to working with Marty as our Chairman,” said Michelle Reynolds, executive director of the Endowment Trust and Director of Development at Three Rivers College. “He has served a vital role since the inception of the organization, and I’m confident the Trust will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
The Three Rivers Endowment Trust formed in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, designated by Three Rivers College to receive and manage gifts on behalf of the College. It acts as a trustee for donations to assure that gifts are distributed in the manner specified by the donor.
Natalie Riley, an attorney at the Holden Law Office in Dexter, preceded Michel as chairman. Other officers for the upcoming year are secretary Regina Griffin of Doniphan and Keith Holloway of Cape Girardeau as treasurer.
Also at the June meeting, terms were renewed for members H. Riley Bock of New Madrid, as well as Poplar Bluff residents Michel, Allen Brooks, Doug Libla, and Chris Williams.
In addition to accepting annual gifts, pledges, and planned gifts, the Three Rivers Endowment Trust is involved in several activities, including a Trivia Night, Day at the Ballpark with the St. Louis Cardinals, annual golf tournament, benefit run, and other activities. It awards thousands of dollars in scholarships annually.
For more information, check www.trcc.edu regularly for event updates. The Three Rivers Endowment Trust can be reached by calling 573-840-9077.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College has announced the promotion of Justin Hoggard to Dean of Instruction, where he will be responsible for all of the college’s for-credit academic and career education classes. Hoggard, who was previously Chair of the Social Science Department and Title III Director, will assume his new position on July 1.
“I am excited about this opportunity. It will be different from the teaching responsibilities I have had at Three Rivers,” said Hoggard. “In the end, it is still about providing a quality educational experience for our students and adding to the 50 years of service the College has provided to this region.”
Hoggard was hired at Three Rivers in 2000 as a faculty member in the Social Science Department. He became Chair of the Social Science Department in 2012, and Director of the college’s Title III programs in 2014. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and a Master’s Degree in History from Arkansas State University, and is in the final stages of the Education Leadership doctoral program at William Woods University.
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.
Shown in the photo is Justin Hoggard, a Paragould, Arkansas, resident, has been chosen as Dean of Instruction for Three Rivers College. He will be responsible for all of the college’s for-credit academic and career education classes.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College filled the Black River Coliseum to celebrate the institution’s newest graduating class on Friday, May 20. Over 570 students in Three Rivers’ degree and certificate programs were eligible to walk across the stage during Friday’s ceremony.
Erick Kirkman, a Three Rivers alumnus, Poplar Bluff resident, and successful entrepreneur, gave the commencement speech to the Class of 2016. In his speech, Kirkman encouraged graduates to seek success and follow their dreams, even if those dreams seem difficult to achieve. He also told graduates to hold themselves to a high standard, even if it was hard.
“I would say to worry about your character, and not your reputation,” said Kirkman. “Those seem like the same thing, but they’re very different. Your reputation is who people think you are; your character is who you are when no one is watching.”
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Three Rivers, the college Choir, directed by Cindy White, Professor of Music, performed an arrangement of “The Sound of Silence,” which was the music performed at Three Rivers’ first commencement.
“It is gratifying to me to see so many graduates heading off into a better life with a degree from Three Rivers,” said Williams. “It’s my pleasure to greet you all not only as new graduates, but as fellow alumni of Three Rivers.”
The college honored several outstanding graduates at the ceremony, and recognized its many first-generation, non-traditional, veteran, international, and multi-generation graduates. Among the individual graduates spotlighted were:
· Justas Furmanavicius, an international student from Lithuania, who came to the United States after being recruited to play for the Raiders Basketball team.
· Ann Mati, an international student whose Three Rivers journey started with a full day of classes after a 24-hour trip from her home in Kenya, and who received a Student Excellence Award for her work in the Honors Program.
· Jennifer Beck, a first-generation student who came to Three Rivers after entering the workforce as an LPN. She graduated alongside her daughter, who helped encourage her to start classes at Three Rivers.
· Dorothy Rose, a non-traditional student who began her college career after marrying and raising five boys. She graduated with an Associate of Arts with an emphasis in General Education and plans to substitute teach at Twin Rivers.
· Gabby and Michaela Mays, twin sisters who came to Three Rivers under the A+ program and served as Resident Assistants in housing at the Poplar Bluff Campus.
· James Norman, a student veteran who served in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He has served in leadership positions within the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the student art club. He plans to transfer to Southeast Missouri State University to complete his art degree.
This year marks the 48th anniversary of the college’s first commencement ceremony since Three Rivers was founded in 1966. Since then, Three Rivers has served over 100,000 students from its degree, transfer, and career-technical programs. Registration is currently open for Fall classes at Three Rivers. To learn more about registering for classes at Three Rivers, call the Welcome Center at 573-840-9605 or visit trcc.edu.
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.
Shown in the photo is James Norman, a student veteran and member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, stands to be recognized by Three Rivers College President Dr. Wesley Payne during Three Rivers’ 2016 Commencement Ceremony at the Black River Coliseum on May 20.
Dexter, Missouri - Three Rivers College recognized over 50 of its highest-performing students at its Annual Student Excellence Awards ceremony on May 13. Winners were chosen to represent each academic department and career education program, the Three Rivers external locations, honor society students, and major student organizations. MacKenzie Young, Alexa Ash, and Stephani Fulford are from Dexter.
“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 they’ve achieved is not only an indication of natural ability and talent, but their dedication to putting in the time and doing the work that makes them the standouts of Three Rivers.”
To be eligible to receive an Academic Excellence Award, a student must have completed at least 15 credit hours and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Winners from academic and career programs are chosen by that program’s leadership based upon recommendations from individual 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.
Shown in the photo above are from left to right: MacKenzie Young, Alexa Ash, and Stephani Fulford from Dexter, Missouri.
“We’re proud to honor Erick Kirkman for his unwavering support for Three Rivers and our community,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “Because of the time and effort put in by people like Erick, Three Rivers can continue to educate our community and help it grow.”
Kirkman, who graduated from Three Rivers in 1994, was selected for the award by a committee of Three Rivers faculty, staff, and community members. Kirkman, who is co-owner and co-founder of Kissinger & Kirkman Investment Centre, LLC, serves on the college’s Business Management Advisory Committee, is frequently a guest speaker for Three Rivers’ business classes, and is a major supporter of the Patrons of the Arts Society.
“We had several outstanding nominations this year, but Erick’s stood out due to his achievements in his profession and the community,” said Michelle Reynolds, Director of Development for Three Rivers. “He’s given back to the college in so many ways, and we’re honored to have him as a true partner in the Poplar Bluff community.”
In addition to receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, Kirkman has been selected as the Keynote Speaker at Three Rivers’ 2016 Commencement ceremony on May 20 at the Black River Coliseum.
Along with his degree from Three Rivers, Kirkman holds a B.S. in Finance from Arkansas State University. He is a Certified Financial Planner and is Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Provider for Southeast Missouri. He resides in Poplar Bluff with his wife, Dr. Martha Kirkman, and their twin daughters.
Those wishing to attend the May 9 recognition reception should RSVP with Michelle Reynolds at michellereynolds@trcc.edu or 573-840-9077. Kirkman has designated enhancements to the lobby of the Westover Building for any gifts made in his honor.
