Stars shine brightly at MCC gala

More than 425 people attended MCC's second annual Five Star Gala on Thursday, raising tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships, academic coaching, emergency book funds and special projects.

The event, held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown-Muehlebach Tower, honored the Francis Family Foundation with the Five Star Award.

Known throughout the region for its commitment to creating brighter futures for all generations, the Francis Family Foundation has been a pioneer in education for young children, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond

Last chance to buy gala tickets

With MCC's second annual Five Star Gala right around the corner, seats are filling up fast. Don't forget to visit the gala web site to buy your tickets.

The gala, themed Creating Bright Futures, will honor the Francis Family Foundation for their commitment to early childhood education and their support of MCC. Gala co-chairs David Disney, Kathy Disney and Carolyn Watley cordially invite MCC employees to attend. Proceeds from the fundraising event benefit MCC students through scholarships, academic coaching, emergency book funds and special projects throughout MCC’s five campuses.

MCC Five Star Gala
Thursday, March 31
5:30 reception, 6:30 dinner and program
Downtown Marriott Hotel - Muehlebach Tower
MCC employee tickets ~ $100
MCC alumni and retiree tickets ~ $125
Regular tickets ~ $250

For additional information or to order tickets, visit the Five Star Gala website.

Artist to gift sculpture at gala

When representatives from the Francis Family Foundation are awarded MCC’s highest honor at this month’s Five Star Gala, they won’t be presented with a run-of-the-mill trophy or plaque; they will receive a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Kansas City artist E. Spencer Schubert has crafted a unique sculpture to be given as this year’s Five Star Award, a tradition that carries over from last year’s inaugural gala when renowned artist Rita Blitt crafted a metal sculpture to honor Henry Bloch and the Bloch Scholars program.

“With such an array of talented artists in Kansas City–many with a connection to MCC–we saw a unique opportunity to showcase that talent while providing our Five Star honorees with a truly one-of-a-kind token of our appreciation,” said Jackie Snyder, MCC chancellor emeritus, who, together with Foundation Director Vince Anch, hatched the idea to highlight local art in this way.

And this year, the artist and the honoree have a special connection that adds even more meaning to the sculptor's gift: Schubert himself has benefitted from the Francis Family Foundation’s benevolence. He is a graduate of the Arts Incubator, a local business incubator for artists that is partially funded by the foundation. Schubert says he is honored to give back to the organization through the gift of this original sculpture, which is based on the logo of the Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development that the Francis Family Foundation co-founded at MCC-Penn Valley.
Schubert holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture from the University of Kansas, where he launched an exhibition schedule that has taken him throughout the Midwest. Recent exhibitions include:

• Yankton River Walk, Public Art Exhibition; Yankton, South Dakota (2011)
• Art in R Park, Public Art Exhibition; Roeland Park, Kansas (2010)
• 64 Arts National Juried Exhibition, Buchanan Center For The Arts; Monmouth, Illinois (2010)
• Fall Group Show, Leopold Gallery; Kansas City, Missouri (2009)
• Solo exhibition, Goppert Gallery, University of St. Mary; Leavenworth, Kansas (2009)
• Small Works, Cocoon Gallery; Kansas City, Missouri (2008)
• Solo exhibition: avoidance, Plenum Space; Kansas City, Missouri (2008)

In addition to his fine-art sculpture work, Schubert owns E.S. Schubert Commercial Sculpture Studios, a 3-D fabrication studio in Kansas City’s West Bottoms industrial district. He has served as a guest lecturer for the sculpture program at his alma mater, KU, and has led workshops and panels on a number of arts-related topics. He has won several awards, including the 2008 ArtsKC Fund Inspiration Grant from the Metropolitan Arts Council of Kansas City.

To see a sample of Schubert’s work, join us for the 2011 Five Star Gala, where his original sculpture will be unveiled and presented to the Francis Family Foundation. Regularly priced tickets are $250 each and reduced-price tickets for employees are $100. The event, on Thursday, March 31, will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown–Muehlebach Tower. For more information about the gala or to purchase tickets visit the Five Star Gala web site.

The Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development at MCC-Penn Valley began teaching web-based classes of the Strengths-Based Coaching® curriculum on Tuesday.

The web-based class is the result of a partnership between Francis Institute and the National Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (NACCRRA)based out of Washington D.C.

This partnership was formed to convert the internationally recognized two-day training known as, Strengths-Based Coaching®, to a web-based version. The class is being offered through NACCRRA’s platform to participants from the more than 700 child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&R’s) nationally.

Joy Humbarger and Terrell Mann, Professional Development Specialists at the Francis Institute, accepted the challenge and have co-authored the web-based version of Strengths-Based Coaching®.

The first of three cohorts are being offered between November, 2010 and May, 2011. Approximately 10-12 classes will be offered annually, once the pilot stage is completed.

PHOTO CAPTION: (From top to bottom) Terrell Mann and Joy Humbarger facilitate web based classes of the Francis Institute's Strengths-Based Coaching® curriculum.

Francis Institute expert featured in child development news story

Pamela Simmons, professional resource specialist for the Francis Institute, was recently featured in a local newscast. The story was a follow-up to the tragic hit-and-run accident of the 4-year-old girl in Grandview.


Simmons discussed child development milestones and safety tips.

Donna Nelson selected as Penn Valley employee of month

Donna Nelson of the Francis Institute was recently selected as MCC-Penn Valley's employee of the month. Donna, who's served Penn Valley for 30 years, was cited for being thorough, professional and thoughtful.

"Donna held all of us accountable for doing our absolute best. She also took the time and initiative to solve many student issues. Donna's people skills are the best," her nomination form raves.

Congratulations Donna for exemplary service and 30 years of true commitment!