Penn Valley honors top scholars, advocates

The end of the school year marks a time when Penn Valley pauses to pay tribute to those who've made amazing progress. Convocation honored the best and brightest students as well as faculty and staff who've made remarkable contributions to the campus.

Awards presented included: Applied Language Recognition, Project Success Student Achievement, Student Ambassador College Service, Homors, Outstanding Student Leader, Outstanding Athletes, Outstanding Contribution to a Special Interest Group, Outstanding Student Advocate, Academic Achievement, President's Appreciation, President's Citation and Outstanding Contribution to the College.

Student Ambassadors were recognized for another great year of service.

Jorge Ruiz received the Outstanding Student Advocate award.

Associate Dean of Students Carroll O'Neal proudly shows off her Special Recognition award for nearly 45 years of service. 

Veronica Highley, Futures Program Director, proudly accepts the President's Citation award for Truman Medical Center's partnership with Penn Valley.

Two MCC icons saluted at areawide women's celebration

Penn Valley President and Blue River Interim President Joe Seabrooks (center), congratulates Mary Simpson (left) and Carroll O'Neal (right) at the Women's Foundation's Celebration of Women Publication Party.

Metropolitan Community College is fortunate to have many dedicated, hard-working and compassionate veteran faculty and staff members. MCC-Blue River Reading Instructor Mary Simpson and MCC-Penn Valley Associate Dean of Students Carroll O'Neal are two such respected leaders.

Simpson has served MCC for 35 years. While O'Neal has stood at the helm for 45 years. Both women were recently honored at the Celebration of Women hosted by the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City. Each year the Women's Foundation publishes a commemorative journal to recognize and celebrate area women and girls. Since 1993 it has included more than 2,300 tributes to remarkable women and girls. Joe Seabrooks, Penn Valley president and Blue River interim president, serves as a board member with the Women's Foundation.

A portion of Simpson's tribute reads:

When asked about her years of working at MCC, Mary stated that she has been "blest to work with people of different campuses and to have good relationships with them."  She also stated that she "enjoys the relationships with peers and also enjoys working with students…and the relationship with the students."  Pride comes to her eyes when she relates the story of a student who was reading Dave Pelzer's A Child Called, "It" as an assignment for Mary's class when the student's son inquired what she was doing.  The student started reading aloud, and her other son joined them.  For the next two hours, the student read aloud to her two children. The student had never read a book before, but now wants to pursue an education degree.  Mary states, "I encourage students to reach their highest potential, and I believe in them."  As a faculty member, Mary has been a quiet inspiration to us all.  She never shies away from taking time to meet a student's needs or to help students succeed.

A portion of O'Neal's tribute reads:

It’s not your unwavering commitment to MCC-Penn Valley. Your 45 years of service proves you are dedicated to serving the thousands of students who have walked our hallowed halls.

It’s not your devotion to faculty and staff. You are a resource to all seeking to help students achieve their dreams.
 It’s not just what you do, it’s the way you do it. Carroll, you strut your stuff with the best of them. Your shoe collection is legendary. Whether patent leather, peep toe, stiletto or strappy – you’ve worn them all and worn them well!

Congratulations to these awesome women!

Penn Valley celebrates holidays, salutes shoe diva!

MCC-Penn Valley recently celebrated the holidays with a dessert-themed holiday party. In addition to sampling the assortment of sweet treats, there was a special surprise included. Employees paused to recognize the birthday of the eternally youthful Carroll O'Neal (center), associate dean of students. O'Neal is known for her penchant for shoes and several brave women stepped out in their heels to salute the ultimate Shoe Diva. Rock on Madam O'Neal!

High school students sign up for free classes at Penn Valley

Carroll O'Neal, (wearing jacket) associate dean of students and Linda Faris (seated), college relations coordinator, answer questions during PIE sign-up.

Who says today's students are apathetic? About 50 students from the Kansas City, Missouri School District came to Penn Valley Thursday to take advantage of free college classes through the Partners In Excellence (PIE) program. PIE allows high school juniors and seniors to take college classes for free.

PIE is coordinated by Linda Faris, college relations coordinator.

MCC-Penn Valley exceeds United Way goal!

MCC-Penn Valley faculty, staff and students stepped up in a big way for this year's United Way campaign. The campus goal was to raise $7,000. The campus raised $9,373!

This year's campaign featured several highlights including: Breakfast served by the leadership team, Cupcakes With Carroll (O'Neal), Gurb's Cross-Campus shakedown, and a $100 Visa gift card raffle to all employees who turned in pledge forms.

The lucky gift card winner was Lee Antwine of the bookstore. Rumor has it Lee is on a roll and also recently won an ipod at the inservice benefits raffle. Hey Lee, let's hang out and get some lottery tickets while your streak is hot!

Congratulations to Penn Valley and everyone who helped make this year’s campaign a success!

Cupcakes With Carroll rakes in United Way dough!

MCC-Penn Valley was buzzing Monday when Carroll O'Neal strutted her stuff and sold sweets for United Way. O'Neal, associate dean of students and 40+ year MCC employee, was fierce in her red flapper dress. She also raised nearly $300 for this year's United Way campaign.

Brian Chasteen was just one of many hopeful gentlemen who stood in line to support Carroll O'Neal's United Way benefit.