Board of Leisure Issues License to Chill - MCC-BTC's Kenny Shelton Retires

After 22 years and 7 months of service at Pioneer, Penn Valley, and Business & Technology campus, Kenny Shelton is hanging up his tool belt.  "Over the years Kenny has always had the same motto," said Facilites Manager, Tom Hulett.  "'At least once a day Kenny says, 'I'm here for the students.'"

Kenny trades work boots for Party Shoes!  The Board of Leisure has issued Kenny Shelton an official License to Chill in the State of Euphoria.

MCC-Penn Valley Says Goodbye to Murvell McMurry

Thursday, July 21 marked the last day of Mr. Murvell McMurry's career at the Penn Valley campus of Metropolitan Community College.  His poutluck-style retirement party was held on the 5th floor of Campus Center Thursday afternoon and was attended by his wife, co-workers, former students' he's helped throughout the years, and members of his high school graduting class.  The room was decorated with cutouts of his infamous sayings that have rung through Penn Valley halls for nearly the past three decades and guests signed a hand-crafted model parking lot to commemorate the occasion. 

Mr. McMurry worked in various facets of student services at Metropolitan Community College for nearly 30 years before his retirement and has undoubtedly touched many lives of those around him with his engaging personality.  Now that his days as an MCC employee are over, he plans to do some travelling with his wife.  Best of luck to Mr. McMurry in his retirement; his presence and wit will be greatly missed!

MCC-Penn Valley Longtime Employee Retires

Today brings a bittersweet farewell to Ms. Theola Cheatham who was a long-time administrative assistant to the former president of the Penn Valley campus.  Theola has given 13 years of service to the Penn Valley campus, and all will be sad to see her go but excited for her new coming ventures in retirement.  Thank you for all you have done to make the Penn Valley campus a more smoothly running institution, Thola,  and best of luck in your future endeavors.

LV Cashier Supervisor Celebrates Retirement

Queen Pam Weston celebrates upcoming retirement with colleagues during Cashier Supervisor meeting/Retirement Luncheon June 28, 2011.  From left: Michelle Allen, Tomislav Plecas, Rene Bennett, Cindy Ingram, Brenda Wagner, Pam Weston (crowned) Sherry Skinner, Emily Thompson, Sherry Muirhead and Kathy Mercer.

MCC-Maple Woods dean retires from Storytelling Committee

After many years of hard work and creative service to Maple Woods' annual Storytelling Celebration, Associate Dean Lynn Barron officially attended her last meeting. Lynn has made many contributions over the years, helping prepare for the annual event, bringing in the storytellers and overseeing a smoothly-running community activity. She plans to continue making her jewelry, spending time with her family - especially her seven grandchildren - and working in her garden.

MCC-Maple Woods honors 2011 Retirees

MCC-Maple Woods recently honored its 2011 retirees for their dedicated service to the campus and the college. Lynn Barron, Nancy Morton, Terry Morton, Kenny Stubbs, Connie Stockmyer, Paula Cooley, Jennie Frederick and Lola Newton all bid farewell to the Woods at the spring Retiree Reception.

Another slideshow by Smilebox

MCC-Longview bids farewell to its outstanding retiring staff and faculty

On Thursday, MCC-Longview celebrated six outstanding staff and faculty members who will be retiring this semester.

The reception, which included plenty of cake, gave administration and supervisors a chance to talk glowingly about these dedicated members of the Longview Laker family.

From top left: Beth Lindquist, Corrine Josten, Kay Kozak, Kim Lindaberry, Pam Weston, Ted Dinges.

Congratulations on your success and here is to many more years of enjoyment.

For more photos from the reception, check out the MCC-Longview Photo Blog.

MCC-Maple Woods 2011 Student Award Honorees

Congratulations to the following students for being honored at MCC-Maple Woods' 2011 Student Awards Ceremony:

Kyle Curp, Stephen Barber, Shawnie Peck, Inga Nilsson, Victor Sanchez, Julie Whistman, Samatha Nolker, Kayla Patton, Michael Selinger, Stephen Senne, Sofia Castellano, Jordan Deas, Josh Ogren, Tara Chavez, Catalina Boudreaux,Angela Cummins, Ruben Lara, Janelle Maroon, Pleasance Mertz, Yanfang Sykes, Melba Keefer, and Chris Nauman.

Not pictured: Daniel Bruns, Sheryl Mattox, Ryan Barnett, Jamie Craig, Brecken Heft, Richard Mynatt, Jillian Porter, Neil Smith, JoAnna Speiser, Kristin Venzian, Jeff Cline, Kylie Ball, Mallory White, Colton Adams.

Also, congratulations to John Stockmyer, who was nominated and selected by students for the Outstanding Contribution Award. John is retiring this year after 50 years of service to MCC-Maple Woods.

Penn Valley bids farewell to financial aid retiree!

MCC-Penn Valley's loss is the shopping mall's gain. That was pretty much the sentiment as financial aid staffer and self-proclaimed shopaholic Viki Duncan said farewell at her surprise retirement party. Surrounded by colleagues and family, Duncan reflected on her years of service and fun times.

Former Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks wished Viki Duncan well.

MCC Retirement Reception

Friday, May 6, 2011

MCC-Penn Valley Education Center, room 19

Reception at 6:30 p.m.

Program begins at 7:15 p.m.

RSVP to Betsy Upton at 604.1031 by April 22

May 6, 2011 Retirement Reception Honorees

MCC-Longview says farewell to retiring faculty and staff members

Doug Washer, retiring philosophy instructor, could not wait to dig into his party cake at the MCC-Longview retirement reception this past Friday.

Along with Washer, MCC-Longview president Fred Grogan also honored retiring faculty member Brian Mitchell,



Lee Heggy, retiring media services coordinator,



and retiring administrative assistant Marge Kelly.



Thank you for your dedication and years of service to MCC-Longview.

For more photos from the retirement reception, check out of photo blog at Flickr.

Cole retires after 11 years

Payroll manager Janice Cole is retiring after 11 years of service at MCC.
A small reception will be held in her honor on Monday, Nov. 29 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Administrative Center Board Room.
Please stop by to send Janice off with smiles and hugs. Light refreshments will be served.

Direct debit payment for MCC retirees coming soon

MCC is announcing the implementation of a convenient new way for retirees to pay for their benefits. Effective Jan. 1, 2011, monthly benefit payments will be automatically deducted from retirees checking or savings accounts. This eliminates retirees having to write and mail checks each month.

Benefit eligible retirees who participate in the MCC sponsored retiree benefits plan, will be making monthly premium contributions by direct debit Automated Clearing House (ACH) through a secure ACH network.

This new program, in addition to adding online benefit enrollment, reflects positive changes MCC has made to provide more efficient and timely service to our retirees.

The change will not affect any plan benefits. All benefits are remaining the same. However, retirees are bound by their choice of MCC insurance elections made during the annual open enrollment period. Retirees may cancel any coverage at any time during the year by notifying human resources in writing.

Burkhart retirees after 30 years

Most employment experts predict that the average person will change careers three to five times over the course of his or her work life. That was not the case for Darlene Burkhart, who retired last week after over 30 years of commitment to MCC.

Darlene began her career with MCC in 1979, where she worked part-time at the Maple Woods print shop. Her proven ability and excellent customer service skills fit perfectly for Darlene’s move to a human resources personnel assistant. She was later hired as an administrative assistant by the director of physical facilities, where she displayed her impressive computer skills and team player attitude.

In 1999, Darlene joined the MetroSoft implementation team as a records specialist. She was instrumental in the successful implementation of both the human resource and payroll systems, and later applied the same expertise to the student financials module implementation. She remained with the student financials team for the next 10 years.

Darlene was an active and committed member of the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) and the MCC Staff Association for many years. She was selected to serve on the MCC Classification Committee and was elected three times to serve as MCCA Secretary-classified staff department. The district officers nominated her for the MCCA Classified Staff Achievement Award, an honor awarded to her at the annual convention in November 2007.

In December 2008 she received her associate's in business management from MCC and was promoted to student financials module leader.

Darlene has been described by her colleagues at MCC as a true resource whose shoes couldn’t be filled by anyone else. Her knowledge base is tremendous and she operates with insight, ingenuity and leadership.

Our hats are off to you, Darlene, for your years of service and a job well done. Good luck in your retirement!

Penn Valley bids farewell to retirees

Larry White, Judith Taylor, Tony Long, Maureen Kennedy, Jackie Snyder, Bernard Franklin.

MCC-Penn Valley recently saluted some of its hard-working, dedicated employees at a 2010 retirement celebration. Faculty and staff retirees include: David Curtis, Samuel Henry Dillard III, Rosemary Fusaro, Patricia Goodwin, Mitch Green, Maureen Kennedy, Tony Long, Modene McConnell, Jackie Snyder, Judith Taylor, Maureen Wiederholdt, Larry G. White and Ruth I Yonker.

Snyder announces retirement

After 15 years at MCC, Jackie Snyder announced last Thursday her decision to retire as chancellor, effective June 30, 2010.

The Board of Trustees has named Mark James as the college’s new chancellor, effective July 1, 2010. James was selected by the Trustees based on his commitment to innovation, financial expertise, experience with state/federal government appropriations process and his ability to lead large complex organizations.

James will immediately begin serving as executive vice chancellor/chancellor designee and will work closely with the chancellor to ensure a smooth transition. Snyder will continue to lead MCC until June 30, 2010, when she will then step down as chancellor.

Recognizing the current financial challenges facing MCC and that everyone is expected to do more with less, Snyder and James have made the decision to consolidate the duties of three vice chancellor positions into two positions.

Effective July 1, 2010, Vice Chancellor Tuesday Stanley will assume responsibility for administrative services and retain student services. Vice Chancellor Paul Long will assume responsibility for information technology and the Institute for Workforce Innovation in addition to his current responsibilities of educational services.

The chancellor’s video announcement is available by clicking here.