The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees reorganized in its first meeting since the April 5 election.
Temporary chair Dr. Wesley Payne and temporary secretary Edie Dilbeck oversaw the swearing in of Darren Garrison and Gary Featherston. Garrison won re-election for his seat and Featherston faced no competition.
The board also moved to reorganize with Amber Richardson and Featherston as general members, Tim Hager of Sub-District 2 as treasurer, Garrison of Sub-District 4 as secretary, Eric Schalk of Sub-District 1-C as vice-chairman and former vice-chairman Chris Williams of Sub-District 1-B as chairman.
Williams thanked Featherston for his leadership and acknowledged how decreased enrollment and the pandemic have created difficult times for TRC.
“But we’ve got a lot of bright spots,” he said. “Today’s first meeting with no masks, so things are looking up.”
Brian Bess, athletic director and head mens basketball coach, stood before the board and commended the Lady Raiders’ trip to the NJCAA National Tournament as well as individual members’ accomplishments: Myia Yelder was named First Team All-American Region VI Player of the Year, Joi Montgomery and Autumn Dodd were selected for First Team All Region and were first in All Conference, Jenna McMillan and Karlee Holland were named to Second Team All Region and Coach Alex Wiggs was awarded Region XVI Coach of the Year.
“The sophomores are 78-8 and Coach Wiggs is actually 52-2. We have a lot to be proud of in our Lady Raiders program,” Bess said.
Payne had additional praise for the team. “To a T, they’re all performing in the classroom. We have higher graduation rates, better academic performance, and they are all great role models for our community.”
“There’s a reason behind all that. It’s from the leadership, the facilities... The coaches, all through the system,” agreed Williams.
Bess reported recruitment has been backed up by COVID and a new trend of businesses sponsoring players, leading to competition for transfer students, but there is an unexpected upside.
“It’s going to actually make everybody a little bit better in the JUCO level. We’re going to get better caliber players. And there’s a lot of high school kids getting overlooked because of all the backing up, COVID and the transfer pool, some schools are just recruiting out of the transfer pool. And that leaves the high school kids... So eventually it’s going to help you,” he explained.
The Three Rivers College Southeast Missouri Regional Spelling Bee was held March 31, and eighth grader Mya Maijala will represent Southeast Missouri at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Coordinator Mark Sanders, professor of philosophy and English, said elementary and middle school students of 19 counties rely on TRC’s support to compete and travel to Washington D.C. for the Scripps Bee.
“The college funds the operational budget for the Bee, which includes the winner and one parent, but then local businesses and organizations supplement that income through advertising in our program and that allows us to be able to send a second parent or guardian, which is a very big deal for families,” he said. He thanked Gamblin Lumber and Three Rivers Endowment Trust for paying the way for that second loved one.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals broadcast live on June 2 on ION with LeVar Burton hosting.
Charlotte Eubank, CFO, reported no surprises in the school’s enrollment numbers, which are lower than last year’s, but said TRC has recovered funds in other areas.
“Other categories, however, are above last year so it kind of makes up for the difference. And state appropriations and a number of our grants, including student aid, have been positively affected by the influx of federal money,” she said.
Property taxes have also brought in more than expected. Between this and conservative budgeting, Eubank explained, “We sit at a positive bottom line of just over $4 million for year-to-date.”
University Center Director Gail Tinsley reported students the College Transfer Fair on April 6 was a success.
“It’s been separated from the career fair and I think that’s a good thing, because now we can focus on students who are looking to transfer,” Tinsley noted.
There were 15 colleges represented at the fair, including three of TRC’s partner universities.