The Three Rivers College board looked at campus events and finances during a quick meeting on Wednesday.
Two events in particular brought high school students and staff to campus. The first was the Southeast Missouri School Counselors Association conference on Jan. 26, which hosted high school counselors from across the region.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to bring our area counselors and... continue to build our relationships and let them see what’s going on at the college,” he said.
Days later on Jan. 31, the college hosted the Future Business Leaders of America competition.
“That is a really big day for them (the students),” said Payne. “It is the regionals moving on to state and then nationals. So anytime we have high-performing high school students on campus, to get familiar with us and to interact with them, it’s a really good day.”
AgConnect brought the general public to TRC on Feb. 2-3. The annual agricultural program was held in conjunction with the University of Missouri Extension. Payne thanked the Extension, TRC instructor Kathryn Clark and the ag department for their “huge amount of work” preparing for the weekend.
“(It was) very, very well reviewed by participants both on the vendor side and the public side. So it really was a well-done event,” he said.
Upcoming events include the Alumni Reunion on Feb. 24, which includes a 50th anniversary celebration for the nursing program and the Alumni Star Award. This year the honor goes to nursing graduate Desma Reno.
Meanwhile, tables are filling quickly for Poplar Bluff Trivia Night and dinner at the Holiday Inn, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29.
“All proceeds of trivia go to support scholarships for students in need,” Payne reminded attendees. Those interested in registering should contact Michelle Reynolds at 573-840-9077 or michellereynolds@trcc.edu.
Chief Financial Officer Charlotte Eubank reported no significant deviations from last month’s report.
As before, the greatest difference between last fiscal year and this year is in grant income, which is roughly half of what it was in 2022-2023.
“We had a lot of the COVID funds in the previous fiscal year,” Eubank said.
Expenses are up, she continued, but this was included in the budget.
“Expenses, again, are very similar to what you’ve seen in months past. Salaries and benefits are a bit more than last year, reflective of the pay increases that were included in this year’s budget. We’re doing a good job saving on our operating expenses, remaining very frugal there,” she stated.
A project review revealed improvements and repairs are continuing around campus, including at the Libla Family Sports Complex, student housing and the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. Roof repairs to the Westover Administration Building and Academic Resource Commons are complete.
The college still has $5 million invested in a contingency fund at People’s Community Bank, which it will collect soon.
“That does come due actually this next week, so we will see some interest revenue off of that,” Eubank explained.