Three Rivers earns national recognition

Two members of the Three Rivers College community recently received recognition for their work.

Diane Patterson received the National College Testing Association (NCTA) President’s Award.

Patterson works as the coordinator of testing services at TRC.

A short video series put out by the communications department at TRC in the lead up to Coach Gene Bess’ 1300th win recently received an award.Photo provided

“In my opinion, Diane truly is deserving of this award,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, TRC president. “She has done a great deal of work to bring the testing center to the top-notch standard. She has done a lot of work with the association and is well deserving.”

According to the NCTA, the President’s Award is given to those who “have made significant contributions” to the organization or helped the president with her duties.

Patterson is chair of the Testing Center Certification Committee with NCTA and worked on processes for institutions to gain national certification in four months, rather than the previous 18 months. She was elected to the NCTA Governing Council.

Coordinator of Testing Services Diane Patterson received the National College Testing Association President’s Award. Photo provided

“I was delighted to receive the President’s Award this year,” said Patterson. “NCTA is an excellent organization with about 2,500 members, and I was honored to do my part to make it easier for future members to get their national certification.”

The communications department at TRC also recently received two awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

Missouri is part of district five for the organization, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Manitoba, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

It received a silver medallion award for a short video series in the lead up to Coach Gene Bess’ 1300th win during the last basketball season and a gold medallion award for original photography (unmanipulated) for an image captured during the 2019 Three Rivers College Rodeo.

Visual Communications Specialist Amanda Vazquez spearheaded both projects, said Content Communications Specialist Carrier Franklin.

“In our office, we think she does honorable work every day, but it’s really nice to see her recognized on a big platform,” Franklin said. “We’re lucky to have her.”