The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees heard reports of well-attended student events and a positive financial report during their Wednesday meeting.
Athletic director and head coach Brian Bess gave a rundown of Campus Beautification Day, where sports teams banded together to clean and landscape around campus.
“So we divided up for probably two or three off each team, with each coach, and all the coaches worked as well. And then we have several cabinet members chip in with us, and we had a really good group,” he said, explaining further, “We cleaned, we weeded the hillside. We shoveled rocks, we pulled weeds, we moved bleachers from behind the softball fence and powerwashed over in housing.”
Bess was happy to say all sports teams participated, including mens and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, cheer, rodeo and even esports.
Esports is the latest sport at TRC and competitions begin this year. It does not have much recognition yet but the players show great promise in their digital arenas, according to the discussion.
“Supposedly,” said Bess, “We are really good at Rainbow Six and Smash Brothers.”
NBA 2K may be a weak spot for the school because other sports team schedules conflict with getting to practice on time, he noted.
Fans of TRC Championship Rodeo will be happy to hear the event returns in Sikeston, Oct. 14-16.
President Dr. Wes Payne was optimistic of TRC’s chances, citing great partnerships with sponsors and coaches and returning finalists.
“Remember, we had two of the top bull riders last year in College Nationals finals, and they are back with us this year,” Payne said.
Chief financial officer Charlotte Eubank told the board TRC is off to a good start this school year. While tuition and fees are behind where they were last year, Eubank expects that to level out as registration continues due to a trend of later registration among new students.
“We have started to see more of a pattern of later registrations for students who are waiting until later to make those decisions,” she said.
Meanwhile, expenses are within expected parameters.
“We’re pretty much right on target in all of our expense categories,” Eubank said.
Payne gave good news about several recent events. Artist Paul Jackson’s gallery reception was very well attended, he said, as were three mental health-centric programs organized by Behavioral Health Support faculty and students: International Overdose Awareness Day, the Out of the Darkness Walk and Stop the Stigma.
“Stop the Stigma had 50 people in attendance and about 60 that attended virtually, so that was a very successful event,” Payne said.
The sixth annual Run for the Arts on Saturday raised around $3,500 for fine arts scholarships.
“Each year, 100% of the proceeds go to fine art scholarships. Our goal here is to eventually build an endowment for our fine arts scholarships, so they can live on in perpetuity. They’re well on their way,” Payne explained.
This week, TRC welcomes gospel duo Jeff and Sheri Easter as the first patron show of the school year at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. Friday is Constitution Day for students. Speakers including former Missouri Speaker of the House Todd Richardson will discuss the Bill of Rights and its impact today.
Finally, submissions for the Outstanding Alumni and Star Alumni awards are due Sept. 24, Payne announced.
“So if you are aware of a alumni who’s been a success, if you think it’s worthy of either of these distinctions, please put in a nomination,” he said.
The board approved the resignation of Braelin Aldridge as admissions coordinator.
Members also approved a transfer of position for Edie Dilbeck, who will leave her job as executive assistant to the dean of instruction in January 2022 to become executive assistant to the president. Dilbeck will replace Janine Heath, who is retiring at the end of the year.