Thirty six teams and several hundred generous donors helped net over $11,000 for alumni scholarships, college mini-grants and Distinguished Alumni Awards at the 16th Annual SCC Alumni Association Golf Outing on Friday, July 15.
Congratulations to the winners in all three flights in the 2011 event!
Always the 3rd Friday in July at Sheaffer Golf Course near Fort Madison, Iowa, the event included prizes for all players and food from the new Aggies on the Greens restaurant. We can happily report more flag and team sponsors than ever before and a team waiting list for the third year in a row!
Don't get left out in the rough! Call 319-208-5062 NOW to reserve a team spot for the 17th annual event scheduled for July 20, 2012!
A Birdies for Charity pledge provides a painless way to support the SCCAA. All it takes is a pledge of 1¢ or more per birdie to be made at the 2012 John Deere Classic. If you guess the number of birdies to be made in 2012 - you might win a car or other great prizes! If you choose to complete the form and return it to SCCAA (1500 W. Agency Road, West Burlington, IA 52655), JDC’s Birdies for Charity staff will invoice you next July 2012! 100% of the paid pledges come back to the SCCAA!
This spring, two exciting theatrical productions showcased a number of budding student performers in SCC’s performing arts programs.
In March, West Burlington students staged a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Under the supervision of West Burlington music instructor Leigh Pirtle and the direction of SCC alum and Music Department veteran Brandon Howard, the show featured a cast and crew of over two dozen.
Multiple set changes, Chinese to English subtitles, and dancing desks in this country-girl-moves-to-the-big-city tale made for three memorable performances at Burlington’s James Madison Middle School theater.
Leigh hired Brandon as a Music Department lab assistant so that he could serve as director.
She commends him on his directorial debut. “We had a bigger cast, more elaborate sets and more dancing than previous shows. It was a very ambitious endeavor with lots of moving parts. He did an excellent job.”
In April, Keokuk students performed the original comedy, Dirty Deeds. Written by new SCC drama instructor Jodi Cook, it was the first-ever production held on the Keokuk campus.
Jodi says the event was no small feat. “Since this was the first play ever performed on South Campus, it was a learning experience for everyone involved.”
The show featured an unscrupulous apothecary, a mad king and his dysfunctional court — all intertwined with a healthy dose of royal intrigue.
Jodi wasn’t quite sure how audiences would respond to her original production. “Not everyone gets my humor, and so I was humbled by the reactions of the audience.”
The performance was the final project of her drama class. With only seven students enrolled, the group relied heavily on fellow Drama Club members, volunteers, SCC staff, and the community for their help and support.
Jodi says that while difficult, the experience was rewarding. “Considering our limited budget and logistical challenges, they pulled it off smashingly. I’m extremely proud.”
The show played to a packed house of over 100.
“Since this was our first show, we originally hoped for 50 attendees but the response was overwhelming. We actually ran out of tickets a few days before the performance. That thrilled everyone involved,” Jodi adds.
As testament to the level of commitment and talent of this year’s actors, four students plan to pursue degrees in music and theater after graduating SCC.
SCC Dean of Arts and Sciences Tim Ahern praises the hard work and dedication of students and staff of both productions. “We are doing a great job advancing the arts here at SCC. There is a pool of talent in our area seeking an opportunity to share.”
Bravo!
The Southeastern Community College Alumni Association recognized Mary Sue Megchelsen Chatfield, retired Central Lee Elementary School teacher, and retired Sheaffer Pen Company Vice President and Chairman of Fort Madison Community Hospital Board Richard P. Canella as distinguished alumni at graduation events in May.
Mary Sue Megchelson Chatfield Distinguished Alumnus, Keokuk.
The awards are given annually to alumni of SCC or one of its predecessor institutions, who have achieved substantial public recognition for their accomplishments or success.
Mary Sue graduated from Keokuk Community College in 1960. She spent 42 years as an elementary school teacher in Lee County.
Mary Sue coordinated numerous community beautification and development projects in her hometown of Montrose, IA. She is coeditor of the monthly New Montrose Journal and is a correspondent for the Keokuk Daily Gate City and the Fort Madison Daily Democrat, writing weekly local news and historical articles. Mary Sue also helps write grant proposals and researches local history.
Mary Sue and her husband, Roger, reside in rural Montrose, IA. They are the parents of Joan Ealy and Alan Chatfield.
Richard Canella, Distinguished Alumnus, West Burlington.
Richard P. (Dick) Canella was born in Burlington, Iowa. He graduated from Burlington Junior College in 1940. For 39 years he was employed by the Sheaffer Pen Company, a world-wide manufacturer of writing instruments, based in Fort Madison, IA. He became Vice President of Operations and saw the company grow to become the city’s largest employer with over 1200 employees, and another 1200 overseas. His employees named him “Boss of the Year.”
Dick served as Chairman of the Board for Fort Madison Community Hospital, and was instrumental in building the current facility in 1986.
As member of the Iowa Gaming Commission, Mr. Canella participated in the development of State gaming regulations and oversight of gaming, as well as issuing gaming licenses.
To learn more about or to nominate a distinguished alumnus, visit www.scciowa.edu/alumni, or click here to nominate an alumnus.
To see more photos from SCC's 2011 Commencement Ceremonies, visit our flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/southeastern_community_college_iowa/
Rev. William Amos "Booker" Smith, Sr.
On March 25, SCC hosted a luncheon honoring SCC’s first black graduate, Rev. Dr. William Amos “Booker” Smith Sr. (BJC ’31). Guest speaker, Rev. Smith’s son, Rev. William (Bill) Smith II, shared stories of his father’s accomplishments and challenges.
Bill says that after his father’s family moved to Iowa from Kentucky, they lived in a boxcar near the train yards in West Burlington. “That’s what you call luxury accommodations,” he jokes.
Rev. Smith was an eager learner and excelled scholastically. He became the first black student to graduate from Burlington High School in 1929.
Bill says that in those days, opportunities for blacks were few and far between.
“He was black, he was poor, he had asthma and a stuttering impediment. That’s enough right there to say that you’ve got a formula for failure.”
Bill says in spite of his father’s situation, it wasn’t enough to stop him. “About the size of a pinhole – he had that much hope.”
He was offered a scholarship to attend then-Burlington Junior College (BJC). That one scholarship would open up an entire new world to him. Two years later, in 1931, he became the first black to graduate from BJC. He graduated at the top of his class.
Bill adds that Rev. Smith wasn’t driven by success or ego. “He wasn’t trying to be the first at anything or to be the best of anyone. He was simply trying to escape the bonds of poverty.”
Rev. Smith served as pastor for churches in six states.
In part due to his impressive academic achievements at BJC, he was offered a scholarship to attend Drake University in Des Moines where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. His sports were football, track and shot put, and he served on the college debate team. He maintained an A- average.
After graduating from Drake, he returned to Burlington and became the first black ordained minister in 1934. He served as pastor of Union Baptist Church.
“He knew that’s where the source of his blessings were, so he answered the call to preach,” says Bill.
Over the course of his life, he would serve as pastor at six churches in five states.
He entered the Army during WWII, where he spent 15 years as an Army chaplain before retiring as a Major. In 1944, he was directed by General Eisenhower to study and make recommendations on negro troop morale.
“No matter where he was – all over Europe during the war, wherever he lived across the country, he never forgot Burlington. He kept this place in his mind and in his heart.”
As sponsor of the Ft. Valley State College debate team, 1957.
After retiring from the Army, he earned Divinity and Theology degrees from Crozer Seminary in Pennsylvania, and completed coursework for a Ph. D. at Temple University in Philadelphia.
He held a number of teaching and administrative positions at colleges and universities in South Dakota, Arkansas, Georgia and Florida.
Later he spent time as a minister at a church in Fort Valley, GA where he worked with college classmate Dr. Martin Luther King.
He moved to St. Petersburg, FL to become the pastor of First Baptist Institutional Church and serve as Professor of Social Studies at St. Petersburg Junior College. While there, he taught a new generation of students, giving them the same opportunities he had received so long ago.
Vivian (Dawson) Smith, Rev. Bill Smith, II, Charlotte Weldon hold Rev. Smith's Memorial Portrait.
His life had come full circle.
Rev. Smith passed away on October 2, 1973.
Bill adds, “you honor yourselves while you’re honoring him, because without that very first scholarship, who knows where he would have ended up.”
Rev. Smith’s plaque hangs in Building 400 near Loren Walker Arena.
Listen to Bill share a few stories of his father Rev. William Smith below.
For the Bill Smith's full speech, click here.
Mark your calendar for the SCC Foundation's fifth annual Taste of Fine Wine, ARts and Ale. The event will take place on April 1, 2011 at the Pzazz! Event Center. It will feature a wine and beer tasting from an estimated 12 purveyors. silent and live auction items will include gifts and talents from SCC Employees, alumni and friends of SCC.
"People really look forward to this event. We're able to showcase some great aspects of teh College as well as raise money for scholarships and programs," notes Foundation Executive Director Becky Rump.
Reserved tables for eight are $500 and will go quickly. Non-reserved tickets are $50 each. Contact Julie Glasgow at 319-208-5062 or jglasgow@scciowa.edu for more information.
In March, SCC’s Music and Drama Department in West Burlington presented the classic musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”
SCC Director of Applied Music Studies Leigh Pirtle said the production was the department’s most ambitious undertaking to date. And despite all the hard work, the students rose to the occasion.
Three performances were met with positive reviews and countless kudos from the community.
Pirtle graciously adds, “it is so inspiring that our supporters keep the faith in what these music students can accomplish.”
Bravo!
See more photos of the production on our flickr page: www.flickr.com/scciowa.
Tevya, played by Brandon Howard, dances with Nathan Swanson, Jarad Dettman, Alex Janssen, and Justin Jones for SCC’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.
Don your helmet, and join us for the Second Annual Dan Ring Memorial Bike Ride on Saturday, September 25.
Riders start their trek across town for the first annual Dan Ring Memorial Bike Ride.
Riders of every skill level can choose from three different rides. A 2-mile kids’ ride will circle the Great River Medical Center pond and stop at Maid Rite for free ice cream. A 15-mile ride will follow the bike route that winds through Burlington and West Burlington. New this year is a 50-mile ride through that goes to Danville and Mediapolis. All rides depart from and return to the Agri-stock Arena on SCC’s West Burlington campus.
Event co-organizer Brian McAtee says that 100 riders participated last year, and even with a few sprinkles of rain at the start of the ride, everybody ended up having a great time.
“We’re building on last year’s success with the addition of the long ride. We hope that will attract more seasoned riders to go along with the casual riders.”
The 2009 event raised over $3000 for the Daniel Anders Ring Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship.
Dan Ring was a long-time SCC life sciences instructor and an avid bicyclist and proponent of healthy lifestyles. He passed away of a heart attack while riding his bike home from work in 2008.
Entry fee is $20 and includes a t-shirt and post-race refreshments. Registration forms are available Bickel’s Cycling and Fitness or online at www.scciowa.edu/about/alumni_found.
For more information, contact Pam Peterson at 319-208-5185 or ppeterson@scciowa.edu.
