EDITORS: See attached feature story on Leon Jones, faculty award winner.

March 5, 2007

SCC STUDENTS MARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DAY AT STATE CAPITOL
Leon Jones Receives Missouri “Excellence in Teaching” Award

    Community College Day took place Feb. 27 at the State Capitol in Jefferson City, and students from St. Charles Community College (SCC) were on hand to visit legislators and study the legislative process.

    More than 750 community college students, faculty, and staff from Missouri’s 12 community college districts (18 campuses) participated in a rally and presented exhibits in the Capitol Rotunda.

    “This annual event allows students to learn about state government first-hand. It’s also an opportunity to update our local legislators on what’s new at the college and tell them how much we appreciate their support for higher education,” said Winnie Stufflebam, vice-president for institutional advancement at SCC.  “These dedicated elected officials are well aware of the positive difference that community colleges make in our local community. It was a successful day.”

    One feature of the annual event was the presentation by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of the Missouri Community College Excellence in Teaching Awards to a faculty member at each of the state’s community colleges. The high honor for St. Charles Community College was given to Leon Jones, retired professor of mathematics. Jones began teaching full time at the college in 1987, retired in 2006, and still teaches part-time as a senior professor. [See related story.]

    For students, activities included presenting a mock legislative bill on the House floor and visiting their legislators. Marlene Hoehn, an SCC sophomore from St. Louis majoring in communications, said she enjoyed the opportunity to learn how state funding contributes to keeping the doors of opportunity open for students. “Community colleges make education affordable and available to all students, and they give you so much help along the way. It was interesting to meet with the people who make sure that colleges are adequately funded and to thank them for their support,” Hoehn said.

    Kendra Kaine, a sophomore from O’Fallon and SCC Student Senate president, said: “We came here to learn, and we enjoyed watching the procedures on the House floor – hearing the formal language and how they carried out their debates.”

    Meeting with students in a rally at the Capitol Building rotunda, Rep. Rod Jetton, speaker of the house, praised the work that community colleges do.  “Community colleges are the best deal in higher education today.”

    Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said: “Community colleges are versatile, adaptable, and affordable. They are in a class of their own, giving students the tools they need to learn. If some folks thought the opportunity for an education had passed them by, they can rediscover that opportunity at Missouri’s community colleges.”

    Senate President Pro Tem Mike Gibbons said community colleges are “critical to the future of the state. We support you,” Gibbons said.

    Members of the St. Charles County legislative delegation include Sens. Chuck Gross and Scott Rupp and Reps. Carl Bearden, Cynthia Davis, Tom Dempsey, Sally Faith, Vicki Schneider, Joe Smith, Dr. Robert Onder, Doug Funderburk, and Kevin Threlkeld.

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