Nov. 26, 2007

LEGISLATOR AND LOCAL RESIDENTS
RECEIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AWARDS

            The Missouri Community College Association, at its 43rd annual convention in Branson, presented awards recently to several St. Charles County residents and a Missouri state senator.

         The Distinguished Legislator Award was given to Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Dist. 2, who represents portions of St. Charles and Lincoln Counties, for his leadership and support of Missouri higher education legislation. Rupp,
of Wentzville, was elected to the Senate in 2006 and previously served in the House of Representatives
from 2002-2006.

         The Distinguished Alumni Award was given to Dianna Graveman of St. Charles, a nationally and internationally recognized author.  A former student at St. Charles Community College, she later returned to teach at SCC and at Lindenwood University. Graveman has written for magazines, newspapers, anthologies, and literary journals The past few years have yielded a whirlwind of more than 30 published pieces including stories in books such as the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, “Teacher Miracles,” “Cup of Comfort for Grandparents,” and “Letters to My Mother.” She received international recognition in the Erma Bombeck writing competition, earning Honorable Mention in the global category for human interest out of 1,300 entries from 22 countries and 47 states. Graveman received two Missouri Writers Guild Awards among numerous other honors for writing and leadership.

         The MCCA Award of Distinction was given to civic leader Helen Schnare of St. Charles, a former teacher and a longtime SCC supporter and advocate. Schnare was one of the community leaders who initiated the concept of a community college for St. Charles County and helped gain voter approval to start the college in 1986.   Schnare and her late husband, Paul, later set up the college’s first endowed scholarships for students, and they both volunteered their time assisting in the college library for many years. The Award of Distinction recognizes a pattern of sustained service and commitment to the local community college and to the role and mission of the community college movement.

             The association’s Administrative/Professional Leadership Award went to Winnie Stufflebam, vice president for institutional advancement at St. Charles Community College. Stufflebam, who has led the college’s marketing and communications efforts since the college was first established, also oversees the college’s resource development operations since she became a vice president in 2005. She was recognized by MCCA for effectively leading the college’s internal and external advancement initiatives for nearly 21 years to increase the community’s understanding of the SCC mission.

            The Missouri Community College Association is a professional education association, encompassing all community college employees and trustees from Missouri’s 12 community college districts. The MCCA convention Nov. 7-9 in Branson drew some 865 participants. The event provided professional development seminars and meetings for MCCA’s members and associates.

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