Dear Faculty and Staff:

Friday, April 1 was an exciting and historic day for St. Charles Community College and the Dardenne Creek Campus as our new Freight Farm was delivered and installed. Using a shipping container, this innovative greenhouse brings the latest technology in vertical farming to our Field to Table Institute and is a great addition to our agriculture program. Agriculture students will learn to oversee a state-of-the-art controlled environment system that allows them to grow crops 365 days a year. Produce grown in the Freight Farm will also be used by our culinary arts students. As you can see, Provost Koehler was very excited when it arrived.

I had a chance to tour the Freight Farm last week during SCC’s Week of Service. I was joined by Trustees Lohmar, Cilek, and Stodden, and our student leaders for volunteer service at our Dardenne Creek Campus. Faculty Association President Bryonie Carter was also on hand to help with the project. The students and trustees had an opportunity to learn more about the operations of the Farm and about Director Manhardt’s vision for expanding our Field-to-Table Institute. The students asked very good questions and were excited to see all the innovations at this facility. Our service project focused on assembling the growing panels for the Freight Farm. As you can see, Trustees Cilek and Lohmar learned a new skill from Brian.

On April 9, the St. Charles Community College Foundation hosted its first Gala in 10 years – Be Transformed. It was a well-organized and successful event, and everyone was excited to be back in person to raise money for scholarships and academic enhancements. Guests enjoyed a performance by the SCC Chamber Choir, conducted by Professor Becky Thorn. Following the silent and live auctions, a DJ wrapped up the evening with guests enjoying some dancing. My appreciation is extended to Betsy Schneider and the Foundation staff for their excellent work in coordinating the event. Thanks also to everyone who helped with the Gala.

I am excited to announce that Dr. Frances Levine will be joining us as the keynote speaker at Commencement on May 14 at the Family Arena. Dr. Levine is the president and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society and the Missouri History Museum. She received her B.A. in anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder and her M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Dr. Levine has a passion for community colleges and helping students succeed. She started her career as an Instructor in Anthropology and Southwest Studies at Santa Fe Community College where she later became the Division Head of Arts and Sciences. I look forward to hearing her message to students at this year’s ceremony.

Mark your calendars for our upcoming events! This week, I will host two Listening Tours. The first will be today in the Center for Healthy Living Library at 3 p.m., and the second will be on Wednesday on the main campus in SSB 1102 at 3:30 p.m. Our Student Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at Piazza Messina in Cottleville. And, to wrap up April, our College Update and Celebration will be held on Friday, April 29.

Have a wonderful week,
Barbara