Driving onto the East Central College campus, it is easy to see the giant flag hanging on the side of the Donald Shook Student Center. It’s an appropriate place for the flag to be. Not only can you see it from Highway 50, but the building itself was named after a man who served in the U.S. Army before helping found the college.

November 11 is Veterans Day – a day we set aside each year to honor those who have served our country and those still serving. At East Central College, students, staff and faculty used the entire week to honor our heroes.

“We are proud to have nearly a hundred veterans enrolled at ECC,” said President Dr. Jon Bauer. “They are an important part of our campus and an important part of our community. We want to thank each one of them, as well as all of our employees who served in the armed forces.”

In Buescher Hall, a fallen soldier table acted as a centerpiece to the lobby – reminding us of the veterans who never made it home. Thank you cards also decorated the lobby during the week. Created by students at St. Ignatius Loyola School in Marthasville, the messages were simple but powerful.

“We are lucky to have you protecting our country,” one card read. “Thank you for helping those in need.”

“I love freedom, and I couldn’t have it without you,” read another.

“We all owe you our amazing lives here in America,” read one more.

Baskets filled with little green and khaki Army men also started appearing on campus at the beginning of the week with a message: “Please take a soldier home and place it somewhere that will remind you to pray for the men and women who served and are serving our country.”

On the actual morning of Veterans Day, former ECC professor and Marine veteran Vince Niehaus gave an inspiring speech after a flag raising ceremony.

“Here at East Central College,” he said, “we have employees, students and family members who serve and have served their country. They are willing to go wherever and whenever the need arises to face aggression and defend our freedom.”

Students were also given the opportunity to sign a thank you banner for local veterans throughout the day. Flags were also placed on the ECC quad in honor of service members. A food drive was also held throughout the week for veterans. Donations will be given to Jefferson Barracks for veterans in need.

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The weather might have been gloomy in early October, but that didn’t stop several ECC students from spending the day helping their community. “I’m glad I came,” said Baylee West. “I was impressed by all the involvement that goes into serving the community!”

Multiple individuals, faculty and student-clubs represented East Central College in United Bank’s Project United. The project encourages students of all ages to play an active role in community service.

Students from the ECC Green Committee worked to clean the East Central College roundabout, an oasis for local native prairie plants. According to committee chair Dr. Parvadha Govindaswamy, the plants will require years of special maintenance before they can sit among ornamental plant species. Due to the group’s commitment to local ecosystem preservation, members weeded and raked the plant beds to introduce the plants to the area.

“Engaging students in such endeavors directly impacts their learning and their worldview.” she said. “Service learning as an objective, when paired with opportunities offered by community leaders, is the ideal blending of education and its application. It helps create advocates who can add value to the community they live in.”

The ECC Green Committee is a faculty-staff-student driven organization whose goal is environmental education, awareness and service.

The committee’s service didn’t stop at the roundabout. Students took an additional Saturday to volunteer for the River des Peres Trash Bash, an event where service members collect trash and debris.

Joel Doepker and Mardy Leathers received the Missouri Community College Association’s Arena Award at the association’s Fifty-Second Annual Convention, November 4 at the Hilton Convention Center in Branson, Missouri.

Doepker and Leathers are being recognized by their peers for their efforts in workforce development. Both have demonstrated leadership both within their college and at the state level on various workforce development and training programs.

Doepker currently serves as vice president of external relations for the college, where he serves as a member of the college president’s leadership team. He is responsible for college-wide communication and marketing strategies, and he oversees the center for workforce development, adult education and literacy, web development and grants departments.

Leathers is executive director of East Central’s Center for Workforce Development, where he plans, manages, and implements business and industry training, community education, healthcare career certification, and WIOA programs. He also supports academic career and technical education programs, college grant programs, and other strategic projects related to external relations.

The Arena Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the association. It is named for Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech given on April 23, 1910, and recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to take on worthy challenges in spite of the risk of failure. Doepker and Leathers are honored to receive the award.

“The award speaks to the work all 12 of Missouri’s community colleges are doing to enhance workforce training for the state’s business and industry”, says Doepker.

“Workforce training is crucial to keeping the state’s economy viable and competitive”, says Leathers, “We’re seeing a change in our workforce training programs as a result of this effort.”

The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas.  MCCA brings the state’s 12 colleges together for advocacy, professional development, information, and collaboration.

Jim Perry, Josie Weir and Brenda Garrison were all honored at the Missouri Community College Association’s Fifty-Second Annual Convention on November 2-4 – for their dedication, hard work and selflessness.

Perry was honored with the Trustee Leadership Award–presented annually to a community college trustee whose work and leadership has substantially advanced the mission of community colleges.

“I believe a good trustee has a strong desire to serve the college and community,” Perry explained, “a deep sense of appreciation for the mission of the college, and the willingness to devote the time and effort required to help the college fulfill that mission.”

Perry was first elected to the East Central College Board of Trustees in 1998, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2010. He was elected board president in 2006, and continued to serve in that position until his retirement.

Weir received the Student Leadership Award — presented annually to an exceptional student leader from each of Missouri’s community colleges/campuses.  Students are recommended for the award by their college/campus president/chancellor and chief student affairs officer.

“I enjoy helping other students feel more comfortable on campus by getting them involved with the community and showing them more than just a classroom,” Weir said.

Weir currently serves as the President of the Art Club at ECC. She tirelessly leads efforts to interact and reach the community with artistic endeavors.
Garrison was bestowed with the Senior Service Award– presented annually to a long-serving employee from each of Missouri’s community colleges/campuses. She has been employed at the college for 30 years and has spent her entire career providing support to the Nursing and Allied Health Division.

Garrison was chosen from thousands of peers across the state for her outstanding leadership, innovation and support of East Central College.

“Each day holds something new,” Garrison said. “ECC is a warm environment in which to work.   I have also enjoyed seeing hundreds of nursing, EMS and dental assisting graduates make it in the ‘real’ world. It’s very rewarding to see a student come to campus, graduate and then join the workforce as a productive employee.”

The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas.  MCCA brings the state’s 12 colleges together for advocacy, professional development, information and collaboration.

On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, the ECC Rotaract Club held their seventh annual Walking Tacos sale. While the effort every year is to raise money to benefit those in need, this year the goal was extra special.

“We pair with a charity every year, but it was recommended by a student of the club that we donate to Heifer International, a charity that helps those in poverty around the world,” club advisor Karen Klos said.

Rotaract Club made record sales this year, collecting $150.53, which will go directly to the relief effort for victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.

“The whole organization itself helps out by giving out food, water, sanitary kits and other necessities,” Rotaract member Sarah Howell said. “They also donate livestock depending on the amount of money you donate. For example, $20 is equal to a flock of chicks and you can buy a full goat for $120 or a share for $10.”

East Central College has more than 15 clubs that focus on student service, academics and fun! For more information on student clubs at ECC contact the Student Activities Office located in Room 104 in the Shook Student Center on the Union campus.  Courtney Henrichsen is the Student Activities Coordinator and can be contacted at 636-584-6583 or at courtney.henrichsen@eastcentral.edu.