| Alumnus of the Year |
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In 1995 the Jefferson College Faculty Senate Executive Council initiated a program to recognize an outstanding alumnus. Past recipients include Marcella Weaver, Shirley Scarborough, Tim Grey, Joan Murphy, Jeff Elbl, Chuck Martin, Todd Oetting, Vera McCullough, Matt Brown, Shawn Bell, and Ann Gettinger. The Outstanding Alumnus is a person who graduated from Jefferson College with a certificate or associate degree, has achieved distinction is his or her chosen field of employment, has been involved in community service, and is not presently a trustee or an employee of Jefferson College. We sincerely congratulate the following Jefferson College Alumnus of the Year Award recipients:
2010 Jefferson College Alumnus of the Year Overstreet grew up in Jefferson County and after high school, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned two meritorious promotions and two service medals. When he was discharged, he wanted to increase his knowledge and improve his quality of life. Jefferson College provided the bridge that he needed to let him fulfill his wish and dream of a college education. “I want to be the example that I want to see reflected in others,” said Overstreet. Overstreet graduated from Jefferson College in 1978 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University. He then went to work for AT&T and worked there until his retirement. While there, he received recognition and accolades for leadership and outstanding customer service. He also chaired the company’s safety committee and led fundraising and community service projects, including work with Junior Achievement, United Way, Old Newsboys, and the United Negro College Fund. Service to others is a theme that runs throughout his life. He became involved in grassroots organizing at an early age. His goal is to serve his community and country, and he especially enjoys shaping the lives of young people in order to shape our future. Overstreet is president of Concerned Parents of Jefferson County, and is a member of the Jefferson College Foundation and Bridges Across Racial Polarization. He has done volunteer work for the Jefferson County Rescue Mission, Experience Jefferson County, Jefferson County Health Department, Mount Zion Cemetery, and Oasis. His efforts led to his being given the Spirit of Service award by the Giving Something Back to the Community organization and the Drum Major award by the Cultural Diversity Committee. He lives in Crystal City and feels privileged that his efforts are supported by his family. He says that Jefferson College has played an integral role in the quality of his life and his way of life.
2009 Jefferson College Alumnus of the Year He says that Jefferson College has been near and dear to his family. His mother attended Jefferson in the late 1960s, and three siblings and a daughter have all graduated from the college. “I am very proud to have graduated from Jefferson College,” said Francis. “Jefferson College gave my family the opportunity to receive a quality, affordable education in the community where we lived. The College has created opportunities for families like mine to receive a superior education and instruction to provide a better quality of life for the future.” Francis has been employed at First State Community Bank since 2005. He presently serves as President for the Hillsboro Office and is on the Board of Directors for First State Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for First State Community Bank. Prior to this appointment, he began his banking career with State Bank of De Soto as a bookkeeper at age 18. He worked there for 29 years and served as President and CEO from 1995-2001 when Allegiant Bank purchased the bank, and he served as regional president through May of 2004. He has held leadership positions as President of Rotary, Kiwanis, Jefferson County Growth and Development, and De Soto Chamber of Commerce, and he served on the De Soto City Council from 1988-1990. He is presently the Vice President of the De Soto Industrial Development Authority, Director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, and Jefferson County Growth and Development Association. Francis also currently serves as President of the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. He has lived in De Soto for 46 years and was inducted into the De Soto High School “Hall of Fame” in 2005. His wife, Sue, and he have two grown children, Jennifer and Kathy.
2008 Jefferson College Alumnus of the Year “I was excited and pleased when Jefferson College started its nursing degree program,” said Herrington. “This provided a solution for my career problem. The new program made it convenient for me to attend college, to work full time, and to spend much needed time with my husband and our two children. I was thereby able to participate in both school and community activities.” Herrington graduated from Douglass High School in 1954 and began working at Jefferson Memorial Hospital as nurses’ aide. When Jefferson College started its Nursing program, she enrolled and was accepted into the second class where she received her Associate of Applied Science degree in 1977. She fondly remembers the day when she received her degree from Jefferson College, “one son graduated from high school and another graduated from kindergarten.” After graduating from Jefferson College, Herrington continued her studies through St. Louis University and Missouri Baptist University while she worked at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, where her positions included team leader and patient care coordinator on the surgical floor. She was given the first Employee of the Month award the hospital granted and received a Nursing Achievement award in 1993. She retired in 2001 after 38 years at JMH. In addition to her exemplary work in the nursing field, Herrington is also active in community service. She is an officer of the Jefferson County Cultural Diversity Committee and is actively involved in the Annual Black History Luncheon. She is also a member of the Douglass Alumni Association and works with her church and other local organizations on fund raisers and community activities involving youth groups. Her support for youth and education also includes work with Classrooms for Kids and bond issues for Festus R-6 schools. She also volunteers for the Jefferson County Health Department’s flu shot program and helps senior citizens. “It was through Jefferson College that all of this was made possible and I am truly grateful,” she says.
2007 Jefferson College Alumnus of the Year In addition to educational excellence, he has held leadership roles in the United Methodist Church for more than 30 years and served as a church pastor for 26. He has been Council Director for the Missouri East Conference, Director of Connectional Ministries for the Missouri Conference, President of the National and International Association of Council Directors, member of the General Council of Ministries of The United Methodist Church, and President of the South Central Jurisdiction Council Directors. He also served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Missouri. He has been District Superintendent of the Mid-State District of the Missouri conference of The United Methodist Church since July 2003. Rev. Revelle attributes Jefferson College with setting the foundation and basis for the balance of his experience in higher education. While at Jefferson College studying music, he found that the small classes encouraged high levels of student participation. The Jefferson College experience taught him to be a very active participant in the remainder of his undergraduate and graduate education. The leadership role he experienced in Phi Theta Kappa at Jefferson College and as a national officer equipped him with the confidence to serve in positions of leadership. Elmer and his wife, Diana, have raised and cherished their two adult children Lezlie and Shawn. The Outstanding Alumnus is a person who graduated from Jefferson College with a certificate or associate degree, has achieved distinction in his or her chosen field of employment, has been involved in community service, and is not presently a trustee or an employee of Jefferson College.
2006 Jefferson College Alumna of the Year Jane started college at age 17 but left after one semester to work and raise her children. In her early 30s, she decided that she wanted to teach and chose Jefferson College. After graduating with an Associate of Arts degree, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Harris-Stowe State College and returned to Jefferson College as an instructor in the Adult Education and Literacy Program. After her first year of teaching, she was asked to direct the program and was soon also directing the Job Training Partnership Act Program. Through these positions, she implemented curricula that provided job-training skills for economically disadvantaged youth and adults. She obtained a Mater’s degree in Adult Education and became the Dean of Extended and Non-Traditional Learning for Jefferson College, a position she held until she retired in 2005 after 21 years of service to the college. “In reviewing my 30 year association with Jefferson College (as a student and employee), it is hard to find the words to express my appreciation for this local institution of higher learning,” said Kost. “I would not be who I am today if it had not been for the election in 1962 that formed the Junior College District of Jefferson County. Jefferson College and its fine instructors rivaled any coursework that I experienced at Harris Stowe State College, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Central Missouri State University, and others that I attended. Community colleges allow ordinary people, like me, to become much more than they ever imagined. I am proud to be selected as Alumnus of the Year by those with whom I worked at Jefferson College; they are the best!” In addition to her service to the College, Jane has always been very active in her community. She started the first adult literacy program in Jefferson County in 1984. She is a past president of the Twin City Area Optimists Club and continues to work actively with the program, including recently helping start a Childhood Cancer Campaign. Through her work with the college and community groups, Jane has received many awards, but she says, “It was not for me personally that I accepted them. I always felt that I accepted them for Jefferson College to promote the college in the community.” |
After receiving several nominations from all areas of the campus and community, the Faculty Senate has selected Regina Herrington of Festus as Jefferson College’s 2008 Alumna of the Year.
Rev. Elmer E. Revelle received his Associate of Arts degree from Jefferson College in 1967. Afterwards, he continued his quest for higher education and achieved a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southeast Missouri State, and a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary. In 2002, he was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from Central Methodist University.
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