00 1 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
00 1 M2 | SEPTEMBER 2022 | MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL
River Junior College 100 years ago, to the creation of the Mineral Area College taxing district in 1965, to the amazing support shown throughout our service region today.
We are looking forward to a continuation of our mission; to provide quality, affordable, accessible education to the community for the next 100 years and beyond!
Mineral Area College is a leader among community colleges in Missouri and the nation.
High school students currently enrolled in any of our great area career centers will now have the opportunity to continue their training after graduation while staying local and helping our community grow.
Through these doors have walked tens of thousands of students. Our students come from all over the world. Our students range from those currently enrolled in dual credit in high school, to those returning to college after being away, to those seeking a career change or just to learn something new. It is often said, “college isn’t for everyone,” and this is true, but we believe COM MUNITY COLLEGE is the
best avenue for workforce training, transfer education, and career and educational enhancement opportunities.
MAC has gone from being one of the lowest funded community colleges in the state to one of the best. We have been fortunate to receive over $15,000,000 in the past two years in funding for the advancement of MAC initiatives and core funding increases that were invested directly into our most important commodity, our employees.
ferring on to a four-year university. Mineral Area College instructors are highly qualified and passionate about preparing our students for the next step of their journey.
MAC will continue to provide high-quality courses for students seeking the foundation of general education before trans-
MAC President Dr. Joe Gilgour is excited to see what the future will hold for Mineral Area College.
Dr. Joe Gilgour MAC President
As we begin our second century of providing education to this region, we are excited about the future.
universities to create seamless transitions for students who intend on transferring and taking steps to ensure MAC is a leader among community colleges in Missouri and the nation. We strive for excellence in all we do, and we will not rest until our goal is reached.
All of us at Mineral Area College appreciate the support of the community. From the birth of Flat
MAC looks forward to the next 100 years
The past 100 years have not always been easy; we began at the end of a worldwide pandemic and are entering our 100th year at the end of another one. The world has seen war, depression, and civil unrest but FRJC/MAC has persevered.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT AT MINERAL AREA COLLEGE.
M
opened its doors on September 5, 1922, the founders could not have known what a great institution we would have 100 years later.
FRJC started as a regional community college primarily serving the Flat River School District and surrounding communities.
New facilities are popping up on campus. Facilities that will provide training and workforce development opportunities for residents who want to expand their skills and certifications but do not want to travel out of town for a technical college.
00 1 MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL | SEPTEMBER 2022 | M3
AC 100 CollegeRiverAnniversary.YearWhenFlatJunior
Mineral Area College is a staple in this community, born from a dream of access to quality education for all in the small Missouri town of Flat TodayRiver. wecelebrate the past 100 years with a vision for the future. Community colleges are one of the greatest inventions of the United States of America, starting in 1901 in Joliet, Illinois. Flat River Junior College/Mineral Area College is proud to be the second longest-serving community college in Missouri.
Today Mineral Area College has an 18-county service region, serving 30 school districts spanning from Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau to Houston, MO.
It is hard to say what MAC will look like in 100 years, but we have a vision for the near future that includes expansion of workforce development opportunities, increased partnerships with
MAC IS YOUR COLLEGE.
population of the county, would mean more to the rising generation of this district than anything that has yet been granted them. They could stay at home and have two years of schooling above high school. There is an alarmingly small percent of our young people who ever go beyond high school.”
much interested, as indicated by the questions they are asking. So far, not a single word of adverse criticism has been heard.”
By the end of the month, it was announced in the Sept. 30, 1921, Lead Belt News that sentiment favoring a junior college was growing throughout the“Inquiriesdistrict. have been received from Bonne Terre, Desloge and Farmington. Not only educators but businessmen in these towns are telling us they are glad we have made a move in this direction and are assuring us of their hearty cooperation and support. Pupils in our local schools are very
Kevin R. Jenkins
“For several months, quiet discussion of this plan has been going on among patrons and friends of the school. The plan for the establishment of a junior college here was placed before Sam Baker, the state superintendent of schools when he was here last spring to deliver the commencement address for the Elvins High School. He gave his hearty approval of such a plan.”There would be significant costs to starting a junior college — mostly involving the construction of a building that would be of suitable size to provide for future growth, as well as enough money to pay the “three or four” additional teachers that would be required for the institution. The general consensus was that student tuition would cover their salaries.
Flat River Junior College was established in 1922 as part of the Flat River School District.
WOMEN CAN VOTE
Pictured are the 1923 Flat River Junior College faculty.
According to an article appearing in the Sept. 16, 1921, issue of the Lead Belt News, community members had been discussing privately the prospect of opening a junior college in Flat River at least a couple of years before that.
In the November 18, 1921, issue of the Lead Belt News, a large headline at the top
What stonemile-a to be proud of —
“C.R.district.Pratt,for 15 years a member of the school board, spoke of the continuous building that has been done here during these years to care for the ever-increasing enrollment in the school. He placed before the meeting the proposition that the board is now considering the erecting of a building in the near future adequate to house the high school and such additions to the present system as shall seem advisable.”
00 1 M4 | SEPTEMBER 2022 MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL
BEGINNINGS
ALMOST APPROVALUNANIMOUS
100Theyears!history of Mineral Area College begins with the founding of Flat River Junior College, which was started by the Flat River Board of Education to offer two years of college training to high school graduates. Classes began in the fall of 1922.
A DECISIVE MEETING
Mineral Area College celebrates a century of growth in southeast Missouri
MAC and its outreach centers are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
Plans for the college began sometime before that.
The well-attended community meeting made it obvious that the proposed junior college had the almost unanimous approval of those in attendance. They were even open to the idea of a $120,000 bond issue to pay for expansion of the school
The Oct. 7, 1921, issue of the Lead Belt News ran a story about the local board of education meeting deciding to hold a public meeting to discuss the creation of a junior college in St. Francois“TheCounty.local Board of Education met Tuesday evening of this week to decide on the next step to be taken toward the establishing of a Junior College here as an addition to our present educational system. It was voted to hold a mass meeting of this and adjacent communities in order to ascertain the sentiment of the people. This meeting will be held in the Y.M.C.A. building Monday night, October 21, and will be called at 7:30 o’clock. The people of this and neighboring towns, both men and women, are urged to be“Thispresent.isto be one of the most important meetings ever called in this community and one from which more real, lasting benefit to the community may emanate than any meeting ever held here. A Junior College established in Flat River, which is practically the center of
The community college has several locations — the 226-acre main campus in Park Hills, Fredericktown Outreach Center, Perryville Higher Education Center, Potosi Outreach Center and a new satellite location in Cape Girardeau was recently opened.
MAC is a member of the Na tional Junior College Athletic As sociation Division I, NJCAA Region XVI and the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference. Athletic teams include men and women’s basketball, soccer, track and field; men’s baseball and golf; women’s softball and volleyball; coed e-gaming and cheerlead ing. Cross Country had backto-back national championship 2019-2020.MAC’sCardinal Booster Club is an athletic foundation that raises money to fund scholarships and assist student athletes. Due to rising costs in higher education and budget cuts across the board, the booster club is essential to the vitality of the school’s sports programs. Members of the club protect this athletic department, acknowledging the worth of a quality student athlete experience in the classroom, community, and on all playing fields at MAC.
Board of Trustees is made up of locally elected individuals from the five sub-districts within the greater taxing district of the college. The current board is made up of Alan Wells, Sub-district: At-Large, Resi dence: Farmington, Profes sion: Director for St. Francois/ Ste. Genevieve Counties Joint Communications Center, Edu cation: Attended Mineral Area College and Southeast Missouri State University, First elected to the board in 2013; Scott Sikes, Sub-district: 1, intion,Education:fromProfession:trict:andelectedNationalFlaternsion:4,HarveyelectedEducation:sion:Residence:LandrumtheofB.S.,fession:Residence:LisaelectedMissouritiontion:HeadFredericktown,Residence:Profession:BaseballCoach,EducaM.A.,SecondaryEducaAdministration,SoutheastStateUniversity,firsttotheboardin2009;Umfleet,Sub-district:2,BonneTerre,ProPharmacist,Education:Pharmacy,St.LouisCollegePharmacy,firstelectedtoboardin2016;Stuart“Mit”Jr.,Sub-district:3,Farmington,ProfesPresidentofMitware,LLC,B.A.Physics,firsttotheboardin2018;Faircloth,Sub-district:Residence:ParkHills,ProfesRetiredfromSouthwestBell,Education:AttendedRiverJuniorCollege,M.S.,LewisUniversity,firsttotheboardin2005;CamilleNations,Sub-dis5,Residence:Bismarck,RetiredTeacherCentralSchoolDistrict,B.S.,MusicEducaSouthwestMissouriState,firstelectedtotheboard2018.
Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, the school’s degrees and programs are approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education in Jefferson City.
serve to bring quality arts and cultural events to our community. The main MACOA office is in the Fine Arts building on MAC’s main campus.
Mineral Area Council on the Arts (MACOA) began in 1982 as the Mineral Area College Arts Council, a committee formed by Dr. Dixie Kohn at the school. Through the years, MACOA has brought cultural events and a greater exposure of fine arts to the campus. The independent Mineral Area Council on the Arts was established in 1989.
The current main campus was purchased in 1967, and operations moved to the larger campus in 1970. The college grew throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, adding more buildings and programs to better meet the needs of students and area businesses. College Park was added in 2000, and the Fredericktown Outreach Center was built in 2010. The school opened a new welding building for the spring semester and an 80,500-square-foot Workforce Innovation and Education Center is currently under construction. MAC has over 11,000 alumni and students from many different states and countries have graduated from the school through the years.
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ACCREDITATION
Flat River Junior College’s first class consisted of 38 students from throughout St. Francois County. One of the major reasons for opening the college was to train teachers. Many students who attended Flat River Junior College later transferred to four-year institutions. Although enrollment took a dip during World War II, as the population began to grow in the 1950s and more students wanted a college education, the college outgrew its campus on the Flat River Public School
CAMPUSES
Mineral Area College and its outreach centers are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, A
MACOA/MAFAA
MAC FOUNDATION
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Taken from the 1965 Flat River Junior College yearbook, students work on their assignments.
In addition to the executive director, the council is led by a board of directors comprised of eight men and women from throughout the region who
There have been six Mineral Area College presidents who have provided leadership for the school through the years. They are Dr. H. Tudor Westover, 1965-1966; Dr. Richard Caster, 1966-1982; Dr. Dixie Kohn, 1982-2001; Dr. Terry Barnes, 2001-2006; Dr. Steven Kurtz, 2007-2018; and Dr. Joseph Gilgour, 2019-present.
MAC offers several associate degrees and certificate programs for students. Degrees include As sociate of Arts; Associate of Arts in Teaching; Associate of Science; Allied Health Related, AND – Ad vanced Placement; Allied Health Related, Associate Degree Nurs ing RN; Allied Health Related, Respiratory Therapy; Associate of Applied Science, and Associate of General CertificatesStudies.offered include Automotive Collision Technology, Automotive Technology, Business Management, Child Development Associate, Child Development, Community Paramedic Program, Computer Networking, Connector and Conductor, Construction Building Technology, Criminal Justice, Digital Media Technology, Electrical ticsLawIndustrialfrigerationPrintingGlobalTechnology–cian,gy,Electrical/ElectronicTechnology,Technolo-EmergencyMedicalTechni-EngineeringTechnologyDesignDraft,Engineering–Manufacturing,Studies,GraphicArts/Technology,Heating,ACandRe-Technology,Maintenance,Enforcement,Logis-Technician,Machine
DEGREES/CERTIFICATES
THE FUTURE
Mineral Area College has always had something to cheer about. This year they are celebrating 100 years. They are the second oldest existing community college in the state.
As the first 100 years of its existence has proven to be an exciting and growing experience for the community college, MAC’s story has just begun and the future of the school and the benefits it provides the area will only increase as the need for specialized training in a variety of fields will become more necessary as technological progress moves forward and more employers move to the Parkland who will need trained and responsible employees to join their workforce.
The Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy (MAFAA) was created in 2021, in response to declining enrollment and the subsequent cancellation of fine arts program at MAC. The Fine Arts Academy operates on the Mineral Area College main campus. It offers classes and productions in theatre, music, and visual arts.
A group of civic-minded citi zens, recognizing the value MAC brings to the community educa tionally, culturally and econom ically, created the Mineral Area College Foundation, Inc. in 1983, as a fundraising appendage for MAC. For three decades, the foundation has worked as a vehicle to enhance the college’s mission. The foundation’s mis sion is to advance, encourage, assist, promote and support the growth and development of MAC, its student body, faculty and administration.
“Saturday,District.”November 26 is the date of the special election to be held in the Flat River school district for the purpose of voting on a proposition to bond the district in the sum of $120,000 for a new high school and junior college building. Contrary to general belief, women qualified to vote at any election will be allowed to exercise their franchise at this special election, whether they have been assessed as a taxpayer or not.”
ATHLETICS
Of the 543 votes cast in the special election, only eight voted against the bond issue. Work began immediately on erecting the building with an architect hired and bonds sold. By the end of February, plans for the new school building were almost complete. It was announced in July 1922 that classes would begin with the new school year — just two months away.
The Mineral Area College
Tool Technology, Paramedic Technology, Practical Nursing, and Production Technician, Welding Technology.
CONTINUED GROWTH
Withgrounds.anincreasing enrollment in the 1960s, the need for a larger facility was becoming obvious. In 1965, a vote by residents in six public school districts, Flat River Junior College was renamed Mineral Area College. In 1966 the career and technical education division was formed, and nursing programs were added in 1967.
of the front page announced that, due to the passage of the 19th Amendment the previous year, “Women Are Eligible To Vote At Election To Bond School
00 1 M6 | SEPTEMBER 2022 | MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL Atyoursidethroughoutthejourney 217WestColumbia Farmington,MO63640 573-756-4541 Congratulations on100years MineralAreaCollege Farmington•ParkHills•Fredericktown BonneTerre•Desloge www.newerabank.com Congratulations to MineralAreaCollege onyour Centennial Celebration.
At 7 p.m. at Central High School, a special presen-
Food trucks will be available at 2:30 p.m. at Student Lot A, including Checo’s, The Rolling Dumplin Pot, Sauced & Loaded Wings, Holy Grounds Coffee,
To
Also at noon is the start of soccer for the day. There are games at noon and 2 p.m., featuring the MAC women vs. Central Methodist University JV and the MAC men vs. Jefferson College. Like the game earlier in the week, the teams will be wearing throwback jerseys to celebrate the college’s centennial and there is no cost to attend the two games. The baseball team will also be in action that day at noon on Hal Loughary field in a matchup with St. Louis Community College.
Later in the day, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. the Mineral Area college soccer teams will be taking on the State Fair Community College on the first ever on-campus soccer game on the new field, located across from Student Lot A. The volleyball team also plays that evening, taking on Jefferson College at 6:30 pm in the Bob Sechrest Field House. To celebrate the centennial, MAC teams will be wearing throwback jerseys when playing at home this season
The biggest celebration of them all is the Centennial Celebration set for Sept. 10.
scholarships to help local students attend Mineral Area College. Registration starts at 11 a.m., while the event runs from noon to 4 p.m. with judging at 3 p.m. in the first faculty lot.
The parade starts at 9 a.m. near the North County Middle School and will follow the normal route, heading down Walnut Street before making a left onto Wilson. The parade continues down Chestnut Street before turning right onto Lincoln Street, making a left onto West Oak Street, and one final left onto North Parkside Drive ending at the Parkside Elementary.
00 1 MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL | SEPTEMBER 2022 | M7
The fireworks show begins at 8:30 p.m., and will be shot off between Student Lot A and US 67.
On Sept. 6, MAC will be celebrating with a birthday party starting at 11 a.m. at the Arts and SciencesStudents,Concourse.staff, and community members are welcomed to stop by the concourse as official resolutions will be unveiled to honor MAC’s 100th anniversary. Mineral Area College has been working both on a
A full week of events celebrateto100
celebrate the college’s centennial, MAC teams will be wearing throwback jerseys when playing at home this season. On Sept. 10, while supplies last, MAC will be giving away T-shirts to celebrate their 100th birthday.
Sept. 9 is the Friday-Fuel Up for students and staff and Friday Night Lights at Central High School. From 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Arts and Sciences Concourse, students and staff are welcome to a free breakfast, courtesy of the college to celebrate the anniversary.
state-level and federal-level on the resolutions, with assistance from U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, State Rep. Mike Henderson, State Rep. Dale Wright, and State Senator Elaine Gannon.
Danielle Thurman
he first ever classes held at Mineral Area College, formerly known as Flat River Junior College, were on Sept. 5, 1922. To celebrate 100 years, there will be a week of activities for students, staff, and theThecommunity.celebration week ends on Sept. 10 with the Centennial Celebration, a full day of sports, food, and beginsentertainment.TheweekofeventsattheDesloge Labor Day Picnic, particularly at theThisparade.year’s theme for the picnic celebrates the centennial anniversary of Mineral Area College, and carries over to the parade where some familiar Flat River Junior College and Mineral Area College faces can be seen. MAC Professor/ Music Department Coordinator Dr. Kevin White serves as the grand marshal for the parade while students, staff members, and Kirby the Cardinal will be walking and riding along on the parade route.
Beginning at noon is the Third Annual Motors for MAC, sponsored by Froggy 96. All proceeds from the event will go toward
The following day, Sept. 8, is the 100th anniversary aerial photo at 2 p.m. on Cardinal Field. This event is open to students, staff, and community members as a giant 100 is created by those participating. Those interested in participating will meet at the new soccer field, and the college recommends wearing red if interested in participating.
At noon, live music begins at the music stage on Student Lot A with Bobby Spain playing acoustic country music from noon to 3 p.m. during the car show. Mountain Mischief takes over at 3 p.m. and will go until 5 p.m. GTO will take the stage from 6 to 8 p.m.
Student Lot A will be used for seating, and MAC recommends bringing lawn chairs to sit on. Seating will be best in Student Lot A near the stage where the Mineral Area Kicks Band, under the direction of Dan Schunks, will be performing during the duration of the fireworks show.
On Sept. 7, there will be two events starting with “Club Day” for students to get involved at MAC from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Club day is an annual event at the beginning of the fall semester to encourage students to get involved on campus. A few of the active clubs on campus include the Art Club, Cardinal Congregation, and Student Government Association. A full list of clubs available can be found on the MAC website.
T
tation will happen at the football game versus Potosi to recognize Central. MAC will be presenting Central a banner to display on the school’s campus to recognize the history of the Flat River School District and its role in establishing Flat River Junior College. The first classes were held in the Flat River High School in various places in the school through the first year, including the auditorium, high school classrooms, and the domestic science basement. It was not until the following fall when the Flat River Junior College wing of Flat River High School was ready for the full term of occupancy, and stayed there for more than 40 years.
Charlie’s Smokehouse BBQ, Nana & Papa’s Kettle Corn and moreThroughout the day, there will be a bounce house, and a tie-dye T-shirt station where kids can create their own shirts.
00 1 M8 | SEPTEMBER 2022 | MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL Congratulationsfro m t he s he d Vapesonyour Centennia la nni V ersary ! 6326HillsboroRd,BonneTerre,MO63628 Textto 314-471-5453 LocallyOwned.CommunityMinded. FamilyFocused. Congratulations onyour Centennial Celebration MineralAreaCollege Congratulations on FromEveryoneat GiffordLumberCo inFredericktown ! Youcanreachusat: Phone:573-783-3391 149CommercialDr. POBox267 Fredericktown,MO63645
He said he bounced around the semi-pro leagues, did some acting, and is now a motivational speaker. He started a basketball clothing line inspired by the film “Hoop Dreams.” His clothing brand is called Classic HD Basketball Clothing Co. He also worked in public relations for one year in Phoenix for the Harlem
MAC has its own long list of notable alumni.
“HooprentlyAgeeGlobetrotters.andGatescur-doapodcastcalledDreams.”
VanHerck is a MAC and University of Missouri graduate. He has received extensive training and earned numerous degrees in the U.S. military. He has more than 3,200 flight hours and is rated as a command pilot. He has received many major awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal for Air Force, Defense Superior Service Medal, and more.
ARTHUR AGEE JR. Two young, talented basketball players from Chicago were featured in the 1994 film “Hoop Dreams.”
Another notable alumni is the commander for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. He has served as general in Colorado Springs, Colorado, since August 2020. He previously served as director of the Joint Staff where he was responsible for implementing the National DefenseGeneralStrategy.GlenD.
Arthur Agee Jr. was featured in the 1994 film, “Hoop Dreams.” Now he has a clothing line and co-hosts a podcast.
F
lat River Junior College was established in 1922 as part of the Flat River Public School System. It later became Mineral Area College in 1965.
The film, shot over six years featuring William Gates and Arthur Agee Jr., became one of the most highly-acclaimed sports documentaries of allAgeetime.said the documentary was being filmed before he attended MAC for two years and played basketball.
“It was cool making the film and it exceeded everyone’s expectations,” he said. “It became the No. 1 sports documentary film of all time, changed Hollywood and introduced the world to real realityAgeeTV.”was a two-year starter at MAC who went on to play two years in Division 1 basketball at Arkansas State University.
Pam Clifton and Mark Marberry
MAC has a long list ofsuccessful alumni
During his years of service, VanHerck has accumulated thousands of hours in a variety of aircraft, including the F-15C Eagle, F-35A strike fighter, B-2A Spirit, and B-1B Lancer. He has commanded a training operations group, weapons squadron, two bomber wings and the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center.
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GENERAL GLEN D. VANHERCK
Over the last 100 years, many students have benefited from the college’s educational, cultural and economic values. It’s estimated more than 18,000 students have graduated from FRJC and MAC in the lastTherecentury.are obvious benefits of earning a degree or certification from a twoyear college. In fact, many well-known Americans have attended two-year colleges: Apple Co-Founder and CEO Steve Jobs; Food Network TV show host Guy Fieri; U.S. Astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot a space shuttle and the first in NASA to command one; baseball legend Jackie Robinson; actors Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman and Hallee Berry; and George Lucas, filmmaker of the first six “Star Wars” movies.
General Glen D. VanHerck is commander for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.
State Rep. Dale Wright (R-Farmington) is a Mineral Area College alumni who graduated in 1973 with a degree in BusinessWrightManagement.givesgreat credit to MAC and their staff in preparing him for his professional career. “The education I received from Mineral Area College was the cornerstone of my whole career working in healthcare administration heading up hospitals and multi-billion dollar corporations.
Robert S. “Sonny” Parker received All-City, All-State, and All-Public League honors while attending school in Chicago. After graduation, he attended MAC and played basketball where he
“As parents we insisted that they do that. Number one, to support our local college and number two, they would get a wonderful educational experience and it would kind of wean them out of the house and into their own lives. It also saved Mom and Dad a lot of Wrightmoney.”serves in the Missouri House of Representatives for District 116 which covers portions of St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Perry Counties. He was elected in 2018.
earned All-American and Conference Player of the Year and Region Player of theAfterYear.a successful two years at Texas A&M, Parker was a first-round draft pick chosen by the Golden State Warriors as the 17th overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft.
According to Wright, all of their children also attended MAC.
they are
the MAC Athletic
Wright later served on the MAC Foundation Board for several“Theiryears.mission was to gain funding where they could acquire things for students and staff that typically wouldn’t be budgeted.”
In addition to his duties as a legislator, Wright has experienced great success in the healthcare industry for the last 45 years. He is a healthcare executive; business owner; partner of the Actalur Group, LLC, a healthcare consulting company; and Angle Medical Solutions, a pharmaceutical and medical device distrib-
Eight years later, he created the non-profit Sonny Parker Youth Foundation
of Fame in 2015.
“exemplary
Another part of Wright’s deep connections with MAC is his wife Denise. She graduated from MAC the same year he did and later served as an instructor and assistant professor of English, retiring from MAC in 2017.
utor. He’s earned numerous awards, including the Rising Star Award from Cardinal Healthcare and Manager of the Year from Health Services Corporation of America.
in Chicago to provide year-round ofrecognizedinginhadofhaveofNationalner-cityturalrecreationaleducational,andmulti-cul-programsforin-kids.HewasinductedintotheJuniorCollegeHallFame.ParkerandwifeLolasevenchildren.Threetheirsonshavealsosuccessfulcareersbasketball.ParkerisMAC’slead-careerscorer.HeisinMAC’sHallFame.
Missouri House Majority Whip Allen Andrews, left, presents a certificate to State Rep. Dale Wright, R-Farmington, recognizing him for his service” as deputy whip during the 2021 Legislative Session. Wright is a proud graduate of MAC.
“I carried a full time schedule at MAC, 15-21 hours and then worked full-time. It really led me to understand the importance and value of work.”-DALEWRIGHT
Pictured are Coach Tim Gray with Sonny Parker as inducted into Hall
My experience at MAC was the foundation of everything I did in the business world and my personal life — dealing with my own personal finances and all the way up to serving in the MissouriStartingHouse.”outas what he calls a “stockboy” at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center, Wright states he would go to college in the morning from 8 a.m. to noon every day and then work from noon to 8 p.m. at the“Ihospital.carrieda full time schedule at MAC, 15-21 hours and then worked full-time,” he said. “It really led me to understand the importance and value of work.”
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Parker played professional basketball for six years until he completed his career in 1982.
DALE WRIGHT
ROBERT “SONNY”S.PARKER
Betty said MAC was an easy choice for her. “As the first person in my
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Harvey Faircloth attended FRJC, while Camille Nations, Lisa Umfleet, and Alan Wells got their start at MAC.
He played basketball for Coach Tim Gray.
When he went to MAC, Keenan Henson wanted to play basketball and be in plays. As a college student, he was able to do both.
can at Mineral Area College. During her sophomore campaign she was named to the All-America First Team and Region 16 Player of the Year after averaging 16.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game while shooting 58.1 percent from the field. Highlighting that season was a career-high 32-point performance with 10 rebounds against Northeast Mississippi. She also snagged a career-best 18 rebounds along with 24 points against Moberly Area.
TOO MANY TO MENTION
The MAC Board of Trust ees includes several alumni.
“Afterminer.our first year of college, Ken and I got married and I worked at the MAC bookstore. The excellent professors and the social support of friends helped us to successfully transfer to SEMO for our BS and MA Theredegrees.”aremany, many more local graduates who have achieved success in a variety of ways … who got their start at FRJC or MAC.
“Mineral Area College gave me the opportunity to go to college at a very affordable price ($5 per credit hour),” he
LENARD AND MARY LU POLITTE Dr. Lenard Politte & Mary Lu (Wallace) Politte were Bismarck High School sweethearts who attended FRJC in andRegionalmemberatessouriwhenhealthcarethesetInogistestablishwassionaling,aspectsbeeninaccomplishedthegraduationMedicinetyacceptancedationaandsuccessescontributedpayIcompanylace)couple,So,waseasyAttendingtheFRJC,Lenard1952-1953.said,“Withoutwewouldn’thavehadopportunitieswedid.collegewasn’tformostofus.Therenofinancialaidthen.asayoungmarriedMaryLu(Wal-workedatthephoneinBismarckandworkedfortherailroadtoforoureducation.FRJCtosomanyinourpersonalprofessionallives.”LenardcreditsFRJCwithsolidacademicfoun-whichledtohistotheUniversi-ofMissouri-Columbia’sSchooland1962withhonorsasfirstinhisclass.InadditiontobeingancardiologistMissouri,Lenardhasatrailblazerinmanyofhisfield:teach-research,andprofes-medicalwriting.Hethefirstphysiciantoaprivatecardiol-practiceinColumbia.fact,hiseffortshelpedthegroundworkforgrowthofColumbia’senvironmentheestablishedMis-CardiologistAssoci-andwasafoundingofColumbiaMedicalCenterBooneClinic.
An all-state high school and all-American junior college hoops performer, the North County graduate wrapped her collegiate career as a graduate transfer at UT-Martin in earlySheMarch.averaged 9.5 points, a team-best 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game for the OVC-member Skyhawks following her previous two-year stop at Robert Morris University in western NJCAAShePennsylvania.wasatwo-timeDivisionIAll-Ameri-
Former Mineral Area women’s basketball star Holly Forbes made her professional debut on the other side of the world in June in Mitchell Park, Australia, playing for the South Adelaide Panthers of the NBL1 League.
At North County, she owns school records in career points (1,759). She helped lead North County to district and sectional titles in 2015 and a conference title in 2017.
He said the comedy “Drop Dead” was one of the most fun productions he’s ever been privileged to be part“Whenof. I moved to St. Louis and went to Maryville, I got a commercial agent and booked a couple gigs,” he said. “Then when I graduated, I decided to continue and moved to New York, but my true acting beginnings were absolutely at MAC with Dr. Reney.”
He said he was fortunate to be able to teach mathematics at MAC as an adjunct and full time for more than 40
These people are only a few of many notable MAC alumni, many of whom reside in the area and continue to have a relationship with the college.
“Ityears.was a blessing to see former students have successful careers in teaching, engineering, and the medical field,” he said. “Mineral Area College has given thousands of local residents the chance to fulfill their dreams.”
“... My true acting beginnings were absolutely at MAC with Dr. Reney.”-KEENAN HENSON
Holly Forbes is a former Mineral Area women’s basketball star who made her professional debut this summer in Australia.
HOLLY FORBES
Keenan Henson is a professional actor who can be spotted in hit TV shows and movies.
KEENAN HENSON
In her debut season she received All-America Honorable Mention and the Region 16 Freshman Player of the Year award, averaging 14.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She shot 58.8 percent from the field and scored a season-high 32 points against Arkansas Baptist.
Many current and former staff members areKengraduates.McIntyre and his wife, Betty, are graduates of Mineral Area College.
said. “The teachers gave me the background that enabled me to be successful at South east Missouri State University to receive a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.”
family to go to college, the choice to go to MAC was easy because all my high school friends were headed there too! The reasonable cost was a huge factor because my mother worked part-time and my dad was a lead
After being part of plays at MAC with longtime Theatre Director Dr. G. Richard Reney, he “caught a major acting bug.” After graduating from Maryville University, he moved to New York to pursue Hensonacting.livedin New York for four years before moving to Los Angeles. He’s experienced much career success since he first arrived in California. Since then, he’s had roles in “Madmen,” “Whiplash,” “True Blood,” “Castle,” “NCIS,” “Shameless” and most recently “The Forever Purge” and “Glow.” He recently completed filming one comedy and one drama which will be released for Apple TV. No details can be released until the shows areHensonreleased.isgrateful for his experiences at MAC because he was able to begin his acting career at the college. He had done church plays but never to the caliber of acting roles he took on at the college.
00 1 M12 | SEPTEMBER 2022 | MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CENTENNIAL 207W.KarschBlvd,Farmington,MO (573)756-8919 201Highway21PilotKnob,MO (573)546-7608 1700W.Columbia,Farmington,MO (573)756-2910 1007W.Main,Fredericktown,MO (573)783-2100 Happy 100th Birthday
Flat River Junior College had a pep club called the “Red Peppers.”
The film “Hoop Dreams” in 1994 follows the early basketball career of MAC Cardinal Arthur Agee Jr.
Eleanor Roosevelt was the guest speaker of a Democrat Club dinner at the Junior College Field House on July 23, 1960. She spoke of the struggle with democracy and communism; racial relations; the role of the U.N., the Kennedy-Johnson ticket; and endorsement of Congressman Carnahan.
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Robert E. Sechrest Sr. Field House is colloquially referred to as “the Bob.” The gym is named after Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Bob Sechrest. He coached 24 years at MAC, compiling a 465-273 record. His list of achievements includes seven nationally-ranked teams and four NBA players.
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1Flat River
War II. The sculpture, which was the first step in the process that resulted in the finished bronze bust on display outside near the entrance to C.H. Cozean Library, is on display on the second floor of the library.
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Mineral Area College has more than 15 student clubs and organizations, 16 athletic teams. MAC ESports was added in spring 2022. MAC is a member of NJCAAE, which is the only national Esports association exclusively for two-year colleges.
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Since Mineral Area College formed in 1965, the college has only had six presidents with Dr. Joe Gilgour as the current president. manrecipient/EstherMedalphotoscreatedDarrellaartist,TerrePaulausky,Peg1985,aDuLacsculptedbustofSgt.S.ColefromoftheofHonorkilledinWorld
FACTSFUN20 Junior College of the main parking lot. You can even check out a set of discs from the school’s library.
6CollegeAreaMineral and Central kindagreementwasdegree.pursueformoreinprogramUniversity’sMethodist2+2began1989,makingitconvenientresidentstoahigherThisthefirstofitsinthestate. 18The Sgt. Darrell S. Cole Memorial Shooting Range is a part of the overall St. Joe State Park/Mineral Area College Shooting Range program. The shooting range’s primary purpose is to provide a controlled environment for the novice to the experienced shooter that allows them to feel safe and obtain answers and assistance.
was the third public junior college established, with one of the first two being St. Joseph Junior College, which is now Missouri Western State University. Of the 12 current Missouri community colleges, MAC is the second oldest. 2Flat River Junior College’s commencementfirst was held Wednesday morning, May 14, 1924, at 10 o’clock in the school auditorium, with a full house in Twelveattendance.Associate of Arts degrees were conferred. 3 inLeadington226MACincollegecommunityMineraltheapproveVotersAreadistrict1965andboughtacresnear1967. 4Jr.LandrumMitisnow on Mineral Area College Board of Trustees, but his father, Stuart, was on the first MAC board in April 1965. 5In semester.thehostcampusesofferedCountyandFarmingtonburnedinterimMAC’s1969,Maybuildingdown.Northschoolstheirtoclassesrestofthe 8The round trip on Dixie Kohn Drive, from Flat River Road to Route O, is 1.7 miles. 9Did you know you can fish at MAC? The Quarry Pond behind the baseball field is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation giving students a place to fish for black bass, catfish and sunfish. There’s also a paved path for jogging. 10Mineral Area College has a large 18-hole disc golf course beginning directly off
Coach Hal Loughary started up the MAC Baseball program in 1967, and remained head coach until 1987. Loughary’s 1981 team holds the college’s “wins” record by winning 40 games and only losing 10 games. The Mineral Area College Baseball Field was dedicated to Loughary in 2004, and bears the name Hal Loughary Field.
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14If MACenteryou from Flat River Drive, you might see a buriedtheirGossomandthetuckedcemeteryawaytoright.SamuelNarcissaandchildrenarethere. 19FRJC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter was established in 1926. MAC students continue to be active in this community college honor society today. 15
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Sarah Haas F rom the top floor of a high campussprawlingbuilding,schooltoa276-acrewithmultiple buildings and outreach centers dotting Southeast Missouri, MAC’s story comes from a continual recognition for timely expansion andWhenevolution.MAC’s precursor, Flat River Junior College (FRJC), was formed, the concept of “higher education close to home” was not necessarily a new one in the Lead Belt Capital of theThereWorld.was Carleton College in Farmington, established in a log cabin in 1854, that expanded into “three four-story brick buildings, a science hall, an auditorium, a library, a college football team (one of the first in the state), a dormitory for young women, and a college farm which provided food for students, faculty, and guests,” according to Southeast Missouri historian Frank Nickell. It served the region for 62 years.
The board agreed to put the issue to voters on the Saturday, Nov. 26, 1921 ballot to issue $120,000 worth of bonds. The Lead Belt News reported, “The lead companies on whom will fall 75 per cent or more of the tax burden, have always been very generous in their attitude toward the schools, and are not opposing the present proposition to provide more room for the children of theThedistrict.”issuepassed overwhelmingly, 535 in favor, 8 against.Publicand commercial support would be a general trend for the college during the next 10 decades.
In Arcadia Valley, Arcadia College began in 1843, closed and was used as a hospital for Union soldiers in 1861, re-opened in 1863, and struggled until 1877 when the Order of Ursulines took it over, operating an academy and college until closing in 1971. Arcadia College also has ties to early 20th Century Marvin Collegiate Institute and Conservatory of Music in Fredericktown, which was eventually folded into what is now Central Methodist University in Fayette.
out taxpayers on starting a junior college, and relieving overcrowding that regularly stuffed as many as 40 students to a classroom in a building that served all“Agrades.Junior College established in Flat River, which is practically the center of population of the county, would mean more to the rising generation of this district than anything that has yet been granted them,” reported the Lead Belt News on Oct. 7, 1921. “There is an alarmingly small per cent of our young people who ever go beyond high school. This is a deplorable condition…”
FRJC TO MAC During the years on the top floor of the Flat River High School, the college increased its enrollment and offerings, expanding programming that included night classes for those adults who were interested in furthering their training andButeducation.whilethe junior college steadily grew through the Depression-challenged
taxpayeradministrativepowerTwotheanticipatethetoExpandingmeetneed,futurekeystoMAC’sstayingoverthelastcentury:vision,investment
Cathy Dickerson and Neil Schrum cut the ribbon for the new Mineral Area College William Dickerson Welding Technology Center.
Reportedly, the tax rate was 70 cents per $100 assessed valuation, with a proposal to raise it by 50 cents to build the extra building housing the high school and junior college.
The founders of FRJC may have very well been thinking 100 years into the future when the Flat River Board of Education (for the school district that is now Central R-3) called a public meeting for Oct. 24, 1921, at the YMCA building that still stands today. The board wanted to sound
There were challenges to overcome. After the taxing district was formed, an interim college building was built on the current campus. The interim building burned down in May 1969.
Pictured is Al Sullivan, dean of Vo-Tech, in the 1960s
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College Park was added to MAC in 2000, allowing students to live on campus.
“So then (the question becomes) how much land do you have to control so you can control what’s around you? So that’s why the trustees bought all that land. Over the years, it proved to be a very good decision.”
It wasn’t a completely smooth transition to the main campus — in 1969, having moved out of Flat River High School into a temporary building located where MAC’s new soccer field is now located, students were attending in interim classroom space while the main campus’s library, Arts & Sciences Building and gym were completed (the music and art building would come later). A fire gutted the temporary building and destroyed most of its contents. Working feverishly, administrators arranged for MAC students to finish out the semester with classes held in the Farmington R-7 school district.
‘30s, war-torn ‘40s and rocket-era ‘50s, the next 50 years would prove to be a half century of unprecedented change andByexpansion.the1960s, Baby Boomer demands on the junior college had increased along with enrollment, and the board recognized a need for a larger facility and reorganization. Meanwhile, from 1958 to 1964, construction of U.S. 67 had been steadily stretching from the Jefferson County line, south theofferedFlatdistrictsElvinsYMCAsuchingsSchoolfloorspilledskyrocketed.district,forandtheaccessibilitydatethatthemostaMACofFRJC,sinceconnecteddecadesredistrictinghandledSullivan,alcallycallynatureronmentally-conscious,intereststoandstudentyears,inprogramsformededucationcareerbranches.ognizeding,CasterMACasWestoverSuperintendentedintheyMineraltransitioning–tyFarmington,FlatdistrictsofquestionabletiesotherCountynectedpreviouslyericktown,Fredericktown—Fred-towhichhadbeencon-totheSt.Francoisseatandtheminingcommuni-bytwo-laneroadsofquality.In1965,theresidentssixpublicschool–NorthCounty,River,Bismarck,WestCoun-andFredericktownnotonlyapprovedFRJCtoAreaCollege,signaledaninterestalarger,dedicat-campus.FlatRiverTudorwouldserveinterimpresidentofuntilDr.Richardwashiredin1966.Academicallyspeak-thecollegerec-theneedforIn1966,theandtechnicaldivisionwasandnursingwereadded1967.Inthenextfewthenumberoforganizationsactivitiesstartedgrow,andincludedthatwereenvi-aware,politi-activeandartisti-bold.FormerVocation-TechnicalDeanAlwhohasalsothecollege’sprocessforandhasbeentothecollegethetailendofisanencyclopediaFRJCandMAChistory.Hesaid,shortlyaftercameintobeing,huntwasonforthesuitablesitefor“new”college,onewouldaccommo-growthandensurewellintofuture.OnceMACformedtuitiondroppedthoseinthetaxingenrollmentClassroomsoutofthetopofFlatRiverHighandintobuild-alongMainStreet,astheoldhotelandbuildings.SullivansaidwhenandEstherschoolcombinedwithRiver,thedistricttosellMACEstherbuildings,
Shortly after MAC came into being, a hunt was on for the most suitable site for the “new” college, one that would accommodate growth and ensure accessibility well into the future.
Then-MAC President Dr. Dixie Kohn looks at the street sign as Chip Peterson looks on.
Once the college was properly settled into the three buildings — retired botany instructor Robert Scobee recalls grabbing classroom furniture off the train in Bonne Terre and faculty on,been,callsesgramlearningopportunitiestototimegetall-hands-on-deckgoingtoitputtogetherinforthesemesteropen—theaimwaskeeplookingfortoaddspaceandpro-offerings.RetiredArts&Scienc-DeanDr.JimBullisre-theplanhadalwaysfromthe1970stoachieveacampus
Land was available where the current Crown Antiques store is located, but about 226 acres of land was also available at the Rion orchard and farm at the Leadington exit. The Rion property was bought in 1967. All 226“Youacres.had the road coming out that came into the back of the campus, you had the overpass, and that one became the main site, then everybody just about had a stroke that the trustees purchased all 226 acres,” Sullivan said. “If you measure the original buildings’ footprint on the campus, they may be on 60 to 80 acres at most, but the idea was, it was in an unincorporated area and there was no county zoning because the people didn’t want it.
The Technology Center was part of the college’s Beyond 2000 bond issue.
but were turned down when it seemed buying land and building new would be more cost-effective than retrofitting classrooms meant for younger grades into college-level chemistry labs, physics labs, lecture halls and so forth.
“WeDrive.havealso built an HVAC training facility and are currently building an 80,500 square foot industry and technology center to expand technical and workforce training,” President Gilgour said. “We received over $15 million in the past three years for this project. In addition to this onetime money, we were able to secure a core funding increase – more than has happened in 20 years.
“Theyrespectively.wereveryfavorable to us,” remembers former Trustee Jim Hart, who served the board for more than 25 years. “Of course Dixie courted them pretty heavy. And of course we got about anything we wanted that was within reason for ‘em. Someone in Jeff City once said, ‘If we pour any more concrete down there in that damn St. Francois County, it’s gonna fall into the mines.’ That was the funIndays.”1996, the “Beyond 2000” bond issue was passed that built the North College Center, Community Education Building, Law Enforcement Academy and Fire Training Burn Building. The Technology Center was added to the Arts & Sciences Building, and a satellite office for Highway Patrol Troop C was built near the entrance, relocated from its hillside perch across U.S. 67 from Rosener’s Restaurant.
The public passed, by 76%, another bond issue in April 2011 which was designed to make improvements to MAC’s buildings in Fredericktown and Park
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A NEW MILLENNIUM College Park was added in 2000 and in April 2002, under new MAC leadership of President Terry Barnes, voters approved a $6 million bond issue to build a freestanding outreach center in Fredericktown and to build a new ballpark on the Park Hills campus that was named after the late Coach Harold “Hal” Loughary. The measure also provided for extensive thecarofquadrangleditionconstruction,landscaping,andthead-ofawaterfalltotheinthecentercampus.In2004,theformerB&Bdealership,locatednearU.S.67exitinLead-
a bachelor’s degree on the MACDuringcampus.this time period, the Mineral Area College Foundation was formed, as well as Mineral Area Council on the Arts, which brought the full Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra to the Field House on an annual basis for about 20 years. Art Professor Jerry Walters led students on tours to Europe on an almost yearly basis.
The springtime Jazz Fest and the summertime Jazz Camp, with leadership from the music department and the late Jim Widner, was immersing rural students and patrons in another musical genre. The late theatre instructor Dr. G. Richard Reney reached out to the community and other high schools to encourage participation in community theatre — and patronage of theAndarts.there was a lot of financial support for MAC at that time.
“In continuing the education legacy of Flat River Junior College, Mineral Area College evolved into a comprehensive community college. The academic transfer program almost doubled in size and scope within the first five years of the college’s existence,” it reads.Office technologies were expanding, and MAC worked to stay as cutting-edge as possible, offering cable access classes, early computer courses, and eventually embracing administrative software to better keep track of academics and business.
ington, was purchased for additional storage and support for general services.
In MAC’s taxing district and service region were two legislators who were key to its next phase of expansion. Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, and Rep. Bob Ward, D-Bonne Terre, spent time as Senate Majority Leader and House Majority Leader,
In recent years, with leadership from President Joe Gilgour, the college has added a soccer field and a
welding technology building on the east side of Dixie Kohn
footprint that pretty much looks the way it does now — something that took almost 50 years to accomplish.
Dr. Richard Caster, who had seen MAC through much of its transition from junior college to community college, left in 1982 after about 16 years. Dixie A. Kohn had grown up in Bismarck, left for college at University of Missouri and came back to teach classes at Flat River, eventually becoming superintendent. He was hired by MAC in 1982 and set 60-year-old MAC/ FRJC on a trajectory of capital and academic expansion for just shy of 20 years.
The college’s catalog contains a brief history of the academic evolution of its early years.
Building projects taking place during his tenure included adding the Fine Arts Theater, presidents’ office and board room just off the Art and Music building, along with a corridor breezeway that attached it to the new Careers Wing, which in turn was attached to the Arts & Sciences Building. The C.H. Cozean Library had a second story added for tutorial, testing and studying space, and major renovations ensued on the first floor. A new, long corridor and breezeway connected the library to a new bookstore, student center (now the workout center) and athletic offices. These were attached by yet another corridor and breezeway connecting the Student Center to what would later be named the Robert E. Sechrest Sr. FieldAcademically,House. MAC partnered with Central Methodist University, then Central Methodist College, to offer a “2+2” program, the first of its kind in the state in 1989. Students could suddenly get
THE KOHN YEARS
In Summer-Fall 2010, under President Steve Kurtz and Vice President Gil Kennon, federal and state monies helped make possible a new Allied Health addition to the Careers Wing, which added labs, offices and classrooms for the nursing, radiology, and paramedic programs. The following summer, in 2011, the college embarked on a major renovation of the Cardinals Nest cafeteria to accommodate an expansion of food service.
Hills, while keeping the college’s tax rate the same. The measure was intended to provide additional classroom and meeting space for Fredericktown students, as well as renovate that center’s science lab and create a more accessible entrance.
On the main campus in Park Hills the C.H. Cozean Library was completely renovated, with the addition of an elevator and a skywalk between the library and the Arts & Sciences Building— finally connecting most of the campus buildings. The main campus science labs were renovated, and Student Services and Business offices were relocated.
Pictured is Dr. Jim Bullis, dean of Arts and Sciences, in the 1960s.
MAC now has a state-of-the-art soccer field for their successful soccer teams.
“Going back all the way to what would have been the first bond issue after the main 1965 bond issue,” he said, “The idea was to connect all of the buildings so that students wouldn’t have to go out in the rain to go to classes. But it took a long time. It took two, three, four bond issues before that was completely done.”
“State Reps. Mike Henderson, Dale Wright, and State Senator Elaine Gannon did tremendous things for us to get us where we are today. They were instrumental in securing funding.”
Office technologies were expanding, and MAC worked to stay as cuttingedge as possible.
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Success on the field, on the court and in the classroom
Spectators watch the men’s basketball team play in 1950.
Jerome Freeman (13) was joined by Larry Price (45) on Bob Sechrest’s 1968-69 Mineral Area College basketball team. Freeman started and Price played off the bench.
Pam Clifton Contributing Writer
A
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Athletics started during Flat River Junior College’s inaugural year in 1922 with men’s basketball and cheerleading. The college even had a football team in the 1920s and an early track team also in the sameBaseballdecade.was added in 1966, followed by volleyball in 1967. A tennis team was part of the college’s sports only in the 1970s. Women’s basketball was introduced in 1979. Although golf began at FRJC in the 1970s, the sport later halted but returned in 2008. Softball started in 2008. Men and women’s
thletics offer many benefits for students of all grounds.backTwo-year college athletic programs especially offer an affordable rytheoussuccessobviousprogram.ofexperiencedpastistomanyexpansiveJuniorbeginningforandferscareerexperiencehigher-educationwithavarietyofpaths.MineralAreaCollegeof-amultitudeofathleticsacademicareasofstudystudents.Fromtheschool’searlyasFlatRiverCollegetoitscurrentcampus,thereareoptionsforstudentspursue.Oneofthoseareasathletics.Overthecourseofthe100years,MAChasahugeamountsuccesswithitsathleticThere’salsotheproofofthesportswiththenumer-trophiesondisplayatcollege.Thecollege’ssportshisto-isrichandextensive.
Bob Sechrest was a well-loved coach who compiled a 465-273 record. The college’s field house is named after him.
TIMELINE OF TEAMS
He taught at several high schools and then went on to teach and was head baseball coach and assistant basketball coach at MAC for 20 years. While at MAC, he was also a scout for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.
“We’re trying to build up our membership in the Booster Club,” he said. “We have a lot of local people who are very intelligent and active and want to help our athletes at MAC.”
Terry Huff, often referred to as a “local legend,” played for Farmington High School and then as a guard for the MAC Cardinals basketball team from 1968 to 1970.
soccer, plus cross country and track, were each added in The2018.college’s athletic department has been led by a long list of athletic directors, including Bob Sechrest, Tim Gray, Chad Mills and Mike Overman (who has returned as current assistant director). Jim Gerwitz is currently serving as MAC’s director of athletics and has been in this position since 2018.
“Coach Sechrest was great and was a real charismatic guy,” said Huff. “He was very positive. He worked hard, and you practiced hard but had a lot of fun while doingHuffit.”said Hal Loughary worked as assistant coach at the“Hetime.was great, too, because he was a player’s guy,” he said. “Coach Loughary talked to you on the side.” He said the two coaches worked very well together and “were both outstanding people.”
STANDOUT ATHLETES
Huff played alongside Jerome“JeromeFreeman.wasjust a superstar,” he said. “He was an All American in high school coming out of Chicago and went to MAC and then moved on. He was a threetime All FreemanAmerican.”isalsoa member of MAC’s Hall of Fame.
“A lot of times you get to college and it seems like a job, you have to put in a lot of time and hours,” he said. “Jerome Freeman and Coach Sechrest made it so fun. Jerome was always
The college has and continues to play a very important role in Huff’s life. When he was a young child growing up in Doe Run, he loved attending games at “WeMAC.didn’t have any NBA teams around here, but it kind of felt like it when we got to go see games at MAC,” he said. “The old Flat River Field House was a great place to watch a game with a great atmosphere andMACpeople.”hashad many notable athletes over the years.
year“We’reschools.just hoping to continue this success and push for national trophies and keep getting more kids involved and prepare them to compete at four-year schools in the future,” said Davis.
MAC’s athletic department has continued to expand over the years. The college currently has 13 men’s and women’s sports. The college’s current roster of coaches includes Jim Gerwitz, athletic director; Mike Overman, assistant athletic director; Joe Kaiser, athletic trainer; Blake Jones, head baseball coach and assistants Jordan Thompson and Jack Donahue; Erica Conway, cheerleading; Luke Strege, head basketball coach and assistant Evan Robinson; Mike Mapes, golf; Dan Martin, men’s and women’s head soccer coach and assistants Jamie Pickel and Mako Makoanyane; Steve Davis, men’s and women’s track and field head coach and assistant Jim Akins; Ryan Medlin, softball; Steve Davis, men’s cross country; Briley Palmer, head women’s basketball coach and assistants Hayden Sprenkel and Robert Dziewa; Tim Copeland with Assistant Coaches Tracie Casey and Raylynn Dodd, volleyball; and Steve Davis, women’s cross ceivedAmericanathletesfewhavelotbeentokidsfarwomenthetookthetookfourthcross-countryin2020championshiptrythetracktoThisMAC’swomenaddedwascollege,trythefromMAC.countryonthereattryforachievedmanystaff,andWithcountry.theaccomplishedexperiencedcoachingit’snosurprisethatMACathleteshavesuccess.SteveDavisisheadcoachthecollege’scrosscoun-andtrackteams.Hecoachedfor25yearsPotosiandretiredfromin2015beforetakingtheroleasheadcrossandtrackcoachatHeandothercoachestheareahaddiscussedneedforcrosscoun-andtrackteamsattheandcrosscountryaddedin2018.Trackwasshortlyafterthat.Therearecurrently10and10menforcross-countryteams.spring,Davisexpectshaveabout45athletesinandfield.Inlessthanfouryears,MACmen’scross-coun-teamtookthenationalin2019andandwasrunner-up2021.Thewomen’steamtookoverallin2021.MAC’swomen’strackteamsecondrunner-upinnation,andthementhirdin2021.For2022,mentooksecondandthefinishedinthird.“It’sbeenagoodrunsoandwehavealotofgoodandwe’recontinuinggrow,”saidDavis.“We’vefortunatetohaveaofgoodathleteswhojoinedusinthelastyears.”HesaidmanyofthehaveearnedAllhonorsandre-scholarshipstofour-
HALL OF FAME MAC collaborated with St. Francois Rotary Club to establish an Athletic Department Hall of Fame in 2014. The first two inductees for the inaugural class were obvious choices: Harold “Hal” Loughary and Robert “Bob” Sechrest Sr.
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Huff also played one year of baseball for Loughary before joining the military. He’s always been a St. Francois County resident and attends most home basketball and baseball games. He’s also a member of the MAC Booster Club.
field is named for Loughary, while the campus arena is named for baseballLougharyforSouthwestGuten,coachMarkteachingwhoSteveTimmajorathletesandsuccessfulMACwhooutstandingforaregreatofspentaboutsaidCardinalaskedLoughary2004wasMAC’ston’splayingCardinallosingwinningcollege’sretiredteamremainedbaseballtalLougharySechrest.wasinstrumen-instartingthecollege’sprogramin1967.Heheadcoachofthefor20yearsuntilhein1987.His1981teamholdsthewinsrecordby40gamesandonly10.AfteryearsoftheMACbaseballteamgamesatFarming-Wilson-RozierPark,newbaseballfielddedicatedtohiminandnamedtheHalField.Yearsago,whenhewasabouthisworkasacoach,LougharyhehadzeroregretsthetwodecadesheatMAC.“TheywerethebestyearsmylifeandImetalotofpeople,manyofthemyoungmenwhoplayedme,”hesaid.“Manyyoungmenwereaffiliatedwithbaseballwentontocareers.Ienjoyedrespectedthemall.”LougharyrecalledMACwhowenttotheleague,includingLollar,ScottLittleandBieser.“Wealsorememberthosesharethegamebyandcoaching,likeHogan,headbaseballatSEMO,andKeithwhocoachedatMissouriStatemanyyears.”Asanathletehimself,letteredinbothandbasketballat
Murray State University in Kentucky. He was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame for both sports.
doing something you’d never seen before. He didn’t always like to practice, so he and Coach playfully bantered back and forth. It was hilarious, and it made practices fun for all of us.”
-TERRY HUFF
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Loughary, and he remained part of the organization in the minor leagues for many years, including one season with the Class D Paducah Chiefs.
The Missouri House of Representatives recognized Mineral Area College’s Cross Country Team for achievements during their 2020 season, which concluded with the team earning its second consecutive NJCAA Division III National Championship Title.
“Coach Sechrest was great and was a real charismatic guy. He was very positive. He worked hard, and you practiced hard but had a lot of fun while doing it.”
The college’s baseball
The MAC Cardinals had their best season under Loughary in 1981, with a 40-10 record. His dedication and contributions were an obvious part of the team’s wascalleder,thesaymostcretlythoughandfirst-bornitIter,”heasandfather,thingssaidactionandLougharyWithsuccess.everyplayer,stressedintegrityrespectofthesportinandfundamentals.GranddaughterJillSimilyLougharywasmanyinlife:ahusband,teacher,coach“Pop.”“IfeltspecialbecauseforlongasIcanremember,calledme#1granddaugh-shesaid.“Itwasn’tuntilwasolderthatIrealizedwasbecauseIwasthegranddaughternothisfavorite(evenIstillbelieveIse-am).Hewasajokesterofthetimeandwouldthingstogetusgoingalltime.”Whenshewasyoung-Similysaidheoftenandaskedwhatshedoing.“Hewouldsaythathewas
He also mentioned Arthur Agee Jr. who attended Mineral Area College while the movie “Hoop Dreams” wasHemade.wasa two-year starter at MAC who went on to play two years in Division 1 basketball at Arkansas State Heleagues,aroundAgeeUniversity.said,“Ibouncedthesemi-prodidsomeacting.”isnowamotivation-
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ductees have included Bill Bradley, Tim Gray, Robert “Sonny” Parker, Steve Bieser, Tim Lollar, Russ Schoene, Jerome Freeman, Raymond James Smith ”Smitty” Jr., Scott Little, Corey Tate, Jerry Poston, Gary Koch, Janekia Mason and PaulGrayLusk.was the college’s men’s basketball coach from 1984 to 2005 and served as athletic director from 2006 to Gray’s2011.
For many of them, those accolades and successes started at MAC.
In addition to Sechrest and Loughary, other in-
“He always had some words of wisdom whether I was playing or coaching,” she said. “He stressed the fundamentals and to keep it simple.”Similysaid her grandfather was a very special man.
Greg Leet and Mark Baker will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in December.
While at MAC, Sechrest compiled a 465-273 record. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in During1990.halftime ceremonies at the MAC-Three Rivers basketball game in 2002, the former basketball coach again returned to center court, this time to be recognized for his commitment to the community college.
eating popcorn, drinking root beer floats and had his party lights on,” she said. “I immediately started yelling at my mom to take me to Pops. He would just laugh andSimilylaugh.”said Loughary loved watching St. Louis Cardinals games and his great grandkids play sports, including her son Ty and daughter Jenna.
Overall, Sechrest gave a half-century of service to the college; he coached for 26 years and worked for the college for 47 years.
Clearly, MAC has experienced astounding success
with its athletic department. Both players and coaches have earned well-deserved accolades and experienced many successes.
For Assistant Athletic Director Overman, he recently returned to work at MAC and said it’s an exciting time to be a MAC workbaseballhonorheMACtionsandathasdepartment.”thehonorone,”sportswilltheand“CelebratingCardinal.100yearslookingbackonallofcollege’sachievementsmakethe2022-23seasonaspecialhesaid.“It’strulyantobeassociatedwithcollegeanditsathleticAthleticDirectorGerwitzalsohadalonghistoryMAC,bothasastudentemployeeofthecollege.“Thehistoryandtradi-ofathleticsatFRJCandaresecondtonone,”said.“It’sdefinitelyanformetohaveplayedhereandnowhere.”
Arthur Agee Jr., a star of the basketball documentary “Hoop Dreams” holds Coach Tim Gray’s son Justin in 1994.
Former MAC President Steve Kurtz met Sechrest on his first day at MAC.
Kurtz was with a colleague who introduced Sechrest as the “patriarch of the MACSechrestfamily.”passed away on June 19, 2008, after a brief battle with lung cancer. His family, friends and admirers paid their respects to Sechrest at his funeral held in the college’s field house named after him.
As head basketball coach, Gray led the Cardinals to five MCCAC Championships and one Region 16 title. He retired from coaching in 2004 with a head coaching record of 421-196. He served as athletic director for five years.
MAC’s Board of Trustees then-President Chip Peterson honored Sechrest and his family by announcing MAC’s 2,300-seat field house would be renamed the Robert E. Sechrest Sr. Field House. This was in recognition for his leadership and numerous accomplishments both on and off the basketballSechrest’scourt.extensive list of achievements included leading seven nationally-ranked teams; four NBA players and many four-year transfers; three-time NJCAA Region 16 Coach of the Year; director of Region 16 for 16 years; NCAA Basketball Rules Committee; Player Selection Committee for Pan American Games and Olympics; assistant coach of the U.S. Gold Medal team in the 1979 Mexico City games; and named to the NJCAA Hall of Fame. He also served as assistant basketball coach with the NJCAA All-Star team in Brazil and Argentina.
He worked with Sechrest as assistant basketball coach and said he’s never regretted his almost 30 years at “TheyMAC. were some of the best years of my life,” heGraysaid.said Sechrest was “a wonderful mentor and just a great man who helped guide me in the profession. I learned not to get too high and not to get too low. He taught me to be consistent andHefaithful.”mentioned standout players including Corey Tate, who is now associate head coach at Saint Louis“CoreyUniversity.madehis mark as a freshman as an All-Region player and was one of the best players ever at MAC,” said Gray. “He broke his leg during his sophomore year.”
Sechrest’s coaching career first started with four years at Van Buren High School and a record of 81-41. After a year with 26-5 at Thayer, he coached at Flat River High School for six years before joining the coaching staff at MAC.
al speaker and started a basketball clothing line inspired by the film “Hoop Dreams.” The brand is called Classic HD Basketball Clothing Co.”
Read more about Agee in the “Notable Alumni” story in this MAC Centennial specialDuringsection.histenure, Gray said one thing the coaches were all most proud of regarding their basketball players was every athlete graduated with their twoyear“Withdegree.the exception of a couple transfer students, every kid who was with us for two years got a degree and the opportunity to move on,” he said. “That goes back to Coach Sechrest because we always focused on a lot of things besides just basketball. We focused on their education and their lives, and when we look at the success stories now, we see our guys with successful careers and great families.”
own college basketball playing career started at Jefferson College in Hillsboro. He later transferred to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he was twice named Player of the Year and MVP. He completed his bachelor’s degree and took over the role of varsity assistant coach at Friends University. His team won back-toback JV KCAC ConferenceGraytournaments.joinedMAC in 1984 under Sechrest’s leadership.
Pictured is the college’s basketball team in 1946.
He currently does a “Hoop Dreams” podcast with his film co-star William Gates.
“I am just humbled by how many people loved and respected him everywhere he went,” she said. “It is an honor that I was lucky enough to be his granddaughter.”Lougharydied on Nov. 9, 2020. He was 92.
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