MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

FIND AWE

There are times when I get caught up in the daily work of dealing with issues and problems that arise and I find myself discouraged. Then I have the opportunity to review the content of a report such as this edition of Happenings. Looking back on the past year reminds me that I have so much to be proud of and happy about.

The stories of our students inspire me. They work, they raise families, they give back to the community, but yet they come to MCC looking to better themselves. They excel in their academic life and make us proud of their accomplishments.

I am reminded of the hard work our grant writing team and faculty put into creating programs and writing proposals that allow us to bring new and different learning opportunities to our community. These programs are aimed at getting our graduates into the workforce to begin their careers as quickly as possible.

I remember the hard work that faculty and staff put into our Study Abroad program. I smile because of the excitement felt by 13 of our students who were given the chance of a lifetime to travel to far-off lands. The students had cultural experiences that will affect them for a lifetime.

I look back at the awards and recognitions bestowed on our faculty. The work they do every day in the classroom to make sure our students find success humbles me. They also work in the community, support their professional organizations, and lend a hand across campus. They always stand ready to do what needs to be done.

As I turn a page, I am reminded of our professor who retired this spring from MCC. He retired after 53 years of classroom teaching. Yes, I said 53 years! This college existed in mobile units at the time he started teaching. The number of lives he has touched over the years astounds me.

And I see the story about our faculty member who we lost in 2022. In 2021 this retired professor established the Hagan H.O.P.E. Scholarship. When he passed the college received a legacy gift from his estate. He wanted to make a difference into the future. His gift to our college will help students for generations to come.

Then there is the community we serve. Every day our community is there to support the work we do. Sometimes a person will stop me and tell me a story about a kindness exhibited by an MCC staff person. Every once in a while, I will get an email from a community member excited by a new program. Regularly I see the joy folks find in watching a performance at the Glema. All of these things happen because our community is there for us, cheering us on! It is amazing to me how the people in this community hold our little college close to their hearts.

I could go on and on about the stories in this edition. In fact, this Report to Our Communities could be volumes if we told all the stories there are to tell for the past year. I think you can see, however, when I find myself a little discouraged, all I need to do is look around me. There is no reason to be discouraged. I find myself in awe of all the positivity that surrounds me every day. All I need to do is put my head up, open my eyes and ears, and there it is. A reason to be awed.

So, as we close the books on the last academic year, I am setting a goal for myself. Each and every day, I will work to be awed. It need not be found in big things, it may be very small. It is there, I just need to see it. When you find awe, hope and happiness follow. There is always an abundance of both at MCC.

I hope you find awe as well.

Cynthia S. Kelley