Four from SCC recognized by Missouri Community College Association

Published: 11/08/2013

Hal Berry, SCC professor of history and theater, received the MCCA Senior Service Award in recognition of his service to the college, which began in 1987 as a founding member of the SCC faculty. At SCC, Berry has taught theater and history.  He's produced theater and art events at the college, but he considers himself a teacher first and foremost. He directed several Center Stage Theatre productions, including, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Diary of Ann Frank,” “Black Elk Speaks” and “A Piece of my Heart.” He also spearheaded some community-wide theater events, including the History Expo and History Theatre Festival, which turned biography into live drama, highlighting events, issues and historical figures of the past. Since 2011, with the help of faculty, staff and community veterans, Hal has coordinated a weeklong, multi-event campus and community Veterans Day celebration to pay tribute to the men and women in the military.

Paul Roesler, SCC professor of political science, received the MCCA Global Educator Award. Roesler has been working to increase the level of understanding of international affairs and issues at SCC for his entire career. He is a long-standing and active member of the Global Education Taskforce on campus. He promotes the understanding of international issues in the classroom by teaching international politics and making connections between the issues of the world and the form of government that create them. Roesler was an early supporter of the Global Studies program at SCC and has taught Introduction to Global Studies from the beginning. He has encouraged students to see global issues with their own eyes by leading several international tours and bringing in his own travel stories to the classroom. 

Tiffany Ramirez received the MCCA Student Leadership Award. Ramirez enrolled at SCC in 2012 and got involved in campus activities. She is president of the Student Senate and previously served as vice president. She is also a member of Tau Upsilon Alpha, the national honor society for human services students.

Dr. Natalie Greene received the MCCA Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements while attending and after graduating from SCC. Greene started her postsecondary education at the age of 29, when she enrolled at SCC to finally begin pursuing her lifelong dream of being a doctor. On campus, Greene quickly found success both in and out of the classroom. In addition to excelling in her classes, Greene was elected Student Senate president and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students attending two-year colleges. After graduating from SCC, Greene went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine-A.T. Still University. She is currently a resident at Mercy Hospital. After completing her residency, she will become medical director and physician for the Macoupin County Health Department in Illinois.    

Sen. Tom Dempsey received the MCCA Distinguished Legislator Award. Dempsey serves Missouri's 23rd Senate District, which includes part of St. Charles County. SCC president Dr. Ron Chesbrough said that Dempsey was chosen to receive the award because of his strong commitment to his constituents and his leadership in the Senate. Chesbrough said, “Senator Dempsey is a longtime friend and champion of education and higher education in St. Charles County and Missouri. As Senator Dempsey’s rise to leadership of the Senate would indicate, he can be counted on unfailingly for fair-mindedness, thoughtful leadership and constructive dialogue on all matters related to the well-being of Missouri and its citizens. We are grateful for this acknowledgment of Senator Dempsey’s many contributions to MCCA, higher education and the state. He is a true friend of education in Missouri.” 

The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas. MCCA provides advocacy, education, information, and networking opportunities in service of the state’s 5,700 community college faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.