A celebration was held today on the campus of North Central Missouri College with the re-dedication of the newly-expanded Hoffman Hall, the dedication of an arbor in the Shakespeare Circle and the dedication of the Dorris Rider Art Gallery all taking place in Friday morning ceremonies.
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A celebration was held today on the campus of North Central Missouri College with the re-dedication of the newly-expanded Hoffman Hall, the dedication of an arbor in the Shakespeare Circle and the dedication of the Dorris Rider Art Gallery all taking place in Friday morning ceremonies.
The event began in Hoffman Hall, which recently underwent an expansion to create a ?state of the art? technology center. NCMC Board President Diane Raynes noted that Hoffman Hall was the first building on the campus designated specifically for classrooms and was named for the Hoffman family, whose matriarch, Alice May Hoffman, had been one of the founders of the college. Her children, Frank Hoffman, Charles Hoffman and Jeanette Hoffman Robison, were also recognized as strong supporters of the college in their own right. Frank Hoffman was especially recognized as one who pushed for the separation of the college, then known as Trenton Junior College, from the Trenton R-9 School District and served on the first board of trustees, while the late Mrs. Robison and her husband, James, were recognized for their financial gifts to the college for scholarships and building projects. Charles Hoffman, who spoke on behalf of the family, has served as a member of the board of directors of the Foundation Trust of the Trenton R-9 School District, and it was noted that Mrs. Hoffman?s grandson, Chris Hoffman, currently serves on the NCMC board of trustees.
In his remarks, Charles Hoffman spoke with emotion about his late mother?s commitment to the college and the legacy she left for her family, noting that as she and his father worked to secure funding for the college, they could not have anticipated the result.
?Little did they know what that would mean to this family,? he said.
Dr. Albert Cross, chairman of the NCMC Foundation Board, chronicled the growth of the college and listed the projects made possible through the Partners in Growth Campaign, which topped $5.6 million. Those changes, he said, have given the college the ?appearance and feel of a true college campus.?
?Today, NCMC is a vibrant, growing college in a fully supportive community,? he said.
NCMC President Dr. Walter Nolte praised the renovation of the building, listing the advantages it provides to students and faculty. The complete renovation of the existing building, and addition of over 11,000 square feet of new classrooms and laboratories. Among those listed as financial contributors to the project were Larry D. and Connie Barnes, William and Harriet Copple, Lynn Freeman, Hazel Frey, The Bert and Rose Hoover Foundation, Rachel Hoover, Lloyd and Margaret Ketcham, Allen Moore III and Anne B. Moore, James and Jeanette Hoffman Robison, Peggy Stuart and Citizens Bank and Trust.
Dr. Nolte introduced State Sen. David Klindt, R-Bethany, whom he said was responsible for seeing that state appropriations were made for the project and that it remained a priority.
?Today is a remarkable day of progress for NCMC,? Klindt said. ?And it is indicative of NCMC?s 77-year history of striving for constant improvement.?
Calling NCMC ?an incubus,? he noted that the stronger the incubus, the stronger the community and the stronger the region and district. When the process is reversed, he said, it becomes mutually beneficial.
?In life, or in business, or in the business of education, it is said that if you are not growing, you are not living. Clearly, NCMC is growing; clearly, NCMC is living; clearly, NCMC is thriving,? he said.
Also dedicated was an arbor donated by Gary and Ellen Dolan and placed at the Shakespeare Garden, which was constructed on the campus in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Shakespearean Circle. The arbor, which was created by Gary Dolan, was given as a memorial to Mrs. Dolan?s mother, the late Maurine Embry, and the late Virginia Holmes, a long-time member of the Shakespearean Circle.
Dr. Nolte recalled that in the very place the garden and arbor are now located, a city street, in need of repair had been located. Mr. and Mrs. Dolan, as well as Gloria Carpenter, also spoke during the dedication of the arbor, which was placed in the location in May 2002.
From the arbor, the group moved to the Dorris Rider Art Gallery, located in the Frey Administrative Center, where Dr. Nolte welcomed guests and noted that art is also located on the first floor of Geyer Hall. Dr. Nolte introduced Jim Norris, the college?s first full-time art instructor who teaches from the former preschool building, which has been converted into an art building. He recognized board members Betty Frances Hall and Stan Lowrey, who were instrumental in securing the gift from the late Ms. Rider to fund the gallery.
Miss Hall introduced Ms. Rider?s niece, Lorraine Jones, who said her aunt was very interested in education, as well as art, and would have been very pleased to have the gallery in her name located on the campus. One painting that had been at her house, ?Girl With Flowers,? is now owned by Lowrey and is hanging in the gallery. In addition, a vase, known as the ?Hoffman Vase,? was presented to Charles and Frank Hoffman as was Ms. Rider?s request. The vase had been at her home for many years and had been purchased from the Hoffman brothers? grandfathers? estate. As was her wish, the vase will remain on campus in recognition of the Hoffman family?s commitment to the college.
Also speaking during the dedication of the gallery was Roberta Chambers, a niece of the late George Mayo, whose family has donated several pieces to be placed on display. Mayo, a graduate of Trenton Junior College, had acquired a large art collection during his life. Two of the pieces given by his family were of particular note, including a Thomas Hart Benton piece, ?Edge of Town? and Noel ?Bud? Sickles? watercolor, ?Whistlestop,? which features Harry S. Truman on the campaign trail.
Dr. Nolte said he hopes the gallery will become a place where not only NCMC students and faculty, but also the community will feel comfortable in coming to enjoy the art on display. Currently, the Green Hills Traveling Art Display, can be seen, as well as the permanent works in the gallery.