A 1958 graduate of Trenton Junior College who returned to his alma mater for over 28 years of instruction as a member of its faculty is the first of six honorees to be saluted by the North Central Missouri College Foundation.
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Phillip Schlarb of Trenton began his pursuit of higher education following graduation from Trenton High School and Trenton Junior College. Transferring on to the University of Missouri-Columbia and then Northeast Missouri State University, Schlarb obtained his bachelor’s degree in marketing and a secondary teaching certificate at these institutions respectively. Returning to the Columbia campus, Schlarb continued his pursuit earning a master’s degree in marketing in 1964. But he didn’t stop there. He later returned to earn additional graduate hours as well as his Missouri Vocational Certificate in Business.
Married to his hometown love, Judy Hammond, Schlarb and his wife have spent most of their married life in Trenton, where they chose to raise a family, attend church and become community leaders never once losing sight of the importance of education and the significant role of the local junior college – a place where all of the Schlarb family got their start in higher education.
Schlarb began employment at TJC in 1972 as an instructor in accounting, management, computer applications and economics and also edited text books in both business law and economics. A career that would span over the next 20-plus years, Schlarb became a division chairman and the associate dean of vocational and technical education. Among his credits are authoring grants totaling more than $3.9 million for enhancement, special and R-TEC programs at NCMC. In addition, he coordinated faculty and staff for eight vocational departments plus the Adult Basic Education and Tech Prep programs. He was responsible for many program proposals in support of programs in accounting, construction technology, criminal justice, chemical application, data processing, industrial maintenance and environmental technology.
Outside the college classroom, Schlarb served as co-sponsor for Phi Theta Kappa honor fraternity, initiated a college wellness program and the Groundhog Day Festival, served as faculty senate president and chaired the 50th, 65th and 75th anniversary committees for the college.
Schlarb didn’t spend all of his time working on programs for the college. He served the community as president of the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce on two occasions, was an original committee member of the Missouri Day Festival Steering Committee, where he continued to serve for many years, including chairing the festival twice, and spent much of his time enjoying the company and opportunity to be a member of the Four Dimensions Barbershop Quartet, now celebrating 22 years making music.
Active members of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Schlarb and his family have a strong history in the church. He has served as chairman of the administrative council and was a member of the church choir as well as a member of many important committees. He has been the chairman of the Grundy County Nursing Home Board of Directors, president of the Trenton Park Board, a board member of both the Grundy County Friends of the Arts and the Grundy County Historical Society and most recently, chairman of the Trenton Sesquicentennial Committee.
The Schlarbs are the parents of three grown children, Lynn, Ed and Jeff, all who attended North Central Missouri College and are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren and a fourth grandchild on the way.
Schlarb encourages others to pursue their goals emphasizing education. He retired from NCMC in 2000 and received Dean Emeritus designation the same year. Still a frequent visitor to the NCMC campus, Schlarb has education and his love for the community college in his blood.
Schlarb will be honored at the college’s annual gala on Saturday night, Oct. 13, along with Dr. John Holcomb, Dr. Lester Skaggs, Dr. Mark Foster St. Claire and Mr. and Mrs. Don Woodard. Reservations for the 6:30 event are due on Oct. 5.