FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Bethany Kendrick
Director Public Relations
Labette Community College
(620) 820-1280
Huff Named LCC’s Van Meter Alumni Award
Recipient
The Labette
Community College Alumni Association announces the 12th Annual
William & Allene Guthrie Van Meter Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award. The
2011 recipient of this prestigious award is Dr. C.J. Huff, of Joplin, MO. Huff
is a graduate of Labette Community College and is currently in his fourth year
as the Superintendent of Joplin public schools.
Prior to
accepting the Superintendent position with Joplin schools, Dr. Huff served four
years as the Superintendent of Schools in the Eldon School District, near Lake
of the Ozarks. He has also served as a principal in the Nixa, Springfield, and
the Bolivar School Districts and as an elementary classroom teacher in Bolivar,
MO and Pleasanton, KS.
Dr. Huff received his two associate degrees from Labette Community
College, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State
University, a Masters and Specialist Degree from Missouri State University, and
a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas in
Fayetteville.
In addition
to his administrative responsibilities with the schools, Dr. Huff remains active
in the Joplin Community through his participation on the Joplin Chamber of
Commerce, United Way Board of Directors, Bright Futures U.S.A. Board of
Directors, and serves as a “lunch buddy” through Big Brothers/Big
Sisters.
Dr. Huff was
born and raised in Southeast Kansas near the town of McCune. Prior to becoming
an educator he was a farmer for eight years and attributes much of the success
he has achieved to a strong work ethic and values instilled in him by his
family. He has been married fourteen years to his wife, Jennifer. Together they
have three children, of whom he is very proud, Savannah, age 11, Keaton, age 9,
and Julianne, age 2.
Dr. Huff has
received many special recognitions and taken part in several professional
actions throughout his career including: the Powerful Learning Conference
Central Office Award, American School Board Journal’s Prestigious Magna Award,
and initiating legislative changes to raise Missouri standards regarding
high school drop-out criteria, plus several other distinctions.
Most recently
Dr. Huff has received much notoriety for his leadership in reopening the Joplin
public schools, post the May 22nd tornado that destroyed 9 of 20
buildings in the district. Administration, teachers, parents, and students had
only 87 days to prepare for the school year. Under his direction, the Joplin
school district was able to begin school on schedule.
This award
will be presented at the 14th Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon on
Friday, November 18th at the Parsons Municipal Auditorium. The award was named
in memory of the Van Meters for their generous estate gift that funded
renovation of Thiebaud Theatre at LCC. William was a 1929 graduate of the
college and Allene taught romance languages at the college from 1929 to 1935.
Previous Alumni who have received this award include; Dr. Jerry Bouman in 2010,
Dr. Sandra K. Willsie in 2009, William “Pat” Haley in 2008, Dr. Jeffery J.
Quirin in 2007, and Roch Switlik in 2006. For a complete list of recipients or
for more information on the William and Allene Guthrie Van Meter Outstanding
Alumni Award, please contact Lindi Forbes, LCC Foundation and Alumni Director,
at (620) 820-1212 or by e-mail at lindif@labette.edu.