On September 22,from 10am to 12noon, MCC-Penn Valley hosted the Clay Johnson Basketball Clinic and Fathers'Event. Raised in the projects of the Wayne Miner neighborhood, Clay Johnson went on to play for the Tigers at the University of Missouri, and eventually the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Event culminated a weekend fundraiser which included a golf tournament and fashion show the previous day, followed by the basketball workshop and a celebrity basketball tournament later that evening.
 Clay, Magic Johnson |
A full breakfast was provided prior to the clinic, then youths had an opportunity to work out with and ask questions of both Johnsons.
"A one hundred and fifty dollar pair of tennis shoes doesn't make you a star," said Magic Johnson. "Practice does."
While kids participated in the basketball clinic, parents dribbled into the Little Theater for a panel discussion. There, asked about his success in the business world, Magic Johnson said "I think first of all, my Dad passed on to me good work ethics. My Dad worked at General Motors and had his own trash business. So I learned from him how to work hard. He used to tell me that you have to work for everything in life."
Johnson also spoke about his fight with HIV. "When I announced fifteen years ago about my HIV, my family supported me. My wife stayed right by my side through all of that."
He said the real challenge had been how to handle the matter with their kids. "But I also had to figure out what HIV was and set a positive example for my two sons, and make sure I stayed strong. I met it head on and showed them how I could turn a negative into a positive. And I had to admit to myself that I did something wrong."
During the discussion an aide for Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser arrived and presented Magic Johnson with a key to the City.
At the close of the workshop, parents were reunited with their children, and many participants were awarded basketballs and t-shirts.
Eight new scholarships from the Bloch Scholarship Foundation were awarded on September 10, in an afternoon ceremony at the MCC Foundation building on the PV campus.
Recipients were: Amanda Walker, Megan Humphreys, Reginald Ford, Myron Dixon, Muhidin Sheikh, Eric Knight, Naomi Goodseal, and Nhein Vo.
 Bloch Recipients |
The generous Bloch Scholarship is available to students who transfer from Penn Valley to complete their education at the University of Missouri/Kansas City.
Congratulations and good luck to these new recipients.
On Thursday August 30, 2007, Lisa Spaulding embarked on a journey to China. Her mission will be to teach English to students at Hunan Normal University in Changsha, China.
"I will be there for one semester; leaving Thursday and returning just before the beginning of Penn Valley's spring semester," Spaulding said before departing.
"I have been planning this for a year,and I still have 80,000 things to do before I leave. Packing is important."
Although she will be there for several months, Spaulding stressed the importance of packing just the essentials. "You're only allowed forty pounds of luggage, so you really don't want to waste precious space with things you can do without."
Spaulding claimed she really couldn't explain why she was going. "l know that I'm going to be very busy. There are over 2,000 students majoring in English at the university where I will be teaching. This means that I may be teaching sixteen hours a week or more."
But the trip should be interesting, Spaulding said. "China's advancements in today's world have been amazing and they are progressing at a rapid rate. And this intrigues me. I can share this experience with my students when I return."
Spaulding plans to be back by mid-January, 2008, for her classes at Mcc - Penn Valley.
Penn Valley's First Faculty and Staff Picnic
On the morning of September 7, 2007, under an overcast sky, Planning and Development employees Rachel Gomez (Public Information Coordinator) and Nichole Inzauro (Special Events Coordinator) began the task of setting up the Campus Center Courtyard for the first annual Penn Valley Faculty and Staff Picnic.
The event was a new semester kickoff, as well as an opportunity to promote the new art exhibit, "UNSOCIAL: The Bully Series," at the Carter Art Center. Tables with balloon centerpieces were decked out in traditional Penn Valley red and white, and a stereo and karaoke system were set up on the upper section of the courtyard.
"This is really going to be great," said Gomez. "We have games, prizes, music, and karaoke." Food furnished by Cafe Scout included hamburgers, bratwurst and sauerkraut, potato salad, black bean dip and tortillas, marinated tomato/cucumber salad with feta, and mango tea. Pastry, desserts, and sangria further enticed visitors in the Carter Art Center.
The event kicked off at 11:30, with Associate Dean Tracy Hall manning the food table. An assortment of music entertained faculty, staff and students from all over the Penn Valley campus.
"Come get your raffle ticket," Inzauro announced over the mike. "And don't forget to visit the Art Center!"
By 12:30 clouds had dissipated and the raffle began, continuing for another hour. Although some guests had to return to work, many remained and participated in the karaoke festivities. Those who remained also had the chance to observe Penn Valley President Dr. Bernard Franklin step up to the machine and belt out a song.
The entire event lasted until 3pm.
The sun shone brightly on September 27, 2007 as alumni arrived at the Liberty Memorial and Museum to attend the first MCC Alumni Reunion Luncheon. Organized by Dicapo, Dunn, Blim and the MCC Foundation & Alumni Association, the affair was a salute to the countless men and women who attended and completed their education at any one of the five campuses within the system during its ninety-two years of existence in Kansas City.
Present were graduates from the 1940’s through 2006, as well as faculty and staff both active and retired. Some no longer live in the Greater Kansas City area. One of the oldest alumni attending was Harold P. Hesler, who graduated in 1930. Metropolitan Junior College opened its doors at 11th and Locust Street in fall of 1915. In 1942 the campus moved to 39th and Magee. It has now expanded to include five campuses around the city.
Many of the alumni continued their education following MCC. Some became prominent community figures such as political leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. However, regardless of where life took them, all said that they were glad that they attended MCC and given the chance would do it again. Here at just a few of the many success stories.
Colleen Murbach graduated in 1977, majoring in allied health. She went on to become a physical therapist assistant, retiring after thirty years. Murbach said she felt it was a very good school.
Marilyn Leona Greene earned her Associate in Arts in 1948, and went on to teach for thirty-two years. Greene’s daughter, Diane, earned her degree in Early Childhood and Development in 1976 and is presently working in a daycare facility.
Rodney Brown majored in special education. He was also one of the first members of the Scout basketball team under the leadership of the late coach Fred Pohlman in 1967. “He taught me self-esteem and self-confidence,” said Brown. Brown graduated in 1968.
The first Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Dicapo, Dunn and Blim. Other alumni included Jerry Bennett, Vince Anch, Dr. Fredrick D. Deay, Ph.D., Randall and Peggy Jessee, Judith Flynn, Alvin Brooks, John Dillingham and Sallie Mathis. Following the luncheon, Carl Dicapo offered a tour of the Museum.
Copyright 2007 Metropolitan Community College