May 30, 2003May 30, 2003
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| Junior
high school teacher Marsha McManis describes how courses offered through the Kirksville Telecommunication Community Resource Center are allowing her to earn certification in special education. |
More than 40 guests celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Kirksville Telecommunication Community Resource Center and honored UO/E Week with an interactive ITV program on May 20.
UM President Elson Floyd and UM Executive Vice President and Director Ron Turner joined the celebration via technology from University Hall in Columbia. Floyd stressed the importance of the TCRC in connecting citizens with meaningful education as part of the land-grant mission. When a guest asked how state budget cuts are affecting UO/E and the TCRC, Floyd said that budget reductions "will not lessen our commitment to outreach and extension. We would not have the presence across the state that we do without University Outreach and Extension."
Turner said the telecenters are "truly community centers," and he recognized the role of the City of Kirksville, Kirksville RIII School District and Truman State University as partners with UO/E in the enterprise.
Four individuals gave testimony about the value of the TCRC in their lives. Stealing the show was 8-year-old Sarah Harrel, who is home-schooled and uses computers at the TCRC to learn fractions, the names and locations of the state capitols in alphabetical order and to e-mail her sister in Florida. "I really like the people who work here," she said. "When my mouse freezes up, they unfreeze it."
KTVO news and weather anchor John Ahrens uses the Internet at the TCRC to complete assignments and take tests for a degree in meteorology he is about to complete from Mississippi State University. Junior high school teacher Marsha McManis is earning certification in special education at the TCRC. NE Livestock Specialist Bruce Lane credited use of the TCRC for connecting livestock producers with experts at Texas A&M, Purdue, Iowa State University, the University of Missouri and other sites to gain expertise. Lane also has used the ITV system for international connections, such as producers in Mexico who are interested in export/import options.
NE Region Director Soneeta Grogan gives credit to the TCRC staff for making the TCRC user-friendly. "The TCRC is a great facility, but bricks and mortar and technology need 'high touch.' The staff provide that."
Grogan introduced dignitaries at the event, including the city mayor pro tem, city council members and Truman State University's vice president for academic affairs. Following the ITV portion of the program, Adair County Extension Council Chair Judy Hart presented a proclamation of appreciation to the Adair County commissioners.
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Eileen Yager,
yagere@umsystem.edu |
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