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Honorary degrees, faculty recognition highlight MCC graduation
McCOOK, Nebraska - Pete and Dolores Graff received honorary degrees and graphic design instructor Becky Meyers received the $1,000 Gene Budig award at 2013 McCook Community College graduation ceremonies this morning.
The criteria for someone to receive an Honorary Associate's Degree from Mid-Plains Community College states: "Individuals nominated for an honorary degree must have directly impacted Mid-Plains Community College in a significant way, such as substantial financial contribution, or performed services or taken actions that have significantly supported the college's missions, goals and activities."
"There is no denying that Peter and Dolores Graff, the Graff family, and McCook National Bank have a long history of providing huge support for McCook Community College in all the categories defined," according to Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy.
Peter Graff began his association with McCook National Bank in 1957, and has been instrumental in the bank's ongoing financial support for projects and activities in both the community of McCook and McCook Community College ever since. In service to the college, Mr. Graff ensured that Patrick Walsh and Mary Brady's wishes were honored when their estates left multi-million dollar endowments to both the McCook Catholic school systems and McCook Community College. Their full-ride Walsh-Brady scholarships to Southwest Nebraska students attending McCook Community College have had the single most significant impact on Southwest Nebraska by providing local college degrees and a strong foundation for additional advanced learning.
"The Graffs' fingerprints can be seen and felt throughout McCook Community College. Without fanfare, Mr. Graff has continued to support the college, its student organizations, teams, and events not only by contributing financially, but also by providing bank personnel to help host them.
"Most recently, Mr. and Mrs. Graff, along with their various business entities, which include McCook National Bank, MNB Financial Group, Inc., MNB Insurance Services, Inc., Graff Family, Inc., and The Graff Charitable Foundation, donated a combined total of $500,000 in funding support of the McCook Community College Events Center. This is the leading private donation to date and the McCook College Foundation will be forever grateful.
"In stories and articles referring to him, Mr. Graff is known for two traits: First, as indicated in his recent support of the college's fundraising efforts, he is dedicated in his support of his immediate family, his banking family and customers, and the community. Secondly, he has always had the humility to remain in the background with no interest in personal gain, publicity or notoriety. His wife, Dolores, has remained at his side through both the good and the dark times.
"In this presentation today, it is time to bring them into the spotlight for a very rare minute and thank them for all they have done to enhance the teaching and learning provided by McCook Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, and the quality of life in the McCook community."
Barbara Ann Leising was selected as the Student Commencement Speaker for the 2013 McCook Community College Spring Commencement Ceremony. She was chosen through an all-campus competitive selection process.
Ms. Leising is the daughter of Phillip Leising and Teresa Leising. She was raised in Arapahoe and was homeschooled from preschool until her high school graduation in 2011.
During her time at MCC, Ms. Leising has served as the MCC Student Senate Vice President and the MCC Phi Theta Kappa Vice President of Student Fellowship. She has also been involved in Students Making Active Choices, MCC Choir, MCC Band, MCC Theatre, and the campus Bible study, CRU. She has worked as a Resident Assistant in the dorms and was recently named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Nebraska Academic Team.
At the 2011 Honors Convocation, Ms. Leising was presented with The Spirit Award, an award granted to individuals/groups that are nominated and chosen as students/faculty that maintain a positive outlook upon the college, and show enthusiasm toward the activity and goals of their particular involvements with the overall mission of the college. She was also granted the Returning Academic Scholarship for the 2012-2013 school year, and several other scholarships sponsored by the McCook College Foundation.
Ms. Leising has also remained active in the community of McCook during her time at MCC. She has sung in the Community Christmas Chorus, volunteered for the Family Resource Center, performed with her sister many times at the Bieroc Cafe, and been involved in several Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association productions and as a student representative.
Following graduation, Ms. Leising plans to attend Concordia University of Seward where she will major in music. She looks forward to continuing her education there and obtaining a degree as a Director of Parish Music.
"McCook Community College has provided me with many things," she said. "This includes a strong and reasonably priced education, friends with whom I've created countless treasured memories and an incredible faculty and staff that have truly given their all to see to the success of all the students here."
"I thank God, my family, friends, the faculty and staff of MCC, and the people of McCook for the incredible amount of love and support I have received and felt during my time at MCC. I have been blessed to know them all, and will carry memories of them close to my heart forever."
McCook graduates here.
North Platte graduates here.