Trenton Junior College/NCMC Alumni Jack Derry will be honored as a Distinguished Alumni on Thursday, April 28.
In the mid 80’s, while working part-time at NCMC, Jack helped establish many of the Dual Credit arrangements with area high schools that are still currently in place. Mr. Derry later developed NCMC’s first Lady Pirates Softball team, helped create Pirates Baseball and was instrumental in reintroducing Lady Pirates/ Pirates Basketball back to the college.
Mr. Derry graduated from Trenton High School. After graduation, he attended TJC while working full-time as a wire chief for the Rock Island at nights and running his Dairy and farming operation during the days. After the Rock Island Railroad had discontinued, Jack increased the size of his dairy herd and became a full-time farmer.
Mr. Derry earned his A.A. degree in 1970 from TJC, his bachelor’s in Business Management degree from Tarkio College and has taken several master’s level courses from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Also, he is a graduate of Chillicothe Business College.
Jack was hired as the first Director of Development at NCMC and was instrumental in the success of NCMC’s first major gift campaign, Partners in Growth. This campaign helped fund the construction of the Ketcham Community Center, which spurred continued growth and expansion of the college. Mr. Derry was involved in many efforts while at TJC/NCMC and continues to support the college today.
Most recently, Mr. Derry established an endowed scholarship, the Jack and Annie Derry Softball scholarship, which will benefit students for many years to come. Mr. Derry attends many of NCMC athletic events and is a strong supporter of the Lady Pirates and Pirates. “Of all the places I’ve worked, NCMC was the most pleasant. I enjoyed working with students and staff who were all congenial to me.”-Jack Derry
“Jack has been a mentor to me in my role at NCMC and has given me wonderful insight along with some great ideas that we have implemented. I appreciate him helping us continue to grow and develop NCMC,” commented Teresa J. Cross, Director of Development and Director of the NCMC Foundation.
Jack and his late wife, Doris “Annie” Derry, have three children, Jackie, now Mrs. Chris Hoffman of Trenton, MO and Jodie, now Mrs. Tony Garcia of Kansas City, MO; a son, Paul and his wife, Michelle Derry of Trenton, MO; six grandchildren and spouses, Eric and Tara Hoffman, Adriane and Dustin Todd, Lindsey and Megan Derry, Hannah and Joseph Garcia; and two great-grandchildren, Eli and Ana Todd and Emma and Sawyer Hoffman.
Anyone interested in attending the ceremony, please contact Teresa Cross at 660-359-3948 x1403 or by e-mail at [email protected] for additional information.
