The North Central Missouri College Foundation honored four individuals as the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2023 at the Foundation’s Voyage Fund Pirates Ball on March 23. Joyce Cutsinger, Mitch Dougan, Pam Johnston, and Tony Ralston all spoke as they accepted the honor.
Joyce Cutsinger graduated from the college in Trenton with a Practical Nursing degree in 1980 and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 1982. She worked through nursing school at Sunnyview Nursing Home and worked her way up to become a part-time Charge Nurse and House Supervisor. Cutsinger started her 23-year career at NCMC in 1989. She was a Nursing Department Instructor until 2005 and then the Allied Health Coordinator until her retirement in 2012. She received the Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2002 and 2008. Cutsinger said three generations of Cutsingers had gone to NCMC.
Mitch Dougan graduated from the college with an Associate of Science in Retail Business Management in 1982. He is a member of the NCMC Holiday Hoops Committee, the NCMC Athletics Booster Club, the United States Tennis Association, and the Universal Tennis Registry. He has volunteered in various roles and played a part in the fundraising and construction efforts of new tennis courts at Trenton High School. Dougan began his career with the Americo Insurance Company in 1986. He currently works from his home in Trenton as the Director of Policy Administration Systems. Dougan said he learned some basic things at NCMC.
Pam Johnston graduated from the college in Trenton with an Associate of Arts degree and then from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1985. She started her teaching career at the Spickard Elementary School in 1985 and then taught fifth-grade Communication Arts in the Trenton R-9 School District. After retiring from Trenton R-9, she accepted a position at NCMC teaching Reading and Writing Improvement. She and her husband, Ed, hosted international students for holiday meals and excursions to the city. Johnston has served on the Grundy County Museum Board, revived the Writers Guild of Trenton, and became a court-appointed special advocate for children. She is the secretary of the local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, the Chapter MN of PEO, and the Grundy County, Missouri Retired Teacher Association. Johnston talked about her first day of teaching a reading class at NCMC.
Tony Ralston attended the college in Trenton from September 1964 to May 1965 and again after he returned from active duty in the Air Force. He graduated from the college with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in May 1974. After receiving his degree at the college, he received various certifications related to firefighting. He joined the Missouri Air National Guard as an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter to obtain training in aircraft fire suppression/rescue to enhance Trenton’s fire department capabilities. He helped set up a Future Firefighters program for young future firefighters. Three firefighters and two fire chiefs came from that program. Ralston is a two-time commander of VFW Post 919 of Trenton. He has worked to raise funds to remodel and restore the VFW building. Ralston said that, early in his career, he saw a need for training for city and rural firefighters to help each other with mutual aid calls.
Trenton High School Vocal Music Director Tyler Busick was the master of ceremonies for the Pirates Ball. He noted that the nomination committee received the largest number of nominations ever submitted for this year’s distinguished alumni.
NCMC Foundation Executive Director Alicia Endicott said nominations for distinguished alumni can be submitted at any time.
NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver noted that NCMC has likely never been in better shape than it is now.
Klaver mentioned Savannah Campus Director Sue Nichols.
A total of $1,000 was available as prize money for March 23’s reverse raffle. Tickets were drawn throughout the event. The last five ticket holders won the reverse raffle and donated their money back to the college.
Great Western Dining provided a meal on March 23, and the Trenton High School Gold Rush Choir helped serve the meal. Ben and Lauren Johnson performed songs by multiple singers.
March 23’s Pirates Ball supported the Foundation’s Voyage Fund. The fund was established to support initiatives in the college’s strategic plan.
