May 31, 2012
The Elizabeth and Arthur Barton Farm Campus of North Central Missouri College received yet another wonderful gift this week thanks to the kindness and vision of a thoughtful alum and his wife. As earlier announced by NCMC Development Director Steve Maxey, the estate of the late Dr. James and Joanna Whitley of Columbia was earmarked for use at the Barton Farm Campus following their passing.
North Central Missouri College is the primary beneficiary of the trust with proceeds from the sale of their couple’s residence, a farm north of Columbia and the residue of the estate to be directed to the local college.
Today officials of the NCMC Foundation announced the first disbursement in the amount of $457,784.00 to support construction of the farm campus, an initiative that Dr. Whitley strongly supported. A 1941 graduate of Trenton Junior College, Whitley earned his masters and PhD degrees in agricultural chemistry from the University of Missouri. In 1962, he began working for the Missouri Department of Conservation, retiring in 1990 as an assistant division chief of the fisheries research section. Dr. Whitley authored numerous publications concerning water quality and pollutants and was very instrumental in the establishment of water quality standards for Missouri streams, lakes and ponds. He was nationally recognized and received many local, state and national awards for his expertise.
Dr. Whitley passed away in December 2009 and his wife Joanna died in July of 2010. Mrs. Whitley was also involved in the preservation and beautification of our natural resources.
Steve Maxey expressed deepest appreciation to the Whitleys for this marvelous gift which is expected to eventually become one of the largest gifts to be received by North Central Missouri College. Additional disbursements are anticipated in the upcoming months pending the sale of the 102 acre farm and the official closure of the estate and trust.
Although the exact use of the funds are yet to be determined, college officials plan to use some of the proceeds of the sale of property to pay off the USDA loan secured in 2011 to begin construction of the Barton Farm Campus southwest of Trenton.