In honor of North Central Missouri College’s centennial, NCMC will spotlight 100 inspiring stories throughout the academic year. These narratives will showcase the voices and journeys of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors, and the communities that have shaped TJC/NCMC’s legacy. Each story is a tribute to the people throughout history who make NCMC extraordinary.
Chris Hoffman
1977-1978
It may seem like I have been around for 100 years, but not quite. After graduating from THS in the fall of 1977, I had a choice of a Curators scholarship to MU or a $100 baseball scholarship to TJC. I chose TJC and have never for a second regretted it. I made many friends who I am still in contact with today. Several lived within 25 miles of Trenton, but you have to remember this was before cell phones and social media, and you didn’t always know kids from surrounding communities, and if you competed against them in sports, you assumed you didn’t like them. That was an incorrect assumption. Several of them were those I knocked heads with in high school sports, but when you were on the same team, they were OK. The instructors I had were as good or better than any I had in my college career, and they helped me get my college career started on a positive note. This has not changed today. Many good things happened that year; I got to play baseball for another year (actually had a pretty competitive team), I was able to work in the family business for the first time, see if that was what I might want to do as a career, and hang around with a bunch of really good folks.
After MU, I came home, joined the family business, and embraced life in rural Missouri. In 1985 I was asked to join the NCMC Foundation and embraced that opportunity. I was the youngest on the board, but it didn’t take me long to realize lots of folks were very passionate about TJC/NCMC and wanted to see it grow and thrive. In 1990, my uncle, Frank Hoffman, was retiring from the board of trustees, and he encouraged me to run for the board. I was lucky enough to win a spot. This has turned into one of the most rewarding things I have done in life. The support this College has is humbling to me. The smallest taxing district in the state supports the largest service area and has grown and thrived to be one of the strongest Community Colleges not just in the state but in the USA.
People are the reason for NCMC’s success. Those who have led, taught, and supported this institution are loyal beyond belief. The opportunities that have been afforded here are immeasurable, and my hope is they continue forever. Here is to 100 more years.
The centennial celebration will continue throughout the academic year, and NCMC invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, and our communities to be part of the story. We would love to hear your story about Trenton Junior College/North Central Missouri College. Visit the Centennial Website to submit your own story, memory, or reflection. Whether you walked the halls decades ago or are just beginning your journey, your story is a vital thread in the college’s tapestry, and we want to hear it.
Visit the Centennial Website to explore Trenton Junior College/North Central Missouri College stories, rich history, and discover upcoming events.
Photo: Chris Hoffman