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.
Vicki Weaver
Certificate in Secretarial Science 1974
Associate in Arts 1984
My contact with Trenton Junior College began at Trenton High School’s College Day in 1973. My boyfriend (now husband) had already made his decision to attend TJC and stopped by the TJC table in the high school commons to finalize his paperwork with Student Recruiter Bill Ausmus. After Bill finished with him, he turned to me and said, “Now what about you?” I stuttered something like, “Me? I’m not going to college.” My parents didn’t have money for frivolities like college and I had never thought about it. But Bill explained that I didn’t need money – I could go to TJC through federal grants and work study. So I enrolled, and my boyfriend and I both graduated with certificates in 1974.
Afterwards, I worked during the day (at an agency sponsored by TJC) and took college courses at night. The first one was American History II with Tom Brown. I was worried I would be the oldest person in the class so I made it a point to be the first one in the room so everybody wouldn’t stare at me. Turns out I wasn’t the oldest, by far! Mr. Brown was a wonderful teacher, tough but fair. I took one class per semester (Tom remained my favorite) and finished my A.A. in 1984. A few more years down the road when TJC established a cohort program on its campus with Tarkio College, I attended more night classes and eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
I was offered my first job at TJC in Student Services in 1984 where my supervisors were Gloria Carpenter and Mike Dennis. Others working in the offices at the time were Bill Ausmus, Karla Hannaford, Loma Hurst, Denella Marley, Linda Patterson, Gean Paul Porter, Pam Socha, and Connie Spellman.
The legal separation of TJC and the Trenton R-IX school system in 1986 was pivotal in the development of the College. TJC hired a full-time president whose sole responsibility was the College (instead of in the past when the school superintendent managed both) and for the first time TJC had a leader with an employment history in college administration. I was chosen as the president’s assistant. Those first few years in the President’s Office were hard with lots of growing pains. It was almost like starting a college from scratch with a new budget, fresh policy manuals and different ways of doing things but complicated by lots of “we’ve always done it like THIS!” along the way.
The rest of my story: I worked directly with the College President and the Board of Trustees from 1986 through December 2020. The Presidents were Dr. Donald Gatzke, Dr. James Selby, Dr. Walt Nolte, Dr. Neil Nuttall, and Dr. Lenny Klaver. The College grew so very much during those years and I was blessed to be a part of it. Academic course offerings multiplied, occupational programs exploded, and the campus grew by leaps and bounds. Now a regional community college serving residents of northwest Missouri, NCMC has come a long way from what was fondly known as “Main Street U.”
I am grateful to TJC/NCMC for providing me the opportunity to earn an education as well as a fulfilling career to put that education to good use. And Bill Ausmus, for pushing me into the unknown. Priceless.
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: Vicki Weaver