Barndollar and Bale honored at retiree dinner

Posted September 22, 2008

Coffeyville Community College honored two former faculty members, Lue Barndollar and Cliff Bale at the second annual Wall of Honor Dinner held September 19.  Guests enjoyed a social hour, dinner and a program as they honored Barndollar and Bale for their contributions to the college, community and most of all, the students.   

Barndollar graduated with degrees in English and as an education specialist in community college education.  She joined CCC in 1978 as an English instructor and received the College’s first Distinguished Professor award in 1985.  She went on to earn the Award for Teaching Excellence from the International Institute for Staff and Organization Development (NISOD) in Austin, Tex. and was named the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Educator in Higher Education.  While at CCC, Barndollar was an English instructor, honors program coordinator, division chair, academic challenge coach, humanities tour leader and grant coordinator.  She also served as a field reader for the U.S. Department of Education Title III and Title V grant proposals and continues to serve in this capacity. 

Barndollar is an active community member serving as a Sunday school teacher, camp fire leader, cub scout den mother, PTA picture lady, red cross water safety instructor and a trustee at the Coffeyville public library.  In 2003 Barndollar was elected to the CCC Board of Trustees, serving as Board Chair for four years.  She continues to serve as both a Trustee and a College Foundation Trustee. 

Barndollar has been interested in local history for a long time and has been member of the Coffeyville Historical Society board since 1992, serving as its President for 11 years.  She is a founding member and President of the Friends of the Brown Mansion.  Barndollar is currently gathering information for a book about the Browns and the Mansion.  She will add this published work to a list of books she has already authored including “A History of the Coffeyville Public Library: 1887-1987” and “An Analysis of the Characteristics of Coffeyville Community College Students Compared with the Characteristics of Community College Students Throughout the Nation.” 

Bale graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) and is proud to say that he met the original Pistol Pete.  He finished his education and took a teaching job in Caney, Kan.  He soon decided education was his calling and stayed in Caney for 12 years before being offered a job with CCC.  The next 31 years would be spent teaching mainly chemistry and physical science to college students.  Cliff’s classes were popular for students who wanted to learn the material and move on to finish degrees in medicine and science. 

Bale can trace his ancestry back to Daniel Boone and his family lineage includes Dr. Mudd, the physician for John Wilkes Booth.  He has one ancestor that came to American on the Mayflower.  His family history will continue as he and his wife, Luella, have two children and five grandchildren, including Brandon Davidson, a current CCC student. 

Bale continues to be active in the community through his church, the First Church of God, and Gideons International.  He also serves on the board of the Coffeyville United Fund and is President of the Chamber Ambassadors.