The 2010 CCC Retirees include (l-r) Bruce and Carolyn LaPota and Waneta Davis. Not pictured: Lynda Durham.
Coffeyville Community College (CCC) held its fourth annual Wall of Honor Retiree Celebration on Friday, October 15. The event was designed to give recognition to those who worked at CCC for 10 years or more as well recognize faculty who are newly retired. In 2010, Linda McFate and Barbara Jean Pendleton join five other former faculty members on the Wall of Honor. New retirees at CCC are Lynda Durham, Carolyn and Bruce LaPota and Waneta Davis. When McFate started her teaching career at CCC she worked in the Home Economics area and would get black and white films from the state health department to show in class. ”We’ve come a long way since then,” she said. “I feel lucky to have been mentored by Barbara Jean and Mary Ann Pendleton as they knew everything about CCC at this community. I loved Friday afternoons in the break room and I knew that I was among greatness.” McFate retired and then came back to CCC as the sponsor of the Eta Gamma Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society. This turned into a full time passion and one that Linda shares with her husband. “Before she was the PTK Queen, she was the ‘Make It With Wool’ Queen,” said Vice President for Learning, Alysia Johnston. “She also did the cheese festival, that is how I learned what Gouda was,” said Vice President for Innovation, Marlon Thornburg. Regardless of what project, she dedicated herself one hundred percent and it is always the students that were and continue to be, McFate’s priority. “It is the students’ continued accomplishments that give me the energy to keep going,” said McFate. “Three former PTK members are now in medical school and many have gone on to become lawyers and teachers. I am so proud of all PTK students.” “I have a sheet of paper pinned to my bulletin board that says “I touch the future, I teach.’ I think teaching is a sacred responsibility,” said McFate. “I think that no matter what we do, we need to do it with passion. I can’t believe I get paid for something I love to do.” She was known as the biggest Red Raven Fan or “Mrs. Red Raven. Barbara Jean Pendleton taught English at CCC and was honored posthumously. Her granddaughter, Courtney Callaway, joined Mary Ann Pendleton at the Wall of Honor Dinner as her family representatives. “I could always count on her when I needed something,” said former football coach, Dick Foster. “No one connected with CCC or knew as much about life in Coffeyville as B.J.” Former Red Raven football player, John Tuttle, attended the dinner and spoke fondly of his memories of B.J. “She was a beautiful person.” In an archived video interview with B.J. she said, “There is nothing like the Ravens.” “She was a great mentor. I learned that it is a gratuity and not a tip,” said Linda McFate. “The most special of all – she taught me how to be a grandma and how important her grandkids were to her.” Visitors to CCC can view photos of the Wall of Honor Retirees in the newly remodeled hall outside of the theatre and business offices.