PAST HONOREES:

 

Peggy Doyen          October 6, 2011        

A member of the original college faculty, Doyen founded the drama department. In addition, her research and subsequent book, “The History of Theatre in Concordia,” spotlighted the Brown Grand Theatre and its rich history as a live entertainment venue. Doyen's book inspired the community to restore the theatre. In preparation for the theatre’s 1980 reopening, Doyen co-directed the musical, The Vanderbilt Cup, which was the same play performed on the same date, September 17, as the opening production in 1907.

 

 

 

Jack Kaufman           October 16, 2012     

Kaufman taught art at Cloud County Community College for thirty-two years. He also served as Cooperative Education Coordinator and Director of the Career Center. Kaufman hosted CCCC’s first art show for area high school students which continues to be a popular annual event. A talented ceramics artist, Kaufman’s pottery pieces are prized possessions to many community members.

 

 

Don Lambert           October 16, 2012     

Lambert, a graduate of Cloud County Community College (‘71), is a journalist, author, and arts advocate. In 2007, he became the first Kansan to receive the Arts Award presented by the National Governor’s Association. A year later, he was honored as CCCC’s Alumnus of the Year. Many of the art works that Lambert has donated to CCCC are on display in the college’s library.

 

 

 

 

Paul Rimovsky      November 3, 2013

Rimovsky, a talented musician and businessman, established relationships with more than 200 educational institutions through Tom’s Music House, Concordia. He was instrumental in initiating a partnership with Cloud County Community College to establish Youth for Music in 1970. The annual event gathers musicians from area high schools to perform a joint concert for the community.

In addition to his local musical performances, Rimovsky continues to advocate the humanities throughout North Central Kansas. As a member of the POW Camp Concordia committee, Rimovsky has conducted historical research and preservation. He also serves as a member of the Brown Grand Theatre Board of Directors.

 

Wonda Phillips      November 12, 2014

During a thirty-five year career at Cloud County Community College, Phillips promoted the arts and cultural events while serving as music department secretary and humanities division secretary. Phillips is a long-time member of the Brown Grand Theatre Board of Directors and the National Orphan Train Complex, serving as both treasurer and secretary.

As a twenty-seven year member of the Brown Grand Players, she has worked both in front of and behind the curtain. She has served in various capacities and has experienced each from a unique perspective. She has lived and worked in this community, has tirelessly devoted herself to the arts, and she credits her involvement in the arts of Concordia as enriching and creating satisfaction in her life. Communities can only grow stronger by the participation of its members, and her philosophy has always been one of growth.

 

Everett Miller      November 5, 2015

Everett Miller is a life-long supporter of the arts in North Central Kansas.  He directed choirs and served other vocal music interests at all age and grade levels for 54 years.  As founder and director of the Great Society Singers of Cloud County Community College, Dr. Miller toured his college students across the United States and to Bulgaria, Canada, and Australia.  The NCK Youth for Music partnership flourished under his guidance, giving area high school students the opportunity to be part of much larger performance groups than rural schools could provide. In addition, Miller is a long-time board member of the Community Concerts Association.

In the 1970s, Dr. Miller spearheaded the dream that the Brown Grand Theatre be restored and preserved as the premiere arts venue for the area.  His efforts became the standard for other sites to be restored in Concordia, as well as sites statewide. He served several terms as President of the Brown Grand Board of Directors and continues to serve as a board member.

Susan Sutton      November 17, 2016

Sutton founded the Brown Grand Players community theatre in 1967. In the 1970’s and 80’s, she worked for the Brown Grand Theatre’s restoration and placement on the National Historical Register and was elected to its first board of directors, serving many years as president.

In 2002, she spearheaded the relocation of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America to Concordia. Under her direction, the National Orphan Train Complex was established and the Morgan-Dowell Research Center was built for Orphan Train research. Sutton also serves on the Camp Concordia Preservation Society, a WWII Prisoner of War site.

As a theatre instructor at Cloud, Sutton and students co-wrote “The Chosen,” a play based on interviews of Orphan Train riders and descendants. The play was performed for several years, including a performance in New York City in 2005.

Sutton helped establish the Charles and Marian D. Cook Series. She also served multiple terms on the Kansas Humanities Council. In 2013, the governor named her a member of the Kansas Native Sons and Daughters.