Supporting Joplin

Diane Berry O'Hagan '59 and Professor Emeritus of Music David O'Hagan with some of their donated school supplies for Joplin

Soon after the May 22nd tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, a committee consisting of representatives from several Columbia College departments was formed to discuss how the Columbia College community could reach out to those affected by this natural disaster.


The committee selected the Adopt-a-Classroom program through the Joplin School District. The program pairs an organization with a teacher in one of the affected schools to assist in restocking Joplin classrooms with supplies and materials not covered under insurance.

Mat Matlack '94 of the band The Follow with Alumni Relations staff members Debbie Draffen and Kimberly Kent

In August, the Alumni Relations department sent an email to alumni and the CC community asking for personal donations. We were overwhelmed with everyone's generosity and received a large amount of supplies for our adopted classroom.


In total 15,376 pieces of school supplies was sent to our adopted Joplin school teacher! THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Adopt-a-Classroom program.