NS Everettt/Marysville alumna and husband launch successful restaurant in Everett

by Jennifer Truesdale

Have you eaten at Craving Cajun yet? Having opened in January, you've had nearly a year to come see what all the fuss is about -- and there has been quite a fuss.

Since NS Everett/Marsyville alumna Cynthia Bowens and her husband Calvin opened the doors of their grill on Colby Avenue, they've been winning competitions and wonderful reviews. In October they took third place for Best New Restaurant in Evening Magazine's King5 Best of Western Washington competition.

The Everett Herald featured an article on the Bowens in its Oct. 21 edition. The article points out how Cynthia's business degree, earned at Columbia College, along with the couple's extensive kitchen experience and dedication to continued learning, adapting and evolving to a changing business environment, have helped them succeed. Be sure to read the article -- and be sure to get down to Colby Avenue for some crawfish!

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Columbia College Alumni Association 50th Anniversary Celebration

The CCAA Board of Directors and your fellow CC alumni would like to invite you to get involved and join in the CCAA's 50th Anniversary Celebration as part of Reunion Weekend 2014. Save the Date! April 25 & 26, 2014.

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Happy Holidays from the Alumni Relations Office



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What’s the best thing about summer? Tell us and we'll feature you in affinity!

What’s the best thing about summer? Vacation trips, blockbuster movies, cookouts with family, summer novels? Maybe it’s a memory. Whatever it is, we want to know!


We are looking for your favorite:

• Summer Song
• Summer Movie
• Summer Food
• Summer Drink
• Summer Book
• Summer Vacation Spot
• Summer Travel Tip
• Summer Memory
• Summer Photo
• Anything about Summer!!!

Tell us your Best of Summer by filling out an online submission form and we will feature it in the Summer 2012 issue of affinity and also on Real Blog. Don’t forget to send us your favorite summer photos!


Deadline: Friday, April 20th.

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CCAA Year-in-Review now available online!

The Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA) is pleased to present the 2010-2011 Year in Review.

This report, in PDF format, provide highlights of the CCAA's accomplishments in 2010-2011. 

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2012 Alumni Award Recipients

The Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Alumni Awards:

Sandy Adams '00 - Distinguished Alumni Award

Sandy Adams’ rise to the U.S. House of Representatives has been a journey fueled by a commitment to her country—a journey that began at age 17 when she joined the United States Air Force.

After leaving the military to raise her daughter, Sandy worked two and three jobs, earned a GED, and eventually attended the police academy at night.  Sandy served for seventeen years as a deputy sheriff in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office before she earned her bachelor of arts degree from Columbia College - Orlando in 2000.  Her election to the Florida House of Representatives in 2002 and subsequent re-elections led to her joining the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011.

Sandy has received numerous awards over the course of her career, including the Pace Legislative Leadership Award, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Legislative Appreciation Award, and the Legislative Session Outstanding Service Award.

Victoria Bishop Ryan '00 - Professional Achievement Award

Victoria Bishop Ryan emanates leadership in all she does.  Her role as the Director of Learning and Organizational Effectiveness for HD Supply, Inc., demands it; her position as adjunct faculty for Columbia College in management and leadership requires she imparts her skills.

In 2010, Victoria received the Chief Learning Officer Bronze Award for learning leadership.  In 2008, Chief Learning Officer recognized the Learning Team with the GOLD Award of Excellence for Learning Partnership.

In addition to her many responsibilities, Victoria is a researcher for the American Cancer Society, an active supporter for Habitat for Humanity, and a retired long-time Girl Scout Leader.

Victoria earned a bachelor of arts degree from the Columbia College - Lake County campus in 1999.

Shanta Barton-Stubbs '05 - Community Service Award

While Shanta Barton-Stubbs was earning a bachelor of arts degree from Columbia College – Orlando Florida, her non-for-profit New Image Youth Center had already opened its doors in Orlando, Florida.  Founded in 2004, New Image was born of Shanta’s realization that the children in poverty-stricken Parramore Neighborhood needed somewhere to go.  Shanta emptied her savings account to buy games and supplies for the children, and the investment paid off—in eight years, Shanta has gone from serving eight children to fifty children in need.

At New Image, Shanta works over forty hours a week without pay.  Thanks to the help of outside funding, she can focus entirely on keeping the doors of New Image open.

In 2011, Shanta was nominated for the L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth and received the Leader of the Year Award from Iota Phi Theta University of Central Florida chapter.  She won the title of Ms. Corporate America 2009, the 2008 Magic Maker Award, and the Bank of America Local Hero Award in 2007.

James M. Pasley '87 - Columbia College Service Award

Like many Columbia College students, James entered into his collegiate career as a nontraditional student.  A thirty-year-old construction worker, James enrolled at CC and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Columbia College – Jefferson City campus in 1987.  He wouldn’t stay away for long.

After earning his master’s degree, James returned to Columbia College to teach history, first at the Jefferson City campus, and then at the Lake Ozark campus in 1992.  Now in his twenty-first year of teaching, James has exuded passion into the study of history, teaching, and the well-being of his students.

James and his wife Karen, also a graduate of Columbia College,  have served as co-chairs of the Columbia College – Lake Ozark Advisory Committee since 2009, and is a sought-after expert on history, regularly speaking on radio stations, at schools, and in the community.

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This year's recipients will be honored at Reunion Weekend 2012. The Alumni Awards Banquet and Presentation will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Dulany Banquet Room.

For a full schedule of events and to register to attend the awards banquet, visit www.columbiacollegealumni.org/reunion. For further information about Reunion Weekend, call the Alumni Relations office on (573) 875-ALUM (2586)

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Columbia College alumnus Col. Charles McGee '78 consults on George Lucas movie “Red Tails”

Col. Charles McGee '78

Col. Charles McGee, a 1978 Columbia College graduate and Tuskegee Airman, served as a technical consultant for the World War II movie “Red Tails,” opening nationwide Jan. 20. “Red Tails," a George Lucas film starring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr., focuses on the exploits of the Airmen, the first African American fighter pilots in U.S. history, charged with escorting American bombers across the hostile skies of German-occupied Europe.

        “It’s really quite an interesting movie, the way he [Lucas] put it together,” said McGee. “He got the facts right. To try to put such a long story in a short film is rather difficult, so while maybe it is not 100 percent accurate, the combat scenes are tremendous and the message is tremendous: that color is not a measure of talent. It’s a good message from the past and a good one for young folks today, too.”

        McGee is a frequent visitor to the Columbia College main campus in Columbia, Mo., for such events as the college’s annual Military Recognition Day held in May. He also endowed the Col. Charles E. McGee Scholarship, an annual $1,000 award to an undergraduate or graduate Columbia College student classified as a veteran or dependent of a veteran.

        “It’s all about education,” McGee said. “To prepare yourself so when opportunities come your way, you take advantage of them.  The movie rings to that, too.”

        McGee served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. He held the Air Force fighter combat record of 409 missions and 1151 combat hours. In 2007, President George Bush awarded him and the surviving Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the nation's highest civilian award.

Red Tails from Jeff Mattoon on Vimeo.

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Pumpkin Carving Contest

Share a photo of yourself with your carved pumpkin on our Facebook page and share with your friends and family and encourage them to "Like" your photo. The photo with the most "Likes" by midnight on October 31st will win alumni merchandise! 

Get carving and upload your photo at www.facebook.com/columbiacollegealumni 

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Where do we begin?

Professor of Art Tom Watson & Kim Nowak Watson '91

Moved by the images of utter destruction they had seen, Kim Watson ’91, her husband Professor of Art Tom Watson and their daughters drove down to Joplin to help. They were not prepared for what they encountered. 


Read Kim's story:

We went down on May 31. We took our two girls, Lee Watson ’07 [Bachelor’s of Fine Arts] and Nikie, age 18, who will be a freshman this fall at Columbia College. We felt as though our help was pointless. The job was so overwhelming and each of our two hands did so little. However, the volunteer leaders told us we were a tremendous help. Tom and I hope to go back after I return from California (where I am now with Nikie). Nikie is taking part in an acting camp and hoping to book an agent for a career in TV and film.

Once we arrived in Joplin, we were bused out to the field and were dropped off at the first residential street just east of the infamous hospital. Quite a thing after seeing it all over the news, to then be right there. The sight made you cry, the smell was horrendous. We stepped off the bus into what used to be a neighborhood.

They told us, okay, start anywhere and we all said, “Where do we begin?” They wanted us to sort rubble into piles for recycling. Eventually they were going to come in with bulldozers but wanted to minimize what went into the landfill. We started pulling bits of lumber out to the curb. We found hazardous waste and made a pile of that. We sorted any electronics and piled those up. It was as if all of your belongings and home were chopped up in a blender and thrown all over town. Bits and pieces of things all mixed up. After doing the sorting for a while I began to focus my attention on what I felt I'd like volunteers to do for me if I were the victim (which my family was on July 2 1992 when our house was damaged). Anyway, I began looking for valuables and personal items. I found family photos, graduation announcements and so on.

They don't want you to overwork yourself, and they provide you with plenty of water, even though we brought our own. They offered us masks and gloves, which we also brought along. So our shift wasn't but a few hours.

Photo by Kim Nowak Watson '91. Click on image for larger view.

Being a photographer I would have loved to just take photos or made a documentary film, but knowing how exhausted and devastated those families are ... helping clean up was the best thing. I wish every family in Missouri would go down and at least give one afternoon. That would truly help. It's going to take a very long time and lots of help to get that mess cleaned up.

One of the owners was present while we were working. He said he was standing in the middle of the street and watched his truck get tossed about and saw his house just leave.

Some are asking, how did so many people die with 20 minutes of warning? Tom and I agree when we say, how did so many people survive, when there was nowhere to go?

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Joplin’s schools have critical needs; go to http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-a-classroom to find how you can help. Numerous other organizations have pitched in to help the Joplin victims; find one you are comfortable with and donate what you can — your money, your time, the use of your vehicle, your muscles.

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CC-Lake of Ozarks History and Government Program hosts 40 students and alumni at social

Over 40 alumni, students, faculty and staff attend the first History and Government social hosted by Columbia College - Lake of the Ozarks and the Columbia College Alumni Association on Wednesday, September 22nd. Faculty members Jim Pasley and Marvin Schulteis welcomed the great group to Vista Grande Restaurant in Osage Beach. The event offered a unique social and networking opportunities for all in attendance.

(From L-R): Laurie and Lyle Sybert, Gary Carrender, Marvin Schulteis, Donna Carrender,
Joni Hodapp and Jim Pasley

Special thanks to Mr. Jim Pasley and Mr. Marvin Schulteis for serving as hosts for the event, Vista Grande Restaurant for their venue/great food and staff and to the Columbia College Alumni Association for sponsoring the fun event!


For more photos from the event, visit the Lake of the Ozarks' Facebook page.

Columbia College alums Nancy McClure '11, John LaVanchy '10, student Kelsey Tournear, alumni Caleb Rowden '10 and guest Dawn Mullich

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Dr. Katrina Harry Cochran '68 speaks at Fall Faculty Conference

On August 17th, Dr. Katrina Harry Cochran '68 spoke in front of Columbia College faculty as the keynote speaker at this year's Fall Faculty Conference.

In 1993, Dr. Cochran received the Distinguished Alumni Award. She is a psychologist in Oklahoma City, OK. Dr. Cochran has witnessed disaster firsthand. In 1995, she counseled families after the car bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. She also developed a training program for clergy and caregivers in New York and Washington D.C. after the terrorist attacks in 2001, and led workshops for caregivers after the 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island. She presented caregivers' workshops in Florida after four back-to-back hurricanes in 2005.

Dr. Cochran earned a PhD in Adult Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1982 and a second PhD in Counseling Psychology in 1986 from Oklahoma State University. The Oklahoma Psychological Association has recognized Dr. Cochran for her leadership and contributions to psychologists and the profession. She has been a Church World Service (CWS) consultant for its Interfaith Trauma Response Team since September 11, 2001, and has presented at 84 workshops and training seminars for CWS.

You can view Dr. Cochran's presentation at this year's Fall Faculty Conference:

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Columbia College Facts: Week 10

It's the last batch of Columbia College facts. Here are six facts to round off 51 Columbia College facts:


1. When alumna Deborah Bryant was named Miss America 1966, the college celebrated with a "Miss America Day" on campus that included a press conference, luncheon, tea, informal student assembly and an evening banquet.

2. The stained-glass window in the Dorsey Hall Chapel is thought to be by Tiffany. President St. Clair Moss donated it to the college in memory of her daughter, Annilee, who died at age 12 from inflammatory rheumatism.

3. Kirk Williams was the first male student of Columbia College in the fall of 1969.

4. In 1973, the college conferred its first baccalaureate degree since 1910.

5. In 1964, the college completed construction of a new 22,000 square-foot dining hall. The building was named for William H. Dulany, who served on the board of trustees for nearly 30 years and left a bequest payable to the college after his death.

6. In March 1975, the Evening Campus began.

Dorsey Chapel stained-glass window

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Columbia College Facts: Week 9

We only have two more weeks of Columbia College facts. Here are five more:


1. Christian was the first in the United States to organize a chapter of the Red Cross on its own campus.

2.“With a Song in My Heart” is a film produced in 1952 about the life of alumnae Jane Froman.

3. In 1950, enrollment stood at a high of 425 students.

4. More than 350 alumnae attended the first annual “Homecoming” in May 1958.

5. In 1966, more than half the student body was enrolled in the art program.

Christian College alumna, Jane Froman, with U.S. Soldiers

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Columbia College Facts: Week 8

Here are five Columbia College facts we bet you didn't know!


1. 1925 student rules of behavior: No girl is allowed to go to the Western Union office, the barber shop, any doctor or dentist’s office or upstairs in any office building except with a chaperon.

2. 1925 student rules of behavior: Girls may go downtown alone each afternoon to approved eating places, shops, and beauty parlors, but they must wear hats and gloves.

3. In the late 1920s extra train car was added to the Centralia Comet to bring girls from Texas and Oklahoma to Christian College.

4. The first student recruiter, J. Kelly Wright, was hired in 1921. In his 20 years of service, he brought more students to the college than any other representative to date. In recognition of his efforts, the board established a scholarship his his memory.

5. When the girls arrived at Christian College, they brought their own napkin ring engraved with their name. The napkin rings were placed by their seat in the dining room.

Christian College students (date unknown)

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Columbia College Facts: Week 7

We have five more Columbia College facts for you this week:


1. During World War I, overcrowding in St. Clair Hall forced Christian College girls into houses up and down Christian College Avenue.

2. Missouri Hall was built in a Tudor-Gothic architectural style and housed 110 girls when it was completed in 1920. The name “Missouri” was chosen to honor donors from all over the state.

3. Christian College had sororities until 1915 when President St. Clair Moss disbanded them because the intense competition was causing increasing malice among the girls. In its place began the Twelfth Night Club, an all-school activity that crowded 12 nights of festivities into one.

4. Edgar D. Lee, president form 1920-1935, was the First Christian College president to receive a salary rather than collect his pay from student tuition.

5. One of President Lee’s first acts as president was the purchase of the college’s first filing cabinet. Files had previously been kept in shoe boxes.

Missouri Hall Entrance 

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Columbia College Facts: Week 6

Another week, another five facts about Columbia College:


1. St. Clair Hall originally contained administration offices, parlors, a library, art and kindergarten facilities, a dining room and three floors of dormitory rooms for 150 students.

2. Construction of Launer Auditorium began in 1902 but was halted due to lack of funds. It was completed in March of 1903. There are two shades of brick on the building as a testament to when work on the auditorium stopped and started again.

3. In 1908, Christian College students were allowed to attend their first University of Missouri football game. The girls wore caps and gown much like the traditional graduation attire whenever then were in public and marched to their special grandstand as the university boys stood at attention.

4. The Ivy Chain ceremony is believed to be among the oldest and most unique commencement traditions in the country. The first ceremony was in 1901.

5. In 1929, the words “Female” was dropped officially from the title of college. The name had not been used consistently from almost the very beginning of the college.

Ivy Chain participants (date unknown)

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Mark your calendar! Family Day & Homecoming 2011

Mark your calendar!

Family Day & Homecoming

September 30 - October 1, 2011 

Join fellow students, alumni, families and friends to celebrate Columbia College's annual Family Day & Homecoming! Activities, games, food and entertainment provide a fun-filled weekend for all.

Friday
Alumni Artist Series*
Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony*
Class of 1981, 1986, 1991, 2001 & 2006 Reunion Socials*
Fall Formal "'Masquerade"

Saturday
SGA 5K Run/Walk Benefiting Ronald McDonald House*
Alumni Artist Series*
Theatre Under The Tent, Elysium Players Drama Club
Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA) Hospitality Tent
Clubs & Organizations' Activities & Games
Live Music
Jane Froman Singers Alumni Reunion & Concert
Alumni & Cougar Club Reception*
Men's & Women's Basketball Scrimmages
Cougar Soccer
Alumni Women's Softball, Volleyball and Basketball Games
Alumni Men's Basketball Game

* Registration required

For a full schedule of events, more information, hotel accommodations, or to register online, visit www.ccis.edu/familydayhomecoming or contact Events and Protocol at (573) 875-7541 events@ccis.edu.

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Columbia College Facts: Week 5

Want five more facts about your alma mater, Columbia College? Here they are:


1.There was a Columbia College founded in 1833 as a college for boys, located on South Sixth Street in Columbia. It is considered the immediate predecessor of the University of Missouri.

2. Although the Christian College founders supported the Christian Church, they explicitly stated in the charter that :"… into this institution, no sectarian feature has been incorporated, and in it no sectarian influence whatever will be exerted.” The term “Christian” was a unifying term for all believers.

3. Every student attending Christian College between 1884 and 1923 signed a Matriculation Record agreeing to the fallowing pledge: “I do most solemnly promise to obey all rules and regulations of Christian College during my connection where-with as pupil. I solemnly pledge my word and honor to render cheerful and ready obedience to each and every teacher, to be diligent in all my duties and to be at all times respectful and courteous to the president and members of the faculty.”

4. Every junior and senior was required to join the Martha Washington Institute in order to graduate. Founded in 1857, the Martha Washington Institute was established to develop creative writing and speaking skills.

5. In 1890, the famous African-American concert pianist J. W. “Blind” Boone from Columbia, MO., loaned Christian College $2,000 to help finance the completion of the chapel and to purchase desks and opera chairs for the auditorium.

Christian College Program

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Columbia College Facts: Week 4

It's time for this week's five Columbia College facts:


1. Williams Hall was originally a five-room house before being transformed into 16 rooms.

2. In the beginning years of Christian College, the girls would often sleep 7 or 8 to a room.

3. Old Main or Practice Hall was officially named Williams Hall in honor of the college’s first president, John A. Williams.

4. Christian College opened more than a decade before the founding of prestigious eastern women’s colleges such as Vassar (1865), Wellesley (1875) and Radcliffe (1894).

5. By the time that Joseph K. Rogers stepped down as president for health reasons in 1877, Rogers tripled the value of the college property and ensured an annual enrollment of more than 100 students.

Joseph K. Rogers
President 1858 to 1877

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Columbia College Facts: Week 3

We have five more Columbia College facts for you this week:


1. James Shannon, Thomas M. Allen and D. Pat Henderson were the founding fathers of Christian College in 1851.

2. In the early years of the college, finances were confusing so the presidents received most of the tuition and were responsible for paying faculty and staff, feeding the students, placing furnishings in the buildings, developing the college library and assisting with building maintenance.

3. On January 18, 1851 Christian Female College was granted its charter from the Missouri Legislature to make it the first women’s college west of the Mississippi River.

4. When Williams Hall was restored in the 1960’s, the college discovered heavy layers of ivy had eaten into the brick exterior, and generations of bees had attached themselves to the warm walls. As a result, honey dripped from the walls and ceiling on warm days for several years afterwards.

5. In 1851, Christian College purchased Williams Hall along with 29 acres for $5,500 from Dr. James H. Bennett, who left in 1850 for the California Gold Rush.

Williams Hall (taken in 1873)

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