by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Four teachers who spent a lifetime influencing the lives of countless students have been inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame.
Rob Hassig, Anita Reach, Melanie Jackson-Scott and the late Henry Louis were inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame, joined by the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Collaborative in the 20th annual induction ceremonies Thursday at the Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center at Kansas City Kansas Community College. About 150 persons attended the reception and the induction program.
“As educators and supporters of education, you didn’t just write a chapter in your life story, you also became part of the life stories everyone you touched – every student you’ve encouraged, every colleague you supported, every dream you helped someone achieve,” said Karalin McKain, KCKCC director of alumni relations.
For 40 years, Rob Hassig taught history and coached in high schools in the Greater Kansas City area including Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Free State in Lawrence. He also coached basketball, softball, golf and football at various times and was an adjunct instructor at KCKCC for 18 years.
“One of the things I learned from Paul Palmer was to have high expectations,” said Hassig in a videotaped acceptance speech. In Germany on a prior commitment to attend the birthday of a 90-year-old friend, Hassig was represented by his wife, Rhonda.
“I know Rob wanted to be here and what an honor he considers this to be,” she said.
His Hall of Fame selection was shared by former students.
“He reached students on their levels, challenging them to become better people, better students, better citizens – the sign of a Hall of Fame career,” Gene Willis said. “He recognized our individuality, our strengths and dedicated himself to pushing each of us to our various levels of strengths,” noted James Houck. “Unbridled energy and a pure devotion to learning and students,” added William Harrington.
A social science instructor and dean for 39 years at KCKCC, Henry Louis’ effect on the College was gigantic. During his tenure as dean, programs in criminal justice, addiction counseling, paralegal, early childhood education and victim/survivor were added to the curriculum and he was instrumental in the creation of Phi Theta Kappa, the Child Care Center, Intercultural Center and Program for Adult Career Education.
A multi-recipient of Fulbright Scholarships, Louis not only studied abroad but led numerous KCKCC groups on spring break trips to foreign countries.
“If there is one descriptive word for Henry Louis, it would be passionate,” said his wife, Pam Louis-Walden, who taught at KCKCC for 35 years. “Henry was a booming extrovert with a big heart. He loved life, he loved people and he expected a lot out of life for himself and others.”
“My father was what an educator should be: warm, passionate, thought-provoking, interesting and a learner to the end,” said his daughter, Phoebe Lewis. The Social Science building at KCKCC bears the name of Dr. Henry Louis, who passed away in 2005. However, his work continues today through the creation of the Henry Louis Center for Global Peace created by Professor Ewa Unoke.
A pioneer in on-line education, Anita Reach taught the addiction counseling program founded by Louis before becoming the director of on-line learning from 1997 to 2007 where she earned recognition locally, nationally and internationally.
“Today we take on-line education for granted but it was the work started and shepherded by Anita Reach that placed KCKCC in the forefront in the very beginning,” said Bill Chennault, retired dean of information services at KCKCC.
During her 10 years, on-line education has grown from eight courses to more than 270.
“I took time away from my family and I apologize for that but we worked awfully hard,” Reach said. That commitment to instructional excellence provided high-quality learning experiences for students and the introduction of the Quality Matters program at KCKCC.
Reach also dedicated countless hours explaining to the educational community the convenience on-line education would bring to the working adult student and the student finding it difficult or impossible to attend courses on campus as well as reaching out to ensure all faculty members received the training and support needed to move their courses to an on-line format.
“You haven’t lived until you teach teachers,” laughed Reach.
Melanie Jackson-Scott also fell under the direction of Louis in her more than 32 years in the Social and Behavioral Science Division but her influence extended well beyond the classroom. She co-founded and was director of the first Intercultural Center at a community college in Kansas and together with Karen Hernandez started the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival in 2005.
The coordinator of continuing education and long term care program, she taught sociology, psychology and secondary education while spearheading programs and guidelines to promote civil rights, affirmative hiring practices, employee rights and acceptance for alternative lifestyles.
“Melanie was a difference maker and undoubtedly made a positive difference in the lives of many,” said colleague Cleon Wiggins.
“I understand there is no ‘I’ in success and success is never a solo act,” Jackson-Scott said.
“Individually and collectively, we must know how and when to transcend boundaries of our differences in titles, positions of privilege, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation and political affiliations and continue to work together and create the excellence that has been showcased over the years by the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame.”
Originally founded to assist owners on Southwest Boulevard after a devastating flood, the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Collaborative was formed to improve the quality of life for Hispanics and other minorities in the Kansas City area with an emphasis on education.
KCKCC has partnered with the collaborative to provide the KC BizFest Entrepreneurial Workshop and Scholarship Competition for area high schools. Other programs include Latinos of Tomorrow, the Young Latino Professionals and the Leo Long Hispanic Chamber of Commerce UMKC Endowed Scholarship, which provide up to $1,500 per year to students who have participated in the collaborative program.
David Valdiviezo, a graduate of the VISTA program and senior adviser from the Mattie Rhodes Center accepted the award on behalf of the collaborative. “Our story is not unique, it is one of giving back,” Valdiviezo said.