Community Foundation of Central Missouri welcomes Eric Sappington as executive director
The Community Foundation of Central Missouri (CFCM) announces the appointment of Eric Sappington as its new executive director. With more than fifteen years of experience as the vice president of institutional advancement at Missouri Valley College, Sappington brings broad expertise in fostering philanthropy and community engagement.
“In my previous role, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of philanthropy, particularly in enabling students to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams,” Sappington said in a news release.
Susan Hart, chair of the CFCM board, expressed enthusiasm about Sappington’s appointment, stating, “His proven track record in fundraising and community development, coupled with his passion for philanthropy, make him the ideal candidate to lead our foundation into its next chapter of growth and impact.”
Sappington will succeed John Baker, who retired on April 4, 2024, after serving as executive director for thirteen years. In honor of Baker’s contributions, CFCM launched the “Live Here Give Here” fund — a new community-wide endowment fund dedicated to enhancing the lives of local residents and supporting nonprofit organizations.
The organization is preparing for the 2024 CoMoGives campaign, which kicks off on December 3, 2024. For more information about CFCM and its initiatives, visit cfcmfoundation.org
Mid America Bank Breaks Ground
Mid America Bank broke ground Wednesday, April 17, on its new branch at 4601 Stellar Drive in Columbia. Steve Linton, president and CEO; Brad Roling, market president – Columbia; officers of Mid America Bank; and the Board Directors were present at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new branch as bank staff and other local officials observed.
“Everything we do at Mid America Bank is focused on serving our customers through quality service that exceeds expectations,” Linton said in a news release. Mid America Bank’s Columbia branch will feature drive-thru teller windows, a drive-up ATM, and a night depository. The location will serve as the eleventh branch for Mid America Bank in central Missouri.
PWArchitects is the architect and Coil Construction is the general contractor for the project.
Hickman High School Ethics Bowl Team Wins National Championship
Hickman High School has won the 11th Annual National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB), which challenges high school students across the country to develop their ethical reasoning skills and engage in productive dialogue about complex ethical issues.
After winning the state championship in February, the Hickman team traveled to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to compete in the national competition. The event, hosted by the UNC Parr Center for Ethics, brought together twenty-four schools from the United States.
Hickman’s team members are: Alex Fajen, senior; Clementine Buehler and Surya Raghu, juniors; and sophomores Carly Christiansen, Lorelei Hardin, Bailey Moore, and Atticus Radcliffe. The coaches are Caysea Dachroeden and Lou Kraxberger.
Healthgrades Names Boone Hospital Center One of America’s 100 Best Hospitals
Boone Hospital Center is one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for 2024, according to new research released by Healthgrades, a leading resource for finding a hospital or doctor. This is the second year in a row for Boone Hospital to receive that ranking and this year it is the only hospital in the state of Missouri to make the list.
The achievement puts Boone Hospital in the top 2 percent of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance.
“Our people make the difference,” said Brady Dubois, Boone Health CEO. “Our medical staff, nurses, environmental services, food and nutrition, and everyone in-between. To be in the top 2% percent it takes everyone working together with a singular focus of taking care of our patients.”
To determine the top hospitals for 2024, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for more than 30 conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide.
Midway Heights Elementary School Receives National Recognition for School Counseling
The Midway Heights Elementary School counseling program has been recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as model program and was awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for 2024 for successfully demonstrating how the school’s comprehensive school counseling programs benefit all students.
The RAMP designation, awarded to schools that align with the criteria set in the ASCA national model, recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. In all, 138 schools nationwide received the 2024 designation.
Midway Heights Elementary School will be honored during a special ceremony at the ASCA Annual Conference in Kansas City, Mo., in July.
Sixth Annual Columbia College Giving Day Raises Record Amount
The Columbia College community advanced the lives of students nationwide on Thursday, March 14, by raising more than $303,000 in support of the college’s sixth annual Giving Day. It was the highest total in the initiative’s history.
“This wave of generosity from Cougars across the country empowers our students of today to become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Columbia College President Dr. David Russell.
The donations help the college strengthen academic and student programming, attract top faculty, provide scholarships, bolster athletics, and benefit learners nationwide. Alumni donors ranged from the Christian College Class of 1953 to graduates in the Columbia College Class of 2023.
