Submitted

The 100th anniversary of North Central Missouri College was the topic of a program presented at the Thursday, Sept. 25, meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club, held at the BTC Bank community room. Daniel Gott presided at the meeting, Dan Wilford gave the prayer, and Scott Sharp was the sergeant at arms.

Program Chairman Cole Soptic introduced Joni Oaks, registrar at NCMC and co-chairman of the 100th anniversary events committee. She gave a brief history of the establishment of NCMC, which had 67 students enrolled with seven full-time employees and one sports team, football. Today, NCMC has 1,987 students enrolled with 147 full-time employees and 12 sports teams. Phi Mu Epsilon was the only organization on campus when the school was established and is also celebrating its 100th chapter birthday.

To celebrate its centennial, the college has established several committees which are working on a variety of events, including the writing of a history book and monthly events, culminating in May 2026 with the graduation of the 100th class. The school is also publishing 100 stories from alumni, students, staff, etc. and will be burying a new time capsule, having opened one earlier this year which had been buried during the school’s 75th anniversary in 2000. A community “block party” is being planned in April, with live music, food and other entertainment planned to recognize the support the community has shown to the college. The NCMC Foundation has provided funding for the events being held throughout the year. It was noted that yard signs and flags celebrating the centennial are also available for sale at the Alexander Center on the NCMC campus.

During the business meeting, it was announced entries are still being sought for the Missouri Day Parade on Oct. 18, which is organized by the Rotary Club. Individuals, businesses and organizations can register their entry on the Rotary Club of Trenton Facebook page or on the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce webpage, using the parade tab under the Missouri Day Festival information tab. The 100th anniversary of NCMC and the 40th anniversary of the Missouri Day Festival are being recognized during the parade, which has the theme “Anchored in History.”

Members also voted to make a donation from the club to the Rotary International Float that will be part of the 2026 Rose Bowl Parade.

The program for the Thursday, Oct. 2 meeting will be presented by Madi Cutsinger of the North Missouri Mental Health Center. Don Purkapile and Jackie Soptic are the program chairmen for October.