For more information, contact Darnell Holopirek, 620-792-9367.

May 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story prepared by: Linda Jerke

The Barton Community College Foundation Board of Directors honored Jean Cavanaugh as the 2009 Distinguished Service Award recipient at Barton’s 39th Commencement on May 14 in the college gymnasium. The award recognizes Cavanaugh for her generosity and outstanding service to the college.

Making the presentation were Darnell Holopirek, Barton’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, and Gregg Fischer, Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors.

In her lifelong support of education, Cavanaugh has chosen to become a loyal donor and supporter of numerous Barton Community College initiatives. She generously donated the Plaza de Cavanaugh Community Room to the library renovation project, funded architectural fees for the evaluation of the current sports complex at Barton and most recently established the Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Endowment.

From the very beginning as a school girl growing up in Lohrville, Iowa, education has been both a passion and an avocation for Cavanaugh. She was an avid speller and would spend hours reading the dictionary to hone her spelling skills. As a seventh and eighth grader, she won the area county spelling bee, and her eighth-grade year she finished second in the state.

In high school, she expanded her interests beyond academics and pursued her love of music, playing the clarinet in the band, orchestra and German band. She loved writing and was the editorial writer for the school newspaper in addition to writing weekly news articles for a community newspaper. She was named salutatorian of her high school graduating class.

After high school, Cavanaugh worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C., for two years during World War II. She then attended the University of Minnesota at Grinnell College in Iowa, and during this time, she married Clair J. Cavanaugh, M.D. They lived in Hawaii, Oklahoma City and Mexico before settling in Great Bend in 1952.

The Cavanaughs raised five children, all of whom inherited their mother’s ferocious appetite for education. Tom and Kathleen “Bitsy” hold MBA’s, James is a tax attorney and Michael and Terrence followed in their father’s footsteps and became doctors. Clair was a radiologist serving western Kansas until his death in 1994.

In her mid 40s, Cavanaugh once again pursued her educational goals and entered Fort Hays State University earning a bachelor’s degree in business education and administration and a master’s degree in special education. She served as a substitute teacher at both Roosevelt and Harrison Junior High Schools for 16 years.

She is still involved in the education of young people and feels strongly that all children should have the opportunity to succeed. She is an avid soccer fan and a strong advocate of the Hispanic community, encouraging the people to seek an education and often offering her financial support for their endeavors.

In Great Bend and surrounding communities, Cavanaugh is known not only for her financial generosity, but also for her dedication to volunteerism in service to her community. She is currently a member of the following boards: USD 428 School Board, Golden Belt Community Concert Association, Smoky Hills Public Television, Clara Barton Hospital and FHSU Alumni Association. She also serves on the Great Bend Senior Center and RSVP Advisory Councils.

She is a member of the Commission on Aging, Cosmopolitan Club, Athenian Study Club, Silver Cougar Club and Prince of Peace Parish – St. Rose Church. Cavanaugh supports the Great Bend Recreation programs, funding the Jean Cavanaugh Wellness Center and supporting both the fall soccer league and the summer soccer league.

The Barton Foundation created the Distinguished Service Award in 1981 to recognize individuals who have shown genuine regard for, and have performed outstanding service to the college.

The Barton Community College Foundation's 2009 Distinguished Service Award Recipient Jean Cavanaugh speaks during the College's 39th Commencement Ceremony after receiving the award from Gregg Fischer, chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors, and Darnell Holopirek, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement.