Distinguished Alumni Award

Since 1987 SFCC has recognized an outstanding alumnus at spring commencement. Read about the latest award winner and nominate a graduate for the next year’s award.

Dr. Rhonda Hutton Gann

State Fair Community College is pleased to recognize Dr. Rhonda Hutton Gann, SFCC Health Sciences dean, as the 2022 Distinguished Alumni. 

Hutton Gann has been a nurse for 40 years, graduating from SFCC’s nursing program in 1982 as an LPN and again the next year as an RN. Prior to coming back to her alma mater, she climbed the leadership ladder in hospital critical care, ultimately employed as a Critical Care Director at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. There she led an expansion of an open-heart surgical program and a major hospital building project. Hutton Gann embodies academic progression, completing her bachelor’s in Nursing from Webster University, a master’s in Nursing with emphasis in Nursing Informatics at University of Central Missouri, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Capella University. 

In 2002, she joined State Fair Community College as the Practical Nursing program coordinator. She currently serves as the Dean of Health Sciences and provides leadership for SFCC’s Center for Excellence in Health Sciences. Hutton Gann has implemented new programs in Medical Assisting, Behavioral Health and Surgical Technology, and expanded SFCC’s #1 ranked Associate Degree Nursing program to Eldon and Clinton. She played a role in acquiring several grants for SFCC including 2020 MoExcels, 2021 GEER MoExcels, Missouri Hospital Association, and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Community Health Workers.

Building multiple relationships with local, state and national organizations and clinical settings are some of the activities Hutton Gann has used to promote SFCC’s health science programs and careers. She serves on the Katy Trail Community Health Center Board and is president of the Missouri Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. Recently, she was inducted into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing. Hutton Gann is a consistent champion for interdisciplinary education, virtual reality and simulation and innovative teaching strategies, and has presented nationally on topics of simulation, technology and academic progression.

“We are extremely proud of alumna Dr. Rhonda Hutton Gann, who has provided exemplary leadership within the Health Science division at SFCC since 2002,” said Dr. Joanna Anderson, SFCC president. “She is an innovative practitioner who cares deeply about student success and sets high expectations for program quality and outcomes. Dr. Hutton Gann’s educational and career accomplishments are exceptional, making her a wonderful honoree for the SFCC 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award.”

Distinguished Alumni Recipients

2021	Lana Kay Kelly	Class of 1980, 1983
2020	Lenny Freund	Class of 1980
2019	Celso Doria	Class of 1992
2018	Lt. Col. Justin Secrest	Class of 1993
2017	Dr. Kristee Lorenz	Class of 1986
2016	Jorge R. Guevara	Classes of 2005, 2006, 2009
2015	Dr. Jennifer Hargrave	Class of 1998
2014	Roger C. Austin	Class of 1986
2013	Dr. Dean Dohrman	Class of 1987
2012	Tom Gerke	Class of 1976
2011	James Trujillo, Jr.	Class of 2004
2010	Saundra Overton	Classes of 1984, 1989
2009	Debbie Noland	Class of 1972
2008	Nellie K. Owen, DVM	Class of 1991
2007	Marlin G. Hammond	Class of 1972
2006	David C. Furnell	Class of 1981
2005	Peggy Richardson	Class of 1977
2004	Susan Horton	Classes of 1979, 1980, 1994
2003	Elaine Paxton	Class of 1971
2002	Dennis Shull	Class of 1980
2001	Eric Yazell	Class of 1987
2000	Brad Schnackenberg	Class of 1989
1999	Brad Dittmer	Class of 1979
1998	James Rennison	Class of 1974
1997	Jane Luper	Class of 1975
1996	Patricia Gillman	Class of 1988
1995	Evelyn Jorgenson	Class of 1972
1994	Tony Claxton	Class of 1980
1993	Barry Guier	Class of 1977
1992	Leonard Dixon	Class of 1977
1991	Ruth Elmore	Class of 1982
1990	Cam Jennings	Class of 1974
1989	Thomas Deuschle	Class of 1978
1988	Josephine Dey	Class of 1979
1987	Debbie Biermann	Class of 1973