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. Kristee Lorenz, Henry County R-1 School District superintendent, has been named SFCC’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
Lorenz, a Sedalia resident, graduated from SFCC in 1986 with an Associate of Arts and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1988 from University of Central Missouri (UCM). Lorenz taught social studies, speech and theatre at Sacred Heart High School for two years and at La Monte High School for three years, and she taught social studies for one year at Knob Noster High School.
In 1994, Lorenz earned a Master of Science in Counseling from UCM and moved from the classroom at Knob Noster High School to serve as the counselor for 11 years. In 1999, she earned an Education Specialist in Human Services from UCM.
Lorenz became the assistant principal at Smith-Cotton High School in 2005 and served in that position six years. In 2010, she earned an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University. From 2011-2012, she was the director of District Education Support for the Sedalia School District 200 and took the reigns as superintendent of the Knob Noster R-VIII School District from 2014-2016. Lorenz is now the superintendent of the Henry County R-I School District in Windsor.
For 29 years Lorenz has touched the lives of thousands of students, mentored hundreds of teachers and support staff and inspired others to become dedicated educators. Peers describe her as a lifelong learner, a hard worker, goal-oriented, and effective communicator who attributes the foundation of her success to the education she received at SFCC.
Distinguished Alumni Recipients
| 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 |
