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.
Celso Doria
State Fair Community College is pleased to present Celso Doria, Morgan Stanley Managing director, the college’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni award. Doria graduated from SFCC in 1992 with an Associate of Arts degree. In 1994, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. While at SFCC and Emporia State, Doria played on the colleges’ basketball teams. Prior to attending SFCC, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economical Sciences from the Universidad Mackenzie in São Paulo, Brazil.
During his college days at SFCC, Doria made a lasting impression on several faculty and staff members. They applauded for his desire to further his education by coming to SFCC as a non-traditional international student. He provided a different perspective to class discussions and was a positive influence not only to his classmates but also to his fellow student-athletes on the basketball team.
One nomination supporter wrote, “Celso has maintained contact throughout the years. He has made an effort to maintain ties to several Sedalians and former SFCC employees, even returning to Sedalia for a visit, no easy task when your home is in Brazil. I appreciate his genuine inquiry about the growth and changes in State Fair, even after all these years and separation of many miles.”
In his current position with Morgan Stanley, Doria is head of technology for The Americas Institutional Branch offices as well as for the Mexico and São Paulo offices. He joined Morgan Stanley as an associate to support the São Paulo office in 1998. Previously, Doria worked for PepsiCo starting in Wichita, Kansas, at Pizza Hut International before moving to Dallas, Texas, where he served in several technology roles.
Outside his Morgan Stanley responsibilities, Doria is president of Club Athletico Paulistano Fiscal Council and has served as president of the Technology Committee for the Association of International Banks in Brazil and as a United Way Brazil board member.
Doria resides in São Paulo with wife Marcelle whom he met and married in Sedalia and has three adult children. The oldest, Alex, is a professional basketball player in Brazil; Lucas is a senior at St. Edwards University in Texas, and Juliana is a freshman at PUC University in Brazil.
Distinguished Alumni Recipients
| 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 |
