A packed room of staff, faculty, students, trustee members and community members gathered at Barton Community College to celebrate the reaffirmation of accreditation. Everyone gathered in the Fine Arts Building on Thursday, April 20.

“You have to remember you do accreditation every day,” Vice President of Instruction Elaine Simmons said. 

Opening the celebration Claudia Mather, the associate dean of instruction, walked the crowd through the highlights in BCC’s Higher Learning Commission report. Mather spoke of the high marks the college received in each criterion. 

“I am continuously impressed with the quality of people we have,” President Dr. Carl Heilman said. “We have quality staff and quality leadership and it shows in the report.”

More speakers followed such as Chief Accreditation Officer Myrna Perkins and Simmons.

The celebration ended with light refreshments and chatting amongst all attendees.