BRANSON—State Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, was honored Thursday, Nov. 6, with the Missouri Community College Association's Legislative Award of Distinction at a ceremony in Branson. The award was presented to Sen. Romine in recognition of his strong advocacy on behalf of Missouri's community colleges and the students they serve.

MCCA legislative chair and Mineral Area College president Dr. Steve Kurtz described Sen. Romine as an important ally and praised the senator’s thoughtful advice and astute observations about key legislative initiatives.

Senator Romine was elected in 2012 to serve Missouri's 3rd Senate District, which includes Iron, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties, as well as part of Jefferson County. He is chair of the Joint Committee on Education, vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee and is a member of several other committees. The senator received an associate degree from Three Rivers College and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri).

This year marked MCCA’s 50th annual convention. Association members celebrated the milestone by hosting several former community college leaders at the convention, including Dr. Norman Myers, founding president of Ozarks Technical Community College; Dr. Don Shook, founding president of East Central College, St. Charles Community College and St. Charles Community College; and Dr. Jim Kellerman, former MCCA executive director.

Please visit Sen. Romine’s official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/romine.