Photos courtesy of Professor George Latimer and Dr. Kay Miller.
Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center Celebrates 20th Anniversary
August 9-10, 2001
The Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a community cookout on the evening of August 9th, and with a special assembly on the afternoon of August 10th in the gymnasium.
The cookout was open to the community and included alumni and family members of students and staff. The mood was festive and the weather was perfect (the recent heat wave breaking in the morning). Snow cones, cotton candy, and pop corn were served along with a banquet of picnic food. There was also face painting and a giant slide for children. A cheese sculpture contest was judged by Barbara Davis of Ken Davis BBQ sauce.
Friday's special assembly had a lineup of guest speakers including William Smith, Manager Vinnell/TRW Job Corps Operations (who read a letter from President Thomas Fintel), Joe Duda, Director Vinnell/TRW Job Corps Operations, Stephen Garlington, Director Region V Department of Labor, and Jay Benanav, St. Paul Council Member.
Distinguished Visiting Professor of Urban Studies at Macalester College, George Latimer was the keynote speaker. As Mayor of St. Paul from 1976-1990, he battled strong opposition to successfully establish Job Corps in the Como-Falcon Heights community. His vision, courage, and commitment was recognized with a plaque awarded by Center Director Dave MacKenzie.
A special appearance was made by the1998 National Job Corps Hall of Fame recipient Dr. Kay Miller. As an HHHJCC graduate in '89, she went on to become a Doctor of Chiropractic (currently practicing in Oshkosh, Wisconsin). Her message to the students was: "If you can dream it, you can do it."
The Humphrey Center also used the event to present checks to local charities. HHHJCC Business and Community Liaison Charlotte Strong Bovee and Student Government representatives gave one thousand dollar checks to the following six organizations: Susan G. Kommen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Bolder Options, Ronald McDonald House, Ten Thousand Things Theater Company. The money had been raised by the center's Student Government parking cars during the MN State Fair.
Masters of Ceremonies for the assembly were Alero Ogisi, Career Preparation Specialist (and former graduate), and Richard Howell, Career Development Manager.
