Posts by Ferrell Foster
Wilbur Ball, MCC’s founding president, remembered
By Lisa Elliott McLennan Community College’s founding president, Dr. Wilbur Allen Ball, passed away after a brief illness Wednesday morning, Dec. 15. Ball served as president at MCC 1966-1988, when he retired. “He was the builder who laid the foundation for the college and set the vision to provide an affordable, quality education for students,…
Read MoreIt’s time to make merry & have some good, smart fun
By Ferrell Foster ’Tis the season to be merry! Christmas and New Year are coming, and merriment is in the air. In fact, we hardly ever use the word “merry” except in relation to Christmas. So what does this little-used word mean? Dictionary.com to the rescue: — full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition…
Read MoreToday marks one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine
Dec. 14 marks the one-year anniversary of the FDA’s authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use. For the first time since the pandemic began, the United States was able to have a proactive response to protecting people from the Corona virus. “This is a day to reflect on the marvel that it is that a year…
Read MoreBridge Street Holiday Fest set for Dec. 19
By Natalie Galindo Join the City of Waco as we celebrate the first big event at the newly opened Bridge Street Plaza 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, with live performances beginning at 5 p.m. This family-friendly event will feature live music, local food trucks, vendors, arts and crafts, Skate Waco mobile unit, and much more.…
Read MoreWaco may be pursuing greatness in just the right way
By Ferrell Foster Waco may be on the verge of greatness. This thought came to me this morning as I reflected on two true things — our town seems to be facing the reality of its high poverty rate, and we also seem to be taking the arts seriously. It may seem odd to tie…
Read MoreMCC food pantry receives $5,000 gift from Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy recently donated $5,000 to the McLennan Community College Foundation to help support Paulanne’s Pantry, the MCC food pantry. “This gift will do so much to help us serve students who are working hard to support themselves or a family while they attend college,” said Kim Patterson, the foundation’s executive director. “Hunger is a…
Read MoreWaco airport to host temporary TSA PreCheck application center
Travelers in the Waco area will be able to enroll in the Transportation Security Administration’s popular TSA PreCheck program at Waco Regional Airport Dec. 6-10. The airport is a convenient location to sign up for the program that enables enrolled travelers to “Travel with Ease” with an expedited security screening process. The pop-up office will be in…
Read MoreMCC Foundation director named outstanding fundraiser
MCC Foundation Executive Director Kim Patterson has been named “Outstanding Fundraising Professional” by the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Patterson has served in a variety of roles at McLennan Community College for 26 years and began her role as executive director of foundation in January 2017. She served as associate director…
Read MoreBetter healthcare access needed; Dec. 7 event planned
By Deneece Ferrales One-quarter of Waco residents did not see a physician for any type of routine services in 2018, the last year for which such data is available. Data from the City Health Dashboard indicates many residents do not have a primary care physician or a “medical home.” To help more Wacoans access care,…
Read MoreWishing everyone a very Magnolia Thanksgiving
By Ferrell Foster My post the other day about The Silos brought to my attention a 2014 Waco Tribune-Herald story by J.B. Smith about those now famous silos. (Thank you, Ashley Bean Thornton.) It seems that seven years ago this month there was some real uncertainty about the silos’ paint job, or lack of one.…
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