President’s Weekly Messages to Students

Asking for a Friend

 

March 17, 2023

Dear KCC Students,

What a week it has been!  These past two weeks have been busier than usual, but I did not want to miss the opportunity to send you my weekly email.

It's the now the end of the second week of classes!  I hope by now you have found your way around the campus,  attended all of your classes, started to do your assignments and readings as outlined in your syllabi, and most important made a new friend.

In 2019, I had the opportunity to attend the 100th birthday celebration for Fran Koch, and alumna of KCC.  Fran graduated from KCC at the age of 58 with straight A's.  She was also one of the co-founders of the KCC's My Turn program, that's a program that allows senior citizens to take classes, not for a grade but for the joy of learning. Fran loved KCC and KCC loved her back. 

Last year, I received an email from Fran's son, he explained to me that his mother was going to be 103 years old, and he asked if I could ask a few people to send her cards.  I did even better, I reached out to the college community and to the school where Fran attended and collected 407 cards.  I delivered them in person and she was overwhelmed, over the moon and overjoyed.   Since that that time, I visited Fran and we would talk often.  Every time she spoke, she would always ask how I was doing (not about work, not about KCC, not about President Schrader) just about how I, Claudia was doing.  On Saturday I learned that she had passed away peacefully in her sleep and I am grateful that I was able to attend her funeral yesterday to pay my respects.  

I may have met Fran as a president, but yesterday I was able to say goodbye to her as a friend.  In her memory, I have one question for you KCC students.....

How are YOU doing?  Drop me a line and let me know.  

- President Schrader