Mineral Area College Centennial Alumni Spotlights

MAC Alumni Features

These MAC Alumni were chosen to be featured as Centennial Alumni Spotlights because of their accomplishments at FRJC and MAC, and beyond, over the years. We will add new alumni spotlights every month, so check back often!

Learn more about each alumni's journey below in video, article, or radio format.

Erika Griggs

Class of 2006 and 2008

Erika Griggs is a MAC Alumna who graduated in both 2006 and 2008, earning two Associate degrees. As an award-winning student at the college, she has learned to take the skills and lessons learned at MAC and applied them to receive her MBA at Western Governors University, throughout her career in healthcare, and in her current position as Chief Operating Officer at Serenity HospiceCare. Erika was also a part of the A+ Program that helped fund her education at MAC and has found lifelong friendships from the college.

Watch Erika's video above for her full story.

Randy Huff

Class of 1978

Randy Huff is the Manager at the Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia, MO. He is a former MAC student who graduated in 1978, taught in the Central R-III District for 30 years, and helped create the world-famous ice cream at the Old Village Mercantile.

Watch Randy's video above for his full story.

Dale and Denise Wright

Class of 1973

As parents, Denise and Dale share how it felt to see new generations of Wright family follow in their own MAC footsteps. “I am proud to see my own children in cap and gown, seated with their peers, and watch them receive their diploma covers as they shake hands with the college president. It brings to mind memories of my own turning of the tassel. I am not a particularly sentimental person, but I do love tradition, and this is a good one to pass along.”

Click here to read more of Dale and Denise's story.

Southbrook Skilled Nursing and Rehab

Mineral Area College’s Allied Health Department plays an essential role in providing healthcare to the citizens in our region, with graduates of the program often taking local positions. These MAC Alumni, who now work at Southbrook Skilled Nursing and Rehab, reflect on their time at MAC with stories from the classroom, on memorable instructors, how they navigated college life, and how MAC impacted their lives.

Click here to read their full stories.

Marcos and Ricardo Devoto

Class of 2018

Marcos and Ricardo Devoto graduated from MAC in 2018 and have left an incredible mark at the college. The brothers created a second home at the college after leaving their home country Argentina to study abroad. They helped MAC’s Golf team win the 2017 NJCAA DII Academic National Champions title, a first in MAC’s golf program history, and made lifelong relationships with MAC staff and teammates.

Click here to read more of Marcos' and Ricardo's story.

Liz and Jack Poston

Class of 1973 & 1972

Mike Burch

Class of 1973

Mike graduated MAC in 1973 and went on to SEMO to pursue his bachelor’s degree. After earning a Master’s with an emphasis in guidance and counseling, he worked most of his career in the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. He is now a Deacon in the Catholic Church and will have served 20 years here in May 2023.

Click here to read more of Mike's story.

Billy Zuck

Class of 2022

Billy Zuck is a recent MAC Alumni graduating at the age of 84. Earning his Associate of Arts in Psychology, this achievement makes him one of the oldest students to graduate from MAC. Watch Billy explain his motivations to attend MAC later in life and what the MAC faculty, staff, and courses taught him as a student.

Click here to read more of Billy's story and watch his video interview.

David Enderle

Class of 2002

MAC basketball brought Southeast Missouri native David Enderle to campus in 2000. The 2001 Cardinals, coached by Tim Gray, were Conference Champions. David recalled his days with teammates Brian Rhodes, Leandro Maruoka, and Ryan Weatherspoon, who was also his Scott City high school classmate.

Click here to read more of David's story.

Abril Warner and Jerry Walters

Class of 1998

Abril (Borrego) Warner and Jerry Walters are two MAC Art Instructors with a deep history. Jerry taught and mentored Abril at MAC from 1996-1998. The two reflect on their time at the college, from impactful art trips abroad or at museums, to how both have shaped students and the Fine Arts department into what it is today.

Click here to read more of Abril's and Jerry's story.

Malevy Leons

Class of 2021

Malevy Leons made a huge impact on the college and MAC basketball program. Winning many awards like NJCAA D1 National Player of the Year, NJCAA David Rowlands Male Student-Athlete of the Year, and much more throughout his time at MAC, he has since moved on to play Division I basketball at Bradley University.

Click here to read Malevy's full story.

Aaron & Talisha Brooks

Class of 2011 & 2013

Talisha and Aaron Brooks have four generations of MAC ties in their family, including their own deep history with the college where they have both given and received so much. As students, both have won the Student of the Year in Leadership and Campus Service awards in their respective classes (2011 and 2013), and are the only married couple to have done so.

Click here to read more of Talisha's and Aaron's story.

Dwain Asberry

Class of 1973

Dwain Asberry served in the U.S. Navy and then enrolled at MAC to find what his next steps would be in life. Here, he learned that “nothing is impossible just as long as you give it your best,” graduating in 1973. After getting his bachelor’s at SEMO, he began a career in the auto industry, working for Sam Scism Ford-Lincoln for 24 years.

Click here to read more of Dwain's story.

Lisa & Scott Hammack

Class of 1984 & 1985

Lisa and Scott Hammack are married MAC alumni with fond memories of their time at the college. Lisa attended from 1983-1985 and was a part of the MAC women’s basketball team, the first with a winning record of 31-7. She transferred to Southwest Missouri State University after graduation. Scott continued to work while attending MAC, allowing him to minimize college debt. After his graduation in 1984, he attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Click here to read more of Lisa's and Scott's story.

Scarlet Barron and Paul Fritch

Class of 1991 & 2013

Scarlet Barron and Paul Fritch are MAC alumni with a rich history at the college and a long-lasting friendship founded through cheerleading, where Paul coached Scarlet. Read about Scarlet’s MAC experience as a student and lessons she has learned alongside Paul’s story, who is also a previous MAC instructor, and the fates that brought him to MAC full-time.

Click here to read more of Scarlet's and Paul's story.

Jim Bullis and Al Sullivan

MAC Dean retirees Jim Bullis, Arts and Sciences Division, and Al Sullivan, CTE Division, joined KREI "Talk of the Parkland" AM 800 to talk about their experiences at the college.

Listen to the radio interview above.

Tim Gray and Chad Mills

MAC alumni Tim Gray and Chad Mills were on KREI "Talk of the Parkland" AM 800 and spoke about their time at MAC, involvement in the athletic department, both serving as Athletic Directors, the classroom, and more.

Listen to the radio interview above.

Chuck Henson and Gary Ross

MAC alumni Chuck Henson and Gary Ross joined KREI "Talk of the Parkland" AM 800 and recalled stories from their days as student-athletes under Coach Sechrest.

Listen to the radio interview above.