Leadership Joplin Class Of 2020 Celebrates Graduation

(Joplin, MO) – Following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Leadership Joplin Class of 2020 celebrated their graduation with a dinner and ceremony at Club 1201 on October 27. 

Developed by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the program identifies, cultivates, and motivates future community leaders with nine informative sessions that are designed to enhance the participants’ leadership skills. The program typically lasts six months, but was put on pause in mid-March because of the pandemic. 

“Leadership Joplin is in its 38th year and we’ve never had anything like this happen before,” says Stephanie McGrew, Special Events Manager for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. “It was an unprecedented challenge that this class faced with patience and determination. Their graduation is well-deserved.” 

Speeches were made by graduates and representatives from Leadership Joplin’s sponsors, BKD CPAs & Advisors and Arvest Bank. Afterwards, each graduate received a plaque to commemorate their achievement. 

“We have all reached, which at times seemed like an eternity, the finish line of this journey that is Leadership Joplin,” said City Councilman Keenan Cortez, during the final speech of the evening. “Let this be the jumping off place of something wonderful in the never-ending saga of sharpening ourselves to be the best we can be.” 

Please join us in congratulating Leadership Joplin Class of 2020: 

Applications are now being accepted for Leadership Joplin 2021. Those interested can apply at joplincc.com/develop-community-leaders/leadership-joplin/. 

For more information, please contact Erin Slifka at 417.624.4150 or erin@joplincc.com.