Nominations were collected and recipients were chosen by a selection committee of the Alumni Leadership Council. Tom and Jeff were recognized during the Graduate Celebration along with the Diamond, Gold and Silver Graduates and received a plaque to commemorate their recognition. Their names will also be engraved on a perpetual plaque that will grow each year with honorees.
Nominations can be submitted any time prior to January 31 of the award year. For more information on this award or to access the nomination form, go to http://www.ranken.edu/sites/default/files/files/Dist%20Alumni%20Award%20Nomination%202011.pdf Awards will be given again in 2012.
A summary of Tom and Jeff’s path that led them to their award recognition follows:
Distinguished Alumni – Thomas E. Wood
Tom Wood was born in St. Louis in 1936. He graduated from St. Boniface grade school and attended Cleveland High School. Tom enrolled in the carpentry program at Ranken when he was 18 years old. He used his training from Ranken as a carpenter for 52 years. He worked for his dad, William P Wood and Son, General Contractors before and after his student life at Ranken in addition to working for several large construction companies as a foreman. He is a member and continues to be active in the St. Louis Carpenter’s District Council and has served as a delegate.
“My Ranken education was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned chemistry, math, drafting and English in addition to carpentry skills. I was able to acquire everything I needed to know to be successful. My education at Ranken was very thorough. It was a complete education. My instructor, Bill Wagner, was a tremendous influence on me and I owe so much to him both as my carpentry instructor and as my friend. Because of my complete education, I have had rewarding jobs with a variety of employers.”
Tom was a founding member of the Alumni Leadership Council in 2005 and has remained an active member until 2008 when failing health forced his resignation. He has donated his carpentry tool set and books to the Ranken archives which is currently on display on the Finney Bridge. Tom has purchased memorial bricks, referred students, visited campus on many occasions bringing friends for tours, and continues his close ties with his department. Tom donates to the college on an annual basis. Currently on kidney dialysis, Tom continues to be an active participant in the life of the College whenever he can.
Tom has been a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Pope John XX111 Council 6018, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Meramec Aeries No. 3678 in Arnold, Mo. Tom has spent many volunteer hours frying fish for the Knights of Columbus, planning the ‘Choclate Fantasy Night’ for the Missouri Children’s Burn Camp, and wearing the yellow and red vest on the street corners for the annual Tootsie Roll Drive.
Tom has three daughters all living in the St. Louis area, five grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. He and his fiancé, Dot Flamm, met at the Saint David Church Picnic ten years ago. He enjoys fishing, golf, dining out and traveling with Dot whenever he can.
Distinguished Young Alumni – Jeffery R. Scott
Jeff Scott was born in St. Louis in North County and graduated from St. Jerome Grade School and CBC High School in 2002. Jeff was an Altar Server until the age of 21 citing that he was one of the youngest people in the parish able to serve. Jeff has been a member of CBC tech crew, a student leader and volunteer in the Big Brother and Big Sister program. Jeff has built 16 homes in 16 days as part of Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build in 2000. Jeff was diagnosed with ADD and worked hard to overcome the disorder. In fact his senior paper was entitled “ADD, the Beneficial Disorder.”
Jeff has been involved in theater and dance since 2000. He is a ball room and swing dance competitor and co-founded Show Me Swing which sponsors an international dance exchange called “Show Me Blues” (www.showmeblues.com) annually. Jeff enrolled at Ranken after attending Florissant Valley Community College and completing many odd jobs and construction projects. He always knew he wanted to be a maintenance man. Jeff remarked, “When I entered the Finney foyer and saw all the marble I felt at home. I knew this school was right for me!” Jeff received the Ranken Distinguished Achievement Award in 2006 graduating from the Industrial Technology program. Jeff joined the Ranken staff in that department as a full time instructor in 2008.
Since teaching at Ranken he has participated in Rebuilding Together 2010 and 2011 and is an Industrial Technology department lead for Summer Academies. He teaches classes of students at all levels (1st term through fourth) in industrial technology, mechanical systems, and print reading. “What I love most about teaching is that ‘Ah-Ha’ moment when it all fits together and it clicks. You can see it on a student’s face when it happens. The moment when students figure out exactly what is going on, and how it relates to their lives, is an amazing thing.”
Jeff is unmarried and enjoys dancing, working on his 1995 Chevy, backpacking, camping, shooting, reading and working a friend’s farm mending fences and herding cattle. Jeff is an annual donor to Ranken through the Ranken Employee Campaign and has two married sisters; four nieces and one nephew.
