Book donation honors former MCC librarian

Becky Nelson (left), Loomis, representing the family of Flora Dutcher, was at McCook Community College recently to see the collection of books acquired in Miss Dutcher’s honor. Kate Wheeler (center), Mid-Plains Community College Assistant Director of Learning Commons, purchased the books with direction from the McCook College Foundation, represented here by Director of Administration Jim Hall.

The legacy of a 1936 McCook College graduate and educator was honored recently when the family of Flora Dutcher purchased books in her honor to be used at McCook Community College’s von Riesen Library.

Her niece, Becky Nelson, of Loomis, was in McCook Saturday and visited the library to see the collection of books purchased and donated by the Dutcher family.

he family’s legacy to giving began with Flora’s parents, Austin Wilson and Minnie M. (Tucker) Dutcher, for whom a McCook College scholarship was established. Flora died in 2008 at the age of 100 and the family worked with the McCook College Foundation – and recently Director of Administration Jim Hall – to find an appropriate project to target some memorial money.

Kate Wheeler, Assistant Director of Learning Commons, said the collection purchased with this memorial includes books that tell stories about Western Nebraska, both nonfiction and fiction.

About Flora

Flora’s 46-year teaching career began in 1926. She had been out of school for nine years, teaching at rural schools when she decided to become a full-time student. She received her associate degree from McCook Jr. College in 1936, her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in 1943 and her master’s degree in 1951.

She taught in McCook at West Ward, North Ward and McCook Jr. High. She was the first principal of North Ward and spent 18 years at McCook Community College where she taught education courses, served as dean of women and was also a librarian.