Missouri State Senator Rob Mayer R-Dexter, at left, was recently presented with Three Rivers Community College's President's Community College Champion Award. The award was presented by the college's president, Dr. John F. Cooper. [Click to enlarge]

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Three Rivers Community College President Dr. John F. Cooper recently presented Missouri State Senator Rob Mayer with the President's Community College Champion Award. The award was given to Mayer as a part of the college's annual Community College Month observance.

"Senator Mayer is a true champion of Three Rivers Community College and all of Missouri's community colleges," Cooper said in making the presentation. "His commitment to Three Rivers and his hard work on behalf of accessible education opportunities for the people of Southeast Missouri is making a real difference for our region. It is an honor to recognize Senator Mayer for his leadership and commitment to community colleges and to our region."

The President's Community College Champion Award is bestowed by Cooper to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to Three Rivers and community colleges in the Show-Me State. This is only the second time in his tenure at Three Rivers that Cooper has awarded a Community College Champion Award. The first award was presented in 2006 to State Rep. Gayle Kingery.

In accepting the award, Mayer noted his own personal ties to Three Rivers Community College.

"I began my college career at Three Rivers, and it is a pleasure to be able to see first-hand the progress and growth the college has made in its 40-year history. I know the positive impact Three Rivers has throughout our region, and I am proud to represent the college in the Missouri Senate," Mayer said.

Mayer is a graduate of Dexter High School, and attended Three Rivers before transferring to Southeast Missouri State University, where he received his undergraduate degree. He received a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and practices law in Dexter. Mayer and his wife, Nancy, and three sons live in Dexter, where she teaches at T.S. Hill Middle School.

In the Missouri Senate, Mayer is the chair of the Education Committee, vice chair of the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources committee, the Joint Committee on Education and Joint Committee on Terrorism, Bioterrorism and Homeland Security. Mayer represents the 25th Senatorial District, which includes the counties of Butler, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne.

Mayer served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2000-2004. He was elected to serve the 25th Senatorial District in 2004.