(Click Photo to Enlarge) Kneeling: Art Chavarria, Melissa Yanczak, Brittnay Guibault Standing: Doug Baker, John Larrison, Lindsay Rye, Zac Riley, Shafer, Steve Huffman, Clayton Uptain, Dr. Tim Bellamey

Automotive Students Pay Tribute to SCC’s Clyde Shafer

2/5/10
Shannon Woodworth - Shawnee News Service

While the decade was coming to a close in the summer of 1979, a new era was beginning at Shawnee Community College. That summer, Clyde Shafer took was charged with building an automotive technology program, and build it, he did. Hundreds of students have completed the automotive technology program, many with the two-year Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology degree.

For 31 years, Shafer has shared his knowledge and time with students and today, the students shared something back. Members of the SCC Car Club presented Shafer with a plaque recognizing his service to SCC students.

Car Club president, Zac Riley said, "I’ve know Mr. Shafer a long time and just felt that he deserved our recognition for his 31 years of dedication to the SCC automotive department."

Car Club secretary Brittnay Guibault, an automotive technology student from Goreville added, "This [plaque] was a group effort. Mr. Shafer is a great instructor and we are going to miss him."

Along with attributing to the success of the program’s students, in 1991, Shafer lead the SCC Car Show effort. What began as a moderately-sized show of 53 entries, has grown over the years to host over 200 entries from several states. Sadly for SCC, this year will be Shafer’s last SCC Car Show. He will retire in June after 31 years of service to Shawnee Community College.

"Shawnee Community College has been good to me and my students." Shafer said. "These 31 years have passed very quickly, but what an experience to see students excel and grow into great automotive technicians, serving the surrounding community and beyond."

When asked about his post-retirement plan, Shafer said, "I will miss my SCC family, but I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife and family . . . plus golf, bowling, and traveling to car show events."

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