Coffeyville, KS — Coffeyville Community College (CCC) has been named the 2025 Business of the Year by the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce. The honor was announced during the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Friday, January 23, 2026, held at Coffeyville Community College’s Nellis Hall East.
CCC was nominated and voted as Business of the Year by Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce members, marking the first time the College has received this recognition. The award was accepted on behalf of Coffeyville Community College by Dr. Marlon Thornburg, President of CCC; Becky Barnhart, Chair of the CCC Board of Trustees; and David Baldwin, Vice Chair of the Board.
Coffeyville Community College has long been deeply rooted in the Coffeyville area, serving as an educational, cultural, and economic driver for the region. The College is supported by strong community partnerships and an engaged alumni base, with many graduates contributing directly to the local workforce and economic growth of Coffeyville and the surrounding areas.
“The College is fortunate to have such great community support for our programming and activities,” said Dr. Marlon Thornburg, President of Coffeyville Community College. “To be selected for this award by Chamber members shows the College’s impact on our community and the return on investment the College makes in the area.”
Recent accomplishments further reflect CCC’s momentum and commitment to excellence. According to the Kansas Board of Regents, CCC achieved an 11.4 percent one-year increase in headcount enrollment, the highest growth of any community college or university in Kansas and the largest single-year increase for the institution in more than a decade. The College was also recognized as a 2027 Aspen Prize Top 200 Community College, placing CCC among the nation’s leading institutions for student success and workforce outcomes, in addition to receiving a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Beyond academics, CCC plays an active role in creating opportunities for community connection and engagement. Through theatre productions, band and choir performances, and free family-friendly events such as Raven Holiday celebrations, Humanities Productions, and Trunk or Treat, the College provides a welcoming, fun, and wholesome environment for students and community members alike.
CCC has also continued to invest in campus facilities and infrastructure, including improvements to the Spencer Rounds Theatre, the Weinberg Building, and the Dick Foster Sports Complex, supporting enhanced student learning environments, athletic opportunities, and increased community access.
Coffeyville Community College is honored to receive the 2025 Business of the Year Award and extends its sincere appreciation to the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce and the community members who continue to support the College’s mission. CCC remains committed to serving Coffeyville through education, engagement, and lifelong learning opportunities for generations to come.