Henry, Hickey Named SCC 2016 Distinguished Alumni

04/25/2016

Southeastern Community College will host receptions for the recipients of the College’s Distinguished Alumni awards prior to May 2014 graduation ceremonies. Keokuk businessman Mike Hickey (SCC Keokuk 1972) will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 at Baymont Inn & Suites in Keokuk. Surrealist artist James Walker Henry of Burlington (SCC West Burlington 1986) will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 at Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

Each honoree will provide a keynote speech during their respective 7 p.m. commencements.

Southeastern Community College Alumni Association West Burlington Campus Distinguished Alumnus Award 2016 James Walker Henry (SCC 1986).

James Walker Henry is an artist who has obtained worldwide recognition. He attended SCC as time allowed starting in 1980 through 1986, while keeping a full-time job. He studied art at SCC which served as a stepping stone to a career of creating thought-provoking surrealist art. He has created more than a 1,000 pieces, participated in more than 350 exhibits, and more than 100 solo shows, nationally and internationally.

His work has been reviewed in magazines such as Manhattan Arts, Surreal Magazine, Art Scope, New Art Examiner and Art Speak. He is published in the Who’s Who in American Art.

James Walker Henry is active in the local arts scene and regularly contributes pieces for charity and civic organizations. He has been an annual contributor to the Burlington Fine Arts League GALA – where he wears his signature zoot suits - and was featured artist in 2012.  Mr. Henry also donates to the SCC Foundation’s annual fundraiser and has contributed four large scale works to the College’s permanent art collection. His donated works also hang at many schools, libraries, hospitals and businesses throughout southeast Iowa.

Henry donates his time to serve as a speaker at local schools and arts organizations. He enjoys the Burlington area Meet the Masters program where he speaks to students to educate and increase their understanding of surrealism.

James and his wife, Tami, reside in Burlington, Iowa.

Southeastern Community College Alumni Association’s Keokuk Campus Distinguished Alumnus 2016 recipient is Michael W. Hickey (SCC 1972).

Mike Hickey graduated from Southeastern Community College with an Associate of Science in 1972 and the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1974. In 1979, he became the manager of Hickey Contracting following the sudden death of his father. Mike and his wife, Karen, have managed the business ever since.

Mr. Hickey has also been the developer of many area improvements including the Keokuk North Park retail area, Carriage Greens subdivision and condominiums, and the light industry area that includes KFC, Salvation Army, Tri-Tech Construction and S.J. Welding.

He was named the Keokuk Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of 1983, and received the Spirit of Keokuk award in 1997. He has been a member of the Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, Tri-State Medical Group, Keokuk Catholic School Board, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Iowa Builders Association, Keokuk Rotary Club, Historic Preservation Commission, and Keokuk’s Knights of Columbus. He currently chairs the All Saint’s Finance Council and the Iowa Region 16 Workforce Reinvestment Board, and Keokuk Municipal Waterworks Board. He is also a member of the Keokuk Savings Bank Board of Directors and the Ft. Madison Bank & Trust Board of Directors.

Mr. Hickey believes that being part of the community requires the responsibility to help make it better. He is known for his direct approach to problem solving and his not so subtle sense of humor.

His most memorable SCC faculty members include Tom Landis, Hugh Ferguson, John Breshears and Fred Karre.

Mike and his wife, Karen, (SCC 1972) have two children, Daniel and Kathleen, and four grandchildren.

Both pre-graduation receptions are open to the public and include hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and beverages for a free will donation. For reservations, call the SCC Alumni Association Office at (319) 208-5062 by May 8 or email jglasgow@scciowa.edu.

File photos are available below.

Mike Hickey: https://www.scciowa.edu/marketing/2016/scc-dist-alum-mike-hickey.jpg

James Walker Henry: https://www.scciowa.edu/marketing/2016/scc-dist-alum-james-walker-henry.jpg

To view past honorees or to nominate a candidate, visit https://www.scciowa.edu/alumni/distinguished/index.aspx.

For more news or to learn about Southeastern Community College, visit: https://www.scciowa.edu/rss/news/index.html