Bob Lang, Tarkio College Board of Directors President, cuts the ribbon during the Curnutt Center dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting Friday, July 19, 2024, in Tarkio. Dean and Joanne Curnutt’s major monetary donations have helped Tarkio Technology Institute get the buildings renovated and programs up and going. Also pictured are Tarkio Police Chief Tyson Gibbons, Tarkio Tech President Johnnie Davis, Tarkio Tech Admissions Counselor Mark Staten, and Amy Elam, Trustee of the Curnutt estate.

Jenison Hall is the latest building renovated on the Tarkio Tech campus, and now houses students attending summer classes. Amy Elam, the trustee of the Curnutt estate, cuts the ribbon in celebration of the building’s reopening.

A crowd of supporters was on hand for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremonies Friday, July 19.

A tour of Jenison Hall was given to those who attended the ceremonies. Besides dorm rooms for students, a suite was also created to provide a room for someone in need who is traveling through the area.

On Friday, July 19, 2024, Tarkio Technology Institute officially dedicated the Curnutt Center and Jenison Hall in recognition of Joanne and Dean Curnutt. Dean was a graduate of Tarkio College and served as the Atchison County Collector for 30 years while being very active in the community. Joanne followed her path of music through teaching in Texas universities and traveling in Europe searching for unique musical instruments.

Joanne and Dean were always dedicated to Tarkio College. After Dean passed away in 1989, Joanne administrated their estates. She believed in the creation of Tarkio Technology Institute and providing training to everyone who was interested in learning valuable skills for employment. In June 2022, the estates of Joanne and Dean provided a donation of $1,904,650 to the college. Their gifts played a big part in the growth of the school, repairs on the campus, and restoration of Jenison Hall as the first student residence for Tarkio Tech.