Employee focus

Ernest ("Ernie") Wren III, assistant dean, Adult Higher Education

How long have you worked for Columbia College?
More than 10 years, starting with the Moberly Evening Campus.

Hometown
Ashland – go Eagles!

What did you do before joining Columbia College?
I worked for the State of Missouri as a budget analyst.

Hobbies and interests
I enjoy playing piano with my children. I also help coordinate youth soccer with the Ashland Optimist Club.

Tell us about your family
This January my wife Debbie and I will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. We have a 12-year-old son, Isaac, and an 8-year-old daughter, Anna. My wife owns and operates a day care facility in Ashland. Isaac and Anna both love sports and academics.

Tell us about something that greatly influenced you
Parenthood has had the most influence on me. It changed my focus. For me, the greatest satisfaction in life has not come from personal achievements, but from those of my children: watching a first step, scoring a first goal, making that first A. I have a frame in my office with the hand-stitched words, "Family is Everything."

If you could do anything in the world, what would that be?
I am doing what I enjoy in terms of family, community and career. However, one activity I would love to do someday is scuba diving! I would love to view the beauty of life in the sea.

Favorite author
Dr. Seuss. Not just for the enjoyment he provides for parents and childreading, but also for his political and environmental contributions. Dr. Seuss Goes to War: The World War II Editorial Cartoons of Theodor Seuss Geisel provides a glimpse of his many political cartoons. His books The Butter Battle Book and The Lorax also provide an early awareness to children on vital issues (the arms race and the environment), for which the books were banned by some states.

Tell us a fact about yourself few people know
My family is environmentally oriented. For the day care center, we use recycled tires for mulch, solar lighting for the parking lot and a rain barrel system for watering a wildflower garden. Our family car is a Toyota Prius hybrid.

What is playing in your car right now?
Enya.

What is your favorite word?
Family.

What is your favorite food?
Watermelon.

What is your favorite sports team?
Oh, that's a tough one. I'd say a tie between the CC Cougars and Southern Boone Eagles.