JAMES WESLEY PRESENTED PRESTIGIOUS WILLIAM AND ALLENE GUTHRIE VAN METER OUTSTANDING ALUMNI ACHIEVEME

Mound Valley, Kansas native and Traditional Country music performer and James Wesley, was recognized by Labette Community College, in Parsons, KS, during the 22nd Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, November 1st and presented the

by President Mark Watkins. The award recognized his achievements, service and many contributions to the music industry. The award is named in memory of the Van Meters for their generous estate gift that funded renovation of Thiebaud Theatre at LCC. “It was an honor and a privilege to be presented the William and Allene Guthrie Van Meter Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award by President Dr. Mark Watkins and the Board of Directors of the Labette Community College Foundation and Alumi Association,” shared James Wesley. “It was great to come back home and accept this award with my friends, high school principal Mr. Ken Swender and my FFA teacher Mr. Dan Peterson and his lovely wife Kathy. I also want to thank all the Donors who make it possible for students to be able to receive grant money to attend college at LCC. Thank you all again for this amazing award. God Bless.” “It is an honor that I have been given the opportunity to recognize a deserving LCC alumnus for this prestigious award. LCC alumni success stories are as diverse as our students themselves,” stated President Mark Watkins Van Meter. “In the past we’ve honored doctors, lawyers, business executives and educators. It was our pleasure to recognize, James Wesley, a successful alumnus who has made his mark in the country music industry.” Wesley, a Mound Valley native attended Labette County High School before moving on to Labette Community College. He first discovered country music through his grandmother’s record collection, which included plenty of classics like Marty Robbins, George Jones and Ray Price. In 2011 his hometown, Mound Valley, declared May 29th as James Wesley Day and presented him with a key to the City. He is the first person to ever receive a key from the city of Mound Valley. James still continues touring and playing corporate events across the country. One of the highlights of his career was being asked to be a part of the Merle Haggard tribute album titled "Working Man's Poet." The two Haggard songs he got to perform were "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" and "The Fightin' Side of me.” ​ Catch James and his band on the road performing at a venue near you soon! Keep current with James Wesley on his website jameswesleymusic.com and stay in touch with his on all of her social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Stream and download music on all digital music platforms Google Play, Apple Music / iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.