Dr. David Cooprider
Dr. David Cooprider has been involved with Richland Community College ever since the beginning. Before anyone knew where the college’s first location would be, Richland (known then as the Community College of Decatur) was hiring a limited number of positions. College officials reached out to Dr. Cooprider to be the college’s first librarian, and his interview wasn’t a typical experience. “The dean came out and said, ‘Would you mind conducting this interview in my car as we drive to Springfield?’ And I said, ‘Well, yeah. I’d be glad to.’ So I made arrangements with my wife to come over to Springfield and meet me there. They drove over there, and they were in a hurry. The dean had a heavy foot. I’m telling you, that car was going 70/80 miles an hour [well above the speed limit at the time], and I was sitting in the front seat kind of frightened by the speed at which we were going and answered questions. Long story short, they hired me.”
From 1972 to 1974, Dr. Cooprider was the librarian at Richland. He left after that to be the Assistant Regional Superintendent, but he wasn’t fully gone. He continued to help one night a week in the library as Richland moved to the Park 101 warehouse and eventually the permanent campus. Dr. Cooprider took over the Introduction to Education course in 1987, and he says it’s one of the best things he has ever done. He retired from teaching the course in 2009, but Dr. Cooprider’s Richland connection didn’t end there. In 2013, he was approached with a new offer – to serve on the Board of Trustees. He served two terms on the Board, and had the unique honor of celebrating 50 years of commitment to education alongside Richland.
“I would say Richland has always been a part of me. It has become part of me. I don’t know how else to describe it because so much of what I do and how I think is related to Richland.”
Impact
“Being awarded the Dr. David Cooprider Scholarship will help me be able to focus on my studies and not worry about where the money will come from for class. I am currently employed full-time at a daycare/preschool, and I will continue to work here after I am finished with my education. I am currently the assistant teacher in the room. My certificate will allow me to be the Head Teacher. I am looking forward to being the Head Teacher and helping these young children grow to the best of their abilities. Working with children makes me happy and is where I am most comfortable in life.” – Mackenzie, 2025 recipient
“My fondest memories of Richland Community College are the wonderful conversations I have had with my instructors. Not only do these educators take their jobs and their students’ time seriously, but they also allow for good relationships to be built. My best times at Richland were spent after class talking over the material with my teachers and hearing an even more interesting and in-depth view of the subject matter. Whether the conversation is fact-based or opinionated, there is always a tremendous sense of comradery within it. I feel at home at Richland Community College and feel as though my teachers truly see me as more than just another student passing through the doors.” – Aaron, 2024 recipient