Dr. Joe Gilgour is the 2026 recipient of the Jim Ed McGee Graduate Honors Award at Arkansas Tech University.
Gilgour is president at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo. The college has achieved record student headcount enrollment and the completion of $24 million in capital projects during his tenure. He was named 2025 American Association of Community Colleges chief executive officer of the year.
A native of Chillicothe, Mo., Gilgour completed his Master of Science degree in college student personnel from Arkansas Tech in 2007. He went on to obtain a Doctor of Education degree from St. Louis University. Gilgour has served as president at Mineral Area College since 2019.
The Jim Ed McGee Graduate Honors Award is bestowed upon an individual who completed one or more credentials through the ATU Graduate College with a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.75. Professional and academic recommendations and an essay provided by the nominee are considered by the review panel when selecting the honoree.
The award’s namesake — Dr. Jim Ed McGee — served as vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech from 1973 until the time of his passing in fall 1992.
McGee’s service to Arkansas Tech before attaining the rank of vice president included time as associate professor of education, director of institutional research, director of institutional services and director of development and public relations.
Learn more about the ATU Graduate College at www.atu.edu/gradcollege.
