Jon L. Stewart Named 2025 Johnson Countian of the Year
The JCCC Foundation has selected Jon L. Stewart as the 2025 Johnson Countian of the Year. Stewart has been involved with the College for decades as a student, alumni, board of trustees member, foundation board member, and many other supporting roles.
Stewart graduated from JCCC with an Associate of Arts degree and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas (KU). After graduating from KU, Stewart was hired as vice president and cashier for Corporate Woods State Bank. In July 1988, Stewart joined Metcalf Bank, to which he was elected president and chief executive officer. In 2008, he retired from Metcalf Bank after 20 years of dedicated service and leadership. He currently operates his own business, Stewart Properties, LLC.
“Jon Stewart is a longtime friend of the College, and we could not be more excited to recognize him as the 2025 Johnson Countian of the Year,” says Joy Ginsburg, Executive Director of the JCCC Foundation. “Through his decades of service to Johnson County, Jon has truly lived JCCC’s mission to inspire learning that transforms lives and strengthens communities.”
In 2004, Stewart was appointed to the JCCC Board of Trustees. He was then re-elected to the board from 2007 to 2011 and 2011 to 2015. During his time on the board, he helped guide the College through the 2008 recession. Reflecting upon his time as a trustee in a 2015 interview with the JCCC Campus Ledger (now The Messenger), Stewart said, “Navigating through that difficult period of time has made JCCC a more efficient institution and has established a decision process of assessing and measuring outcomes to help direct resources to areas that are supporting our mission.”
Stewart has also served in leadership roles for many Johnson County organizations, including:
- Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chairman and Olathe Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
- TLC for Children & Families Foundation Board of Directors Vice Chairman
- Olathe Medical Center Board of Trustees
- Johnson County Community College Foundation Board of Directors
- Olathe Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors
- Johnson County United Way Board of Directors and Executive Committee
Cohen Community Series
Stewart continues to give back to the College through the annual Cohen Community Series. The series was inaugurated in 2008 through a gift from Stewart to honor the late Barton P. Cohen, president of Metcalf Bancshares, Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Metcalf Bank, and an attorney with Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP.
Proceeds from the annual Cohen Community Series support JCCC scholarships and educational programs that help make college possible for many students each year. Cohen Community Series artists have included Lee Brice, George Thorogood, Clint Black, Scotty McCreery, Phil Vassar, Josh Turner, Lonestar, Sawyer Brown, Tracy Lawrence, Diamond Rio, George Will, Marcus Buckingham, and Vince Gill.
On Saturday, November 8, Stewart will be recognized at the Foundation’s annual fundraising gala, Some Enchanted Evening. This annual black-tie dinner that raises endowment funds for student scholarships has become a major social event in Johnson County and one of the most successful fundraising events in the region.
Stewart joins a roster of more than 40 Johnson Countians of the Year, including 2024 Johnson Countian of the Year award winners Carl R. Gerlach and Jill R. Flint Gerlach, RN, M.S.
When JCCC Foundation leaders were planning the first Some Enchanted Evening event, they believed Johnson County should honor its community leaders.
They felt that given JCCC's role as a major community institution, the Foundation was the right organization to bestow the honors, so they established the idea of honoring a Johnson Countian of the Year as a part of Some Enchanted Evening.
The JCCC Foundation office accepts the nominations and a selection committee reviews them. In the spring, the Foundation announces the chosen recipient. In November, the recipient receives the award as part of the Some Enchanted Evening event.
The first honoree was the Rev. Robert Meneilly, founding pastor of the largest Presbyterian congregation in America and a champion of education. He proved to be a very popular choice and the award became a significant part of the event.
Past Johnson Countians of the Year
- 2024 - Carl and Jill Gerlach
- 2023 - Dr. Roy Jensen
- 2022 - Steve Wilkinson
- 2021 - Clay Blair
- 2020 - Essential Workers
- 2019 - Frank H. Devocelle
- 2018 - Dr. David and Mary Zamierowski
- 2017 - Mark Gilman
- 2016 - Adam Hamilton
- 2015 - Mary Davidson Cohen
- 2014 - Dr. Gary Morsch
- 2013 - Lynn Mitchelson
- 2012 - Audrey Langworthy
- 2011 - 25th Anniversary
- 2010 - David Wysong
- 2009 - Peggy and Terry Dunn
- 2008 - Fred Logan
- 2007 - Dick and Barbara Shull
- 2006 - Norman and Elaine Polsky
- 2005 - Ed Eilert
- 2004 - Bob Regnier
- 2003 - Walt Hiersteiner
- 2002 - Mary Birch
- 2001 - Drue Jennings
- 2000 - Betty Keim
- 1999 - Steve Rose
- 1998 - Dr. Charles J. Carlsen
- 1997 - George and Floriene Lieberman
- 1996 - Sen. Dick Bond
- 1995 - William Dunn Sr.
- 1994 - Adele Hall
- 1993 - SuEllen Fried
- 1992 - James P. Sunderland
- 1991 - Stan and Shirley Rose
- 1990 - John H. "Jack" Robinson
- 1989 - Paul H. Henson
- 1988 - Ben Craig
- 1987 - Dr. Robert H. Meneilly