Colby Community College
COLBY — Colby native and former mayor Gary Adrian was awarded the honorary associate degree during the college's 60th commencement ceremony on May 16 at the Colby Event Center.
College personnel nominate individuals for the honorary degree, recognizing distinguished contributions to the community and Colby Community College.
Born in November 1947 in Colby, Adrian is deeply rooted in the area’s history. His great-grandparents were among the first settlers of the community in 1885. He attended first grade in Gem, continued his education in Colby through his sophomore year, and completed high school in Norton. Adrian pursued higher education at Fort Hays State University and the University of Kansas before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970.
During his 20 years of military service, Adrian was trained and certified as a medical technologist. After retiring from the Army, he returned to Colby and worked as a medical technologist at hospitals in Colby and Hoxie until his retirement from the medical field in 2006.
In 2011, Adrian was elected mayor of the City of Colby, serving three terms through December 2023.
"Blessed with three outstanding city managers and dedicated city council members, many major accomplishments were made," said Adrian.
The most significant project, he added, was the planning and construction of the Colby Event Center that opened in 2021.
“I am so proud of my hometown, Colby,” Adrian said. “Colby Community College is one of the essential factors for the successful growth and future of Colby. It is an honor to receive this honorary degree from CCC.”