Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) has named their 2013 Alumni of the Year.

Paul M. Wood, a 1980 graduate of McCook High School and 1982 graduate of McCook Community College (MCC), was presented with the award at the Nebraska Community College Association’s Annual Meeting which was held in North Platte earlier this week.

After receiving his Associate of Arts Degree from MCC, Wood transferred to Kearney State Community College and obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Business Administration.

In 1987, Wood graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.  Upon gaining admission to the Bar, Wood returned to his hometown of McCook and became a partner with Colfer, Wood, Lyons and Wood Law Firm.

In 1991, Wood was elected as the County Attorney in Red Willow County, a position he still holds today.

Currently, Wood serves as the President of the MCC Foundation, and is a member of the Nebraska School Activities Association and the Nebraska High School Officials Association.  Wood has officiated high school football since 19888.

MPCC President Ryan Purdy said, “The entire MPCC family is pleased to recognize Mr. Paul Wood as Mid-Plains Community College’s Alumni of the Year for 2013.”

Wood said he is very proud of his family’s longtime association with McCook Community College, which includes his father J.D. Wood graduating in 1950; sister Mary in 1976; brother Matt in 1978; wife Linda in 1984; sister Susan in 1989; daughter Alison in 2006; and daughter Emily in 2013.