Robert Nelson will be the recipient of the “Gordon Parks Learning Tree Award” at the annual Celebration Tribute Dinner and Photo Auction on October 4th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Liberty Theater in Fort Scott, Kansas.

The Learning Tree Award was established in May of 2023 in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the Celebration Tribute Dinner.

Named after Gordon’s semi-autobiographical novel and film of the same name, this powerful story tells of a young man growing into manhood in the 1920’s while dealing with racism, poverty, tragic events and love. The story is also of a mother who places love, dignity and hard work over hatred. She teaches him about life lessons learned and allows Cherokee Flats to be his Learning Tree. Previous recipients include, Inaugural award recipient, former Gordon Parks Museum, Executive Director, Jill Warford, Daryl Roller, retired Director of Development at Fort Scott Community College and Arnold Schofield, retired Public Historian.

“The Learning Tree Award” is an award created to recognize an individual that is either emerging in the field of arts with exceptional artistic merit, supporting and promoting of the arts, or championing of the arts by their outstanding dedication, perseverance, commitment to excellence in their community.

Robert Nelson, a retired educator and longtime civic leader, is a native of Fort Scott, Kansas. He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1952 and attended Fort Scott Junior College from 1952–54, completing 58 credit hours, just two hours short of earning a diploma. In 1969, after transferring a two-credit-hour course, from DePaul University, he officially received his Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College.

In 1955, Nelson enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medical corpsman, where he developed an interest in x-ray technology while stationed in Germany. After his service, he completed the Radiography Program at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and later joined the University of Michigan Hospital’s Radiology Department. In 1966, Nelson became the first director of the Radiography Program at the newly founded Washtenaw Community College. Nelson initially taught classes in a church basement, while the campus was under construction. He later served as president of the Michigan Society of Radiological Technologists, was recognized as Technologist of the Year, and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from the University of Michigan.

Nelson also contributed to the early efforts to establish, The Gordon Parks Center/Museum at Fort Scott Community College. At the time Dick Hedges was serving as FSCC President, Daryl Roller as Director of Development, and Ken Lunt as Mayor of Fort Scott. Together, they traveled with Nelson to New York City to meet Gordon Parks in his apartment. That meeting helped lay the foundation for the creation of the Center/Museum and began a lasting friendship with the Parks family.

A former student of the segregated E.J. Hawkins School in Fort Scott, Nelson delivered the induction speech in 2001 that honored Professor, E.J. Hawkins. Professor Hawkins was the first posthumous inductee into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame.

Nelson dedicated 24 years of service to the FSCC Board of Trustees and also served 17 years on the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees (KACCT), including a term as president. He was one of the Museum’s original steering committee members in 2004 and has remained active with the annual Gordon Parks Celebration Planning Committee. In addition, he has contributed his time to the “Students First–Community Always” capital campaign committee and the FSCC Alumni Association Board. In recognition of his many achievements, he was named FSCC’s Outstanding Alumnus in 2007.

Beyond education, Nelson is a devoted community leader. He serves as a trustee of United Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott, and the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Board of Directors. He also chairs the City of Fort Scott Zoning Appeals Board and contributes to other local organizations. In addition, he has shared his musical talent as a member of the Fort Scott Community Chorus.

Nelson and his wife, Evelyn, are the proud parents of six children—Estella, Robert, Joyce, Gloria, Ronald, and William and grandparents to ten grandchildren.