Employee Recognition Awards 2006
Full Time Faculty Member of the Year
David
Palmer, named Full-time Faculty Member of the Year, has been a full-time
faculty member since 1999 and previously was an associate faculty member for
eight years. He holds a master of divinity from Kenrick Seminary and a bachelor
of arts in philosophy from Quincy College. According to nomination forms,
students say Palmer has found the proper balance between nurturing and
demanding, so he is thorough in his teaching but does not overwhelm them with
the demands of study. He accommodates students without compromising his
standards. He also was called “a proven educator who receives high marks from
students because he is able to teach a complicated subject in an understandable
way with interest” and one who is “enthusiastic, positive, flexible and
extremely concerned about his students.” In addition to his teaching duties, he
organized the campus Circle K Club for students and serves as its advisor, has
been active in the faculty senate and on other college committees, and is JWCC’s
representative to the Illinois Community College Faculty Association and an
officer in that organization.
Full Time Staff Member of the Year
Phyllis
Schulte, named Staff Member of the Year, has been with the college since
July 1977. She holds a bachelor of arts from Western Illinois University and an
associate in science from John Wood. According to one nomination form, she “has
consistently displayed excellence in her dedication to her job duties and the
college…She is well respected by her co-workers because of her knowledge of John
Wood and the processes that exist…She is a great asset to the college.” She was
praised for her tenacity to work through problems and reach solutions and for
her dependability, integrity, loyalty, self-motivation, and expertise. One
nominator wrote, “She is a great example of how accountability should be
displayed by employees. She has very good job skills and performs at a high
level consistently throughout the year.”
Associate Faculty Member of the Year
Kirby
Eber, named Associate Faculty Member of the Year, has been an associate
faculty member since 1978. He teaches a variety of humanities courses, primarily
through the open learning method. He holds a bachelor of arts in art from
Culver-Stockton College. Students have commented that they appreciate his
knowledge of the subject and his ability to help them learn. According to one
student nomination, “He can take a subject matter and make it come alive. I’ve
been sick and absent from classes, but I have NEVER missed his class. It’s just
that good.”
Team of the Year
The Computer Science/Office Technology Department was named Team of the Year in recognition of the energy, commitment, innovation and involvement of its faculty members. The department was praised for its innovation in adding programs and courses to meet the growing needs of the communities the college serves. The team members also were recognized for their effective teaching methods, their collaboration among themselves and with other departments, and their work to promote the college. Members of the department include chair Carol Sharpe; full-time faculty members Lisa Atwell, Beth Bower, Ron Larner, Marty Otto, and Barb Stoll; and 12 associate faculty.
Team Member of the Year
Millie
Barry, recipient of the Team Member of the Year award, has been with the
college since September 2000. She holds an associate in applied science from
JWCC. She was recognized for her professionalism, job knowledge, dedication,
efficiency, and strong student orientation. According to one nominator, she is
“the glue that holds the department together,” and another person said, “She
consistently puts the needs of students and the college above her own needs.”
Another nominator said, “As a person who returned to college as an adult, she is
aware of how beneficial education and training can be, and she wishes and
encourages success for all students.”
Maureen
Schuering has been an adjunct advisor and an associate faculty member in
education for nine years. She holds a master of arts in education from St.
Mary’s College of Notre Dame and a bachelor of science in education from Mt. St.
Scholastica College. Schuering was honored as a Partner in Excellence for having
distinguished herself as a dependable and dedicated employee who supports
projects in an exceptional way. Students said they regard her as compassionate,
helpful, insightful and personable. One nominating student said, “She has been
so helpful to me…gave me great advice on course selection…and has amazing
insight into the teaching arena…She has been a fantastic ambassador for the
college and, because of her tireless work, I can without hesitation recommend
JWCC to any student looking to advance their education.”
Carol
Sharpe, recipient of the Quality Service Award, has been with the college
since June 2000 and has been department chair for five years. She holds a
master’s in education from the University of Missouri and a bachelor science in
education from Truman State University. Sharpe was recognized for her high
standards, commitment to excellence, professional knowledge and expertise,
excellent managerial and organizational skills, and tact in dealing with
difficult situations. According to one nomination form, “We owe her a lot for
recognizing and skillfully using the talents and abilities of our department and
providing, by her leadership and exemplary conduct and actions, a true quality
approach to providing service to students and colleagues alike.”
Vicky
Harrison, named Colleague of the Year, has been with the college since 1991,
first in the registrar’s office, then moving to the Information Services office
in 2000. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Truman State University.
Harrison was recognized for being “the epitome of service, regularly assisting
others with a professional attitude.” She was referred to by nominators as a
“great co-worker” and “a selfless partner who is motivated by serving others and
demonstrates a superior cooperative relationship.”
Dr.
David Shinn was selected by JWCC President William Simpson to receive the
Presidential Appreciation Award in recognition of extra effort exhibited in
completion of a project or contribution to a task. Shinn was praised for his
“quiet leadership” in helping the college prepare for and host a successful
focused visit on student assessment by a team from the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association; he served as co-chair of the
self-study committee that prepared a report for the visit and he had major
responsibility in helping the faculty develop the system for assessment of
student learning. Shinn holds a doctor of philosophy in educational psychology
from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a master’s in experimental-applied
psychology from St. Louis University, and a bachelor’s in psychology from
Arkansas Tech University. He has been with the college eight years.
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