Southeastern Illinois College held its annual Recognition Reception to honor employees for special awards, full-time milestone service, and retirements on May 5 in the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center lobby.
Paul Cummins, Humanities Co-Chair, acted as master of ceremonies for the event and awards began with the Greenies – those who are completing their first year of full-time employment at SIC. Greenies include Kiley Adams, financial aid specialist; Aaron Aul, physics instructor; Cory Garmane, music instructor; Ericka Gwaltney, food service manager; Maddison Maloney, admissions specialist; Jeff Miller, registration specialist; and Lori Sizemore, Mary Jo Oldham Center for Child Study coordinator.
Those serving SIC in a full-time capacity for five years include Kyla Burford, director of enrollment services/registrar; Chad Flannery, dean for student services and enrollment; Megan Gulley, child study center toddler lead teacher; Lisa Hite, director of business services; Renee Loesche, building Illinois bio-economy curriculum and training director; Lolita Mack, TRIO/student support services director; Michelle Metten, financial aid specialist; Aaron Poole, biology instructor; Breannen Richardson web and research support services administrator; and Angela Wilson, marketing coordinator.
Celebrating 10 years with SIC are Amanda Brown, child study center infant room teacher; Steffanie Ferrell, child study center pre-k lead teacher; Stacy Moore, director of auxiliary services; and Debbie Suh educational technology specialist.
Five employees are in their 15th year with the college: Jason Fitzgerald, biology instructor; Donna Hearn, community outreach supervisor; Matt Lees, political science instructor; Jeff Marcum, custodian; and Rhonda Smith, learning resource center para professional.
Those celebrating 25 years with SIC are Steve Dotson, chemistry instructor and Jack Mummert, mathematics instructor.
SIC chemistry instructor, Gene Forster was recognized formally for the Loren P. & Velma Dallas Outstanding Teacher of the Year for 2014-15.
Those celebrating outstanding academic achievement are Laura Devous, online practical nursing pilot instructor, earning her Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner at Chamberlain College of Nursing and Kelsie Bond, business instructor, on completion of the Certified Public Accountant examination.
Celebrating retirement are Yolanda Betz, textbook buyer and bookstore clerk with 30 years; Dixie Conley, child study center kitchen staff after eight years; chemistry instructor, Gene Forster with 24 years; Donna Hearn, community outreach supervisor after 15 years; librarian and learning resource center director Gary Jones with 30 years; Dr. Dana Keating, vice president for academic and student affairs after 38 years; accounts payable clerk, Pam Kingston with 30 years; Eldon McDowell, custodian with 17 years; Gary McGowan, custodian after 25 years; child study center coordinator, Nancy Reach with 14years and testing and retention coordinator, Ed Rose with 21 years.
“Each year at this time, we look to recognize individuals for their significant contributions to our institution,” said SIC President, Dr. Jonah Rice. “It is quality individuals like this who set the standard for the rest of us, and we want to make sure their efforts do not go unnoticed.”
SIC employees in their first year were recognized during a ceremony and luncheon at the college. Pictured (front row, l-r) are Maddison Maloney, Kiley Adams and Jeff Miller. Back row (l-r): Dr. Jonah Rice, Ericka Gwaltney, Aaron Aul and Cory Garmane.
Recognized for serving 5 years at SIC (front row, l-r) are Angela Wilson, Lisa Hite and Kyla Burford. Back row (l-r): Dr. Jonah Rice, Chad Flannery, Lolita Mack, Michelle Metten and Breannen Richardson.
Recognized for 10 years of service at SIC with Dr. Jonah Rice are (l-r) Debbie Suh, Amanda Brown, Steffanie Ferrell and Stacy Moore.
Those present to accept their awards for 15 years of service to SIC with Dr. Jonah Rice were (l-r) Matt Lees, Jason Fitzgerald, Donna Hearn and Rhonda Smith.
Steve Dotson accepted an award from Dr. Jonah Rice for 25 years of service to Southeastern Illinois College.
Gene Forster, SIC biology instructor, was recognized for being chosen by his peers as the Loren P. and Velma Dallas Outstanding Teacher of the Year for 2016.
Kelsie Bond accepted an award from Dr. Jonah Rice for outstanding academic achievement.
Southeastern Illinois College retirees were honored at the annual employee recognition event in the George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center. Pictured (front row l-r) are Pam Kingston, Nancy Reach, Donna Hearn and Dr. Dana Keating. Back row (l-r): Gary Jones, Ed Rose, Yolanda Betz, Gary McGowan and Gene Forster.
