OCTC Honors Employees with Annual Awards

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (05/03/2022) — 2021 OCTC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Owensboro Community & Technical College's (OCTC) annual employee awards program was held April 22, 2022, delayed from November due to COVID restrictions.

The Awards of Excellence are the pinnacle awards, chosen from nominations submitted by faculty and staff and reviewed by a panel of past recipients with winners selected in the categories of faculty, staff, and administration. These awards include a $1,500 stipend to be used for professional development.

The winner of the 2021 Faculty Award of Excellence honoree was Professor Kathy Hoffman. Her nomination described her as positively impacting the faculty within her division. She consistently strives for excellence and creates a climate of continuous improvement while mentoring others to lead and inspire. In addition to carrying a high teaching load, she makes time to meet or talk with others about concerns/recommendations.

Hoffman has been at OCTC since 2007, serves as department head for the business, health, and public service programs, and teaches first-year experience courses, veterinary microbiology, and biology. Hoffman holds a Master of Science degree in Medical Technology from the Catholic University of America, a graduate certificate in molecular laboratory diagnostics from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Kentucky. She is also a Certified Medical Technologist through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

The 2021 Staff Award of Excellence winner was Katie Ballard, career and transfer coordinator at OCTC. Ballard has been at OCTC since 2001, she holds a Master of Arts degree in Student Personnel Services with an emphasis in Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Western Kentucky University (WKU). She has more than 35 years in student service experience at WKU, North Carolina Community College and at OCTC.

Her nomination indicated a passion for helping students with career and educational goals. Ballard strives for continuous improvement and is dedicated to growing her knowledge base to best serve students. She is instrumental in acclimating new faculty to the master advisor training process. Ballard exemplifies the qualities of dedication, confidence, reliability and teamwork.

The 2021 Administrator Award of Excellence winner was Sarah B. Price, OCTC's vice president of business affairs. Price began her career at OCTC in 1999. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Stephens College.

Noted in her nomination were her willingness to accept new assignments, her countless work hours to complete tasks, and her passion and commitment to OCTC, which drives her to pursue the absolute best for our institution. She spends extra hours working on projects. She is involved with SACSCOC serving as a site visit team member. This helps her be more effective in her position and ultimately puts the college in a better position to meet our accreditation standards

The OCTC Peer Awards are nominated by the employees of the College, and the winners are selected by a committee of peers. All of the peer honors include an award of professional development funds. In addition to peer awards the college honors faculty with an accessibility services award and an experiential learning center faculty of the year award, selected by related teams.

The 2021 Quiet Hero Award was established to recognize employees who have an impact on others and who exemplify a servant's heart. This honor includes a $750 stipend for professional development. Nominations included: Mason Lanham from Workforce Solutions, Stacey Bertke in Academic Affairs, Waylon Millay in Student Affairs, Craig Miller in Information Technology, Sherry Lee in the Teaching & Learning Center, and Matt Branham, English faculty.

This year's recipient, Waylon Millay, is a student affairs assistant in the Counseling Center. He has been at OCTC since 2011, and holds an associate degree from OCTC, and a Bachelor degree in General Studies with an emphasis in business from Western Kentucky University.

Millay's nomination noted that he plays a major role in working with students who apply to the college, doing an amazing job, quietly. Relating countless stories, noting how kind, and helpful he is. Millay never complains about his duties and demonstrates unwavering patience. His personality was noted as an invaluable soft skill. Millay is an employee that welcomes and values those applying to OCTC. Because of his modesty and nature, one may not know the giant role he plays, but it is needed and valued at OCTC.

The OCTC Pillar Awards were named to coincide with the college ideals of community service, workforce education and readiness, fostering an approachable learning environment, and student advocacy. Each award includes $750 in professional development funds.

This year's ceremony included two honors for the 2021 Pillar Award: Community Service. The first award was presented to Professor of Communications Bob Glenn. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California; a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and a Doctoral degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Glenn has been at OCTC since 1990 and is a fourth-term elected commissioner for the City of Owensboro, leads the Speech & Debate Team, and teaches adjunct for WKU, USI and KWC.

His nomination noted that he exemplifies the OCTC mission of inclusion and access for education and opportunity, documenting his service to area homeless shelters including St. Benedict's and Crossroads. Glenn also works to support the Bold Promise Scholarship and the Imagination Library.

In addition, he provides our students with valuable connections to the community through his service experience and by leading our award-winning speech and debate team. Most recently, OCTC's team earned top honors at the Kentucky Forensics Association State Tournament and Glenn was honored as the Debate Coach of the Year.

The second 2021 Pillar Award: Community Service was presented to Jeff Hendricks, OCTC's director of public safety. Hendricks has served in that role since 2016 overseeing the areas of safety, security, emergency management, and during COVID restrictions he served as the manager of public health for all OCTC campuses. He strives to keep the college informed about COVID-19, weather alerts, and emergency readiness. In addition, he is a student advocate, concerned with their well-being and safety. In addition, Hendricks served as a liaison for OCTC with public health agencies.

He has served in the Kentucky Army National Guard, and still serves in the U.S. Army Reserves with 31 years of service and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with the Military Intelligence Section of the Army Reserve Aviation Command, located in Fort Knox. Hendricks holds a Master of Science degree in Emergency Management and Disaster Planning from Trident University and a Bachelor in General Studies degree from Western Kentucky University.

This year's honoree for the 2021 OCTC Pillar Award: Workforce Education & Readiness is Christopher Parrish Duncan, instructor in the TechX program. Previously, Duncan was an adjunct instructor at OCTC and taught welding at Dana Corp. He holds several welding credentials from OCTC and has field experience as an ironworker.

His nomination described him to have a passion and commitment for those in his program. Duncan ensures his students master skills that are necessary to be successful but also assists students in finding employment after graduation. His easy-going personality is a perfect tool for empowering individuals to enhance their lives through the college's world-class programming.

This year's recipient of the 2021 OCTC Pillar Award: Student Advocacy is Professor of Music Connie Ford. She began her career at OCTC as an adjunct in 1986, becoming full-time in 1988. She holds a Doctorate of Music Education degree and a Master of Music Education degree from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Kentucky. Ford also taught at KWC, and at high schools in Louisville and Vincennes, Indiana before moving to Owensboro. She has been church choir director at Disciples of Christ churches and handbell director at First Christian Church in Owensboro. She is currently the chair of the Owensboro Choral Society and directs the local presentation of Handel's Messiah.

She has served the students of OCTC for decades by sharing her love and talent in her discipline area. Students in her classes rave about her level of enthusiasm and expert knowledge in her field. Her passion not only gets displayed in the classroom, she shares those talents at graduations, in musicals, and through choral performances.

Ford does not let distance learning inhibit her connection with students, she noticed a student from another KCTCS college struggling in an online course, Ford reached out to sources at that college to connect the student with the resources and services available at the institution closest to their location.

The 2021 OCTC Pillar Award: Fostering an Encouraging & Approachable Learning Environment winner is Barb Tipmore, director of counseling services. It has been noted that Tipmore's work ethic promotes an environment that is respectful, collegial, and supportive. She demonstrates a sincere cooperation, a positive attitude, and an exceptional willingness to assist others daily. Tipmore holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology degrees, a Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling-Secondary degree, and a Rank I Guidance Certification for K-12, and she also serves as OCTC's Title IX and accessibility services coordinator. She is also co-advisor of OCTC's SAFE (Students Aligned for Equality) club.

Her nomination named her as a cornerstone of campus demonstrating stability, openness, and support for all students. Tipmore is an excellent role model for all to be respectful and works daily to create a culture where all students belong. She helps open communication and listens to students who feel marginalized and different, which helps them feel free to be themselves.

The 2021 OCTC Scholarship Award was established to recognize excellence in scholarly endeavors and includes a $750 award for professional development, the award was presented to Psychology Professor Ed Morris.

Morris was a tenured professor at Hopkinsville Community College and transferred to the new Owensboro campus on Christmas Eve, 1984. Morris earned a Doctoral degree in Academic Administration and Research from Southern Illinois University and has completed additional doctoral work in psychology from Spalding University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Work from Western Kentucky University (WKU) and master's degrees in education and clinical psychology from WKU and Austin Peay.

In addition to his teaching duties, Morris is a licensed psychological practitioner in clinical psychology. He has been coordinator of e-learning for 20 years and has served in various roles at the college, including division chair, acting dean and director of the UK graduate programs site in Owensboro.

His nomination described him as collegial and professional, no matter the challenges. Morris not only keeps up with changes in technology he prepares to be at the forefront of the latest trends. His dedication and resilience in assisting faculty reset for remote learning helped students and faculty be successful in the transition.

The 2021 President's Award for Adjunct Instruction demonstrates excellence or innovation in the classroom or in online instruction and receives a $1,500 award for professional development.

This year's honoree Dr. Jacob Bryant, teaches communication courses at OCTC and is currently serving as the interim assistant principal at College View Middle School. He is an OCTC Discover College graduate from Apollo High School, he earned his associate degree in 2012 and by 2017 had completed his bachelor and master degrees in education from Western Kentucky University. He has also earned a Master of Science in Communications from the University of Southern Indiana, and a specialist in education from Asbury University. Bryant went on to earn a Doctoral degree in Education from Oakland City University. His nomination described his excellence in online delivery and engagement with students, with high expectations for academic rigor while also sharing a true concern for student success.

The 2021 President's Award for Teaching recognizes excellence in teaching, and receives a $1,500 award for professional development. This year's honoree, Tonya Northenor, is a professor of English, holding an Associate in Arts from Murray State University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Memphis. Northenor teaches Composition and Literature courses and co-chairs the OCTC Common Reading committee. She began her career at OCTC in 2006.

Her nomination noted a high-quality standard of teaching and a genuine concern for students. Northenorserves in the Teaching and Learning Center as a writing tutor, particularly helping nursing students with papers and presentations, but serving all students who request assistance.

OCTC Student Service Awards

Professor Theresa Schmitt was honored with the 2021 OCTC Accessibility Services Faculty Award. Schmitt is the coordinator for the Computer and Information Technologies program and began her career at OCTC as an adjunct instructor. She holds a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Akron, and Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University.

Her award summary noted that Schmitt will do whatever she can to assist all students but that she does take extra steps to support students with disabilities. She acknowledges the growing number of autistic students in her program and has participated in the professional development opportunities provided to aid in their success. When needed, Schmitt is quick to consult with accessibility services for suggestions to help struggling students.

Dr. Meredith Skaggs was honored as the 2021 Experiential Learning Center Faculty of the Year. Skaggs is department head for the humanities and fine arts division and holds a Doctoral degree in Post-Secondary Leadership and a Master in Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Western Kentucky University, a Bachelor in Science in Communications and Media Studies from Georgetown College, and an Associate in Arts degree from OCTC. She also teaches first year experience and communications courses.

Skaggs was nominated for this award for developing numerous experiential learning opportunities for her communications students. One project was a Public Speaking Field Day Experience structured to give students the opportunity to practice speaking drills and implement core skills. Another was the $100 Solution challenging students to meet with non-profits and develop a solution for an unmet need for the organization within the constraints of $100 budget. Students then gave reflection speeches on the experience.

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