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• 2001 Recipients

John Baker - Dean of Arts & Sciences
(Scott Community College) 
 
Great football coaches are often referred to as "players' coaches." If you apply that description to educators, then John Baker is a "teachers' dean."

"As dean of arts and sciences at Scott, John has brought new energy, creativity and substance to this position," writes a faculty member. "We have come to depend on him for solid decision making, genuine support of faculty, a strong emphasis on teaching and innovative initiatives."

As a former faculty member himself, John understands that teaching and learning is the core process of the institution and he works hard to ensure teachers have the tools and support they need to help students be successful. His door is always open, and faculty members, both full-time and adjunct, say he gives 120 percent to help them solve problems.
 
"While I know that he skillfully attends to his administrative duties, what I value about John is that he is as excited about teaching as I am," writes one instructor. "We have conversations about new innovations in teaching? He empowers me to try new ideas in my classroom."
 
One way John has encouraged innovation is through the Faculty Forum, a series of sessions in which faculty members discuss teaching strategies and approaches that work with an increasingly diverse and challenging student body. One faculty member described these forums as "a positive step forward and a genuine professional help," while another noted that, as the facilitator, John works just as hard, if not harder on these sessions than the faculty presenters do. For the final forum last spring, John served as host and scriptwriter for a faculty-versus-students "Scholars Skirmish," a take-off on the "Family Feud" television game show.
 
Teaching teachers isn't just a local issue with John. His name has become synonymous with the Iowa Great Teachers Workshop, an annual summer event bringing together teachers from around the state to learn from each other. He helped rebuild the GTW and is now exporting the concept. Two teachers from the Polytechnic of Namibia attended the GTW last year, and they invited John to conduct a similar workshop in their country this fall. He's also a leader in the National Council for Staff, Program and Organizational Development and is a past president of that group. On top of that, he leads the EICC team that coordinates District Staff Development Day each year.
 
"John is truly inspirational," comments a faculty member. "He makes us feel that we are Scott Community College, we are the front line who interacts with students, and we can make the difference that we always wanted to make."

John (J.R.) Green - Adjunct Faculty Member
(Scott Community College) 
 
"It's sometimes hard to think of J.R. Green as an adjunct faculty member," writes a colleague. "The word 'adjunct' means 'something joined or added to another thing, but not essentially part of it.' J.R. has clearly become a part of Scott Community College."

Students appreciate his warmth and humor, as well as his excellent teaching methods. "J.R. is legendary for his sense of humor in the classroom," says a colleague. "His gentle, understanding manner puts students at ease, even in those subjects traditionally associated with high levels of anxiety." He regularly brings in current magazines, journals and newspaper articles to help students understand the relevancy of their coursework to their lives. More than once, he has allowed students to enroll in an already overflowing class so that they can finish their program on time.
 
Described by some as a Renaissance Man, J.R. shows his range of interests in his teaching load. In 10 years of teaching at SCC, he has taught 20 different courses in at least six different departments. In fact, it's not unusual for him to teach courses in English, chemistry, science and environmental compliance all in the same semester. He has master's degrees in English and science and is a licensed doctor of chiropractic. His varied life and professional experiences enable him to integrate mathematics, sciences, communications, social sciences and critical thinking into virtually any course he is teaching.
 
In addition to teaching, J.R. is also involved in committee work, professional development efforts, the SCC Honors program and grant-related activities. He is an active participant in the Teachnet Project, applying contextual learning strategies across the curriculum and serving as a trainer. J.R. also is a member of the educational improvement team focusing on the development of adjunct faculty, and serves as a mentor for part-time teachers. He also serves on the environmental compliance and technology (ECAT) program advisory committee and wrote a textbook that is used in that program.
 
J.R. says he participates so actively in campus life as an adjunct instructor "because I love the community college and the students. While this may be work for some people, it's pure pleasure for me."
 
That attitude is evident in his classroom. J.R. starts each class session with "Happy good morning" or "Happy good evening," a custom well-known throughout the college community. "This tradition not only cultivates a more relaxed and receptive environment," writes a nominator, "but also serves to remind J.R. himself of what a privilege and joy it is to participate with his students in the learning process."

Tammy Hoover - Information Center Specialist
(OTIS/Kahl Educational Center) 
 
"Not my job" is not in Tammy Hoover's vocabulary. No matter what the challenge, Tammy remains determined to provide the highest quality, most accurate information to her customers.

"If ever there was a person who we do not often see, but is critical to the success of what we do, it is Tammy Hoover," says one member of the student services team. "She is always available to work with us and go that extra mile to see that the needs of the colleges are met."

Tammy played a major role in the conversion of the mainframe computing system to the ACCES Consortium system. She has worked closely in the past year with the student services team on the conversion of the student records system. Every process for requesting reports from the mainframe is now different than it was before the conversion.
 
Working with the registrars' group, Tammy became an expert in helping them understand how the new system works and how to request reports in a way that yields exactly the information needed.
 
"Time and again, the registrars would ask Tammy to find some new report for them to review," writes a member of that team. "Not once did Tammy say no to a request to investigate yet another report, all the time smiling and saying 'no problem.'"
 
Finding the needed information involved wading through long listings and abbreviated descriptions of the reports available on the new system. Tammy would ask the right questions, helping herself and her customers understand exactly what was needed.
 
"She continually amazed those of us needing reports with her ability to find exactly what we needed," writes a colleague. "Without her attention to detail and her ability to find the information we needed, the conversion to the new system would have been much more difficult."
 
Creative problem solving is one of Tammy's strong points. When a customer comes to her with a dilemma, she has the ability to examine the situation from every angle and come up with a way to attack the problem. She experiments with solutions, troubleshooting when she gets unexpected results, and perfecting the processes involved. She's not tied to "the way we've always done things around here;" if a new approach will help her customers, she's willing to try it.
 
"Throughout the conversion of the administrative computing system., Tammy has demonstrated a 'can-do' attitude, even when those around here are only seeing problems," writes a customer. "She exemplifies calm professionalism and superb problem-solving."

Linda Keldgord - Registrar
(Muscatine Community College) 
 
For 23 years, Linda Keldgord has been perfecting the art of being a community college registrar. Her extensive experience at Muscatine Community College, as well as her leadership on a District-wide level, have earned her the unofficial title of "principal registrar" among her colleagues.

In the last year, Linda has had not one, but three new processes to perfect. She was deeply involved in the conversion of the student records system and was the point person for the new e-College and EICC web registration processes.

"If only one of these projects was completed, it would be worth celebrating," notes a colleague. "The fact that three different processes were either added or created and that Linda's expertise was crucial to the success of all three underscores what a tremendous asset she is to our team." 
 
During the conversion of the student records system, Linda served as the "test pilot" for the new reporting system. She spent many hours going through the new screens to understand how the information is now presented and determining how to access that information for reports. Linda worked closely with the data processing department, helping them understand the student services team's needs and learning how best to utilize the system. Then she brought that information back to the registrars' group, sharing her expertise in this new system, which was dramatically different from the old system.
 
She also helped colleagues with the frustrations of not being able to access information and reports they had used in the past. "Not once did she say to me, 'you can't do that,'" says a co-worker. "Instead, she has always replied, 'I'll find out how it will work or what we can do instead.'"
 
In fall of 2000, the District began offering classes through the e-College consortium, which necessitated a new enrollment process. As chair of the registrars' group, Linda worked closely with the consortium coordinator to give the registrars, deans and advisors the information they needed. "EICC leads the consortium in the number of students enrolled in on-line classes, and I believe that much of our success is due to Linda's leadership," writes one dean.
 
As if that weren't enough, Linda also spearheaded the implementation last fall of web registration for EICC credit students, allowing them to register on-line. "Linda worked with data processing personnel in testing our system (repeatedly!) and ironing out the glitches," a student services team member writes. "If something wasn't working, Linda never gave up; she persisted until she got it figured out."

Roy VenHorst - Auto Collision Repair Instructor
(Scott Community College) 
 
"You will never find a student who will claim that they received anything but the best educational opportunity from Roy," writes a long-time colleague. What higher accolade could a teacher earn?

A technically gifted instructor, Roy is known for his dedication to his students, both inside and outside the classroom. This shows in his work with the SCC "Cruisin' into the Valley" car show. As one of the founders of the event, now in its tenth year, Roy has helped raise almost $100,000 for student scholarships.

"Since its inception, Roy has worked tirelessly in the background, helping with the planning and setting up the car show," writes a faculty member. "When efforts have been made to recognize his contributions, he invariably passed the honor off onto someone who is less deserving than himself." 

Raising scholarship money is just one way Roy supports his students. He's also been instrumental in acquiring thousands of dollars of donated equipment, thus enhancing the instructional activities and capabilities for everyone using the facilities. He spent many hours renovating the welding department and now keeps up with the maintenance and repair of this heavily used laboratory.
 
He puts in additional hours working with students in the lab to perfect their painting, metal bumping or frame straightening skills, and is there to lend a helping hand to a student whose car won't start on a cold Iowa day, someone whose car is stuck in the snow and needs a push, or one who needs some collision repair work done.
 
Roy's colleagues consider him the college's premiere welding expert. He is recognized by the American Welding Society as a Certified Associate Welding Inspector and a Certified Welding Educator. In the auto collision repair field, he is one of a small number of ICAR welding test administrators in the nation. He was instrumental in developing the college's strong professional affiliations with ICAR and ASE, and both organizations call on him to deliver continuing education for their members.
 
In addition to his technical skills, Roy is known for his excitement about new teaching methods. He is an active participant in the TeachNet initiative, a unique educational partnership between SCC, the University of Wisconsin and area secondary schools, promoting the integration of applied/contextual learning opportunities across the curriculum.
 
"In Roy's vocabulary, 'no can do' does not exist," writes a colleague. "He is resourceful and always thinks about what is good for the students and the institution. He is the individual you want to have on your team."

Karon Watson - Bookstore Manager
(Muscatine Community College) 
 
"I have been here at MCC for more than 20 years and have seen lots of changes on this campus, and I believe Karon Watson has been one of the most positive changes we have seen," writes an MCC faculty member.

As an adjunct faculty member, faculty secretary and now bookstore manager, Karon Watson has been a force for positive change at MCC. Her innovative ideas for the bookstore, combined with her "students first" outlook, make the bookstore one of the most student-oriented, customer-focused, friendly locations on campus.

"She has been innovative and forward thinking in her approach to the bookstore and the services that she thinks should be available to students," notes a faculty member. "Whenever Karon has an idea that she believes will improve the service the bookstore provides, she is tenacious." 
 
One of the bookstore's goals is to serve as a profit center to help fund student activities. Karon introduced one of the most profitable product lines ever when she brought Beanie Babies into the bookstore. Revenues to date from this product exceed $110,000, providing more than $55,000 after expenses for student activities. Carrying the stuffed toys has created visibility for the college and the bookstore in the local community. Karon also provides Beanie Babies to various student organizations for fundraisers, favors or door prizes.
 
Through Karon's leadership, the MCC bookstore is a 21st century operation. She has been a District leader in the implementation of the new bookstore software and has played a key role in the ACCES bookstore users' group since 1998. In addition to implementing a website that allows students to order books on-line, Karon also developed a new system for faculty that allows them to order textbooks via computer without leaving their offices. "This service has resulted in book orders being placed in a more timely manner," explains a colleague. "Students reap the ultimate benefit because earlier book orders increase the availability of lower-priced, used textbooks."
 
Students cite Karon's "generous nature and enlightening spirit" as traits that make them feel welcome in the bookstore. She's always ready to listen and provide guidance. "If a student seems to be having trouble, Karon lends an ear and will direct them to help, whether it is to a counselor or a tutor," notes a student.
 
"Beanie Babies may not sound sophisticated," writes a faculty member, "but it was a smart financial move that exemplifies Karon's business savvy. She has turned the bookstore into a campus center of innovation and efficiency. A CEO of a major corporation could be no more efficient and organized, and all is done in the spirit of student-friendly dedication."