Wayne Cole     Ann Eisenman    Ann Gray

Brenda Kunau   Ruth Sueverkruebbe   Doris Swanson

Wayne Cole
Student Success/Placement Officer
Scott Community College

"The Big Man on Campus" at Scott Community College is a guy with a soft spot for students, enthusiasm and a work ethic that guides not only his own actions, but those of students. According to his co-workers, Wayne Cole has increased his job responsibilities each year until he has crafted his role on campus into that of advisor, guide, mentor and cheerleader.

Wayne's co-workers heap on the praise when they write about him. He is "a joy to work with," and "totally and enthusiastically committed to his job. He truly loves life, and I am always fascinated with how he is able to embellish any activity or situation with his outgoing and pleasant demeanor."

Perhaps Wayne's primary accomplishment at SCC has been to forge a new Student Placement Office from a "shoe-box operation" to one that offers true job-seeking services for students. His efforts include countless phone calls and visits to employers to help each student find that perfect job.

One supporter points out, "He works tirelessly at providing our students with the best possible chance at landing that first good job."

Some of Wayne's other duties illustrate why many speak so highly of him. He developed a bridge transition program for GED graduates, provides students with interview and resume-writing skills and is always happy to visit classrooms to speak on the topic of finding a job. Wayne coordinates the Iowa Department of Education Diversity Grant, and participates in several other areas: the DavenportOne Business Minority Council, the EICCD Diversity Team, TRIO Student Success Services, and the District EEO/AA committee.

To sum it up, one supporter wrote: "Wayne has grown both as a person and as an EICCD employee and has been a major part in the success of various academic programs and community committees."

Top

 
Ann Eisenman
Assistant to the President &
Executive Director of the Paul B. Sharar Foundation
Clinton Community College

Money makes the world go 'round, and it's a great help for students as they strive to reach career goals. The Paul B. Sharar Foundation at Clinton Community College is in good health thanks in large part to the determination and enthusiasm of its executive director, Ann Eisenman.

Ann's recent goal was to increase the number of college employees who give to the Foundation. Ann began by asking each employee to pledge just one dollar per pay period. This request resulted in an increase in employee donations of 68 percent.

An auction associated with a golfing event raised $2,300 for scholarships, and according to the Alumni Association President, Ann was responsible for this success. Through many phone calls, Ann solicited prizes, supervised an evening volunteer party to make auction baskets and then spent the day at the event, making sure as much money as possible was raised.  

One student states, "Ann has always encouraged me to be positive and look for the best in any situation. Fortunately, Ann's perseverance with me made me take the steps to apply for the Paul B. Sharar Foundation (scholarship). Her dedication and persistence has enabled many students to gain financial assistance. Ann's positive attitude shows that anything is possible and that through hard work and perseverance, you can prevail."

Ann has engineered growth in the Foundation, its Board, and the Alumni Association. However, this growth is the outcome of her main focus - students.

"Ann puts her heart into everything she does," wrote one supporter. "She believes she is here to promote Clinton Community College, and students' success is first on her list." 

Top

Ann Gray
English Instructor/Department Coordinator
Scott Community College

Ann Gray has a reputation. It's all over campus that she's an extraordinary teacher. Ask students, and (if they've been in her classroom) they may tell you Ann was one of the best teachers they ever had - if not THE best.

Here is one example: "Ann Gray should be considered for this award because she is a great teacher; I have learned a lot from her and improved my writing skills tremendously in her class. Not only does she work hard to keep her students learning and happy, but she is proud of the school and works to bring more events to the school in order to showcase student talent."

While others might point out what is wrong, Ann works to make things right. For example, she has chaired the SCC Fine Arts Committee for the past year. During that time, she has encouraged the development of programs to showcase student art. The programs include SCC's Great Scott newspaper, a film day showcasing student-produced films, a visual arts day for high school students, and a reception for SCC artists.

"Ann's encouragement and enthusiasm give a powerful, dynamic shot in the arm for all forms of fine arts at SCC," a supporter concluded. 

As department coordinator, Ann has the task of blending the needs of the college with the needs and wants of the department's full- and part-time faculty. "She is very sensitive to the differing needs of our large and diverse department. She has handled difficult personnel issues with patience and grace," a letter states. 

Fifteen years have passed since Ann first started teaching part-time at SCC and perhaps the secret to Ann's success is this: "She can sense when someone is struggling, and she always has time, even though she is very busy, to listen and express compassion."

Top

Brenda Kunau
Adult Basic Education Facilitator
Clinton Community College

Brenda Kunau isn't able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (that we know of), but she "provides a positive learning environment for all students; is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty; and is a true 'encourager.'  She can soothe a belligerent parent, reassure an anxious student, encourage new learners, compliment her staff and volunteer in the community - sometimes all in the same day!" 

Brenda's to-do list includes: participation in the campus focus group on barriers to registration; membership in the Drama & Fine Arts and Internal/Cultural Diversity Committees at CCC; and service as adult coordinator for the Family Literacy program, a job that entailed classroom prep, finding a location for the class, and learning to communicate with non-English speaking participants.

Brenda is also an active member of the Council of Social Agencies, and has been a school board member for the Preston School District.  During her eight years at CCC, she has been the alternate chief GED examiner, ESL instructor, Family Literacy Adult program coordinator and Adult Basic Education facilitator.

Additional duties, her supporters say, include being a "mentor, a teacher, a motivator, and sometimes, even a shoulder to cry on."

According to a letter of recommendation from the Iowa Department of Education, Brenda's "leadership skills and ability to work with people" are highly instrumental in demonstrating "excellent program outcomes." This ability was reflected, in part, when Eastern Iowa Community College District received an incentive grant award for meeting or exceeding the state adult literacy benchmarks.

One supporter concluded:  "Her commitment to our students is outstanding. She makes our college available to those who may be most in need in our community.  Brenda represents all that is good in community colleges."

Top

Ruth Sueverkruebbe  
Coordinator for Eastern Iowa Community College
District's Nursing Program

One hospital's loss is EICCD's gain. When Ruth Sueverkruebbe left St. Luke's Hospital (now Genesis Medical Center, East Campus), she left a void in the profession. In essence, the nurses who knew her said, "We miss her horribly. She was such a great resource for us - such a wealth of information. She never, never lost sight that the focus was always the patient."  

"A 40-hour work week is completely foreign to Ruth," wrote a supporter. "It's not uncommon to find Ruth on one of our campuses long after 5 p.m. Ruth also steps in when needed and never asks her staff to do anything she would not do herself. In one example, she unhesitatingly added to her normal schedule by filling in for a clinical instructor for a week - so her students wouldn't miss anything."

The dedication, commitment and focus those nurses spoke of has been put to work for EICCD. Under Ruth's outstanding leadership, the continuing development of a high-quality, high-profile district nursing program is right on track.

Ruth constantly hones the quality of the Nursing program by monitoring advances in the field. She attends Iowa Board of Nursing meetings and serves on a variety of community advisory boards.

An SCC alum, Ruth is also an example to the nursing students. She knows what it's like to be a nontraditional student, and is exceedingly fair in her work with faculty and students. Under her direction, our graduates continually meet the highest standards and a successful weekend nursing program was initiated.

In short, a supporter wrote, "Ruth is an extraordinary leader. She is the face of the Nursing program, working with hospitals and clinics throughout the district to make sure that the program does, indeed, produce the kind of
graduates that make the District proud." 

Top

Doris Swanson
Senior Secretary, Chancellor's Office
EICCD District Office

For a treat or just a pick-me-up on a bad day, head down to the District Office and stop in the office of Doris Swanson. Cheerfulness, friendliness and generosity are not all that Doris is about, though - her work ethic,
initiative, and commitment to the college mission are the attributes that motivated her nomination in the first place - but the chocolate sure helps her stand out in the mind of anyone who has business at the DO.

A nomination letter states, Doris provides "high-level support to Chancellor Pat Keir, Special Assistant to the Chancellor Robin Blount, and a myriad of others who contact the Chancellor's Office for assistance. She efines outstanding customer service." 

One support letter explains: "Her phone skills are fantastic, and her cheerful voice and genuine concern have lifted the spirits of countless, as well as soothed the ruffled feathers of others. Many times in the years we worked together in the Chancellor's Office, people asked me, 'Is she really that happy all the time?' Yes, she is."

Doris is also a great supporter of the District-wide Continuous Quality Improvement process. The director wrote, "Doris always displays a very positive attitude towards her work and the people around her. No matter if she is greeting guests to the District Office, answering the phone, taking messages or working on a big project, her enthusiasm shines through!"

The phrases "zero defects," "timely manner," "organization and prioritization," and "exceeding customer needs" pop from supporters' letters. Doris has a 10-year track record of providing excellent customer service with a smile - and a warm, genuine attitude.

Top