Wenatchee Valley College employees recognized

Media Contact: Jim Richardson, president, 509.682.6400, or, Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509.682.6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)

July 7, 2016

Clockwise from top: Derek Sheffield, Dr. Sue Kane, Steve Stefanides, Maureen Bryant, Cecilia Escobedo and Rhonda Yenney.

 

Outstanding faculty and staff members at Wenatchee Valley College were recognized by colleagues and the WVC Foundation at an awards ceremony in June.

English faculty Derek Sheffield received the Linda Schultz Herzog Faculty Member of the Year Award, which includes a $1,000 honorarium funded by the WVC Foundation. In a letter nominating Sheffield for the award, Dr. Dan Stephens, biology faculty, wrote, “Excitement for life and love of learning and writing are at the center of his being. He conveys this to students every day…. His ability to connect with each student is only seen by looking into the eyes of students who’ve just interacted with him and seeing the light in their eyes…. I’ve observed hundreds of these interactions and always come away with a feeling of awe at his special gift as a teacher.”

Sheffield teaches poetry, fiction, nature writing, literature and composition courses. He coordinates the WVC Visiting Writers Program, in which professional writers come to campus to give readings and work with students. He also serves as chair of the WVC Transfer English division, co-adviser of the WVC Beyond Recycling Club and adviser of the WVC Veteran Knights Club. In cooperation with Humanities Washington, he leads a literature-based discussion group for student veterans.

His book of poems, Through the Second Skin, was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award, and his work has been published in numerous literary magazines. As poetry editor of the highly regarded environmental journal, Terrain.org, he has published some of the world’s most accomplished poets, including Jane Hirshfield, Eammon Grennan and Wendell Berry.

Dr. Sue Kane and Steve Stefanides, biology faculty, received the Alcoa Excellence in Teaching Award, which also includes a $1,500 grant provided by Alcoa. Each year, faculty members are invited to submit proposals that will support instructors in the development of a project that significantly increases learning effectiveness.

Rhonda Yenney, allied health secretary supervisor, received the Anna Pieratt Spirit of WVC Award. This award honors an individual or group who has demonstrated the spirit exemplified by Anna Pieratt when she served as executive assistant to the president.

Cecilia Escobedo, assistant to the vice president of instruction, received the WVC Exempt Staff Award, which includes a $1,000 honorarium funded by the WVC Foundation.

Maureen Bryant, information technology specialist, received the WVC Alcoa Classified Staff Award and a $1,000 honorarium funded by Alcoa.

Ten-year service awards were presented to Cindie Martin, program assistant at the Omak campus; Tom Martin, maintenance mechanic; Heriberto Martinez, utility worker; Mary McIvor, business computer technology faculty at the Omak campus; Mary Wolcott, nursing faculty; and Rhonda Yenney, secretary supervisor in allied health.

Fifteen-year service awards were presented to David Burns, computer technology faculty; Juanita Gaytan, custodian; and Bruce Merighi, safety officer.

Twenty-year service awards were presented to Ross Hay, information technology specialist; Dan Nelson, electrician; and Vicki Turner, Omak campus faculty.

Twenty-five year service awards were presented to Pam Kelley, curriculum and instructional affairs coordinator, and Ann Tyrrell, office support supervisor.

A thirty-year service award was presented to scheduler Irmgard Pfaller, who was also recognized for her recent retirement.

Other retirees include Garrick Booth, math faculty, and Gayle Carlson, nursing faculty.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website at www.wvc.edu .