College News - Spring Inservice - April 16

Spring Inservice: Awards, Recognitions, Inspiration and Some Fun

This year, there were a few new twists for Spring Inservice. Traditionally, employee recognition and awards have been presented throughout the year. This year, it was decided to try a different approach, presenting the awards all at once in a bigger and better way. Hence, the creation of the "Employee Award Show" designed to recognize all our great employees at one time, including outstanding part-time faculty (a first for Inservice), and the creation of a new award: the "Part-time Faculty Excellence Award."

The Inservice Committee brought us more than 20 workshops to help Inspire and inform us to continue to do the great work that we do each day. Faculty and staff gave their time and knowledge in workshops including several advisor training workshops, what's new in Microsoft Office, Turnitin Assignment training, new student pathways in Math, Collaborative Classroom introduction, Google course management training, Speak to a Geek computer advice, how to reduce textbook costs, and Digital Storytelling. We even got a sneak peak at the new online Smart Catalog!

Special "Thank You" to the Inservice Committee: Mark Weiss, Richard Gibbs, M'Liss Runyon, Paul Tannahill, Vickie Staffelbach, Shelly Ellingson, Bryan Miyagishima, Justin Smith and Beth Hogeland. Thank you for all your hard work and time spent to bring us this "Inspiring" day.

Our employee awards offer true examples of "Living Our Values." Nomination letters reinforce the fact that our faculty and staff exemplify opportunity, excellence, inclusiveness, learning and engagement for our students, each other, and the communities they serve, everyday. Although it's tough to choose each year from among the awesome nominees, the winners always inspire us to continue to do great work. For your reading and viewing pleasure, here are this year's award winners:

Jack Stone

Distinguished Staff Award: Business Management faculty member Jack Stone was named as this year's Distinguished Staff. Jack began work at the college in 1996 in the Business Division. Nominated by his peers for his dedication and commitment to LBCC, students and the community, Jack was recognized for his devotion to teaching, and his inspiring mentorship, friendship and leadership to fellow faculty, staff and students. Oh, and for his sense of humor and being the ultimate prankster at work. His photo will be forever hanging in the Distinguished Staff "Hall of Fame" in the Calapooia Center. Congratulations, Jack, and happy retirement in June!

Pastega Faculty Excellence Award: The Pastega Faculty Excellence award was presented to two of our most excellent and friendly Welding faculty members, Dean Dowless and Fred Stuewe. Dean began teaching at the college part-time in 1983, and has been a full-time instructor since 1993. Fred began teaching part-time in 2004, and became full-time in 2009. Dean and Fred were recognized for their dedication to their students and their strong work ethic, which they impart to their students. They were also recognized for helping to create customized career technical education classes that develop student’s soft skills, including technical writing in welding, math and measurements for welders, and customer service classes for welders. This awesome team is also known for connecting their students to the broader community through organizing welding projects for community members who could use the help, and through bringing in industry leaders each term to talk with the students about the type of work they may be doing and to answer their questions. Thank you and congratulations!

Fred Stuewe, left, and Dean Dowless

Victoria Fridley

Pastega Classified Excellence Award: The Pastega Classified Excellence award was presented to Writing Center Coordinator Victoria Fridley. Victoria has served as the writing center coordinator since 2008. Of the many ways Victoria has positively influenced staff and students at the college, a few that stood out in all her nomination letters were her efforts in providing equal access to writing help for students, no matter where they are in life, and in engaging students in the writing process. In addition, she was lauded for her ability to make students feel at ease with their writing abilities, and for her commitment to the LBCC community through her work bringing the arts to campus. Congratulations, Victoria!

Outstanding Part-time Faculty Awards: Presented for the very first time during Inservice, the Outstanding Part-time Faculty Awards recognizes the absolutely, positively we-couldn’t-do-it-without-you part of our LBCC team. Eight part-time faculty were nominated as outstanding in their field from their area of the college. They are:

Edie Sperling, Biology Faculty, Science, Engineering & Math
Mark Cantrell, Computer Systems Faculty, Business, Applied Technology & Industry
Kelli Wallner, ABE/GED Faculty, ABE/GED
Lou Donadio, Karate faculty, Health & Human Performance
Penny Steele, Math Faculty, ABE/GED
Bond Claire Martin, English & Reading faculty, Instructional Assistant, Benton Center
Mary Mayfield, Spanish GED, ABE/GED
Tamara VanRas, Reading & Writing faculty, Developmental Studies

Penny Steele

Part-time Faculty Excellence Award: Penny Steele was named as the first Part-time Faculty Excellence Award winner. New this year, the college established the award to recognize a part-faculty member, from the group of outstanding part-time nominees, who exemplifies excellence in their field. The winner is selected by the Academic Affairs Council. Through her student evaluations, Penny was recognized as a great teacher who always explains things in understandable ways and always works to find things each student needs to work on to reach their goals. Penny's name will be engraved in a paver stone, to be placed in the Foundation Paver Patio by the Calapooia Center. Congratulations!


Employee Service Awards: 2014-2015

5-Years

10-Years

15-Years

20-Years

25-Years

30-Years (just Angie - Dave's still a newbie)

35-Years (sorry you missed it, Ron! but, you're getting
your name on a paver stone, so you'll be here forever!)

5-YEAR AWARDS:
Miriam Edell
Pam Gordon
Greg Hamann
Todd Ketterman
Scott Krambuhl

10-YEAR AWARDS:
Fran Beck
Lynne Cox
Deana Culbertson
Rick Durling
Lori Fluge-Brunker
Bonnie Hamby-Lassen
Keith Hashagen
John Krueger
Connie Lenderman
Robert Lewis
John McArdle
Sheri McIntyre
Sally Moore
Shay Newman
Trista Ochoa
LeAnn Schamp
Bruce Thompson
Diana Wheat
Jim Wixson

15-YEAR AWARDS:
John Alvin
Bridgid Backus
Bruce Clemetsen
Karen Green
Robin Havenick
Patty McMenamin
Janeen Phillips
Gary Price
Dana Robinson
Amy Sadowsky

20-YEAR AWARDS:
Larry Carter
Jan Legris
Bryan Schiedler
Lori Skarda
Sue Stone

25-YEAR AWARDS:
Brad Carman
Annette Easdale
Jan Fraser-Hevlin
Rick Klampe
Kevin Lacey
Liz Pearce
Joe Sherlock
Vern Smith
Mark Weiss

30-YEAR AWARD:
Angie Klampe

35-YEAR AWARD:
Ron Sharman

HONORABLE MENTIONS-OVER 25 YEARS
(no awards presented)

26 Years:
Kathy Body
Jack Giles
Dori Litzer
Roger Maurer
John Sweet

27 Years:
Linda Dompier
Anne Green
Vern Jackson
Lorrie Peterson
Teresa Woods

28 Years:
Margi Dusek
Janet Jackson

29 Years:
Paul Hawkwood
Kathy Withrow

31 Years:
Patty Petzel

32 Years:
Mary Sue Reynolds

33 Years:
Polly Hainz
Russ Rinker

37 Years:
Teresa Patterson

And - a few extras, just for fun: 

Thanks puppeteers Dan Stone and
Leslie Hammond! You can rest your arms now.

World premier of the "Employee Awards Show" was awesome!
Great idea, Dale Stowell!

Large morning crowd. Can you find yourself?

A bit about our awards: The Distinguished Staff Award was established in 1980 to recognize employees for their contribution of both time and energy to the college. Nominees must have completed 10 years of continuous employment with LBCC. The Pastega awards, established in 2000 by the Mario Pastega Foundation, honor faculty members and classified staff for their outstanding contributions to the LBCC community. Winners receive a $1,000 honorarium. The Part-time Faculty Excellence Award was presented for the first time this year, with the winner receiving a paver stone to be placed in the Foundation Paver Patio by the Calapooia Center. Winner is selected by the Academic Affairs Council.




Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement  

College News - Week of Jan. 9

LBCC's new online campus, LB iLearn, is set to launch Wednesday, Jan. 14. LB iLearn is a completely online campus with a flexible schedule that students can start on any Wednesday during the year. Currently, iLearn campus programs include Business Administration, Medical Coding and Reimbursement Specialist, and Social Media Specialist. Additional programs will be added soon, including Accounting Clerk and Veterinary Technician. Students can enroll by calling 541-917-4887. Learn more at: http://lbilearn.linnbenton.edu.

The President’s Winter Forum will be held Thursday, January 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Forum. Topics of discussion will include budget, performance packages, and an update on the bond measure and capital projects, among others. Bring your questions, join in the discussion.

Get your nominations in early! Nominations are now open for the Distinguished Staff Award and the Pastega Classified Excellence and Pastega Faculty Excellence awards. Nomination forms and guidelines are available online in the Staff Paperless Office under Forms at: www.linnbenton.edu/nomination, or by contacting Dale Stowell in the Advancement Foundation Office, CC-105. Nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 27. Awardees will be recognized at Spring Inservice April 17.

Nominations are also being accepted for LBCC's Distinguished Alumnus Award. The award is open to former LBCC students who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in their profession or through service to their community, and who have completed at least 36 credits at LBCC. Deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 27. Nomination forms are available online at www.linnbenton.edu/distinguished-alumni, or by contacting Dale Stowell in the Advancement Foundation Office, CC-105. Nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 27. Nominees will be honored at a reception held April 22 at the college.

The roof on White Oak Hall is leaking, which means the college’s green roof will be temporarily displaced so the problem underneath it can be repaired. Athletes from the Roadrunner baseball team will be helping to remove the roof over the next two Saturdays, so roofing experts can determine how to fix the leaks. The bins containing the plants on the roof will be saved and the plant material and soil reused by the agricultural program. Once roof repairs are made, the college plans to design and install an improved version of the green roof that can be better utilized for teaching. Due to the weight of the current green roof, there are strict limits on the number of people who can be on it at one time, which significantly hinders its use for group learning.

Gwen Cox

Congratulations to Gwen Cox, Benton Center registration and enrollment coordinator, who was recently honored with the 2013-14 Excellence Award from the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. Gwen was praised for her positive and uplifting approach to her work and her patience and thoughtful interactions with students and staff. 

Joyce Thompson Graham has been hired as the new ESOL Faculty/ABS Coordinator. Joyce comes to us from Lincoln County Schools, where she served as a Program Director in Newport. She brings 25-plus years of ESOL/ Adult Basic Education teaching and coordination experience from community colleges, public schools, and nonprofits in Oregon, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Joyce's official start date is January 21. Stop by the Luckiamute Center to wish her well.




Insider published by: LBCC Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement    

Weekly Update Sept. 20

Carolyn & Stephen Lebsack

Biological sciences faculty members Carolyn and Stephen

Teresa Thomas

Lebsack received the Pastega Faculty Excellence Award.  Carolyn started with the college in 1976, and Stephen in 1979. The Lebsacks retired in June. Teresa Thomas, administrative assistant, received the Pastega Classified Excellence Award. Teresa started with the college in 1981. The Distinguished Staff award went to Alice Sperling, former coordinator for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.  Alice started with the college in 1995 as an instructional assistant. She retired in June.

Andrew Feldman

Andrew Feldman was hired as the new dean of Science, Engineering and Mathematics.  Andrew comes to the college from Luna Community College in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he was the academic director for the department of Science, Math, and Engineering Technology for the last five years. He has a PhD and a bachelor degree in geology from Florida State University. In his free time, Andrew plays guitar and he and his wife, Barbara, enjoy good food, walking their huskies, motorcycling and winter sports. Andrew currently lives in Albany and is waiting for his wife to join him before deciding where to settle.

Sandra Shinkle and Rica Amity have joined the Career and Counseling Center. Sandra will be a full-time faculty counselor and instructor in Albany and at the East Linn Centers, transferring from her previous position with the CASE program.  Rica will serve as fixed-term faculty for fall term only, and will be located primarily in Albany. Both will teach Destination Graduation classes, counsel and advise undecided students, work with students in crisis management services and lead initiatives to help us achieve our equitable success and quality outcomes.

The new web site is currently in the internal viewing process until Oct. 10, and is viewable only when logged into the LBCC network at www.linnbenton.edu/inspired. Public preview will begin Oct. 11 via a link on the current web page. Web site launch is scheduled for Oct. 21.

The college landed a $2.7 million grant to help develop the new virtual college, LB iLearn Campus, which will initially target healthcare and business programs, with the goal to increase completion, improve accessibility and raise the quality of online education. The grant is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant.

Board of Education member Catherine Thomas announced her resignation effective the end of September. Thomas' Zone 1 represents areas of East Linn County that include Sweet Home, Scio and Brownsville. An announcement calling for applications for her replacement will be posted in the newspaper and on the web site, with applications due Nov. 8.

The college will receive a “virtual” accreditation visit in October, the third such visit by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in this new process, which requires smaller, focused reports to be written every other year on specific topics instead of the once every 10 year approach. The third-year visit demonstrates the alignment of college resources with the mission of the college. A 180-page document responds to questions of alignment, and the college is likely to receive commendations and recommendations for its work.

College board members voted to establish LBCC email addresses which will be posted on the LBCC website, allowing them to be more accessible to answer questions and communicate with the community.

The board voted to increase the pay of LBCC management staff by 3 percent. The pay increase is coupled with benefit reductions for managers. That cost reduction was accomplished by dropping the most expensive health plan available to managers. The pay increase is similar to pay increases, coupled with benefit reductions, granted earlier this year to classified staff and faculty.

Distinguished Staff Award Announced

Carol Schaafsma

Carol Schaafsma, former executive vice president at Linn-Benton Community College, received the 2012 LBCC Distinguished Staff award at the college’s fall in-service held Sept. 11.

The award was established in 1980 to recognize employees for their contribution of both time and energy to the college. Nominees must have completed 10 years of continuous employment with LBCC.

Schaafsma began work at the college in 1994 as a faculty member in Contracted Training and Business Development. She was promoted in 1997 to director of Workforce Training and Business Development; in 2001, to director of Curriculum and Instructional Programs; in 2006 to vice president of Academic Affairs; and in 2008 to executive vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development. She retired from the college in June.

A Eugene resident, Schaafsma was nominated by her peers for her dedication and commitment to LBCC, to students and to the community. She is lauded for her inclusive leadership style and with her contributions to keep LBCC on the cutting edge of instructional innovation.