The Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence is the highest honor for any faculty member at Delta College. The award is chosen by a vote by Delta College students and faculty.  The Bergstein Family of Midland has sponsored this award since 1965, and it reflects their commitment to teaching excellence over the years.

2023 recipients:

Kristin Cornelius (Bay City), Professor of English
Michael Finelli (Fenton), Associate Professor of Residential Construction 

The Ormond E. Barstow and Ludo K. Frevel Award for Scholarly Achievement is granted annually to a full-time employee who is judged by the Committee to have made a distinguished contribution to the development of the body of knowledge of an academic discipline.  This special award was created by two very good friends, Ormond E. Barstow and Ludo Frevel.

2023 recipient:

Alexandros Goudas (Midland), Associate Professor of English

This award is intended to recognize an adjunct faculty member’s dedication to supporting the well-being, learning, growth and development of Delta College students.  It was established by the Delta College Foundation and first given out in 2022, in memory of Eric “Q” Beckman - a beloved Delta associate professor of economics.

2023 recipient:

Spring Schafer (San Diego, CA), Adjunct Faculty of Social Sciences

The purpose of the award is to recognize an exemplary Administrative or Professional Staff member who has offered outstanding service to the College community and/or exceeded the scope of their position.  The award honors Willie E. Thompson, who began his career at Delta College in 1970 and eventually as the Vice President of Student and Educational Services. 

2023 recipients:

Kristy Nelson (St. Louis), Director of Downtown Centers 

Given by the Executive Committee for Administrative and Professional Staff (ECAPS), this award is in recognition of exemplary teamwork, resulting in substantial benefit to learning, or outstanding service to the College community. The nomination may recognize a team that includes multiple employee groups of the College; however, at least 50% of the team must consist of Administrative or Professional Staff members.

2023 recipients:

Teaching/Learning Center

Preston Clark (Bay City), Technologist/Learning Consultant; Sean Hill (Clare) Learning Consultant; Danielle Petersen (Midland) Manager of TLC & Testing Center; Kaitlin Sanford (Saginaw) Learning Consultant; Laura Schmidt (Bay City) Student Development Specialist; Justin Sinicki (Bay City) Student Development Specialist; Joshua Zieroff (Saginaw) Learning Consultant

The Rollin M. Gerstacker Faculty Award for Innovative Use of Technology in Teaching recognizes faculty members who demonstrate innovative use of technology, and those who use technology in a new and unique manner beyond its normal use by an educator.  The award began in 2002 with a gift from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland. 

2023 recipient:

Kimberly Wells (Saginaw), Associate Professor of Electronic Media

The Lynn Heatley Award for Distinguished Service recognizes adjunct faculty who, through their work at Delta and the community, have provided outstanding service. George “Lynn” Heatley was an Adult and Vocational Education consultant at Delta College from 1963 through 1978.

2023 recipient:

Suzanne Brown (Midland), Adjunct Faculty of English

The Don Laughner Award for Creative Change may be given for:  1) Recognition of contributions resulting in significant institutional change; and 2) Significant change in areas such as organization, programming, staffing, curriculum, college procedures, governance structure, or personal growth and development.  During his years at Delta College (1964-1980), Don Laughner was a tireless and inspirational leader, a math professor, division chair, dean, senate president.

2023 recipients:

James Czyzewski (Essexville) OIT Director, User Services
Christopher Hausbeck (Mt. Pleasant), Associate Professor of Physical Therapist Assistant
Lori Kloc (Freeland), Health Simulation Educator
Pamela Livingston (Fenton), Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene
Gregory Luczak (Bay City), Assistant Director of Business Services
Mitch Ziehmer (Auburn), OIT Support Technician

The Support Staff Excellence Award is presented by the Support Staff Executive Committee (SSEC) to a contributing member who exemplifies professionalism, service and dedication within Delta College, as well as positively represents the College in the community.

2023 recipient:

Preston Clark (Bay City), Technologist/Learning Consultant

The Carlyon Endowed Teaching Chair was first awarded in 1994 and it encourages faculty to pursue a professional activity/project and related follow-up which may include the development of new academic modules, infusion activities or service learning opportunities. Eligibility: All Delta College faculty who have taught full-time for the College for at least three years.  This award honors President Emeritus Don Carlyon, his wife Betty, and their many years of innovation and service to the Delta community.  Don retired in 1992 and in 1968 led Delta College to become a founding member of the League for Innovation in the Community College. 

The DeVinney Endowed Chair was first given in 2004 and honors Bob’s commitment to innovation in using technology in classroom teaching. Proposals focus on the innovative use or study of technology in the classroom or other learning environment. Eligibility: All Delta College full-time or adjunct faculty, or full-time and regular part-time staff whose work directly impacts student learning.  Robert DeVinney, longtime Professor of Mathematics at Delta, is memorialized through the endowment that bears his name.

First awarded in 2006, this award supports and rewards innovations that foster excellence and have a direct impact on student learning. Proposals should focus on the development of new academic modules, infusion activities or teaching and learning approaches, and involve cooperation of more than one department, discipline, or division. Eligibility: Full-time faculty members, or adjunct faculty members or staff members who are working to impact student learning.  The SunGard (Ellucian) Higher Education Endowed Teaching Chair was established by the Florida-based company that specializes in providing information technology services to colleges and universities nationwide.

The MacArthur Endowed Teaching Chair was first awarded in 2011 and is restricted for projects focused on the following subject areas: art, languages, music, literature, psychology or history. Proposals should set forth primary values exemplified by Karen MacArthur during her tenure at Delta College: creativity and innovation. Eligibility: All full-time or adjunct faculty or Delta College staff.   Karen MacArthur, who retired as Executive Director of the Delta College Foundation and Delta's Executive Director of Institutional Advancement in 2007, is honored through this endowment that bears her name.

The Robert R. “Dr. Bob” Zimmermann Endowed Teaching Chair was first awarded in 2020 to provide professional development opportunities for faculty members. Proposals must demonstrate the primary values exemplified by Dr. Bob during his tenure at Delta College, including his belief all students should be treated equitably, with an equal opportunity to learn.  Applications including general professional development projects for faculty members will be considered, including those working in areas of disabilities or different learning styles are welcome to apply.  Eligibility:  Faculty members who are directly involved in the teaching process.  This award was established by Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Ted Coopman in memory of her father, Robert “Dr. Bob” Zimmerman.  Dr. Bob joyfully worked at Delta College from 1980 until his retirement in 1995.  He often said that he’d found his professional home at Delta College and greatly appreciated the opportunity to join the Delta community.

Johnny Aguilar (Saginaw), General Maintenance
Stuart Barbier (Bay City), Professor of English
Christopher Curtis (Midland), Professor of Psychology
Marshall Fulmer (Saginaw) Producer Director
Kara Jimenez (St. Charles) Professor of Lifelong Wellness
Terrence Oleary (Saginaw) Operations Manager
Karen Randolph (Midland) Professor of English
David Urbaniak (Bay City) Student Success Advisor

Thomas Boudrot (Midland) Associate Professor of Political Science
Laura Dull (Coleman) Professor of History
Michael Faleski (Midland) Professor of Physics
Beth Heyart (Midland) Professor of Communication
Gregory Teter (Saginaw) Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

Kristine Burch (Saginaw) Financial Aid Advisor
Betheen Glady-Teschendorf (Birch Run) Professor of English
Kristopher Howery (Midland) Associate Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology
Jason Lijewski (Midland) Associate Professor of Management
James Miller (Chesaning) Assistant Professor of Automotive Service Technology
Jennifer Niester-Mika (Freeland) Professor of English
Lisa O’Laughlin (Saginaw) Associate Professor of Office Administration & Technology
Michelle Raube (Saginaw) Dean of Student Success
Donovan Traverse (Garner, NC) Professor of Surgical Technology
Eric Wiesenauer (Auburn) Associate Professor of Mathematics
Maggie Zimmerman (Breckenridge) Instructor of Biology
Lori Ziolkowski (Auburn) Associate Professor of Management

Andrea Bair (Midland) Associate Professor of Geology
Mark Brown (Midland) Associate Professor of English
Aron Drake (Midland) Associate Professor of Biology
Christopher Hausbeck (Mt. Pleasant) Associate Professor of Physical Therapist Assistant
Sheryl Jensen (Saginaw) Office Professional
Joseph Kaczmarek (Bay City) Business Services Specialist, Great Lakes Bay MI Works!
Beth Kelch (Midland) Associate Professor of Mathematics
Kimball Klein (Saginaw) Business Services Representative, Great Lakes Bay MI Works!
Addam Kraynak (Bay City) Student Success Advisor
Rachel Merkle (Auburn) Student Success Technologist/Communication Coordinator
Jeffery O’Deay (Saginaw) Radio Production Supervisor
Brent Pashak (Pinconning) Associate Professor of Welding
Rebecca Pierce (Birch Run) Associate Professor of Biology
Kara Reder (Fairgrove) Health Lab Assistant
Daniel Sabourin (Frankenmuth) Associate Professor of Respiratory Care
Kay Schuler (Reese) Administrative Assistant to the President
Joanna Twaro (Bay City) Office Professional

Michael Brackrog (Clio) Public Safety Officer
Kevin Burow (Saginaw) Facility Controls Engineer
Lawrence Causley (Reese) Mechanical Maintenance Person
Angela Guy-Lee (Ann Arbor) Assistant Professor of Sociology
Tonya Hafoka (Freeland) Coordinator – Equity & Employee Development
Thomas MacDonald (Saginaw) Facilities Engineer
Mark Matuszewski (Midland) Employment Services Advisor, Greater Bay MI Works!
Phyllis Meeth (Bay City) Business Services Specialist
Christina Miller-Bellor (Mt. Morris) Assistant Professor of Sociology
Jill Mulders (Munger) Assistant Controller
Keith Proctor (Sterling) Assistant Professor of Welding
Susan Roche (Pigeon) Associate Dean of Business & Technology
Ricky Ruse (Bay City) General Trades
John Tissaw (Au Gres) Mechanical Maintenance Person
Joy Wilson (Saginaw) Employment Services Advisor, Greater Bay MI Works!
Donald Winter (Saginaw) Assistant Professor of English