Student awards

Applied Industrial Technology Award
Sponsored by Gougeon Employees Foundation

Gougeon is an employee-owned company in Bay City and its internal company foundation believes applied industrial technology is important in building a private business. The company provides safe, high-quality, cost-effective products, supported by continual research and development. In 1969, Meade Gougeon and his brother, Jan, founded Gougeon Brothers’ Boatworks on the Saginaw River. By 1973, the Bay City company was the largest builder of iceboats in the country. In 1983, Gougeon Brothers, Inc. became an employee-owned company. Meade Gougeon passed away in 2017, while Jan Gougeon passed away in 2012. The Gougeon Employees Foundation established this endowment to recognize an outstanding student studying in one of the areas within applied industrial technology majors.

Art Award
Given in Honor of Peter B. and Suzanne Smith Frantz

Peter and Suzanne Frantz were longtime Bay County residents who supported Delta College students. Mr. Frantz spent his career as an architect, and authored a book called “Jane’s Letters from Ireland: 1884-1886”. It was published in 2000 and featured letters from his maternal grandmother, Jane Stanley, one of America’s premier watercolor artists. Suzanne Smith Frantz was an accomplished artist who worked in the photography department at Delta College and exhibited her work at Adrian College, Central Michigan University and Alma College. Mrs. Frantz passed away in 2005 and Mr. Frantz passed away in 2019. In memory of his wife, Mr. Frantz established this endowment in celebration of the artistic process while recognizing an outstanding student graduate studying in an Art or Art-related program.

Business, Computer and Information Technology Award
Sponsored by the Delta College Foundation

This award is sponsored by the Delta College Foundation in celebration of an outstanding student graduate from a Business, Computer or Information Technology program, which includes accounting, finance and many other computer-related majors. Careers in business and information technology are excellent choices with a strong demand from employers within the local region and beyond. Students receive the best instruction as they pursue their degree and can make connections through Delta College’s many partnerships.

Business and Management Award
Sponsored by the Morley Family Foundation

The Morley Family Foundation, established in 1948 by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Morley, Sr., sponsors this award, which recognizes academic achievement and good citizenship, demonstrating the business community’s appreciation of the superior performance. The Morley Family has been involved in the Saginaw business arena since the 1880s when it owned the second-largest hardware store in the United States. It was also an investor in automobile, banking and retail businesses. The Morley Family also hoped to encourage other students to strive for business success. This award recognizes an outstanding graduate in Business and Management.

Education Award
Sponsored by Edward and Kathryn (Dunn) Langenburg

Edward and Kathryn (Dunn) Langenburg are retired educators from Bay County. Mr. Langenburg worked for 31 years as a counselor and administrator for Bay City Public Schools. Mrs. Langenburg worked for 32 years as a mathematics teacher for Bangor Township and Bay City Public Schools. Mr. Langenburg received a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in counseling from Central Michigan University. Mrs. Langenburg attended Bay City Junior College and graduated from Delta College during its first commencement exercises in 1962. She also received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in teaching from Saginaw Valley State University. Mrs. Langenburg was recognized with the college's Distinguished Alumni Award and served on the Delta College Foundation Board of Directors. She believes in giving back to Delta College for scholarship support she received when she was a college student. The award recognizes a Pre-School, Child Development or Education transfer program student graduate.

Engineering and Mechanical Technology
Given in Honor of Fred E. Dulmage

The Fred E. Dulmage Memorial Award was established by The Dow Chemical Company to commemorate Mr. Dulmage's many accomplishments, which helped the company’s product development. Mr. Dulmage worked at The Dow Chemical Company, in its early years. He and his wife, Florence, raised a family, and although he only graduated from the eighth grade, his natural love of science and engineering led to many achievements. These included many patents issued in his name. He passed away in 1959. The award recognizes a mechanical engineering or mechanical technology student graduate with the goal to encourage other students to strive for success.

English Award
Given in Honor of Margaret T. Timm 

The English award was established by Wesley C. Timm in memory of his wife, Margaret. A Bay City native, Mrs. Timm attended Bay City Public Schools and Bay City Junior College, concentrating on foreign languages and graduating in 1931. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1933 with a major in Latin, minors in French and German, a K-12 Teaching Certificate and a Phi Beta Kappa key. At Central Michigan and Purdue Universities, she earned two master's degrees in English. She taught Latin in Imlay City and Mt. Morris, Michigan. When her father died in 1935, she moved back to Bay City to help her mother. She taught eighth grade English in Bay City, until 1937 when she left teaching after marrying Mr. Timm. She returned to teaching in 1958 and headed the English Department at Garber High School until her retirement in 1993 at age 80. Mrs. Timm passed away in 2001 and Mr. Timm passed away in 2007. This award recognizes a graduating student for their outstanding scholarship in English studies.

Award of Excellence for Academics and Citizenship
Given in Honor of Dr. William R. Collings

Dow Corning Corporation established the Award of Excellence in honor of Dr. William R. Collings. At the company’s launch, he began his service with Dow Corning in 1943 and served as the first general manager. He later served as president from 1954 to 1962. He was a Charter Member of the Delta College Board of Trustees, serving from 1957 to 1976. The award was established in 1976 when Dr. Collings retired from the Board of Trustees. Dr. Collings passed away in 1980. This award recognizes an outstanding graduate with high personal goals, superior citizenship and potential for leadership. 

Exemplary Service and Leadership Award
Given in Honor of the Robert and Joyce Hetzler Family

The Exemplary Service and Leadership Award was established by the Robert and Joyce Hetzler family of Bay County. Married in 1967, Robert and Joyce are the parents of three children: Jeremy, Janeen and Justina. Mr. Hetzler retired in 2004 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Monitor Sugar Company. Mrs. Hetzler taught home economics at schools in Michigan and Virginia for five years before raising the couple’s children. Mr. Hetzler served on the Delta College Foundation Board of Directors. The couple strongly believes in education and community service and has served as role models in the community for their professional achievements and volunteerism. The award recognizes an outstanding Delta College graduate with high academic achievement who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the college and the community.

Health Sciences Award
Given in Honor of James R. McIntyre

The Health Sciences Award was established by James R. McIntyre, a lifetime Saginaw resident and Delta College supporter. Mr. McIntyre was employed by and later owned the McIntyre Funeral Chapel for 45 years, retiring in 2005. He served as President of the Saginaw (Downtown) Lions Club and was a West Saginaw Civic Association member and Second Vice President of PRIDE in Saginaw. Mr. McIntyre donated to the City of Saginaw to establish the McIntyre Pavilion in Saginaw’s Riverfront Development, and PRIDE in Saginaw in memory of his parents. He passed away in 2012.

Language Studies Award
Given in Honor of Lola Bishop Whitney

Lola Bishop was born in 1883 in Montana, the daughter of the medical doctor of the Anaconda Copper Mines. When just a child, her father died and Lola and her mother moved to Bay City to live with family. After graduation, Lola enrolled in Smith College where she majored in the French language and dramatics. After her graduation in 1906, Lola traveled to Paris, France to study the French language at the Sorbonne for one year. After returning to Michigan, she taught French and history at Eastern High School in Bay City. She was later a member of the faculty at Bay City Central High School and Bay City Junior College at the same time. Lola taught French until she retired as the chairman of the French Department in 1948. During her 41 years of teaching, Lola's spirit of adventure and desire to remain fluent in the conversational use of the French language motivated her to travel during the summers. Cut off from France during World War II, Lola studied and lived two summers in Quebec, Canada. As a dedicated teacher, she inspired students to study, to learn, to explore and to strive for the best within them. She passed away in 1976 at the age of 92. This award recognizes an exceptional student with superior academic achievement and promise in the study of languages.

Law Enforcement Award
Sponsored by Fraternal Order of Police, Bay City Lodge 103

The Law Enforcement Award is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Bay City Lodge 103. It recognizes the academic achievements of a law enforcement or criminal justice student who plans to enter the field directly or who will transfer for continued studies. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 324,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. It is the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities, and it works on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today’s police officers better than other officers, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.

Life Sciences Award
Given in Honor of Julius and Irene Sutto

The Life Sciences Award was established by Julius Sutto in memory of his wife Irene. Mr. Sutto was a member of Delta’s “Committee of 300” (considered the college’s founders). He was employed with the County of Saginaw as its first controller in 1964 and served on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners. He was also a farmer, businessman and politician. Irene Sutto was an example to women through many leadership roles, including being the first female elected to the Spaulding Township School Board and the Bridgeport-Spaulding School Board. Mrs. Sutto passed away in 2004 and Mr. Sutto passed away in 2010. This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in a Life Sciences transfer field of study.

Mathematics Award 
Given in Honor of Jim and Janis Van Tiflin

The Mathematics Award was established by Jim and Janis Van Tiflin, who were both born and raised in Saginaw, graduated from Saints Peter and Paul High School and attended Delta College. They were married in 1968 and are the parents of two children. Mr. Van Tiflin was the longest serving member of the Delta College Foundation Board of Directors, having served for 21 years. He was also President of the former Citizens Bank for many years. Mrs. Van Tiflin is a retired medical librarian. The Van Tiflins are grateful for the training they received at Delta College. They feel supporting a math award for Delta College graduates is appropriate since Mr. Van Tiflin and the couple’s two children have made their living using numbers. This award recognizes a student graduate for their academic achievements in mathematics.

Nursing Award
Given in Honor of Frances Goll Mills

The Nursing Award was established from a gift by the Frances Goll Mills Memorial Fund. Ms. Goll Mills, who passed away in 1982, graduated from The Ohio State University. She moved to Saginaw in 1932, where she married businessman and civic leader, Kendall A. Mills. She became a well-respected artist in the Mid-Michigan area, having her works displayed at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Saginaw Art Museum and the Saginaw Women’s Club. She also supported nursing and medical causes during her lifetime.

Office Professions and Administration Award
Sponsored by the Delta College Foundation

This award is sponsored by the Delta College Foundation to celebrate an outstanding student graduate from an Office Administration or Technology program. Office professionals keep things organized and running smoothly and work with much of the valuable data a company needs to flourish. Careers in office professions, office administration or medical office professions continue to show strong demand from employers within the local region and beyond. Students receive the best instruction as they pursue their degree and they can make connections through Delta College’s many partnerships.

Physical Sciences Award
Sponsored by Dow, Michigan Operations

The Physical Sciences Award was established by Dow’s Michigan Operations division because of its strong interest in both science and education. Dow combines the power of science and technology to innovate what is essential to human progress passionately. The company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems, such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity.

Founded in 1896, Dow has supported Delta College projects since 1972 and employed thousands of Delta graduates over the decades. This award recognizes an outstanding student majoring in physical sciences, such as physics, chemistry, or astronomy.

Social Sciences Award
Given in Honor of Wesley C. Timm

The Social Sciences Award was established by the family of Wesley C. Timm, a lifelong Bay City resident who passed away in 2007. Mr. Timm was a member of Delta’s “Committee of 300”, who were considered to be the college’s founders. Contributions were made by the family, with additional gifts being made over many years by Wesley and Margaret's son Roger and daughter-in-law Barbara Timm. Wesley retired in 1978 as General Manager of Midland Operations for The Dow Chemical Company. He also served as General Manager of and Consultant to the Michigan Ash Company for many years after his retirement. He believed strongly in higher education and was especially proud that nearly two-thirds of Delta College graduates stay in or around the area as local residents and tax-paying citizens. Mr. Timm was very concerned about the future of the United States, the State of Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay Region. He believed that Delta College could train the next generation of leaders for our community. This award recognizes the outstanding graduate who demonstrates vision and leadership potential in government, education or business in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Paul Moore, who passed away in 2012, is remembered as an exceptional educator and a leader among students and colleagues. He was a professor who raised the bar for excellence in the classroom, was passionately engaged in his discipline and global affairs, and was sincerely appreciative of his students. He taught political science at Delta for 35 years, and was deeply committed as Delta College Senate President and later Division Chair to Delta’s concept of shared governance. This award has been established by the college's Social Science Division for students who pursue careers in the social sciences – child development, criminal justice, economics, history, political science, psychology and sociology.

Fred "Skip" Renker is a well known and respected English professor who started teaching at Delta College in September 1967 and retired in December 2004. He is a highly skilled teacher, and his students have placed tremendous value in his role in their lives. He is also a published writer who has won several national, state and local awards, and is most proud of being the recipient of the Bergstein Award, the highest teaching honor at Delta College. The Skip Renker Award for Creative Writing was established by his family to recognize the creative writing of a current Delta student who submits a portfolio of writing completed in a Delta College course.