For the 61st year, Delta College recognizes the outstanding achievements of its faculty and staff members and celebrates their years of service during its annual Employee Awards.
This year’s honorees include two faculty members who will receive the prestigious Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence. This award is the highest honor a faculty member can receive and recognizes their commitment to teaching excellence. Denise Beasecker, associate professor of nursing and Barbara Syed, associate professor of office administration technology, were chosen for the award by a vote from students and faculty.
Twelve years ago, Beasecker brought her clinical expertise and a steady presence to Delta College, educating and mentoring the next generation of nurses. Outside the classroom, she manages Delta’s Closet, providing students with free professional clothing for job interviews.
“No words can explain the excitement or reward I feel at every nursing pinning ceremony,” said Beasecker. “I’m so grateful to Delta College for providing me the opportunity to follow my passion and fulfill my dream.”
Syed earned her bachelor’s degree in medical case management from Davenport University and her master’s in healthcare administration & leadership from Capella University. She has also been with Delta College for over 12 years. Barb has been the medical office program coordinator during her entire tenure at Delta, teaching all the courses in the program.
“Professor Syed is an amazing professor," one student said of her experience with Syed.
Congratulations to the following individuals
Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence
Denise Beasecker, associate professor of nursing
Barbara Syed, associate professor of office administration technology
Sponsored by the Bergstein family of Midland since 1965, this award recognizes commitment to teaching excellence and is the highest honor a faculty member can receive at Delta College. Recipients are chosen by a vote of Delta College students and faculty.
Ormond E. Barstow and Ludo K. Frevel Award for Scholarly Achievement
Kara Jimenez, professor of lifelong wellness
Don Laughner Award for Creative Change and the Innovation of the Year Award (from the League for Innovation in the Community College)
Advising team
Kaitlinn Atkinson, student success advisor; Cynthia Blahnik, team lead, business and technology advising; Tony Cianciolo, student success advisor; Shannon Doerr, student success advisor; Rachel Farmer, student success advisor; Jennifer Gaumer, team lead, arts and sciences advising; Riki Gross, student success advisor; Randall Hall, student success advisor, Midland Center/completion coordinator; Amy Howard, student success advisor; Raeann Jones-Keller, student success advisor; Addam Kraynak, student success advisor; Kimberly Mehl, student success advisor; Rachel Merkle, technologist/communications coordinator; Kristine Neveau, student success advisor; Brent Norman, student success advisor; Jessica Rubey, student success advisor; David Urbaniak, director of advising; Michelle White, team lead, health and wellness advising; Craig Wilson, student success advisor; Dan Wohlscheid, student success advisor
Eric “Q” Beckman Adjunct Faculty Award for Exceptional Service
Kendra Rogers, adjunct faculty of psychology
Lynn Heatley Award for Distinguished Service by an Adjunct Faculty Member
Connie Sitter, adjunct faculty of Spanish
Executive Committee for Administrative and Professional Staff (ECAPS) Team Excellence Award
Biology lab
Shelly Brandt, laboratory associate; Charlea Ford, laboratory coordinator; Kelsey Lewis, laboratory coordinator
ECAPS Willie E. Thompson Outstanding A/P Service Award
Alison Ginter, belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion coordinator
Support Staff Excellence Award
Veronica Bond, business services purchasing specialist
Congratulations to the following employees for their years of service
40 years
Veronica Bond, Business Services Purchasing Specialist
35 years
Timothy Allen, Professor of Mathematics
Pamela Clark, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement
Bill Schueneman, Associate Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology
30 years
David Baker, Professor of Chemistry
Christopher Curtis, Professor of Psychology
Mike Spitz, Professor of Physical Therapist Assistant
25 years
Edward Andres, Asset & Project Coordinator for Facilities
Thomas Bennett, Broadcasting General Manager
Marcie Carter, Assistant Director of Downtown Midland
Susan Harvey, Professor of Psychology
Wendy Ramirez, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Instruction & Learning
Services
Kirk Wolf, Professor of Philosophy
20 years
Lindsey Bourassa, Director of Dual Enrollment & Secondary Articulation
Toni Clegg, Professor of Accounting
Emily Clement, Associate Director of Transfer Partnerships
Matthew Eyre, Professor of Mechanical Tech & Design
Dawn Fairchild, Professor of Management
Ryan Goodrow, Technologist/Communication Coordinator
Renee Hoppe, Professor of Lifelong Wellness
Kimberly Klein, Professor of Political Science
Lisa Lawrason, Professor of Political Science
Scott McIntosh, General Trades Facilities Management
Daisy McQuiston, Professor of Nursing
Dennis Roebuck, Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology
Donald Southwell, Associate Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology
Joseph Yezak, Broadcasting General Manager
15 years
Brian Aldrich, Professor of Chemistry
Justin Bamberg, LMS & Multimedia Design Technologist
Meredith Bladecki, Associate Professor of Nursing
Carrie Burdzinski, Associate Professor of Biology
Kristin Cornelius, Professor of English
Maureen Donegan, Professor of Psychology
Amy French, Professor of History
Jonathan Gittins, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Timothy Hendrickson, Professor of Music
Joseph Hernandez, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Marilyn Lemerand, Associate Professor of Communication
Diane Lobsiger-Braden, Professor of Technical Trades & Manufacturing Division
Kathie Marchlewski, Professor of English
Crystal McMorris, Professor of English
Shannon Mehl, Human Resources Benefits Manager
Kristopher Nitz, Associate Professor of Biology
Myung Pinner, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Michael Pressler, Associate Professor of Biology
James Proctor, Associate Professor of Welding
Nicole Ryan, Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology
Ronald Schlaack, Professor of Physics
Trent Wade, Professor of Foreign Languages (ASL)
Mary Warner, Trade Adjustment Assistance Career Coach - GLB MiWorks! Workforce Strategies
Christine Yaroch, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages (Spanish)
10 years
Brooke Baker, Testing Center Coordinator
Mark Balawender, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Michael Brackrog, Public Safety Officer
Joshua George, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Kevin Hobart, Institutional Research Data Analyst & SES Research Specialist
Elena Lazzari, Associate Professor of Economics
Lisa McNeil, Honors Program Administrative Office Professional
Kimberly Mehl, Student Success Advisor
Paul Sander, Associate Professor of Economics
Daniel Schultz, General Laborer Facilities Management
Lisa Wall, Associate Professor of Radiography
5 years
Megan Birdwell, STEM Explorer Coordinator
Heather Dillon, Employment Services Manager - GLB MiWorks! Workforce Strategies
Shannon Doerr, Student Success Advisor
Michael Grunwell, General Trades Facilities Management
Mark Grzegorczyk, Broadcasting Production Coordinator
Randall Hall, Midland Center Student Success Advisor & Completion Coordinator
John Harned, Public Safety Supervisor, Sergeant, Accreditation Manager
Melissa Haswell, Associate Dean of the Science & Mathematics Division
Brittany Hodges, Coordinator of Veteran Services
Amy Howard, Student Success Advisor
Ryan Hull, Public Safety Officer
Wendy Kienitz, Testing Monitor & Lead Office Professional
Karry Kiste-Toner, Dean of Student Success
Ashlee Lauzon, Nursing Administrative Office Professional
Danielle Linton, Assistant Professor of Dental Assisting
Dana MacDonald, Auxiliary Services Specialist
Tara Novak, Associate Registrar
David Sabuda, Criminal Justice in Service Training Coordinator
Lauren Saj, Broadcasting Station Engagement Coordinator
Laura Schmidt, Student Development Specialist for the Teaching/Learning Center
Deborah Uhlian, Instructor of Medical Assisting
Holly Ulrich, Midland Center Coordinator
Robin Wellhousen, Business Services Rep. Apprenticeship Specialist
Craig Wilson, Student Success Advisor
