ELLISVILLE – Sixteen Jones College faculty and staff members were recently honored for their accomplishments in the workplace over the previous year. The Employee Appreciation Awards began in 2004 with funds contributed by retired JCJC President, Dr. Ronald Whitehead, and the college’s Foundation, Inc. Finalists were selected and interviewed by the Faculty and Staff Recognition Program’s Selection Committee. Prior to the employee recognition program, a picnic lunch and games were provided by the college and the JCJC Foundation Inc.
“Celebrating accomplishments and offering an afternoon of fun and fellowship is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for making Jones great,” said Joel Cain, VP of Advancement and Athletics, and Dean of Students. “We wanted to honor and appreciate all of our employees who have worked especially hard through a challenging year.”
The Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established five years ago to honor a mid-level administrator whose commitment to the profession stands out amongst their peers. Wayne County Center Director, Daryll McDonald and Assistant Dean of the College of Arts, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith were both selected as recipients of the 2022 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence. McDonald has been a practical nursing instructor and the Wayne County Center Director for 10 years. Smith has been the assistant director of Jones OnStage and the A.D. of the College of Arts, Music and Performance for three years.
Psychology instructor, Kathryn Davis was selected to receive the Barbara and Gary Sauls Award for Excellence in Teaching Humanities. The Humanities Division faculty member has been teaching at Jones since 2003 and she exemplifies intellectual integrity in the classroom, and has encouraged independent analytical thinking skills, loves humanitarian pursuits and fosters a positive rapport with students. This award was initiated by JCJC alumni, Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. “Buddy” and Barbara Sauls. Their daughter, Tracy was a 1990 JCJC graduate. Mr. Sauls was a former JCJC Board of Trustees member and Barbara Sauls is currently on the JCJC Foundation’s Advisory Board. Davis was awarded a $500 cash prize and an acrylic plaque.
Additionally, 12 individuals from three categories of employees, faculty members, office staff and administrative support, and employees working in, maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police were each awarded certificates of achievement. Faculty finalists each received a cash prize of $250 and the overall winner received an additional $750 and an acrylic plaque. Each staff employee finalist was awarded a cash prize of $125 and the overall winner received an extra $500 and an acrylic plaque.
The finalists for the faculty awards were Mary Boleware who has worked at Jones for 22 years as a physics/engineering instructor. Humanities/English instructor, Rochelle Dahmer has been teaching at Jones College for 14 years. Jeremiah Estes has been teaching biology classes for 15 years. Agriculture and Industrial Services/Student Support instructor, Brad Harrison has 16 years of teaching experience at Jones. Information Systems Technology instructor Jennifer Powell has been teaching for 25 years. Powell was chosen for the overall JC Faculty of the Year Award. Not only has she taught students for most of her career at Jones, but she has also trained faculty and staff on new technology. Additionally, Powell is credited with facilitating the implementation of the eLearning program and online classes.
“To be nominated for this award by my peers is an incredible honor, but to receive the faculty of the year award is extremely humbling. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and to be surrounded by amazing faculty, staff, and administrators,” said Powell, who began working in the Computer Lab before teaching in the classroom full time.
Nominated for the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year award included Karen Brown in Accounting, Hanna Burnette in Enrollment Management, Kari Dearman in Admissions and Katelyn Hutchison in Humanities. Brown was selected as the Employee of the Year for the Office Staff and Administrative Support division.
In the maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police departments division, Environmental Safety/Housekeeper, Renee Russell was nominated along with two employees in the Maintenance Department, Greg Smith and Ken Savell. Taking the top spot as Employee of the Year was Greg Smith.
As an honorary employee of the college, Sodexho cafeteria employee, Nicole Varnado was honored for her work. She received a $500 cash award for her efforts on behalf of the college.