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SCC’s Ayers and Meade Honored as Outstanding Faculty and Staff at New Horizons Awards Banquet held May 19

VERSAILLES, KY (May 27, 2008) – Sean Ayers, an Somerset Community College student affairs recruiter, and Ron Meade, an assistant professor in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at SCC, were honored at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s New Horizon’s Awards Banquet held in Lexington May 19.

Ayers represented SCC as the Outstanding Staff Representative, while Meade was nominated as the Outstanding Faculty Representative. Two other KCTCS employees received the System Award of Excellence at a recognition banquet.

Lisa A. Ahlstedt, Librarian at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC), was honored as the 2008 Staff Award of Excellence recipient, and Tracy L. Knowles, associate professor of Natural Sciences Division, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, was honored as the Faculty System Award of Excellence recipient.

The two were among 33 KCTCS faculty and staff members recognized at the New Horizons (an annual conference for KCTCS faculty and staff) awards banquet. Each of the 16 KCTCS colleges selected an outstanding staff member and outstanding faculty member for 2008. One staff member from the KCTCS System Office in Versailles was also honored.

Ahlstedt and Knowles, who were chosen for statewide honors by a committee of their peers, each received $1,000 to be used for the professional development experience of their choice. “The selection process is not an easy task,” KCTCS President Michael B. McCall said. “Each year the President’s Leadership Seminar graduates spend hours reviewing portfolios submitted by the college nominees.”

Each nominee demonstrated leadership in every aspect of their lives, including community involvement, student outreach, professional development, and support for their college. “Lisa Ahlstedt is a remarkably talented individual who cares passionately about the college, its students, and her work in the library,” said SKCTC President Dr. Bruce Ayers. “She is an intelligent, hardworking individual who reflects the very best that our college and KCTCS have to offer.”

Knowles is known as an engaged leader who models teaching through service learning, project-based learning, team learning and guided inquiry. “She is a constant source of inspiration and makes those around her better. She is truly an exceptional faculty member and without a doubt a ‘master teacher,’” said one of her nominators.

A list of all faculty and staff honorees follows, alphabetically by college.

Ashland Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Diana J. Opell, Office Support Associate, Office of Lifelong Learning
Faculty Award: Ms. Warren H. Howard, Assistant Professor of English

Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Denese S. Atkinson, Interim Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Faculty Award: Ms. Carla A. Reynolds, Coordinator of Business Administration, Medical Technology, and Office Systems Technology

Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Linda L. Faul, Senior Administrative Assistant, Student Services
Faculty Award: Ms. Tracy L. Knowles, Associate Professor, Natural Sciences Division

Bowling Green Technical College
Staff Award: Mr. Mark Brooks, Director of Public Relations
Faculty Award: Ms. Carmen C. Gaskins, Associate Professor, Computer Literacy

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Susan T. Berry, Instructional Specialist, Mathematics
Faculty Award: Mr. Anthony Slone, Associate Professor, Business Administration

Gateway Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Dale A. Meyer, Director of Grants
Faculty Award: Ms. Teri VonHandorf, Instructor, Developmental Math and Division Chair for Interdisciplinary Studies

Hazard Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Mr. Elbert E. Hagans, Business Affairs Specialist
Faculty Award: Mr. Tony Back, Assistant Professor, CAD

Henderson Community College
Staff Award: Mr. Greg M. Tope, Facilities Management Team Leader
Faculty Award: Ms. Bridget L. Murray, Associate Professor, Early Childhood

Hopkinsville Community College
Staff Award: Mr. Marc A. Barker, Campus/Education Center Director, Fort Campbell Campus Site
Faculty Award: Mr. Gregory W. Bridgeman, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Criminal Justice

Jefferson Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Mary Warford, Administrative Assistant to the Chair of Allied Health Division
Faculty Award: Mr. Morgan R. Broadhead, Professor of History

Madisonville Community College
Staff Award: Mr. Brad K. Downall, Director, Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
Faculty Award: Mr. Greg Jewell, Professor of English

Maysville Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Billie P. Barbour, Admissions
Faculty Award: Ms. Sharon G. Wilson, Professor of Biology

Owensboro Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Stacy R. Edds-Ellis, Director, Discover College
Faculty Award: Dr. Scott Williams, Associate Professor of Agriculture

Somerset Community College
Staff Award: Mr. Sean Ayers, Student Affairs Recruiter
Faculty Award: Dr. Ron Meade, Assistant Professor of Health

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Lisa Ahlstedt, Librarian
Faculty Award: Ms. Sandy Holbrook, Associate Professor of Humanities

West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Staff Award: Ms. Bettie U. Bean, Software Training Specialist
Faculty Award: Ms. Renea Akin, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness

KCTCS System Office
System Office Award: Ms. Terri Giltner, System Director of Marketing and Communications