Events
Wake Tech Recognizes Excellence
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 28, 2016) - Wake Technical Community College has recognized employees and community partners with its annual Excellence Awards. Wake Tech President Dr. Stephen Scott gave awards to 16 faculty and staff members for their service and dedication to the college, as well as other special awards for outstanding contributions to Wake Tech. He also gave awards to four local companies and individuals who have supported Wake Tech in special ways.
The Excellence Awards are sponsored annually by the Wake Tech Foundation, which receives and administers private sector funds for college programs.
Eight faculty members received the Excellence in Teaching Award:
- Christopher Gitthens – Welding Technology
- Lori Dees – Pre-Curriculum
- Cynthia Foster – Simulation and Game Development
- Lorraine Powers – Business Administration
- Dianne Cardamone – Workforce Allied Health
- Rebecca Berry – Humanities
- Holly Markovich – Mathematics
- Tamitha Inks – Radiography
Eight staff members received the Excellence in Service Award:
- Alicia Hardy – Health Sciences
- Michael Penry – Campus Police and Security Services
- Beverly House – e-Learning Support
- Salanna Holmes – Registration and Records
- Christy Shields – Academic Advising and Student Success
- Sherry Stubbs – Education Services and Technology
- Lynn Kavcsak – Career and Employment Resources
- Tammy Stephenson-Hamid – Facility Services
Each winner received a plaque and a cash award.
Two winners were given special awards: Lori Dees was named Wake Tech’s Instructor of the Year, and Michael Penry was named Staff Member of the Year. They will represent Wake Tech at the statewide NCCCS Excellence Competition in 2016.
Wake Tech student Donna Dixon was named the 2016 Student of Academic Excellence.
Wake Tech honored four community partners:
Duke Energy was named Corporate Benefactor of the Year for its support of Wake Tech over 23 years and its investments of more than $500,000 in the college. Duke Energy contributions support scholarships for high-achieving students and provide state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Duke Energy employees serve on many college advisory councils, sharing expertise and industry knowledge to improve programs. Duke Energy also provides valuable employment opportunities for Wake Tech students.
The Individual Spirit of Giving award was given Julian and Liz Clay Bradley, who established the Second Chance Scholarship in 2004 to help non-traditional students (over 34 years of age) pursue a degree or re-train for the job market. Mr. Bradley, a gifted artist, donated proceeds from the sale of his artwork to build the scholarship, while Mrs. Bradley has recruited several investors. In the past 10 years, the Bradleys have helped 57 students complete their education.
Janet Grog was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award. She was part of Wake Tech’s first Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology (now Biopharmaceutical Technology) class. She began working at GlaxoSmithKline before graduating in 1989 and turned a co-op position into a successful career. She has served on the Biopharmaceutical Technology Advisory Committee for nearly 25 years – providing industry expertise, arranging for much-needed equipment donations, and employing Wake Tech graduates. Janet also serves on the Advisory Committee for the Vernon Malone College and Career Academy.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Charles Durham for his dedication over eight years, volunteering more than 2,500 hours to teach reading and writing skills and help students prepare to earn their GED® (or high school equivalency). Durham has received multiple awards for his volunteer service, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Other special awards were given at the dinner:
Deb Hadley, professor and director of adjunct training and development, received the 2016 Applied Benchmarking Project of the Year award for a certification program for adjunct faculty.
Pat Richardson received the President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement for more than 40 years of dedicated volunteer service helping adults reach their education goals.
