SIC Recognizes Employee Service, Accomplishments, and Retirement

Faculty, staff, and retirees of Southeastern Illinois College gathered in the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center April 24 for the college’s annual Employee Recognition Ceremony. The event celebrated milestone years of service, professional achievements, and retirement.

The program began with a welcome from Dr. Tyler Billman of Harrisburg, Executive Dean of Academic Services, and Paul Cummins of Harrisburg, Division Chair for the Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts.

Employee honors included recognition of two employees from the Nursing and Allied Health Department. Sessaly Davis of Harrisburg, Nursing Faculty, received the $10,000 Nurse Educator Fellowship Grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education for her dedication to nursing education, student success, and professional development. Dr. Emily York of Marion, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, was also honored for her national-level achievement of writing certification exam questions for the Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist exam.

Also recognized were Dr. Jonah Rice of Stonefort, former SIC President, for his recent appointment to the Illinois State Education Board; Chemistry Instructor Jessi Wright of Marion with the SIC Assessment Award;  and Dr. Todd Spellman of Evansville, Student Success Coach, who earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Northern Iowa and became a Certified Academic Coach from the Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession.

Jennifer Roehm-Scheffer of Marion, Instructor of Spanish and English, was named Faculty of the Year. Roehm-Scheffer has taught at SIC for 18 years and is well known for her student-centered approach and collaborative spirit. She will be recognized at the upcoming Illinois Community College Trustees Association banquet.

Tonya Johnson of Harrisburg, Student Services Assistant, was selected to receive this year’s Living the Mission Award. Nominated by her peers, Johnson was described as “a ray of sunshine” and someone who “embodies the college’s values” with kindness, eagerness to serve, and a deep connection to both students and fellow employees.

Service awards were given to full-time employees celebrating milestone years. Recognized for five years of service were Tiffany Brannock of Harrisburg and Lori Olson of Marion. Ten-year service honorees included Cory Garmane of Benton, Business/Music Instructor, and Benjamin Ross of Marion, Associate Dean of Integrated Technology. Fifteen-year recipients were Dr. Tyler Billman, Executive Dean of Academic Services, and Sherry Milligan, Environmental Services Secretary, both of Harrisburg.

Twenty-year awards went to Ed Fitzgerald of Carrier Mills, Executive Director of Environmental Services; Dr. Shawn Smith of Eldorado, English and Philosophy Instructor; and Amy Spivey of Golconda, Admissions Coordinator.

Receiving crystal apples at 25 years were Paul Cummins of Harrisburg, Division Chair for the Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts; Robbie Lindhorst of Johnston City, Diesel Technology Instructor; and Kimberly Rapp of Raleigh, Assistant Director for Administrative Systems.

Thirty-year clocks were awarded to Kim Martin of Eldorado, Mathematics Instructor, and Ellen Prince of Carrier Mills, Student Resource Assistant.

SIC’s newest full-time employees—affectionately called “Greenies”—were also welcomed and pinned during the ceremony. Those honored included Shelly Aldrich of Carmi, Assistant to Career and Technical Education; Will Armijo of Eldorado, Director of Network and Security; Amelia Arvin of Enfield, Nursing Instructor; Savannah Blue of Hanson, Kentucky, Cosmetology Instructor; Nova Emmons of Thompsonville, Title III Learning Enhancement Coordinator; Lisa Johnson of Harrisburg, Workforce Noncredit Program Specialist; and Briley Lenkaitis of Harrisburg, Business Development Specialist; Lonnie Mann of Rosiclare, Museum Curator and Assistant Director of Events; Doug Mayfield of Elizabethtown, Dean of Career and Technical Education; and Dr. Emily York of Marion, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health.

This year’s sole retiree, James Carlton of Harrisburg, Senior Network and Security Administrator, was honored for nearly 30 years of service. Hired full-time in 1998 after beginning part-time in 1996, Carlton was praised for his vital role in maintaining and evolving the College’s technological infrastructure, including his behind-the-scenes leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carlton’s tribute, delivered by Ben Ross, was mixed with humor and heart, ultimately recognizing Carlton for his dedication, drive, and sense of duty while remaining “steady, tried and true, and dependable,” which has helped keep the college connected through decades of change.

SIC President Dr. Karen Weiss closed the event by thanking all honorees.

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