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SIC Holds Employee Recognition Ceremony

May 4, 2023
Teacher Of The Year
Robbie Lindhorst, SIC Diesel Instructor, was chosen by his peers as the Loren P. and Velma Dallas Outstanding Teacher of the Year for 2022-23. He is pictured with presenter, Dr. Karen Weiss, SIC Vice President.
Living The Mission
Michael Intravaia, Assistant Director for Food Service, was chosen by his peers as the recipient of the Living the Mission Award. He is pictured with presenter, Dr. Karen Weiss, SIC Vice President.
Greenies
SIC employees in their first year (greenies) were recognized during a ceremony at the college. Those present for the photo were (front row, l-r): Jamie Benton, Stacy Knight, Nicole York, Roxanne Sutherland, and Dr. Sonia Yewell. Back row (l-r) are Charity Goodrow, Erin Creamer, Jeff Frailey, Dallas Fricker, Joshua Kimball, Sam Swinford, and Donovyn Valdez.
Five Year Employees
Present to be recognized for five years of service were (l-r): Arla Murphy, Dr. Chris Barr, and Erica Griffin.
Years Of Service Employees
Present to be recognized for various years of service were (l-r): Karla Lewis (15), Sky Fowler (10), and James Carlton (25).
Retiree Karla Lewis
Karla Lewis (center) accepts her crystal retirement gift from SIC as a parting gift for her retirement after many dedicated years serving SIC, most recently as the Associate Dean of the Learning Commons. This year also marked her 15-year anniversary with SIC. She is pictured with Vice President Dr. Karen Weiss and President Dr. Jonah Rice.
Retiree Tammy Kearns
Tammy Kearns (center) accepts her crystal retirement gift from SIC as a parting gift for her retirement after many dedicated years serving SIC as the Child Study Center Pre-K Assistant Teacher. She is pictured with Vice President Dr. Karen Weiss and President Dr. Jonah Rice.

Southeastern Illinois College held its annual recognition event to honor employees for special awards, full-time milestone service, and retirements on April 27 in the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center. Paul Cummins, SIC Communication Instructor, served as the emcee for the event.

Michael Intravaia of Harrisburg, Assistant Director for Food Service, was awarded the Living the Mission Award for his service and leadership in activities that demonstrate and capture the spirit of SIC’s mission and vision.

Dr. Karen Weiss, Vice President of Academic & Student Services and presenter of the award, said, “Michael is full of kindness, always willing to help, he’ll stay late, come in on his days off, and just goes above and beyond.”

Robbie Lindhorst of Harrisburg, Diesel Technology Instructor, was chosen as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award by his peers. Lindhorst is also the co-division chair of the Career & Technical Education department and has been the evaluation team leader for Automotive Service Excellence for 15 years. He has been with SIC for 23 years.

Dr. Weiss, who presented the award, says he always puts his students first, guides them in their careers and is always willing to help other instructors.

Greenies, or those who are in their first year of full-time employment at SIC include Jarrod Appel of Enfield (Adjunct Math Instructor & Professional Math Tutor), Jessica Bayer of Eldorado (Mathematics Instructor), Jamie Benton of Stonefort (Nursing Retention Specialist), Erin Creamer of Eldorado (Assistant for the Associate Dean of Workforce and Community Education), Audra Damron of Paducah, Kentucky (Cosmetology Instructor), Jeff Frailey of Harrisburg (Network Administrator), Dallas Fricker of Elizabethtown (Title III Administrative Assistant), Charity Goodrow of Marion (Upward Bound Administrative Assistant), Joshua Kimball of Benton (Visual and Performing Arts Specialist), Stacy Knight of Harrisburg (Nursing Instructor), Ben Lehman of Harrisburg (Upward Bound Project Specialist), Connie Stevens of Raleigh (Food Service Assistant), Roxanne Sutherland of Harrisburg (Bookstore Assistant), Sam Swinford of Marion (Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Operations Coordinator), Donovyn Valdez of Carrier Mills (Learning Commons Paraprofessional), Eric VanZant of Galatia (Adjunct CDL Instructor), Brittany Warren of New Haven (Mental Health Counselor), Damon Whitt of Harrisburg (Student Information Technology Specialist), Dr. Sonia Yewell of Metropolis (Title III Learning Enhancement Coordinator), and Nicole York of Omaha (HS Recruiter / Dual Credit Coordinator).

Those serving SIC in a full-time capacity for five years include Dr. Chris Barr of Marion (Executive Dean of Institutional Effectiveness), Sessaly Davis of Harrisburg (Nursing Instructor), Erica Griffin of Carrier Mills (Associate Dean of Fiscal Compliance/Controller), Arla Murphy of Harrisburg (Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center), and Jessi Wright of Marion (Chemistry Instructor).

Sky Fowler of Stonefort (Senior Director of Human Resources & Legal Affairs) is celebrating 10 years with the college. Chris Jones of Harrisburg (Diesel Technology Instructor) and Karla Lewis of Marion (Associate Dean of Learning Commons) are celebrating 15 years with the college. Lori Cox of Eldorado (Associate Dean of Workforce & Community Education) is celebrating 20 years with the college. James Carlton of Harrisburg (Senior Network and Security Administrator) is celebrating 25 years with the college.

Lastly, two employee retirements were announced this year. Karla Lewis of Marion (Associate Dean of Learning Commons) and Tammy Kearns of Harrisburg (Child Study Center Pre-K Assistant Teacher).

Ben Ross, Distance Learning Specialist, spoke on behalf of Lewis. He said Lewis joined SIC in 2008 as the Coordinator for Online Learning and has guided the college through several online learning management system changes. From 2008-2018, she earned the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) award for faculty excellence while ensuring the college was continually rated among the top 150 community colleges in the nation for online learning. When she later became an Associate Dean, this added library, tutoring, and testing center oversight to her position. At that time, she managed, revamped, and secured donors and funds in upwards of $50,000 to revitalize the library space to become the SIC Learning Commons.

Steffanie Ferrell, Child Study Center Pre-K Lead Teacher, presented on behalf of Kearns. She called Kearns, “…dedicated, compassionate, loyal, loving, amazing, creative, kind, and extraordinary. Miss Tammy has taught and devoted that last 26 years to the field of early education and made the difference in 100s of little lives.”

Two retirees also came back to honor this year’s award-winners and newly announced retirees: Peggy McDowell of Eldorado and Allan Kimball of Benton. The event included burgers and hotdogs grilled by Diesel Technology for those in attendance with sides by the Falcon Bistro.

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