SIC Honors Employee Milestones, Retirements, and Achievements

Southeastern Illinois College recently held its annual recognition event to honor employees for special awards, full-time milestone service, and retirements recently in the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center. Paul Cummins, SIC Humanities and Social Services Department Chair, along with Dr. Tyler Billman, Executive Director of Student Services, served as the emcees for the event.

Ed Fitzgerald of Carrier Mills, Executive Director of Environmental Services, 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. He has been with SIC for 19 years.

Paul Cummins of Carrier Mills, Chair of the Humanities Division, was chosen as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award by his peers. Cummins has been with SIC since 2000 and was the Director of Forensics for 17 years.

Four employee retirements were announced this year: Greg McCulloch of Harrisburg (Chief Information Officer), Sylvia Moore of Golconda (ADN Nursing Instructor), Amy Murphy of Harrisburg (Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health), and Dr. Jonah Rice of Stonefort (SIC President).

Recognized for serving SIC for 25 years are Ralph Boots of Harrisburg (Diesel Technology Instructor), Scott Reed of Harrisburg (IT Instructor), Mark Thomas of Harrisburg (Welding Instructor), and Dr. Karen Weiss of Enfield (Vice President of Academic and Student Services).

Lindsey Pankey of Carrier Mills (Business Office Assistant Clerk) was recognized for serving SIC for 20 years.

Three employees celebrated 10 years with SIC: Melody Bryant of Stonefort (Curator and Assistant Director of Events), Angela Carter of Enfield (Accounts Receivable Specialist), and Marzel Scates of Omaha (Assistant to the Vice President of Administrative Services).

Those serving SIC in a full-time capacity for five years include Alison Edmund of Makanda (Biology Instructor), Jordan Hammersley of Eldorado (Outfitter Wildlife Management Instructor who was also presented with the Outstanding Achievement in Assessment Award), Michael Intravaia of Harrisburg (Food Service Manager), Amanda Payne of Harrisburg (Senior Director of Curriculum), Ricky Sauls of New Haven (CTE & Special Projects Coordinator), Sabrina Stout of Eldorado (Nursing Instructor), and Gareth York of Equality (Theater Instructor).

Greenies, or those who are in their first year of full-time employment at SIC include Griffin Hart  of Carmi (CTE Project Specialist), Dr. Angela Mayfield of Elizabethtown (Distance Learning Specialist), Susie Moore of Harrisburg (Administrative Assistant to Assoc Dean of Nursing & Allied Health), Kaje Questelle of Harrisburg (TRIO Retention Specialist), William Soward of Rosiclare(Nursing Retention Specialist), and Jessica Whittaker of Thompsonville (Adult Education Transition Specialist).

Other areas of recognition for the year include:

• Tiffany Brannock – Masters in Business Administration from USI
• Kyla Burford – EdD from University of Cumberlands
• Sam Swinford – USCAA 2023-2024 Small College Basketball Division I National Coach of the Year
• Angela Wilson – NCMPR Leadership Institute Program Certificate
• Nicole York – Master’s in Public Administration from MSU
• Kendra Zirkelbach – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Marketing in Spring 2023, Master of Science in Marketing with a Digital Marketing specialization in Fall 2023 from Western Governors University, Director on the Saline County Chamber of Commerce Board in 2023 and the Executive Board as the Chamber Secretary for 2024
• Arla Murphy – Assistant Director of the Workforce and Illinois Small Business Development Center – America’s Small Business Development Center – 2023 Illinois State Star
• Matt Lees – Model Illinois Government Sponsor led the MIG team to its 14th MIG Championship and the team was named “Outstanding Small Delegation
• Robbie Lindhorst – ASE Education Foundation, International, IC Bus award training scholarship

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