ICC employees honored with awards
By: Mike Gavin
Published: August 16, 2024
SPINDALE (Aug. 12, 2024) – Dozens of Isothermal Community College staff and faculty members were recognized this week for making outstanding contributions to the institution’s learning environment.
The Willard L. Lewis Staff Award, the Tanner Awards, and the Golden Apple Awards were presented this week when faculty and staff gathered for Convocation 2024 at the Performing Arts and Conference Center.
The Golden Apple Awards, given since 2006, recognize college employees who “dedicate their time and talents to create a college environment where learning can flourish.”
The Golden Apple winners were Tiffany Cooper, Gloria Whitesides, Paul Foster, Tammy Fowler, Laura Thomas, Melissa Tenpenny, Kim Henson, Eleanor Knobil, and Todd Lawter.
Dr. Thad Harrill, Isothermal’s chief development officer, and Pell Tanner, a college supporter, presented the Tanner Awards.
The Tanner family has been involved with Isothermal since the college’s beginning. S.B. Tanner, Sr., was one of the early supporters of the effort to create the college. His son, the late Jimmy Tanner, was named to Isothermal’s first Board of Trustees in 1964. He continued to serve as a trustee until 2007, distinguishing himself as the longest-serving member in the history of that body. Pell is Jimmy’s son.
The Tanner Awards go to a faculty and staff member selected from the Golden Apple recipients. This year’s Tanner Staff Award went to Kim Henson. The Tanner Faculty Award went to Tiffany Cooper.
The Willard L. Lewis Staff Award was presented to the college’s print shop manager, Susan Straw.
That award is named for Dr. Willard L. Lewis, the college’s former president, who placed a great emphasis on the importance staff plays in Isothermal’s mission to “improve life through learning.”
“It's almost unnecessary to talk about Susan's work ethic and commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Madeline Smith, vice president of Operations, as she recognized Straw. “Everyone on campus knows it because they've benefitted from it. Susan is a problem solver and gets the job done.”
The Golden Apples were presented by Dr. Greg Thomas, Isothermal’s vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.
President Margaret Annunziata was on hand to congratulate the recipients. She also recognized Chivous Bradley, who served on the ICC Board of Trustees for many years and ended his tenure in June.
Kimberly Snyder was also recognized for being a finalist in this year’s North Carolina Community College System Excellence in Teaching Award, a highly prestigious statewide honor.
Annunziata also recognized the groups of faculty and staff who received recognition from the League For Innovation and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD).
Employees were also recognized for hitting service milestones: 10 Years – Leeann Cline Burris, Paul Foster, Jennifer Henson, Zelda Murray, Keith Poole, and Cathy Webb; 15 Years – Maria Bivins, Donna Cain, Betsy Cuthbertson, Joel Ekstrom, Rebecca Haney, and Loreen Smith; 20 Years – Greg Dobbins, Ruth Hils, Brett Parker, and Kim Snyder; 25 Years – Thad Harrill, Sarah Kilgo, and Alfreda Lindsay.
Kathy Ackerman, Lisa Bridges, Tony Hamilton, Trish Huntsinger, and Lauren Mooney were recognized as this year’s retirees.