On April 18 Pellissippi State Community College hosted its annual recognition of employees for outstanding service, longevity and retirement.
Ella Ruggles
At this year’s ceremony, the Excellence in Teaching Award went to Ella Ruggles, associate professor of Video Production Technology, in the Media Technologies degree program. The award recognizes innovative teaching techniques and the positive impact they’ve had on students.
According to one nominator, “VPT has an amazing student certification and graduation rate. Ella places all [the students] for internships and is very careful to match employer/student based on the student’s skill level. Her nurturing ways inspire students who just drop in for a class or two to complete a certificate or degree.”
Mike Hudson
The Innovations Award was bestowed upon Mike Hudson. This award is given in recognition of a project that demonstrates success of creative and original instructional and learning support activities.
Hudson, director of Certificate Programs, helped write the National Science Foundation grant for the Automotive Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative. AMTEC consists of 34 auto-related manufacturers, including GM and Volkswagen, as well as 18 community colleges across the country. The collaboration allows Pellissippi State students to participate in a national curriculum focused on meeting student and industry needs.
Yolanda Roebuck
Yolanda Roebuck was honored at the ceremony with the Gene Joyce Visionary Award, which recognizes external outreach projects that have an impact on the community. She is the secretary for the Business and Computer Technology Department.
In coordinating Pellissippi State’s presence in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, Roebuck gained support from local leadership, ensured that costs were covered and increased involvement in the event. Pellissippi State’s participation gives students, faculty, staff and others in the college community a chance to honor King.
Funding for all awards was provided by the Pellissippi State Foundation. The Excellence in Teaching, Innovations and Gene Joyce Visionary awards carried with them monetary recognition ranging from $1,000 to $1,500.
Recipients of the three awards also received a plaque and a medallion, and the Outstanding Full-time Faculty award winner will carry the college’s mace at the 36th Annual Commencement Ceremony, which takes place May 6 at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena.
Additional award recipients—each of whom received $100, a plaque and a medallion—include the following:
- Outstanding Administrator—Brandon Ballentine
- Outstanding Full-time Faculty—Ed Francisco
- Outstanding Adjunct Faculty—Sara Salyers
- Outstanding Contract Worker—Lauren Robbins
- Outstanding Support Professional—Rhonda Mattingly
- Outstanding Technical/Service/Maintenance Employee—Alvin Brummett
Pellissippi State recognized employees at five-year increments of service, as well as council presidents and retiring employees. The retirees:
- Beverly Burdette
- Jane Cameron
- Bob Coleman
- Rose Ann Cox
- Joan Davis
- Maritza Fernandez
- Katherine Harper
- Dan Jones
- Sue Anne Lewis
- Shari Lillestolen
- Gay Lyons
- Deborah Mahaffey
- Diana Morrow
- Jo Ann Pantanizopoulos
- Laurie Stapleton
- Susan Thomas
Retirees received a clock in recognition of their service.
Also retiring is Pellissippi State president Allen Edwards, who has led the school since 1993. In addition to being recognized for his years of service, Edwards was honored with two special awards, the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the TnCIS (Tennessee Consortium for International Studies) Award.
The consortium, which is based at Pellissippi State, makes available study abroad opportunities to students throughout Tennessee. Edwards was instrumental in launching TnCIS in 2006 and has continued as an active proponent.