National Park College honored the service of 14 retirees and the efforts of all employees Thursday during the annual Employee Recognition Day Celebration.
The ceremony was held in the NPC gym. The college saw an unusually high number of retirees exit during the 2013-2014 school year. Former president Sally Carder and the other 18 retirees compiled more than more than 400 years of experience at Garland County Community College, Quapaw Technical Institute and National Park Community College.
Ron Chesser, director of counseling, was met with a standing ovation Thursday in honor of his 40-plus years with the college. Chesser, a former coach at the college, was one of the earliest employees.
Instructor Ken Cook was also recognized for his 40-plus years with the college as an original faculty member. Cook retired after the fall semester.
A total of 14 retirees were recognized Thursday. The group combined to accumulate about 250 years with the college.
Other retirees included Ed Bennett, instructor; Greg Fulton, tutor supervisor; Gardenia Jackson, institutional services supervisor; Susan Kelly, administrative specialist; Becky Linsky, director of Adult Education; Dawn Reed, instructor; Richard McEarl, institutional services assistant; Kathy Muse, director of Career Pathways; Maggie Picking, vice president of student services; Marle Stafford, instructor; Carol Stonecipher, instructor; and Brenda VanDusen, multimedia specialist.
President John Hogan welcomed all members of the administration, faculty, staff and members of the Board of Trustees ahead of the college's graduation ceremonies today at Bank of the Ozarks Arena.
"Those students wouldn't be getting their credentials or experiencing their success or those good feelings if it wasn't for your willingness to do the work that you do and do it well," Hogan said. "We don't have enough opportunities to say, 'Thank you.'
"In addition to my appreciation and telling you that directly today and hopefully again on Saturday morning, when you are there and you're seeing those students and their families holding their National Park College diplomas for the first time, think about the role you played in making that happen. Because you did and it is worth it.
"It is a million-dollar gift, at least, that you have given to those students. So I am very proud of you for that."
Hogan said the college was sad to lose two members of its family during the school year. Vandasha Hill, an employee and former graduate, passed away unexpectedly in December. Mahlon Grigsby passed away a month earlier after 14 years on the Board of Trustees.
Executive vice president Gordon Watts announced the recipients of the Outstanding Faculty and Outstanding Staff awards.
Nursing instructor Tamara Abernathy was voted Outstanding Faculty member of the year.
Darla Thurber, director of administrative services, was voted as the Outstanding Staff member of the year. Thurber is chair of the college's new staff senate.
Mike Dugan, recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Alumni award, announced Brittany Esquibel as the 2015 Outstanding Alumni award winner. She succeeded in her goal at the college of graduating as valedictorian while working three jobs at the time.
Esquibel is a sonographer, founder and owner of Picture Perfect Imaging. She founded Picture Perfect with her fiance, Budo Ratkovic. Esquibel moved on from NPC to the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith to earn her bachelor's degree.
"Something else that I am very pleased to point out, she elected with that degree -- she could have been hired anywhere -- she has returned to Hot Springs and Garland County to ply her trade," Dugan said.
"She wants to contribute to this community and that is something that I am very pleased as a member of the board of directors of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of our chairman and alum, Forrest Spicher. We appreciate that in Hot Springs. We are a growing community and we want to continue to grow."
Volunteer service awards were announced by Marilyn Ridge, career services, in place of Mary Kay Wurm, director of career services and service learning. David Hughes, associate vice president of Technical Education, was recognized for more than 450 volunteer hours.
Employees were recognized for years of service in five-year increments. Phyllis Brooks, counselor, and Roger Fox, communications and arts division chair, celebrated 35 years with the college.
Local on 05/16/2015