At the end of every academic year, we look forward to celebrating our phenomenal faculty and staff who dedicate their time and expertise to ensuring an engaging educational experience for our students. On April 24, friends and colleagues gathered for the Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony, a culmination honoring staff and instructor achievements and prospects for the future of education. Taking a moment to show our appreciation for the work they do was a pleasant event enjoyed by all.
And the Award Goes To…
Gathered together in the V. James Eardley Student Center, professors, administrators, and staff welcomed one another to the annual ceremony that recognizes the achievements of this exciting college term. Some educators introduced new elements to the curriculum they implemented or a strategy that brought fresh approaches to course material. Many introduced Year of Sustainability projects, and it was fascinating to hear the diverse examples of what that entailed for other departments and divisions. Throughout it all, we enjoyed an official return to in-person classes, on-campus events, and services.
Led by Professional Development Manager Tommie Guy, we cheered the accomplishments of many esteemed colleagues, including employees of the month, teachers and instructors of the year, newly tenured faculty, and certifications earned for Quality Matters and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). We presented the Years of Service Awards to those who reached milestone anniversaries in their employment, and we also said farewell to our Faculty Emeritus members and recent retirees. A hearty congratulations to everyone recognized! For a more detailed description of nominees and awards, please visit our online flipbook of the event program.
A few competitive awards honor the dedication and creativity of faculty and staff, with the highest awards TMCC has to offer. Dr. Karin Hilgersom, President of TMCC, spoke throughout the proceedings, expressing the consideration that goes into the nomination process of our esteemed employees for these honors.
“Every year, the Recognition and Activities Committee invites the employees of TMCC to nominate Academic and Administrative faculty for the following prestigious awards. Over three months, they gather nominations, and nominees submit a packet of materials that the award committees review. Ultimately, committees observe finalists for the teaching award in their classrooms and interview finalists for the service award,” said Hilgersom.
“So many worthy candidates are nominated, by the time they are dealing with the finalists, the scores are very close. We feel blessed that we have so many individuals at TMCC who give so much,” continued Hilgersom.
Let’s meet the winners of this year’s Employee Recognition Awards!
Distinguished Faculty Excellence in Service: Adine Stormoen
Adine has dedicated nearly 20 years of exceptional service to TMCC, with an unwavering focus on helping students reach their full potential. She's known for going the extra mile, her generosity of spirit, her commitment to science, equity, and finding solutions. Adine has worked with the NV IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant at TMCC for over a decade, embodying its mission of maximizing the success of under-represented students in achieving a representative workforce in healthcare and science.
“I was extremely touched and grateful to have been selected for this award, as TMCC has been so wonderful for me professionally and personally. To be recognized alongside my former physics professor, Dr. Dan Loranz, is an honor. He recommended me for my first position here as an undergraduate student. Truckee Meadows Community College truly understands what it means to create a family mindset at our community college,” said Stormoen.
Distinguished Faculty Excellence in Teaching: Daniel Loranz
Dr. Daniel Loranz purposefully integrates active learning techniques and keeps students engaged for hours. When TMCC lost its full-time Engineering instructor, he picked up the program and redesigned ENGR 100. Due to his diligence, the Engineering program is thriving and increasing in headcount. Dr. Loranz is the kind of educator whose previous students return to thank him for the excellent grounding in physics they received.
“I am thrilled! I want to thank the amazing faculty in my department and the many awesome students I have been lucky to work with over the years. I have learned so much from them,” said Loranz.
Classified Employee of the Year: Tina May
Tina is a lifelong learner committed to higher education and our faculty and students. Tina is a shining example of what community should mean at a community college. She is easy to work with and helps set a positive atmosphere. Peers are often impressed by Tina’s performance and professional demeanor. She meets her tasks with a student-oriented mindset, an exceptional ability to serve students who are often frustrated or stressed, and provides empathetic support – showing them kindness, patience, and competence.
“I am honored to have won the Classified Employee of the Year! It is flattering to realize people are noticing your hard work and passion for your job. I want to thank all the wonderful people who took the time to nominate me for this award,” said May.
There’s no shortage of individuals who put students before themselves, and it’s this motivation, realizing they have someone to rely on, that makes coming to campus worth it every day. You are welcome here, and this team looks forward to unlocking your potential. Education is the gift that keeps giving, so we’ve got your present right here!