During recent Fall Convocation activities, Tyler Junior College recognized 11 faculty and staff members for their outstanding service to students and the College.
Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence
The annual TJC Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence program enables professors to nominate and reward their peers who demonstrate excellence as educators.
This year’s recipients are:
• LaRhonda Hamilton, criminal justice — The Watson W. Wise Foundation Chair for Teaching Excellence
• Jennifer Parsons, engineering/physics — The Dorothy Fay and Jack White Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence
• Amanda Ratcliff, speech — The Dorothy Fay and Jack White Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence
They will receive $2,000 for each of two years ($4,000 total), which includes a $1,500 cash stipend and $500 for professional development for each year. The professional development portion may be applied toward a personal professional development plan, including travel, books, conferences and equipment.
Mattie Alice Scroggin Baker Excellence in Teaching Award
This award was established in 1987 from the estate of Mattie Alice Scroggin Baker to recognize the contributions that full-time and adjunct faculty members provide to student learning.
Amanda Richardson and Paul Findley
Amanda Richardson, dental hygiene professor and clinical coordinator, received the award for full-time faculty, which includes a $1,000 cash prize.
Paul Findley, professor of fire protection technology, received the adjunct teaching award and a $750 cash prize.
“These educators deserve our gratitude for the difference they make every day in the lives of our students,” said Dr. Deana Sheppard, TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. “We are very proud of the work they do and appreciate this opportunity to recognize them for their efforts.”
Herrin Award for Excellence
The W. Oscar and Marguerite Herrin Award for Excellence was established in 2001 by the Herrins’ daughter, Sarah Herrin Harrison, who served TJC as a faculty member and administrator for many years before her retirement in 2015.
Top (from left): Julie Crawford, Jeanine Grimes, Pamela McDougal; second row, Tina Morrison, Erica Thurman and Sherry Whitten.
The Herrin Award includes a $500 cash gift and an engraved plaque presented annually to outstanding classified TJC staff members to honor and recognize their dedication and service to the college. Recipients are nominated by faculty and staff and then selected by a committee through blind review.
This year’s recipients are:
• Julie Crawford, staff technician, Apache Band and Apache Belles
• Jeanine Grimes, staff technician, law enforcement and fire academies
• Pamela McDougal, staff coordinator, nursing and health sciences
• Tina Morrison, program support specialist, dental hygiene
• Erica Thurman, enrollment support services specialist
• Sherry Whitten, staff technician, professional and technical programs
“These staff members are truly unsung heroes who go above and beyond in their jobs every day,” said Megan Burns, senior manager of TJC scholarships and Rusk Promise, who presented the awards. “We celebrate them and thank them for their dedication and for the example they set for others.”