Ivy Tech celebrates top faculty members at special ceremony

Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette has honored Elizabeth Hayden and Brooke Criswell with the McAllister Excellence in Teaching Award. They are two of 35 Ivy Tech faculty across the state who were selected by their campuses for their exemplary work with students and the College community during the past year. They were recognized at a special ceremony held in Indianapolis on Nov. 10.

Full-time and adjunct faculty are nominated for the McAllister Excellence in Teaching Award by students, fellow faculty members, and Ivy Tech staff. A group of their peers chose Hayden and Criswell as award winners. Hayden, who received the award for full-time faculty, is program chair for the Respiratory Therapy Program. Criswell is an adjunct faculty member teaching Communication in the School of Arts, Sciences & Education.

“We are proud of all of our faculty and the impact that they make in the lives of our students,” said Dr. Todd Roswarski, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Ivy Tech Lafayette. “Because our class sizes are smaller, our faculty are more accessible to our students. That helps foster a learning relationship that prepares students for successful careers in the community. I congratulate Liza and Brooke for their exemplary work and honor them for being an inspiration in the lives of their students.”

Now in its 41st year, the President’s Awards Program recognizes faculty and adjunct faculty members from Ivy Tech locations throughout the state. Campuses each choose two faculty members who are considered for statewide recognition. The Glenn W. Sample Award is presented to one full-time faculty member. Sample was a founder of Ivy Tech when it was known as Indiana Vocational Technical College. The Gerald I. Lamkin Award is presented to one adjunct faculty member. Lamkin was president of the college as it transitioned from a vocational college to a community college.

The winner of this year’s awards were as follows:

Glenn W. Sample Award

James Hamilton – Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology (Indianapolis)

Gerald I. Lamkin Award

Catherine Swinney – Adjunct Faculty/Clinical Instructor PN and ASN Nursing Program (Columbus)

A full list of the statewide President’s Award honorees is included.

About Ivy Tech

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degree and short-term certificate programs, and trainings that align to the needs of the community. The College also offers courses and associate degree programs that seamlessly transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree.

Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette serves Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties from the main campus in Lafayette and sites in Crawfordsville, Monticello and Frankfort. Ivy Tech Lafayette offers associate degrees and certificates in the areas of business, health sciences, computing, technology, nursing, public services, education, applied science, engineering technology, and liberal arts.

For more information, visit IvyTech.edu.

Adjunct Faculty/Faculty Honorees

Faculty Honorees (by Ivy Tech location):

Anderson: Duane Wolfe – Assistant Professor of Mathematics & Assistant Department Chair for the School of Arts, Sciences and Education

Bloomington: Kyle M. Hetrick, Ph.D. – Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Biology and Anatomy & Physiology

Columbus: Michael S.C. Kelley – Assistant Program Chair/Assistant Professor Welding

Fort Wayne: Matthew (Matt) Fisher – Associate Professor, Economics

Indianapolis: James Hamilton – Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Kokomo: Jia Hardimon-Eddington – Surgical Technology Instructor

Lafayette: Elizabeth Hayden – Program Chair/Faculty Respiratory Therapy

Lake County: Teresa Hallmen – Program Chair Medical Assisting

Lawrenceburg: Amanda Purcell – Associate Professor of Education/Program Chair Early Childhood Education Elementary Education & Secondary Education

Madison: Ronald Novak – F4 Industrial Technology

Marion: Ceola Friday – Program Chair Early Childhood Education

Muncie: Octavia Thorns-Jackson – Department Chair, English, Communications, and World Languages

Richmond: Kristen Soots – Program Chair General Studies/Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Sellersburg: Kimberly Reynolds – Associate Professor of English/Ivy Achieves Champion

South Bend – Elkhart: Rosario Hiestand – Full-Time Professor Early Childhood Education

Terre Haute: Angela Hayes – Assistant Professor Human Services

Valparaiso: Mitzi Mary Simerlein, D.C. – Assistant Professor Liberal and Physical Sciences

Adjunct Faculty Honorees (by Ivy Tech location):

Anderson: Christine Quinn – Adjunct Faculty, Healthcare Specialist and CNA Director

Bloomington: Mary Jane Fleener, MSN,RN – Adjunct Faculty, Nursing

Columbus: Catherine Swinney – Adjunct Faculty/Clinical Instructor PN and ASN Nursing Program

Evansville: August “John” Paulson – Adjunct Faculty, Human Services

Fort Wayne: James (Jim) Graham – Adjunct Faculty, Automotive Technology

Indianapolis: Dianna Davis – Faculty/Mentor and Course Developer, IvyOnline

Kokomo: David Lingle – Automotive Instructor

Lafayette: Brooke Criswell – Adjunct Lecturer, Communications

Lake County: Lee Richard Purcell – Adjunct Faculty, Communication/PT Academic Advisor

Lawrenceburg: C. Martin Justice – Adjunct Faculty, Human Services

Madison: Rae Jean Morris – Adjunct Instructor School of Nursing

Marion: Vicki Schumacher – Adjunct Faculty, Medical Assisting

Muncie: Felix Rippy – Adjunct Professor of Business and Technology

Richmond: Sunshine McCartt – Adjunct Faculty

Sellersburg: Veronica Munn – Associate Adjunct Instructor, English

South Bend – Elkhart: Fernando Ramirez III – Adjunct Faculty, Environmental Design

Terre Haute: Brandon Hall – Adjunct Faculty/Lab Assistant Agriculture

Valparaiso: Thomas Bancsi- Adjunct Faculty/Lead Occupational Therapist