Spring 2007 Award Winners

Part-time Employee: Shirley Bryant

This employee’s co-workers attest to the fact that this

winner sets the standard for dedication, knowledge, productivity, and

dependability. Even though she has been an employee for over 10 years, she is constantly learning, applying that knowledge, and willing to share it. In the spirit of excellence, she is continuously looking for ways to improve processes so that students’ needs are better met. She is a welcome sight to all students who wander into the office at Levine Campus, in search of answers, and will do whatever it takes to be of assistance to them.

She not only has a smile on her face and in her voice, but will softly hum and sing while she works at her desk. Shirley Bryant obviously enjoys her job, and her coworkers nominated her for this award as a sign of how much they value her as an employee and friend.

Shirley, it is my pleasure to recognize you as the Part-time Employee for spring 2007.

Classified Employee: Milas McCain

The winner of the Classified Employee category is someone who works quietly and diligently, but very effectively. This employee does an outstanding job learning and implementing many new programs and services at the college. For example, he implemented the new P-card program rollout with Bank of America, all the while benefiting from this experience.

He is the first to help when it is needed, and always with a smile. He is an honest, reliable, and skilled employee. Working in an office with seven women may present challenges, but if it does, he never lets on. These women affectionately refer to Milas McCain as “Our Office Manager”.

The College is fortunate to have Milas as a long-time employee who is well deserving of this award.

Administrator/Professional Staff: David Baker

This winner is described as a superior manager who can make quick decisions and is resourceful in finding solutions. His attention to detail and strong analytical skills are balanced with a personable nature, all of which make him an inspiring and admired administrator.

He portrays a day in, day out commitment to excellence. He is able to use the multiple talents and varying backgrounds of his staff to the best advantage in running the department. His teaching expertise on a multitude of technical issues is recognized at the college and state system level. He is able to patiently and succinctly explain complicated concepts to individuals with different learning styles, and when he has finished, you will walk away with a complete understanding.

His even-tempered nature allows him to remain calm in the craziest of situations. He is bright, kind, and joyful. This is not an empty compliment when you have the responsibility of dealing with college finances.

Please join me in congratulating the brain of the accounts payable department, David Baker!

Instructor: Christine Sargeant

This instructor is a whiz when it comes to online classes. Her multi-media enriched courses are often described as models because they are so well developed, incorporate the latest technology, and meet the College’s Quality Course standards. She designed her program’s website, which outshines even those in the IT division. While all of this is impressive, what is more remarkable is that she could not even send an email only 3 years ago. This modeling of learning college behavior to her students is inspirational, and her “if I can do it you can do it attitude” endears her to them.

She will go to any length to help her students succeed: she learned to use a digital recorder to create online audio content for ADA students and uploaded children’s songs so that her students will have a collection of appropriate music to use in their classrooms. Her fundraising and coordination efforts as a co-advisor in the Early Childhood Club made it possible for 14 students to attend a national conference in Atlanta. A co-worker described her as a naturally gifted educator, and a student said that Christine Sargeant is an excellent teacher.

Yes, she is always smiling, and we are so fortunate to have this passionate supporter of children’s issues at our College.

Christine, please accept this well-deserved award.

Fall 2006 Award Winners

2006 Annual Awards

Part-Time Employee: Emma Lewis 

This part-time employee only wants to work when there is enough to keep her busy. She dives into the work, has the shop buzzing as early as 6:15 in the morning, and is willing to stay late and when she is needed.

She has learned new technologies pertaining to her equipment so that she will remain competent. This winner takes quiet pride in all that she does; ensuring that what she produces delights the customers. According to her supervisor, many people seek her company and her counsel.

Please recognize the part-time employee for the fall semester, Emma Lewis from CPCC Campus Printing. 

Classified Employee: Carolyn Pence

This winner is an exemplary employee who is noted for her quiet professionalism. Her supervisors claim that she is one of the most conscientious, efficient, and helpful employees at the College. She is always willing to learn new information so that she can provide quality service to her clients, who are the employees of CPCC.

This employee is also very generous with the time she is willing to devote to supporting the College in various ways, whether it is volunteering at the information tables during student registration or serving on the Classified Staff Council. When it comes to CPCC, she does not know how to say no!

Please join me in thanking this team player for all of her contributions—Carolyn Pence from Human Resources.

Instructor: Leesa Whicker

This winner’s many nominators all attest to the commitment shown to the learning college concept. With fifteen years of experience in the field, this instructor has exceptional knowledge of the discipline, continues to update herself with new information, techniques, and technology, and then freely shares this knowledge with her co-workers.

She is a respected leader with definite goals as to where this department is headed and the enthusiasm to bring her ideas to fruition. Truly dedicated to her faculty and students, she respects and celebrates the differing personalities and teaching and learning styles.

Her coworkers tried to summarize what makes her so special—she is fair, caring, empowering, trusting, empathetic, calm, loyal, humorous, and supportive. Could anyone ask for more? The faculty in Medical Assisting surely don’t think so!

Please congratulate the Program Chair for Medical Assisting, Leesa Whicker!

Administrator/Professional Staff: Marie Helms

This winner has served the College well for about 25 years, and has unfailingly put the best interests of CPCC first. She is an active participant in the learning college initiative, and the training and support she provides are outstanding. The fact that she does it with a smile makes it even more enjoyable. When delivering training, she has the enviable gift of converting complex processes, rules, and language into user-friendly terms. She works diligently and faithfully to provide excellent service to her customers—us!

She may work behind the scenes, but word of her abilities has given her opportunities beyond the college. She was selected as a member of the Datatel CIS Build Team for the statewide implementation of Colleague, and was named by the state office as the Lead Procurement Trainer for the region. She is innovative, organizing the first annual vendors’ fair to better serve the college community. She has met all challenges with enthusiasm and produced excellent results.

As one nominator said, Marie Helms from Procurement Services is an integral part of what makes CPCC a great place to work!

2006 Annual Awards

Classified Staff: Johnnie Roach

Try to think of the one employee you have seen who is always smiling. Who is the person everyone knows, and who in turn knows everyone? This winner is one of the friendliest and most helpful people at CPCC. His positive attitude is evidence of his love of his job.

Always moving, planning, arranging, and guiding the rest of us, one student said that although this winner is busier than anyone else, he will drop what he is doing to give students undivided attention. He is a self-starter, anticipating issues before they become problems, and he takes tremendous pride in his work. His coworkers mention his constant smile with echoing laughter as he runs off to his next task.

CPCC is so lucky to have someone with the warmth, humor, and generous spirit that the “Man of the Marquee” has. Johnnie-on-the-spot Roach truly exemplifies the community in community college. Please congratulate Johnnie!

Administrator: Wanda Towler

This winner has one of the most difficult jobs at the College. Not only does her work require expertise in many areas, but also the difficult task of trying to please so many different constituencies. While you may not always agree with her decisions, have no doubt that she is committed to achieving the best for the College as a whole and for the community.

Helpful, reliable, fair, and honest are some of the leadership qualities her nominators used in describing her. Her enthusiasm is the same whether she is making a presentation to the Board of Trustees or setting up furniture to meet an opening deadline for a building. Setting high expectations for her department, she is also working diligently behind the scenes.

As a coworker said, if it is crunch time, I not only want her on my team, I want Wanda to lead my team! Please recognize the Administrator for 2006, Wanda Towler.

Faculty: Farhad Javidi

This instructor’s nominators attest to the fact that this winner’s primary focus is-- and always has been-- students. He exemplifies the Learning College philosophy through his continuing and unwavering dedication to his students. He wants to change our students’ lives.

This instructor is passionate about the profession and is an expert problem solver. Fueled by unlimited energy and enthusiasm he has worked tirelessly to revolutionize his program. These qualities have resulted in his development of the first associate degree program in the nation in Simulation and Game Development. A true innovator and visionary, he is now working on the development of a program in 3D animation and digital effects.

His positive attitude is reflected in his voice mail greeting-“It’s a beautiful day at CPCC.” Please congratulate our faculty member for 2006, Farhad Javidi!