The 2012 Tri-Rivers/Lautenslager Distinguished Service and Outstanding Alumni awards were presented Wednesday, March 21 during the Annual Board Dinner held at the Career Center.
The Distinguished Service awards are presented in memory of Jack Lautenslager who received the first award in 1993. Lautenslager spearheaded the efforts to pass the original levy that provided funds to build the Career Center that opened in 1976. He continued to share his expertise and talents with Tri-Rivers his entire life.
The Outstanding Alumni awards are given to graduates who have contributed to their communities, are outstanding in their fields and/or have furthered their educations. These individuals are Tri-Rivers success stories.
Recipients of the 2012 Tri-Rivers/Lautenslager Distinguished Service awards included:
Nucor Steel Marion, Inc—Represented by Todd Rosebrough (pictured at top).
Nucor has contributed to Tri-Rivers Welding program for many, many years. They have donated well over $100,000 of materials to the program, according to Welding Instructor Kevin Ferrington.
"Welding is one of the most expensive programs in the building to run with the cost of steel and consumables, along with gasses," explained Ferrington. "I don't know if it would be possible to operate without companies like Nucor who step up and help us."
Nucor Marion has donated semi loads of flat steel to us. When they stopped running flats at their plant, the Kankakee Nucor stepped in and started donating to us, said Ferrington. "When we started the new metal fab lab we were in need of some shop tables to get started. Nucor came through for us."
Kurt Moore of the Marion Star
"A good journalist has endless curiosity, a deep need to know what's happening, and the ability to sort out conflicting information without bias. He or she must be resourceful, committed, accurate, knowledgeable, fair, intelligent and honest. It also helps to be a fast writer," said Ellen Messenger, Community Relations Director for Tri-Rivers. "Kurt Moore is a good journalist. In fact, he is an excellent journalist."
Tri-Rivers recognized Moore for providing the public with an accurate picture of what's happening in education today. "Kurt has done an admirable job of asking the right questions, researching the details, and providing clear and understandable news stories about the hot topics in education," said Messenger.
"Kurt's job is not an easy one. Education topics are complex and draw a lot of emotions from people," said Messenger.
Former Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Deputy Director of Community Services, Scott Ebright, in an email said this about Kurt: "Kurt Moore of the Marion Star is one of those reporters who wants to tell the accurate story. I can't tell you how many times we talked about education and school finance. I trust Kurt, it is that simple."
Marion Noon Kiwanis
The Marion Noon Kiwanis has contributed to Tri-Rivers programs for many years, said Maria Augustin, Graduation, Reality and Dual Skills (GRADS) coordinator. They have donated to the Tri-Rivers GRADS and Incentive programs.
"We are grateful. We are also honored that they hold their annual Pancake Party at the Career Center," said Augustin. "This fundraiser brings hundreds of people into our school. Of course we like that, but most of all we like working with the Noon Kiwanians and being part of their pancake party, which has become a tradition in Marion."
Augustin said Tri-Rivers salutes the members behind the scenes raising funds so the Marion Noon Kiwanis can contribute to the success and well being of the young people in this area.
Robert DeJonge of Mathews Chrysler (pictured at top)
For the past 14 years Robert DeJonge has been instrumental in coordinating the partnership between Tri-Rivers Auto Technology and Mathews Chrysler. He has provided opportunities for students to shadow and find employment, said Superintendent Chuck Speelman.
DeJonge has sponsored students in the Chrysler Apprenticeship Program (CAP). This program allows a student to co-op with the dealership for six weeks then go to Sinclair College for six weeks and after two years, the student will graduate with an associate degree and Chrysler certification. The student then continues with the dealership for a negotiated length of time.
Auto Tech Instructor Frank Snyder said, Robert has always been open and honest about his desire to "grow technicians and believes this partnership is a great way to do that."
2012 Outstanding Alumni
Jackie Price, RN
Jackie Price, RN, has had a stellar career in the health field from working half days as a nurse aide while still in high school to her current position as the Surgery Manager of Marion Area Health Center's operating room, said Richard George, Adult Director for Tri-Rivers.
She enrolled in Marion General Hospital/Tri-Rivers School of Practical Nursing in 1978 and graduated in June of 1979. She obtained her licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse, said George. She continued to work at Community Med Center Hospital and was an LPN there for nine years.
"At that time, she made the decision to continue that life-long learning by being accepted into MTC's RN proram, where she graduated in 1989 as a Registered Nurse," said George. She continued her career at Marion Area Health Center as a Registered Nurse, an operating room nurse and for the last 10 years as the Surgery Manager.
"We received several nice letters of recommendation and support of Jackie's nomination for Outstanding Alumni, said George. "One of the letters was from Dr. Madia, the Medical Director at the Marion Area Health Center and Chief of Anesthesia for Smith Clinic."
Dr. Madia said, "Jackie is one of the finest nurses I have come across in my career as an Anesthesiologist. She has several outstanding qualities as a nurse. First, her work is always excellent." He also said she is reliable, can be counted on in emergencies, she prepared in the operating room, friendly with all the staff, and she has created an atmosphere of teamwork so that everyone works together in the patient care area.
Chef Angela Branam
"Chef Angela Branam has shown me and my culinary classmates, enthusiasm and patience—even when she had to repeat the process over and over again. She has a great deal of patience," said Culinary Arts student Ceslie Eblin.
Branam finished her training at Tri-Rivers in 2004 and was awarded a Director's Award for her outstanding performance. During her years at Tri-Rivers she was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, selected the outstanding FCCLA member and placed 2nd in the State Team Cuisine contest.
She continued her success at Hocking College where she graduated with an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts in 2006 and made the National Dean's list.
Today she works in the Culinary Arts program at Tri-Rivers with Chef Sheila Hamm, who was her TRCC instructor. "Chef Branam is an excellent mentor and role model," said Eblin. "Our entire culinary class applauds her and are proud to be part of presenting this Outstanding Alumni award to her."
Terry Donaugh
The first words that come to my mind when I think of Terry Donaugh is an officer and a gentleman, said Superintendent Speelman. "Terry recently joined us as the Criminal Justice Instructor. Every time I walk into his lab the students are engaged and respectful."
Tonight we are honoring Terry's entire career, which began at Tri-Rivers when he was a student in Law Enforcement. After graduating he continued his Criminal Justice studies at Columbia College in Concord, California and later at Marion Technical College, said Speelman. He also enhanced his skills through the Ohio Peace Officers Training, Ohio Correctional Officers Training, Military Police Training, and the Ohio Peace Officers Instructors Training.
Prior to joining the Tri-Rivers staff, he was employed by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office. He worked for a short time for the Mt. Gilead Village. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps where he served from 1982 to 1986.
"Donaugh is definitely a Tri-Rivers success story. His career began at Tri-Rivers, he then continued his education, served his country, worked in his field and now is giving back by sharing his knowledge and skills as a teacher in Public Safety Services at Tri-Rivers," concluded Speelman.
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