300 Gather to Honor Individuals, Organizations During Third Annual Awards for Excellence Gala
More than 300 area residents and dignitaries gathered Saturday at the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa to honor eight recipients of the 2009 Awards For Excellence presented by Glendale and Estrella Mountain Community colleges in conjunction with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.The third annual recognition dinner and gala was a benefit for scholarships and programs at both West Valley community colleges.
Tyler Baldwin, reporter for KTVK-TV, served as master of ceremonies for the evening and oversaw the presentation of awards to organizations and individuals who have made exemplary contributions to students and community.
Dr. Ruby Gordon, one of the first two faculty members when Glendale Community College (GCC) launched its nursing program in 1965, received a standing ovation when she was presented the Special Award for Excellence in recognition of a career that spanned more than 50 years in nursing, health education and student counseling.
"My award tells me mine was a job well done," Dr. Gordon said. "It's an internal kind of a feeling."
Each college awarded an Outstanding Community Partner Award for Excellence. GCC recognized Banner Health, the state's largest healthcare provider, for its long-standing partnership with GCC in support of nursing education. Accepting the award on behalf of Banner Health was Karin Toci, chief nursing officer for Banner Estrella Hospital.
Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) honored CORE Construction for the company's dedicated efforts as a community partner to improve quality of life in the construction of educational, industrial and a variety of other structures. The company constructed portions of the GCC North Campus and served as the top-level $10,000 platinum sponsor for the recognition dinner and gala. Company executive Shawn Maurer accepted the award of behalf of the organization.
GCC honored the 60-member, all-volunteer Glendale Fire Department Crisis Response Team, which provides support to community members dealing with emotions resulting from traumatic events such as the loss of a home to fire or the unexpected death of a family member.
"I think a lot of people don't realize this service exists," said Lynette Jelinek, Human Services Division manager for the Glendale Fire Department, who accepted the award on behalf of the team. "We do the right things for the right reasons, and then to get an award for that was way above and beyond, anything we ever expected."
April Orr, an admissions and advisement specialist who works with students in the GCC nursing program, and EMCC English instructor Alexander Andrews each received a Student Advocate Award of Excellence from their respective colleges.
Orr said having "great mentors and great leadership" as a student at Maryvale High School and later at GCC provided her the encouragement to complete her schooling. Becoming a GCC employee – specifically helping to guide students through the nursing program – allowed her to give back to those who supported her. Andrews encouraged other educators to look at their students in a holistic way and "realize how much of a difference they can make in students' lives." He noted a difference can be made in the short span of a single class.
Each college also presented an Outstanding Alumni Award of Excellence. GCC presented its award to Dr. John Thompson, an orthopedic surgeon who played for the school's 1988 national championship football team and serves as president of the GCC Alumni Association. EMCC presented its alumni award to Reyes Medrano Jr., Tolleson city manager and an adjunct faculty member who teaches courses in business and psychology at the college.
"Glendale Community College inspires people to do good things, and they, in turn, become big parts of this community," Dr. Thompson said, noting his experience as a board member of the college's alumni association reinforced that belief.
Medrano stated in a smaller community such as Tolleson, the entire community celebrates when a resident is singled out for recognition. The same, he said, is true with his relationship with EMCC.
"I didn't terminate my relationship with Estrella Mountain after graduation," Medrano said. "During my educational pursuits from my associate degree all the way through my master's, Estella Mountain provided the venue for me to expedite my educational pursuits."
"Each of these honorees is an exceptional contributor to the betterment of our communities and the students who are advancing their college educations through their support," GCC President Velvie Green and EMCC President Ernest Lara, Ph.D., said in a joint announcement of the winners. "We are pleased to honor these individuals and organizations and welcome the attendance of the business community, alumni, students, faculty and others at the awards event."
GCC originated the Awards for Excellence in 2007, with EMCC joining the recognition and scholarship-development program this year. Past honorees have included GCC alums Gov. Jan Brewer and former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, father of Jordin Sparks, winner of the sixth season of American Idol.
GCC and EMCC are part of the 10 campuses of the Maricopa Community College District and offer transfer-ready academic courses and job-specific training. GCC, which last year served more than 30,000 students, has campuses at 59th and Olive avenues in Glendale and 57th Avenue and West Happy Valley Road in Phoenix. EMCC, located at Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale, served approximately 13,000 students last year. For more information, visit www.maricopa.edu.
Glendale and Estrella Mountain Community colleges honored eight individuals and organizations with Awards for Excellence during a gala Saturday night at the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield Park. Shown from left are Estrella Mountain Community College President Dr. Ernest Lara; award recipients Reyes Medrano, Jr., Dr. John Thompson, Alexander Andrews, April Orr, Karin Toci, who accepted on behalf of Banner Health; Shawn Maurer, who accepted on behalf of CORE Construction; Dr. Ruby Gordon; Glendale Community College President, Dr. Velvie Green; Lionel Diaz of silver sponsor Eloisa Diaz Foundation; Vispi Karajia of silver sponsor The Orcutt-Winslow Partnership; and recipient Lynette Jelinek, representing the Glendale Fire Department Crisis Response Team.
