Southwestern Michigan College’s fourth Employee of the Year class consists of Gail Shirey, full-time faculty; Donna Courtney, part-time faculty; Dave Dilno, staff; and Brad Bundy, student worker.

The third annual team award went May 1 to the nursing department, for achieving ACEN accreditation.

Dean of Arts and Sciences Scott Topping served as master of ceremonies, with President David Mathews presenting awards and Admissions Advisor Brittany Cavanary and Student Activity Center Assistant Manager Branden Pompey escorting winners along the red carpet to the podium.

Bundy, human resources, is “an outstanding student worker. He’s dedicated, with a strong work ethic. He always conducts himself in a professional manner, whether he is on or off the clock. Brad’s a top performer. He has great critical thinking skills and is always ready to help out. His positive attitude will take him far in his career.”

Student-worker finalists introduced by Associate Vice President of Financial Aid and Records Chris Passer included Madi Lohraff and Michelle Helmuth.

Of Dilno, computing services lead programmer analyst, a nominator said, “Dave plays a critical, but often unseen, role at SMC. He often speaks from a perspective and expectations of a student who would desire a better web or other services experience. Dave is constantly improving or fixing software connections between the data base and staff.”

Staff finalists, introduced by Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment Management Mike O’Brien, included Director of Building and Grounds John Eberhart; Eleanor Harrison, science-math lab assistant; Danielle Lucas, financial aid systems analyst; and Elva Whaley, Niles campus academic advisor.

Courtney “is a magnificent member of our adjunct faculty,” said Vice President of Instruction David Fleming. “One of the main things she was nominated for this year was her willingness to step in during emergencies. She is a valued member of the math/science department and a multi-discipline tutor in our learning center. Just last week she had students at Dowagiac Creek looking for macroinvertebrates. You probably saw the article about her in the Dowagiac Daily News and Herald-Palladium about the benefits of bats.”

Part-time faculty finalists introduced by Fleming also included Michael Deschamp, English; Sarah Snyder, math and professional tutor, learning center; Tony Givhan, philosophy; and Michele Harlow, group fitness.

Fleming said of Shirey, one of 23 faculty nominees, “Critical reading and thinking are at the core of everything a college should do, which puts her in the middle of building student success. She does workshops on effective reading and note-taking. She does a make it/take it event that teaches students how to cook budget-conscious, tasty meals. She supports the student service center. She collaborates with school of business faculty incorporating critical reading into business courses. She puts her heart and soul into all of these non-teaching activities, but make no mistake. Gail is a teacher first and foremost.

One student wrote, ‘She is the best instructor I ever had.’ Another wrote, ‘She’s very helpful and my favorite teacher so far.’”

Fleming also introduced fulltime faculty finalists Kyle Kelly, information technology; Barbara Karwacinski, social science; Doug Schauer, chemistry; and Rona Goodrich, nursing.

Vice President and Chief Business Officer Susan Coulston announced the nursing team award for the accreditation process begun in 2013 to Becky Jellison, Deb Green, Patti Frontczak, Rona Goodrich, Melissa Kennedy, Jeanie Mitchel, Yolanda Roche, Jodi Tidey, Amber Villwock and Chris Smith.

Also nominated were Gary Franchy and Mark Pelfrey, honors program; and the Guinness Book of World Records blanket fort attempt, Branden Pompey, Bill Roggeman, marketing, maintenance and development departments and housing resident managers Kaitlin Holbrook and Anggie Gabriel.

Fifty blankets were donated to Decatur Family Shelter of the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency.

The winning team will be served breakfast Thursday by President Mathews and the cabinet.

The recognition committee — Director of Human Resources Kate Thomas, Director of Library Services Colleen Welsch, Niles Campus Director Brent Brewer, Coulston and Topping — reviewed March nominations by students, faculty and staff.

Members of the recognition committee, deans and 2016 winners determined finalists in April.

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project. Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.