Lamar Community College is proud to recognize the following staff and faculty members who have been selected as Employees of the Year: Susan Frankel, Administrator; Valerie Reifschneider, Faculty; Roger Reamy, Classified Employee; and Rory Gillespie, Adjunct Instructor. These individuals have made a true and lasting impact on LCC as a whole and the students in attendance.
“Lamar Community College has some of the most talented, dedicated, innovative, and caring employees I have ever worked with. They are all outstanding,” said Dr. Linda Lujan, President of Lamar Community College. “So, it is especially meaningful for our college employees to honor their peers in this way. Congratulations to Susan, Val, Roger, and Rory on this well-deserved recognition.”
LCC’s honored employees are selected by their peers: full-time faculty and staff within the college. All nominations and voting are done anonymously.
Susan Frankel – Administrator of the Year
Susan Frankel has been working at Lamar Community College for three years: first as an adjunct psychology instructor, then as a Career Counselor, and finally as the CHAMP Grant Navigator.
In her current Navigator role, she works primarily with students in the welding program, helping them with the ‘soft skills’ – organization, focus, follow-through – that can be so pivotal when it comes to college success.
Frankel is described by her co-workers as “an extremely valuable employee in working with the CHAMP grant and has been vital to the success of the welding program” and “eager to help wherever there is a need – from Knowledge Bowl to Transfer Fair to Science Fair to Career Fair and recently assisted with writing an Innovative Grant.”
All at LCC agree that she is a true team player.
Valerie Reifschneider – Faculty of the Year
Valerie Reifschneider currently serves as the full-time physical science faculty at Lamar Community College. She began her career at LCC four years ago.
Although her love for science and students is foremost, she maintains her agricultural roots working the family farm with her husband Rob through the summer. Her experiences there give her a unique opportunity to incorporate real world examples into her teaching.
Per her nomination, Reifschneider has “shown a passion for her field of expertise and has exhibited a dedication to teaching what she knows and values to the LCC students. Her concern for their understanding is evident in her willingness to assist students outside of the classroom, whether through individual tutoring or scheduled group study sessions.”
Roger Reamy – Classified Employee of the Year
Roger Reamy is a valued member of the maintenance staff and has been at Lamar Community College for nearly 20 years.
He started at LCC in 1997 when he started as a Labor 1 Technician. He is now in the Grounds Nursery 1 position, a role in which he works hard to make sure campus looks its best. His responsibilities include mowing, weeding and plant care as well as general maintenance on the sprinkler system, tractors and other equipment.
Reamy’s co-workers say that he “works tirelessly to keep the grounds looking immaculate” and does so “with a smile on his face and a nod or wave.”
It’s evident that Reamy takes pride in his job and LCC is that much better for it.
Rory Gillespie – Adjunct Instructor of the Year
Rev. Rory Gillespie has been an adjunct instructor at LCC since 2013. Largely teaching philosophy including courses like Intro to Philosophy, Ethics, Comparative Religions and, new this spring, Business Ethics. He also teaches Music Appreciation.
In addition to being an adjunct instructor, Gillespie serves as LCC’s Ethics Champion in the UCCS Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative work with the Southern Colorado Higher Education Consortium.
Per his nomination, Gillespie is “an example of dedication and commitment to teaching students at Lamar Community College throughout the past several years. He has been willing to step into teaching a variety of classes in the Arts and Humanities curriculum. Also, in relation to his new responsibility of ECHEC Ethics champion, his coworkers say, “his enthusiasm for this topic is contagious and LCC will benefit immensely from his professional trainings and knowledge.”
Each year the Colorado Community College System recognizes full-time faculty, staff, and administrators with system-sponsored events in February and March. LCC elects to recognize the additional category of Adjunct Instructor.
Dr. Linda Lujan noted, “It’s the individual effort of every employee that makes all the difference in maintaining a high-quality learning environment to serve students and our communities. I know I speak for the entire college in congratulating this year’s winners and thanking them for their years of service and continued focus on student success at LCC. We are so fortunate to have such great employees.”