Excellence in healthcare, service and student advocacy will be celebrated on Saturday, May 9, 2009 when Glendale Community College (GCC), Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation present the third annual Awards for Excellence at the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield Park.The recognition dinner and gala, which benefits scholarships and programs at both West Valley community colleges, begins at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and silent auction followed by dinner, awards presentations and a dance. Sponsorships ranging from $10,000 to individual tickets for $50 are available. For details, contact Suzanne Smelser at 623.845.3477 or [email protected] or http://www.estrellamountain.edu/hub/awards/tickets.asp.
Organizations and individuals who have made exemplary contributions to students and community success are being recognized.
Honorees include:
•Outstanding Community Partner Award for Excellence: Banner Health, the state's largest healthcare provider, is being recognized by Glendale Community College for its long-standing partnership with GCC; the honoree for Estrella Mountain Community College is CORE Construction who has always been an avid supporter of the community college district and most recently completed construction at GCC North campus. CORE Construction is the top-level $10,000 platinum sponsor for the recognition dinner and gala.
•Distinguished Service Award for Excellence: GCC is honoring the more than 60 volunteers of the Glendale Fire Department Crisis Response Team who help community members to deal with emotions resulting from traumatic events.
•Special Award for Excellence: Ruby Gordon, Ph.D., is being honored by GCC for her more than 50-year career in nursing, health education and student counseling, including her service as one of the first two faculty members with the college's Nursing program.
•Student Advocate Award for Excellence: GCC is recognizing April Orr, a student service specialist for nursing admissions in the college's Enrollment Services Office, whose advocacy and assistance has guided numerous students in entering the nursing profession. Alexander Andrews, English faculty at EMCC, is being recognized for his enthusiastic teaching style that inspires his students to voice their opinions and view their lives with a global perspective.
•Outstanding Alumni Award for Excellence: Each college is recognizing alumni who have made significant contributions to the community. GCC is recognizing graduate John Thompson, D.O., an orthopedic surgeon with The CORE Institute and immediate past president of the GCC Alumni Association. EMCC is honoring Reyes Medrano Jr., Tolleson city manager and an adjunct faculty member who teaches courses in business and psychology at the college. Medrano was a member of the first graduating class at EMCC.
"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 alumni Gov. Jan Brewer and former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, father of Jordin Sparks, winner of the sixth season of American Idol.