The President’s Award for Outstanding teaching was conferred to three instructors: Ms. Jane Finan (Natural Sciences Division), Ms. Beth Hewes (Fine and Performing Arts Division) and Dr. Gene Straughan (Social Sciences Division), were all recognized for their effectiveness in teaching, scholarly and creative activities, and service to the college and community.

Dr. Steve Evans (Social Sciences) received the first annual award for Excellence in Diversity. The award honors groups or individuals who’ve made exceptional contributions to multicultural student recruitment and retention efforts, and to increasing multi-cultural understanding at the college and in the community.

Evans was praised for his efforts to engage Native American students in college activities, and providing opportunities for students of all nationalities and cultures to learn about Native People—the Nez Perce in particular. He was recognized for expanding curriculum offerings to include Native American History and Nez Perce language, initiating the Native American Club on campus, and has been active on a number of advisory panels related to Native American and minority issues. Evans is an accomplished author, known for his book The Voice of the Old Wolf: Lucullus Virgil McWhorter and the Nez Perce Indians. He helped to develop the Isaac “Ike” Wilson Memorial Scholarship, which he and his wife Connie continue to support.

Evans is a thirty-three year veteran at LCSC and was honored for his service, along with other long-time employees, at the social. He is retiring this year.

LCSC President Dr. Niel Zimmerman also acknowledged outstanding professional and classified staff: Ms. Vana Vernon, Administrative Assistant, Literature and Languages Division received the Classified Employee of the Year Award. Vana was nominated by peers for her professionalism and exemplary service to the college.

Debra Lybyer, Director, Career Development Services, received the Professional/Exempt Staff Award for Excellence. She was commended for exemplary service and “commitment to profession, collegiality, teamwork,” and her involvement in community activities.

Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Rita Morris proffered awards for teaching excellence to adjunct faculty. Ms. Rita McAdoo (Literature and Languages) received the nod for the award for on-campus teaching, and Dr. Tim Hunt was the off-campus recipient. Hunt is also the director of LCSC’s Coeur d’Alene Center. Adjunct faculty are part-time employees of the college.

Dr. Morris also recognized retiring faculty members, Dr.Evans for his thirty-three years with the college and Dr. Curtis Sutton (Natural Sciences) for thirty years of service. Lewis-Clark State College Foundation President, Eadie Saxton, presented the foundation’s award for teaching excellence to Virginia Weber (Division of Office and Business Technology). The foundation’s award is based on student and supervisors’ evaluations, contributions to the divisions, college and community, and scholarly activities. Weber was cited as bringing her excitement for math into play when teaching it to students from numerous backgrounds.

Education Professor, Dr. Betsy Van Clief, presented the H.L. Talkington Faculty Achievement Award to Dr. Tom Urquhart (Natural Sciences), for his exceptional efforts in providing students with a high quality learning experience. The award also speaks to his implementation of rigorous standards for course content and substantive student performance with regard to those standards. Urquart described himself as incredibly lucky to be working in a field he loved, and to be teaching others about a subject that is a passion. He has taught at LCSC for the last twenty-five years.

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