LCSC president and provost with 2026 Employee Recognition Ceremony award winners

Lewis-Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton, left, and Provost Fred Chilson, right, pose for a photo with some of the award winners in attendance at the 2026 Employee Recognition Ceremony. The winners in attendance, from left, are Kirby Boehm, Alex Bezzerides, Kylee Britzman, LaChelle Rosenbaum, and Con Schafman.

10 LC State employees honored at awards ceremony

March 26, 2026

LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College honored 10 faculty and staff members at the Employee Recognition Ceremony on Thursday.

The event recognized employees for their service to students and the college, including award recipients, retiring staff members, and those earning emeritus status.

The 2025-26 award winners are:

  • President's Award for Outstanding Teaching — Kirby Boehm, Physical, Life, Movement & Sport Sciences.
  • H.L. Talkington Faculty Achievement Award — Kylee Britzman, Social Sciences.
  • LC State Foundation Award — Alex Bezzerides, Physical, Life, Movement & Sport Sciences.
  • Annice Edmundson Faculty Excellence Award — Kelly FitzSimmons, Social Sciences.
  • Annice Edmundson Faculty Excellence Award — Bill Frei, Technical & Industrial.
  • Fernández Faculty Excellence Endowment — LaChelle Rosenbaum, Social Sciences.
  • Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence — Jamison Edwards, Nursing & Health Sciences.
  • Dr. Cameron D. & Marilyn K. Hinman LC State Employee Excellence Award — Jacob Hornby, Physical, Life, Movement & Sport Sciences.
  • Classified Employee of the Year — Con Schafman, Physical, Life, Movement & Sport Sciences.
  • Professional Staff Award for Excellence — Laura Bernatz, Nursing & Health Sciences.

Employees retiring this year are Wayne Bolon, Physical Plant (36 years at LC State); Donna Callahan, Adult Learning Center (36); Mike Owen (35); Muna Crook, Advising Center (25), Paul Estrada, Physical Plant (14); Susan Steele, Physical, Life, Movement & Sport Sciences (8); Deena Rauch, Nursing & Health Sciences Division (6); Ben Gonzales, Physical Plant (5), Ed Holthaus, Physical Plant (5).

Mike Owen was also recognized for receiving emeritus status with the school.

Promotions and tenure were recognized, along with employees who have been with the college for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years.

This year’s event was held at the LC State Center for Arts & History. The Office of the Provost organizes the ceremony, and the LC State Foundation acts as sponsor.

More information about the annual awards categories, including nomination criteria and past recipients, can be found on the Academic Affairs webpage.