Heather Sutherland, early childhood education faculty, earns the Spirit of NTC award.
Northwest Technical College recognized employees reaching length-of-service milestones and the college’s annual employee award winners at an April 29 celebration.
NTC’s annual employee Awards of Excellence include the Spirit of NTC, Outstanding Contribution, Excellence in Teaching and Distinguished Service awards.
Sprit of NTC Award
2022 individual recipient: Heather Sutherland, early childhood education faculty.
2022 team recipient: NTC OneStop.
The Spirit of NTC Award recognizes individuals or teams whose positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm embody the Spirit of NTC through active support of students, student-athletes, co-workers and community members.
Heather Sutherland, early childhood education faculty, earned the individual Spirit of NTC award for demonstrating school spirit throughout the campus and Bemidji communities. In addition to coordinating NTC’s on-campus Halloween events in 2018 and 2019, Sutherland has coordinated NTC’s Tubs of Love participation for two years. She also has helped coordinate campus cleanup projects, organized the college’s Hockey Outside Ice Night and created a bulletin board celebrating Women’s History Month.
Additionally, Sutherland has worked with the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to offer Safe Zone training and a lecture on diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism for her students.
Similarly, the NTC OneStop – which consists of the offices of admissions, financial aid and records – was praised for its efforts to support students.
“They have continued to provide excellent services to students, prospective students, the public and colleagues in various other departments,” a nominating colleague said.
Outstanding Contribution Award
2021 individual recipient: Peter Thul, electrical faculty.
The Outstanding Contribution Award is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond expectations to contribute to areas of student success, civic engagement, diversity, sustainability and/or public service.
Peter Thul, electrical faculty, was recognized for his efforts to build NTC’s new, state-of-the-art programmable logic controller lab. He was also lauded for his leadership of the NTC electrical club for several years.
Excellence in Teaching Award
2021 individual recipient: Gwen Oster, electrical faculty.
The Excellence in Teaching Award is given to a faculty member who has demonstrated teaching excellence through evidence of exceptional learning outcomes and quality student advising.
Called a “fierce proponent for her students,” NTC’s Gwen Oster, electrical faculty, was commended for her work to improve the college’s electrical program and her unwavering support for students.
“She is an excellent teacher,” a nominating colleague said.
Distinguished Service Award
2021 individual recipient: Doreen Kuhrke, administrative assistant.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a faculty or staff member who has been at NTC for at least five years with an ongoing record of superlative performance and professional excellence combined with significant personal impact in the areas of student success, civic engagement, diversity, sustainability and/or public service.
Doreen Kuhrke, administrative assistant, received NTC’s Distinguished Service Award for her role as the go-to person for NTC.
“Kuhrke treats everyone like family to ensure everyone has a great NTC experience,” a nominating colleague said.” She always looks at ways to showcase NTC and ways to make it better.”
Retiring Faculty and Staff
- Faith C. Hensrud, president; six years.
- Jeff Brower, plumbing faculty; 30 years.
Years of Service Awards:
- 20 years – Carla Johanson, executive director of Distance Minnesota.
- 20 years – Rebecca Fischer-Walvatne, Distance Minnesota.
- 15 years – Terri Bannor, dental assisting faculty; Krisit Karels, Distance Minnesota.
- 10 years – Teresa Blatti, Distance Minnesota.
Links
2022-N-050