Dr Janice Fritz

William Burgess

Two St. Clair County Community College faculty members were honored during the 86th annual Commencement ceremony Friday, May 7, with the Del James Blessinger Award for Teaching Excellence.

Winner of the Blessinger full-time faculty award was Dr. Janice Fritz of Marysville, biology instructor. Winning the adjunct faculty award was William Burgess of Capac, biology instructor. Stephen Saffee, Blessinger Foundation trustee, awarded the honors during the Commencement ceremony.

The award was established by the late Del James Blessinger in appreciation of an award he received while an SC4 student. For 20 years, the Blessinger Foundation has provided financial aid to SC4 students, financial support for the college’s Library and financial recognition of teaching excellence. SC4 students, faculty, staff and administrators can submit award nominations.

Nominees for the full-time award in addition to Fritz were:

• Julie Armstrong of Marysville, business administration professor.
• LaTanga Christmas of Port Huron, speech professor.
• Joseph Gibbons of Grant Township, chemistry professor.
• Ross Green of Marysville, business administration professor.
• Laurie Lamont of Burtchville Township, nursing professor.
• Terry Langan of Marysville, business administration professor.
• Matthew Morabito of Port Huron, electronics professor.
• Donna Parkhurst of China Township, English professor.
• Robert Richardson of Fort Gratiot, computer information systems professor.
• Kathryn Ruby of Fort Gratiot, early childhood education and psychology professor.
• Gary Schmitz of St. Clair, English professor.
• Marie St. James of East China Township, math professor.
• Craig Swanson of Burtchville Township, sociology instructor.
• Tamara Turney of Fort Gratiot, nursing professor.
• Wendolyn Willison of Port Huron, office administration and computer information systems professor.

Nominees for the adjunct award in addition to Burgess were:

• Freda Brown of Port Huron, math instructor.
• Gary Caughel of Port Huron, math instructor.
• Gregory Dudzinski of Mount Clemens, psychology instructor.
• James Forsman of Greenwood Township, electronics instructor.
• Steven Fosgard of Port Huron, business administration instructor.
• Dr. Mary Kennedy of Port Huron, English instructor.
• Daniel McCarty of Marysville, business administration instructor.