Eastern Wyoming College Student, Employees, Trustee and Foundation Board Member Recognized

Eastern Wyoming College would like to announce the recognition of the individuals who were nominated by their peers for the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees Awards.  The nominations were for exemplary student, faculty member, classified employee, professional employee, Trustee and Foundation volunteer award.  Nomination packets included examples of how the nominee has had a positive impact on their community college and how they have been involved in the community.  Nominees will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony and Legislative Reception held in Cheyenne later this month.

The EWC nominee for Student of the Year is Jessica Rammell.  Jessica participates in many major activities on the EWC campus and surrounding community.  She is president for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, club president for Diversity Club and Debate club, vice president for the Art Club and a member of SkillsUSA, Student Senate and Music Club.

Jessica volunteered for many community and campus projects that include the Goshen County School districts’ back pack program, Trunk or Treat, and Operation Christmas Child.

Rick Vonburg was nominated as the Faculty Member of the Year and is Business and Technology Division Chair, Instructor of Economics and Statistics. Rick began his career at EWC in 1973. His current work at the College is focused on developing and expanding relationships with the University of Wyoming and leading the agricultural program in a new and exciting direction as the College prepares to build the Agricultural Technology Education Center. Rick has served seven terms with the City Council and has been very involved in the community.

Amy Smith, Senior Administrative Assistant to Student Services was nominated for the classified employee at EWC.  A large part of her job is entry and administration of enrollment of high school students who take concurrent classes. Amy also serves as the College’s Veterans Administration School Certifying Official. In that role she coordinates benefits and services for our students who are U.S. military veterans. She is dedicated to providing the best service possible to the student veterans and works with each one on an individual basis to maximize their success in their educational goals.

EWC’s nominee for Professional Employee of the Year was Tami Afdahl, College Relations Director.  She has been an asset to EWC in a number of roles.  Starting her career at the College as an effective recruiter, she is committed to Lancer pride and continues to “wear the black and gold” in all she does.  Tami recently planned, coordinated and directed the marketing and advertising campaign for a successful bond issue in Goshen County for expansion of the Torrington Campus and a special use tax in Converse County for a new building for the Douglas campus. She is a member of the Goshen County Chamber of Commerce board.

The nominee for Foundation Volunteer of the Year is Deidre Newman. Deidre has worked tirelessly on a variety of Foundation projects, importantly, she has chaired the signature fund-raising event-Sagebrush and Roses. This gala event has generated funding exclusively for EWC’s agriculture programs. As the college prepares to construct a new and modern agriculture technology building, this event plays a major role in connecting the agricultural community to the future of the program. Deidre is a member of the North Platte Valley Board of Realtors and the Wyoming Association of Realtors.

Mr. George Nash is the EWC nomination for the Trustee Leadership award. Mr. Nash was elected to his third term on the EWC Board of Trustees in November, 2014. He takes the time to study and understand all the issues and continues to be a thoughtful and conscientious board member. He has been continuously involved in service organizations such as Rotary, where he has served in a number of capacities including President, he has served a term on the Torrington City Council, has been a member, director and Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and thirty-eight years on the local Hospital Board.

“Eastern Wyoming College has again presented a very strong group of candidates for consideration for these awards. We feel our trustees, staff, foundation members, students, and faculty are among the best in the state. I am very proud for these nominees to represent us and the good work we do here at EWC,” added college President Dr. Richard Paterson.

This event is held annually, hosted by one of the seven Wyoming Community Colleges and the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees.

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