EWC individuals recognized in Cheyenne

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 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 were recently recognized at an Awards Ceremony and Legislative Reception held in Cheyenne.

Don Snyder, Grounds Assistant was the nominee and winner of the Classified Employee of the Year award.  It is not uncommon to find Don at the College at 3:00 am clearing snow for all of the students and employees who will be soon arriving.  Whether he is working on equipment or replacing a sprinkler head, he makes sure the job is done right.

The nominee and winner for Foundation Volunteer of the Year was Patrick Korell.  He has served on the Eastern Wyoming College Foundation Board for twelve years and seven of those years he has served as the President.  He has overseen the growth and expansion of the Foundation’s assets from $1.5 million to nearly $7 million.  The College has directly benefitted from Patrick’s leadership and connection to the school through his many years of teaching on our campus. 

The EWC nominee for Student of the Year was Teal Deen.   Teal participates in many major activities on the EWC campus and surrounding community.  She is Secretary for the Student Senate, President of the Gay/Straight Alliance Organization, Secretary of the Art Club, a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, the EWC Diversity Club and the EWC Diversity Committee.  Teal is also a tutor in the Learning Skills Lab, and a tutor at Torrington Middle School.  She was intricately involved in the first Ox-fam American Hunger Banquet held on campus.  Faculty recognize her as a bright, curious, serious and very enjoyable young woman, with a good attitude toward school and studying.

Dr. Peggy Knittel was nominated as the Faculty Member of the Year and is a long-term science faculty member at Eastern Wyoming College.  Dr. K (as her students affectionately call her) is an amazing and dedicated instructor who helps students become better equipped to take the next steps in their educational pathway.  Student comments include heartfelt remarks like “Greatest biology instructor I’ve ever had.  I learned more than I have in any other class.”  “Dr. K is FABULOUS!  Love her! I would like all my medical classes to be taught by her.”  She encourages students to develop good study habits and attain their goals at the highest levels possible.  Peggy has received the gratitude of many such students who are now nurses, medical technicians, science instructors, or perhaps just community college students who learned a little bit more about science from an instructor who took the time and effort to help them along the way.

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 was committed to Lancer pride and continues to “wear the black and gold” in all she does.  Ms. Afdahl recently planned, coordinated and directed the marketing and advertising campaign to encourage Converse County voters to vote in support of the special purpose tax.  On November 6, the Converse County voters supported the 1% Special Purpose Tax for the new EWC Douglas Branch campus building.  She possesses outstanding marketing and public relations skills, strong leadership skills with high standards of personal integrity, she has the ability to empower people, be a direction setter and a strong communicator.

“I believe that Don, Patrick, Teal, Peggy, and Tami have shared their knowledge, talents, skills, and experiences with our staff and students at Eastern Wyoming College.  Each is special and deserving of this statewide recognition.  They also extend our college’s reach into the community.  Together, along with a strong group of professionals and exceptional students at EWC, they do make a difference daily,” added EWC President Dr. Tom Armstrong

Eastern Wyoming College was also the hosting college of the Awards Ceremony and Legislative Reception recently held in Cheyenne.  This event is held annually, hosted by one of the seven Wyoming Community Colleges and the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees.