EWC Student, Employees, Trustee and Foundation Board Member Recognized

(Back row left to right): David Banville, Angie Chavez, Ellen Creagar
(Front row left to right): Nicole Donbraska, Holly Lara, Tom Gardner

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

The EWC nominee for Student of the Year was Nicole Donbraska. Nicole participates in many major activities on the EWC campus and surrounding community. She is treasurer for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, a member of both the EWC collegiate choir and band. Nicole is also a tutor in the Learning Skills Lab. In the fall 2013 semester the college and Phi Theta Kappa promoted the challenge “Commit to Complete”. This challenge is about getting students to carefully consider their future with regards to timely completion of their classes. Nicole personally took this challenge to heart as she knows that a college education is so important. She wanted to set a good example to other students by earning good grades and helping others get earn grades through tutoring.

Ellen Creagar was nominated as the Faculty Member of the Year and is a long-term political science, history, and communications instructor. Ellen usually has large classes and often allows more students in from the waitlist. After students have her in one class, they will look for additional classes from her to use as electives. She has served on multiple committees including the distance learning committee, student retention team, and various hiring committees. Ellen serves as an inspiration for all when she volunteers for the Backpack Program at the middle school providing food for the weekends for needy children, or inviting the college sports teams to interact with elementary grade classes.

Holly Lara, Administrative Specialist to the institutional development office was nominated for the classified employee at EWC. There are many aspects to a development and foundation operation and Holly has progressed over the years to understand and employ these varied concepts—including donor identification and prospective donor evaluation, donor communications, management of computerized donor records, stewardship activities that include multiple opportunities for donor acknowledgement, and ongoing recognition and maintenance of positive relationships with donors and board members.

EWC’s nominee for Professional Employee of the Year was David Banville, Instructional Technology Specialist. David’s primary job responsibilities include supporting instructors and students who use the college’s Learning Management System (LMS). As part of a two-person department, he works closely with our faculty members providing curriculum course design support and technical support. Students also appreciate his technical assistance and his patient and kind efforts in helping them succeed in their online courses, as well as their LMS-supported face-to-face classes.

The nominee for Foundation Volunteer of the Year was Tom Gardner. He has served on the Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees during a time that challenged the college to allocate resources carefully. Tom has served on the foundation for nearly twenty years. He has overseen growth of assets in the past eight years. His professional career in banking and finance has proven valuable to students and the college.

The EWC nomination for Trustee Leadership award was Angie Chavez. Angie is a former staff member of EWC and understands many of the intricacies involved with providing a quality educational environment. She is supportive of innovative thinking and making sure investments go as far as possible. As a professional educator, she understands the power of an education and has seen lives change as young students move into college and then work or transfer.

“What a great group to represent us at the WACCT Awards Ceremony and Legislative reception. Angie, Tom, Ellen, Holly, David, and Nicole, their statewide recognition is evidence of the quality individuals associated with Eastern Wyoming College. Led by our Board of Trustees, we all seek to deliver the best education and training possible in a positive, modern, and attractive educational environment. The EWC Foundation represents a strong group of community and college-minded folks who bring ongoing energy, experiences, and expertise to the table. As for our students, faculty and staff members, Eastern simply gets it done,” added college President Dr. Tom Armstrong.
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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