Thirteen employees were recognized for instructing a combined total of 3,150 semester hours, or approximately 1,050 classes, in their careers at Edison State Community College’s annual adjunct faculty recognition banquet on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
William Loudermilk, President of Academic Senate and Professor of English, served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Edison State President Dr. Doreen Larson provided a keynote address and presented honorees with gifts.
“The students in our classes are so very, very sincere about their college education,” said Dr. Larson. “They are looking to make a change in their lives. They have stepped forward, they are scared, they question themselves, they go into these classes hoping that they made the right decision, hoping—especially if they’re the first students in their families—that they’re not going to let their families down.”
“Every professor in these students’ classes is their professor. They have no sense of who is an assistant professor, an adjunct professor, or a first-time instructor. You’re their college professor. They look to you for grace, mercy, and inspiration. That is why they’re here.”
“You know when you’ve connected with that student and lit that spark, and you see them change, that there’s nothing better in the world. You’ve changed a person with your effort and expertise.”
Dr. Larson concluded her address by encouraging faculty to enjoy their time with their students and each other.
Loudermilk began the presentation of awards by commenting, “We would like to honor the service of adjuncts. It’s meaningful to mark these milestones and to know that you’ve given excellent service.”
Theresa Grilliot, who teaches math, was honored for the highest number of service hours. “Theresa is ever-present and collegial,” Loudermilk said. “She is clocking in at 675 hours. That is equivalent to 22.5 years of service.”
Adjunct faculty hours accrue by the number of credit hours in each class taught. Each class taught is typically worth three credit hours.
Edison State recognized the following employees for reaching significant milestones in their careers:
Six Hundred Seventy-Five Hours: Theresa Grilliot, Math
Four Hundred Fifty Hours: Stephanie Beiser, Art
Three Hundred Seventy-Five Hours: Charles Scheidt, Accounting/Economics
Three Hundred Hours: Vincent Miller, Math
Two Hundred Twenty-Five Hours: Carl DeSantis, English; Lin Roberts, Business/Computer Info Systems; Christopher Sykes, Engineering
One Hundred Fifty Hours: Michael Siebenaler, English; Doug Streitenberger, Business/Computer Info Systems; Frank Travers, Art/Humanities
Seventy-Five Hours: Susan Butts, Business; Dawn Hatfield, Psychology; Sarah Hein, Sociology
Photo: Dr. Doreen Larson (left) presents Theresa Grilliot (right) with a gift for reaching 675 service hours in her career at Edison State.