Employee awards

The Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence is the highest honor for any faculty member at Delta College. The award is chosen by a vote by Delta College students and faculty. The Bergstein Family of Midland has sponsored this award since 1965, and it reflects their commitment to teaching excellence over the years.

2025 recipients:

Beth Kelch (Midland), professor of mathematics
Trent Wade (Bay City), professor of foreign languages 

The Ormond E. Barstow and Ludo K. Frevel Award for Scholarly Achievement is granted annually to a full-time employee who is judged by the committee to have made a distinguished contribution to the development of the body of knowledge of an academic discipline. This special award was created by two very good friends, Ormond E. Barstow and Ludo Frevel.

2025 recipient:

Mark Brown (Midland), professor of English

This award recognizes an adjunct faculty member’s dedication to supporting the well-being, learning, growth and development of Delta College students. It was established by the Delta College Foundation and first given out in 2022, in memory of Eric “Q” Beckman — a beloved Delta associate professor of economics.

2025 recipient:

Jeffrey Carpenter (Saginaw), adjunct faculty of art

This award recognizes an exemplary administrative or professional staff member who has offered outstanding service to the college community and/or exceeded the scope of their position. The award honors Willie E. Thompson, who began his career at Delta College in 1970 and eventually as the vice president of Student and Educational Services. 

2025 recipient:

Danielle Petersen (Midland), manager of the TLC and Testing Center

Given by the Executive Committee for Administrative and Professional Staff (ECAPS), this award is in recognition of exemplary teamwork, resulting in substantial benefit to learning or outstanding service to the college community. The nomination may recognize a team that includes multiple employee groups of the college; however, at least 50% of the team must consist of administrative or professional staff members.

2025 recipients:

Financial Aid

Kristine Burch (Saginaw), financial aid advisor
Janina Countegan (Saginaw), financial aid advisor
Ryan Goodrow (Saginaw), technologist/financial aid advisor
Katie Kalkman (Saginaw), financial aid advisor
Tenesha Marselis Blair (Saginaw), financial aid office professional
Eric Merkle (Auburn), financial aid advisor
James Quinn (Bay City), financial aid advisor
Danni Savage (Auburn), financial aid office professional
Elvina Sika (Saginaw), assistant director of Financial Aid 

The Rollin M. Gerstacker Faculty Award for Innovative Use of Technology in Teaching recognizes faculty members who demonstrate innovative use of technology, and those who use technology in a new and unique manner beyond its normal use by an educator. The award began in 2002 with a gift from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland. 

The Lynn Heatley Award for Distinguished Service recognizes adjunct faculty who have provided outstanding service through their work at Delta and the community. George “Lynn” Heatley was an adult and vocational education consultant at Delta College from 1963 through 1978.

2025 recipient:

Anthony Depelsmaeker (Freeland), adjunct faculty of welding

The Don Laughner Award for Creative Change may be given for: 1) Recognition of contributions resulting in significant institutional change; and 2) Significant change in areas such as organization, programming, staffing, curriculum, college procedures, governance structure or personal growth and development. During his years at Delta College (1964-1980), Don Laughner was a tireless and inspirational leader, a math professor, division chair, dean and senate president.

2025 recipients:

Emily Clement (Midland), associate director of Transfer Partnerships
Maureen Donegan (Davisburg), professor of psychology
Laura Dull (Coleman), professor of history
Amy French (Saginaw), professor of history
David Hopkins (Frankenmuth), dean of Transfer Programs and Online Learning
Kimberly Katzer (Bentley), registrar
Eric Wiesenauer (Auburn), professor of mathematics

The Support Staff Excellence Award is presented by the Support Staff Executive Committee (SSEC) to a contributing member who exemplifies professionalism, service and dedication within Delta College, as well as positively represents the college in the community.

2025 recipient:

Sean Hill (Clare), learning and technology consultant

The Carlyon Endowed Teaching Chair was first awarded in 1994 and it encourages faculty to pursue a professional activity/project and related follow-up which may include the development of new academic modules, infusion activities or service learning opportunities. Eligibility: All Delta College faculty who have taught full-time for the college for at least three years. This award honors President Emeritus Don Carlyon, his wife Betty and their many years of innovation and service to the Delta community. Don is the college's longest standing president from 1964–1992. In 1968, he led  Delta College to become a founding member of the League for Innovation in the Community College. 

The DeVinney Endowed Chair was first given in 2004 and honors Bob’s commitment to innovation in using technology in classroom teaching. Proposals focus on the innovative use or study of technology in the classroom or other learning environment. Eligibility: All Delta College full-time or adjunct faculty, or full-time and regular part-time staff whose work directly impacts student learning. Robert DeVinney, longtime professor of mathematics at Delta, is memorialized through the endowment that bears his name.

2025 recipients:

Casey Armour, Rhonda Hughes-Seefeldt, Tim McGuire

Project Title: Enhancing Anatomy and Physiology Learning with OER Virtual Lab Resources
Project description: Develop and share OER virtual lab resources for Anatomy and Physiology, including 3-D photogrammetry models, interactive diagrams, and virtual experiments. It will enhance student engagement, improve accessibility, and provide flexible learning, creating a more interactive and immersive experience in online and hybrid courses.

First awarded in 2006, this award supports and rewards innovations that foster excellence and have a direct impact on student learning. Proposals should focus on the development of new academic modules, infusion activities or teaching and learning approaches and involve cooperation of more than one department, discipline or division. Eligibility: Full-time faculty members, or adjunct faculty members or staff members who are working to impact student learning. The Ellucian Higher Education Endowed Teaching Chair was established by the Florida-based company that specializes in providing information technology services to colleges and universities nationwide.

2025 recipients:

Kim Boldt, Chris Hausbeck, Kara Jimenez, Cindy Kramer, Pam Livingston, Daisy McQuiston, Danielle Petersen, Dan Sabourin, Laura Schmidt, Justin Sinicki, Ryan Teeple

Project Title: Academic Wellness: A preventative Care Model for Student Success in Healthcare
Project description: Develop eLearning modules and additional learning support resources for healthcare students to promote "academic wellness,'" program retention/completion, and national board licensing or certification exam success. Modules will integrate learning, study, and test-taking strategies to improve healthcare student preparedness, metacognition, and resilience.

The MacArthur Endowed Teaching Chair was first awarded in 2011 and is restricted for projects focused on the following subject areas: art, languages, music, literature, psychology or history. Proposals should set forth the primary values exemplified by Karen MacArthur during her tenure at Delta College: creativity and innovation. Eligibility: All full-time or adjunct faculty or Delta College staff. Karen MacArthur, who retired as executive director of the Delta College Foundation and Delta's executive director of Institutional Advancement in 2007, is honored through this endowment that bears her name.

The Robert R. “Dr. Bob” Zimmermann Endowed Teaching Chair was first awarded in 2020 to provide professional development opportunities for faculty members. Proposals must demonstrate the primary values exemplified by Dr. Bob during his tenure at Delta College, including his belief all students should be treated equitably, with an equal opportunity to learn.  Applications including general professional development projects for faculty members will be considered, including those working in areas of disabilities or different learning styles are welcome to apply. Eligibility: Faculty members who are directly involved in the teaching process.  This award was established by Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Ted Coopman in memory of her father, Robert “Dr. Bob” Zimmerman. Dr. Bob joyfully worked at Delta College from 1980 until his retirement in 1995. He often said that he found his professional home at Delta College and greatly appreciated the opportunity to join the Delta community.

2025 recipients:

Andrea Bair, Aron Drake, Melissa Haswell, Jordan Hoffman, Kelsey Pressler

Project Title: Supporting Environmental Science and Geology student Success, career development
and educational pathways at Delta
Project description: Reform our environmental science and geology courses and associated programs to support student course success and reduce equity gaps, align our curricula with current workforce needs in collaboration with 4YC partners, and prepare students for future careers.

Timothy Light (Reese), telecom/building controls specialist

William Carter (Saginaw), general maintenance
Thomas Kienbaum (Bay City), mechanical maintenance
Phoebe Lutz (Bay City), professor of mathematics
Meshell Matthews-Mathis (Saginaw), public safety communications specialist

David Baskind (Saginaw), professor of psychology
Dawn Jurik (Saginaw), criminal justice office professional

Kimberly Boldt (Midland), associate professor of sonography
Wendy Burns (Saginaw), associate professor of biology
Wendy Childs (Bay City), director of Human Resources 
Dawn DeCoe (Midland), public safety communications specialist
Kevin Dehne (Saginaw), associate professor of physics
Cynthia Grether (Midland), instructor of management
Monica Hernandez-Alaniz (Essexville), assistant director of Downtown Saginaw
Sherrill Irish (Clio), administrative office professional
Carla Murphy (Flushing), professor of lifelong wellness
Randall Nichols (Kawkawlin), associate professor of mathematics
Felicia Peters (Saginaw), professor of computer science and information technology
Cynthia Reyes (Saginaw), admissions advisor
Jeri Sinicki (Bay City), admissions office professional
Andrea Ursuy (Bay City), executive director of Administrative Services and Institutional Effectiveness
Jeffrey Vande Zande (Midland), professor of English

Pammy Behmlander (Bay City), bookstore specialist
Jill Delaney (Bay City), administrative office professional
Donna Giuliani (Blanchard), professor of sociology
Denise Hill (Bay City), professor of English
Matthew Hock (Columbiaville), chief engineer 
Christine Horn (Munger), associate professor of nursing
Jonathan Majchrzak (Bay City), associate professor of lifelong wellness
Wendy Martin (Midland), administrative office professional
Mark Mitchell (Saginaw), professor of economics
Robert Moore (Flushing), associate professor of political science
Elizabeth Ullrich (Grand Blanc), associate professor of political science
Ski VanderLaan (Bay City), professor of accounting
Karen Wagner (Bay City), customer service associate
Kevin Wyzkiewicz (Bay City), associate professor of computer science and information technology

Darci Doll (Saginaw), associate professor of philosophy
Ann Dore (Bay City), associate professor of nursing
Amanda Hammond (Freeland), web content marketing coordinator
Matthew Murphy (Midland), TV operations producer
Tiffany Patterson (Saginaw), employment services advisor, Great Lakes Bay MI Works!
Andrew Rieder (Owosso), associate professor of art
Gwen Serbus (Montrose), development manager
Lauren Smith (Bay City), professor of english
Sheryl Smith (Saginaw), bookstore specialist 
Angela Trabalka (Saginaw), associate professor of English
Meaghan Walraven (Essexville), human resources office professional
Kimberly Wells (Saginaw), professor of Electronic Media
Carol Whittaker (Midland), librarian - reference

Robert Battinkoff (Brant), director of Public Safety
David Bontekoe (Bay City), planetarium assistant
Michael Evans (Mt. Pleasant), associate professor of history
Alison Ginter (Shepherd), BEDI coordinator
Darrin Johnson (Burton), associate director of Recruitment and Employee Development
Katie Kalkman (Saginaw), financial aid advisor
Daren Kench (Saginaw), assistant director of Workforce Strategies
Wallace Minard (Essexville), associate professor of automotive service education
Mike Murray (Essexville), astronomer and planetarium/learning center manager
Suzanne Paris (Freeland), communications specialist
LeAnn Reif (Auburn), associate professor of nursing 
Justin Scheidler (Bay City), CST lab technician
Barbara Syed (Sanford), associate professor of office administration and technology
Melissa Wallace (Saginaw), assistant professor of sociology

Casey Armour (Midland), assistant professor of biology
Joseph Brent (Bentley), learning resource technician
Ericha Diegel (Midland), assistant professor of dental hygiene
Bryan Graybill (Gladwin), assistant professor of respiratory care
Jessica Herek (Bay City), assistant professor of nursing
Timothy McGuire (Breckenridge), assistant professor of biology
Talma Miller (Saginaw), CTE special populations engagement and success coordinator
Brad Pretzer (Bay City), assistant professor of mathematics
James Quinn (Bay City), financial aid advisor
Holli Reinelt (Saginaw), human resources coordinator
Erica Robb (Midland), student success counselor
Ethan Short (Saginaw), assistant professor of accounting
Stacy Stremlow (Midland), admissions advisor
Amy Wegener (Auburn), assistant professor of nursing