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Lincoln Trail College honored two members of the Class of 2020 along with three staff members with awards.
Xavier Roberson was awarded the J. Rod Harmon Excellence in Service Award. The award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding service to the college or the community. Rod Harmon served as a faculty member at Lincoln Trail College for 27 years and has been the Executive Director of the Lincoln Trail College Foundation since 2005. He is well known for his rich sense of humor, dedication to his wife Diana, and commitment to creating opportunities for all residents of Crawford County to have access to a high-quality education.
Roberson was recognized for his work in the College’s TRIO SSS program. He’s served as a mentor to first-year students in TRIO SSS in addition to working in the TRIO office. Roberson helped serve as a liaison between Lincoln Trail College and the program’s director during a transition in personnel at LTC. Roberson has also helped at the Crawford County Humane Society, reads to preschool students, has volunteered with the Hutsonville Baptist Church, and is a member of the Men’s Basketball Team.
Sarah Kennedy was awarded the Bev L. Turkal Excellence in Leadership Award. The award is given to a student who has shown great leadership qualities and skills. This award is given to honor Bev L. Turkal, a true leader in education, whose passion was to make a difference and change the lives of children, teens, adults and lifelong learners. Bev believed to be a strong leader one must live life, care and show empathy, must have high energy and be competitive to accomplish the goals set to make things happen.
Kennedy has served as a mentor for first-year students in the TRIO SSS program. In addition to helping with events like orientation, workshops, trips, and recruiting events with TRIO, Kennedy helped form a study group to help students succeed in a chemistry class they were taking. Kennedy also served as the Vice President of Scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa and is the Recording Secretary for Student Senate.
Deanna Chrysler, Julie Higginbotham, and John Watson were each awarded with Staff Excellence Awards.
Chrysler, who serves as the Administrative Assistant to the President, has been with LTC for more than 30 years. She was recognized for her work there along with helping with numerous committees such as the Professional Assistants Group, the Professional Development Committee, and the Special Events Committee. Chrysler has been the lead for Santa Day and Breakfast with Santa for 18 years and has also managed Trick or Treat at the Trail and was the founder of LTC’s Celebrate Art! event.
Higginbotham is LTC’s Assistant Dean of Student Services and has also been with the College for more than 30 years. She was recognized for how much she deeply cares about students, especially those away from home for the first time that need someone to talk to. Her nomination pointed out instances where she organized a trip to Moonshine to help student-athletes bond and a time when she worked with a student on a portfolio life experience course the student needed to graduate. Higginbotham also serves as LTC’s planner for graduation ceremonies.
Watson is a Custodian at LTC and has been with the College for 12 years. He was recognized for his big heart. Watson is known for doing the little extras to help faculty and staff and that he’s always happy to help and prides himself in doing a job well. He was also recognized for always doing a great job representing LTC and what the College stands for.
In addition, the College also recognized faculty and staff for their years of service. Rena Gower and Sharon McElyea were recognized for ten years of service to LTC. Chris Forde, Laurie Jenkins, and Robin Zachary were recognized for five years of service and Amber Malone, Kelly Mullins, Adam Rotar, Mark Shea, and Brent Todd were recognized for three years of service.
