Annual Recognition Celebration Held May 5, 2023

Jefferson Community College (JCC) held its Annual Recognition Celebration on Friday, May 5, 2023. The College observed the retirement of eight faculty and staff, four newly appointed emeriti, honored those for milestone years of service to the College, continuing appointments, promotions, sabbaticals and announced SUNY Chancellor’s Award recipients and the Spirit of Jefferson Award recipient. 

The Spirit of Jefferson Award, established in 2011, recognizes a campus team that exemplifies cooperative effort and achieves exemplary results. The 2023 Spirit of Jefferson Award was presented to Cannon Threads, a clothing closet co-sponsored by Career Services and the School of Business, Hospitality and Tourism. Cannon Threads offers free, new or gently used, business attire to assist students in presenting themselves professionally while engaging with potential employers and building their professional networks. Past recipients of the Spirit of Jefferson Award include the JCC Women’s Organization (2011), Science Division ~ Super Science Saturday (2012), Library Learning Center (2013), JCC Relay for Life (2014), EverGREEN Committee (2015), North Country Community Cup Team (2016), Chaos Patrol (2017), Facilities Team (2018), National Endowment for the Humanities Grant Team (2019), JCC Campus Community (2020), JCC Food Pantry (2021), and Return To Campus Committee (2022).  

Retirees are Lucinda D. Barbour, Adams Center, professor of art; Venkat Chebolu, Watertown, professor of chemistry; Linda S. Dening, Lowville, professor of accounting and office technologies; Joel F. LaLone, Watertown, professor of mathematics; Gail A. Patrick, Theresa, secretary; Kimberly G. Sell, Redwood, professor of physical education; Lynn M. Sprott, Watertown, professor of psychology, and Robin E. Stephenson, Redwood, business advisor. 

Retirees receiving Emeritus Designation are:  

Keitha Haas, Depauville, personnel specialist emerita, retired in 2006 after 17 years of service to the College. Haas served in a one-person department and was often the first person a new employee encountered, and that interaction was the start of long-term successful careers for countless individuals at JCC. Haas was meticulous in her own work and spearheaded the implementation of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) conversion which was instrumental in the effective and timely retirement reporting of data for employees and retirees. Haas was engaged with many committees and provided expertise to administration on the development and implementation of policies, many of which continue to positively impact the campus today.

Joel F. LaLone, Watertown, professor emeritus, retired in 2022 after 37 years of service to the College. LaLone’s relationship with Jefferson Community College first began as a student. Following his graduation from JCC, he went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree before returning to the College in 1985 as a math instructor. In 1999, he was part of the forward-thinking group that established the Center for Community Studies (CCS) at Jefferson, and not long after, in 2002, he achieved the rank of full professor. He is a master teacher, an avid researcher and a frequent presenter in the community.  In 2016, he received the highest faculty honor that can be bestowed by the SUNY Board of Trustees - the rank of SUNY Distinguished Service Professor. In retirement, LaLone continues his work with the CCS. 

Betsy D. Penrose, Alfred, vice president emerita, retired in 2018 after 27 years of service to the College. Penrose joined Jefferson in 1991 as a data systems analyst to implement the College’s first integrated student information system. She progressed through various leadership roles beginning with assistant director of admissions and financial aid, to director of financial aid, to dean of enrollment management and student life, and lastly, to vice president for students. Penrose was integral to strategic planning and the development of JCC’s on campus student housing – East Hall, the Collaborative Learning Center and the Health & Wellness Center. She also worked in partnership with others to increase vital student services on campus including the veterans center, one stop enrollment services, integrated student success services, Jefferson Community School, CARES, completion coaching, a food closet, and a 24-hour high school equivalency program for qualified non-high school graduates. Among her awards, Penrose received a SUNY Financial Aid Professionals Presidential Citation for Outstanding Service and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.  

Michael K. White, West Monroe, professor emeritus, retired in 2018 after 36 years of service to the College. White joined the math faculty at Jefferson in 1983 and quickly made his mark in curriculum development when, in his first year, he developed the College’s computer science degree program with the assistance of then Division Chair Harold Shannon. White served as mathematics coordinator in 1989 and then, as the first chair of the math department from 1991-1996, a role he reprised in 2001-2005. He achieved the rank of full professor in 2004. Throughout his career, White mentored countless full-time and adjunct faculty and continued to hone his teaching skills, a highlight of which was a sabbatical spent as a visiting professor at Cornell University. He worked with the Center for Community Studies, serving as a project director on multiple research studies for which he received an Outstanding Community Service Award in 2013. White received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010.

Jefferson Community College recognized these current employees for milestone years of service:   

Five Years: Mark A. Bero of Brownville, Benjamin G. Foster of Trumansburg, Julian Mangano of Castorland, Victor Monaghan, Jr. of Carthage, Matthew L. Vincent of Calcium

Ten Years: Katie J. Corbin of Chaumont, Chris Ebey of Watertown, Corey M. Pentoney of Watertown, Clifford J. Peters of Antwerp

Fifteen Years: Michael B. Avery of Sackets Harbor, Lawrence M. Danforth of Corning, Leah A. Deasy of Mexico, Adrienne M. Demiceli of Watertown, Kathy J. Flanders of Clayton, Tanya L. Hoistion of Calcium, Brandon L. Maxam of Oswego, Beverly M. Norton of Watertown, Roy C. Romano of Watertown, Raymond R. Side of Redwood, Gabrielle M. Thompson of Watertown

Twenty Years: Patricia A. Crowder of Theresa, William L. McMahon of Carthage, Richard E. Merryman of Watertown, Gerald Zoanetti of Henderson Harbor

Twenty-Five Years: Paul A. Alteri of Watertown, Cheryl M. Martin of Watertown

Thirty Years: Venkat Chebolu of Watertown, Gail Patrick of Theresa, Paul F. Rowe of Watertown

Thirty-Five Years: Courtney A. Bauer of Watertown, Linda S. Dening of Lowville, Kimberly S. Stearns of Rodman

Retirees: (l-r) Kimberly G. Sell, professor of physical education, Joel F. LaLone, professor of mathematics, Lucinda D. Barbour, professor of art, Linda S. Dening, professor of accounting and office technologies, and Venkat Chebolu, professor of chemistry. Retirees unavailable: Gail A. Patrick of Theresa, secretary, Lynn M. Sprott, professor of psychology, and Robin E. Stephenson, business advisor. 

Newly Appointed Emeriti: first row (l-r) Joel F. LaLone, professor emeritus, Keitha Haas, personnel specialist emerita, Betsy D. Penrose, vice president emerita, Michael K. White, professor emeritus. Back row (l-r) Judith L. Gentner, Chair, Board of Trustees, David J. Males, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, and Daniel J. Dupee, II, Administrator-in-Charge.

Recognized for 25 years of service to the College: Paul A. Alteri, professor of criminal justice, and Cheryl M. Martin, secretary. 

Recognized for 30 years of service to the College:  Venkat Chebolu, professor of chemistry. Unavailable for photo: Gail Patrick of Theresa, secretary, and Paul F. Rowe of Watertown, computer operator. 

Recognized for 35 years of service to the College: (l-r) Kimberly S. Stearns, secretary, Courtney A. Bauer, Watertown, senior secretary, and Linda S. Dening, professor of accounting and office technologies.