JCC Holds Annual Recognition Celebration, May 2025

Jefferson Community College (JCC) held its Annual Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, honoring eight retirees, five newly appointed emeriti, SUNY Chancellor’s Award recipients, and employees celebrating milestone service years, continuing appointments, promotions, and sabbaticals. The Spirit of Jefferson Award recipient was also announced.

Retirees who received Emeritus Designation are: Tina Berkey, Watertown, college service emerita, Rosemary Deusser-Jensen, Watertown, professor emerita, Linda Dittrich, Watertown, associate vice president emerita, Dr. Monica LeClerc, Alexandria Bay, professor emerita, and Rosanne Weir, Watertown, dean emerita. 

Tina Berkey, College Service Emerita - Berkey served JCC for 35 years. Her career started in 1982 as the College’s first “Word Processor” and progressed into key administrative support roles. A campus and community leader, she served as Senate Secretary and President of the JCC Women’s Organization and was active in Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. A technology pioneer, Berkey was the first employee to transition from a Mag Card Typewriter to a computer. Her accolades include the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service (2010), two Jefferson Performance Awards, and multiple professional certifications. Berkey also serves as board member and secretary for the Adams Center Free Library and Watertown Lyric Theater.

Rosemary Deusser-Jensen, Professor Emerita - Deusser-Jensen served Jefferson for 31 years, advancing from adjunct instructor to Professor of English and Speech Communication. She advised student organizations including Student Government and Phi Theta Kappa, presented communication workshops for campus and community groups, and contributed to numerous college committees. She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service (1998) and the Thomas W. Myers Award for Excellence in Co-Curricular Life. A member of the National Communication Association, she pursued advanced coursework and consulting certification throughout her career.

Linda C. Dittrich, Associate Vice President Emerita - Dittrich served Jefferson for more than two decades, joining the college in 1999 as Associate Dean for Mathematics and Science, later becoming Associate Vice President. She managed multimillion-dollar budgets, led over 70 faculty and staff, and launched programs in Renewable Energy Technology, Paramedic/EMS, and Animal Management. She helped secure a $2 million Department of Labor grant to expand healthcare education and served on the Academic Standards and Strategic Planning committees. Dittrich also mentored faculty and advised students, while remaining active in community organizations, including the Roswell Flower Memorial Library Board.

Dr. Monica G. LeClerc, Professor Emerita - Dr. LeClerc served the college for 26 years as a faculty member and academic leader, including roles as Department Chair and Chair of Lab Science and Physical Education. She led curriculum redesigns, co-taught interdisciplinary science courses, and conducted sabbatical research on tick-borne diseases with SUNY Upstate and the University of Massachusetts. A dedicated mentor, she guided student research in ecology, water analysis, and microplastics and was instrumental in promoting Super Science Saturday. In 2019, she received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Rosanne N. Weir, Dean Emerita - Weir began her 40-year career at JCC in 1977 as its first admissions counselor. She advanced to Director of Admissions in 1989 and Dean for Enrollment in 2015. Weir led initiatives to increase college access, including College is Possible, Start Now with SUNY Oswego, and Junior Visitation Day. She championed affordability and support for nontraditional and first-generation students, advised international students, and directed the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Her service earned the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and numerous honors. She was also active in community programs such as Planned Parenthood and North Country Reads.

SUNY Chancellor’s Award recipients are Trevor J. Bradish, Watertown, assistant professor of mathematics, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Renee Patterson, Watertown, account clerk, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. 

Bradish joined Jefferson in 2011 as an instructor and was promoted to assistant professor of mathematics in 2015. Actively engaged in campus governance, he chairs the Academic Standards Committee, which guides college policies. He previously chaired the Guided Pathways Subcommittee for three years, contributing to the development of Jefferson’s Prior Learning Assessment Policy, and led the Academic Affairs Committee for two years, overseeing curriculum revisions. He also served five years on the Carnegie Quantway Adoption Steering Committee. Throughout his tenure, Bradish has developed course content, integrated educational technology into his teaching, and supported assessment and accreditation efforts. He is an active member of the New York State Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges, where he has held roles as secretary and Region 2 Member At-Large and presented at annual conferences. Beyond the classroom, Bradish is a committed advisor and mentor to students in both the math and nursing programs. Bradish holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education degree from SUNY Potsdam.  

Patterson has been a dedicated member of Jefferson’s classified staff for nearly 20 years, serving as an account clerk in the Financial Services office. Known for her strong work ethic, adaptability, and meticulous attention to detail, she has made a lasting impact across multiple departments, including Enrollment Services, the Finance office, and Financial Services. Always willing to share her knowledge, Patterson has played a key role in training new staff, particularly in Enrollment Services. Her contributions have enhanced efficiency and strengthened student support campus-wide, all while managing a wide range of responsibilities with care and precision. Patterson holds associate degrees in business administration and individual studies, along with a certificate in accounting, all from Jefferson. 

Retirees are Paul Alteri, Watertown, Associate Professor, 29 years of service; Peter Crump, Carthage, Senior Building Maintenance Mechanic II, 10 years of service; Jeri Fairman, Watertown, Provost, Vice President of Academic and Student affairs, 36 years of service;  Michele Gefell, Watertown, Coordinator of Career Planning and Placement, 36 years of service; Diana Marin, Sandy Creek, Secretary, 20 years of service; Edie Roggie, Croghan, Alumni Development Officer, 20 years of service; Rebecca Small-Kellogg, Dexter, Director of Access and Opportunity Programs, 37 years of service; and Irene Wilder, Copenhagen, Assistant Professor, 34 years of service.  

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

Five Years: Nicole Arcuri, Pulaski, Valerie Slate, Copenhagen, Nicholas Thornthwaite, Black River, Lori Tuttle, Theresa 

Ten Years: Peter Crump, Carthage, Jessica Emerson, Watertown, Marylou Evans, Carthage, Matt Gorman, Watertown, Megan Stadler, Watertown, Donna Yang, Watertown

Fifteen Years: Joshua Hammond, Carthage, Joshua Hollenbeck, Evans Mills, Cynthia Sloan, Watertown 

Twenty Years: Peter Boenning, Watertown, Susan Hughes, Watertown, Diana Marin, Sandy Creek, Lisa Shelmidine, Adams

Twenty-Five Years: Dean Dyer, Adams, Eleanor Minnick, Calcium, Heather Natali, Watertown, Amy O’Donnell, Watertown, Todd Vincent, Adams Center 

Thirty Years: Mark Streiff, Evans Mills

The Spirit of Jefferson Award, established in 2011, recognizes a campus team that exemplifies cooperative effort and achieves exemplary results. The 2025 Spirit of Jefferson Award was presented to Strategic Planning Co-Chair Team - Dawn Bartlett, Watertown, and Larry Danforth, Corning.  

Beginning in summer 2024, the Strategic Planning Team led the process with dedication, leadership, and professionalism. From early meetings with the Board of Trustees and President’s Cabinet to the launch of five campus-wide workgroups, Bartlett and Danforth set a tone of intentionality that guided every step. They built a strong foundation by refining the College’s Mission, Vision, and Values, and supported the process with a robust communication structure, including a centralized repository of data and research. Even while balancing faculty responsibilities, they ensured that students, faculty, staff, and community members were meaningfully engaged, making the process truly collaborative. The resulting Jefferson Strategic Plan 2025–2030 reflects their integrity, vision, and deep commitment to the institution. 

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), Return To Campus COVID Committee (2022), Cannon Threads Closing Closet (2023), and President Dupee’s Inauguration Planning Workgroup (2024).   

Emeriti (front row, l-r): Rosanne N. Weir, Watertown, Dean Emerita; Dr. Monica G. LeClerc, Alexandria Bay, Professor Emerita; and Linda C. Dittrich, Watertown, Associate Vice President Emerita; with back row (l-r): Cindy F. Intschert, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees,  Daniel J. Dupee II, College President, and David J. Males, Chair, Board of Trustees.

Front row (l-r): Retirees Diana Marin, Sandy Creek, secretary, 20 years of service; Edie Roggie, Croghan, alumni development officer, 20 years of service; Irene Wilder, Copenhagen, assistant professor, 34 years of service; Rebecca Small-Kellogg, Dexter, director of access and opportunity programs, 37 years of service; Michele Gefell, Watertown, coordinator of career planning and placement, 36 years of service; Paul Alteri, Watertown, associate professor, 29 years of service.

Back row (l-r): Cindy F. Intschert, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; David J. Males, Chair, Board of Trustees; retiree Jeri Fairman, Watertown, provost, vice president of academic and student affairs, 36 years of service; Daniel J. Dupee II, College President. 

(l-r): Cindy F. Intschert, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; David J. Males, Chair, Board of Trustees; Renee Patterson, Watertown, account clerk, SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service; Trevor J. Bradish, Watertown, assistant professor of mathematics, SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; Daniel J. Dupee II, College President.


Honored for 25 years of service to the College are (l-r) Todd Vincent of Adams Center, professor, Heather Natali of Watertown, senior secretary, Eleanor Minnick of Calcium, secretary, Amy O’Donnell of Watertown, assistant professor - pictured with Daniel J. Dupee, II, College President. 


Honored for 30 years of service to the College is Mark Streiff (left) of Evans Mills, professor, pictured with Daniel J. Dupee, II, College President.  


2025 Recipient of the Spirit of Jefferson Award was presented to the Strategic Planning Co-Chair Team, Associate Professor Dawn Bartlett of Watertown and Assistant Professor Larry Danforth of Corning - pictured with Daniel J. Dupee, II, College President.