Deborah Swain

Norman Wurglar

Randy Simmons

Jill Knight

Betty Myrick

Faculty members Norman F. Wurgler of Almo and Deborah Swain of Ledbetter were recognized for excellence in teaching during a reception Friday at West Kentucky Community & Technical College.
 
The two faculty members were among five WKCTC employees recognized for their work at the college. “These five award recipients are people who demonstrate a love for their work," Tena Payne, Vice President for Academic Affairs said during the reception. “They do not come here every day for money or fame, but for the sheer joy of doing their work well – and it shows.”
 
Wurgler, an associate professor in music and humanities, received The Phelps Award, named in memory of Finis Sargent Phelps and Florence Grubbs Phelps. The purpose of this award, established at the college in 1991, is to emphasize quality, promote academic excellence, and reward competence in teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines.  Wurgler has been at the college 10 years.

Swain, an associate professor in surgical technology, received the Paducah Junior College Faculty Award, which recognizes quality, competence, and excellence in teaching in a technical field. She has been at the college since 1995.

WKCTC employees Betty Myrick and Randy Simmons, both of Paducah, and Jill Knight of Hickory were also recognized as WKCTC’s nominees for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s 2009 New Horizon Award.

Each KCTCS college nominates one administrative member, one faculty member, and one staff member for the award by their fellow college employees. One faculty member, one administrative member, and one staff member from the 48 people nominated will be chosen as the top staff and faculty representative at a special awards banquet to be held in Lexington in May.

Myrick, director of adult education, was nominated in the administrative category. She has worked at the college for a year.  Simmons, an assistant art professor, has worked at the college for four years. A Graves County native, Simmons graduated from Murray State University and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati. He also studied art in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Knight, a senior administrative assistant, was nominated in the staff category and has worked at the college for 18 years.
 

Additional photographs