Employees honored, retirees recognized at DWU luncheon

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Several Dakota Wesleyan University employees were honored May 10 at a special recognition luncheon.

Dr. Clint Desmond, choral director and assistant music professor, received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Service. This award is chosen through special nomination to the president.

DWU also awards Professional Excellence Awards for faculty and staff for fall, winter and spring of the school year. The three faculty winners this year were Joan Lubben, assistant professor of math; Aletha Erpenbach, assistant professor of nursing; and Dr. Gloria Leonard, professor of education and psychology. The three staff winners were Leah Rado, sports information director; Michelle Hellman, education support specialist; and Terry Lundeen, director of residence life. Out of those winners, two overall awards are given for the 2011-12 school year.

Dr. Gloria Leonard received the Overall Professional Excellence Award for a faculty member.

Terry Lundeen received the Overall Professional Excellence Award for a staff member.

Service Awards

Length of service awards were presented to the following employees:

Five years: Derek Driedger, Emily George, Ruth Haidle, Jory Hansen, Susie Hitchcock, Rick Johnson, Cindy Kiner, Linus Mayer, Corey Mellegaard, Dale Roden, Bev Rumbolz and Joe Weiland; 10 years: Allen Jenks, Nancy Sonne and Mary Stahl; 15 years: Chad Larson; 20 years: Deb Cap and Mike Catalano; 25 years: Pam Boline, Karen Bruns, Rocky Von Eye and Carol Weiss; 40 years: Dave Mitchell.

Retirements

Dr. Gloria Leonard, professor of education and psychology; Gloria Thompson, nursing A.A. program director; Karen Bruns, head cataloger, and Dr. Joe Ditta, English professor, all announced their retirements this spring.

All four were honored during a special retirement banquet in April, each receiving a university gift, memory books tailored to them specifically, a slideshow presentation and another farewell gift presented at the luncheon on May 10.

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