26 Apr 2021 Central Baptist College announces 2021 Employee Awards

Central Baptist College honored faculty and staff for their service during the annual Employee Appreciation and Awards ceremony on April 12. This year, employees were able to pick up a boxed meal prepared by CBC Dining Services and the awards were presented online through a Zoom session. Below is a list of employees who were honored.  

Years of Service Awards are presented to employees beginning in their third year of employment. They are then recognized every five years. 

45 years of service: Dr. Joel Slayton, Professor of Bible and Biblical Languages; 35 years of service:Suzanne Banister, Assistant Professor of Music; 30 years of service: Jeff Riddle, Division Chair of Professional Studies, Department Chair of Physical Education, and Instructor of Health and Physical Education; 15 years of service: Dr. Virgil Porter, Chair of the Bible Department and Associate Professor of Bible and Gwenda Williams, Institutional Research Coordinator; 10 years of service: Dr. Martin Jameson, Assistant Professor of Bible. 

5 years of service: Peter Acuna, Assistant Wrestling Coach; Lynsey Brown, Café 52 Manager; Dr. Blake Duffield, Assistant Professor of History; Tim Gunter, Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Professor of Music, and Director of Bands; Jordan Jones, Head Softball Coach; Dr. Joshua Kwekel, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Frank Lee, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Assistant Baseball Coach; Cezar Terlea, Head Cross Country Coach; 3 years of service: Clint Galyean, Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Blake Pittman, Personal Admissions Officer.

Six individuals were selected for the President’s Awards. The recipients were:

• Angela Brantley, Accountant – President’s Award for Professionalism for “representing the College, both internally and externally, with integrity and high ethical standards which characterize a true professional.”
• Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement – President’s Award for Excellence for “her long-standing commitment to excellence and dedication to CBC and her willingness to accept various challenges with humility and unwavering loyalty to the mission and purpose of Central Baptist College.”
• Jessica Faulkner, Director of Alumni Engagement – President’s Behind the Scenes Award for “her diligent work behind the scenes to ensure Central Baptist College’s success.” 
• Tonya Hammontree, Director of Financial Aid – President’s Award for Customer Delight for “creating an atmosphere in which Central Baptist College students, guests, and fellow employees feel welcome, comfortable, and valued.”
• Jordan Jones, Head Softball Coach – President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for “her outstanding success in softball recruiting and coaching.”
• Rachel Whittingham, Learning Resources Division Chair and Story Library Director – President’s Award for Teamwork for “her exemplary leadership and outstanding performance and dedication to teamwork among peers and students.”

CBC presents two awards each year that are based on guiding principles found in the book, The Fred Factor.All employees are given this book as part of their orientation process upon initial hire. The C.A.R.E. (Creating a Rare Experience) Award was presented to Dr. Elizabeth Gomez, Natural and Health Sciences Division Chair and Professor of Chemistry, for her work in benefitting the employees, students and visitors of CBC. The Fred Award was presented to Byron Baker, Physical Plant Director, for embodying the four principles The Fred Factor which are making a difference each day, having a heart for people, changing ordinary moments into memorable ones and leading by example. 

The 2021 Outstanding Faculty Awards were presented by Dr. Gary McAllister, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Outstanding Faculty Awards recognize excellence and honor faculty who have made important contributions to their disciplines, department, and institution. The Outstanding Faculty Award was presented to Amber Strain, Assistant Professor of Mathematics.

The Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award was presented to Rachel Whittingham, Learning Resources Division Chair and Story Library Director.The 2021 Employee of the Year award was also announced. Nominated by letter or e-mail to the President, the employee was required to meet the following criteria: loyalty to the institution, demonstration of a good work ethic, positive attitude toward fellow workers and students, and professionalism. The 2021 Employee of the Year award was presented to Marieca Ashworth, Student Services Coordinator.