WC News

Weatherford College honored a slew of employees at the annual Employee Awards Dinner last week at The Springs.  

Sonography program director Kelly Staub was awarded as the 2022 Faculty Member of the Year. Staub graduated from WC's radiologic technology program and created a Screencast-O-Matic training video for WC during the pandemic that is now published on the Texas Success Center website.  

Feedback from Staub’s nominations said she is an intellectual who is always creating course content that captures complex concepts and breaks them down into understandable ideas. She was described as an “amazing leader and advocate for students.”  

The dedication of Staub and her clinical coordinator, Tessa Gray, led the program to be rated number one in the state.  

“I am so thankful to work at Weatherford College. There's nowhere else I would want to work,” Staub said. “We're surrounded by such great people. … Education is tough. Tessa and my husband have seen lots of tears, but there's nothing else I would want to do. Thank you so much for this honor.”  

Cafeteria cashier Rosie Villazana was honored as the 2022 Staff Member of the Year. Last year’s award recipient, Dr. Deborah Cregger, presented the award and described Villazana as humble, hardworking, and someone who radiates positivity and creates a nurturing environment.  

“Her coworkers see her as a leader, somebody they can trust and rely on, especially in times of need,” Cregger said. “Furthermore, she makes the time to get to know the students on a personal basis. She looks out for them, especially international students and students from out of state who do not get to see their parents, family members, relatives, friends and loved ones very often. She is undoubtedly a campus mother to many of our students.”  

Libby Slone, a nursing instructor, was honored as the 2022 Faculty Member on the Rise.  

One of her students wrote this about her first semester in the nursing program and their interactions with Slone: “She is kind, honest, helpful, and I've watched her, individually, help every single one of us and encourage every one of us to be the best nurse we can be. She's a leader in every aspect and doesn't just teach us how to be a nurse. She also models what it means to be a nurse. Even when she thinks nobody was watching.”  

Jennifer Englert, an accounts receivable specialist in the business office, was named the 2022 Staff Member on the Rise. Her nominator described her as extraordinarily detail-oriented and the go-to person in her department.  

She started work at WC on the first day of the Fall 2020 semester — the first day back after the COVID lockdown and amid a new computer system implementation.  

“She was described as jumping straight into the chaos, being a quick learner all by remaining calm, cool and collected,” said presenter Bailey Brock, recipient of the award in 2021. “On a personal level, I know this person to be kind, funny and extremely knowledgeable. … She exemplifies the meaning of someone that is an asset to WC in the business office, and as she continues with her career, she will continue to make a difference here at Weatherford College.”  

Faculty and staff were also recognized with services awards for their years of service for the following:  

5 years — Melissa Butler, Dan Curlee, Brittnie Haley, Shelly Hampe, Amy Malugani, Dr. Laura McBride, Kristin McLaughlin, Christi Mills, Nick Pugh, Jennifer Smith 

 

 

 

10 years — Liz Endsley, Carolyn Jeane, Blanca Villvicencio

 

 

 

 

15 years — Christi Dayley, Romney Landis, Lisa Martin  

 

 

 

 

20 years — Lisa Coody, Larry Gillespie, Dr. Alex Ibe, Janetta Kruse, Michelle Owens  

 

 

 

 

25 years — Brent Baker, Erin Davidson, Terri Thompson, Beth Wetsel, Erin Davidson  

 

 

 

 

45 years – Bob McKinley  (Not present at the awards dinner.)