Tri-Rivers honors Distinguished Service
The 2011 Tri-Rivers/Lautenslager Recipients were honored during a dinner Wednesday, March 16.
The first Distinguished Service Award was presented in 1993 to Jack Lautenslager, who is often referred to as “Mr. Tri-Rivers.”
Mr. Lautenslager spearheaded the efforts to pass the original levy that provided the funds to build the Career Center that opened in 1976, according the Superintendent Charles Speelman.
Lautenslager continued to share his expertise and talents with Tri-Rivers his entire life. Today the Distinguished Service awards are presented in his memory to individuals or groups who donate their time, resources, and talents in order to make Tri-Rivers Career Center and Center For Adult Education successful.
2011 recipients are:
• Henry Lumber, represented by Mike Henry, was recognized for their generosity to Tri-Rivers over the years, including donating the lumber that Construction Technologies students to use to build the racks for the WMRN Coats For Christmas held annually at the Career Center. “This act of kindness year after year, provides our students with an opportunity to practice their skills and to be part of a significant community event, said Steve Lawrence, instructor for Construction Technologies. “It also allows us to display the coats so recipients can easily search for that perfect coat.”
Lawrence said Henry Lumber has also provided donations to our programs. “In an effort to help young people learn the necessary skills for their trade and to reward them for their successes along the way, Henry Lumber has provided donations to our programs throughout the years.”
Henry Lumber has been part of this area for over 50 years. It is a locally owned family business that sells residential and commercial building products. Tri-Rivers salutes Henry Lumber for their tradition of quality products and services and for their distinguished community service to TRCC and the area.
• Dr. Mark Davis has been a friend of Tri-Rivers for many years—sharing his expertise as an instructor for our Adult Education Public Safety Services programs, serving on advisory committees and providing expertise to our staff, said Sandy Redd, School Nurse. “He is also an alumni of our Paramedic Program. In the past we have had students do their clinicals in his office.”
Dr. Davis, who has a family practice, has for many years assisted schools with sports physicals, which benefits all the area students involved in sports, including our students at Tri-Rivers.
“Dr. Davis is the kind of doctor that nurses love to work with because he listens to them and respects their input,” said Redd. “He truly cares about what is best for the patient.”
He is a volunteer firefighter/EMT. Dr. Davis has distinguished himself by his caring nature and dedication to the community.
• Judy Falk, RN, Clinical Director of the Marion Area Health Center, has been a vital link to the job shadow experience for Tri-Rivers Health Technologies program, said Laurie Wise, the program’s instructor. “This two-year program for students interested in a career in healthcare and patient care skills combines lecture, student centered learning activities and lab.”
Wise said a great motivator for students is the knowledge that in the senior year of the program, they actually can earn the opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to practice in the clinical area. “The job shadow experience in not only important as a motivator but also an opportunity for students to be exposed to professional role models,” said Wise.
Falk, a registered nurse for 36 years, is a strong patient advocate and her philosophy is treating every patient as if they were family. This caring and compassion for the profession shows in her interactions with the students, said Wise. “She is a positive role model and welcoming face as they embark on the job shadow experience.”
• Deb Schmidt of PNC Bank has been instrumental in the success of Tri-Rivers Career Technical Student Organization’s largest fundraiser—Kiddie Korner, located in PNC Bank’s drive-thru during the Marion Popcorn Festival. “With her help in 25 years I estimate we have grossed around $100,000. With each game costing twenty-five cents to play, that’s a lot of quarters,” said Obra Horn, Welding Instructor and one of the coordinators for Kiddie Korner.
“Deb has been very instrumental in our success over the years. She has always made sure the drive thru was power washed before we get there to set up. She has always checked in on us throughout the event. Anytime we needed anything, she is always there to assist” said Horn.
It all began 25 years ago when Eldon Phillips came to us with a proposal to purchase some kids games and use them to raise funds for our students at the then National City Bank-now PNC. We are so thankful they have allowed us to use their drive-thru for Kiddie Korner for so many years. Profits from this fundraiser have sent students to leadership camps and competitions.
