Kaskaskia College Honors Excellence at 2025 Annual Awards Banquet

Kaskaskia College recently recognized the outstanding contributions of students, faculty, staff, and community partners at its 2025 Annual Awards Banquet. The event, held on the college's main campus, brought together honorees and guests from across the district to celebrate achievement, service, and dedication to the college's mission.

KC President George Evans welcomed attendees by emphasizing the impact of individuals who go above and beyond in their roles.

This celebration reminds us of the power of education and the importance of those who lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose, Evans said. Tonight, we honor individuals who help shape our institution, support our students, and inspire progress throughout our communities, said Evans.

Student excellence took center stage first with recognitions, including:

• Cooper Cain, recipient of the Paul Simon Student Essay Award and KC's nominee for the statewide Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) competition.
• Ikenya Margrum, winner of the Gandhi/King Peace Essay Award and KC's nominee for the ICCTA Peace Scholarship.
• Connor Wademan, 2024-2025 Student Trustee, honored with the Gigi Campbell Student Trustee Excellence Award.

The college also honored several educators for their exceptional contributions to teaching and student success. Faculty were honored for innovation, mentorship, and academic excellence:

• Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Cory Wellen, Welding Professor, is celebrated for hands-on student engagement, workforce partnerships, and leading outreach initiatives across the region. Wellens' efforts include curriculum development, mobile lab coordination, and student recruitment.
• Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Members Lynsey Thoele (Biology) and Dimi Resch (Nursing), recognized for instructional excellence, student support, and contributions to KC's academic community.
• Horizon Faculty Award Josie Spihlmann, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, honored for her innovative teaching, mentorship, and leadership as a KC alumna and emerging faculty leader.
• High School Dual Credit Faculty Award Carrie Toth, Spanish instructor at Salem Community High School, recognized for her work expanding dual credit offerings and language achievement, including leading students to the Illinois Seal of Bi-Literacy.
• Assessment Award Michael Geiger, Associate Professor of Mathematics, was praised for his leadership in promoting continuous improvement through academic assessment and instructional collaboration.

KC staff were recognized for their dedication, innovation, and service:

• Outstanding Full-Time Employees of the Year: Jacob Frazier, Application Developer, recognized for transformative digital tools, including KC Connect and the Career Pathways system; and Taryn Chesnek, program coordinator and student support leader at the Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center.
• Outstanding Part-Time Employee of the Year, Marion Bunny Garrett, Workforce Equity Initiative recruiter, was celebrated for her compassionate, student-first approach and willingness to go above and beyond to help students succeed.
• Gary Davis Ethical Leadership Award Misti Pawlisa, Staff Accountant and 25-year KC employee, honored for her integrity, honesty, and decades of volunteerism, including leading KC's Relay for Life team and supporting the Centralia Humane Society.
• Innovation Impact Award Erin Hitchcock, recognized for enhancing the student and faculty experience through instructional support, onboarding processes, and digital tool implementation.
• The Synergy Award KCs Mobile Manufacturing Lab Team, comprising Cory Wellen, Lyle Gross, Mark Kohnen, and Eric Howard, was commended for their outreach, recruitment, and community engagement efforts that bring technical education directly to schools and public events throughout the district.

CEO Programs of Clinton County, Fayette County, Bond County, and Little Egypt were honored with the KC Educational Partnership Award for their innovative collaboration with Kaskaskia College in preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. These regional Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) programs immerse high school students in real-world business education by connecting them directly with local business leaders, community mentors, and hands-on startup experiences.

Facilitators of these programs have built strong, lasting partnerships with KC by aligning program goals with college and career readiness pathways. Through their support, students gain early exposure to higher education, develop leadership skills, and build the confidence to launch businesses or pursue careers with purpose and passion.

The Business and Industry Partnership Award was presented to Intermountain Electronics, whose transformative collaboration with Kaskaskia College is creating new pipelines for workforce development across the region.

Since launching registered apprenticeship programs in electrical technology and welding in 2023, Intermountain Electronics has become a statewide model for effective industry-education partnerships. Their commitment extends far beyond program participation; they have actively supported KC's Workforce Equity Initiative, hosted student interns, served on advisory boards, and generously contributed materials and scholarship funding.

As one of the region's largest and fastest-growing employers, Intermountain Electronics exemplifies how visionary industry partnerships can expand opportunity, drive innovation, and prepare students for high-demand careers. Their investment continues to strengthen both the college and the economic future of the communities it serves.

Nicolas Farley, Mayor of Salem and IT manager for Americana Building Products, received the 2025 KC Distinguished Alumnus Award for his outstanding professional achievements, dedication to public service, and continued commitment to education.

A 2003 KC graduate with an associate's degree in fine arts, Farley has built a respected career in information technology. In addition to his contributions to cybersecurity and infrastructure across multiple states, he has served as a longtime adjunct faculty member at Kaskaskia College, mentoring future IT professionals and giving back to the college that helped launch his journey.

Beyond the classroom, Farley has demonstrated extraordinary civic leadership, having served as a Salem City Councilman and now as Mayor. His dual commitment to technology and community exemplifies the enduring impact of a KC education.

Recognized as Kaskaskia College's official nominee for the prestigious ICCTA Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award, Linda Stover was celebrated for nearly two decades of tireless leadership, advocacy, and service. Since joining the KC Board of Trustees in 2007, Stover has served as both Vice Chairman and Secretary, championing student success, mental health initiatives, and community partnerships.

Her thoughtful leadership has left a profound mark not only on the college but also on the lives of countless students. Known for her compassionate and collaborative approach, Linda continues to be a trusted voice for equity and access in higher education.

The evening also included special recognition from the Kaskaskia College Foundation for individuals whose service and philanthropy have significantly advanced the College's mission. Bruce Barkau was named Director Emeritus in recognition of his years of dedicated leadership on the Foundation Board, and Jack Johnston was awarded the KC Distinguished Service Award in honor of his 47 years of service on the KC Foundation Board. Their enduring legacies continue to support student scholarships and drive the growth of educational opportunities across the district.