Faculty and Staff Awards
Questions? Contact Us.
YVC Foundation
Prior Hall (Building 1)
Yakima Campus
Stacy Kautz
Executive Director
skautz@yvcc.edu
509-574-4645
Faculty and Staff Awards
The Robert M. Leadon Excellence in Teaching Award
Robert M. Leadon The Robert M. Leadon Excellence in Teaching Award was established by the Velekanje Law Firm in memory of Robert M. Leadon, a Foundation Director who died in 1986. He was well known for his commitment to excellence in teaching as a part-time instructor at YVC.
The Robert M. Leadon Teaching award is a $1,000 unrestricted monetary award. It is open to any full-time faculty member who has completed three full years of teaching at YVC.
Selection is made from nominations submitted by students, faculty, administrators, and alumni having direct knowledge of the nominees’ instructional work. Selection is made by the YVC Foundation Awards Committee.
Nominations are to be submitted to the Foundation Office in writing from January 1st to March 15th of every year.
| Recipient | Department | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Holly Cousens | Business Technology | 2023-2024 |
| Libby McRae | Allied Health | 2022-2023 |
| Olivia Hernandez | English | 2021-2022 |
| Lisa Dominguez | Allied Health | 2020-2021 |
| Dan Peters | English | 2019-2020 |
| Kathy Laws | Career & College Readiness | 2018-2019 |
| Rajkumar Raj | Engineering | 2017-2018 |
| Heidi Shaw | Psychology | 2016-2017 |
| Michael Batali | Information Technology | 2015-2016 |
| Eric Anderson | Anthropology | 2014-2015 |
| Jerred Seveyka | Biology | 2013-2014 |
| Tim Jeske | Political Science | 2012-2013 |
| Claire Carpenter | Biology | 2011-2012 |
| Kelly Denome | Vet Tech | 2010-2011 |
| John Dibari | Chemistry | 2009-2010 |
| Audrey Wedin | Business Technology | 2008-2009 |
| Carol Schneider | Business Administration | 2007-2008 |
| Leslie Eglin | Basic Skills | 2007-2008 |
| Pam Ferguson | Basic Skills | 2006-2007 |
| Cheri Podruzny | Dental Hygiene | 2005-2006 |
| Gordon Koestler | English | 2004-2005 |
| Sue Wedam | Vet. Tech | 2003-2004 |
| Beverly Parnell | English | 2002-2003 |
| Carolyn Calhoon-Dillahunt | English | 2001-2002 |
| Mildred McBride | English | 2000-2001 |
| Kathleen Ashworth | Chemistry | 1999-2000 |
| Nick Parisis | Business/Contract Programs | 1999-2000 |
| Herb Blisard | Photography | 1998-1999 |
| Greg Gillespie | Agriculture | 1997-1998 |
| Marlene Cousens | Reading Specialist | 1996-1997 |
| Bronwynne Evans | Nursing | 1995-1996 |
| Joan Norton | Business Administration | 1994-1995 |
| Eric Mould | Biology | 1994-1995 |
| Patti Koluda | Business Administration | 1993-1994 |
| Chuck Weedin | Speech | 1993-1994 |
| Scott Peterson | Music | 1992-1993 |
| Inga Wiehl | English | 1992-1993 |
| Paul Anderson | Political Science | 1991-1992 |
| Peggy Keller | Radiologic Science | 1991-1992 |
| Mary Patrick | Early Childhood | 1990-1991 |
| Mary Patrick | Early Childhood | 1990-1991 |
| Cecil Terk | Business Administration | 1990-1991 |
| Millie Stenehjem | Speech | 1989-1990 |
| Rudy Pinon | Foreign Language | 1989-1990 |
| Pat Hakala | Dental Hygiene | 1988-1989 |
| James Newbill | History | 1988-1989 |
| Judy Kjellman | Biology | 1987-1988 |
| George Meshke | Drama | 1986-1987 |
Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year
The Classified Employee of the Year will receive $1,000 from the Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Fund through the YVC Foundation.
Recipients will be selected from classified employees who have been nominated by those they work with explaining why the person should be chosen for the award.
The YVC Foundation Awards Committee will choose the recipient from nominations submitted to the Foundation in writing from January 1st to March 15th every year.
The award is presented to the recipient at commencement exercises.
| Recipient | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth McEwen | 2024 | |
| Heather Lundquist | 2023 | |
| Tessa Southards | 2022 | |
| Miguel Castro | 2021 | |
| John Schofield | 2020 | |
| Richard Miller | 2019 | |
| Rebecca Cikauskas | 2018 | |
| Laura Yolo | 2017 | |
| Cristy Rasmussen | 2016 | |
| De’Andre Saunders | 2015 | |
| Judi Shaw | 2014 | |
| Debbie McBride | 2013 | |
| Joaquin Macias | 2012 | |
| John Mertell | 2011 | |
| Stefanie Menard | 2010 | |
| Jason Sterbenz | 2009 | |
| Cathy Van Winsen | 2008 | |
| Thelma Ryder | 2007 | |
| Judi Shaw | 2006 | |
| Karen Rathjen | 2005 | |
| Cynthia Barwin | 2004 | |
| Sharen Uptegrove | 2003 | |
| Judy Morehead | 2002 | |
| Jean Lyon | 2001 | |
| Linda Ison | 2000 | |
| Charles Cummings | 1999 | |
| Irene Stephens | 1998 | |
| Brian Bordeaux | 1997 | |
| Haydee Hernandez Goldenberg | 1996 | |
| Shirly Bonneville | 1995 | |
| Pat Brawley | 1994 | |
| Rachel Toney | 1993 | |
| Janet Shaw | 1992 | |
| Judy Lee | 1991 | |
| Verna Shafer | 1990 | |
| Ardes Metz | 1989 |