Four alumni are recognized for their professional achievements and service to community and alma mater.
EUGENE, Or - The Lane Community College Foundation announces the recipients of the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The winners are Jacque Betz, Karen Bernheim Cardin, Dan Dunnington and Colt Gill. The award seeks to recognize distinguished alumni who have brought prestige and pride to Lane Community College through professional achievements, service to community and outstanding contributions to the college.
- Jacque Betz is the city manager for the city of Florence. She attended LCC from 2002 to 2003, and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Oregon State University. She is currently working toward receiving a master's degree in public administration from Northwestern University. She has worked for the city of Florence for more than 12 years, and served on the boards of the League of Oregon Cities and the Oregon City/County Manager's Association. Betz is currently serving on the LCC Florence Campus Advisory and Budget Committees. She is also an LCC booster, supporting scholarships for LCC students.
- Karen Bernheim Cardin is a corporate jet pilot for Les Schwab Tires. Though she attended LCC and the University of Oregon (UO) simultaneously, earning her bachelor's degree in communications from the UO, Cardin considers LCC her alma mater. She finished her flight training at LCC's Aviation Academy and later served as a flight instructor there. She has also served as a pilot for the US Forest Service, Westair/United Express and Morris Air/Southwest Airlines. Karen is an active member of her community in Central Oregon. She volunteers with Air Search and Rescue, is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Safety Foundation, and is the bass player for the Gospel Choir of the Cascades. She also enjoys mentoring aspiring young pilots through the ASPIRE program, and guest lecturing at the Central Oregon Community College Aviation program.
- Dan Dunnington retired after working for 32 years as a stockbroker. At the time of his retirement, he was the first vice president of wealth management at Morgan Stanley. Dunnington studied at LCC in the early 1970s before transferring to the University of Oregon. Dan feels that the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the community is one of the reasons Lane Community College is such a vital institution. He is a strong supporter of community causes, having served as a board member of the Children's Trust Fund of Oregon and currently serving as a board member for The Child Center, a post he has held for more than 20 years. He also served as a member of the LCC Foundation's Board of Trustees for 11 years and served as President of the Foundation board for two years.
- Colt Gill is the superintendent of Eugene's Bethel School District. A former math major who graduated from the UO, Gill didn't discover his passion for helping students until he enrolled in a cooperative work experience program at LCC. He later went on to earn his graduate degree in education policy management. He has been an educator for 22 years, serving as a teacher, principal, district technology director, curriculum and instruction director, and assistant superintendent, in addition to his current role. He also serves as an appointed advisor to the Oregon State Board of Education, and on the executive board of the United Way of Lane County, chairing the organization's Success By 6 and Promise Neighborhood initiatives. He also volunteers on the boards of Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth and Health Policy Research Northwest.
All award-winners were recognized at the LCC Foundation's 2012 President's Circle Reception earlier this month.
Each year, the LCC Foundation solicits nominations for the award from the community. In order to be eligible, a nominee must have completed 30 credit hours or an Associate's Degree at LCC.
About the LCC Foundation
The Lane Community College Foundation helps students achieve their dreams by connecting with community members and organizations to raise funds for scholarships, programs and facilities at LCC. Each scholarship recipient has a unique story and a personal hope for the future. The Lane Community College Foundation helps transform lives by building resources to support students as they learn, grow and contribute to their community. For more information visit www.lanecc.edu/foundation.
###
Media contacts:
Janet Anderson, Director, or Tiana Marrone-Creech, Annual Gifts Officer, Lane Community College Foundation, (541) 463-5226