Clark State Community College will celebrate its 54th annual Charter Night on Tuesday, February 18 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center in downtown Springfield. Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 6:15 p.m.
Charter Night serves to remind the college and community about the founding of Clark State, celebrated through the establishment of the charter to operate as a post-secondary institution in the region.
“Charter Night is a celebration of Clark State faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “This year, the event will be formal with our guests ‘Walking the Blue Carpet’ in celebration of our successes.”
Blondin will emcee the event with Teriana “Teri” Misick, the 10-year old daughter of Clark State Student Success Coach Charmaine Misick. Blondin said Teri is a Clark State future leader: “Teri represents our future students – their promise and their enthusiasm for learning.”
Charmaine Misick said her daughter met Dr. Blondin when she was about four years old; “Teri told Dr. Blondin she wanted to be the president of Clark State,” said Misick. “Dr. Blondin has been mentoring her ever since.”
Misick said Teri is both excited and nervous to emcee the event, but mostly can’t wait to wear her fancy dress and represent a “little college president.”
Charter Night will recognize 32 individuals for their years of service at Clark State, including Dan Heighton who has taught for 30 years. Dan began his career with the College in 1998 as an instructor in the Business Management program, but today is professor and program coordinator for the CyberSecurity/Information Assurance program.
Heighton advises students to stay focused, work hard, learn and apply skills that allow success; and said the best part of his job is working with faculty, staff and administration who do so much to support students.
He is a founding faculty member of the Computer Networking associate degree; founding faculty member of the CyberSecurity/Information Assurance associate degree and four-time Faculty Excellence award recipient.
Charter Night will also honor recipients of Staff Professional Excellence Awards, Faculty Professional Excellence Awards, Adjunct Faculty Professional Excellence Awards and the Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Area legislators, retirees, members of the Clark State Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors will be in attendance for Charter Night festivities.
Service Award Recipients Include:
5 Years
Adele Adkins
John Allen
Mary Bower
Lisa Castle
Daniela Craioveanu
Mike Cuffman
Melody Gast
Jonathan Kuehnle
Jeremy Linn
Justin McCulla
Toni Overholser
Angela Reese
Roseann Terbay
10 Years
Melissa Checkie
Kathleen DeLong
Wendy Gagliano
Dana Matt
John Minter
Cindra Phillips
15 Years
Dr. Terri Dinsmore
Dr. Theresa Felder
John Hale
Duane Hodge
Kevin Jones
Dana Kapp
Dee Malcuit
Nancy Mitchell
20 Years
Michelle Coleman
Dr. Bridget Ingram
Tammy Watt
25 Years
Angela Henry
30 Years
Dan Heighton