Northwestern College honors employees

Northwestern College honored a number of employees at a banquet held on May 10. Faculty and staff were recognized for their years of service and accomplishments, in addition to one retiree.

Mark Vellinga, professor of computer science, has retired after 25 years of service to the college. A 1977 Northwestern graduate, he helped prepare the three students who in 2009 qualified for an international competition as one of the top 100 collegiate programming teams in the world. In evaluations of his teaching, students consistently praised him for the way he challenge them in their courses and cared for them. A recent graduate of Western Theological Seminary, Vellinga is now pastoring a church in Mescalero, N.M..

During the ceremony, numerous faculty and staff members were commended for their years of service.  

Ron De Jong, senior advancement officer, was recognized for 45 years of employment.

Mark Bloemendaal, dean of enrollment and marketing, was recognized for 35 years of employment.

Three employees were honored for 25 years: H. Vance Shoemaker, lecturer in music; Arlo Van Beek, housekeeping supervisor; and Dr. Don Wacome, professor of philosophy.

Those honored for 20 years at Northwestern included: Mel Elsberry, assistant football coach; Carrie Krohn, assistant cross country/track and field coach; Sharon McGarvey, lecturer in education; Dr. Sara Sybesma Tolsma, professor of biology; and Brad Zeutenhorst, assistant football coach.

Those honored for 15 years of service were Dr. Laurie Furlong, professor of biology; Darla Hettinga, student life assistant; Sherri Langton, cataloger/library systems specialist; Brenda Meyer, academic affairs assistant; Darin Pals, maintenance assistant/freight, Mike Stokes, director of audiovisual services; Dr. Lila Sybesma, associate professor of education; Dr. Todd Tracy, professor of biology; Sandy Van Kley, registrar; and Nora Verburg, music department secretary.

Honored for 10 years of service were Aaron Aberson, head golf coach and Juffer Fieldhouse golf center supervisor; Dr. Derek Brower, assistant professor of education; Tina Calsbeek, financial affairs assistant; Brandt Carlson, physical education coordinator, instructor in kinesiology and assistant men’s basketball coach; Dr. Diana Gonzalez, associate professor of modern foreign languages; Jill Haarsma, executive administrative assistant to the president; Dr. Elizabeth Heeg, associate professor of biology; Nancy Hughes, payroll and benefits coordinator; Ann Vander Kooi Minnick, associate professor of communications; Dr. Tom Truesdell, director of academic support; and Gary Vander Hart, lecturer in music.

Awards for five years were presented to Mavis Anema, international student host family coordinator; Matt Austin, help desk manager; Scott Bahrke, head cross country/track coach; Aaron Beadner, director of student programs; Amy Becker, lecturer in nursing; Dr. Terry Chi, assistant professor of psychology; Peter De Beer, lawn care assistant; Molly Foss, student teacher supervisor; Rahn Franklin, academic support and diversity specialist; Geneva Grooters, lecturer in education; Dr. Chris Hausmann, assistant professor of sociology; Wendell Kampman, education assistant; Ban Karnish, head women’s soccer coach and assistant facility supervisor; Amanda Kundert, office assistant for public relations, education and graduate studies; Chris Nachtigall, head softball coach and event staff coordinator; Kara Smit, athletic department assistant; Kendall Stanislav, resident director of the apartments and assistant director of residence life; Emily Stokes, assistant professor of art; Caleb Van Otterloo, assistant football coach; and Blake Wieking, assistant men’s soccer coach.