Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award
About the award
Initiated by a contribution from longtime NMC benefactors Harold and Imogene Wise in 1970 and first awarded to a full-time faculty member in 1971. Chosen by a student selection committee, award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom, and a sense of dedication.
All recipients
- 2026: Kristen Salathiel
- 2025: Becca Richardson
- 2024: Tammy Coleman
- 2023: Nick Roster
- 2022: Betsy Boris
- 2021: Lisa Balbach
- 2020: Scott Powell
- 2019: Nicole Speelman
- 2018: Steve Drake
- 2017: Mac Beeker
- 2016: Jim Press
- 2015: Jerry Dobek
- 2014: Lisa Blackford
- 2013: Sonja Olshove
- 2012: Kristy McDonald
- 2011: Dr. Blake Key
- 2010: Steve Drake
- 2009: Dr. Amjad Khan
- 2008: Connie Jason
- 2007: Dr. Keith Overbaugh
- 2006: Mark Nelson
- 2005: Johnathon Mauk
- 2004: Michael Jacobson
- 2003: Sean Ruane
- 2002: Mike Surgalski
- 2001: Sonja Olshove
- 2000: Doug Domine
- 1999: Mary Quinn
- 1998: James Press
- 1997: William Faulk
- 1996: Richard Cookman
- 1995: Adam Gahn
- 1994: Debra Pharo
- 1993: Martin Trapp
- 1992: James Coughlin
- 1991: John Tanner
- 1990: Allison Shumsky
- 1989: Walter Ross
- 1988: Jay Beery
- 1987: Eric Wildman
- 1986: Hettie Molvang
- 1985: Lyle Bradford
- 1984: Philip DeMarois
- 1983: Dick Minor
- 1982: Roy Terdal
- 1981: Robert Rudd
- 1980: Jim Spenceley
- 1979: Arlo Moss
- 1978: William Skinner
- 1977: Jerry Sullivan
- 1976: Ken Rose
- 1975: Walter Holland
- 1974: Larry Buys
- 1973: Kay Donnelly
- 1972: Jim Spenceley
- 1971: Bill Long
Nominate your instructor
Have you had instructors this semester who you feel really excelled?
NMC has a way for you to recognize those instructors: Nominate them for a Faculty Excellence Award! Tell us what makes your nominees so great using this nomination form.
2026 Recipient:
Kristen Salathiel, Communications
Student nominators said of Salathiel, an who began teaching at NMC as an adjunct in 2002 and moved to full-time faculty in 2009:
- “The two semesters I had her she was always wanting to help the class learn and wanted to help struggling students to get their work done. She is very thoughtful, patient, and caring to all of her students.”
- "She makes sure that everyone feels included in class discussions and promotes group work. This helps the students in the class not only connect with one another, but also connect with the class content.”