News Release from Northwestern Michigan College 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City MI 49686 Contact: Paul Heaton, 231 995-1019, email: pheaton@nmc.edu Date: May 12, 2008 News Archive

Jason, Lockman win NMC faculty excellence awards

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Communications instructor Connie Jason is NMC’s 2008 Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award winner. Math instructor Stephen Lockman is the 2008 Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award winner. Both were announced at NMC’s 2008 commencement ceremonies held May 3.

Chosen by a student selection committee, award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.

Jason, of Traverse City, earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. She started at NMC as coordinator of special needs and reading technician in 1980 and became a communications faculty member in 1982. She currently specializes in developmental classes.

“I’m really proud of my students. They work so hard and their victories are just so sweet,” Jason said, adding that her selection was a complete surprise.

“I was shocked and I was honored. It was just a thrill,” she said. Both her children also attended NMC.

Lockman, of Williamsburg, earned a BS and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He first taught at NMC in the summer of 1991 as a computer instructor for the Upward Bound summer program, and returned each summer through 1996.  In August 2000 he started teaching math as an academic adjunct. He has also taught math at Traverse City Central High School for 20 years.

Lockman also said the award came as a total surprise. He said he enjoys teaching at NMC, where he follows in the footsteps of his mother. Loretta Lockman taught in NMC’s licensed practical nursing progam for 20 years in the 1950s and 60s, he said.

“It’s really, really good for me. It’s a different kind of student, a different motivation,” he said of teaching at NMC. “They’re here because they want to be here, and hope it’s going to make a major impact on their life.”

In nominating Jason, students said:

“She takes a special interest in each and every one of her students and refuses to allow any of them to accept any shortcomings. She finds a way to restore their self-confidence and refuses to give up on anyone who struggles. She’s a great role model and mentor.”

“She takes a personal interest in her students, many of whom face special challenges in school and in life. She deals with each student according to his or her unique needs.”

Of Lockman, students said:

“Mr. Lockman truly loves math and his enthusiasm and energy flows through his teaching techniques. We would be so engaged and involved throughout the class period that the time would fly by.”

“Mr. Lockman ran a very organized class, however, he allowed time to back up or refresh us if we were struggling with some of the work.”

The Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award was 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. The NMC Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award was created as a companion in 1999.

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