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.

Past recipients

  • 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

Instructor Mac Beeker giving high five to a nursing student

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.


2023 Recipient:

Nick RosterNick Roster

Student nominators said of Roster, a biology instructor, “His exams are innovative and involve applying our knowledge to real case studies and real- world situations rather than just regurgitating facts.” “He always ensures that his students fully understand the content they are studying. He adds his own personal podcasts on Moodle to help explain content even further.”