 "Photo: The Olympian/ Ashley Gunderson")
Olympic College tenure committees have weighed in, deciding the future of 13 professors here at the college.
Almost all of the 13 up for tenure were approved. One was given an extension to complete his scheduled goals, and the last was denied tenure.
Athena Higgins, executive secretary for Vice President of Instruction Mary Garguile, intimated that getting students to the quarterly tenure committee meetings was difficult because of conflicting schedules and apathy.
“Consistently getting students into the meetings is very hard to do,” said Higgins.
Currently the OC Foundation gives students who do show up to committee meetings a gift card to Starbucks valued at $5 as an incentive.
Associated Students of OC President Jon Bowers has suggested that the value of gift cards be increased to further incentivize student participation on tenure committees. Higgins said that is “a great idea.”
The following professors were awarded tenure at the board of trustees meeting Feb. 23:
Computer Information Systems Professor Kevin Blackwell is an OC alumnus who, after both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in information technology, came back to OC to teach the same. During his probationary period at OC, he was one of the first to adapt accessibility technologies in classrooms, making programs available to a wider selection of students.
Nursing Professor Suzanne Cook serves as the faculty advisor for the Nursing Club. According to a board of trustees note, Cook’s “demonstration of commitment to enhancing the quality of the nursing program makes her an exemplary addition” to OC’s nursing faculty. In their approval, her tenure review committee noted her relationship with students as a “special strength.”
Nursing professor Alecia Cosgrove has developed a relationship with Harrison Medical Center during her tenure review process that has allowed her to begin teaching all in-program nursing students how to use electronic medical records and charting, thus creating a paperless hospital environment.
English professor Jo Anne DeLay was an award-winning adjunct instructor at OC before she applied for tenure, winning the Bremer Exceptional Faculty Award. She has contributed extensively in the college community and is expected to continue to do so.
Professor Irene Fjaerestad is the newest tenured professor of English as a second language. According to a board of trustees note, she has had unforeseen successes with “assessment, teaching approaches, inter-college partnerships and getting students ready for the everyday world.” Fjaerestad won the Exceptional Faculty Award from OC in 2001.
Chemistry Professor Cami Geyer has worked hard to have demonstrations in her classrooms, which students benefit from, and is beginning to utilize online homework techniques. Her tenure committee “feels that she will be a valued and contributing member of the OC faculty.”
Professor Tia Hudson is the newest tenured instructor of Office Technology and is most responsible for business English and correspondence. On campus, she has been active in generating rapport with the National Association of Legal Support Staff and working to put more law experts on the discipline advisory committee.
Business Management professor Kandace MacKaben’s tenure committee noted her passion for students to “realize their potential.” Despite the difficulty of utilizing instructional television to teach students in distant locations, she has worked to make a “student centered learning environment.”
Medical Assistant Professor Barbara Parker is active on both the campus and local community, serving as faculty co-chair for the Outcomes and Assessment Committee and as secretary of the Kitsap YMCA’s board of directors. She is also a liaison for the local chapter of the American Association of Medical Assisting.
Professor Ian Sherman is the newest tenured English instructor. He has taken the role of lead instructor for the creative writing program at OC. Sherman’s tenure committee is convinced that he is committed to constant, consistent improvement through a “never-ending search for a better path to learning.”
Dr. Jeffrey Yergler’s students have characterized him as “personable, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and engaging.” Yergler teaches organizational leadership resource management. Since coming to OC, Yergler has had more than six papers published and impressed his tenure committee as an excellent instructor.
According to a board of trustees agenda item, professor Gary Thomasson was not approved for tenure, but has been granted three additional quarters to complete his probationary period.
Astronomy professor David Fong is the only instructor to be denied tenure. Rumors have been circulating as to the reason why, but Fong declined to confirm or deny them, saying “I’m excited to explore other opportunities.” Fong has resigned and finishes at OC at the end of spring quarter.
“Opportunities will come along,” said Fong.
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