Years of Service Recognition: 2023

Words that I would use to describe Gary are compassionate, caring, hard-working, aware, fair, dedicated, devoted, charitable, and loving. While he doesn’t want anyone to know that he has these characteristics, I have seen every one of these at various times while working with Gary. It is a privilege to work with him. Students are his passion; he will sacrifice his all to help them. He opens his home, wallet, and other assets to assist those in need. Once you get to know Gary, the real Gary, you will find one of the most giving and caring persons in the world. Snow is fortunate to have had Gary for the past 30 years. Thank you, Gary. Hugs from all!!

Over the past 30 years, Vaughn has personally had his hands on every single building on campus. We can always count on him to make an emergency repair, get us by, or advise us on how to create a solution to any mechanical problem. He is the type of person who will give you the shirt off his back to help you out when you need it the most. Vaughn is always willing to lend a hand no matter what the task, how long it takes, or how dirty it can be, no questions asked. I have never met a person who is as dependable, devoted, and such an asset, not only to our department, but to the campus in general. We all have leaned on Vaughn at one time or another due to the hands-on knowledge that he has in his field, the knowledge of the campus that he has seen over the years, and his overall mechanical skills and abilities.

There is not much that goes on around this campus without Sam’s involvement. There is not a day or hour where Sam’s responsibility at Snow ends. Whether it’s dealing with floods during Christmas break or working with the state to get a new building, Sam has left his mark on this college. I appreciate Sam’s lighthearted attitude and friendship. If there is a practical joke being played, Sam is likely in on it. Sam is always a pleasure to work with and at 30 years, he’s demonstrated his dedication to Snow, its employees, and its students. Thanks, Sam, for all you do. You’re freaking amazing!

One cannot imagine Snow College’s IVC program without Cathy Beal. Cathy has been there from the very beginnings, and she has grown the program to what it is today. Cathy’s unwavering commitment to academic integrity and determination to deliver the highest quality live interactive video conferencing program made the IVC program what it is today. Cathy has provided access to rigorous college courses to thousands of students who would not have had this opportunity otherwise. Cathy has seen more changes in her profession as the IVC Manager than any other employee, yet she embraces the challenges with an unmatched, steadfast determination to provide an excellent course delivery system to our students. Cathy’s significant contributions to student success at Snow College are unmatched.

Amber is a wonderful mentor, a great nursing instructor (as my own nursing instructor from 20 years ago), and someone I consider a friend. Amber gives us the confidence to work independently and always encourages us to accomplish more as instructors, providing feedback so we can improve our teaching and work together in our department. She puts the students and their learning as a top priority. She devotes all her time to serving others and making the nursing program better. Amber is a wonderful nurse who has positively impacted the lives of thousands through her patients, friends, and students, as well as the ripple effect of the care those students provide. I can honestly say that my life is better because of her. Thanks, Amber, for your 25 years of amazing service at Snow College.

The Snow College Office of Information Technology is lucky to have Justin Cherry as a member of our team. Over the course of 25 years, Justin has served Snow college in many ways but predominantly in the helpdesk and networking areas. Justin manages hundreds of network switches, wireless access points, and supervises our helpdesk and lab management services. Justin has brought stability and speed to our wireless access across campus. Justin makes sure your helpdesk questions and problems are addressed in a timely manner. Kudos to Justin for his knowledge and hard work. He, his bots, and his helpdesk staff monitor our network night and day to keep our network, labs, and helpdesk services running smoothly. We as an IT department look forward to working with Jedi Justin for years to come.

Measuring Marci Larsen’s impact on Snow College is impossible. For the last 25 years, Marci has served as the heart and soul of the college. A perfectionist in protecting and promoting Snow’s historic image and reputation, she thinks of every detail, personalizes all of her interactions with others, and makes everyone feel special. Marci is a true advocate for our employees. She always considers the impact of executive decisions on faculty and staff; she recently started the Leadership Academy for employees and is frequently seeking opportunities for staff and faculty to feel fulfilled, appreciated, and recognized. From governors to legislators, state board members to trustees, and community members to alumni and students, EVERYBODY knows, trusts, and loves Marci. She is a treasure to Snow College!

Dave has been a valuable asset for the maintenance department for 30 years! He has worked on both the Richfield and Ephraim campuses and is currently the Trades Manager in Ephraim. Dave leads his crew by example and makes sure they deliver the best product to our Snow family. You can often find Dave personally going to each office to confirm a project or work order. He appreciates that face-to-face interaction that isn’t quite the norm anymore and feels that’s the best way to reach his customers. Many people have commented that they appreciate the way he takes time to make them feel heard and that he takes time to plan with them for a successful project outcome. Dave has always been very respectful of others feelings and truly wants to incorporate the Spirit of Snow in everything he does!

Pennie is the consummate professional. She has been the Upward Bound Program Coordinator for many years and the face of the program. Pennie has a love for seeing students succeed and is passionate about taking care of the endless details in order for the UB program to run seamlessly. Whether its ordering supplies for Wise Wednesdays, arranging stipend checks for participants, booking busses for upcoming activities, completing the Department of Education’s Annual Performance Report, or planning the many arrangements for Summer Component, she does it all. Pennie’s love for Snow College is reflected in her exceptional commitment to her work and to all who are fortunate to work with her. Congratulations Pennie, for a well-deserved recognition.

Matt Nielson has worked in multiple different positions for Snow College. For the past two years, he has worked as the Maintenance Lead person for the Richfield Campus. Matt brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to maintenance needs with his carpentry skills, painting abilities, wallboard repairs, and—most importantly—his work ethic. He can tackle any project for our trades needs in Richfield. Matt has a great eye for perfection and takes pride in a finished project. Matt loves spending time outdoors with his family. If he’s not on the Monroe Mountain, he’s on the golf course with his kids during summer and Disneyland in the winter. Matt also is active in supporting and coaching youth sports for the Monroe leagues. Thanks, Matt, for 20 years of exceptional work for Snow College.

If one were to create a blueprint for the ideal Music Professor, the result would be Dr. Brent Smith. A gifted and inspiring classroom teacher and conductor, he challenges his students to see music in all of its detailed wonder. From the theoretical to the historical, and with humor and subtle charm, Dr. Smith generously shares his deep musical knowledge with Snow College’s music students in unforgettable ways. Succeeding in a Dr. Smith-led class is a triumph of effort and learning. Playing in a Dr. Smith-led orchestra is a rare thrill! We resoundingly celebrate and are grateful for Dr. Smith’s 20 years of service to the amazing community that is Snow College!

Denise is very kind and understanding. She is someone who is willing to be flexible and take any assignment that is given her. Denise has a smile and a kind word for everyone she meets. She warmly greets each student as they come in to take an exam to help lessen anxieties. She is the ‘calm amid the storm’ and works well with the team. If she doesn’t know something, she will search and find solutions to any problem. Those who know Denise describe her as kind, consistent, and courteous. It has been a pleasure to work with her!

Heidi Curtis has been a valuable member of the Snow College staff for 20 years. She has helped the staff and faculty through the transition from in-house textbooks to outsourced materials, moving the store location, and many other changes. Everything she does is with kindness and respect. Heidi goes out of the way to help anyone on campus. She is very much appreciated and respected by those on the Richfield campus. She truly cares about all the students she serves from the high school kids that come in for lunch to the non-traditional students. Heidi loves Snow College and we look forward to working with her for several more years!

To know Becky Adams is to know true human goodness. She radiates happiness and positivity and is a delight to work with. I am confident that Becky’s colleagues and the students she has served would say the same. Becky is committed to the students she serves and has served many. During her time at Snow, Becky has served thousands of students whose lives have been touched and influenced for good. It is my privilege to associate with her and be a benefactor of her goodness. The Badger family is lucky to have Becky as part of it. Thank you for your many years of incredible service, Becky.

Danni is a highly respected and beloved faculty member of the Education & Family Studies Department. Her excellent work as a professor is only equaled by her unfaltering perseverance as the director of our Little Badgers Early Learning Center. Danni is dedicated to helping students have a great experience and learn to become professionals in the field of early childcare education. She is well known for her commitment to service with students, faculty, and staff, and her fun and friendly personality help her connect and cooperate with a wide range of people across Snow’s campuses.

Leslee Cook continues to lead our Campus Service group with integrity and wit. She has a firm knowledge of all aspects of facilities needs; ensuring buildings are in compliance, managing our teams, liaising with tenants, and working with both local and state agencies. Leslee leads by example, jumping in when and where she can to help departments be successful when shorthanded. How many of us can say we have run a 12-hour shift at the Heat Plant? She is a team player who looks out for everyone when it comes to training, safety, and family needs. Leslee also has been a soccer coach this past summer with a winning attitude that if you are not first, you're last. The Campus Service teams are in first with Leslee Cook. Congratulations, Leslee, for 15 years of dedicated leadership at Snow College.

Alex’s influence at Snow cannot be overstated. From the moment he started working as a faculty member, his focus has been on helping students reach their potential. He has dedicated personal time and resources to ensure students are supported, including welcoming students into his home often to share a meal. Alex is insightful and compassionate. Whether teaching American Culture and Values to newly arrived international students or helping guide the Center for Global engagement, he has always focused on bringing the world to Snow and offering the chance for all students to expand their perspectives. Alex truly shares his love to Snow with all those he meets, and has left an impact on hundreds of partners and students around the world.

Success demands singleness of purpose. -Vince Lombardi
I can’t think of another person that I have had the pleasure of working with that is better described by this quote than Andy Naylor. He is a fierce student advocate, caring advisor and excellent instructor. In the time that I’ve known Andy, he has honed his craft with this singleness of purpose to become an even better advisor and instructor. Student success is paramount in Andy's eyes. He is a valued colleague and friend that works to create an enjoyable and productive work environment. Thanks for your hard work and dedication Andy!