2009 HCCC Torchbearer Awards Presented to Four Individuals
November 06, 2009
The 2009 Herkimer County Community College Torchbearer Awards were presented to four local honorees at a ceremony held at the College on Friday, November 6. The recipients are Dr. Robert Dorrance of Herkimer, Mrs. Grace McLaughlin of Herkimer, Mr. John H. Thayer of Rome and Mr. Robert E. VanDusen of Frankfort. Torchbearer Awards are presented every five years to recognize those whose contributions have had a significant and lasting impact on the development and operations of the College.
Dorrance was a member of the founding faculty of HCCC and former chair of the Mathematics and Science division. A great proponent of outdoor education, Dorrance designed and built the college’s nature trails and cross-country ski trails.
McLaughlin, wife of HCCC’s first president Robert McLaughlin, represented the interests of the college in a broad range of community organizations. She is the founder of the Herkimer County Arts and Crafts Fair which is hosted annually by the Herkimer County College Foundation as a fundraiser for student scholarships at HCCC.
Thayer was a founding member of the college’s professional services staff and simultaneously filled as many as five supervisory administrative roles in the beginning days of the college’s operations. Thayer also managed the college’s original intramural sports program.
VanDusen is a former member of the Herkimer County Legislature, where for over 30 years he served as a tireless supporter of HCCC. VanDusen secured resources for the growth of the college through his work with regional development organizations and the state of New York.
This group brings the total number of Torchbearer Award recipients to 19. Previous recipients of the award are: Dr. James Anderson, Robert Boyle, Anthony Cosentino, Bess Cristman, Dr. Joseph P. DeLorenzo, Dr. Donald Gavagan, Col. James G. Hill, Virgil E. Johnson, Richard Jorrey, Frederick Juer, Harold Luther, Robert McLaughlin, Frank J. Menapace, Jean E. Stapleton and Dr. H. David Trautlein.
The award recipients were each honored with a plaque on the Torchbearer’s wall in HCCC’s Robert McLaughlin College Center lobby. The program included remarks by NYS Senator James L. Seward, NYS Assemblyman Marc W. Butler, HCCC Chairman of the Board of Trustees Donald J. Snyder, HCCC President Ann Marie Murray and HCC Foundation President Robert E. Brenchley.
“We are very proud to honor these four individuals for their dedication and contributions to the college,” said Donald Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Nominations for the Torchbearer Award were solicited in the spring and reviewed by a nominations committee that included: Daniel Sargent, HCCC Assistant to the President; Donald J. Snyder, Esq., chair of the Board of Trustees; Timothy Dunn, HCCC alumnus and trustee; Judy Hummel, a former trustee; James Wallace, Herkimer County Administrator; and Dr. Joseph P. DeLorenzo, HCCC Faculty Emeritus and a previous recipient of the Torchbearer Award. The committee submitted a list of recommended nominees to the Board of Trustees, which selected the 2009 honorees.