2009 HCCC Torchbearer Awards Celebration

November 09, 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.

Senator Seward said “It’s a great night to celebrate the college and four individuals who contributed so much.” Seward presented special certificates from the New York State Senate to each of the honorees, and Assemblyman Butler presented certificates from the New York State Assembly.

In accepting his award, Dr. Dorrance said, “It was a great experience to be involved in the beginning during the development of HCCC. Teaching biology was my job and my passion.” Dorrance talked about his former students, many of whom continued their educations and are working in various biological fields. “I am very proud of them,” he said.

Mary Ann McLaughlin accepted the award on behalf of her mother, Grace McLaughlin, and said, “We are really honored and grateful for this recognition of our mother.” She reminisced of her childhood and how her mother, who began the annual Herkimer County Arts and Crafts Fair, would immerse herself and the family in the details. Grace McLaughlin is the wife of the college’s first president Robert McLaughlin. “We used to say, anything that made the college more efficient was my father’s idea, and anything that added grace and warmth and charm was my mother’s,” she said. Many members of the audience chuckled and nodded in agreement.

“This is an unexpected honor, and I accept this award on behalf of all student services workers who have followed me,” said John Thayer. Speaking of the early years of the College, Thayer said, “We had many challenges, and achieved them, one by one, day by day.”

Robert VanDusen recalled how the college started out in rented space. He said, ”Today you have the most beautiful facility in New York State, and perhaps in the country.” He discussed the financial and operational success of the college saying, “I admire the way this college has been managed and you all should be proud of your operation.”

“I am truly humbled and grateful when I pass this wall,” said Donald Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “You each must have HCCC in your souls.” President Ann Marie Murray concluded the unveiling ceremony by saying, “This tribute will remind students, faculty, staff and visitors of their contributions each time they walk past this wall. These were the ones who had Herkimer County Community College “in their bones.” They chose to spend their time and energy on making the campus what it is today, and in making that choice they created a place of promise and pride for those who have spent their careers within these walls, those whose public service allows us to continue, those who contribute to the Foundation knowing the impact of their support, for those of us who work here today and for almost 19,000 students who have had the privilege of saying, “I graduated from HCCC.”

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.