CLC honors six retirees, others at Recognition Day
Central Lakes College on Good Friday observed Recognition Day and paid tribute to six retirees who will depart from full-time employment with a combined 165 years of service.
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Retiring at the end of the current academic year are Ray Gildow, vice president of operations and Staples campus, 33 years; Douglas Keran, natural resources instructor and former dean of academic affairs, 31 years; John DeVries, sociology, history and economics instructor, 30 years; Kay Fitterer, nursing instructor, 30 years; Frank Longworth, Staples campus maintenance, 23 years; and Liliana Hennis, Spanish instructor, 18 years.
Doug Keran, who has been part of the Central Lakes College natural resources program since its inception, said he will pursue research opportunities when he leaves the college next month after 31 years.
Others recognized for service to CLC and as employees of the state of Minnesota:
30 years -- Laraine Myers.
25 years -- Gary Donner.
20 years -- Keith Austin, Charlotte Daniels, Judithann "Judy" Richer.
Kay Fitterer, Central Lakes College nursing instructor with 30 years of experience, vowed not to retire from her other career interest: selling real estate.
15 years -- Susan Bentley, Sharon Boone, Susan Burnard, Kari Christiansen, Kathleen Donner, Sheila Edin, Gerald "Butch" Goltz, Sara "Sally" Grove, Brad Irwin, Karen Mertes, Jody Longbella, Kelly McCalla, Mary Miller, Robert Miller, Diane Monnier, Richard "Rick" Otteson, Diane Scearcy, Michael "Mic" Stowell, Peggy Thorn, Eloise Thorson, Gayle Wonders.
10 years -- Michael Barnaby, Kenneth Dols, Suzanne Karsnia, Amy Matter-Hines, Norma Mietzner, Crystal Olson, Sandra Porter, Debbie Sterriker.
Liliana Hennis, Central Lakes College Spanish instructor, displayed one of her current favorite books, a road atlas, during emotional remarks after colleague Jan Kurtz's introduction.
Frank Longworth has been a 23-year mainstay of the Staples campus maintenance staff, said his supervisor, Rick Otteson, in his introduction at Recognition Day.