Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) honored seven faculty and staff members with Emeritus
Awards for 2019.
Begun in 2015, the award recognizes those retired and retiring faculty and staff who
served lengthy careers of dedicated service to the college. To be considered, an individual
must have served at least 15 years at EICC and made significant contributions to the
college, communities and their disciplines or professions.
“We are blessed to have a number of individuals who, over the course of long careers
have far exceeded what is required of them and have helped to create the culture of
high aspirations and high expectations EICC works to maintain and develop today,”
said EICC Chancellor Don Doucette. “These individuals have given of themselves both
personally and professionally to move the colleges forward and to ensure our students
have the best possible higher education experience. The individuals we honor here
tonight represent the very best of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges and are truly deserving
of this recognition.”
Nominations are made by peers and supported by letters from colleagues, supervisors,
students and community members. The nominations were reviewed by a selection committee
that recommended recipients to the Chancellor with the final award bestowed by the
EICC Board of Trustees.
Those recognized include both faculty and staff, and were employed at EICC’s Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community College campuses and other locations. The recipients include:
2019 Emeritus Recipients
 Laurie Adolph
Staff Emeritus
Retired 2018 as EICC Dean of Curriculum, EICC District Office
For more than 30 years, Laurie Adolph has supported student success from all directions.
From striving for excellence in her teaching as an English instructor at Clinton Community
College, to effectively leading countless district initiatives, including assessment,
accreditation and curriculum, Adolph has exemplified what it means to be a leader.
Adolph believes in the importance of EICC changing lives and communities, and her
passion for this important work is evident in everything she does. Never one to shy
away from a challenge, Adolph has led the way on many new initiatives that have made
EICC an even better institution.
Described as a “forever teacher,” Adolph’s willingness to always share, encourage,
and do whatever it takes to get the job done leaves a lasting imprint on the hearts
and minds of everyone she encounters.
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 Mark Aronson
Faculty Emeritus
Retired May 2019 as Biology Instructor, Scott Community College
Mark Aronson has served as an environmental science instructor at Scott Community
College for more than three decades, using his expertise to ignite a passion in students
for stewardship of the outdoors.
An innovator in the classroom, Aronson has the led the way in new methods to actively
engage students. His classes rarely take place inside the lab – instead students participated
in hands-on field experiences, like a trip to the wastewater treatment plant or Nahant
Marsh. Since 1988 he’s worked tirelessly with members of SCC’s Environmental Club
to make the campus a more beautiful, sustainable place. He’s helped initiate a campus
recycling program, planted a butterfly garden, installed numerous campus bio swales,
created hiking trails, hosted campus speakers and organized off campus field trips.
His legacy will live on not only in the wonders of nature found throughout campus,
but also in each and every student making an effort to protect and preserve the environment.
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 Russ (Armond) Dunn
Faculty Emeritus
Retired May 2019 as Biology Instructor, Scott Community College
Very few instructors reach the point where students use the word “hardest” and “best”
in the same sentence when describing their class – but Scott Community College Biology
Instructor Russ Dunn is one of the rare few.
Despite the sometimes difficult nature of his classes, his passion for science is
contagious and serves to motivate students to learn and achieve beyond their own expectations.
In his 30 plus years with EICC, he’s impacted countless students with his enthusiasm
and commitment to professional development. Once a week without fail, he traveled
to the University of Iowa to read the latest journals and publications, sharing what
he’d learned with colleagues and students. In 2008, he created an Honors Seminar titled
“The Biology of Cancer,” which has been taught repeatedly due to its popularity, especially
among pre-health majors.
Beyond being a beloved and effective instructor, Russ has shown himself to be a selfless
and caring person, helping students succeed by giving them a winter coat or a ride
to class when their car was in the shop.
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 Cindy LaFrentz
Staff Emeritus
Retiring in June as Purchasing Specialist, EICC District Office
During Cindy LaFrentz’s 40 plus years working in the EICC Business Office, her dedication,
enthusiasm and positive disposition have impressed everyone who’s had the pleasure
of working with her.
As the Purchasing Specialist for the district, she serves a vital role in its day-to-day
operations - often handling a significant workload with the highest level of efficiency
and professionalism. Over the years, the district has gone through many changes. From
conversions to new computer systems to facility improvements to the recent move to
SCC’s Urban Campus, LaFrentz has used her immense knowledge and talent to ensure a
smooth transition.
In addition, she is the “go-to” person when it comes to all purchases and contracts
and is always willing to lend a helping hand. That giving spirit extends far beyond
her professional role, as she is often one of the first to volunteer for campaigns
like United Way or Toys for Tots.
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 Brad Scott
Faculty Emeritus
Retired May 2019 as Culinary Arts Facilitator, Scott Community College
In the last 20 plus years, Chef Brad Scott has worked tirelessly building Scott Community
College’s Culinary Arts Program into what it is today – a nationally recognized program
that produces highly trained chefs every year.
A leader in culinary teaching, Scott has won numerous awards and been recognized for
the extremely successful Culinary Arts Apprenticeship program, which even earned him
a personal visit from former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. In 2010, he was instrumental
in the creation of SCC’s state-of-the-art Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management
facility.
With his vibrant personality and passion for cooking, he’s made a name for himself
not only on campus but also in the community. He strongly believes in giving back
and instills this commitment of community service in his students. He’s hosted dozens
of charitable functions, televised cooking segments, and initiated a second chance
program, giving students with a past criminal history a fresh start.
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Ron Serpliss
Staff Emeritus
Retired 2018 as Dean, Clinton Community College
Ron Serpliss came to EICC in 1997, first serving as the Dean of Students at Clinton
Community College before assuming the role of Dean. An active listener, Serpliss served
the college and students with great enthusiasm and incorporated their ideas and concerns
into his planning.
Giving of his time and resources, he was always willing to help those in need. Whether
that be paying for a student’s books or mentoring faculty. A forward thinker, innovator,
and creator, Serpliss was the guiding handing in many campus improvement projects,
especially library and classroom renovations. As plans were discussed for the library,
it was his idea to carve out an Art Gallery. This addition has provided students,
faculty, staff, and local artists a beautiful space to display their work.
The manner in which he served the faculty, staff and students helped create a college
community that takes care of each other.
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 Paul Wilts
Faculty Emeritus
Retired 2016 as Welding Instructor, Muscatine Community College
In his 38 years as an instructor for Muscatine Community College, Paul Wilts exemplified
EICC’s commitment to a culture of high aspirations and expectations. Initially hired
to teach welding classes, when the program temporarily closed he demonstrated great
flexibility.
He worked in continuing education training dozens of companies, instructed students
in the maintenance technician and engineering tech programs, and even taught a German
class or two, before eventually transitioning back into his original position as a
welding instructor. His ability to connect with students and understand their needs
made him a very well-liked and respected instructor.
He was particularly keyed into the needs of at-risk students and strongly believed
education would provide them a way forward. He did everything he could to ensure they
received a job-ready education and was a big supporter of women in the welding industry
as well.
Giving of his time and talents, Wilts frequently volunteered in the community wherever
help was needed.
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Questions? Call toll-free 1-888-336-3907, email eiccinfo@eicc.edu or contact the college
nearest you and ask to speak to an advisor.
- Clinton Community College, 563-244-7000
- Muscatine Community College, 563-288-6000
- Scott Community College, 563-441-4000
It is the policy of Eastern Iowa Community College District not to discriminate in
its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual
or potential family, parental or marital status, as required by the Iowa Code §§216.6
and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and
2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational
Amendments, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.
§ 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et
seq.). If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy,
please contact Debora J. Sullivan, Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Equity Coordinator,
Eastern Iowa Community College District, 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801,
563-336-3487, djsullivan@eicc.edu or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights,
U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-7204, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.
