2020 Emeritus Recipients

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) honored four faculty and staff members with Emeritus Awards for 2020.

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:

2020 Emeritus Recipients

Brb HixonBarb Hixon
Faculty Emeritus


Barb Hixon served more than 30 years as a Biology Instructor at Scott Community College (SCC). Teaching primarily human anatomy and physiology courses, Hixon prepared generations of students for success in various health and allied health programs. Equal to her contribution as a biology instructor, was her contributions as a faculty mentor. 

“Barb was always willing to work with new faculty, many of whom have never taught before,” said Angie Ghrist, SCC Biology Instructor. “Thanks to Barb’s expertise and generosity, the tradition of quality instruction in the biological sciences at EICC will continue long after her departure.” 

 

Karen VickersKaren Vickers
Staff  Emeritus


Karen Vickers served Clinton Community College (CCC) in a variety of roles for 35 years, 23 of those as the college’s President, providing vision, leadership and direction to the college’s credit and non-credit programs and student development services. She also dedicated her time and talents as Vice Chancellor for Academic Leadership and Vice Chancellor for Student Development. Her professionalism, empathy, and commitment to improving all aspects of the college helped build the culture and the recognition of being a Top Iowa Workplace for many years. 

“Her career at Clinton Community College exemplifies outstanding service to students, staff, faculty, the college, the district and the community,” said Gina Bielski, CCC Communication Instructor and Department Coordinator. “Karen’s presence on campus is missed since she retired, but her hard work and endearing example will be carried forward in the many lives she has improved.”

 

Deb GoodallDeb Goodall
Staff Emeritus


Deb Goodall served more than 30 years in EICC’s Continuing Education Department, both as CE Program Manager and Dean, demonstrating outstanding service and bringing many “firsts” to the department. For example, she led a comprehensive program review process, resulting in the implementation of an online registration system and restructuring of the department, as well as forged transformative community partnerships. 

“As a leader, she has been open-minded and willing to listen to others’ perspective before making final decisions,” said Lauri Eich, Associate Director of CE Operations. “She has always felt it imperative to contribute any way possible to the organization, whether on the many committees she served, volunteering to help with EICC staff or student events, or just working endlessly to ensure we offer quality training to our community at a reasonable price.”

 

Rob LipnickRob Lipnick
Faculty Emeritus


Rob Lipnick served 17 years as an art instructor at Scott Community College, bringing life to the walls of the campus and inspiring hundreds of students with his passion, knowledge and local partnerships with Quad City art organizations, such as the Figge Art Museum. In addition, he shared his teaching knowledge and expertise as the Humanities Department Chair, taught several unique Honors courses, maintained his own art studio and launched SCC’s “The Read” Art Gallery in the Library, curating five shows each year. 

“He has left us an inheritance of beautiful student art pieces and a legacy for continuing his mission of mentoring students and others in the appreciation of all types of art,” said Jan Weis, Disability Resources and Honors Co-coordinator.