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Dakota College at Bottineau recognizes excellence

Dakota College at Bottineau held its annual faculty and staff recognition luncheon on May 3. Excellence awards, which are determined by peers, were presented to faculty, staff and advisors, according to a press release.

The Faculty, Staff and Advising Excellence awards are intended to recognize and reward employee efforts whose job performance adds value to the college experience for students, colleagues, and the campus community. Recipients demonstrate qualities that make it clear their contributions are exemplary and go beyond what is required for the routine discharge of their duties. Larry Brooks, dean for academic and student affairs is the 2019 recipient of the Staff Award for Excellence. Clint Saunders, director of the photography program and instructor is the recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence. Penny Belgarde, coordinator, instructor and advisor for DCB in Minot, is the recipient of the Advising Award for Excellence.

Larry Brooks has been at the college since 1996. He has served as a faculty member as well as the Jacks athletic director for several years. He is currently holding a dual role for DCB as the dean for academic and student affairs. Brooks has a sincere desire to guide and direct students and is always concerned about them as he responds to their needs and interests. He works very hard to ensure that the college has high quality programs and instructors for the students, according to the press release.

Clint Saunders has been with Dakota College at Bottineau since 2013 when he set up the photography program for the college. He teaches, advises and leads the Photography Program on campus and online. Saunders inspires his students to achieve excellence by modeling excellence himself. He is an artist who communicates his vision and helps students find their vision. Saunders identifies every opportunity as a learning opportunity. One student commented that he is “excited by his students,” that he “supports and understands that all students approach the camera differently.” He understands they have their own vision as he guides them without interfering, without discouragement. He is known to inspire his students by the example he sets, according to the press release.

The Excellence in Advising Award recognizes student advising efforts on campus. They have an impact on advising students on their career, academic, and personal goals. This award recognizes the positive effect advising has on student retention and persistence to graduation. DCB’s 2019 recipient, Penny Belgarde, has been with DCB since 2014 advising DCB students on the Minot State campus. A colleague who nominated Penny commented that Belgarde puts her students first and she always has time for them, according to the press release. She is consistently asking to sit down with her advisees to understand how they are doing, not only academically, but also personally. Belgarde’s motto is “Do your job and do it well. Leave work exhausted, but with a smile.”

In addition to the Excellence Award recognition, DCB honored Mike Porter, English professor, congratulating him on his retirement after 20 years teaching at DCB. Porter enjoyed teaching as it gave him the opportunity to share and examine ideas with students and colleagues. He taught courses in the areas of communications, research and literature, according to the press release.

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