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A pair of Sierra Nevada College faculty Friday were given the school's top awards for service, professional accomplishments and - according to spokeswoman Cindy McClelland, "going far, far above the call of duty - more than we can recognize."
June Saraceno, the English program chair who just completed her 20th academic year at SNC, was given the school's 2006-07 award for Distinguished Achievement for carrying a full classload and advancing the careers of students, not to mention her own, with several works published.
Shannon Beets, the school's Dean of Enrollment, Services and Registration, spent "countless hours" putting together the school's accreditation materials during the months the school's future looked uncertain before its merger with Knowledge Universe Learning Group.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to honor both," McClelland said.
June Saraceno, the English program chair who just completed her 20th academic year at SNC, was given the school's 2006-07 award for Distinguished Achievement for carrying a full classload and advancing the careers of students, not to mention her own, with several works published.
Shannon Beets, the school's Dean of Enrollment, Services and Registration, spent "countless hours" putting together the school's accreditation materials during the months the school's future looked uncertain before its merger with Knowledge Universe Learning Group.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to honor both," McClelland said.
At the SNC campus Friday, Saraceno was given the award and a couple of congratulatory "extras" from her coworkers, including a tiara (which she wore proudly and with a smile) and a gift certificate to the Chocolate Bar in Reno.
"Look at this," she said marveling at the Chocolate bar menu of drinks and desserts. "Usually they just throw me a handful of M&Ms to keep me happy. We're going to go celebrate."
In an interview with the Bonanza Friday in the college's Prim Library, Beets and Saraceno completed each other's sentences, or at least filled in the blanks of what the other had done for the school in the past year.
"She organized the first SNC poetry slam, got a former poet-Laureate to visit the school, published a chapbook with a student - then one on her own - has a book of poetry being published called 'Altars of Ordinary Light', has an paper accepted to read at a writers' conference in Paris, along with a full student load," Beets said of her blushing counterpart.
"My friend said don't put 'ordinary' in your book title, but - there it is," Saraceno joked.
"Look at this," she said marveling at the Chocolate bar menu of drinks and desserts. "Usually they just throw me a handful of M&Ms to keep me happy. We're going to go celebrate."
In an interview with the Bonanza Friday in the college's Prim Library, Beets and Saraceno completed each other's sentences, or at least filled in the blanks of what the other had done for the school in the past year.
"She organized the first SNC poetry slam, got a former poet-Laureate to visit the school, published a chapbook with a student - then one on her own - has a book of poetry being published called 'Altars of Ordinary Light', has an paper accepted to read at a writers' conference in Paris, along with a full student load," Beets said of her blushing counterpart.
"My friend said don't put 'ordinary' in your book title, but - there it is," Saraceno joked.
The pair of award recipients broke into an impromptu mock-interview with one another:
"June, when you look at all you've done this year, do you think to yourself, 'wow - I can do it all?'" Beets asked.
Saraceno smiled and returned the compliment.
"She handled almost all the accreditation and turned this into a place that made us look ... not so schizophrenic," she said.
"June, when you look at all you've done this year, do you think to yourself, 'wow - I can do it all?'" Beets asked.
Saraceno smiled and returned the compliment.
"She handled almost all the accreditation and turned this into a place that made us look ... not so schizophrenic," she said.
Other SNC faculty joined in the praise.
"This year the winner of the Distinguished Service Award was not only instrumental in the preparation of the accreditation but actually did most of it herself, a task usually accomplished by a committee of 15 to 20," said Dean of Faculty Dan O'Bryan.
"I look back and I do think 'how did I do that?'" Beets said. "It was a lot of long nights."
As the pair headed to Ski Beach Friday afternoon for an SNC student/faculty picnic, the subject again turned to chocolate, what the next year might bring, other delights - as well as a reflection on the year that has been.
"This award means a lot this year," Beets said of the school's merger. "I got a close look at where the school has been in the past and is transitioning ahead. Looking at where we're going on a professional level, it is satisfying."
"This year the winner of the Distinguished Service Award was not only instrumental in the preparation of the accreditation but actually did most of it herself, a task usually accomplished by a committee of 15 to 20," said Dean of Faculty Dan O'Bryan.
"I look back and I do think 'how did I do that?'" Beets said. "It was a lot of long nights."
As the pair headed to Ski Beach Friday afternoon for an SNC student/faculty picnic, the subject again turned to chocolate, what the next year might bring, other delights - as well as a reflection on the year that has been.
"This award means a lot this year," Beets said of the school's merger. "I got a close look at where the school has been in the past and is transitioning ahead. Looking at where we're going on a professional level, it is satisfying."
