by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
The Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center, along with the Entrepreneurship and Workforce Center hosted a Recognition Banquet earlier this month to acknowledge business and industry leaders who have volunteered and given back to the college.
The inaugural banquet was held March 15 and honored all business and industry corporations who take time throughout the year to help support the educational system and the future of the area’s workforce. Those essential in putting the event together included faculty and staff at TEC, Media Services, Information Systems and KCKCC Campus Police.
“Cliff (Smith), Jake (Carmack), Lori (Chaffin), Sheridan (Smith), Officer (Scott) Bailie, and the entire Entrepreneurship & Workforce staff/interns/work study made this event a success by all going above and beyond what they were asked to do,” said Dr. Alicia Hooks, executive director of the entrepreneurship and workforce center. “This is the first year for the event, even though businesses have donated equipment, time, staff and money for years to help make our programs a success. It is time we recognize them in a public way.”
Among those in attendance were KCK Mayor David Alvey, Susan Metsker from Congressman Kevin Yoder’s Office, Amy Sigmon (Army Workforce/Training), members of the Board of Public Utilities, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools board members, Unified Government Commissioners and representatives from the Unified Government’s Businesses and Neighborhoods, Connie Beene (Kansas Board of Regents), Kansas Department of Commerce, the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department and Workforce Partnership, among others. More than 230 individuals attended.
Those who attended were treated to a buffet meal and business and industry representatives received a small gift. Special recognition was given to:
• The Women’s Chamber of Kansas City Kansas – Cathy Harding, president and CEO of the Wyandotte Health Foundation, was recognized for her enormous hours of volunteer work and service to the KCK and Wyandotte County community.
More than 17 programs were recognized by the faculty as needing additional special recognition for not only being on the advisory board or otherwise supporting the college, but going above and beyond in their support. Those special individuals the faculty chose to recognize:
• Auto Tech – Dennis Hogan
• Building Property and Maintenance – Steve Brown, Jeff Morgan, Bob Quirk and J.P. Sansone
• Computer Aided Drafting – Mike Gower and Kevin Marchant
• Cosmetology – Jonathan Clayberg
• Culinary Arts – Jim Tinkham
• Electrical – Craig Lunn
• Heating & Refrigeration – Bob Kunze
• Machine Technology – Ron Knight
• Medical Assistant – John Comstock and Greg Smith
• Nail Technology – Ben Dang
• Welding Technology – Jeff Richardson and Kip Smithia
“This annual event will increase next year by including a mayor’s recognition for a particular business, as well as a Congressional recognition to a business that has contributed to the education and betterment of individuals and the community,” Hooks said. “As people were leaving, many commented that they would like to begin supporting the college and others wanted to contribute even more.”