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Jefferson Community College Holds Annual Recognition
Celebration
Published: June 04, 2025 at
01:30 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Jefferson Community College
JCC Holds Annual Recognition Celebration
Honoring Emeriti, Retirees, SUNY Awardees, Service
Milestones and Spirit of Jefferson Recipients
Jefferson
Community College (JCC) held its Annual Recognition Celebration on Tuesday,
May 20, 2025, honoring eight retirees, five newly appointed emeriti, SUNY
Chancellor’s Award recipients, and employees celebrating milestone service
years, continuing appointments, promotions, and sabbaticals. The Spirit of
Jefferson Award recipient was also announced.
Retirees who
received Emeritus Designation are:
Tina Berkey, Watertown, college service emerita, Rosemary Deusser-Jensen,
Watertown, professor emerita, Linda Dittrich, Watertown, associate vice
president emerita, Dr. Monica LeClerc, Alexandria Bay, professor emerita,
and Rosanne Weir, Watertown, dean emerita.
Emeriti (front row, l-r): Rosanne N.
Weir, Watertown, Dean Emerita; Dr. Monica G. LeClerc, Alexandria Bay,
Professor Emerita; and Linda C. Dittrich, Watertown, Associate Vice
President Emerita. Back row (l-r): Cindy F. Intschert,
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Daniel J.
Dupee II, College President, and David J. Males, Chair, Board of
Trustees. Unavailable for photo: Tina A. Berkey,
Watertown, College Service Emerita, and Rosemary Deusser-Jensen, Watertown,
Professor Emerita.
Tina Berkey,
College Service Emerita
Berkey served JCC
for 35 years. Her career started in 1982 as the College’s first “Word
Processor” and progressed into key administrative support roles. A campus
and community leader, she served as Senate Secretary and President of the
JCC Women’s Organization and was active in Relay for Life and Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer. A technology pioneer, Berkey was the first
employee to transition from a Mag Card Typewriter to a computer. Her
accolades include the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified
Service (2010), two Jefferson Performance Awards, and multiple professional
certifications. Berkey also serves as board member and secretary for the
Adams Center Free Library and Watertown Lyric Theater.
Rosemary
Deusser-Jensen, Professor Emerita
Deusser-Jensen
served Jefferson for 31 years, advancing from adjunct instructor to
Professor of English and Speech Communication. She advised student
organizations including Student Government and Phi Theta Kappa, presented
communication workshops for campus and community groups, and contributed to
numerous college committees. She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for
Excellence in Teaching and Service (1998) and the Thomas W. Myers Award for
Excellence in Co-Curricular Life. A member of the National Communication
Association, she pursued advanced coursework and consulting certification
throughout her career.
Linda C.
Dittrich, Associate Vice President Emerita
Dittrich served Jefferson for more than two decades, joining the college in
1999 as Associate Dean for Mathematics and Science, later becoming
Associate Vice President. She managed multimillion-dollar budgets, led over
70 faculty and staff, and launched programs in Renewable Energy Technology,
Paramedic/EMS, and Animal Management. She helped secure a $2 million
Department of Labor grant to expand healthcare education and served on the
Academic Standards and Strategic Planning committees. Dittrich also mentored
faculty and advised students, while remaining active in community
organizations, including the Roswell Flower Memorial Library Board.
Dr. Monica G.
LeClerc, Professor Emerita
Dr. LeClerc served the college for 26 years as a faculty member and
academic leader, including roles as Department Chair and Chair of Lab
Science and Physical Education. She led curriculum redesigns, co-taught
interdisciplinary science courses, and conducted sabbatical research on
tick-borne diseases with SUNY Upstate and the University of Massachusetts.
A dedicated mentor, she guided student research in ecology, water analysis,
and microplastics and was instrumental in promoting Super Science Saturday.
In 2019, she received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in
Teaching.
Rosanne N. Weir,
Dean Emerita
Weir began her 40-year career at JCC in 1977 as its first admissions
counselor. She advanced to Director of Admissions in 1989 and Dean for
Enrollment in 2015. Weir led initiatives to increase college access,
including College is Possible, Start Now with SUNY Oswego, and Junior
Visitation Day. She championed affordability and support for nontraditional
and first-generation students, advised international students, and directed
the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Her service earned the SUNY
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and numerous honors. She was also active
in community programs such as Planned Parenthood and North Country Reads.
SUNY Chancellor’s
Award recipients are Trevor J. Bradish, Watertown, assistant
professor of mathematics, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching,
and Renee Patterson, Watertown, account clerk, Chancellor’s Award for
Excellence in Classified Service.
(l-r): Cindy F. Intschert,
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; David J. Males, Chair, Board of Trustees;
Renee Patterson, Watertown, account clerk, SUNY Chancellor’s Award
for Excellence in Classified Service; Trevor J. Bradish,
Watertown, assistant professor of mathematics, SUNY Chancellor’s Award
for Excellence in Teaching; Daniel J. Dupee II, College President.
Bradish joined
Jefferson in 2011 as an instructor and was promoted to assistant professor
of mathematics in 2015. Actively engaged in campus governance, he chairs
the Academic Standards Committee, which guides college policies. He
previously chaired the Guided Pathways Subcommittee for three years,
contributing to the development of Jefferson’s Prior Learning Assessment
Policy, and led the Academic Affairs Committee for two years, overseeing
curriculum revisions. He also served five years on the Carnegie Quantway Adoption Steering Committee. Throughout his
tenure, Bradish has developed course content, integrated educational
technology into his teaching, and supported assessment and accreditation
efforts. He is an active member of the New York State Mathematics Association
of Two-Year Colleges, where he has held roles as secretary and Region 2
Member At-Large and presented at annual conferences. Beyond the classroom,
Bradish is a committed advisor and mentor to students in both the math and
nursing programs. Bradish holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of
Education degree from SUNY Potsdam.
Patterson has
been a dedicated member of Jefferson’s classified staff for nearly 20
years, serving as an account clerk in the Financial Services office. Known
for her strong work ethic, adaptability, and meticulous attention to
detail, she has made a lasting impact across multiple departments,
including Enrollment Services, the Finance office, and Financial Services.
Always willing to share her knowledge, Patterson has played a key role in
training new staff, particularly in Enrollment Services. Her contributions
have enhanced efficiency and strengthened student support campus-wide, all
while managing a wide range of responsibilities with care and precision.
Patterson holds associate degrees in business administration and individual
studies, along with a certificate in accounting, all from Jefferson.
Retirees are Paul Alteri,
Watertown, Associate Professor, 29 years of service; Peter Crump, Carthage,
Senior Building Maintenance Mechanic II, 10 years of service; Jeri Fairman,
Watertown, Provost, Vice President of Academic and Student affairs, 36
years of service; Michele Gefell, Watertown, Coordinator of Career
Planning and Placement, 36 years of service; Diana Marin, Sandy Creek,
Secretary, 20 years of service; Edie Roggie, Croghan, Alumni Development
Officer, 20 years of service; Rebecca Small-Kellogg, Dexter, Director of
Access and Opportunity Programs, 37 years of service; and Irene Wilder,
Copenhagen, Assistant Professor, 34 years of service.
Front row (l-r): Retirees Diana
Marin, Sandy Creek, secretary, 20 years of service; Edie Roggie, Croghan,
alumni development officer, 20 years of service; Irene Wilder, Copenhagen,
assistant professor, 34 years of service; Rebecca Small-Kellogg, Dexter,
director of access and opportunity programs, 37 years of service; Michele
Gefell, Watertown, coordinator of career planning and placement, 36 years
of service; Paul Alteri, Watertown, associate professor, 29 years of
service. Back row (l-r): Cindy F. Intschert,
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; David J. Males, Chair, Board of
Trustees; retiree Jeri Fairman, Watertown, provost, vice
president of academic and student affairs, 36 years of service; Daniel J.
Dupee II, College President. Unavailable for photo: Peter
Crump, Carthage, senior building maintenance mechanic II, 10 years of
service.
Jefferson
Community College recognized these current employees for milestone
years of service:
Five Years: Nicole
Arcuri, Pulaski, Valerie Slate, Copenhagen, Nicholas Thornthwaite, Black
River, Lori Tuttle, Theresa
Ten Years: Peter Crump,
Carthage, Jessica Emerson, Watertown, Marylou Evans, Carthage, Matt Gorman,
Watertown, Megan Stadler, Watertown, Donna Yang, Watertown
Fifteen
Years: Joshua Hammond, Carthage, Joshua Hollenbeck, Evans
Mills, Cynthia Sloan, Watertown
Twenty
Years: Peter Boenning, Watertown,
Susan Hughes, Watertown, Diana Marin, Sandy Creek, Lisa Shelmidine, Adams
Twenty-Five
Years: Dean Dyer, Adams, Eleanor Minnick, Calcium, Heather
Natali, Watertown, Amy O’Donnell, Watertown, Todd Vincent, Adams Center
Honored for 25 years of service to the
College are (l-r) Todd Vincent of Adams Center, professor, Heather Natali
of Watertown, senior secretary, Eleanor Minnick of Calcium, secretary, Amy
O’Donnell of Watertown, assistant professor - pictured with Daniel J.
Dupee, II, College President. Unavailable for photo: Dean Dyer of Adams,
instructional technical specialist.
Thirty
Years: Mark Streiff, Evans Mills
Honored for 30 years of service to the
College is Mark Streiff (left) of Evans Mills, professor, pictured with
Daniel J. Dupee, II, College President.
The Spirit of
Jefferson Award, established in 2011, recognizes a campus team that
exemplifies cooperative effort and achieves exemplary results. The 2025
Spirit of Jefferson Award was presented to Strategic Planning
Co-Chair Team - Dawn Bartlett, Watertown, and Larry Danforth,
Corning.
2025 Recipient of the Spirit of Jefferson Award was
presented to the Strategic Planning Co-Chair Team, Associate Professor Dawn
Bartlett of Watertown and Assistant Professor Larry Danforth of Corning -
pictured with Daniel J. Dupee, II, College President.
Beginning in
summer 2024, the Strategic Planning Team led the process with dedication,
leadership, and professionalism. From early meetings with the Board of
Trustees and President’s Cabinet to the launch of five campus-wide
workgroups, Bartlett and Danforth set a tone of intentionality that guided
every step. They built a strong foundation by refining the College’s
Mission, Vision, and Values, and supported the process with a robust
communication structure, including a centralized repository of data and research.
Even while balancing faculty responsibilities, they ensured that students,
faculty, staff, and community members were meaningfully engaged, making the
process truly collaborative. The resulting Jefferson Strategic Plan
2025–2030 reflects their integrity, vision, and deep commitment to the
institution.
Past recipients
of the Spirit of Jefferson Award include the JCC Women’s Organization
(2011), Science Division ~ Super Science Saturday (2012), Library Learning
Center (2013), JCC Relay for Life (2014), EverGREEN
Committee (2015), North Country Community Cup Team (2016), Chaos Patrol
(2017), Facilities Team (2018), National Endowment for the Humanities Grant
Team (2019), JCC Campus Community (2020), JCC Food Pantry (2021), Return To
Campus COVID Committee (2022), Cannon Threads Closing Closet (2023), and President
Dupee’s Inauguration Planning Workgroup (2024).
About Jefferson
Community College
Established on
November 7, 1961, Jefferson Community College was the area’s first
institution of higher education. Supervised by the State University of New
York (SUNY), Jefferson offers 50+ associate degrees, certificates and microcredentials for career preparation or transfer;
local access to bachelor’s and advanced degrees through partner
institutions; lifelong learning through workshops and seminars; business
and industry training; and provides community-based research and a forum
for the productive discussion of ideas and issues of significance to the
community through the Center for Community Studies. Jefferson is accredited
by the Middle States Association and currently serves approximately 2,500
students, including a significant number of service members and their
families. Please visit www.sunyjefferson.edu/about for
more information.
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