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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Press Release from Indian Hills Community College

The Indian Hills Community College Foundation recently presented awards to five people at the annual staff workshop.  Each year, members of the Indian Hills staff nominate and select an outstanding IHCC alumnus, an IHCC retiree, a lay citizen, and two current employees.

Dr. Marlene Sprouse of Ottumwa was recognized as the 2010 Outstanding Alumnus.  She completed an associate’s degree at Indian Hills’ Centerville campus in the mid-70s then finished a bachelor’s degree at Northeast Missouri State University, and master’s, specialists and doctorate degrees at Drake University.  Her career in education has included positions at the high school level as an English teacher, a K-12 curriculum director and a principal and at the collegiate level as a dean and currently as vice president of academic affairs.  Sprouse has achieved many accomplishments during her 10 years at Indian Hills, including enhanced online learning programs and high school initiatives.  Most recently, she led college personnel through the process that resulted in a recommendation for a ten-year accreditation for Indian Hills, the maximum period that can be awarded.  Sprouse’s nominations identified her as a respected leader, who is knowledgeable and understanding as well as a great listener and a team player.   

Dr. R. Gene Gardner of Des Moines was selected at this year’s Outstanding Retiree.  He was a member of the Indian Hills family for 12 years and involved with Iowa’s community college system for more than 40 years.  During that time, he held positions as vice president of institutional services, assistant superintendent of adult and continuing education, executive director and community college president.  He has published and co-published many articles related to education and has always been one of the strongest advocates of the community college system. When he was the executive director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees, Gardner was instrumental in gaining statewide support for community colleges throughout Iowa, resulting in increased funding. He has also continued to support Indian Hills Community College and the IHCC Foundation.

Barb Hood of Fairfield was chosen as the recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Lay Citizen Award.  She has been a dedicated and loyal supporter of Indian Hills for more than 25 years.  During Hood’s many years of service in workforce initiatives, there remained one constant value—her dedication to Indian Hills.  She was an early believer in the great advantage that education and technical training brought to clients seeking meaningful employment, and she has never veered from that stance.  Hood serves on the college-wide Indian Hills Advisory Council and uses her position as a springboard to spread the good word about Indian Hills to anyone with whom she comes in contact. 

Michael Philipsen, program director of fine arts, and Jane Sapp, administrative aide in admissions, were presented with the 2010 Outstanding Service Awards given to current Indian Hills’ employees.

Philipsen, a 25-year employee of Indian Hills, has been described by his students as one who provides encouragement and advice, who demands high standards, who takes his job seriously but also knows how to have fun, who helps develop skills in music and in life and who considers all of his students as family and invites them to his home for gatherings after concerts.

One student said, “He gave me a few musical pieces that I thought were a bit advanced for me.  I worked so hard on them because he constantly pointed out how much improvement I was making.  He made me believe in myself.”
Philipsen’s peers identify him as one who provides an outstanding learning experience for his students and who is knowledgeable and passionate and genuinely a good person.  He is active on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Iowa Symphony, Bridge View Center, Civic Music and the Ottumwa Arts Council.

Sapp, who began working at Indian Hills in 1981 when it was still located at the Airport Campus, is described by her peers as a person who is dedicated and conscientious, who has a wonderful personality, who knows how to get a job done effectively and efficiently and who puts her heart and soul into helping students. 

Sapp mentors new employees in her “down home way” to ensure that the culture of Indian Hills Community College is carried on.  She accomplishes this task through her stories, work ethic, sense of humor and ability to listen to others.  She is a “real gem, who has been such as asset to Indian Hills for nearly 30 years.”   

Two milestones were also recognized at the workshop.  Since the beginning of the Indian Hills Foundation in 1975, more than 15,000 IHCC students have received Indian Hills Foundation scholarships.  And for the fifth consecutive year, 100 percent of the full-time staff members at Indian Hills contributed to the annual employee giving campaign generating nearly $55,000 for student scholarships at Indian Hills.