Faculty & Staff Recognition

Each year, Clarke faculty and staff members achieve great things and contribute significantly to Clarke, their profession, and their community. Congratulations to the following faculty and staff members who received awards and submitted accomplishments and activities from throughout the year:

MENEVE DUNHAM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Lee Johnson, ED.D, Assistant Professor of Education

ROSE O’TOOLE STAFF SERVICE AWARD

Annette Doerr, Administrative Assistant for Student Life/Business Department

BVM CORE VALUE AWARD

Troy Aiken, MFA, Assistant Professor of Art

FACULTY AND STAFF SERVICE AWARDS

5 Years
Wendy Brehm
Jordan Burkholder
Brian Graham
Megan Hinderman
Lee Johnson
Casey Jones
Matthew Lomas
Pieper Waara
Brenda Schilling
Michelle Theisen
Brett Tudela

10 Years
Steve Bellomy
Emily Dalen
Alex Gudenkauf
Josh Printz
Andrea Simmons

15 Years
Tricia DeLire
B’Ann Dittmar

20 Years
Brad Kruse
Ann Pelelo
Ellen Spencer

25 Years
Judy Munshower
Jason Stecklein
Casey Tauber
Kathy Ternes

30 Years
Kate Zanger

PROMOTION, TENURE, AND DEGREES

B’Ann Dittmar, MBA, Instructor of Business to Senior Instructor of Business 
Maria Morris, MBA, from Instructor of Business to Senior Instructor of Business
Rob Stull, DMA, from Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities to Associate Professor of Music, and the conferal of tenure

SUMMER GRANT AWARDS

Chrissy Bartels, Attendance at ISTE 2026 – Designing the Future of Learning
Melissa Kindred and Tori Driver, Simulation Program Development
Lee Johnson, Creating an AI and Engagement Toolbox for Clarke Faculty
Mindy Oxenford, Laurie Hiatt, and Krista Corken, Active Escapes
Elizabeth Quinby, Active listening skills in hostage and crisis negotiation
Carrie Manternach, EDUC 450-Advanced Reading Methods Redesign
Michael Knock, Covering Crisis: The Des Moines Register and the Farm Crisis of the 1980s

FACULTY EMERITA

Steve Bellomy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English
Susanna Cantu-Gregory, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Amy Dunker, DMA, Professor of Music
William Gregory, Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies
Evelyn Nadeau, Ph.D., Professor of Spanish
Ann Pelelo, Ph.D., Professor of English
Lisa Rettenmeier, MSN, Ed.D., Professor of Nursing
Tom Riley, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy
Eric Wold, MFA, Associate Professor of Art + Design

STAFF RETIREMENTS

Karen Kohnen, Kitchen Assistant
Kathy Ternes, Campus Store Assistant
Deb Theill, in memoriam, Student Accounts