College Honors Retired Judge Walker with Honorary Service Award
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College this week launched its new 2026-2027 academic year with a two-day celebration, including Monday’s Convocation and Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon.
Classes for the new fall semester begin on Monday, August 17.
During Monday’s Convocation ceremony, AC president Dr. Michael Simon presented the Honorable Judge David Walker (retired) with an Honorary Service Award. Judge Walker was among the founding members of the college, serving in various capacities (including the original presidential search committee) since the college’s inception in 1968.
Award recipients were as follows:
30-year Service Award: Steve Capps (Senior Director of Physical Plant Operations)
25-year Service Award: Janice Hartsfield (Director/Instructor of Emergency Medical Services Program) and Daphne Albro (Administrative Assistant, Health Careers II)
20-year Service Award: Charlet Blades (Instructor, Vocational Nursing Program-Crockett), Bridgett Geist (Instructor, Radiologic Technology), Evelyn Walker (Coordinator, Human Resources) and Gary Stallard (English Instructor/Sports Information Director).
15-year Service Award: Richard Geist (Instructor, Math) Rachel Hunt (Instructor, Reading) James Mills (Instructor, Diesel Technology) and Dr. Tim Ditoro (Vice President of Academic Affairs).
10-year Service Award: Alicia Andreatta (Instructor, Government), Dr. Carl Carey (Instructor, Education), Aaron Grimes (Instructor, English), Vergie Hines (Instructor, Nursing), Alex Ranc (Chair, Social Behavioral Sciences), Renee Williams (Instructor, English), Chris Sullivan (Vice President of Business Affairs/General Counsel), Steve Lumbley (Manager of Maintenance), Dana Smithhart (Executive Director of Student Affairs), Camille Lipscomb (IT Tech and Lead Help Desk) and Mark Yarnall (Instructor, Automotive Technology).
Five-year Service Award: J.J. Montgomery (Athletic Director/Head men’s basketball coach), Leigh Ann Pyle (Executive Director of Institutional Advancement), Laura Reynolds (Instructor, Economics), Daisy Brumley (Director of Student Affairs), Jose Cruz (System Administrator), Kelley Durr (Instructor, Nursing), David Avant (Manager, Testing Center), Don Douglas (Clerk, Testing), Vanessa Cuevas (Manager of Purchasing), Rhaeanne Madden (Executive Administrative Assistant/Vice President Business Affairs), Eric Freeman (Instructor, EMS), Dr. Susan Adams (Instructor, Vocational Nursing Program-Hudson), and Stephanie Pierson (Staff Accountant).
Faculty Excellence in Service Award: Sandra Johnson
Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award: Mack Dunkin
Outstanding Teaching Award: Ronnie Naramore
Distinguished Faculty Award: Olivia Wilson
AC Way Faculty Award: Shanda Keely
AC Way Staff Award: Sandra Cox
Staff Rookie Award: Autumn Stephens
Staff Spirit Award: Francell Horace
Staff Leadership Award: Casey Gerard
Distinguished Staff Member of the Year Award: Jennifer Ragsdale
Outstanding Program, Department or Discipline Award: Physical Plant Operations
For further information on Angelina College, contact Krista Brown at kbrown@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
Dr. Michael Simon and the Honorable Judge David Walker:
Angelina College president Dr. Michael Simon (right) presents an Honorary Service Award to the Honorable Judge David Walker (retired) during Monday’s Convocation ceremony at AC. Judge Walker was among the founding members of the college, serving in various capacities (including the original presidential search committee) since the college’s inception in 1968. (AC News Service photo)
Service Awards:
30-year Service Award: Steve Capps received his 30-year Service Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon at Angelina College. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
25-year Service Award: Janice Hartsfield (left) and Daphne Albro received their 25-year Service Award pins during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon at Angelina College. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
20-year Service Award: Receiving their 20-year Service Award from Angelina College were (L-R) Gary Stallard, Charlet Blades, Evelyn Walker and Bridgett Geist. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
15-year Service Award: Receiving their 15-year Service Awards from Angelina College were (L-R) James Mills, Rachel Hunt, Richard Geist and Dr. Tim Ditoro. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
10-Year Service Award:
Receiving their 10-year Service Awards from Angelina College were (L-R) Mark Yarnall, Chris Sullivan, Steve Lumbley, Alex Ranc, Camille Lipscomb, Aaron Grimes, Vergie Hines, Dr. Carl Carey, Dana Smithhart and Renee Williams. (Not pictured: Alicia Andreatta) (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Five-year Service Award: Angelina College employees receiving their Five-year Service Award included (L-R) J.J. Montgomery, Leigh Ann Pyle, Stephanie Pierson, Don Douglas, Daisy Brumley, David Avant, Kelley Durr, Jose Cruz, Dr. Susan Adams and Rhaeanne Madden. (Not pictured: Laura Reynolds, Vanessa Cuevas and Eric Freeman) (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Staff and Faculty Awards:
Faculty Excellence in Service Award: Angelina College’s Sandra Johnson received the Faculty Excellence in Service Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Outstanding Teaching Award: Angelina College’s Ronnie Naramore received the Outstanding Teaching Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Distinguished Faculty Award: Angelina College’s Olivia Wilson received the Distinguished Faculty Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
AC Way Faculty Award: Angelina College’s Shanda Keely received the AC Way Faculty Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
AC Way Staff Award: Angelina College’s Sandra Cox received the AC Way Staff Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Rookie Award: Angelina College’s Autumn Stephens received the Staff Rookie Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Spirit Award: Angelina College’s Francell Horace received the Spirit Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Staff Leadership Award: Angelina College’s Casey Gerard received the Staff Leadership Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Distinguished Staff Member of the Year Award: Angelina College’s Jennifer Ragsdale received the Distinguished Staff Member of the Year Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)
Outstanding Program, Department or Discipline Award: The Angelina College Physical Plant Operations group received the Outstanding Program, Department or Discipline Award during Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon. (Jessica Deel photo for AC News Service)