Five From SCC Recognized by Missouri Community College Association

Published: 11/14/2011

William Pundmann, president of SCC’s Board of Trustees, received the MCCA Trustee Leadership Award. The award was presented in recognition of Pundmann’s service to SCC and to the mission of community colleges throughout the state. Pundmann was elected to SCC’s Board of Trustees in 2006. He became president of the Board in 2010. He has served the MCCA’s Board of Directors since 2009. Pundmann’s professional career includes work as an investment banker. He began his career as a securities analyst at TIAA-CREF, where he handled stock investments, and moved on to work at three other Wall Street firms. He founded Pundmann & Co. in 1984 and served as its president and chief investment officer. Pundmann is also a committed Rotarian. He has been a member of the St. Charles Rotary Club for 16 years and has served on the group’s Board of Directors and as the club foundation’s chair. Retired SCC president John McGuire, who nominated Pundmann to receive the Trustee Leadership Award, praised Pundmann as a strong leader who brings energy, ideas and follow-through to the college’s board.

John McGuire, Ph.D., who retired as SCC president in October 2011, received the MCCA Mel Carnahan Hall of Fame Award for his 15 years of outstanding work as SCC president and as a member of MCCA’s Presidents/Chancelors Council. The award is named after Missouri’s late Governor Mel Carnahan, who made a community college education a priority, and is given for exceptional contributions to the community college system as well as to a recipient’s own institution. SCC’s new president, Ronald Chesbrough, Ph.D., accepted the award on McGuire’s behalf.

McGuire became SCC’s second retiring president in the college’s 25-year history. Under his leadership, enrollment grew 120 percent, three times that of the county’s population growth rate in the same time period. He led a number of college, community and state initiatives to ensure student success and has worked collaboratively with businesses, organizations, educational institutions and governmental partners. Among his accomplishments, he spearheaded an innovative cooperative agreement between the college and the area’s two largest hospitals, advocated successfully for an improved state transfer policy and for changes in state funding. He served on a number of boards and committees, including the American Association of Community Colleges Presidents Academy Executive Committee, the St. Louis Great Rivers Greenways Board of Directors and was the 2009-10 Board Chair of the St. Charles County Economic Development Center.

Pam Cilek, SCC professor of theater and coordinator of the Theater Program, received MCCA’s Senior Faculty Service Award. The award is presented each year to one faculty member from each of Missouri’s 20 community college campuses. Cilek was selected to receive this award by college administrators in recognition of more than 20 years of service to the college.

MCCA Executive Director Zora Mulligan says, “Teaching at a community college is a unique and challenging job, and the Association is proud to honor those who have a long record of excellence in this area. I commend Pam Cilek on this great accomplishment.”

Vicky Herbel, SCC associate professor of sociology, received the MCCA Global Educator Award.  The award was presented in recognition of Herbel’s service to SCC and to the mission of community colleges throughout the state. Herbel initiated the college’s first celebration of Black History Month in 2008, and since then she has brought donations in from the community to support dynamic, fun, educational programming to celebrate other heritage months. She worked with student services staff to found a collaborative campus multicultural programming committee. Colleagues commend Herbel’s energy and drive, saying that her attitude inspires others. They add that her efforts have extended the learning environment from her classroom to the entire campus and the community.

Eddie O’Neil, SCC student, received the MCCA Student Leadership Award. The award is presented to one outstanding community college student from each of Missouri’s 20 community college campuses. O’Neil is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree with emphasis on political science and works part-time on campus in the Student Activities Office and Welcome Center. O’Neil is president of SCC’s SAGE (Straights and Gays for Equality) organization, treasurer of Student Senate and was a student representative for SCC’s presidential search committee.

The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas. MCCA provides advocacy, education, information, and networking opportunities in service of the state’s 5,700 community college faculty, staff, administrators and trustees.

Established in 1986, St. Charles Community College is celebrating 25 years as a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.