The Society for Technical Communication has long recognized the importance of the hard work and commitment of its community members. Without their energy and enthusiasm, the Society would cease to be the largest, most effective, and most prestigious organization of technical communicators in the world.
Below are the honorees this year for the Distinguished Chapter Service Award, Distinguished SIG Service Award, and Distinguished Service Award for Students. Congratulations to each of them and thank you for your service to the Society.
Distinguished Chapter Service Award
In 1988, the Society initiated the Distinguished Chapter Service Award (DCSA) to recognize exemplary dedication to the chapter and its activities. The first awards were presented in 1989. Following is a list of DCSA winners for 2011 with their official citations.
Alberta, Ken Schatzke
In recognition of your exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to the Alberta Chapter—for your dedication, enthusiasm, and vision.
Berkeley, Maria A. (Tonie) Flores
For distinguished service to the Berkeley Chapter as VP for programs and as arrangements manager; for frequent and conscientious judging in the Touchstone competition; and for providing encouragement and inspiration to new and continuing chapter members.
Berkeley, Nicolette L. (Nicki) Davis
For years of distinguished service to the Berkeley Chapter as treasurer: rescuing our finances from chaos, enabling us to control costs and live within our means, and gracefully managing a highly flexible reservation and payment system for our meetings.
Birmingham, Karrie Brock
In recognition of your exemplary efforts to help the Birmingham, AL, chapter through good years and bad, for always being a team player, and for your kindness towards all. Your gentle spirit and technical communications knowledge serves as a great example for those interested in our profession. For these things, we bestow upon you this award with our gratitude.
Chicago, Beth Najberg
For continued commitment to STC Chicago and your years of leadership and evangelism as Alliance Liaison.
Chicago, Francis Bao
For your years of dedication in your various roles on the STC Chicago Administrative Council and your work with the Chicago eLearning & Technology Showcase.
Chicago, W. Kelly Oja
In recognition of your exemplary efforts to attract and sustain membership in STC Chicago.
East Bay, Joseph M. Humbert
For demonstrating energy and imagination and providing unflagging service to the East Bay Chapter, thus serving as a role model for new leaders and volunteers and increasing the chapter’s value to its membership.
Houston, Linda King
For your loyalty, dedication, and continuous commitment to the success of the STC Houston Chapter.
Kansas City, Dan Schlapia
In recognition of your exemplary efforts to enhance recognition of technical communication in the Kansas City community through your coordination of judging of technical writing by students at the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair.
New Mexico Kachina, Helen Moody
For your outstanding leadership of the New Mexico Kachina Chapter as President; Past President; Vice President, Programs; Webmaster; Listmaster; and Publications Judge; and your enthusiasm and dedication to chapter success.
Northeast Ohio, Amy Vogt
For outstanding leadership of the Northeast Ohio Chapter—for your hard work, dedication, and excitement.
Orange County, Elizabeth Malone
For your steady leadership and unfailing willingness to initiate and wholeheartedly support innovative and successful Orange County Chapter activities.
Orange County, Suzanne Madison
In recognition of your innumerable contributions to the Orange County Chapter and of your continuing commitment to chapter activities.
Orlando, David A. Coverston
For sustained contributions to the Orlando Chapter that epitomize “value added”—you inspire us by putting your heart into the chapter in so many ways.
Orlando, Erika B. Higgins
For the inimitable way you apply energy and creativity to turn communication and fundraising challenges into opportunities for successful, innovative chapter activities.
Philadelphia Metro, Barrie Byron
For your generous and extraordinary support of the Philadelphia Metro Chapter as leader, mentor, motivator, and cheerleader. Your dedication and enthusiasm are an inspiration.
Philadelphia Metro, Gary Samartino
For your outstanding contributions to the Philadelphia Metro Chapter as Treasurer and Conference Chair.
Rochester, Jan Peartree
For your unfailing willingness to initiate and support innovative and successful Rochester Chapter activities through leadership and mentoring, especially the technical publications competition and the annual Spectrum conference.
Rocky Mountain, Marc Lee
In recognition of your sustained support of the Rocky Mountain Chapter—for sharing your multimedia experience, providing sound advice, and mentoring others.
Rocky Mountain, Ruth Gaulke
In recognition of your exceptional leadership as Rocky Mountain Chapter president; your contributions, wisdom, experience, and sound advice; and your selfless inspiration, creativity, and dedication.
Rocky Mountain, Tammy Van Boening
In recognition of your exemplary efforts to initiate, implement, and wholeheartedly support innovative and successful Rocky Mountain Chapter membership activities and your consistent contributions to the STC RMC discussion list.
San Diego, Lance Robert
For your humor, wisdom, and dependability, and for the variety of dedication and support that you have given to San Diego and SoCal STC Chapters through competitions, thought leadership, and social networking.
Southeastern Michigan, Andrea Frazier
For your leadership and continued service to the Southeastern Michigan Chapter and your dedication to the future of technical communication, as represented by its students.
Southeastern Michigan, Elizabeth Donoghue Colvin
In recognition of your exemplary leadership as editor of TechComments and your continued contributions to the Southeastern Michigan Chapter.
Southwestern Ontario, Debbie Kerr
For sustained and continuous contributions to the Southwestern Ontario Chapter, especially for your stellar editing skills and unfailing generosity with your time.
Toronto, Veronica Kütt
For generous and sustained contributions to the Toronto Chapter and to the wider community of technical communicators.
Twin Cities, Linda Mikkelsen
For outstanding contributions to the competitions of the Twin Cities Chapter, and for sustained contributions to the chapter—for your outstanding leadership, wisdom, experience, and sound advice and support as a mentor in our profession.
United Kingdom and Ireland, Tina Hoffman
For sustained contributions to the United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter, and for your wisdom, experience, and sound advice.
Willamette Valley, David E. Thompson
In recognition of your consistent diligence when doing your WVC duties; your willingness to help whenever and wherever needed; and for your quiet, commonsense advice and wisdom for the betterment of the chapter.
Willamette Valley, Mabel L. Lee
In recognition of your consummate friendliness and care when greeting members and nonmembers as the WVC hospitality manager and for your deep commitment to the success of the chapter.
Distinguished SIG Service Award
In 2002, the Society initiated a formal awards program to recognize the commitment and hard work of members of its special interest groups (SIGs). The Distinguished SIG Service Award (DSSA) recognizes length of SIG membership, consistency of service over the duration of membership, and variety of service.
Following are the winners of the 2011 Distinguished SIG Service Award and their official citations.
Instructional Design & Learning, Linda Stinger
For your outstanding dedication and support in making our IDL SIG Webinar Programs a success.
Mar-Com, Paul Holland
In recognition of your sustained contributions to and exemplary efforts to revitalize the MarCom SIG—for inspiration, enthusiasm, leadership, and dedication.
Technical Editing, Virginia Janzig
In recognition of your years of service as Technical Editing SIG Secretary and of your continuing contributions to SIG activities.
Distinguished Service Award for Students
The Distinguished Service Award for Students (DSAS) recognizes student members who provide exemplary service to the Society through their dedication to their chapter and its activities.
Following are the winners of the 2011 Distinguished Service Award for Students and their official citations.
Orlando & University of Central Florida, Michael Wilson
In recognition of your unfailing enthusiasm and contribution of ideas and legwork for the benefit of the chapter and its members.
Toronto, Noor Hussain
For outstanding contributions to the Toronto Chapter—for inspiration, enthusiasm, creativity, and quiet dedication.
