Nic Sentinel, Staff Collect Awards, Gain Recognition

From ACHIEVEMENTS column, June 14, 1997: The following information ran incorrectly in a previous Achievements column: Noppadol Paothong a staff member of The Sentinel, North Idaho College’s student newspaper, was selected as a veteran student of the year by his classmates. Paothong, from Thailand, will also serve as photo editor of the Sentinel for the fall semester. Sue Jurgens, incoming Sentinel managing editor, received the rookie of the year award.

Graduating senior and managing editor of the North Idaho College Sentinel student newspaper Amanda Tomme, has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Tomme, who was chosen over candidates from other Inland Northwest colleges and universities, received the award at the SPJ’s annual awards banquet in Spokane and plans to participate in the Semester at Sea program through the University of Pittsburgh this fall. She was also selected as a veteran student of the year by her classmates.

Tomme accepted the national Associated Collegiate Press Newspaper of the Year Award on behalf of the Sentinel earlier this year in Los Angeles. The Sentinel also received the Idaho Press Club’s collegiate general excellence award.

She is the daughter of Toy and Debra Tomme of Rathdrum.

Noppadol Paothong a staff member of The Sentinel, North Idaho College’s student newspaper, was selected as a veteran students of the year by her classmates. Paothong, from Thailand, will also serve as photo editor of the Sentinal for the fall semester.

Sue Juregens, incoming managing editor of the Sentinel, received the rookie of the year award.

Other incoming Sentinel editors for the fall semester are: Ryan MacClanathan, Post Falls, news editor; Ed Francis, Coeur d’Alene, arts and entertainment editor; Kelly Dengel, Hauser Lake, sports editor; Ian Sudick, Sagle, on-line editor; and Shelley Jerome, Coeur d’Alene, business manager.

The North Idaho College Foundation recently honored staff and faculty with recognition awards accompanied by checks from the organization.

Jim Minkler, philosophy instructor who has taught at NIC since 1988, received the Faculty Achievement Award and a $1,500 check from the foundation.

Minkler, who was nominated by history instructor Judy Sylte, was cited for exemplary contributions to education and positive influence on students.

He holds a masters degree in philosophy from the University of Idaho and previously taught at Eastern Washington University. He is currently working on a doctorate degree and has been named division chair for the social sciences division at NIC.

English instructor Debra Sprague and political science instructor Tony Stewart were each recognized for their outstanding contributions to education and received a $500 check from the foundation.

Sprague, an NIC graduate with a doctorate degree from the Unversity of Washington, has taught at NIC since 1986 and was cited for being one of the most effective instructors in the English department, receiving high evaluations from students and demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning.

Stewart, who has taught at NIC since 1970 and is active in many campus projects, was recognized as the driving force behind the college’s week-long Popcorn Forum Symposiums, which have been held annually for the past 27 years.

Pam Claflin, an administrative secretary, Michele Chestnut, human resources secretary, and Karen Streeter, registrar, each received NIC Employee of the Year Awards and a $500 check for their dedication to duties. The trio was nominated by members of the Employee Association.

, DataTimes MEMO: Contact for Idaho Achievements is Sherry Adkins. Tell us about your achievements by writing to: Achievements, The Spokesman-Review, Suite 200, 608 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Pictures must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.