Daily Journal staff reports
Franklin College honored staff and faculty members at its annual Employee Appreciation Holiday Celebration in December.
Jim Carter, lead HVAC technician with the physical facilities department, was recognized as the 2015 recipient of the Margaret Hommell Staff Service Excellence Award.
Carter joined Franklin College in 1980. During his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in the upkeep of several aging buildings on campus, including Spurlock Center, Hamilton Library and Barnes Hall.
Campus leaders praised Carter for his dedication, which extended to his calling into work when he was away on medical leave to share information on building systems, according to a statement from the college.
He often uses vacation time to help the community, volunteering time to work at the county fair each summer to raise money for the Johnson County Shrine Club.
Carter lives in Franklin with his wife, Shirley.
Colleagues selected Carter for the staff service award based on his willingness to help others, excellence in internal customer service and outstanding work ethic. The recipient receives a $250 cash award and an engraved plaque.
Kathryn L. Johnston, instructor of modern languages, is the recipient of the Franklin College Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.
Johnston received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and Spanish from Butler University, graduating cum laude. She earned a master’s degree in the teaching of Spanish from Indiana University. She also earned a Master Interuniversitario Hispano-Norteamericano en Lengua Espanola y Culturas Hispanas from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.
Before coming to Franklin College in 2010, Johnston taught Spanish at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis and at St. Monica Catholic School in Indianapolis. She also served as a private tutor of Spanish.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Johnston serves as the liberal arts seminar faculty coordinator and is a diversity task force member. She previously served as an assistant coach to the Franklin College volleyball team.
Johnston lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Mary.
The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award is designed to honor a commendable faculty member who is not in a tenure-track position, has completed two or more semesters and has taught a minimum of 12 credit hours at Franklin College. The recipient receives a $250 cash award and an engraved plaque.
Full-time employees honored for their years of service with the college include the following:
•Five-year awards: Tom Armor, Debbie Foster, Natalie Haynes, Kathryn Johnston, Mary Johnston, Ben O’Neal, Joanne Parish, Eric Schwarz, Mary Stoia
•10-year awards: Karen Bauman, Ginger George-Nelis, Christine Hendershot, Brad Jones, Brenda Moore, Jeremy Smelser, Amy VerSteeg, Katie Wehner
•15-year awards: Kirk Bixler, Vicki Cook, Nelson Preston
•20-year awards: Barbara Chambers, Janet Dowty, Christina Lucas, Deana Pierson
•25-year award: Kathy Remsburg
•30-year awards: Joel Cramer, Ron Schuetz
•35-year awards: Jim Carter, Greg Cataldi
•40-year award: Janet Schantz
Part-time employees honored for their years of service with the college include the following:
•Five-year awards: Connie Clark, Thomas Dirks, Karla McConnell, Linda Morse, Elizabeth Stillabower
•10-year award: DeeAnna Woods
•40-year award: Stephen Huddleston
