Media contact: Angela Try

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College honored recipients of the 2026 Pearson/Gordon Master Teacher and Distinguished Service Awards at the 32nd annual Employee Recognition and Appreciation Ceremony on May 13. Special service anniversaries and retirees were also recognized.

Diana Coffman, Ph.D. of Auburn, professor of biology, was named 2026 Drs. Raymond and Ann Pearson and Dr. Claire Gordon Master Teacher. The award is presented to an outstanding full-time LLCC faculty member who practices his or her profession in an exemplary manner.

Dr. Coffman joined LLCC in 2002 as a biology professor. Students who nominated her said she creates a classroom environment in which students are challenged and supported. One nominator said, “She has made me excited to come to class. She needs to know how her compassion and teaching make a difference.” She holds a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor College in Michigan (now Spring Arbor University), a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a doctorate from the University of Toledo in Ohio.

Finalists for the award were Angela Gum-Miller of Springfield, professor of mathematics; Alison Stachera, Ph.D. of Springfield, professor of English; and Katie Tice of Springfield, professor of accounting.

The college presented five Distinguished Service Awards to individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership and service to the college community, promote a student-focused environment and exhibit a strong commitment to the college’s core values.

Distinguished Service Award recipients: 
Classified Staff – Scott Grundy, general maintenance technician
Administrative – Jessie Blackburn, director, LLCC-Litchfield
Faculty – Thom Whalen, professor of art
Professional Staff – Cody Cox, research and analytics associate II

Thirty-five-year service honorees:
Athens: Peter Embalabala, professor of mathematics

Thirty-year service honorees: Nicole Ralph, associate vice president, human resources
Springfield: Angie Gum-Miller, professor of mathematics; Richard Monke, professor of mathematics, Michael Ramm, professor of chemistry

Twenty-five-year service honorees: 
Ashland: John Gaston, mechanical maintenance technician
Hillsboro: Sandy Niemann, budget coordinator
Pawnee: Alison Mills, assistant vice president, financial aid
Petersburg: Dave Cox, professor of biology
Riverton: Bobbi Henry, research and analytics associate
Sherman: Lara Marshall, financial aid coordinator
Springfield: Susan McClintock, professor of mathematics; Laurie Myers, writing specialist; Mark Roehrs, professor of history
Virden: James Pierce, professor of engineering

Twenty-year service honorees: 
Chandlerville: Paul Carpenter, public safety assistant
Cantrall: Michael Hanson, police sergeant
Hillsboro: Tara Walk, professor of criminal justice
Mt. Olive: Christine Marietta, administrative assistant, LLCC-Litchfield
Springfield: Clarie Heffron-McKinney, senior student success advisor; Carrie Jacobs, administrative assistant to the dean, health professions; Brenda Protz, professor of communication; Kirsten Taylor, director, employment and benefits; Natasha Trame, professor of psychology; Leonard Veith, building custodian
Williamsville: Tricia Hardway, academic success professional; Alexis Rogers, cataloging specialist

Retirees: Pawficer Ember, outreach therapy dog, 3 years
Arenzville: Anita Glydewell, teacher, child development center, 21 years
Auburn: Shannon Chizmar, teacher, child development center, 24 years; Diana Coffman, professor of biology, 24 years
Chatham: Debra Coet, academic success professional, 6 years; Elizabeth “Libby” Tennikait, academic success professional, 7 years
Eureka: Jeff Gardner, director, diesel technologies, 3 years
Loami: Tricia Kujawa, associate vice president, institutional research and effectiveness, 22 years
Morrisonville: Bill Harmon, professor of agriculture, 29 years
Mount Olive: Tom Spears, program coordinator, workforce development, 14 years
Pleasant Plains: Sara Bachmann, associate professor, basic nurse assistant, 14 years
Springfield: Charlotte Warren, president, 20 years; Deborah Brothers, professor of English, 26 years; Angie Gum-Miller, professor of mathematics, 30 years; Kevin Hackwith, building custodian, 19 years; Jennifer Hylton, teaching assistant, 15 years; Cynthia Maskey, dean, health professions, 37 years; Abbas Meigooni, professor of math, 22 years; Craig Norman, truck driver training specialist, 20 years; Rebecca Parton, dean, academic innovation and eLearning, 31 years; Jennifer Ramm, professor, chemistry, 33 years; Michael Ramm, professor, chemistry, 30 years; Leanne Roseberry, library acquisitions specialist, 33 years; Liesel Smith, professor of English, 32 years; Gregory Walbert, manager, graphic design, 20 years; Thom Whalen, professor of art, 25 years; 
Waverly: Tracy Kesinger, professor of nursing, 21 years.