MESA, Arizona—Nov. 6, 2015—Eleven outstanding community members were welcomed into Mesa Community College’s Hall of Fame during a reception and ceremony hosted by the MCC Alumni Association on November 5.
“We hosted the Hall of Fame in honor of MCC’s 50th Anniversary, and we are very excited for it to become an annual tradition,” said Wade Denman, Chair of the MCC Alumni Advisory Board. “It was a pleasure to recognize and celebrate some of the outstanding individuals whose personal and professional accomplishments, and contributions set them apart.”
The 2015 Honorees, by category, are:
Service Award
Diana Occhiuzzi, Volunteer for Mesa Community College, Arizona Department of Education, and various community organizations; Retired High School Teacher -- Occhiuzzi received an Associate of Arts degree from MCC in 1969. On completing her degree at MCC she transferred to Arizona State University and received a bachelor's degree, and has completed other graduate work at three universities. Since then she has remained engaged and enthusiastic about MCC in a variety of activities, events, and causes. She has also been involved in dozens of community volunteer service events. The last 27 years of her 40 years teaching were in the Tempe Union High School District.
Alumni Achievement
Deborah Bateman, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for National Bank of Arizona – Bateman, whose career spanned bank teller to bank executive, is currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for National Bank of Arizona. An active member of the community, she is a published author and operates her own coaching business. She is a frequent featured speaker at seminars, meetings and conferences across the country.
Hermenigilda (Hilda) Luna, Director of Nursing Services at University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix -- Luna, a registered nurse who graduated from MCC in 1994, is Director of Nursing Services at University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. She has been instrumental in coordinating cancer prevention presentations and workshops for Latino Town Hall in Mesa and has spearheaded cancer research projects in collaboration with Mesa Public Schools Family Literacy program and National Association for Hispanic Nurses.
Jennifer Duff, President and Owner of Lobina Lures and Jef International, Inc. -- Duff graduated from MCC in 1980 with an AA in Fashion Merchandising, leading to a successful former career in the fashion industry, followed by an equally successful career in the sport fishing industry as a professional bass angler and entrepreneur. Duff is president and owner of Jef International, Inc, an import/export trading business specializing in sport fishing tackle, and Lobina Lures, a manufacturer and distributor of fishing lures. She is a 2012 graduate of Mesa Leadership Training & Development, and isinvolved in many community organizations, including Board Chair of the i.d.e.a. Museum.
Keith Ballard, Director of Music for Southwest Middle School; Noted speaker, presenter, and music educator -- Ballard attended MCC in 1990-91, and is currently Director of Music for Southwest Middle School in San Diego, CA. He is a noted speaker, presenter, music educator and a recipient of more than 20 teaching awards including the prestigious Milken National Educator Award. He has also traveled extensively researching comparative education around the world, and is working on a book based on his research and travels in 21 countries.
Terence Azbill, Chief of the Office of Special Investigations for the Arizona Department of Economic Security -- Azbill is Chief of the Office of Special Investigations for the Arizona Department of Economic Security. A member of the Arizona Department of Public Safety from 1978 to 2004, he rose from patrol officer to Director of Intelligence. He was appointed and served as the Executive Director for the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a program from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Lyn Dutson, Retired MCC Faculty in Theatre and Speech -- Dutson was a theatre and speech instructor at MCC for 40 years and is the winner of numerous teaching, service, and theatre awards. She’s been an instructor and student at the Arizona Ch’uan Fa Society since 1997, and has a black belt in Chinese Kempo. She is an instructor in Karate, Goju Shorei Weapons, Tai Qi, and Qigong fighting arts and systems.
Duane Oakes, Faculty Director for the Center for Community and Civic Engagement -- Oakes has been with MCC since 2000 and is the Faculty Director for the Center for Community & Civic Engagement. Duane has taught Recreation and Business classes for over 20 years. He is also an advisor to one of the nation’s largest, award-winning chapters of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. He has been recognized with numerous awards for his leadership roles in student life, Phi Theta Kappa, and service-learning. He has worked with the Maricopa Community Colleges for more than 25 years with a goal of helping students become better citizens.
Coaches Award: Tony Cirelli, Baseball -- Cirelli, who played baseball for MCC in 1981, has been the head baseball coach for more than 21 years and has the most baseball wins in school history (753). In 2014, he led the Thunderbirds to their first national baseball championship since 1972. He has been awarded with no less than five coaching awards during his career, including national Coach of the Year in 2014.
Athletes Award:
Robert Edward (Bob) Jacks, Tennis -- Jacks graduated from MCC in 1967. He was a versatile athlete, competing for MCC in Tennis, Basketball and Track (he attended on dual scholarships for tennis and basketball). He and his tennis doubles partner, Ron Powell, were undefeated during MCC’s first year of competition.
Ronald Grant Powell, Tennis -- Powell, a tennis prodigy since the age of 12, excelled with doubles partner Robert Jacks to qualify MCC for the National Junior College Championships in the program’s first year of operation.
Hall of Fame nominations are collected annually in June. A Selections Committee, comprised of MCC Alumni Advisory Board members, will make final selections in September. Additional information about the MCC Hall of Fame and nomination criteria is online at mesacc.edu/awards
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Contacts
Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892,dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
Sally Mesarosh, 480-461-7283, sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning. Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an
equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.