June 1, 2007

Commissioner’s Awards of Excellence at NHCTC Laconia

Photo: NHCTC Laconia Commissioner’s Award of Excellence winners, Terry Hughes (left), and Max Brown (right), display their awards. The acknowledgement of the Commissioner’s awards was given during the College’s 38th Commencement Ceremony at Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center in Gilford.

Two individuals received unique awards at New Hampshire Community Technical College Laconia. The Commissioner’s Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to Business Management Professor, Max Brown (Loudon). The Commissioner’s Award for Service Excellence was received by Library Technician/Webmaster, Terry Hughes (Laconia).

Awarded by Department of Regional Community-Technical Colleges Commissioner, Dr. William Simonton (Concord), the Commissioner’s awards are voted on by College faculty and College staff. Simonton made extremely positive remarks about Brown and Hughes acknowledging their contributions above and beyond the call of duty to NHCTC Laconia.

Brown has served as a Business Management Professor at the College for twenty years. Prior to teaching, Brown spent many years in business with his brother, Dr. Bruce Brown (Titusville, FL), and in division management with Sears, Roebuck and Company as well as completing Sears’ management training program in Memphis, Tennessee.

Hughes has worked as Library Technician in the Bennett Library on Prescott Hill since 2002. In addition, Hughes has taken on a formidable challenge with the redesign of the College’s website, so critical to communicating opportunities available at the Lakes Region’s community college. Hughes is also a high honors student in Computer Technologies at NHCTC Laconia and Treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa, the internationally recognized honor society for two-year colleges.

Prior to coming to work with NHCTC Laconia, Hughes was employed for twenty-five years as Book Department Manager at the Sundial Shops in Laconia and Gilford. As a member of Sacred Heart Parish, Hughes participated in a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol, viewed by hundreds of Lakes Region people. The Event was sponsored by NHCTC Laconia and was very well received.

“To be honored with Terry Hughes is a true compliment,” says Brown, who has known the Hughes family for fifteen years. “I have always thought that she was one of the finest people that I have ever known. Teaching has always brought me great pleasure and maybe I can have Terry in class at some point.”

“I feel that everyone at NHCTC Laconia works hard for the benefit of students,” says Hughes. “To receive the Commissioner’s Award for Service Excellence is touching, and I appreciate the honor. It is really a pleasure to work with such dedicated and knowledgeable people.”