Thayer HCCC’s 2009 Torchbearer Recipient

(Rome, NY) Rome native Mr. John H. Thayer is one of four 2009 recipients of Herkimer County Community College’s Torchbearer Award. Thayer, Assistant to the Dean of Students and Director of Counseling Services Emeritus, served at the College as a full-time professional employee from January 1967 through May 1995. The other 2009 honorees are Dr. Robert Dorrance of Herkimer, Mrs. Grace McLaughlin of Herkimer and Mr. Robert E. VanDusen of Frankfort.

The Torchbearer Awards are presented every five years to recognize individuals whose contributions have had a significant and lasting impact on the development and operations of HCCC. Particular attention is given to those whose contributions were made in the first twenty years of the College’s history (1966–1986). To be considered for the Torchbearer Award, nominees cannot currently be employed at HCCC. Nominees who are former employees of HCCC must have been retired from full-time service from the college for at least five years and must have been awarded emeritus status.

The recipients will be honored with individual plaques that will be on display in the lobby of the Robert McLaughlin College Center. The Torchbearer plaque states “Through their vision and commitment, our Torchbearers have built this community college and maintained the tradition of opportunity and excellence. In so doing, those honored here have shadowed themselves in order to give light to others.” An awards ceremony and reception, at which the plaques will be unveiled, will be held November 6.

Thayer was a founding member of the College’s Student Services professional staff in 1967. His individual plaque reads: “For his dedication in fulfilling a broad spectrum of roles crucial for the start-up of Herkimer County Community College. Mr. Thayer was a founding member of the College’s Student Services professional staff. As Director of Admissions, he recruited the opening class of 211 full-time and 101 part-time students in the fall of 1967 on short notice and under challenging circumstances, such as the uncertain availability of locations and facilities for classes to be held in. In addition to being Director of Admissions, Mr. Thayer initially also served as the College’s Registrar and Director of Counseling, Financial Aid and Public Relations. He also oversaw intramural sports at the College. John Thayer will always be remembered for the vital roles he played in the founding and growth of Herkimer County Community College.”

“We are proud to honor these four individuals for their dedication and contributions to the college,” said Donald Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

This group brings the total number of Torchbearer Award recipients to 19. Previous recipients of the award are: Dr. James Anderson, Robert Boyle, Anthony Cosentino, Bess Cristman, Dr. Joseph DeLorenzo, Dr. Donald Gavagan, Col. James Hill, Virgil Johnson, Richard Jorrey, Frederick Juer, Harold Luther, Robert McLaughlin, Frank Menapace, Jean Stapleton and Dr. H. David Trautlein.

Nominations for the Torchbearer Award were solicited in the spring and reviewed by a nominations committee that included: Daniel Sargent, HCCC Assistant to the President; Donald Snyder, Esq., chair of the Board of Trustees; Timothy Dunn, HCCC alumnus and trustee; Judy Hummel, a former trustee; James Wallace, Herkimer County Administrator; and Dr. Joseph De Lorenzo, HCCC Faculty Emeritus and a previous recipient of the Torchbearer Award. The committee submitted a list of recommended nominees to the Board of Trustees, which selected the final class of award recipients for 2009.

Thayer currently resides on Wood Creek Drive in Rome.

Thayer HCCC’s 2009 Torchbearer Recipient

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