Dr. Steve Norton teaches eight different classes at the college, involving eight different sets of labs. His responsibilities range from teaching the largest lecture and lab class on campus (Human Anatomy and Physiology) to a summer stint teaching environmental classes such as watershed studies.

Pre-professional students, including those pursing careers in medicine dominate several of Norton's courses. "These courses would be challenging enough," Norton explains, "just based on the volume of the material and the intricate details of the processes, but their importance to the career aspirations of the students adds a measure of stress. I need to be demanding and supporting," he continued, "challenging and approachable."

Norton may be the leading beneficiary of the college's Science Center where his classes and labs take place. "We can now have dedicated labs for specific courses," Norton points out. "This has been a boon for scheduling. For Anatomy and Physiology, for example, I can organize open lab opportunities, allowing students to review histological slides and anatomical models from previous weeks. As many as 40 students a week may take advantage of this opportunity." Still, the students are the impetus for Norton's continuing concentration on excellence. "The pinning ceremony for nursing students who have persevered in their LPN or RN programs," he beams, "is one of the true highlights of my year."

Ken Rakoz — Two personal attributes probably played a huge part in the nomination and selection of Rakoz to Exceptional Faculty honors. First is his unyielding work ethic, which he is able to effectively communicate to his students. He spends a great percentage of his spare time on matters related to his classes and his students, helping them with problems at any time, even after they've joined the workforce.

"I'm still a dairy kid inside," Rakoz grins, "who just works 'till it's finished for the day and then comes back to do it again tomorrow."

The other element of his extraordinary student-teacher relationship is his willingness to volunteer large blocks of time to student success. He does program fund-raising, built a diesel dragster that promotes the program and the college, and travelled to Malawi to teach diesel technology at one of Centralia College's sister colleges in Africa. During his stay he also worked extensively to help build the infrastructure so additional portions of the community could have running water and flush toilets. Rakoz even raised money to bring a Malawi student to Centralia College so that student could learn and return to teach diesel technology in that emerging nation.

The high placement rate of diesel graduates into top jobs and the reputation of Centralia College in the diesel industry are factors of which Rakoz is understandably proud. His greatest source of personal satisfaction, however, remains with the students.

"I am especially proud," he explains, "that two of my former students have chosen to teach diesel technology and share what they learned with others. There are many, many former students who continue to impress me with their accomplishments, and I know that their solid foundations at Centralia College played a role."

The two were given the award following their selection from a list of student, staff and peer nominations. Since 1992, when the Exceptional Faculty award was initiated and funded by the Washington state Legislature and the Centralia College Foundation, 39 Centralia College faculty members have received the award. The recognition includes $2000 for each recipient, proceeds from the Centralia College Foundation Exceptional Faculty endowment.

For a list of past award recipients, see Recipients of the Exceptional Faculty Award, 1992-2010 (PDF).

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