Angelina College Opens Year with Convocation, Awards Luncheon

College Honors Retired Judge Walker with Honorary Service Award

Angelina College this week launched its new 2026-2027 academic year with a two-day celebration, including Monday’s Convocation and Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon.

Classes for the new fall semester begin on Monday, August 17.

During Monday’s Convocation ceremony, AC president Dr. Michael Simon presented the Honorable Judge David Walker (retired) with an Honorary Service Award. Judge Walker was among the founding members of the college, serving in various capacities (including the original presidential search committee) since the college’s inception in 1968.

Award recipients were as follows:

30-year Service Award: Steve Capps (Senior Director of Physical Plant Operations)

25-year Service Award: Janice Hartsfield (Director/Instructor of Emergency Medical Services Program) and Daphne Albro (Administrative Assistant, Health Careers II)

20-year Service Award: Charlet Blades (Instructor, Vocational Nursing Program-Crockett), Bridgett Geist (Instructor, Radiologic Technology), Evelyn Walker (Coordinator, Human Resources) and Gary Stallard (English Instructor/Sports Information Director).

15-year Service Award: Richard Geist (Instructor, Math) Rachel Hunt (Instructor, Reading) James Mills (Instructor, Diesel Technology) and Dr. Tim Ditoro (Vice President of Academic Affairs).

10-year Service Award: Alicia Andreatta (Instructor, Government), Dr. Carl Carey (Instructor, Education), Aaron Grimes (Instructor, English), Vergie Hines (Instructor, Nursing), Alex Ranc (Chair, Social Behavioral Sciences), Renee Williams (Instructor, English), Chris Sullivan (Vice President of Business Affairs/General Counsel), Steve Lumbley (Manager of Maintenance), Dana Smithhart (Executive Director of Student Affairs), Camille Lipscomb (IT Tech and Lead Help Desk) and Mark Yarnall (Instructor, Automotive Technology).

Five-year Service Award: J.J. Montgomery (Athletic Director/Head men’s basketball coach), Leigh Ann Pyle (Executive Director of Institutional Advancement), Laura Reynolds (Instructor, Economics), Daisy Brumley (Director of Student Affairs), Jose Cruz (System Administrator), Kelley Durr (Instructor, Nursing), David Avant (Manager, Testing Center), Don Douglas (Clerk, Testing), Vanessa Cuevas (Manager of Purchasing), Rhaeanne Madden (Executive Administrative Assistant/Vice President Business Affairs), Eric Freeman (Instructor, EMS), Dr. Susan Adams (Instructor, Vocational Nursing Program-Hudson), and Stephanie Pierson (Staff Accountant).