WCCC Honors 40-Year Employee, Others at Banquet

The very first employee to have dedicated forty years to the students of Washington County Community College was recognized at the college’s annual employee appreciation banquet. Welding instructor Will Dupuis was recognized for his service with a plaque and the presentation of a chair customized with his name and the college’s seal.

“We’ve never had a forty-year employee,” President Joe Cassidy said. “Will’s the first to make that threshold. He’s impacted thousands of students,” he said, adding that students in their forties and fifties come in a few times a year to see if Dupuis was still teaching. “They’re always surprised, and then they have a nice chat with him. He’s forty years in and still committed to the students.”

Other employees were recognized at the banquet, including three that will be leaving the college. Among those leaving are Allan Sutherland, Plumbing and Heating instructor. Sutherland was recognized for reaching his 35th anniversary milestone, for which he received a college lamp. “I don’t know how we’ll replace Allan,” Cassidy said.
Also leaving the college is Culinary Arts instructor Diane Parsloe, who will be dedicating her time to her bakery in Eastport. “The last few years have been phenomenal,” Cassidy said to Parsloe. “You are a teacher through and through.”

Chris Woodside, Assistant Director of Residential Life and Outdoor Adventure, will soon be leaving the college as well. Woodside will be coaching basketball in thirteen cities across the nation through the prestigious PGC Basketball Company. “Chris explained to me that after spending a few years teaching students to follow their dreams, he decided it was time to take his own advice,” Cassidy said.

Also recognized for reaching the 35-year mark was Bob Merrill, who has fulfilled many duties over the course of his tenure. Merrill has served as a security guard, maintenance worker, and day-shift mechanic. “If you ask anybody who runs this facility, they’ll tell you it’s the maintenance guys,” Manager of Facilities Dick Ramsey said in praise of Merrill.
Linda Winchester was honored for dedicating 30 years to the college by Dean Susan Mingo. “Linda cares a lot for the students of WCCC,” Mingo said. “She has dived into the process of being Financial Aid Director and has the potential to be among the best we’ve ever had.”

Other milestones that were celebrated include: Cindy Moholland, fifteen years; Dora Adams and Tom Moholland, ten years; Rob Gordon, Ashley MacDonald, and Artie Mahar, five years.