GCC holds 21st annual achievement banquet

By ISABELLE KLEINSCHMIDT

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Ironwood - Gogebic Community College held its 21st annual Celebration of Achievements Banquet Thursday evening, honoring Randy DeMario, Kathleen "Kit" Malloy and Therese (Trolla) Pawlak.

DeMario was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. He was born in Ironwood and attended the college beginning in 1980, until he achieved his associate degree in engineering in 1982.

Upon graduation, DeMario moved to Carbondale, Ill., where he earned a bachelor's degree in science in engineering from Southern Illinois University.

After graduation, he began working at the Rockwell International Space Station Division. He worked as a structural engineer on the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle payload integration projects.

In 1988, he transferred to the McDonnell Douglas Corporation's Space System's Division and worked on space-based missile system and advanced launch vehicle systems as a structural engineer and engineering manager.

DeMario then moved on to working for Heath Construction in Fort Collins, Colo., where he eventually became the company president. As president, DeMario helped the company to become one of the top construction companies in northern Colorado. He also developed Heath Steel in 2009.

"I've had a full career," said DeMario. "It served me well. The award acknowledgment is very humbling. This college sparked my interest in engineering and allowed me to go forward successfully. It developed my whole career."

DeMario's wife, Jennifer Heath, is a licensed physical therapist. They have two children, Marissa and Anthony, who both received degrees from Colorado State University.

DeMario is soon to be retired and lectures at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Kathleen "Kit" Malloy was honored as a Distinguished Faculty Member. She has lived in the Ironwood area for the past 37 years. Originally from Milwaukee, she earned her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1973.

She worked as a nurse at several locations, including orthopedics and Neurosurgery Acute Care, public health nursing, and instructor of nursing in the RN Diploma Program at Milwaukee County School of Nursing.

In 1979, Malloy's husband, Bill, accepted a position at Gogebic County Mental Health. She decided to pursuit a position at GCC.

She began teaching in the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at GCC. She worked as a teacher at the college for 32 years. In that time, she saw many changes, including the expansion of the RN Associate Degree Program.

"It's been quite a journey," said Malloy, "they're like a second family. The students have been wonderful throughout the years. I just loved sharing the knowledge and watching them take off. "

Malloy continued her education at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she earned her Masters of Science in Nursing. She graduated as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing and became certified by the American Nurses Association in 1986.

The Malloys have one son, who holds a PhD in Archaeology and Environmental History.

She is now retired and is acting as a pastime. She will be in a play at the Theater North during the last two weeks in October.

Therese (Trolla) Pawlak was honored as an Outstanding Staff Member. She was raised in Hurley and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School. She attended GCC for a year, studying liberal arts. She then transferred to the UW-Eau Claire, where the received a Bachelor of Arts in social work. She later went on to earn her Master of Science in social work from the UW-Madison.

Pawlak worked in a number of positions in the field of social work, including special needs and hospice patients. She worked at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland as a medical social worker and as a clinical social worker on the mental health unit. She also worked as a social worker for Regional Hospice, as well as Villa Maria Health Care.

In 1986, Pawlak was appointed to the Gogebic Community Mental Health Board, where she served for 10 years. In 1987, she was hired as GCC's Special Needs Counselor, where she provided support to students in need of accommodations. Over time, Pawlak began advising students in the transfer process. Eventually, she became the Transfer Coordinator at the college. She has played an integral role in establishing partnerships with the GCC and other colleges and universities. She has also worked as an academic advisor to students at the GCC's off-campus facility in Houghton.

At the event, Pawlak said, "It's an overwhelming honor to receive this award. I've enjoyed working at the college with the students and the staff and faculty. I'm very thankful to be recognized for the work that I've done."

Pawlak lives in Ironwood with her husband, Jim. They have two children and two grandchildren. She continues to provide community support in her retirement through volunteer work with the "Adopt a Classroom" program in the Ironwood Area Schools, working at St. Vincent De Paul, and other community programs.