Idaho State University’s College of Education to honor Educators, Faculty at Celebrating Excellence Event Nov. 16

The College of Education will hold its fourth annual Celebrating Excellence event on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 5:30 p.m- 7:30 p.m. in the College of Education (COE) Auditorium on the ISU Pocatello campus.  Six individuals have been nominated and selected to receive awards based on their significant contributions in education.

Geoff Thomas has been selected as the recipient of the Distinguished Leader Award. Thomas earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from Idaho State University and is currently serving as Superintendent of Madison School District in Rexburg.  Thomas has held several different teaching and leadership positions in education, and is very active in state and professional organizations. He was chosen as the 2015 Idaho Superintendent of the Year. 

Clark Rasmussen has been selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Rasmussen received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from ISU and is currently working as the assistant athletic director at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.   While completing his undergraduate degree Clark served as the operations and logistics intern for the Atlanta Falcons from 2009-2011.  He was also recognized as the SSPE Student of the Year in 2011.

The Distinguished Bengal Partner Award will be given to Rita Haggardt.  Following her graduation from Idaho State University in elementary education, Haggardt taught at Syringa Elementary School in Pocatello for 32 years.  Following her retirement, Haggardt continued her commitment to education through her work with student teaching interns in the College of Education for another 13 years. 

Sheldon Harris will be awarded the Staff Excellence award. Harris began working for the College of Education in 2005 as an Information Technology work-study student and today is the Systems Administrator for the College of Education. Harris is a graduate of the College of Education where he earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Technology.

The Outstanding Educator Award will be given to Kent Hobbs. Hobbs earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education and a Master of Education degree in educational administration from the College of Education.  He has held several different positions in education and he currently serves as the director of student support services for School District 25.

Howard Gauthier has been selected as the recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award. Gauthier is an associate professor in the Sport Science and Physical Education Department, where he coordinates the athletic administration graduate program and teaches several graduate courses at ISU-Meridian. Gauthier worked in college athletics for over 25 years, including a five-year period where he served as athletic director at ISU before becoming a faculty member in the College of Education.

The Celebrating Excellence event is free to attend and there will be hor d’oeuvres served.  Those interested in attending this event can RSVP to coeevent@isu.edu or by calling (208) 282-3780.