Herkimer College announces 2024 Torchbearer Award recipients
The Herkimer County Community College Board of Trustees recently selected four individuals to receive the 2024 Torchbearer Award. The prestigious honor is presented to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the College’s development and success. The Torchbearer Awards have been presented every five years since 1999.
The recipients of the 2024 Torchbearer Award are: Faye Eichholzer, Ph.D. of Utica, the late Anne Greco, Ph.D., Raymond Lenarcic of Herkimer, and William Pelz of Herkimer.
Faye Eichholzer, Ph.D. joined the faculty as an instructor of English in 1978 and was promoted through the ranks to professor in 1991. She also served as interim dean, chairperson of the Humanities/Social Science division, and temporary assistant dean.
Among Eichholzer’s accomplishments were the creation of NETWORK, a support group for returning adult students; establishment of the campus child care center; and development of the “Writing Across the Curriculum” program. A defining feature of Eichholzer’s career was promoting women's issues, reflected in her Women in Literature course as well as her numerous awards, scholarly articles and presentations at national conferences.
Eichholzer received the Business and Professional Women’s Award: Woman of the Year in Education in 1980, SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1985, YWCA Salute to Outstanding Women Award in 1990, and Teaching on the Net Award in 2001. Upon her retirement in 1998, Eichholzer was honored by the Board of Trustees with the distinction of being named professor emeritus.
Anne Greco, Ph.D. will be honored posthumously. Greco was hired in 1968 as an instructor of English and was promoted through the ranks to professor in 1984. She also served as a chairperson for the Humanities division during her tenure.
Greco was a consummate professional and dedicated her 28-year career to furthering the growth of her students and enhancing the mission of the College. Greco’s contributions included development of the Humanities program, service as chairperson for several committees and advisor to the College newspaper and literary magazine, development of the writing lab and Honor’s Program, and scholarly influence as a creative writer and published author.
She was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1976. Upon her retirement in 1996, she was named professor emeritus.
Greco died September 29, 2023.
Raymond Lenarcic was a founding faculty member hired in 1967 to teach history. He was promoted through the ranks to professor in 1980 and served as a chairperson for the Social Science division and chair of the Curriculum Committee. As an activist and advocate, particularly for Native Americans and Vietnam Veterans, Lenarcic instilled in his students the importance of keeping an open mind, putting words into action, and participating in community service. Lenarcic was also a supporter of athletics and coached the fast pitch softball team in the 1970s, winning four titles in five years.
Lenarcic was instrumental in establishing the Herkimer County Veterans Memorial Park on the Herkimer College campus, and he has ensured the College’s participation in numerous community service initiatives such as the Students for a Better World, Kris Cagwin Volunteers, Gram Lorraine Children’s Christmas Program, Herkimer County Hunger Coalition, and the Fallen Stars Memorial Project. In retirement, Lenarcic has continued to educate and advocate through his writing of guest columns, stories, and articles.
Lenarcic was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1980 and named professor emeritus upon his retirement in 1996.
William Pelz is the longest-serving faculty member at Herkimer College, to date. Appointed in 1968 to teach psychology, Pelz was promoted through the ranks to professor in 1980. Pelz served as a chairperson for the Humanities/Social Science division, director of Learning Systems Technology, coordinator of the Internet Academy, and instructional designer for online learning.
The creation of the Internet Academy stands as Pelz’s most impactful accomplishment, resulting in significant institutional recognition and enrollment growth. His vision, research, and strong advocacy resulted in a successful online learning program supported by the administration and faculty. Since its inception in 1999, the Internet Academy has grown to offer more than 20 degree and certificate programs entirely online.
Pelz provided leadership for SUNY instructional design teams and training for faculty state-wide. He represented SUNY in the Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online
Teaching (MERLOT) Project, was a member of the Psychology Review Board, associate editor of the Psychology Editorial Review Board, Editorial Board member, and a member of the MERLOT Discipline Specific Review Team. He was invited by universities in Chile and South Africa to visit and advise them on their online programs.
Throughout his tenure, Pelz served on several Herkimer College committees including the Internet Academy Advisory Committee. He was awarded two SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence – one in teaching (1994) and one in scholarship and creative activities (2006).
Pelz received numerous awards in recognition of his achievements and leadership in the field of online learning, including the Sloan-C Fellows award for distinguished service to faculty development in online teaching and learning.
After 50 years of dedicated service, Pelz retired from full-time work in 2018 and was named professor emeritus.
Board of Trustees Chairman Michael Stalteri said, “The Torchbearer class of 2024 is a distinctive group of dedicated educators who have gone above and beyond throughout their careers to engage and inspire their students and provide leadership and service to the campus community. As Torchbearers, their legacies will live on and inspire future generations of students, faculty, and campus leaders.”
The four individuals will join an exclusive group of 26 previously honored Torchbearers with engraved plaques displayed in the Robert McLaughlin College Center. The 2024 Torchbearer Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the College on Friday, October 18, 2024.