Six Jamestown Community College faculty and staff members were awarded the 2018 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence recently.

Faculty, librarians, and professional service employees who received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award were honored with a certificate and cast bronze medallion. The awards were announced after a SUNY advisory committee reviewed nominations from faculty, students, and colleagues throughout the 64-campus system.

“One of my themes for SUNY is individualized education, meaning the work we do to help our students navigate the programs and opportunities within our 64 campuses,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “Our faculty and staff educate, inspire, and support our students to pursue their passions; they are the driving force on campus. Those we honor are leading this effort through their commitment to their craft and their dedication to our students.”

Robert Ratterman, professor of biology, and Kathryn Stedman, associate professor of physical education, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Ratterman joined JCC’s faculty in 1987 and teaches on the Cattaraugus County Campus, where he also serves as the sciences coordinator. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Loras College and a master’s degree at the University of Iowa.

Ratterman has developed and implemented JCC’s environmental science degree program and has served on several college-wide initiatives. He is a member of the Empire State Association of Two-Year Biologists and several other professional organizations.

He has organized and led off-campus trips, including a travel course to Costa Rica, to further students’ interests and exploration in science for several years.

Stedman, who has taught at JCC since 1987, serves as JCC’s physical education studies and sport management director. She holds degrees from Alfred State College, University of Wyoming, and Eastern Kentucky University.

She served previously as JCC’s assistant director of athletics and academic compliance, academic athletic coordinator, and head women’s volleyball and softball coach.

Stedman developed JCC’s sport management and physical education studies degree programs.

She is a member of the Zonta Club and Town of Busti Zoning Board of Appeals, and contributes to several community service initiatives.

Benjamin Blood and Kenneth Woodruff received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.

Blood, who began teaching English at JCC in 2013, earned two degrees at JCC and bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the State University at Fredonia.

As a graduate teaching assistant at SUNY Fredonia, Blood received the English Department Graduate Award for Excellence. He also earned several U.S. Army achievement medals.

Blood is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and the Lakewood Memorial Library board of trustees.

Woodruff has taught math on JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus since 2005. He is a former high school teacher in the Portville and Scio school districts.

A graduate of Houghton College, Woodruff coached high school sports and served as an umpire and referee for high school and college athletics. He also served as the scoreboard operator for St. Bonaventure University basketball games.

Keith Kranick, director of the Center for Continuing Education at the Cattaraugus County Campus, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Kranick is a graduate of Buffalo State College, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Prior to joining JCC’s staff in 2012, Kranick was the assistant principal at Hamburg Middle School. He also held previous positions at the Genesee Valley BOCES Center.

He has implemented workforce development initiatives through advanced manufacturing programs, training opportunities, and job readiness efforts.

Elizabeth Yager received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.

Yager, senior financial aid technical specialist, has been a JCC staff member since 2005. She graduated from Cornell University and worked previously as a system administrator and support analyst.

Yager serves on a college-wide committee that oversees JCC’s student information system. She volunteers for a non-profit animal rescue operation and efforts on behalf of cancer patients and cancer research.