Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

 Scott Blease: 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient (pictured left)

A 1991 graduate of Muskegon Community College, Scott Blease went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley State University. He currently resides in Spring Lake and serves as the Vice President of Sales at Acrisure, overseeing the Great Lakes region.

Blease’s distinguished career is complemented by his leadership in local government and community organizations. He was elected Mayor of Ferrysburg from November 2021 to 2023 and previously served on the Ferrysburg City Council. He has also contributed to various boards and committees, including the Police Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee, North Ottawa Recreational Authority, and the Ottawa County Solid Waste Planning Committee.

Ryan Wheeler 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient (Pictured right)

Currently serving as a Senior Technical Fellow at Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Wheeler commenced his educational journey at MCC from 1994 to 1997, initially as a work-study student in the Electronics 101 Lab.

His academic pursuits continued with distinction as he completed his Bachelor of Engineering Technology at Michigan Tech, followed by the Executive Engineering Dual Master’s Program, earning both an MBA and a Master of Systems Engineering degree from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

Wheeler expresses gratitude to two influential professors, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Tokarz in electronics, who identified his potential early on. Their encouragement led to an internship recommendation at the local Muskegon-based bowling company, Brunswick, where Wheeler gained three years of professional experience while completing his studies at MCC.

Kathy Moore, 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient (pictured left)

Kathy Moore has served the citizens of Muskegon County for over 30 years. As the Administrative Health Officer and Public Health Director for Muskegon County, she is empowered by the Michigan Public Health Code to implement and enforce rules and regulations to prevent disease, promote health and protect the environment.

After graduating from Muskegon Community College, she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Grand Valley State University. Her professional development achievements include Public Health Leadership Scholars Program, Six Sigma Lean Black Belt in Government, and others.

Kathy was elected to the Muskegon Community College Board of Trustees in 2014 and currently serves as Treasurer.

Past Winners

Asaline Scott, 2022. Asaline Scott, whose long career in banking has been matched by her generous community advocacy, is a Muskegon Heights, MI, native. After graduating from Muskegon Heights High School, Scott declined a scholarship to the University of Michigan to attend MCC as a working, non-traditional student while she and her late husband, John Arthur Scott, raised their family. Scott earned an associate degree from MCC in 1990, a Bachelor of Arts from Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business in 1994, and an MBA in Organizational Change and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business in 2000, when she graduated with three of her children.

Roy J. Portenga, 2021. Inducted into the State Bar of Michigan Worker’s Compensation Section Hall of Fame, local attorney Roy J. Portenga has dedicated his life to serving others by choosing to represent the injured and disabled during hard times in their lives. A pas president of both the Muskegon Bar Association and the MCC Alumni Association, he serves on the MCC Board of Trusees and served on the Foundation for MCC Board of Directors.

(NO WINNER IN 2020)

Tracy Lyn Lamb, 2019. The award-winning executive director of NEWS, an organization providing domestic violence and sexual abuse services in California’s Napa Valley, Tracy Lyn Lamb began her career as a crime victim advocate and program manager in the Sonoma County (CA) District Attorney’s Office. Her advocacy includes securing a $625,000 grant to fund housing for domestic violence survivors.

Dr. Pamela Smith, 2018. Following a successful career spanning four decades and three sates while working in higher education, retail and health care management, and leading community organizations, Dr. Pamela Smith returned to the Muskegon area, where she remains active serving on a wide gamut of college and community groups.

Terry Lynn Tchorzynksi, 2017. Honored by Firs Lady Michelle Obama in the White House as the nation’s 2017 School Counselor of the Year, she transformed her Calhoun Area Career Center students’ approach to pos-secondary education. At MCC, she was all-conference in basketball and softball and was the 1999 Muskegon Community College Athlete of the Year.

Dr. Sarah N. Plether, 2016. A telemedicine trailblazer, Dr. Pletcher founded the Center for Telehealth and Connected Care for the Dartmouth-Hitchcock health system serving 19 million patients in New England. A faculty member at Dartmouth University’s prestigious Geisel School of Medicine, she established the Center for Rural Emergency Services and Trauma, a network of 20 rural hospitals supporting emergency and trauma care.

Darnell Eearly, 2025. In a career dedicated to public administration, Darnell Earley has served as city manager of Flint and Saginaw and emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools. As pas president, he led over 9,000 International City/County Management Association members representing 30 nations. He was a Muskegon County administrative assistant and Equal Employment Officer.

Preston Pulliams, 2014. Preson Pulliams championed afordable higher education and promoted community service during a 40year career that included serving his hometown as Muskegon Community College’s Dean of Students.

Diana R. Osborn, 2013. In her 45-year career at Muskegon Community College, Diana Osborn championed higher education. The onetime student worker rose through the ranks to Executive Vice President of Administration, where she spearheaded major campus additions. In retirement, she was elected to the MCC Board of Trustees and served as the President of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College board.

Anthony J. Kolenic Jr., 2012. Anthony Kolenic has been recognized as a Michigan Super-Lawyer for six consecutive years. For the pas 18 years, he has been ranked one of the Bes Lawyers in America by Employee Benefits Law. An advocate and supporter of education at all levels, he has taught at all levels at MCC.

David Wells, 2011. Attorney David Wells has extensive experience as an arbitrator, mediator, fair employment practices invesigator, medical school inspector, and foundation director. He has had leadership roles in more than 25 church, community, sate and national organizations and is among an elite group performing on-site accreditation evaluations of Osteopathic medical schools.

Dr. Glenn Swarzlander, 2010. Popular pediatrician Glenn Swartzlander supported his alma mater and the MCC Nursing Program for years by regularly accepting students into his practice for their clinical experience in pediatrics. The long-sanding member of the MCC Nursing Program Advisory Board shares his insights to better prepare MCC nursing students for their profession.

David L. Jones, 2009. An educational consultant, published author, and national motivational speaker, David Jones founded Project SMART (Saving Males at Risk Training) in Houston, Texas to help troubled youth. A member of numerous boards and councils, he has received the Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Educator Award and hoss a local community affairs television series.

Sergeant Major Joel Dulyea, 2008. A vocal music major at MCC, Joel Thomas Dulyea started his career as a tenor soloist in the U.S. Army Band. He progressed to become Concert Coordinator for the Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus. He has performed with the Boson Pops Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and has received two Meritorious Service Medals and five Army Commendation Medals.

Richard R. Kraft, 2007. Richard Kraft, who earned a degree in civil engineering, started his own firm in Flint, Michigan, and enjoyed a successful 55-year career. A loyal philanthropist and avid supporter of MCC, he and his sister, Susan Kraft Mateer, endowed a scholarship to help Muskegon-area students prepare for their careers at MCC.

Robert Christophe, 2006. Known as Robbie Williams at MCC, he gained national accolades as a playwright, director and producer of films and television programs. He served on the Philadelphia and Maryland Councils for the Arts. Honored as educator of youth at risk, he co-founded Red Road Productions, an arts-in-education company, helping California schools.

Paul Novoselick, 2005. The late Paul Novoselick’s love of writing blossomed as a Muskegon Chronicle columnist, where his focus on business, labor, and rights of the disabled earned him community respect. He founded the Disabilities Center for Independent Living. He received the Multiple Sclerosis Advocate of the Year Award and Outstanding Citizen Award.

Elmer L. Andersen, 2004. One of MCC’s first graduates, Elmer Anderson was a business owner, newspaper publisher, and served 10 years as a sate senator in Minnesota. He was elected to a two-year term as Governor of Minnesota. A renowned philanthropist, he never forgot his roots and endowed a scholarship for MCC journalism students.

Elizabeth Haller, 2003. Elizabeth Haller, inspired by a literature class taken at MCC, has successfully combined her many interests in journalism, young adult literature, and British literature into her career as a university English professor. Her academic specialties include the novels of Charlotte Bronte and her professional interests include 19th Century gender studies.

Billie Bruce, 2002. Community activist Billie Bruce has made a lifetime commitment to education, community service and volunteerism. She is a member of the NAACP, Urban League, Black Women’s Political Caucus, and many other civic organizations.

Dorothy Gill-Jackson, 2001. Dorothy Gill-Jackson’s legacy of outstanding citizenship epitomized her lifelong career at Muskegon Heights Schools. She was a teacher, coach, athletic director, mentor and role model. A member of numerous professional and community organizations, she was recognized by the Michigan Women’s Basketball Coaches Association for reaching 300 career victories in 1997.

Susan Harrison, 2000. An award-winning writer, community activist, and inspirational speaker, Susan Harrison is well known as a Muskegon Chronicle columnist, organizer of writing workshops for students, mentor of journalism programs, tutor, and volunteer for many area charitable organizations. Among her many awards was the 2000 Women of Accomplishment Award.

Bettye Clark Cannon, 1999. Philanthropist Bettye Clark Cannon has improved the quality of life in Wes Michigan through her charitable contributions and undying efforts to create beauty in the Greater Muskegon area. Her civic efforts have included the planting of flowers in public places, renovating heritage homes and funding local art galleries.

Ralph McCrea, 1998. Economics major and IBM marketing whiz Ralph McCrea was instrumental in creating the Muskegon High School Class of 1946 Scholarship Fund to help students from that school attend MCC. Since its inception in 1986, the fund has helped countless students achieve their higher education goals.

Elmer Andersen, 1997. One of MCC’s first graduates, Elmer Anderson was a business owner, newspaper publisher, and served 10 years as a sate senator in Minnesota. He was elected to a two-year term as Governor of Minnesota. A renowned philanthropist, he never forgot his roots and endowed a scholarship for MCC journalism students.