Oakton Community College recognizes outstanding staff and faculty

Camille Harrison, professor of modern languages, and Larry Cohen, instructor of accounting, are the recipients of the 2011 Ray Hartstein Awards for Outstanding Professional Excellence in Teaching at Oakton Community College.

The honors were announced Thursday, Aug. 18, at the college’s annual breakfast.

Harrison, a resident of Chicago who teaches Arabic and French, joined Oakton full time in 2007. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Meknès in Morocco, continued her education at the University of Montpellier in France, and is working toward her Ph.D. from Sorbonne University in Paris. She has served on “top secret” assignments with the U.S. Department of State and has twice conducted cultural seminars for the U.S. government.

A Northbrook resident, Cohen joined Oakton’s part-time faculty in 2007. A certified public accountant and licensed real estate broker, Cohen holds a juris doctor and a master’s degree in taxation from John Marshall Law School, where he is a faculty member. Cohen also holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in accounting from Roosevelt University.

Named for the founder of Oakton’s board of trustees, the Ray Hartstein Awards annually recognize one full-time and one part-time faculty member. Nominees must demonstrate excellence in teaching and respect for students and peers. Following a review by the Student Government Association, the Oakton Educational Foundation Grants Committee selects winners.

Also at the annual breakfast, Tony Churchill, technical director of the Performing Arts Center, received the Classified Staff Excellence Award, which recognizes a staff member who goes “beyond actual job responsibilities,” and “uses creativity in fulfilling undertakings.”

A resident of Des Plaines, Churchill started at Oakton in 2003 and earned a bachelor’s degree in scene design and technology for theater from Northern Illinois University. He also is working toward his master’s degree in interior architecture from the Academy of Art University.

Nominees are reviewed by a Staff Excellence Award Committee, which narrows the pool to three candidates. The Educational Foundation Grants Committee selects the winner from the finalists.

For information, contact the office of College Advancement at (847) 635-1810.

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