Wayne Community College has recognized an outstanding faculty member with its highest honor.

Lead Software Development Instructor Jenneth M. Honeycutt is the recipient of the 2020 George E. Wilson Excellence in Teaching Award.

The award is normally presented to an unsuspecting faculty member during the college’s graduation but the college did not hold a commencement ceremony this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Honeycutt was surprised with it during a meeting called as a ruse to get her on campus. It was announced to faculty and staff during the college’s virtual convocation.

Honeycutt was nominated for the award by her peers in the Business and Computer Technologies Division because of “her strong commitment to the teaching profession and the significant contributions that she has made to her students, to Wayne Community College, and to our community,” said Division Dean Tracy Schmeltzer.

Honeycutt has worked at WCC for three years. Among her achievements during that time are her creation of course content for eight mostly textbookless courses, leadership of a very active college committee, and active recruitment for her program, the Information Systems Technology Department, and the Business and Computer Technologies Division. She continues to expand the number of certifications she holds in order to bring more courses to the campus and is currently taking Amazon Web Services courses to become an official AWS instructor.

Schmeltzer described Honeycutt as “highly energetic, enthusiastic, and confident.”

“She is definitely someone who coworkers look to for advice and guidance, not only in the academic setting but in handling difficult issues and overcoming obstacles,” said fellow instructor Katharine Jarman.

Staff member Demarcus Reid called her “one of the most intelligent, kindest, considerate, patient, and funniest people you will ever meet.”

Students and alumni chimed in on Honeycutt’s qualifications for the award.

“As a father, husband, veteran, and Eagle Scout, I understand entirely what professionalism, dedication, sacrifice, love, and selflessness entail,” said Lance Offield, a new graduate. “Mrs. Honeycutt not only embodies all these characteristics of excellence; she also radiates them outwards towards others. It has been an absolute pleasure being one of her students.”

Graduate Chad R. Pickard agreed, saying, “She even took her time to talk with me and help me with … my own projects that did not pertain to the course work, whether it be online or even come into her office and sit with me to help me … for as long as it took for me to understand. You can tell she truly loves what she does and enjoys teaching and helping her students.” He noted that she still answers questions that arise in his new job.

Honeycutt’s award includes a framed certificate and monetary stipend. The “teacher of the year” designation makes her Wayne Community College’s nominee for the State Board of Community Colleges’ 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award.

She also will be recognized with an Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and a Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award by the American Association of Community College.

This is the 35th year in which the award has been presented. It was established with the Foundation of Wayne Community College by an anonymous donor to honor the late George E. Wilson. Mr. Wilson was known for his service to others and his contributions as a WCC trustee and civic leader in Wayne County and the state.

“A committee of community leaders strives to select a recipient who best honors Mr. Wilson’s legacy,” said Foundation Executive Director Adrienne Northington. “The committee definitely succeeded in its task this year.”