The Whatley Employee Enhancement Fund was established in 2000 through a gift from the late Mr. James Whatley. The fund supports professional development activities and instructional enhancements that would not otherwise be possible. Faculty and staff who have worked for the college for at least one year are eligible to apply for these funds through an annual application process. A committee of Foundation Board members review and select worthy projects for support. Since its inception, the fund has awarded $43,308 to improve programs and services at NTCC.
2024 Recipients
Heather Hughes, Communities in Schools – CAPPED@NTCC - $2,200
Doug Richey, Mathematics, Physics and Engineering – Engineering Round Table Project - $2,000
Savannah Toews, Funeral Science – Hands-On Trauma Repair Cadaver Lab - $3,000
Carol Vandiver, Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) Program – Career Exploration and Connections: My Career, My Future - $1,400
Sub-Total - $8,600
Additional Projects Funded Privately
Elizabeth Bailey, Workforce – Criminal Justice – VR CSI Experience - $449.99
Mason May, Work4College/Advancement – Work4College Landscaping Equipment - $600.00
Maryna Svirska-Otero, Humanities/Phi Theta Kappa – Coffee Corner - $390
Andrew Yox, Honors Northeast – Higher Trajectories of Student Success: NTCC Scholars & the Regional Culture - $3,000
Sub-Total - $4,439.99
Total Awards - $13,039.99
2023 Recipients
Sheila Eddy, Advising – Special Populations - $1,700
Melody Henry, Communities in Schools – CAPPED@NTCC-Certificate and Professional Programs Exploration Day - $1,300
Cynthia Jarvis, Upward Bound – PEAK-The Upward Bound Summer Program - $2,500
Jackie Johnston, Mathematics, Physics and Engineering – Engineering Round Table Project - $1,500
Fredia Thomas, Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program – AEL Student Empowerment Seminar: Level Up with Confidence - $2,000
Sub-Total -$9,000
Additional Projects Funded Privately
Melissa Fulgham, History – Walking Through the Past – Memphis Field Trip - $2,500
Mileah Hall, Art – Camera Checkout for Art Students - $1,970
Andrew Yox, Honors – Culture and Honors: Public-Service Opportunities and Accolades for NTCC Students - $3,000
Sub-Total $7,470
Total Awards - $16,470
2022 Recipients
Melissa Fulgham, History – Bringing the Past to Life-Oklahoma Field Trip - $1,500
Justin Hargrove, Human Performance – Virtual Reality Simulator for Rehabilitation - $460
Melody Henry, Communities in Schools – CAPPED@NTCC-Certificate and Professional Programs Exploration Day - $2,800
Cynthia Jarvis, Upward Bound – PEAK-Preparation, Education, Attitude, Knowledge (The Upward Bound Summer Program) - $2,500
Fredia Thomas, Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program – AEL Student Empowerment Seminar: Level Up With Confidence - $2,000
Sub-Total - $9,260
Additional Projects Funded Privately or with Other Grant Funds
Jim Ward, Honors – Scholarship Day in Northeast Texas: The McGraw Hill Poster Contest - $1,000 (Privately Funded)
Andrew Yox, Honors – Regional Initiative & Student Success (Poetry Reading & Film on Traveling Ministers & the Christianization of Northeast Texas) - $2,000 (Privately Funded)
Sub-Total - $3,000
Total Awards - $12,260
2021 Recipients
Heather Hughes, Communities in Schools - Outreach Services - CAPPED@NTCC - $2,000
Cynthia Jarvis, Upward Bound - PEAK-Preparation, Education, Attitude, Knowledge (The Upward Bound Summer Program) - $2,500
Carmen Shurtleff, Care Center/Work4College - Eagle Mentors - $2,000
Fredia Thomas, Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program - AEL Student Empowerment Seminar: Level Up with Confidence - $2,000
Sub-Total - $8,500
Additional Projects Funded Privately or with Other Grant Funds
Melissa Fulgham, History/Honors - Annual Northeast Texas Poetry and Image Contest - $1,000 (Privately Funded)
Mary Hearron, Biology - The Premier Scholarly Event of Northeast Texas: NTCC's McGraw Hill Contest - $1,000 (Privately Funded)
Doug Richey, Mathematics - Area Business Mathematics Usage Visits - $100 (Privately Funded)
Jim Ward, Biology/Honors - Funding our Students to the Great Plains Honors Council - $1,000 (Privately Funded)
Andrew Yox, Honors - Filming the Story of the Texas Suffragette: Minnie Fisher Cunningham - $1,000 (Privately Funded)
Sub-Total - $4,100
Total Awards - $12,600
2020 Recipients
Linda Forest, Financial Literacy – Incentive Projects - $1,000
Adrian Hashaway, Plant Services – Basic Water Works Course - $350
Laura Lambert, Communities in Schools – Capped@NTCC - $2,550
Tom Ramler, Plant Services – Workamper Newsletters- $500
Billi Thomas, Communities in Schools – Hanna4Hope - $3,007
Paula Wilhite, Mathematics & Physics – Critical Resources for Remote Communication - $1,093
Sub-Total - $8,500
Additional Projects Funded Privately or with Other Grant Funds
Melissa Fulgham, History – Annual McGraw Hill Poster Contest - $1,000 (Private Funds)
Heidi Wooten, Economics and Honors – Annual Northeast Texas Poetry Contest - $1,000 (Private Funds)
Andrew Yox, Honors – Man of Steel: Filming the Story of Carroll Shelby - $1,000 (Private Funds)
Sub-Total – $3,000
Total Awards - $11,500
2019 Recipients
Jackie Johnston, Mathematics – Calculators for Student Success in Mathematics - $600
Russell VanBibber, Health Science EMS – Stop the Bleed/CPR Training - $1,500
Cynthia Linseisen, Upward Bound – PEAK - $2,500
Sebastian Barron, Computer Services – Presentation Stations - $1,300
Erika Garza, Student Success – Summer Success Program 2010 - $2,600
Sub-Total - $8,500
Additional Projects Funded Privately or with Other Grant Funds
Andrew Yox, Honors – Annual Northeast Texas Poetry Contest & Reading - $1,000
Sebastian Barron, Computer Services – Presentation Stations - $650
Rico Willis, Student Activities – NTCC Eagle Food Pantry - $2,200
Melissa Fulgham, History – Our Ultimate Exhibit of Student Scholarship - $1,000
Rene’ McCracken, Agriculture – Propane Install for Greenhouse & Sustainable Market - $1,000
Chrystal Brown, Nursing – Enhancing Technology in Health Care - $5,018.99
Sub-Total - $10,868.99
Total Awards – 19,368.99
2018 Recipients
Erika Garza, Student Success Services – Hispanic Meet & Greet - $1,700
Cynthia Linseisen, Upward Bound – PEAK Summer Program - $2,500
Susana Perez, Student Success Services – Summer Success Program - $1,700
Mayra Torres, Communities in Schools – SMART Girls & WISE Guys - $2,500
Russell VanBibber, Emergency Medical Services – Basic Life Support & Stop the Bleed Educ. - $500
Sub-Total - $8,900
Additional Projects Funded Privately or with Other Grant Funds
Ron Bowden, Charlie & Helen Hampton Library - 3D Printing - $839
Melissa Fulgham, History - Twelfth Annual Northeast Texas Poetry Contest - $1,000
Justin Hargrove, Athletics/Human Performance - Cardio Equipment for Rehabilitation - $1,595
Mary Hearron, Chemistry – 12th Annual McGraw-Hill Poster Contest - $1,000
Rene’ McCracken, Agriculture – Greenhouse Equipment, Tools & Supplies - $950
Doug Richey, Mathematics – Promote Instructor Engagement with Hybrid & Online Classes - $534
Debbie Strong, Art - Travel Study Course 2019 Scholarship - $2,100
Andrew Yox, Honors – Adina De Zavala and the Struggle for Texas History - $1,000
Sub-Total - $9,018
Total Awards - $17,918
2017 Recipients
Kevin Collins, Plant Services - Texas A&M Class - $400
Cynthia Linseisen, Upward Bound - PEAK (Upward Bound Summer Program) - $2,500
Dana Sills, Communities in Schools - CAPPED@NTCC - $2,000
Deborah Grantham, Emergency Medical Services - Basic Life Support - $1,751
Russell VanBibber, Health Science/Emergency Medical Services - EMS Coordinator - $1,198.45
Jackie Johnston, Mathematics - Promote Hybrid Online Classes - $568
Private & Other Funds
Melissa Fulgham, History - McGraw-Hill Poster Contest - $1,000
Rene' McCracken, Agriculture - Farm Crew Supplies for Work Scholarship Students - $950
Jim Ward, Biology – Math/Science Building Display Exhibits - $1,200
Thomas Ramler, Plant Services – Work Scholarship Students Safety Equipment & Supplies - $750
Andrew Yox, Honors – Transcendent Soprano: The Story of Barbara Smith Conrad - $1,000
Heather Shaw, Library/Learning Commons - Interactive Map for the Caddo Indian Pottery - $2,156.41
Total Award - $15,473.86
2016 Recipients
Kevin Collins, Plant Services - Basic Water Works Operations - $725
Jill Dietze, Honors - The Texas Portal to Student Success: Student Attendance at the State Webb Meeting of the Texas State Historical Association - $1,000
Erika Garza, Student Success Services - Summer Success Program - $1,275
Kenneth Irizarry, Engineering - Seeing Engineering in 3D - $1,000 (Private Funds)
Cynthia Linseisen, Upward Bound - P.E.A.K. - Preparation, Education, Attitude, Knowledge (UB Summer Program) - $2,000
Doug Richey, Mathematics - Calculators for Examination Usage - $500
Karyn Skaar, Honors - Leveraging Excellence: Student Attendance at Meeting of the Great Plains Honors Council - $1,000
Billi Jo Thomas, CIS - SMART Girls - $1,500
Andrew Yox, Honors - Texas Femininity and the Phenomenon of Mary Kay Ash - $1,000 (Private Funds)
Total Award - $10,000
2015 Recipients
Mary Hearron, Seeing the Light - $2,200
Laura Lambert, Leadership Experience Opportunity (LEO) - $1,800
Cynthia Linseisen, P.E.A.K. Summer Program - $2,000
Alex Ortega, Eagle Preview Day - $1,500
Andrew Yox, "Snapped Asunder:" The Tragic Relationship of Sam Houston and Chief Bowles - $800
Amy Adkins, “Human Resource Certification Institute – Professional in Human Resources” - $400
Total Award $8,700
2014 Recipients
Sue Barker, Transitioning into Excellence - $2,000
Mark Bouwens, Power to Be Super - $767.85
Brenda Deming, Professional Enhancement in Microbiology - $2,500
Laura Lambert, SMART Girls - $1,500.00 (Private Funding)
Rene' McCracken, Attend Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference - $1,340
Doug Richey, Hybrid Class Needs - $600
Paula Wilhite, Engineering Extravaganza Spring 2015 - $1,000
Andrew Yox, The Fergusons of Texas - $800 (Private Funding)
Total Award $10,507.85
2013 Recipients
Melody Henry, CAPPED @ NTCC - Certificate and Professional Programs Exploration Day - $2,000
Jennifer Myers, C.O.R.E.-Creating Opportunities for Revolutionary Education - $2,340
Sue Barker/Freida Thomas, Transitioning into Excellence - $1,500
Mark Bouwens, Staring at the Starry Night - $915.45
Jim Swann, Sister City in a Foreign Nation: Practice Spanish While Doing Community Service - $1,000
Jill Dietze, Keeping an Eye on the Caddo Project - $500 (Private Funding)
Andrew Yox, Harriet Potter Ames: Feminist Legend of the Texas Revolution - $800 (Private Funding)
Total Award $9,055.45
2012 Recipients
Heidi Wooten, Joy Cooper & Alan Carter, The Federal Reserve Experience - $750
Julie Lyon, CAPPED@NTCC - $1,125
Winston McCowan, HD TV for Laboratory Access - $500
Melody Henry, Upward Bound Robotics Academy - $1,300
Andrew Yox, Wright Patman, Last Populist - $800
Mark Bouwens, Optimization of Optics - $3,025
Jim Swann, The Caddo Collection - $1,125 (Private Funding)
Total Award $8,625
2011 Recipients
Charles Hamilton, Journal for English Honor Society (Sigma Kappa Delta) - $1,500
Toni LaBeff, Survey Monkey (annual subscription for college-wide data collection) - $204
Chris Oefinger & Charlie Apter, Eagle Eye Demonstration Garden (high tunnel demo) - $750
Paula Wilhite, David Rangel & Leah Reagan, More Math More Math - $1,500
David Mills, NTCC Chamber String Orchestra - $1,580
Kathy Russell, Models & Media to Enhance Dental Hygiene Curriculum - $1,466
Total Award $7,000
2010 Recipients
Kathy Russell, Dental Hygiene Materials - $1,100
Chris Oefinger, Living from the Ground Up - $1,500
Melissa Weinbrenner, Sound System for H111 Film Series - $600
Kim Wommack, Ceramic Kiln - $2,610
Shirley Clay & Deborah Norris, "Hearing Voices" Simulation - $450
Melody Henry, CAPPED - $1,000
Andrew Yox, The Appeal: NTCC Addresses Star Students (Private Funding) - $1,000
Total Award $8,260
2009 Recipients
Lonnie Beene, History of NTCC/College Archives Project - $1,200
Mary Hearron, "Molecular Technology Equipped Instructional Lab" or Biology Instruction: It's Not an Insect Collection Anymore" - $2,650
Nelda Davis, Medical Assisting Insurance Coding Reference Material - $1,350
Lynda Watson, "Steel Eagles" TAA Retention/Support Group - $1,000
Kim Wommack, 2010 Annual NTCC Visual & Performing Arts High School Recruitment Day - $800
Andrew Yox, Honors Community Fund - $1,000 (Private Funding)
Total Award $8,000
2008 Recipients
Charlie Apter, Field Day Lab Experience for High School Agriculture Students - $1,150
Kathy Russell, Dental Hygiene, Oral Anatomy, Histology & Embryology - $1,036
Deanna Moody, Sony Camcorder & Wall-Mounted Parallel Bars - $922
Donna Davis, Clinical Application of Case Presentations in Dental Hygiene - $1,090
Sue Barker & Fredia Thomas, Transitioning into Excellence - $200
Nancy Johnson, LERN - Building the Future of Continuing Ed - $1,200
Julie Lyon, CAPPED@NTCC - $500
Andrew Yox, World Class University Application Fund - $1,000
Jean Ann Pruitt, MD Anderson Honors Student Study Program - $2,190 (Private Funding)
Herb Riedel, Aikido Seminar with Sensei Roy Suenaka - $2,000 (Private Funding)
Total Award $11,288
2007 Recipients
Julie Lyon, CAPPED - $2,000
Tolita Teddleton & Rhonda Jeffery, Positive Impact Day - $1,700
Sue Barker & Fredia Thomas, NTCC recruitment & Orientation Day for GED Students - $1,000
Rhonda Jeffery, Tutor Awards - $250
Nelda Davis, Simulated Medical Office - $2,000
Andrew Yox, Presidential Scholars Laptop Initiative - $1,550 (including $1,000 Private Funding) Total Award $8,500
2006 Recipients
Jeri Thornton, Drop Off Day Care at NTCC - $1,000
Sue Barker & Fredia Thomas, NTCC Recruitment & Orientation Day for GED Students - $500
Cynthia Amerson, Pocket PCs to Enhance Clinical Evaluation & Recordkeeping - $3,300 (includes $1,900 Private Funding)
Chad Henry, Electronic Heat Watch Detection System - $3,910 (includes $1,810 Private Funding)
Andrew Yox, Man From History Series - $1,000
Total Award $9,710
