Coconino Community College has bestowed Emeritus Professor status on retiring faculty David Rudakewich, left, and Kim Sonier, right.
FLAGSTAFF — Two retiring faculty members at Coconino Community College, with more than four decades of service to the college between them, have received the honor of Professor Emeritus.
David Rudakewich and Kim Sonier were honored during the April 30 meeting of the CCC District Governing Board. The board members voted unanimously to bestow the honor on them both.
“David and Kim are amazing examples of the passionate, devoted faculty we have here at Coconino Community College,” said President Colleen A. Smith, Ph.D. “The college has been honored to have two such talented faculty making an impression on so many of our students throughout the years.”
Rudakewich, in the Social and Behavioral Sciences department at CCC, began teaching part-time at CCC in 1995 and full-time in 1997. He has been instrumental in leadership roles and the development of the college in general. His dedication to the students is legendary among faculty, and true to his humble nature, when nominated for Faculty of the Year honors, he would always pull his name from consideration, wanting others to be recognized before himself.
According to his emeritus nomination letter, submitted by all Social and Behavioral Sciences faculty, “He is also willing to speak his mind for the greater good and what is best for students. His voice is a voice of reason. He’s helpful to everyone, makes himself available, and thinks outside of the box, putting students and faculty first.”
Sonier, among the Mathematics faculty at CCC, has been a full-time faculty member for 18 years. She’s consistently demonstrated dedication to her students, her fellow faculty members, the college and the community. Importantly, Sonier has always devoted herself to continuously improving her teaching of mathematics and looking for new ideas to help her students – even while battling illness. She has also been a winner of the Faculty of the Year honor from her students.
According to her emeritus nomination letter, submitted by the entire Mathematics department, “She has been inspirational to faculty, staff and students throughout her time at CCC. Her integrity, honesty, kindness, dedication and care for excellence always shine through in all that she does.”
CCC has granted emeritus status to 10 other people in the college’s 28-year history, which includes three presidents, a vice president, a board member and five faculty members.
About Coconino Community College — CCC has served residents across 18,000 square miles of Coconino County since 1991. The College has the goal of improving the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education.
CCC provides affordable tuition and more than 50 certificate programs and two-year associate degrees in academic and career fields. CCC also has programs that ease student transition to any of the three state universities, including the award-winning CCC2NAU.
CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the County and Tribal Lands. Instructional sites offer classes through online, in-person and Zoom video conferencing classes to meet the needs of students in rural and remote areas. Nearly 20 percent of CCC’s students are Native American learners.