Port Huron, Mich. — St. Clair County Community College (SC4) proudly recognized the 2026 recipients of the Del James Blessinger Award for Teaching Excellence during the annual Commencement and Employee Recognition Luncheon held on May 8. This year’s honorees are Professor Katy McCullough and Instructor Stewart Reed, who were celebrated for their outstanding commitment to student learning, instructional excellence, and service to the College community.
The Del James Blessinger Award for Teaching Excellence is one of SC4’s most prestigious honors, established to recognize faculty members who demonstrate exceptional teaching, inspire student success, and contribute meaningfully to the College community. The award is supported through the Del James Blessinger Foundation for the Benefit of St. Clair County Community College.
A 1963 graduate of Port Huron Junior College—now SC4—Del James Blessinger made a generous gift to support the College in 1988, reflecting his belief in the lasting influence individuals have on one another and the benefit SC4 provides to the community.
Recipients of the award are selected by the Del James Blessinger Award Trust, which evaluates nominees based on teaching effectiveness, dedication to students, and contributions to the College community. Members of the Trust include Stephen Saffee, John Lusk, Kirk Kramer, Becky Gentner, and Sarah Rutallie, who oversee the continued integrity and purpose of the award.
SC4 President Kirk Kramer said, “Honoring the legacy of Del James Blessinger through faculty excellence awards recognizes the profound impact SC4 has on people and their lives.” Kramer went on to say, “We are proud to celebrate the strength, courage, and perseverance that higher education fosters and as evident in this Blessinger award. The 2026 award recipients exemplify SC4’s enduring commitment to empowering people and transforming lives.”
The recognition of Professor McCullough and Instructor Reed underscores SC4’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and highlights the vital role faculty play in shaping student success. The Blessinger Award remains a meaningful tradition that connects the College’s present achievements to a legacy of generosity, service, and belief in the transformative power of education.
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For media inquiries, please contact Sarah Rutallie, Chief of Staff and Athletic Director, SC4, at srutallie@sc4.edu
St Clair County Community College (SC4) was founded in 1923 and is the only public higher education institution in the thumb of Michigan. SC4 is a comprehensive community college that provides certificates and degrees for employable skills and college credits that can be transferred to a four-year college or university. The college provides collegiate arts and athletics for the area and has been an asset for students and the Port Huron community for over one hundred years.
