Distinguished Alumni

2007-2008 Distinguished Alumni Nominees

Neal D. Grover

In 1963, Mr. Grover began teaching a Collision Repair and Painting Class for “Trade Tech” under the Manpower Development and Training Act (MDTA). He is now a Master Teacher for the Inter-Industry Conference for Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and continues his education to instruct current technology in a rapidly changing, highly technical industry.

In 1974, USU invited Mr. Grover to organize the first formal Vocational Industrial Clubs of America/Skills USA Chapter at the SLCC. Currently, he is the program advisor for the Auto Collision Repair section. Over the past 34 years he has trained and coached many National Medalists.The many awards and recognitions Mr. Grover has received indicate how much he loves what he does and the lives he positively affects.

Some of those awards include:

1994 –Inducted into the I-CAR Hall of Fame
1998 –Outstanding Teacher Award, SLCC Foundation
1999 –Teaching and Leadership Excellence Award, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD)
2005 – Western Region Volunteer of the Year, I-CAR
2008 – SLCC Distinguished Alumni of the Year

Teresa Ibarra-Ramirez

Following a difficult divorce in the late 1980’s, Ms. Ibarra-Ramirez found herself as a single mother, working several jobs at a time to support her three children.  After she was laid off from a production job she decided to fulfill her dream of receiving an education, which would provide the opportunity to find a stable job.

Continuing to work two jobs, she also studied full time at Salt Lake Community College. In1992, Ms. Ibarra-Ramirez graduated with an AAS in accounting and a Certificate in credit and finance.

Currently, she is now helping one of her children fight a battle against substance abuse by caring for two of her fifteen grandchildren. As a single grandparent, she is very interested in the success of her grandchildren. She recently won a $5,000 scholarship for her seven-year old granddaughter, Isadora. In the essay she submitted to the Colorado-based College Invest, Ms. Ibarra-Ramirez expressed her respect for education, “The hopes and dreams I have for my granddaughter is to break the family cycle. To give her a chance in life, an education she can use, and most of all, self-respect and self esteem.”

Her commitment to her family, her undaunted persistence, and the hope she places in education makes Ms. Ibarra-Ramirez stand out among her peers.

She works as an office manager at Monahan, Lampman & Hays PC, located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

What is a Distinguished Alum?

A Distinguished Alum is a leader. A Distinguished Alum can be a business leader, a medical professional, a religious leader, a statesman or woman, or anyone who has shown great integrity, dedication, and courage in the face of trial, opposition, or even persecution. A Distinguished Alum is someone to emulate.

Nominate a Distinguished SLCC Alum

Qualifications

• Received a degree, certificate, or at least 32 credit hours from Salt Lake Community College
• Shown and continues to show excellence in leadership in his or her chosen field
• Recognized by peers to have reached and remained at the top of his or her chosen field
• Has a reputation of giving back to the community
• Demonstrates qualities of unselfish service, integrity, and courage
  
  To nominate someone as a Distinguished Alum, please contact Matt Bunker.

How many Distinguished Alums will there be per year?

There will be two Distinguished Alums honored every year. One alum will be selected from the Trade/Technical Education Programs and the other will be selected from the Academic programs. If you have a question about which program your nominee belongs to, please contact the Alumni Association at (801) 957-4838 or email Matt Bunker.