Kaskaskia College has named Clint Koerkenmeier as their Alumnus of the Year. He was a third-generation miner who received his Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Kaskaskia College while working full-time.
After graduating in 2004, he continued his education, ultimately receiving his bachelor’s degree from McKendree University and a master’s degree in healthcare service from Washington University.
Today, he serves as the associate nursing officer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He is described as a dedicated nurse, husband, and father committed to providing comfort and care to those undergoing cancer treatments.
The Kaskaskia College Distinguished Service Award was presented to Pam DeBernardi. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member in the college’s Cosmetology Program for more than 30 years.
DeBernardi has played an enormous role over the years as she performed numerous tasks and provided service to fellow faculty. She has also served on the college’s Relay for Life Team, taken students to assisted living facilities to perform cosmetology services on their residents, led a team for many years at the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association, and most recently, she is the lead supervisor for students each month that cut hair for veterans, free of charge at the Centralia American Legion.
