November 17, 2025
Story by Amanda Staab
Photo by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College is proud to announce the launch of a new recognition program, the “Bart Award,” created to celebrate the dedication and achievements of outstanding faculty and staff.
The award was inspired by Barton Community College President Dr. Marcus Garstecki.
“I wanted to start a fun yet meaningful way to recognize our outstanding faculty and staff,” he said. “The Bart Awards were created to give recognition to an individual or department that had a major accomplishment, went above and beyond to help someone, or just consistently shows up every day and makes Barton a better place for our students and employees.”
Two awards will be presented monthly, beginning with Dr. Garstecki presenting the inaugural awards. Each recipient keeps the award for one month. When passing it on, the recipient selects the next individual or department to receive it and contributes something personal, such as a note or a small gift, creating a meaningful chain of recognition across campus.
Local artist Barry Bowers created the handmade woodcarvings of the Barton mascot to provide a personal and artistic touch to the recognition.
The inaugural awards were presented to Julia Clemons, and Myrna Perkins and her Financial Aid Team, honoring their outstanding contributions to the Barton community.
Garstecki said Clemons embodies the very best of Barton.
“Every day, she brings light and unique positivity to campus, consistently going above and beyond to support her colleagues and students,” he said. “Her extraordinary contributions make Barton a brighter, more welcoming place for everyone.”
Garstecki added that he wanted to make the Bart award more than just a trophy and that by creating this peer-to-peer recognition program, Barton Community College can build a stronger community, highlight the contributions of its faculty and staff, and inspire ongoing collaboration and excellence across campus.
“This award is meant to celebrate the culture of care, commitment, and excellence that makes Barton such a special place,” he said. “Myrna Perkins and her financial aid team exemplify dedication and resilience. They consistently navigate challenges with professionalism and care, ensuring our students receive the support they need. Their unwavering commitment makes a meaningful difference every day at Barton.”