MOOREFIELD, W.Va. - Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College Eastern at its awards ceremony paid tribute to a Rayland resident for her role in the college's successful efforts to achieve full independent accreditation in October.

The college honored Sherry Becker-Gorby, the associate dean for academic and student support services, with its annual Harold K. Michael Founders Award.

"Sherry was the primary author of the accreditation self-study report," said Peggy Hawse, former chair and current member of Eastern's board of governors, "and of many other key college materials."

Presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the College, the award honors state Del. Harold K. Michael, former house finance committee chairman, whose vision led to Eastern's creation 10 years ago.

Becker-Gorby said, she was "shocked" and "stunned" at receiving the award.

Becker-Gorby works from home and telecommutes most days, and comes to campus occasionally throughout the year when necessary

But Eastern officials said the choice of Becker-Gorby for the honor did not at all surprise those familiar with her record of professional achievement.

After 16 years at Wheeling's West Virginia Northern Community College, where she served as director of career services and later associate dean for academic affairs/ registrar, she took on her current post at Eastern in the summer of 2001.

During the course of more than two decades in West Virginia community college administration, Becker-Gorby has developed expertise in several vital areas of academic and student support services, including program and curricular development, assessment, student records operations and career planning, officials said.

"Sherry also developed the West Virginia board of governors associate in applied science, adult degree completion program," said Robert "Buck" Eagle, Eastern's dean for academics and student support services. "And she played a key role in implementing that program not only here at Eastern, but systemwide in all of the community and technical colleges across the state."

The adult degree completion program lets adult learners achieve college transcript credit for many kinds of prior learning experiences, including licenses, certificates, military credit, workforce training, volunteer service and, in some cases, even learning through serious devotion to a hobby.

"So through her pioneering, professional efforts, Sherry has expanded educational access and degree opportunities for all West Virginian adults who, because of family obligations, job demands or other reasons, had to delay or interrupt their educational plans," Eagle said.

"She built the base of an educational ladder for adults to reach the first level of learning advancement that leads to deeper self-confidence and encouragement towards the greater benefits and rewards of college learning." Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College serves the residents of Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton and Tucker counties.