Former North Platte Community College vice president Marilyn McGahan was honoredTuesday for her many years of service to NPCC.

When McGahan retired five years ago, the Mid-Plains Education Association, an organization of NPCC non-technical faculty members, purchased a tree in her honor.

It was planted on the south side of the Health and Science Center soon after construction on the building was completed.

The tree was officially dedicated on Tuesday and a plaque recognizing McGahan was unveiled. The ceremony was open to the public and was attended by many of McGahan’s former colleagues.

“This is just a great lasting tribute to one of the best college administrators I have ever met,” said Dr. Jody Tomanek, area vice-president of academic affairs and NPCC.

Roger Volentine, who had been the president of the MPEA at the time of McGahan’s retirement, said there were always three things about McGahan that impressed him.

“First, was her involvement with the Health and Science Center,” said Volentine. “A lot of the credit for it has to go to Marilyn because of all the planning that went into making the building a reality.”

He also recognized McGahan for leading faculty through the many technological advancements that occurred at the college over the years and praised her problem-solving skills.

“Some people are happy to help solve problems, and some aren’t,” said Volentine. “She always worked quickly to get issues resolved, and I always appreciated that about her.”

McGahan began working for the North Platte Junior College in 1971 as an adjunct instructor. At that time, she taught an accounting class and a typing class as part of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.

McGahan worked her way up to a full-time business instructor in 1974, then business division chair in 1997. She took over the role as NPCC’s vice president in 2003 – a title she kept until her retirement in 2011.