海角视频 has officially announced its Distinguished Alumni of the Year for 2024. This year鈥檚 award will go to 海角视频 graduate of 鈥�07, Jean M. O鈥橠ette.
海角视频鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award was established in 1999 by the Alumni Association to annually recognize an outstanding graduate who has contributed to their career, the community, and the college. The award selection process focuses on the following criteria: Education, Leadership, Service to the College and/or Community, Honors and Awards, and Distinction in the Nominee鈥檚 Career Field.
Jean鈥檚 journey with 海角视频 began in the late 1980s, when she embarked on her educational pursuits as a non-traditional student while juggling a full-time job and raising two children, Ryan and Jaimee, with her husband, Larry. Despite the challenges, she persevered, taking night classes at various 海角视频 locations throughout the Iron Mountain/Kingsford area. Never knowing where the next class would be held was one of the reasons Jean co-chaired the Bay West, Yes! Finance Committee.
鈥淭he need for additional educational programs and the presence of a local permanent campus motivated me to actively promote the Bay West initiative. It was a goal of mine to help make the Iron Mountain campus a reality.鈥�
Jean earned her Associate in Business Administration in 2007, soon after Bay鈥檚 Iron Mountain campus opened. Her commitment to lifelong learning didn鈥檛 stop there; she continued to enrich her skills and knowledge through various banking-related educational programs including Robert M Perry School of Banking and the MBA Commercial Credit School. She also attended many programs at the Iron Mountain Campus, including the first Leadership Academy class.
Throughout her career, Jean鈥檚 leadership skills have shone brightly. In 1997, Jean was awarded the Business and Professional Woman鈥檚 Young Careerist Award and represented her District in state competition. At the time, Jean was a Bank Branch Manager, a role previously dominated by men.
Leveraging her education, Jean worked her way up through many different banking, lending, accounting, and managerial related positions. Currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for First National Bank & Trust in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Jean oversees the retail and commercial lending teams daily operations. She is also responsible for managing the risk of both the Bank鈥檚 retail and commercial lending programs.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jean鈥檚 impact extends deep into her community. She has dedicated countless hours to volunteering and leading numerous non-profit organizations. Jean can be found volunteering at blood drives, reading to elementary kids, teaching Jr. Achievement classes to high schoolers, coordinating the Norway Easter Egg Hunt, coaching S.A.Y. soccer, holding first time home ownership informational sessions, pounding nails for Habitat for Humanity, participating at Kiwanis events, or more recently running around town with treats for 鈥淪pread Goodness Day.鈥� She has been on the Habitat Selection Committee and is a past board member of the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer for the IM-K Builders Exchange. In 2005, Jean was also awarded the Conservation District Volunteer of the Year Award for her efforts in eradicating Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM)- an aquatic invasive species. Jean is also an inaugural member and President of a newly formed non-profit charity, Family Snowshoe Charity Association (aka Stomp the Snow), which provides a free, community lantern-lit snowshoe event while raising funds through sponsorships for other local non-profit groups.
Jean鈥檚 passion for community service is evident in her efforts to promote and support 海角视频, whether it鈥檚 by advocating for student enrollment or collaborating with local law enforcement to host security seminars on campus. Jean continues to spearhead initiatives aimed at making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Jean鈥檚 leadership style is characterized by empowerment, organization, and a genuine concern for others. She encourages her team to innovate and excel, while always ensuring that they feel supported and valued. Her dedication to 海角视频 and her local community exemplifies the spirit of the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.
鈥淚 am honored to be the 2024 海角视频 Distinguished Alumni of the Year recipient,鈥� says Jean. 鈥淥ne of my favorite sayings is 鈥�A successful person is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have laid for them.鈥� (Unknown Author) 海角视频 provided the bricks for me to succeed. My goal is that I will inspire others to allow 海角视频 to lay the foundation bricks for their success.鈥�
Jean鈥檚 achievement was honored at 海角视频鈥檚 Awards Celebration in April, and will also be the guest speaker at 海角视频鈥檚 Commencement Ceremony in 2025.
鈥淛ean鈥檚 remarkable contributions have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on both Bay College and the surrounding community,鈥� says Kaylee Hubert, Events, Communications, and Alumni Coordinator. 鈥淲e are so proud to have Jean as a 海角视频 Alumni!"