Rebecca Allen, Math, Science & Computer Technology; Timothy Hollamby, Society & Human Expression; Darla Kent, Health & Physical Wellness; Daniel Leake, Engineering, Manufacturing & Applied Technology; Nikki Pierce, Business & Entrepreneurship; and Alize Scott-Nowell, Public & Professional Services.

Allen teaches chemistry and forensic science at Maple Grove High School

CELORON – The Jamestown Community College Alumni Association honored 10 graduates during the JCC Foundation’s annual awards gala held on Nov. 6 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.

Michael Pease, Vernon Robinson and Lionel Wescott Sr. were recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The award is the association’s highest honor and is given to those who have typified the college’s tradition of excellence and brought ​credit to the college through personal accomplishment, professional achievement, or humanitarian service.

Pease is the CEO of The Chautauqua Center. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration, he has worked the last 30 years in clinical and supervisory roles. He has served The Chautauqua Center since its inception more than 15 years ago.

Pease has been a long-time resident of Chautauqua County, residing in Cherry Creek. He is active in the community and participates on a number of local, regional and national boards of directors.

Robinson is a 2004 and 2006 JCC graduate, with degrees in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in management, graduating summa cum laude. He is a warehouse supervisor with National Grid, where he’s worked for 16 years.

Robinson is a decorated military veteran who served in the humanitarian effort, Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia, Africa. Robinson was recognized by the Cattaraugus County Museum, where his military story was documented and shared, and his autobiography was recently published. In July 2020, he was appointed the first African-American councilman in the city of Olean and is currently serving his second full term.

Westcott received an associate’s degree in Applied Science from JCC in 1964. Before his retirement, he was an electrician at SKF Aeroengine MRC Bearings for more than 50 years.

Westcott provided at-home healthcare for his parents in North Harmony and served as a Chautauqua County foster care parent and respite provider for 25 years. Westcott and his wife adopted four children to their growing family. He has been a member of the Kiwanis Club, Chautauqua County Foster Care, Chautauqua County Respite Program, Knights of Columbus, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He has also been involved in genealogy study at the Fenton History Center and remains active with his church, St. Dominic in Westfield.

The foundation also honored alumni award recipients from each of the college’s six career communities. Each was chosen by faculty from among thousands of JCC graduates.

The recipients are Rebecca Allen, Math, Science & Computer Technology; Timothy Hollamby, Society & Human Expression; Darla Kent, Health & Physical Wellness; Daniel Leake, Engineering, Manufacturing & Applied Technology; Nikki Pierce, Business & Entrepreneurship; and Alize Scott-Nowell, Public & Professional Services.

Allen teaches chemistry and forensic science at Maple Grove High School. She has coached volleyball and softball at Jamestown, Cuba-Rushford, and Maple Grove high schools and has been an assistant volleyball coach at State University at Fredonia since 2019. She was the recipient of the 2019 NSHSS Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction and the 2019 Post-Journal Coach of the Year.

Allen received an associate degree in Math & Science from JCC in 2008. While in college, she participated in volleyball, softball, and basketball earning the scholar-athlete award for two years. Allen attended SUNY Fredonia where she was a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon national honorary mathematics society, earned all-SUNYAC volleyball honors, and graduated cum laude in 2010. She also earned a master’s degree in teaching from Fredonia.

Hollamby has assisted persons with developmental disabilities at Intandem for five years. There, he teaches daily life skills, provides math and history lessons, and assists with daily hygiene.

Hollamby has also worked at the Rehabilitation Center and Olean General Hospital in care coordination at person centered services, as a Medicaid services coordinator, health homes care manager, and in patient accounts. He received an associate degree in Social Sciences from JCC in 2010 and a bachelor’s in sociology and psychology from SUNY Fredonia in 2012.

Kent is the occupational therapy program director for the DePerro School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure University. She has also served as the district occupational therapist for several local school districts and for Southtowns Children’s Association of Hamburg, ChildPro-Baker Victory services of Lackawanna, and Optimal Therapy Associate services of Buffalo.

Kent received an Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree from JCC in 2007, a bachelor’s in health studies from Syracuse University in 2011, a master’s in occupational therapy from Utica College in 2012, and a doctorate of occupational therapy from Gannon University in 2023. She volunteers with Southern Tier West, the Parent Network of Western New York, and the Unified Sports Program.

Leake is a manufacturing manager for SKF Aeroengine in Falconer, where he has worked for 12 years, starting as a quality engineer. He earned an Engineering Science degree from JCC and a dual bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University at Buffalo.

Leake participated in intramural sports in college and was on the residence hall association at UB. He is a member of the Norden Club, the oldest continuously running social club in Jamestown.

Pierce, a 1998 Social Sciences graduate, is the owner and founder of PersNikkity Pies, a local maker of intricate pies, cookies, pastries and other sweet treats.

Pierce obtained a New York State Home Bakers Permit, established an LLC in 2021 and later purchased a storefront in Falconer for a bakery and retail space. PersNikkity Pies was named the 2024 CHQ Chamber Business of the Year and was the recipient of the Best Artisan Pie award from Best of Lake Erie.

Scott-Nowell is the director of social justice and racial equity at YWCA Jamestown and an adjunct instructor for JCC. With her work at the YWCA, Scott-Nowell builds and implements programs that foster meaningful conversations about social justice issues with people of all ages. At JCC, she teaches Introduction to Sociology and an inquiry course called The Black Experience.

Scott-Nowell is a 2015 JCC graduate in Individual Studies. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communication and sociology and master’s in American Studies from the University at Buffalo.

The JCC alumni Nurse of Distinction was awarded to Jennifer Johnson. She provides nursing care and hemodialysis to patients in outpatient and acute inpatient settings at Olean General Hospital. Prior to her current role, Johnson served patients with acute and chronic psychiatric needs and implemented detoxification protocols at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lock Haven University in 1998, an associate in Nursing from JCC in 2011, and a bachelor’s in nursing from Aspen University in 2023.

The gala was presented by Assured Partners. Other major event sponsors included UPMC Chautauqua, The Chautauqua Center, Weinberg Financial Group, and Tim Hortons. Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Courier Capital, CPL Architects & Engineers, Intandem, JCC Alumni Association – Jamestown, JCC Alumni Association – Olean, JCC President’s Office, The Lenna Foundation, Kathy & Dana Lundberg, National Grid, Olean General Hospital, Shults Auto Group, SKF, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and St. Bonaventure University were table sponsors.