Mount Marty College Welcomes New Faculty, Staff

Dr. Jacquelyn Kelley, Nursing Program Director and Chair
Dr. Jacquie Kelley serves as the chair and nursing program director. In addition to her administrative duties, Dr. Kelley will also teach nutrition at Mount Marty College. Dr. Kelley has focused her work experience in practice as a pediatric and women’s health nurse practitioner. She provided care to families in the Pierre area for 30 years and also taught at the LPN, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels with various nursing programs in South Dakota. She also taught at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Kelley earned her BSN in nursing from South Dakota State University, Brooking, S.D., a MSN as nurse practitioner from University of Colorado, a MPH in maternal child health from the University of Minnesota and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

Dr. Helen Ciernick, Assistant Professor of Theology
Dr. Helen Marie Ciernick serves as an assistant professor of theology and is also the chair of religious studies and philosophy. Dr. Ciernick teaches Introduction to Christianity, Introduction to Theology and Church History. Previously, Dr. Ciernick worked as an adjunct faculty member at Santa Clara University (three years) and The Catholic University of America (one semester). She also taught one semester at Education for Parish Service.

Dr. Ciernick earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of San Diego, a master’s degree in systemic theology from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in church history from The Catholic University of America.

Dr. Joshua Thurow, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Joshua Thurow serves as assistant professor of philosophy. He teaches Intro to Philosophy, Critical Reasoning, Knowledge and Values, Philosophy of Human Nature, Epistemology, Classics of Western Philosophy and Critical Thinking in Ethics. Previously, Dr. Thurow served as visiting assistant professor at Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., and as lecturer at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Thurow earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and astronomy/physics in 1999, a master’s degree in philosophy in 2004 and a Ph.D. in philosophy in 2007, all from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Gayle Webert, Lecturer of Nursing
Gayle Webert teaches Clinical Nursing, Nursing and Nursing Fundamentals. Her previous work experience includes: Mount Marty College Critical Care, Health Assessment and Learning Assistance Program; South Dakota Human Services Center, Yankton, infection control nurse, house supervisor and staff nurse; Marian Health Center, Sioux City, Iowa, health care supervisor; and  Hawarden Community Hospital, Hawarden, Iowa, staff nurse.

Webert earned a diploma in nursing in 1983 from St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing, Sioux City, a bachelor’s of nursing degree in 2001 from Morningside College, Sioux City; and she is a candidate for a master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis on education from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. She plans to graduate in December 2008.

Rick Sawtell, IT Specialist/Helpdesk Supervisor
Rick Sawtell is an IT specialist and helpdesk supervisor at Mount Marty. He was previously employed as an asset management specialist at Good Samaritan Society. Sawtell earned degrees in network administration and system administration in May 2007. He is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration.

Tera Schmidt, Publications Assistant
Tera Schmidt is the publications assistant in the College Relations Office at Mount Marty College. She was previously employed as the news editor at the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. Schmidt is a 2001 graduate of Mount Marty College, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in English and history.

Tom Schlimgen, Women’s Basketball Coach
Tom Schlimgen joins the Lancer coaching staff as head women’s basketball coach. He is also the Little Lancer coordinator and the college’s assistant game event manager. Schlimgen was the head basketball coach for Scotland High School, Scotland, S.D. from 1978-2008.

Jenna Hoffman, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
Jenna Hoffman is the Mount Marty Women’s Basketball assistant coach. She plans to graduate from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D., with a degree in health services administration with a coaching minor in December 2008.

Mount Marty College
College Relations Office
1105 West 8th Street
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 668-1517
mmc.college.relations@mtmc.edu