Cara McKee, a longtime Mount Clemens resident, had worked part time for Macomb Community College's Student Success Services Department as a tutor, test reader and scribe for students with special needs in its Center Campus Learning Center for nearly 20 years. At its annual end-of-the-year luncheon, the department honored her posthumously with its 2007 Tutor of the Year Award.

"There is a quote by David Viscott in 'Be the Difference' (a motivational book) that says, in essence, that the purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is giving your gift away," offered Lois McGinley, director of Macomb's Student Success Services, at the presentation of the award on Dec. 4. "I believe Carrie knew her gift, and she gave it away for years."

Accepting the award on behalf of his wife, who died Nov. 14, was Mark McKee Jr., a former publisher of the Macomb Daily. McKee, who wore his wife's college identification badge to the presentation ceremony, had also served for many years as a tutor and test reader in the Center Campus Learning Center.

Part-time tutors, like the McKees, number approximately 100 at Macomb's South and Center Campus learning centers. They provide free, optional tutoring in a variety of subjects including accounting, biology, chemistry, economics, geography, humanities, mathematics, philosophy, psychology and sociology, as well as the required tutoring in Macomb's language programs and test-reading and scribe services. The Tutor of the Year Award has been presented by Student Success Services for the past eight years.

Media Contact: Mary Smith

Phone: 586.445.7997

Email: smithm@macomb.edu