On Thursday night, McHenry County College administrator Brian Sager revealed the person who won the Faculty of the Year Award.

It’s Music Department Chair Thomas Takayama.

There was an extensive explanation of his teaching philosophy and the roles he has played since becoming Music Department Chair in 2003, but what impressed me the most was that there has been a 30% increase in student participation resulting from his involvement.

Takayama has a B.A., University of Tennessee; M.A., Southern Illinois University; and Ph.D., University of Mississippi.

In addition to his musical contributions to MCC and the community, he is highly involved in MCC AQIP (quality improvement) action teams and other strategic initiatives for the College.

In 2006, he served as interim Executive Dean for Humanities.

He had “really stiff competition,” MCC President Walt Packard said.