ESCANABA & IRON MOUNTAIN, MI – Bay College is proud to congratulate Brian Schaefer as recipient of the TORCH Award for the June – August 2026 quarter.
Schaefer has held several roles at Bay College since he was hired in 2016. He started as a student worker (technical assistant), and has worked as a technical support specialist, technical support coordinator, and simulation/lab technician. For the last three years, Schaefer has served as coordinator of campus user technology.
Schaefer was nominated by multiple colleagues for his strong dedication to the mission of Bay College and his unwavering commitment to student success.
“Brian is someone the college and its employees can rely on without hesitation. He works well with everyone, including faculty, staff, and students, and approaches problems with a “let’s figure this out” mindset. He does not get stuck on whose job something is. If it needs to be done, he steps in and helps.”
“Brian is quick to respond to issues and even quicker to find practical, effective solutions. Whether it is troubleshooting technology or improving systems behind the scenes, he focuses on what will actually work best for the people using it. His broad skillset, from IT and AV to healthcare simulation, allows him to handle a wide range of challenges with confidence. He does not just fix problems; he improves the overall experience for students and employees.”
“When something comes up, [Brian] is on it right away. People know they can reach out and get a timely, thoughtful response. He communicates clearly, follows through, and makes sure issues are fully resolved, not just patched. That level of reliability builds trust across campus.
“[Brian] serves as a strong role model for the student employees he supervises, showing them what it looks like to be professional, dependable, and service oriented. His attitude and work ethic make a positive impact on everyone he works with. He is courteous and always there to help everyone with their tech needs as soon as he can.”
The purpose of the TORCH Award is to give personal recognition to those employees on Bay College’s campuses who demonstrate their dedication to the mission of the College through their exemplary attitude, service, and commitment to the higher education learning environment. TORCH stands for: Team Player; Outstanding Performance; Responsive to Others; Conscientious to Mission of Bay; Helpful to All.
Nomination forms for the TORCH award can be found on Bay College’s website by visiting the following link: Employee Recognition – Awards | Bay College
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