Duane Quinion of Westport Island was one of three Northern Essex Community College employees who recently received the NECC Employee Recognition Award for the first quarter of 2015.

The other award winners were Stacy Ayotte of Exeter, New Hampshire, and and Cheryl Wilson of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. NECC has campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Massachusetts.

The Employee Recognition Award recognizes the many and varied contributions of the college’s nearly 700 employees. Employees are selected each quarter based on recommendations from supervisors and co-workers. Recipients receive a $150 certificate to the restaurant or mall of his or her choice.

Quinion has taught at NECC for the last five years in the Respiratory Care Program. He became an associate professor last year.

“I have observed Duane directly in his teaching abilities and interaction with his students,” said respiratory care professor Christopher Rowse, who nominated Quinion. “He is a pleasure to observe in his teaching because of his genuine nature with his students and his easy going humor. He is able to put students at ease and has the ability to bring out the best in his students. He possesses a genuine empathy for students and his fellow colleagues. He is both a thoughtful and methodical teacher making sure he covers all important topics.”

Quinion holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Bethel University and a master’s degree theological studies from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He earned a certificate in respiratory care from NECC in 1980.