St. Clair County Community College alumnus Karl Tomion of Port Huron is being recognized with the 2012 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Michigan Community College Association.

The award is presented to a Michigan community college alumnus based on achievement in his or her professional career, service to humanity, honors received, and a strong commitment to the purpose and philosophy of the community college mission.

Tomion will be presented with the award tonight, Friday, July 27, at the 2012 MCCA Summer Conference in Traverse City.

"The award was very surprising, but it's very important to me," he said. "Community college was one of the most important academic experiences of my life."

Tomion earned an associate degree from SC4 in 1971. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in public administration from Wayne State University.

Tomion has been serving the Blue Water Area and other Michigan communities for more than 30 years. He served as city manager for Dowagiac (1980 to 1992), Midland (1992 to 2006), Port Huron (2006 to 2008) and Algonac (2010 to 2012).

He also has served in numerous local leadership roles. Tomion has served on the SC4 Foundation Board of Directors since 2006. He is vice president of the foundation board and co-chair of the "All Aboard: Campaign for Talent, Technology and Tomorrow" fundraising drive. The two-year campaign launched in November and has raised nearly 50% of its $1 million goal for student scholarships and five capital projects.

He's also the founding president of the Blue Water Middle College, a charter school created by the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency. The middle college allows some St. Clair County high school students to graduate after five years with both a high school diploma and an associate degree from SC4, free of charge.

"The programs and initiatives Karl Tomion has created and led have benefitted the numerous communities in which he has worked, as well as students at the community college and high school levels," said SC4 President Dr. Kevin A. Pollock. "He has left and continues to leave a lasting legacy."

Longtime fellow professional Steve Brock, city manager in Farmington Hills, says Tomion's defining characteristic is his desire to give back. "He always kept the communities' best interests first in his heart and mind," Brock says. "He is a shining star in our profession."

Locally, Tomion has been a member of Rotary International, served on the Blue Water YMCA Board of Directors and the Algonac-Clay Community Fund and is secretary of the Port Huron Hospital Board of Trustees. In addition, he was chosen by two governors to serve on state taskforces.

Visit www.sc4.edu/tomion to read more about Tomion, to view photos of Tomion and to watch a video of him giving his thoughts about community colleges and other topics.

The Outstanding Alumnus Award first was presented in 1985. Recent recipients include:

• 2011 – Dr. Drew Feustel (astronaut)
• 2010 – Bart Stupak (congressman)
• 2009 – Linda Davis (judge)
• 2008 – Woodrow Stanley (past mayor of Flint)

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