And the winners are …

Librarian Stephen Dingman arrived at Tuesday's ice cream social with a last-minute news tip, jockeying for position in his perpetual competition with fellow librarian John Deosdade.

In the end, Deosdade walked away with the Big Tipper in the spring 2010 Source Awards presented by The Ranger on the balcony of Loftin Student Center.

At the end of each semester, the staff of The Ranger nominates individuals who have exhibited the most helpful attributes as sources for students' stories.

The Big Tipper honors someone who calls or visits frequently with news tips about the college and the district and when unable to supply necessary information can direct reporters to a viable source.

Counselor Steve Samet earned an honorable mention in the Big Tipper category, and KSYM's morning disc jockeys James Velten and John Basham on the "The Sauce" were nominated.

Last fall's Big Tipper was Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, was named The Sure Thing, a source who can be relied on to provide accurate information in a timely manner.

Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration earned an honorable mention, and nominees included Linda Boyer-Owens, associate vice chancellor of human resources, kinesiology Chair Bill Richardson and Dr. Thomas Billimek, psychology chair.

Billimek was last fall's winner, and engineering Professor Dan Dimitriu took honorable mention.

Dr. Tom Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, collected the Above and Beyond award for a source who consistently goes the extra mile to ensure reporters get needed information.

Nominees included Dr. Robert Zeigler, college president, and Dimitriu.

Last fall, the Above and Beyond award went to economics Professor Cyril Morong and Julianne Cantú, Student Government Association president.

Snyder was awarded the Forgive and Forget award, which honors a source who recognizes students are still learning and will make mistakes. This source continued to provide information despite past reporting errors.

Nominees were business Professor Maria Davis and Counselor Lisa Black.

The entire interpreter training/American Sign Language department won last fall's Forgive and Forget award. (We're still contrite.)

Patience is a Virtue went to Dr. Ellen Marshall, early childhood studies chair. The award recognizes a source who remains good-natured despite being contacted numerous times for information on a single story or series of stories.

Nominees for Patience is a Virtue award were police Deputy Chief Joe Curiel and Sgt. Ben Peña, who won last fall's award.

Tom Campos, director of college student financial services, was named Mother Hen, a source who nurtures and encourages fledgling student reporters.

Facilities project coordinator Rose Reyes won honorable mention as Mother Hen, and nominees included Librarian Eileen Oliver and English Professor Jane Focht-Hansen.

Last year's winner was John McLaughlin, retired vice chancellor for finance and administration.

The Underexposed award recognizes a source who despite being photographed multiple times, rarely reached print. This spring's winner includes all college sports programs.

Last fall's winner was the Student Art Guild.

Faculty Senate collected the Booster Club award, which honors a source as The Ranger's biggest supporter. They read every issue of The Ranger, check for new stories at The Ranger Online, encourage others to do so and find other ways to contribute.

Nominees included English Professor Stephen Badrich, KSYM's "The Sauce" and District 7 trustee Blakely Latham Fernandez.

Samet was last fall's winner.

Faculty Senate President Jeff Hunt was named Defender of the Free Press, an award that recognizes a source who helps protect the rights to free expression guaranteed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Deosdade collected an honorable mention, and nominees included Zeigler, Billimek and SGA adviser Christy Woodward-Kaupert, last fall's winner.

The Ranger also presented three special awards.

Robin Collett, college project coordinator and development officer, and Alicia Morse, media communications unit assistant, were each presented an Unsung Hero award for their constant invaluable and invisible assistance.

The first Source of the Year award was presented to Zeigler for the patience and dedication he demonstrates to the education of the staff of The Ranger.