Gogebic Community College Foundation presents: Celebration of achievements banquet
Gogebic Community College Foundation Hosts Annual Recognition Banquet
The Gogebic Community College Foundation will host the annual “Celebration of Achievements” Banquet on Thursday, October 15, 2026 in the David G. Lindquist Student and Conference Center.
Each year, the GCC Foundation Board of Directors chooses several individuals and/or organizations to honor who have exemplified their commitment to the College. This year’s honorees include Outstanding Coach and Distinguished Alumnus Dennis Mackey, Distinguished Alumna Virginia Morzenti DeBenedictis, and Outstanding Staff Member Mary Beth Barlock.
A reception will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the student lounge of the Lindquist Center with a catered dinner to be served at 6:30 p.m. The awards program will follow. The public is invited to attend!
Tickets for the Banquet can be purchased from any Foundation Board member or by calling the GCC Foundation Office at (906) 307-1202. Tickets are $40.00 each.
Honoree Biographies
Dennis Mackey, a native of Kenton, Michigan, and 1981 graduate of Ewen-Trout Creek High School, was a standout multi-sport athlete. He was a four-year high school basketball starter under Coach Tom Caudill and became a 1,000-point scorer. Dennis continued his education at Gogebic Community College (GCC), where he played for the Samsons under coach Deke Routheaux. He was the starting point guard on teams that compiled a 15-8 record in 1982-83 and a 20-6 record in 1983-84. Dennis earned an Associate Degree in Business from GCC in 1984, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Northern Michigan University in 1987, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Lake Superior State University in 1993.
Dennis began his career at GCC in 1988 as a part-time business instructor and women’s basketball coach. He went on to serve as a business faculty member for 38 years, primarily teaching accounting and economics. Dennis also served as athletic director from 2006 to 2013 and in interim appointments during 2016-17 and 2021-22. A three-time NJCAA Region XIII Coach of the Year, Dennis coached Samson basketball teams for 38 years and achieved his 500th career victory during the 2024-25 season. During his coaching career, he led teams in 1,023 games and mentored more than 350 student-athletes.
As head coach of the women’s basketball program for 19 years, Mackey’s teams compiled a 256-227 record. His tenure was highlighted by National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIII championships in 1995 and 1998, as well as a national tournament appearance at the 1995 NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship in Tyler, Texas.
In 2007-08, Dennis assumed leadership of the Samsons men’s basketball program. Over the next 19 years, his teams posted a 277-263 record and captured Region XIII titles in 2011 and 2013.
Dennis is known for his motto, “Once a Samson, always a Samson,” which reflects his deep commitment to Gogebic Community College, his passion for basketball, and his appreciation for the student-athletes he coached throughout his career. He also played a key role in fundraising efforts, helping generate approximately $400,000 to support of student-athlete scholarships during his tenure.
In recognition of his impact, GCC dedicated Coach Mackey Court in his honor on November 26, 2024. Dennis and his family have been longtime supporters of GCC athletics, contributing to numerous programs and events over the years. Dennis and his wife Andrea have 3 children: Caitlin (Michael) Pawlak, Jessica (Patrick) Libertoski, and Adam (Maria) Mackey. They are also proud grandparents of six grandchildren: Nora, Millie, Kyree, Will, Drew, and Ivy.
Virginia Morzenti DeBenedictis, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., was born in Montreal, Wisconsin, the second oldest of nine children of Charles and Anna Morzenti. A graduate and valedictorian of J. E. Murphy High School, Virginia initially planned to enter the workforce due to family financial constraints. However, the encouragement of a high school English teacher led her to apply to Gogebic Community College (GCC) and scholarships, opening the door to a remarkable academic and professional journey.
Virginia graduated from GCC in 1958 with an Associate in Science degree, serving as Co-Valedictorian and receiving a leadership award. She continued her studies at the University of Michigan (UM), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with high distinction and honors in Biology in 1960, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biology in 1961. Along the way, she was inducted into the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. Her passion for learning ultimately led her to earn a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Michigan in 1969, supported by both National Science Foundation and Rackham Graduate School fellowships. She was also inducted into Sigma Xi, the national scientific research honor society.
Throughout her career, Dr. DeBenedictis shared her love of science through teaching at numerous institutions, including Northwestern Michigan College, University of California-Berkeley, Marquette University, Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Michigan. She also spent five summers teaching natural history and the biology of Cape Cod plants to children at the Children’s School of Science in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
In 1972, she joined Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York, where she served for three decades, advancing from instructor to full professor. During her tenure, she taught biology, botany, anatomy, and physiology, earning widespread recognition for excellence in teaching. Demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning and her students' success, Dr. DeBenedictis took a sabbatical in the late 1980s and enrolled in coursework in gross and microscopic anatomy at Upstate Medical University to prepare for her college's request that she teach anatomy and physiology. Her honors included the New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1980, the Onondaga Community College Board of Trustees Recognition Award, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award recognizing outstanding community college educators nationwide, and honorary membership in Sigma Phi Alpha for her contributions to the academic success of dental hygiene students. After her retirement in 2002, she was named Professor Emeritus by the Onondaga Community College Board of Trustees.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. DeBenedictis has devoted countless hours to her communities through volunteer service. She helped establish gifted and talented programming in the Syracuse City School District, provided science enrichment and reading support for elementary students, served as a school PTSO president, volunteered with hospital patients, and remains actively involved in church ministries serving those in need. Her philanthropic interests include education, health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, LGBTQ+ support, and the welfare of women and children.
In 2006, she received the Hurley Education Foundation Distinguished Alumna Award. Throughout her life, she has credited the teachers, mentors, and educational institutions that provided the foundation for her success, especially Gogebic Community College. She views GCC as a remarkable place that offers young people "the shoulders to stand on" as they launch into a future they dream of or one they may not even know is waiting for them.
Virginia and her late husband, Dr. Paul DeBenedictis, a respected scientist, ecologist, and natural historian, raised two accomplished children. Their son, Tim, is a space scientist and software developer, and their daughter, Dr. Lisa Nelson, is a hospitalist and Director of Graduate Medical Education for a health system. Virginia also takes great pride in her beautiful granddaughter, Anneka Nelson, who has just started her first year of college.
Reflecting on her life's work, Dr. DeBenedictis considers it a privilege to have learned, taught, served, and inspired others. Her journey stands as a testament to the profound impact that educators, community colleges, and a commitment to lifelong learning can have on one person's life and on the lives of countless students who follow.
Mary Beth Verville Barlock was born in Hancock, Michigan and raised in White Pine. Mary Beth is a graduate of White Pine High School. She attended Lake Superior State University, where she earned an Associate Degree in Executive Secretarial Studies.
She began her career as a secretary in the Chemistry Department at Northern Michigan University, where she worked with 11 professors and continued her education in accounting while working full-time.
Mary Beth and her husband, Dick, later moved back home, and she was hired by LaCroix Hospital in White Pine as a billing specialist and bookkeeper. When the hospital closed, she joined the Business Office at Gogebic Community College (GCC) as an accounts payable clerk. After a short time, she was promoted to Secretary to the Dean of Business Services. She served in that role for more than 30 years before retiring in 2018.
Throughout her career, she embraced the challenges of advancing technology and found great satisfaction in helping students navigate the financial aspects of their educational journeys.
Mary Beth currently resides in Bergland, where she enjoys boating on Lake Gogebic, gardening, skiing, snowshoeing, and spending time outdoors. She also enjoys bowling, knitting, and reading. Recently widowed following the passing of her husband, Dick, she is learning to navigate this new chapter of life with the same resilience and grace that have characterized her personal and professional journey. Mary Beth has one daughter, Rachael, an artist and author.
Founded in 1977, the GCC Foundation works in partnership with the College in supporting projects and programs that not only benefit the current students, but the region as a whole. It is also the primary source of private scholarships for GCC students. Contact Kelly Marczak, GCC Foundation Director at 906-307-1202 for more information and to learn how you can support GCC students.
