Colby Community College piano instructor Pat Ziegelmeier has been selected as the Northwest Kansas Music Educator’s Association (KMEA) 2012 College Music Educator of the Year.  She will receive her award on Dec. 8 at Fort Hays State University during the Honor High School Concert.

Ziegelmeier began at CCC in 1989 after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Wyoming and a Master’s in Educational Administration at Fort Hays State University.  She teaches Piano, Keyboard Skills, Harmony, and Fundamentals of Music. In addition, she is the accompanist for the CCC Concert Choir and Sunflower Singers.

In addition to her other awards and achievements, Ziegelmeier was honored during the Colby Community College Commencement held in May 2011 as the recipient of the Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence.

Criteria for the Tangeman Award include service to the institution and to the community, professional activities, and excellent teaching practices with satisfactory results.

As well as teaching, Ziegelmeier plays the piano and organ at a number of public events each year and is very active in the Western Plains Arts Association.

She and her husband Carl have five adult children.  They are all graduates of CCC.