WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Pennsylvania College of Technology recently paid tribute to noteworthy staff, a part-time instructor and success in student advisement and assessment; honored the longtime service of a number of employees; and showed appreciation to those who retired during the just-ended academic year.
President Davie Jane Gilmour recognized the honorees during an all-college meeting, held before a pandemic-limited gathering in Bardo Gymnasium and livestreamed for the benefit of others.
Distinguished Staff Awards, a campus tradition since the 1990s, were presented in Penn College’s three personnel classifications — administrative, professional and technical; classified; and service — as well as to a part-time employee.
The latest Distinguished Staff Award recipients are Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality (APT); Bridgette R. Snyder, secretary to Public Relations & Marketing (classified); Barbie A. Myers, horticulturist (service); and Michael J. McNaul, physics laboratory technician (part time).
“Brian seems to get along with everyone. He has strong rapport with faculty, students, staff and administrators," one of Walton’s nominators wrote. "(He) listens and shares thoughts and encourages others to have a voice. Faculty and staff feel comfortable sharing concerns with him, and because they do so freely, he is able to build relationships and foster growth (both within himself, as well as within others). Perhaps the strongest interpersonal skill that Brian demonstrates is that he cares. His concern and compassion are evident as he engages with others.”
Of Snyder, a co-worker related: “Bridgette transferred to Public Relations & Marketing in November 2019. Due to her vast knowledge of the college, agility to learn quickly, excellent work ethic and easy demeanor, she has become an integral part of PRM. I'm so happy that she chose to join (our) family, and I look forward to seeing what more she brings to the team! She is a star employee and student. Yes, she also is taking two classes, is on the Dean's List and will graduate this May!”
Colleagues said one look at the college’s magnificently maintained grounds are all the affirmation one needs for Myers’ selection: “You would think a little water and sunlight is all you need, but it takes many hours every week on watering, trimming, deadheading and disease control to keep the flowers looking great all summer. It is truly an art. I see the faculty, staff and students enjoying these displays by getting pictures by them, posting pictures online, in magazines, and just the simple ‘stop and smell.’”
McNaul was praised for his deft juggling act in keeping the labs well-stocked and orderly.
“The physics laboratories at Penn College are used by hundreds of students every week, three full professors and four or five adjunct faculty members during each semester,” a full-time faculty member said. “Every week, there are at least 10 different lab activities taking place, each requiring a very specific set of equipment, expected to be in place before the start of every lab and promptly taken away after the lab. Sometimes several different activities happen on a given day in the same lab. To maintain that service requires coordination, dedication to details and a high level of organization. That is what we expect and consistently receive from Mike McNaul.”
A Part-Time Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Karen R. Ruhl, a horticulture instructor much-loved for her “Art of Floral Design” course.
“Karen is very special to the horticulture program, and we are lucky to have her. It’s wonderful to have someone so talented to deliver instruction to our students,” a Schneebeli Earth Science Center co-worker said. “(Her) creativeness and artistic ability stimulate students to learn more about floral design. Many students wish there were more classes they could take with Karen because, after working with her, they want a hobby or business in floral design.”
Alicia L. McNett, assistant professor of computer information technology, received the Excellence in Academic Advising Award, which recognizes excellent academic advising and service to students, and encourages continuation of that excellence.
She “provides students with great advice, encouraging them to rise to their greatest potential,” a nominator wrote. “Many advisees in the … program come to the college with little IT background, and with several math and reading deficiencies. She encourages students to excel past those obstacles … exhibiting toughness without being difficult and breaking a student’s spirit.”
The President’s Award for Outstanding Assessment of Student Learning was presented to two faculty members and an administrator – Kelly B. Butzler, associate professor of chemistry; Rob Cooley, associate professor of anthropology/environmental science; and Joanna K. Flynn, dean of curriculum and instruction – who gathered feedback from students and faculty during the pandemic-induced switch to distance education.
“Never in the history of higher education have students and faculty been forced to almost instantaneously completely change the methods by which teaching and learning occur,” their nominator said. “Researchers have extensive data regarding online teaching and learning when faculty and students choose this modality, but a shift from face-to-face, hands-on, applied technology education to mandatory remote, individual learning (had) not been researched.”
Reaching milestones during 2020-21 are:
- 45 years – Linda M. McFadden
- 40 years – Perry R. Gotschal
- 35 years – Clint K. Ault, Lynn Turney and Sharon M. Weiler
- 30 years – Jane E. Grages, Tom F. Gregory and Thomas F. Speicher
Joining the college’s Quarter Century Club with 25 years’ service are Geoffrey M. Campbell, Michael P. Covone, Michael J. Ditchfield, Keith H. English, Vicki K. Killian, Tina M. Miller, Robert I. Mitchell, Tuna Saka, William F. Stepp and Theresa M. Wyland.
Retiring in 2020-21 were Christy S. Allen, Alicia S. Andrews, Clint K. Ault, Linda M. Barnes, Michael L. Bremigen, Todd Campbell, Mindy L. Carr, Donald Cohick, Michael R. Delaney, Lynne Doane, Keith H. English, Karen L. Fischer, Roy P. Fontaine, Perry R. Gotschal, Tom F. Gregory, Robert P. Gresko, Ruth Guinter, Carol E. Hall, Eric Henneberger, Thomas D. Hill, Mary Ann Hollenbach, John C. Hruschka, Kyle D. Hunter, Jacklyn R. Leitzel, Glenn R. Luse, Jacob R. Miller, Hope Miller-Cupp, Pamela J. Morse, Lewis H. Moyer, Joseph E. Myers, Brad L. Nason, Robin Rader-Edkin, Jeff G. Rotoli, Kim Schweikart, Debra L. Shoemaker, Charles J. Stopper, James E. Weibley, Sharon M. Weiler, Rita D. Wertz, Shirley A. Yancey and Tom A. Zimmerman.
Promoted in academic rank beginning with the Fall 2021 semester are Pamela W. Baker, from assistant professor to associate professor of nursing programs; Kelly B. Butzler, from associate professor to professor of chemistry; Stephen R. Cheskiewicz, from assistant professor to associate professor of computer information technology; Joshua D. Hill, from assistant professor to associate professor of speech communication/composition; Justin M. Ingram, from assistant professor to associate professor of biology; and Christopher S. Weaver, from instructor to assistant professor of diesel equipment technology.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.