Year-end tradition recognizes Penn College faculty, staff

Distinguished Teaching Awards
Distinguished Teaching Awards are presented to full-time faculty at Penn College who have been nominated by their students and colleagues for excellence in instruction. Including this year’s honorees, there have been 125 recipients since the program began in 1982: 34 Master Teacher Awards and 91 Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Four full-time faculty members received 2023 Excellence in Teaching Awards: Barbara K. Emert-Strouse, assistant professor of dental hygiene; Kenneth J. Kinley, assistant professor of electronics and computer engineering technology; Chris E. Kule, assistant professor of biology; and Mary T. Stout, assistant professor of physical therapist assistant.

Emert-Strouse is among the alumni members of Penn College’s faculty, having earned an associate degree in dental hygiene (1992) and a bachelor’s in dental hygiene: health policy & administration concentration (1998).

Comments from her nominators include:

• “Barb is constantly finding new ways for students to interact with and apply new information. She is skilled at developing patient-based activities for students to practice their skills.”
   
• “If you have a question or concern about any aspect of the program or her courses, you can always have honest and open communication. Barb lifts others up, both students and faculty. She encourages confidence and enhances self-esteem.”

Kinley, who had been an adjunct instructor since 1994, assumed full-time status in 2015. He is another of the college’s alumni faculty members, with credentials that include associate and bachelor’s degrees in electronics technology.

Among the comments from his nomination form:

• “Coming into the first year, I was struggling and was not sure if this was for me. Mr. Kinley had an open-door policy and was there when I needed any assistance. That gave me so much reassurance when I was entering this entire new chapter of my life. Finishing off my senior year, Mr. Kinley has never let my spirits down and has always been such a positive individual. I am entirely grateful that he is one of my professors.”

Kule holds a doctorate in cellular and molecular physiology from Penn State's College of Medicine and a bachelor's degree in biology from Penn State.

Among comments from his nominators:

• “While talking about more complex topics, he finds the ability to add helpful humor to encourage knowledge retention. The mnemonics and stories … that he shares are incredibly helpful.”
   
• “Anyone who sits in on one of his lectures can realize how much this material really means to him and how much he enjoys teaching about it. He holds a wealth of knowledge that he’s willing to share with all.”

Stout, who became the physical therapist assistant program’s first full-time faculty member in 2019, holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Shenandoah University and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac College.

Some of the comments from her nominators:

• “Mary has created an environment in the classroom and lab in which students feel comfortable learning, sharing experiences and rationalizing thoughts. She has devised many lab activities that foster learning of the material in a fun, but meaningful, way.”
• “Mary is like ‘the mother of the PTA program,’ and she is deeply invested in her students’ success, just like she would be of her own children.”

Part-Time Teaching Excellence Award
A Part-Time Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Wendy A. Rohrbach, a nursing lecturer whose students benefit from her decades of experience in the field.

“She is personable and works diligently at the clinical site in which she teaches to build relationships with the staff and administration so that our students continue to have a positive experience and are welcomed back,” a nominator said.  “When here on campus, working in one of our labs, Wendy is always willing to step in, adjust as needed and assist with any task.”

Distinguished Staff Awards
Distinguished Staff Awards, bestowed annually since the late 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. (A "Prize Patrol" surprised them with news of their selection weeks earlier, candid moments that were shared in a video prior to Thursday's meeting.)

The latest recipients are Amy S. Lingg, Dining Services marketing and system specialist, and Penn College Police Chief Chris E. Miller (APT); Mary Ellen Hibbs, admissions assistant, transcripts and supporting materials (Classified); Brooke M. Barton, horticulturist (Service); and Anita M. Tressler, disability and access resources specialist (part time).

“She has become the ‘go-to’ person with a vast knowledge of the department and its operating systems,” one of Lingg’s co-workers wrote. “She’s also spearheading research into new, updated software systems.”

One of Miller’s officers said the chief “has led our department to be one of the most well-trained-and-equipped departments in a multicounty area surrounding Penn College when considering active assailant threats.”

“I read articles monthly about ‘new’ strategies to bring our officers to the cutting edge of tactics and training for active-shooter incidents and weapons-handling,” he added. “We have been training our officers in these ‘cutting-edge’ tactics for the last 10 years.”

Hibbs was praised for her embrace of ever-changing procedures that are a reality in the 21st century workplace.

“Over the last few years, we have moved to scanning and uploading letters to the Applicant Dashboard, which allows for easy access by students,” her nominator wrote. “Mary Ellen was quick to adapt to the new process and saw the value that it provides for students.”

Barton, who has a visible role in maintaining the college’s always-stunning grounds, was applauded for the many additions he has helped bring to the campus landscape.

“Brooke never shies away from challenges,” a co-worker said. “He enjoys working on projects that require creative thinking and solutions.”

Tressler was called “a true champion” for those with whom she engages: “I have witnessed that some students just need that ‘one person’ who they can count on – one person who will take the time to guide them and listen to them,” her nominator wrote. “Anita provides this repeatedly with students on her caseload.”

Excellence in Academic Advising Awards
Alex E. Marconnet, instructor, engineering design technology, and Craig A. Miller, professor, history/political science, each received the Excellence in Academic Advising Award.

Of Marconnet, a nominator wrote, “Using his knowledge of college policies, program requirements and technology, Alex has created a system for himself and his colleagues that allows for an easier way to track a student’s graduation pathway.”

And of his co-recipient, it was said: “Dr. Miller always ends his emails with ‘Let me know if you have any other questions,’ which makes it easy to ask follow-up questions when I’m still confused about something, without making me feel bad for not understanding the first time.”

‘Why Not Women’ award
The “Why Not Women” award, inspired by a sign that once graced the office of Veronica M. Muzic, a late faculty member and administrator, was presented to Heather M. Shuey, senior director of employee success. Her co-workers shared these observations in support of the award, being presented for the second year:

• “Heather brings a calm and selfless attitude in the face of challenges and sets a great example for all of us. Her unwavering dedication toward the success of our faculty and staff are infectious.”
• “Heather is a true asset to the People & Culture Office. She carries an exceptional knowledge and ability to provide guidance in a teachable style, and her advisement is invaluable to our team.”

Personnel milestones
Reaching milestones during 2022-23 are:

• 40 years – James R. Vaughn
• 35 years – John M. Good III, Brenda M. Kline and Karen L. Stugart
• 30 years – Ronald A. Garner,  William Ma, Brett A. Reasner and Pat M. Scheib

Joining the college’s Quarter Century Club with 25 years’ service are Judi L. Barr, Dennis R. Dorward, Thomas D. Inman, Barney A. Kahn IV, Steven J. Moff, Deborah K. Peters, Tina R. Strayer, Frank M. Suchwala, Howard W. Troup, Bryan J. Waltz and Jim L. Williams Jr.

Retiring in 2022-23 are:

Michael R. Bierly, Marc E. Bridgens, Celeste J. Deremer, Mary Jo DeVinney, Andrea L. Dildine, Mike J. Ditchfield, Dennis R. Dorward, Dianne M. Eberle, William H. Emerick, Barbara K. Emert-Strouse, Robin S. Enderle, Duane C. Fargus, Karen Fessler, Bahram Golshan, David A. Hane, Mark T. Heckel, Bonnie L. Heintzelman, Harry W. Hintz Jr., Eric W. Huffman, Thomas D. Inman, Larry D. Kauffman, William Ma, Linda M. McFadden, Chris E. Miller, Daniel C. Praster, Carol L. Roy, Richard Shaffer, Doreen Shannon, Joseph C. Straw, Karen L. Stugart, Gary Taylor, Ann M. Thomas, Michelle Walczak and Lisa M. Welker.

Promotions in academic rank
Promoted in academic rank beginning with the Fall 2023 semester are:

Adam C. Barilla, plastics technology, from instructor to assistant professor; Andrea M. Campbell, English composition & technical communication, from instructor to assistant professor; Naim N. Jabbour, architecture, from assistant professor to associate professor; Craig A. Miller, history/political science, from associate professor to professor; Tammy A. Miller, biology (general biology and microbiology), from instructor to assistant professor; Wendy A. Miller, assistant dean of health sciences, from assistant professor to associate professor; Sarah S. Moore, human services, from instructor to assistant professor; Bridget E. Motel, dental hygiene, from instructor to assistant professor.

Also Dawn E. Murafka, nursing programs, from instructor to assistant professor; Robert M. Nolan, business administration/accounting & finance, from instructor to assistant professor; Scott A. Seroskie, electrical technologies, from instructor to assistant professor; Robert K. Vlacich, automotive services, from assistant professor to associate professor; Nicole S. Warner, librarian, archives and special collections, from instructor to assistant professor; Elizabeth E. Winder, human services, from assistant professor to associate professor; and Craig Zimmerman, building automation technologies/HVAC electrical, from assistant professor to associate professor.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.