HCC to offer first Nora Roberts Writing Institute in summer 2013
HCC has signed an agreement with internationally known author Nora Roberts to create the Nora Roberts Writing Institute (NRWI) at HCC. The first conference of the NRWI will be held August 2 and 3.
“We are thrilled to be able to form a partnership with Nora Roberts in developing an institute that will help develop and support aspiring writers,” said Guy Altieri, HCC president.
Roberts has lent her name to HCC’s writing institute to help provide participants with a solid foundation upon which to build a writing career. From the fundamentals of setting up the story and plot to good research basics, this two-day retreat is designed for beginning and aspiring writers with interest in a wide range of genres. Also included in the event is a Young Writers Institute, with breakout sessions designed for students entering grades 10 through 12.
The NRWI will feature keynote speakers Sylvia Day, New York Times best-selling author, and critically acclaimed author Erica Bauermeister. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals from professionals, in over 15 breakout sessions.
HCC instructors Amanda Miller and Kate Benchoff will teach sessions during the Young Writers Institute and HCC instructor Alicia Drumgoole will teach a "Writing 101" breakout session during the adult portion of the Institute. In addition, Police Academy Director John King; Biotechnology Instructor Alicia Manfre; and Information Technology Training Program Manager Jack Drooger will teach special breakout sessions for writers looking to incorporate police investigations, biotechnology, or cybersecurity elements into their work.
“Writing is a solitary craft, so I know the value of finding the company of other writers,” said Roberts. “The give and take of other perspectives brings on a renewed sense of excitement and enthusiasm about the craft.”
With over 400 million copies of her books in print, Roberts has written more than 203 books and is a perennial presence on the New York Times best-seller lists. She is a resident of Washington County, Md., and the owner of Inn BoonsBoro, an eight-room bed and breakfast, located on the square in Boonsboro.
To register or learn more about the NRWI at HCC, visit http://nrwi.hagerstowncc.edu [1]. To register or learn more about the Nora Roberts Young Writers Institute at HCC, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/kids [2].
Photo credit: Bruce Wilder
HCC professor contributes to National Institute on Drug Abuse website
Hagerstown Community College professor Elaine Ashby recently worked as a consultant for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website.
Ashby, a professor of biology and chemistry who helped to create HCC’s pharmacy technician program, was part of a consulting team that helped to plan, build, and edit NIDA’s new site, which can be viewed at www.drugabuse.gov. [3]
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the goal of the site is to provide easy-to-read information about neuroscience and drug abuse prevention and treatment to adults with low literacy levels. The site includes several features designed to make it more accessible to low-literacy adults including a large default text size, graphics, and videos. The site also uses “ReadSpeaker” software, a text-to-speech tool that provides audio versions of each page and shows synchronized highlighting of the text that is currently being read.
Ashby says that she became involved with NIDA’s project because of her dual background in pharmacy and education. She first began teaching at HCC in 1997 and prior that position, worked as the HCC laboratory coordinator and as a research assistant at the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, W.Va. Since 2010, Ashby has also worked as a part-time pharmacist at Home Care Pharmacy in Hagerstown, Reed’s Pharmacy in Maryland and West Virginia, and at Potomac Pharmatech.
“Although my role in developing the site was minor, the importance of helping the public understand drug abuse is major,” said Ashby. “This is an illness that is destroying our friends, families, and communities and one that we can only hope to fight once we understand it better. Tens of thousands of Americans die each year of drug overdoses and hundreds of thousands seek medical attention from the effects of prescription and non-prescription drugs. This site was developed to be a center where people of all ages and backgrounds can begin to learn more.”
Ashby has a doctorate of pharmacy from Shenandoah University; a master’s degree in biology from Shippensburg University; a master’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University; and a bachelor’s degree in biology from UMBC. She has worked at HCC since 1985.
HCC promotes seven faculty members
Hagerstown Community College recently announced that seven faculty members have received promotions.
In addition, Richard Campbell, Assistant Professor, Developmental Mathematics; Ardyce Ketterling, Assistant Professor, Developmental Composition; Sonja Kirchner, Assistant Professor, Nursing; and Jennifer Szczesniak, Assistant Professor, Mathematics, were granted tenure.
HCC announces 2012 outstanding faculty recipients
Hagerstown Community College recently recognized seven of its outstanding faculty members for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Each academic division nominated one adjunct faculty member to receive an award. Recipients included Donald Bales, an administration of justice/corrections instructor who has taught in the Behavioral and Social Sciences/Business Division for more than 25 years; Nancy Bushey, an English composition and public speaking instructor who has taught in the English and Humanities Division for more than 15 years; Linda Walla, a mammography instructor who has taught in the Health Sciences Division for more than 10 years; Larry Wadel, a mathematics instructor who has taught in the Mathematics and Science Division and the Developmental Education and Adult Literacy Services Division for more than seven years; Mary Beth Pfeifer, a nursing instructor who has taught in the Nursing Division for more than five years; and Doug Leisher, an information systems technology instructor who has taught in the Technology and Computer Studies Division for more than 15 years.
In addition, full-time English, speech, and drama professor Michael Harsh was named outstanding faculty member of the year. Harsh has taught at HCC since 1983.
HCC students and staff participate in Cycle United
Students and staff from Hagerstown Community College recently participated in the 2nd Annual Cycle United, an eight-hour indoor spinning event sponsored by the United Way of Washington County.
Cycle United was held on Feb. 11 at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown. Local gyms including South Pointe Fitness Center, Studio 6, Gold’s Gym, YMCA Hagerstown, Ruff Fitness, Fit In Boonsboro, and the Fitness Center at Hagerstown Community College donated instructors and spin bikes to the event, which was held as a fundraiser for United Way.
Over 80 novice and experienced indoor cyclists participated in Cycle United including six HCC faculty and staff members and one HCC student. The HCC spinning team included biology and chemistry associate professor Bernard Murphy, of Hagerstown; physical education instructor and Fitness Center coordinator of Thomas Burge, of Martinsburg, W.Va.; disabilities support services advisor Katie Dyke, of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; human resources specialist Rosie Oberholzer, of Waynesboro, Pa.; and Fitness Center staff member Tony Clement and chemistry associate professor Nancy Thorpe, both of Williamsport. Student team members included Rachel Herrera and Jamie Yingling, both of Hagerstown. This year’s event raised more than $45,000.
“In its second year, Cycle United surpassed last year’s success by leaps and bounds,” says Burge, who helped coordinate the HCC team for this year’s event. “This event is so important because it not only promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, but it also raises money for a great cause within our own community. If you didn’t get a chance to cycle this year, you should definitely check it out in 2013.”
To learn more about United Way of Washington County, go to www.unitedwaywashcounty.org [4].
HCC instructor named runner-up at annual Educators’ Choice Awards
Sean Maher, a web and multimedia instructor at Hagerstown Community College, recently competed in the 2011 Adobe Educators’ Choice Awards where he was a runner-up in the category of Higher Education Digital Arts and Media.
Held annually, the Adobe Educators’ Choice Awards are open to all educators age 18 or older who are currently employed at a K-12 school or an accredited institution of higher education. According to Adobe’s website, the contest is open to residents of Australia, New Zealand, Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec), the United Kingdom, and the United States. Educators are asked to submit projects, lesson plans, curriculum, presentations, or tutorials for judging by the online Adobe Education Exchange community. This year’s contest was held from Aug. 1 through Oct. 31, 2011.
Maher’s submission, titled “Dreamweaver Templates: A six page site in 10 minutes,” was a tutorial for Web designers on how to create a multi-page website using Dreamweaver’s template system. Maher teaches this tutorial in his Web Design I courses
where students use it as a base for creating their final class projects. Maher created the tutorial using PowerPoint, Camtasia, and Dreamweaver software.
To view the tutorial, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwvI-YT2s4U [5]. To find out more about HCC’s web and multimedia technology programs, please visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/academics/divisions/technology-computer/web [6].
"44 Ways to Change the World" Project launches this September
This fall, faculty and staff at Hagerstown Community College will launch the “44 Ways to Change the World” project in honor of psychology professor Vaughn Crowl, who will retire at the end of the fall 2011 semester.
The “44 Ways to Change the World” project was inspired by Crowl’s 44 years of teaching service to the community, 41 of which have been at HCC. According to Loretta Thornhill, professor, paralegal studies, and a fellow faculty member in the Behavioral and Social Sciences/Business (BSS) Division, Crowl has touched many lives during his time as a teacher and it is those stories that faculty in the BSS Division would like to highlight.
BSS faculty are asking that current students, former students and alumni, faculty, and staff members begin an individual or group service project in Crowl’s honor. Participants are asked to document their work through pictures and submit photos and a brief summary to fncade@hagerstowncc.edu [7] no later than Oct. 21. Submitted items will be compiled into a scrapbook, which will be presented to Crowl later this fall. Current and former students are also encouraged to submit stories of how Crowl inspired them to begin service projects, or in other aspects of their lives, for inclusion in the scrapbook.
“This is one of several events planned to honor Dr. Crowl’s outstanding service to his students and the college,” says Thornhill. “Dr. Crowl believes in service to others and he incorporates this ideal into his psychology courses, as well as the leadership course he teaches to high school and college students. We wanted to find a way to recognize his commitment.”
For more information, go to www.hagerstowncc.edu/faculty-staff/crowl-project [8].
HCC professor exhibits work at Virginia gallery
Joan Bontempo, an assistant professor of art appreciation/art history and the coordinator of the art department at Hagerstown Community College, is currently exhibiting five ceramic mixed media sculptures at ArtSpace in Herndon, Va.
Bontempo, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1977, was one of 11 artists invited to participate in the “Sons and Daughters of the Golden Dome” exhibit, which features works by professors and graduates of the University of Notre Dame. The exhibit was created to recognize the creation of Notre Dame’s studio art program, which began in the late 1970s, and features a wide range of styles including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures.
According to Bontempo, she began making art at a young age but didn’t have formal training until Notre Dame, where she actually began as a chemistry major. A chance encounter with the head of Notre Dame’s art department opened the way to a new major and a new career for Bontempo.
“Creativity has been a rich part of my life since I can remember,” says Bontempo. “It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to make a living doing what I love most, and it has been incredibly rewarding to have my work professionally accepted. Art makes a visual or emotional connection with people and that dialogue continues to be inspirational.”
Bontempo has been creating art for more than 35 years and has shown her work in galleries and museums across the United States including the Detroit Museum of Arts, The Downey Museum of Arts, The Canton Art Institute, The Pittsburgh Art Institute, The Marin-Price Galleries, and the New Art Form Exposition. Recently, she served as sole juror and curator for The Frederick Camera Clique’s annual photography exhibition at the Mary Condon Hodson Art Gallery in Frederick, Md.
Her work will be on display at ArtSpace from now through Aug. 28, 2011.
HCC professor wins two awards for Civil War work
Hagerstown Community College professor Thomas Clemens recently won two awards for his work as a Civil War historian.
In April, Clemens received the Hagerstown Civil War Round Table’s Henry Kyd Douglas Award, which is presented to individuals who have advanced the study of the Civil War through preservation, publication, and education. Clemens was chosen because of his work as a historian, reenactor, and licensed tour guide at Antietam Battlefield, as well as his numerous publications and book reviews on Civil War history.
Clemens received his second award in June when he was recognized as a 2010 Army Historical Foundation (AFH) Distinguished Writing Award recipient for his work on “The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Volume I: South Mountain,” the first part of a two-volume historical, annotated manuscript that details one of the most famous campaigns of the Civil War. The manuscript itself is the work of Ezra A. Carman, a Union colonel in the 13th New Jersey Infantry, who was later appointed as the historical expert to the Antietam Battlefield Board in 1894. After the war, Carman wrote a 1,800-page manuscript on the Maryland Campaign, using firsthand accounts from war veterans and his own personal experience. In addition to eyewitness accounts, the manuscript includes maps and photos. A biographical dictionary will be included in Volume II, which is expected to be released in 2012.
According to Clemens, Carman’s manuscript sat untouched for decades in the Library of Congress, referenced by historians but never published in its entirety. Clemens, recognized internationally as one of the foremost historians of the Maryland
Campaign, began studying the campaign as part of his doctoral dissertation, and has spent the last 11 years editing and annotating Carman’s manuscript. The campaign itself Clemens has studied for more than 30 years.
A professor of history and political science, Clemens earned his doctoral degree from George Mason University, where he studied under Maryland Campaign historian Joseph L. Harsh. He is also one of the founders of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation, Inc., where he currently serves as foundation president. Clemens has been teaching at HCC since 1978.
HCC adjunct instructor appointed to ASCP board
Linda Smith, adjunct instructor at Hagerstown Community College, was recently appointed as a board member of the Maryland chapter of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
First formed in 1969, ASCP’s mission is to manage and improve drug therapy, as well as improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals in both public and private care. Currently, ASCP has more than 7,000 professional members and over 4,500 student members in pharmacy, pre-pharmacy, and pharmacy technician programs throughout the United States and Canada.
Smith became a member of ASCP in December 2000 when she was hired as director of pharmacy services at South Mountain Restoration Center in South Mountain, Pa. In January 2003, Smith earned the designation of Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) and opened her own independent pharmacy consulting business.
“ASCP helped me with the resources I needed to develop a consulting practice with the
mission of providing comprehensive medication management services to individuals and institutions. I am so honored to have been chosen to be a board member of the Maryland Chapter of ASCP. I will be working closely with the legislative committee to address issues related to the safe utilization of medications and access to affordable pharmaceutical care for all the citizens of Maryland ,” says Smith.
Smith has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bucknell University. Recently, Smith served as a guest speaker at the Eighth Annual Spring CE Spectacular in Linthicum Heights, Md., during which she gave two lectures: one for pharmacy technicians and one for pharmacists. She has been teaching courses in the pharmacy technician program at HCC since 2008.
To find out more about ASCP, go to www.ascp.com [9].
HCC promotes ten faculty members
Hagerstown Community College recently announced that ten faculty members have received promotions.
In addition, Dove, Keyser, and Jeannine Stonestreet, assistant professor, psychology and elementary education, were granted tenure.
Conservation film by HCC adjunct instructor debuts June 14
“One With Life,” the conservation film co-produced by Audra Haddock Martenot, adjunct faculty member at Hagerstown Community College, and Rob Owens, president and owner of Eagle Rock Productions, will debut on Tues., June 14, at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Filmed by Eagle Rock Productions, “One With Life” provides an intimate look at a growing, worldwide movement that emphasizes the need for people to connect with nature, with a special emphasis on the importance of engaging and encouraging children to explore the great outdoors.
“Today, the health of children is a great issue and the idea is to encourage them to get back to nature, to get away from the television and go play outside,” says Martenot. “In their hearts, everybody knows that humans and nature are connected but people get busy and they forget. This film is another step to try to make people aware of the importance of nature: We can’t exist without it and it can’t exist without us. It's a way to try to bridge the gaps between nature and ourselves."
The first public screening of the film will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Byrd Auditorium at the NCTC, which is located at 698 Conservation Way in Shepherdstown. The public is invited to attend.
This film was produced in cooperation with the Friends of the NCTC, Marj Frye, and The Nora Roberts Foundation. To learn more about Eagle Rock Productions, go to www.eaglerockproductions.com [10].
HCC instructor advances to third round of national novel contest
Hagerstown Community College English instructor Amanda Skjeveland has advanced to the third round of the annual “Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest,” which began in January 2011.
Held each year by Amazon.com, the contest accepts 10,000 fiction entries: 5,000 in general fiction and 5,000 in young adult fiction. Writers may submit novels between 50,000 and 150,000 words that are previously unpublished or self-published. Judges narrow down the entrants over a six-month period and two grand prize winners are announced in June. Skjeveland has made it to the third round of the general fiction competition and is one of 500 entrants remaining. As a quarterfinalist, her full manuscript will be reviewed by Publishers Weekly. In addition, Amazon customers are able to download, rate, and review her novel on Amazon.com, which is intended to provide reader feedback for Penguin editors who are reviewing contest submissions.
“I was really nervous as I waited to find out whether I'd made it to the third round,” says Skjeveland. “Although I always tell my creative writing students to write for themselves, waiting to get that first feedback from readers is both exhilarating and terrifying.”
Skjeveland, who says she’s been writing since she could first hold a pencil, has previously published poetry and short fiction in literary magazines, but has never attempted to publish a novel. She wrote her 70,000-word novel, “Memorabilia,” during the summer of 2010. She says that she undertook the project as part of her own personal “novel-writing month.”
According to Skjeveland, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is held every November. Writers who participate in this project have the ultimate goal of completing a 50,000-word novel in one month but, for academics, trying to write an entire novel during the month of November is often a challenge. To circumvent this issue, Skjeveland held her own NaNoWriMo in June and wrote “Memorabilia” over a five-week period.
The next round of the contest will take place in April during which 100 semi-finalists will be chosen. Three finalists will be announced in May with the final winner announced in June. The grand prize recipient in each of the two categories will receive a full publishing contract with Penguin to market and distribute the winning manuscript as a published book and an award of $15,000 upon full execution of the publishing contract as an advance payment against the royalties to be earned as part of the contract.
“The enthusiastic support from my family, friends, and co-workers has been amazing,” says Skjeveland. “Writing is such a solitary task; it’s an incredible feeling to sit alone for so many hours creating a new world, and then to realize that readers are actually excited to spend time in that world.”
HCC announces outstanding adjunct faculty recipients
Hagerstown Community College recently recognized seven of its outstanding adjunct faculty members for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Each academic division nominated one adjunct faculty member to receive an award. Recipients included Sarah Brown, a biology instructor who has taught in the Mathematics and Science Division for six years; Carl Creedon, a paralegal studies, administration of justice, and sociology instructor who has taught in the Behavioral and Social Sciences/Business Division for 14 years; Robert Koziel, an information systems technology instructor who has taught in the Technology and Computer Studies Division for 12 years; Kelly Lesher, a critical care nurse who has taught in the Nursing Division for two and a half years; Robin Shaner, a costume design instructor and costume construction assistant who has taught in the English and Humanities Division for 18 years; Krista Smith, a developmental education instructor who has taught in the Developmental Education and Adult Literacy Services Division for eight years; and Robert Steiner, a dental instructor who has taught courses in the Health Sciences Division and the Continuing Education and Business Services Division for five years.
In addition, Shaner was also recognized as Outstanding Adjunct Faculty of the Year in 2010.
Shaner named Outstanding Faculty of the Year
Adjunct faculty member and costume construction assistant Robin Shaner has recently named Outstanding Faculty of the Year for 2010. Shaner has worked at HCC for the last 18 years and has costumed more than 56 productions for the college. She originally wanted to become a state trooper but after taking several theater classes at the college, she developed a passion for theater and the arts.
“Mike Harsh was a huge influence on me and I will always thank him for letting me explore my talents and giving me a chance to stretch my wings,” says Shaner.
She received an AA degree in criminal justice from Hagerstown Junior College in 1990 and went on to receive her BS in fashion design from Philadelphia University in 1997. While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Shaner returned to HCC nearly every weekend to costume HCC’s shows and “continue my work with Mike and the gang.”
She is currently working on an interdisciplinary master’s
degree in education and history from Frostburg University and expects to have her degree in spring 2012.
In addition to her work at the college, Shaner has also designed costumes for the Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, Pa.; Center Stage in Baltimore; and Loyola College. She has also created a variety of independent works such as wedding gowns and clothing alterations. She currently serves as club advisor to HCC’s Robinwood Players and has done so since 2008.
“I love theater: the creativity, the excitement, and working with students. I can think of no better job for me,” says Shaner.
Manfre appointed HCC biotechnology instructor
Officials at Hagerstown Community College are pleased to announce the appointment of Alicia Manfre as instructor of biotechnology. A graduate of North Hagerstown High School, Manfre went on to complete her doctoral degree in genetics from Clemson University.
“We are thrilled to have found someone of Dr. Manfre’s caliber to take our growing biotechnology program to the next level,” said Guy Altieri, HCC president. “Her knowledge, experience, insight, and enthusiasm will undoubtedly be a huge asset to the program and its students.”
“I am very excited to join the biotechnology program at HCC,” said Manfre. “I am looking forward to working with the faculty, students, and secondary science teachers to develop and expand the opportunities for biotechnology education in Washington County.”
In her new position, Manfre will teach a full load of credit courses within the biotechnology curriculum, serve as co-principal investigator with Mathematics and Science Division chair Judith Peisen for HCC’s current National Science Foundation grant: Pathways to Careers in Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, coordinate the Biotechnology Summer Institutes for ESSENCE students and secondary science teachers, coordinate off-campus student internship sites, and assist with administrative duties within the division.
Before earning her Ph.D. in genetics from Clemson University, Manfre earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Texas Christian University. During summer breaks as an undergraduate student, she took a few classes at Hagerstown Community College.
Manfre most recently held the position of postdoctoral research associate with the United States Department of Agriculture in Kearneysville, W.V. Prior to that, she held similar research positions with the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Maryland, the Department of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College, and the Department of Genetics, Biochemistry and Life Science Studies at Clemson University.
Manfre’s research experience has primarily utilized molecular biology approaches to agricultural research questions. She has extensive experience in molecular biology techniques, including genomic and plasmid DNA extractions, RNA and protein isolations, as well as various types of polymerase chain reaction.
Thorpe speaks at national consortium
Nancy Thorpe, associate professor, chemistry, was a presenter at the 190th Conference of the Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3), in Raleigh,N.C., in Nov. 2010. Her presentation entitled ‘The Green Chemistry Blues Support Group,’ briefly discussed the integration of green chemistry into the chemistry curriculum and focused on exploring the Greener Education Materials (GEMs) database, a virtual assistant for green chemistry, and a social networking site, GCEdNet, for professionals in the green chemistry field.
“The concept of green chemistry is to prevent pollution, reduce waste, and protect our environment and health from the beginning to the end in the life cycle of a chemical or product,” says Thorpe. “It is important to incorporate this topic into our chemistry curricula as we train our future scientists and engineers.”
Thorpe has an AA in science and math from Montgomery College; a BS in biochemistry from the University of Maryland; a MS geoenvironmental studies from Shippensburg University; and a Ph.D. in marine and estuarine environmental sciences with a specialty in environmental science from the University of Maryland. Her work has been published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health. She has taught at HCC since 2001.
HCC professors encourage students to help those in need
This fall, HCC students are helping those in need thanks to the encouragement of two Hagerstown Community College instructors, Sociology Instructor Daniel Madron and Paralegal Studies Professor Loretta Thornhill.
“In economic times like these, I think it is very important to remember how lucky we are and to help those who are not so fortunate,” says Thornhill. “Even if you do a small thing, it can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
Thornhill, who has taught at HCC since 1997, incorporates service learning into her Legal Environment of Business classes and also serves as the advisor to the HCC Service Club. Through both venues, Thornhill encourages students to work with other organizations in the community. This year, Thornhill’s students have sponsored a variety of community events including: a canned food drive for the Salvation Army; a clothing drive for Goodwill; a raffle for Star Equestrian Center; and a raffle to support a young girl with multiple illnesses. In addition, her students also participated in the Cumberland Valley’s annual Step N Stride to raise money for breast cancer awareness; collected supplies to send to U.S. troops overseas; collected quilts for the pediatric ward at Washington County Hospital; held a series of car washes for CASA; and collected money for the Humane Society. The Service Club, which consists solely of HCC students, has raised more than $300 for the Cumberland Valley Step N Stride; collected cards to send to U.S. troops overseas; raised money for the Humane Society; and held a Toys for Tots drive.
Madron, who is a new instructor at the college and began teaching there in 2010, believes that one of the greatest underserved populations in the United States is the homeless and has been working to help those in need since his days as an undergraduate at Eastern University in Philadelphia, Pa. As a teacher, Madron says that he wants his students to experience sociology firsthand and encourages them to do so by raising money, seeking food donations, and helping serve those in need.
“After moving to Hagerstown, I wondered what we as a community could do to help those who are less fortunate and make their lives a little better. I immediately thought of the holidays—a time when many us stuff our faces with amazing food, spend time with friends, and family, and are warm and feel loved. I wanted to spread that feeling to others.”
Through his efforts, Madron and his 130 students cooked and served an entire Thanksgiving dinner to 250 people at the Salvation Army, provided food and monetary donations to The Hagerstown Rescue Mission, which served approximately 300 people on Thanksgiving day, and provided dinners to multiple families and senior citizens through the Community Action Council (CAC) and the Hagerstown Rescue Mission.
“Almost every one of my students participated in some way,” says Madron. “It was actually quite incredible to see how involved some of the students became. I had one student who visited over 100 houses and raised more than $100. That is awesome.”
Two HCC professors publish roadside geology guide
Two Hagerstown Community College professors recently published, “Roadside Geology of Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C,” a travel guide which provides an overview of landforms, rocks, and other geological formations that are visible from the car window or in parks and bike paths throughout the area.
The Maryland guide was a collaboration between John Means, a retired professor of English and geology at HCC; Suzannah Moran, an assistant professor of geography at HCC; and Matthew Moran, an art teacher at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Md., and husband to Suzannah Moran. Means wrote the text and took the photographs, and both Suzannah and Matthew Moran drew the maps using Adobe Illustrator software. Matthew Moran also drew some of the sketches that appear in the book.
The Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. guide is part of the popular Roadside Geology series published by Mountain Press Publishing Company, which features more than 24 geology guides to various states. The Maryland guide chronicles places such as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park, Assateague Island National Seashore, Rock Creek Park, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
According to Suzannah Moran, the idea for the book came about when she, her husband, and Means discovered that a Maryland guide did not exist. They spent the next seven years working on the guide, which was released earlier this year.
Means retired in 2003 after teaching at HCC for 33 years. Moran currently teaches at the college and has been teaching there since 1999.
For more information about the guide or the Roadside Geology series, go to www.mountain-press.com [11].
HCC adjunct instructor co-produces conservation film
Audra Haddock Martenot, an adjunct faculty member at Hagerstown Community College, has teamed up with Rob Owens, an independent filmmaker and the president and owner of Eagle Rock Productions, to co-produce the independent film, “One With Life.”
“One With Life,” provides an intimate look at a growing, worldwide movement that emphasizes the need for people to connect with nature, with a special emphasis on the importance of engaging and encouraging children to explore the great outdoors.
“Today, the health of children is a great issue and the idea is to encourage them to get back to nature, to get away from the television and go play outside,” says Martenot. “In their hearts, everybody knows that humans and nature are connected but people get busy and they forget. This film is another step to try to make people aware of the importance of nature: We can’t exist without it and it can’t exist without us. It's a way to try to bridge the gaps between nature and ourselves."
According to Martenot, the film details some of the significant efforts that have taken place since the first Dialogue on Children and Nature was held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in 2006 and follows the movement up through June 10, 2010. Additional footage will be added in the coming months and the final version of the film is expected to be released in spring 2011 through the Friends of the NCTC and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In November 2010, a short, 10-minute version of the film debuted at the American Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown, W.Va. The American Conservation Film Festival is held every year to promote film and art that educates and inspires people to become engaged in conservation.
“It feels good to be involved in this project – to be involved in something that’s bigger than you,” says Martenot. “It’s a beautiful thing knowing that whatever is done, it’s going to sustain, it’s going to last, and it’s not going to stop.”
Martenot has been teaching at HCC since 1997 and teaches classes in both the art and graphic design disciplines including photography, Adobe Photoshop, and digital video. She has a BA and a MS in communications from Shippensburg University.
For more information about the American Conservation Film Festival, go to www.conservationfilm.org [12]. For more information about the Friends of NCTC, go to www.friendsofnctc.org [13].
HCC professor inducted into international honor society
Ardyce Ketterling, an assistant professor of developmental composition at Hagerstown Community College, was recently inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for women educators.
Ketterling was nominated by former HCC faculty member, Terrie Angle, a recently retired professor of English as a second language and French.
“I feel honored and excited to be part of this very active and respected organization,” says Ketterling, who has taught at HCC since 2005.
The Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society was first formed in 1929 and seeks to promote the professional and personal growth of female educators, as well as excellence in education. Female educators at every level of education can be nominated to join the society.
Ketterling received her BA in English from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. in 1994 and her MA in English from North Dakota State University in 1998. During her time at HCC, Ketterling has served as an assistant director/instructional specialist for adult educational services, a director of Developmental Education and Adult Literacy Services, and an assistant professor of developmental English. A published writer, Ketterling published her first novel, Keeper of the Lie, in 2008, and her second novel, DYNAMITE, in 2010. Both novels were published through virtualbookworm.com.
For more information about the DKG society, go to www.dkg.org [14].
HCC adjunct instructor receives first place award
Benita Keller, a local photographer and adjunct instructor at Hagerstown Community College, recently won the first place award in the 2010 Juried Professional Photography Exhibit at The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, Md.
Keller’s digital photograph, “Girl and Carousel Horse, Coney Island, NY, 2010,” (left) won first place in the exhibition, which was judged by JD Talasek, Director of Cultural Programming at the National Academy of Science in Washington, D.C.
Keller is a freelance fine art photographer and photojournalist who teaches photography part-time at Hagerstown Community College and The School of Art and Design at Montgomery College. Recently, Keller was awarded a grant through the West Virginia State Arts Council and the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County to conduct The Jefferson County Photography Project, which will feature images of Jefferson County, W.Va. produced by Keller and other area photographers using the black and white silver film process.
A collection of Keller’s photographs can be viewed at The Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Keller’s award-winning photograph will be on display at The Delaplaine until Oct. 31 and at The Bridge Gallery beginning Nov. 20. For more information about the artist or to see more of her work, go to www.benitakellerphotography.com [15].
HCC promotes ten faculty members
Hagerstown Community College recently announced that ten faculty members have received promotions.
• Elaine Ashby was promoted from Associate Professor to Professor, Biology and Chemistry
• Richard Campbell was promoted from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Developmental Mathematics
• Thomas Crawford was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Mathematics and Business
• Joseph Mason was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Mathematics
• Melinda May was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, English and Humanities
In addition, Carrie Hawbecker, assistant professor, developmental mathematics; David Karstaedt, assistant professor, anatomy and physiology/microbiology; Joseph Marschner, assistant professor, music/drama; Veronica Stein, assistant professor, chemistry and physical science; and Patricia Williams, assistant professor, practical nursing, were each granted tenure.
A College Hour is held each Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is a designated time when no classes are held, in order to allow faculty and students to attend meetings of committees with which they are involved. As such, the following schedule has been developed for each Thursday of the month.
First Thursday- Faculty and staff division/department meetings (as identified on HCC's Organizational Chart)
Second Thursday- Cross-constituency meetings
(standing committees, Shared Governance committees, etc.)
Third Thursday- Single constituency meetings
(Faculty Assembly, SGA, Administrative Group, etc.)
Fourth Thursday- Cross-constituency meetings
(standing committees, Shared Governance committees, etc.)
Fifth Thursday (when it occurs) - Cross-constituency meetings (standing committees, Shared Governance committees, etc.)
Links:
[1] http://nrwi.hagerstowncc.edu
[2] http://www.hagerstowncc.edu/kids
[3] http://www.drugabuse.gov
[4] http://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org
[5] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwvI-YT2s4U
[6] http://www.hagerstowncc.edu/academics/divisions/technology-computer/web
[7] mailto:fncade@hagerstowncc.edu
[8] http://www.hagerstowncc.edu/faculty-staff/crowl-project
[9] http://www.ascp.com/
[10] http://www.eaglerockproductions.com/
[11] http://www.mountain-press.com
[12] http://www.conservationfilm.org
[13] http://www.friendsofnctc.org
[14] http://www.dkg.org
[15] http://www.benitakellerphotography.com