Lycoming College magazine (2010)

2010·15.9 MB·English

All
in the
Lycoming
Family
Lycoming College’s 2009
Legacy Luncheon, an annual
part of Family Weekend,
welcomed nine legacy families
to campus. Lycoming alumni
parents, grandparents and
The legacies include, front row from left: Latesha Harper-Wimes ’13, and Vanessa
siblings joined current students Harper-Simpson ’75; middle row, from left: Alicia Murray ’13, Denise (Schultz) ’71 Hontz,
Kristin (Jakubowicz) ’96 Murray, Michael Ludwig ’13, Dori (Yeagle) ’84 Ludwig, and Dale
for lunch Sept. 12 in the Jane
Ludwig ’80; back row from left: Sarah Krebs ’11, Jordan Krebs ’13, John Kiessling ’82,
Greta Kiessling ’13, Emilie Norton ’13, Robert Norton ’80, John Piazza ’13, John Piazza
Schultz Room.
III ’79, Nick Boeh ’13, Mary (Foster) ’81 Boeh, Tanner Wuerthner ’13, Bill Wuerthner ’77,
and Tyler Wuerthner ’13
L Y C O M I N G C O L L E G E
Board of Trustees Administrative Cabinet Mission Statement
Arthur A. Haberberger ’59 Richard D. Mase ’62 Dr. James E. Douthat The mission of Lycoming
(Chairman) Nanci D. Morris ’78 President College is to provide a
Peter R. Lynn ’69 James G. Scott ’70 Chip Edmonds ’98 distinguished baccalaureate
(Vice Chairman) Dr. Robert L. Shangraw ’58 Vice President for College education in the liberal arts.
Dale N. Krapf ’67 (Chairman Emeritus) Advancement
This is achieved within a
(Secretary) Hugh H. Sides ’60 Dr. Sue S. Gaylor coeducational, supportive,
Ann S. Pepperman Stanley W. Sloter ’80 Vice President for Administration residential setting through
(Assistant Secretary) Cheryl D. Spencer ’70 and Planning
programs that develop
Marshall D. Welch III John S. Trogner Jr. ’68
Dr. Thomas A. Griffiths communication and critical
(Assistant Secretary) Rev. Dr. Thomas V. Wolfe ’78
Provost and Dean of the College thinking skills; foster self-
Dr. Brenda P. Alston-Mills ’66 Diane D. Woosnam ’73
Dr. Daniel P. Miller awareness while increasing
David R. Bahl Dr. Dennis G. Youshaw ’61
Dean of Student Affairs receptivity to new concepts
Hon. Marie White Bell ’58
EMERITUS MEMBERS James D. Spencer and perspectives; explore
Dr. Robert L. Bender ’59
John R. Biggar ’66 David Y. Brouse ’47 Vice President of Admissions literary and scientific
Melvin H. Campbell Jr. ’70 Richard W. DeWald ’61 and Financial Aid traditions; cultivate an
Dr. Samuel H. Evert ’34
Jay W. Cleveland Sr. aesthetic sensibility; elicit
Dr. Daniel G. Fultz ’57
Jay W. Cleveland Jr. ’88 social responsibility; promote
Harold D. Hershberger Jr. ’51
Dr. James E. Douthat racial inclusiveness, gender
Rev. Dr. Kenrick R. Khan ’57
Dr. William E. Evans ’72 equality and an appreciation of
Bishop Neil L. Irons
Donald E. Failor ’68 cultural diversity; and produce
Dr. Harold H. Shreckengast Jr. ’50
D. Mark Fultz leadership for the institutions
(Chairman Emeritus)
David D. Gathman ’69 of society. Each student is
Hon. Clinton W. Smith ’55
Nancy J. Gieniec ’59 encouraged to develop and
Charles D. Springman ’59
Daniel R. Hawbaker Rev. Dr. Wallace Stettler strengthen virtues and traits
Michael J. Hayes ’63 Phyllis L. Yasui of character that enable,
Daniel R. Langdon ’73
ennoble and emancipate the
David B. Lee ’61
human spirit while deepening
Dr. Robert G. Little ’63
commitment to those values
Carolyn-Kay M. Lundy ’63
that undergird civilization.
D. Stephen Martz ’64
MMAGGGAAAAZZINNNNNNEE SSSSSTTTTTTAAAAAAFFFFFFFF
Jerry Rashid, editor
Director of College Relations
Murray Hanford
Publications Manager
Sandy Jansson
College Relations Coordinator
John Stark ’08
Sports Information Director
Melanie (Harris) Taormina ’94
Director of Alumni Relations
Contributors
Myles Biggs ’12
Gary Brown
David Clark ’63
Jac Coyne
TTTAAAABBBLLLLEEEEEEE OOOOFFFFFFF CCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Mike Reuther
Betsy K. Robertson
PAGE
Class Notes
The ‘Perfect Storm’
Terri Brewer, Sandy Jansson
Steven P. Johnson ’76, president and CEO of
5
Printing Susquehanna Health, provides an inside look at
Offset Impressions, Inc. America’s health care debate.
Send comments or
suggestions to: Molding Tomorrow’s Educators
Office of College Relations 6 New faculty members are helping to reshape
Lycoming College Lycoming’s Education Department and its students.
700 College Place
Williamsport, PA 17701
[phone] Power of the People
[email protected] 10 Lycoming opens its arms to five international students
from Hanoi, Vietnam.
Send change of address
notices to:
Office of College Advancement Summer in Sudan
Lycoming College 11 Attending a student organization meeting leads
700 College Place Christian Kochon ’10 to an experience of a lifetime.
Williamsport, PA 17701
Computing his Future
Give us a call Area Code 570
Even though computer science major Chris Dahlheimer
18
College Switchboard 321-4000 dominates in the classroom and on the mat, his career
Office of the President 321-4101 path is a little vague.
Academic Affairs 321-4102
Admissions 321-4026
DDDEEEEPPPAAAARRRRRRRTTTTMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTSSSSSSSSSSSS
Advancement 321-4347
Alumni Relations 321-4134 2 Around the Quad
Athletics 321-4110
20 Warrior Sports
College Relations 321-4037
22 Alumni News
Lycoming Magazine is published three
26 Class Notes
times a year by Lycoming College. The
views expressed in this magazine do
not necessarily reflect the policies and
positions of the College.
Stay current: www.lycoming.edu 1
Lycoming Chemistry lab
recognized among named in memory
America’s best of Dr. Franz
colleges In memory and
Lycoming College has appreciation of Dr. David
once again been recognized Franz’s three-plus decades of
by several national service to Lycoming College,
publications as one of America’s the chemistry lab in the Heim Biology and Chemistry Building
leading liberal arts colleges. The College was included in has been named “The Franz Instrumentation Laboratory.” Franz
the rankings released by U.S. News and World Report,The taught chemistry at the College from 1970 to 2005 and served
Princeton Review,Washington Monthly and Forbes.com. for many years as department chair. Many of the instruments
According to the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” in the lab were secured through funds generated from the
in the U.S. News and World Report, Lycoming is among the numerous grants and applications he submitted. He also was one
nnaattiioonn’’ss 226666 lliibbeerraall aarrttss colleges that focus almost exclusively of the faculty members who helped design the Heim Building.
oonn uunnddeerrgraduate education and award at Franz was named the Frank and Helen Lowry Professor
lleeaasstt 50 percent of their degrees in the arts of Chemistry in 1998 in recognition for teaching, community
aanndd sciences. In addition, Lycoming was service and professional development, and received the
aacckknnowledged for its strong graduation rate Constance Cupp Plankenhorn Faculty Teaching Award in 2001.
ppeerformance. In 2007, as professor emeritus, he was awarded the Joseph
In The Princeton Review, the education Priestley Service Award from the Susquehanna Section of
sseerrvvices company selected Lycoming as the American Chemical Society in honor of his outstanding
oonnee of 218 institutions it profiles in its community involvement and outreach activities.
““BBeesst in the Northeast” section on its Web The naming ceremony was held Friday, Oct. 9, during the
ssiittee.. TThhee 218 colleges chosen for its “Best in the College’s Homecoming festivities. Prior to the ceremony, his
NNoorrtthheeaasstt”” WWeebb ssiittee ddeesignations and “The Best Northeastern daughter, Dr. Kathy Franz, an assistant professor of chemistry
Colleges” book are located in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, at Duke University, served as guest speaker for the William and
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Barbara Haller Endowed Lectureship in Biology and Chemistry.
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and
the District of Columbia. A total of 640 colleges were named
“regional best(s),” which represent about 25 percent of the
nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges.
The Washington Monthly magazine recently ranked
Lycoming 143 out of more than 200 national liberal arts
colleges in its annual “College Rankings” edition. Washington
Monthly uses several categories to evaluate how well institutions
contribute to society based on grants and graduation rate,
contributions to research and student commitment to community
service.
In Forbes.com’s “America’s Best College” for 2009,
Lycoming is among a select group of 600 schools in the
ranking, which includes 217 public and 383 private colleges
and universities. Forbes ranks only the top 15 percent or so of
all undergraduate institutions. The rankings are based on the
quality of education the institutions provide, the experience of Beth Ann Myers (left), wife of the late Dr. David Franz, presents Dr. Thomas
the students and how much they achieve. Griffiths, provost of the College, a $10,000 check for the Professor David A.
Franz Chemistry Instrumentation Endowed Fund.
2 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2010 WINTER MAGAZINE
Administrative serve Lycoming College in administration, planning
appointments theirnew roles.” and social policy at Harvard
announced Gaylor, who came to University and graduated
Two administrative Lycoming as institutional with an A.B. in psychology
promotions have been an- planning officer and execu- from Dartmouth.
nounced by Lycoming Presi- tive assistant to the president Henry, a certified public
dent Dr. James E. in 2003 and most accountant,has been
Douthat. Dr. Sue recently served Lycoming’s controllersince
Gaylor is the new as vice president 2007. She previously served
vice president for for planning, the College for 12 years
administration will continue her asdirector of accounting and
and planning, and work creating the laterasassistant controller.
Michelle Henry annual budget Henry will continue to
has been named models, develop- oversee the business Allison Batties
controller, chief ing otherbudget- operations of the College, Brains are us!
financial officer related projections prepare the institution for its Allison Batties, a senior
and treasurer of the Dr. Sue Gaylor and directing annual audit, direct all fiscal biology major at Lycoming
College. the College’s long-range policy and controls, and College, was chosen for a
“Sue and Michelle’snew planning efforts. She will supervise payroll and student newly-established Society
appointments place in key also continue to serve asthe accounts. Ascontroller, for Neuroscience Brain
positionstwo indi- co-chairof the chief financial officer and Awareness Week Student
viduals who know committee prepar- treasurer, she will assume Travel Award. From Oct.
the most about the ing for theCol- additional responsibilities 16-20, Batties and Dr. Mary
intricacies of the lege’supcoming for the College’s Morrison, an assistant profes-
College budget, Middle States re- investments by serving sor of biologyat Lycoming,
its strengths and accreditation visit. astheliaisonbetween the attended the society’s annual
its ability to re- With her added investment committeeof meeting in Chicago to pres-
spond to external responsibilities, the College’s board of ent their poster, titled “Brains
challenges,” said Gaylor will as- trustees and the managers are us! Learning by teach-
Douthat.“While Michelle Henry ’92 sume oversight for of the endowment and ing: neuroscience education
theCollege’s athletics, build- other invested funds. Henry in elementary schools with
fiscal planning model has ings and grounds, campus will alsobe responsible undergraduates as activity
been evolvingfor almost20 dining, campus store, human for preparing financial leaders.”
years, the economic crisis resources, and the treasurer’s materials and reports for Batties was selected for
of thepast 14 monthscre- office. thetrustee committees the award based on her in-
ated itsmost strenuous test Prior to Lycoming, other on audit, investments and volvement during the spring
thus far.The College passed institutions at which Gaylor management. semester in Morrison’s
that testvery well, given has been employed include Henry is a 1992 graduate neurobiology class, which
theserious fundingprob- Dartmouth College, Harvard of Lycoming, where she visited the talented and gifted
lemsnow facing all colleges University, Wheelock earned a bachelor’s degree in class taught by Justin Ross
and universities, public and College, Albright College accounting with a minor in at Curtin Middle School in
private. Knowing theexperi- and Carleton College. economics. Prior to returning Williamsport. Five times
ences and perspectives they She earned a doctorate to the College, she worked during a six-week period,
bring, I am delighted thatSue degree in higher education for Rogers, Huber and Batties and other mem-
and Michelle have agreed to and master’s degree in Associates in Lewisburg. bers of the class conducted
interactive activities with
the middle school students
to demonstrate the basics of
brain function and sensory
By going to
awareness. The activities
http://www.lycoming.edu/
were based on the Society
alumni, clicking on the
for Neuroscience pamphlet
“Go Green" icon and
“Neuroscience Core Con-
providing Lycoming
cepts,” and on material
with your email address,
learned in Morrison’s neu-
together we save on paper,
robiology and Dr. Katherine
printing and postage.
Hill’s physiological psychol-
HELP US KEEP YOU ogy classes and labs. Hill
INFORMED ABOUT is an assistant professor of
LYCOMING COLLEGE. psychology at the College.
Stay current: www.lycoming.edu 3
First-
“Allison was the main which releases the germs
BByy MMyylleess BBiiggggss ’’1122
author of her group’s com- into the air or when a person
hand
munity service neurosci- coughs or sneezes and then
ence outreach activity,” said touches a common object,
Morrison. “She stood out as such as a door knob, leaving
the most involved and most the virus on the object for
experienceee
excited to take part, with the another person to pick up.
most original ideas. Allison It is hard to distinguish
with theee
has great potential as a scien- H1N1 from the regular season-
tist and educator.” al flu because the symptoms
M
According to Morrison, y first assignmenntt as ““WWee’’vve revviieweedd tthhee cur- are virtually the same. The
the middle school students a new student worker rent cleaning products the CDC reports that symptoms
learned about comparative in Lycoming’s Office College uses and made sure include coughing and sneez-
brain anatomy of different of College Relations was to they are a commercial-grade ing, body aches and head-
species, functions of the write a story about how the disinfectant,” says Stipcak. aches, fever and sore throat,
different lobes of the human College was handling the “We are also looking into running and stuffy nose, chills
brain, visual illusions, helmet H1N1 virus, more areas where it and fatigue and in some cases,
safety, structure of the eye, commonly known may be appropri- vomiting and diarrhea.
neural signaling and the as swine flu. ate to place hand The steps people can take
wiring pattern of our sensory Ironically, while sanitizing stations.” to protect themselves from
systems. They put this infor- working on this Although Lycom- infection are simple. First,
mation to use while sculpting article, I came down ing is doing what it it is important to maintain a
their own model brains out with the flu. Fortu- can to prevent the healthy lifestyle: wash hands
of clay, labeling the brain’s nately, it was only spread of the virus, often with warm, soapy water,
lobes on swim caps, analyz- the seasonal flu and it is primarily up to get enough sleep, eat a well-
ing illusions, constructing not the H1N1 virus. Myles Biggs ’12 the students, faculty balanced diet, drink plenty of
“helmets” to protect raw eggs The College treats and staff to keep fluids, and if possible, take
from impacts, dissecting cow seasonal flu cases and H1N1 themselves healthy. Stipcak a multi-vitamin everyday
eyes, making a model of a cases alike because unless a asks, “What are you doing to to supplement the immune
synapse using the entire class test is given, there is no way prevent the spread?” system. Everyone should arm
in action, and conducting to tell the difference between With a word like “pan- themselves with a few simple
sensory deprivation experi- illnesses. I can say from demic” being repeatedly products that could potentially
ments in their classroom. first-hand experience that mentioned by the media and save them from infection.
“Taking this project, the College means business talked about no matter where These products include tissues
‘Build a Brain,’ to the local when it comes to the flu. you turn, it is hard not to for coughing and sneezing
middle school gave me one After a visit to the College’s worry about the H1N1 virus. into and Clorox wipes for
of my first opportunities Health Services, I was asked According to the PDOH, as disinfecting common surfaces
to interact with and teach to self-isolate and was quar- of Jan. 28, there were 10,956 like door knobs and computer
younger students,” said Bat- antined to my room until I confirmed cases in the Penn- key pads. Used tissues should
ties, a native of Royersford, had no fever for 24 hours. I sylvania and 37 confirmed be placed in the garbage,
Pa., who served this summer was asked and chose not to cases in Lycoming County. which should be removed
as a research intern at the attend classes, go to athletic The H1N1 virus is conta- on a regular basis. It is also
National Institutes of Health practices or work, enter the gious and very similar to the recommended that everyone
- National Cancer Institute. dining hall or leave my resi- seasonal flu. H1N1 spreads purchase hand sanitizer to use
“It was so satisfying to see dence hall. The only places I when coughing or sneezing, in their homes and offices.
how much the students could be were my room and
learned from our presentation my floor’s bathroom.
and to watch them use their “We’ve been planning for
newly-learned knowledge to three years for this. We knew
build a brain of their own out it was coming,” says Son-
of clay.” dra Stipcak, the College’s
director of health services.
According to Stipcak, the
College is following the
guidelines set by the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC)
and the Pennsylvania De-
partment of Health (PDOH)
for dealing with the H1N1
virus. Stipcak says Lycom-
ing is being proactive in its Sonda Stipcak, Lycoming’s director of health services, administers an H1N1 shot to
attack on the virus. swimming coach Jerry Hammaker during a campus vaccination clinic.
4 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2010 WINTER MAGAZINE
By Mike Reuther
academic minor
introduced
With the introduction last

fall of a new interdisciplinary
minor in health care admin-
istration, Lycoming College
is doing its share to help
students learn more about
one of the nation’s hottest
topics.
The minor includes
courses in the following
areas: accounting, biology,
business, philosophy and
sociology. A key element of
eeaalth care has found itself in the midst the minor involves Lycom-
ooff a perfect storm swirling with the ing’s ongoing partnership
forces of high costs, an aging population, a with Susquehanna Health, a
rising incidence of obesity and a bad economy. three-hospital health system
The question is: What’s next?
including Divine Providence
Susquehanna Health President and CEO
Hospital, Muncy Valley Hos-
Steven P. Johnson, on Thursday, Oct. 22,
pital and The Williamsport
addressed that question during a nearly hour-
Hospital & Medical Center,
long speech to Lycoming College students at
Steven Johnson ’76 (center) with President James all located within a short
the school’s Heim Building. Douthat (left) and Arthur Haberberger ’59, chair of
distance of the College. One
Johnson made it clear that if the nation is the board of trustees
of the required courses,
to provide health care in a cost-effective manner in coming years, it will need to find a
Business 222 Health Care
better way to do so.
Administration, will be taught
As the heaviest users of health care, the nation’s rising numbers of elderly will make
by one of the organization’s
big demands on the entire medical system.
senior executives. Susque-
Quality of care faces further pressures with the ongoing nationwide nursing short-
hanna Health also will play
age and expected shortage of available physicians.
a major role in the required
“There is a huge demand for health care workers,” Johnson said.
service learning component
He noted that the U.S. spends 17 percent of its Gross Domestic Product, or about
by providing ample oppor-
$2.2 trillion annually on health care—more than any other nation.
tunities for students to do
Unfortunately, he added, the nation’s population ranks 30th worldwide in life ex-
an internship or practicum,
pectancy, records between 44,000 and 98,000 otherwise preventable deaths in hospitals
in addition to those that are
each year and has some 46 million people without health insurance.
delivered through several
Johnson noted that many of those uninsured could afford coverage if they so chose.
courses within the minor.
However, a means of whether to require coverage for everyone is one of the questions
to be settled. The president and CEO
Part of the equation in improving health care must lie with consumers who take of Susquehanna Health is
responsibility for their health, he said. Steven P. Johnson, a 1976
Yet another problem looming on the horizon is the expected deficit in the Medicare Lycoming graduate.
Trust Fund by 2016. “Health care is a growing
Johnson referred to the bureaucratic billing system that dominates health care. sector, and the minor will
Unlike other industries, which provide single billings to consumers, hospitals have ad- help students enter this sec-
opted multi-faceted plans in which patients face separate costs for doctors, medications, tor upon graduation,” said
hospital lodgings, and other services. Dr. Neil Boyd, coordinator of
President Barack Obama, he noted, seeks to bring electronic medical records to all the health care administra-
health systems, a move that would make for more efficient all-around care, including tion minor and an assistant
improved patient safety. professor of management at
He noted that Susquehanna Health is among just 14 percent of health systems na- Lycoming. “The connection
tionwide that is “wired” in that way. with Susquehanna Health is
He said the health system will need to do its part, in part by staying true to its mis- an awesome component of
sion of providing quality care, controlling costs and hiring high-quality personnel. the minor, and I’m excited
The new Commonwealth College, with its branch campus in Williamsport, can that our students will get the
serve as a base for bringing aboard physicians needed for the local area, he said.
opportunity to work directly
Reprinted with permission from the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Published Oct. 24, 2009. with them.”
Stay current: www.lycoming.edu 5
I
“ love my job,” says Dr. teacher preparation program. in elementary education and Building on a Rich
Amy (Shaner) ’92 Rogers, After teaching for 13 years Dr. Marisa Macy’s area of Tradition
assistant professor of in middle and secondary expertise is special education. First offered in 1955, the
education and chair of classrooms, she returned to Rogers says she’s excited education program remains
the Lycoming College Educa- her alma mater in 2007 as an about their genuine interest one of Lycoming’s most
tion Department. “I enjoy instructor in education. Now and willingness to help, which popular courses of study.
working with the students, the in her second year as depart- will certainly enrich the edu- This academic year, approxi-
one-on-one contact and the ment chair, she is continu- cation program. mately 50 student teachers
relationships that you make. ing Lycoming’s reputation “My vision for the depart- are being placed in Lycoming
I joke with them that ‘I’m for excellence in preparing ment is to continue to grow County public, private and
molding your life.’ We get future teachers for success in and to prepare our students for parochial schools to complete
to know them well. We give the classroom. the challenging and changing their Professional Semester.
them choices and direction.” She is also enthusiastic world of education,” Rogers About 175 students of vary-
Rogers’ passion for teach- about the recent hiring of says. Her high-energy ap- ing majors are enrolled in the
ing is evident the minute two assistant professors in proach bodes well for the new teacher certification program
she begins talking about her the department. Dr. Rachel changes coming to Lycom- to become elementary, sec-
students and the College’s Hickoff-Cresko specializes ing’s education program. ondary, special education and
Members of the
Education
Department include Dr. Rachel Hickoff- Dr. Marisa Macy,
Dr. Amy (Shaner) ’92 Cresko, assistant assistant professor
Rogers, assistant professor education of education
professor of education
and department
chair
6 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2010 WINTER MAGAZINE
K-12 art, music and
modern language
teachers.
Unlike most of
“The [education
the state system
department] staff
universities which
offer education as does a tremendous
a major, Lycoming
job of placing you
provides its future
teachers the breadth with an excellent
and depth of a strong
cooperative
liberal arts educa-
tion. Students choose teacher, where you
an academic major can learn from real-
and, with the help of
life experiences.”
their advisors, follow
a carefully planned Eric Gerber ’07
sequence of profes-
sional education
courses, enriched by
Eric Gerber ’07 addresses several of his fourth-grade students at Schick
extensive field expe- Elementary School in the Loyalsock Township School District in Montoursville, Pa.
riences in nearby schools.
helping their students suc- sistant Barb Horn, who came Buddies at St. Boniface/
“I have a student now
ceed, and create new lives to Lycoming in 1979 and St. John Neumann Regional
who is a history major,”
and experiences for them- has spent the last 21 years in Academy.” Students may
Macy says. “He’s getting his
selves. Going to Lycoming the department. Rogers says also participate in the child
secondary teaching creden-
College was one of the best Horn is an invaluable asset. guidance program at Curtain
tials with us through our
decisions I have ever made.” Middle School and Schick
education program. When
Much of the education Making the Most Elementary School, or spend
he leaves here, he will be a
department’s success in pre- of Community time with Special Olympics
very well-prepared history
paring students throughout Connections and the Salvation Army.
teacher, more so than if he
the past two decades can be Lycoming College’s Hickoff-Cresko, who
majored in education alone.”
attributed to the dedication tradition of preparing advises elementary education
Lycoming’s educa-
and leadership of Dr. Rachael highly-qualified educators is students, explains that pair-
tion students also have the
Hungerford. She taught strengthened by the com- ing students with their coop-
benefit of two advisors—one
elementary education and munity connections that erating teacher the semester
in their major and one in
women’s studies at Lycom- faculty and students have prior to student teaching is a
the education department.
ing for 19 years and served forged since the program’s beneficial and unique aspect
“They have two people who
as education department beginning. For example, of Lycoming’s program.
are really looking out for
chair during the majority of classroom observation and “Our students are responsible
them, providing support and
her tenure. Now officially all student teaching experi- for finding the time on their
services to help them,” Macy
retired, she teaches part-time ences take place in Lycoming schedule and coordinating
adds. “That’s a huge reason
at the College. County schools, most within with the teacher. They com-
why I would want to send
Upon her retirement, a 20-mile radius of campus. plete 30 hours of observation
my child here, because of
Hungerford donated a large The schools offer a variety of and field experience in that
the special attention they get.
part of her children’s-book diverse settings that provide classroom before they even
Our classes are small and
collection to the department’s the kind of real-world class- begin student teaching. This
the faculty here really cares
curriculum lab. Education rooms students will encoun- allows them to get familiar
about the students.”
students now have access to ter in their teaching careers. with the teacher’s routine
That thought is echoed
a wide variety of literature, “Students have the op- and also to meet the students
by Emily Ruhl ’08, who
field books, textbooks and portunity to observe in one they’ll be working with.”
majored in Spanish at Ly-
journals to supplement their of the nine local school “The [education depart-
coming and is now enjoying
learning. The lab, which is districts we partner with,” ment] staff does a tremen-
the challenging experience
wired with a smart board and Rogers explains. “They can dous job of placing you
of teaching six large classes
the latest technology, also be part of the mentoring/ with an excellent coopera-
of Spanish I at Bel Air (Md.)
provides students a dedicated tutoring program at William- tive teacher, where you can
High School.
space for mounting bulletin sport Area High School or learn from real-life experi-
“The teachers and profes-
boards and other classroom Sheridan Elementary School. ences,” says Eric Gerber ’07,
sors at Lycoming are more
tools. They can complete their a fourth-grade teacher at
than teachers,” she says.
Another familiar face hours at HOPE Early Learn- Schick Elementary School
“They are mentors who put
around the education depart- ing Center for pre-schoolers. in the Loyalsock Township
their heart and souls into
ment is administrative as- Or they can choose Study School District.
Stay current: www.lycoming.edu 7
Ready to grade certification for a year
Address means there are only two
New grades—fifth and sixth—that
Challenges we won’t be certifying right
As depart- away.”
ment chair,
Rogers Adapting to Class-
is largely room Realities
responsible Diversity in today’s class-
for adapting rooms is helping to drive
the education other changes in teacher
program to preparation across the Com-
meet new state monwealth. Lycoming Col-
requirements lege is geared up to address
for teacher a new state regulation aimed
certification at teaching students with dis-
Lycoming’s 2009 fall student teachers (front row from left) Ashley Johnson,
that take effect in 2013. The abilities and those for whom
Jennifer Hochman, Maggie Baker, Bethany Kelley, Christiana Karr, Nichole
Zoller and Gina Manbeck; (back row from left) supervisor David Bross, Julie changes are aimed at produc- English is a second language.
Waldman, Brian Fausel, Adryan Foresman, Danielle Gargiulo, Bill Lundy, ing future teachers who have For example, Pennsylvania’s
Aaron Kemnitz and supervisor Melvin Wentzel
a greater depth of knowledge teacher preparation programs
state grant helped fund the in content areas, a deeper will need to include three
“We want to prepare creation of a new Early understanding of child devel- credits of English Language
Lycoming students Learning Center on campus opment and a wider variety Learner training.
with the instructional for special needs children of instructional skills to be Macy explains that the
3 to 5 years of age. Housed able to teach a diverse range area of special education will
strategies, activities
in the lower level of Forrest of learners. also be changing dramatical-
and knowledge to Hall, the center provides the The new regulations ly. “You cannot do a stand-
meet the needs of all children a new place to learn will eliminate the existing alone certification anymore,”
students they will and gives Lycoming students certification for kindergarten she says. “If you’re going
encounter. The changes a chance to give back to the through sixth-grade teachers, to be a special education
community while expanding replacing it with two new teacher, you also have to
we are making will
their educational experience. categories: one for pre-K have elementary or second-
better prepare our “This is another reason through fourth-grade teachers ary certification. All teachers
students for today’s why I really wanted to teach and the other for fourth- at some point in their career
classrooms.” at Lycoming,” says Macy. through eighth-grade teach- will most likely have a stu-
Dr. Amy Rogers “It’s so exciting to have that ers. This change introduces dent with special needs. All
partnership. It’s an inclu- a whole new level of teacher education students will need
sive program with children preparation by including a to take nine credit hours of
“I loved the fact that I did who have disabilities and focus on children 3 and 4 special education.”
my entire student teaching developing children who years of age. The months of detailed
at one school [Sheridan don’t. Our students can learn “Currently, we offer a planning and revision have
Elementary]. It allowed me more about early childhood K-6 certification in elemen- been well worth the time
to become familiar with my special education from the tary education and 7-12 in and effort, Rogers says. “We
students and cooperative team there.” Macy notes the secondary,” Rogers explains. want to prepare Lycoming
teacher. Also, my advisor, center’s accessibility and the “We also have K-12 certi- students with the instruc-
Larry Rhinehart, did an seamless linkages between fication in the areas of art, tional strategies, activities
excellent job of critiquing my students’ course work and the modern language and music, and knowledge to meet the
teaching and giving positive field work that they do there. which will remain the same. needs of all students they
feedback. I made tremendous “In my Curriculum and Beginning with new students will encounter. The changes
strides as an educator during Assessment class, students entering in fall 2010, we’ll we are making will bet-
this experience.” can go to the center and work have a new curriculum lead- ter prepare our students for
HOPE Abounds on with the families to adminis- ing to preK-4 certification. today’s classrooms.”
Campus ter a screening assessment,” We plan to defer the 4-8 until
An exciting opportu- Macy explains. “Because the following year. Robertson is a freelance
nity for Lycoming College the director knows so much “We polled our current el- writer based in Mifflinburg,
students and faculty unfolded about our program, she can ementary education students Pa.
two years ago when the support our students. And and found that most want to
administration announced if I want to go and model teach at the lower elemen-
a new partnership with for students how to do it, I tary grades,” she adds. “So,
Williamsport-based Hope can just walk over there and deferring the new middle
Enterprises, Inc. A $50,000 show them.”
8 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2010 WINTER MAGAZINE