Spring 2014 Alumni Newletter

Spring 2014

CONNECTING WITH OUR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Distinguished Alumni Award 2014 HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PATRICIA A. THOMPSON, DNP, RN

From the

President

Dear Alumni and Friends,

WINE EXPO KEEPS GETTING BETTER

Our alumni are an important part of the College’s rich history and tradition, and we applaud the accomplishments of all of our former students.

To honor and recognize their achievements, the Alumni & Friends Association has initiated two important awards. The first is the revival of the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and the second is the creation of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

You will read more about both of these later in the publication.

The generosity of our alumni and friends continues to astound me. Because of their tremendous support, the Harford Community College Foundation awarded $310,000 in scholarships to 352 students for this academic year.

On April 17, our scholarship recipients had the special opportunity to meet and thank their donors at the Foundation’s annual scholarship reception. This is truly a wonderful occasion and reminds us all that we can and do have a positive impact on the life of another.

I am also pleased to share that the College was a finalist in the American Association of Community Colleges’ prestigious Awards of Excellence program. These awards celebrate the extraordinary work being done by the Association’s member colleges, and Harford was recognized in the Exemplary CEO/ Board category.

The 15th Annual Winter Wine Expo, presented by The Harford Mutual Insurance Companies, was a terrific success. This premier event drew a crowd of 600 guests, and $21,000 was raised to support the Alumni & Friends Association’s scholarships and programs. New to the expo this year were great additions of food samplings from area restaurants as well as live music.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME IS BACK

We are also collaborating with the Northeastern Maryland University Research Park to bring new research and high tech educational opportunities to Harford County. The University Center, which offers bachelor’s and advanced degrees from area partner colleges and universities and is operated by Harford Community College, has entered into an agreement with the Research Park to bring new doctoral programs and internships to the University Center. This will provide a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to course offerings amongst the partner institutions.

Please join me in congratulating sophomore Capree Garner, who was named a finalist for the 2014 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Junior/Community College Player of the Year award and also earned First-Team All-American Honors.

She finished an impressive career at Harford by leading the nation in scoring this season and was Harford’s all-time leader in points and steals.

I thank you all for your interest in and support of the College.

It is through your involvement that we are able to continue our important work of helping our students and the community advance in their lives and in their work.

Sincerely,

Dennis Golladay, Ph.D., President

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Spring 2014

After a 21-year hiatus, the College revived the Athletic Hall of Fame. On January 25, alumni and friends attended a special tailgate reception to honor the Class of 2014: Judy Davlin, Dick Fordyce, John Haggerty, and Jack Nichols.

The group was selected for their outstanding leadership and the strong foundation they provided in building the College’s athletic and physical education programs. Special thanks go to our sponsors, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Protiviti, for their generous support. Event proceeds benefitted the HCC Foundation’s Fighting Owl Fund to support athletic programming.

The last Hall of Fame class to be inducted was in 1993.

Notable alumni in attendance at this year’s event included hall of famers Rich Corsetto, Bonnie Fry, Brad Laubach, Warren Sothern, Charles Johnson, and Mike Dahl. It was also a particularly special day for Judy Davlin, as many of the women who played on her 1995 championship field hockey team surprised her at the reception.

Class N O T E S 1977 Dr. Betty Ellis-Ross, Business Data Processing, was promoted to the Director of the MBA Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management.

1981

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING = POWERFUL PROTECTION Increased security breaches at popular retailers and the constant threat of computer viruses are ongoing reminders of the important role cybersecurity professionals play in the lives of everyone. The College continues its commitment to ensuring the students in our Information Assurance and Cybersecurity programs are ready for their next challenge.

“We approach cybersecurity from a business perspective. Our program provides students a fundamental command of how networks and networking devices, e.g., routers, switches, and firewalls, servers and other computer systems operate,” said Ralf Fritze, professor of Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. “Before our students can protect data and equipment from security threats, they have to understand how systems function. Once equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills, they are ready to go to work.”

In 2012, the College was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“Industry and professional associations recognize this highly regarded designation as the pinnacle for quality in information assurance and cybersecurity programs,” said John Mayhorne, dean of Business, Computing and Applied Technology. “The designation signifies to our students that our program provides them with excellent preparation for a career or continued education.”

The College currently has an articulation agreement with the University of Maryland University College, which provides a smooth transition for our students to transfer and continue their education at a four-year institution.

“We’re fortunate to have received grant funding from the National Science Foundation that allows us to begin investigating and pursuing additional articulation agreements with other regional institutions,” Mayhorne said. “Having earned the NSA designation and establishing these agreements demonstrates our commitment to our students’ success both while they are enrolled at the College and after they become alumni. We pride ourselves on providing a strong program that keeps our students well positioned in the field.”

Joseph Werner is an attorney barred in Washington, DC, who works in estate planning, business and personal financial planning. He is also a registered Democratic candidate for the office of Harford County Executive.

1999 Kimberly Gregory, Psychology, has been selected as one of ten finalists in the 2014-15 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year program.

She is a second grade teacher at Monarch Elementary School in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

2001 Rev. Anthony Lidke, General Studies, recently retired.

He founded the Yeshua Messiah Ministries.

2009 Dennis Curran, Technical/ Professional Studies, recently began working for CMF International as an Honor Missionary to the people of Turkana, Kenya.

His work will involve helping to provide clean water and teaching the planting of crops.

For more information about the College’s Information Assurance and Cybersecurity programs, visit www.harford.edu. w w w .ha r for d. e d u / a l u m n i 3

Distinguished Alumn 2014 HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PATRICIA A. THOMP The Harford Community College Nursing Program states in its philosophy and core concepts the value of professional practice—maintaining competence with continual learning and maintaining a professional image that reflects core values of respect, confidence, trust, responsiveness, integrity and compassion. There is no better example of these in practice than Dr. Patricia A. Thompson.

Thompson is the first recipient of the Harford Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.

The award was established to honor alumni who have excelled personally and professionally while maintaining an interest in and commitment to the College.

A lifelong resident of Harford County, Thompson is a two-time graduate of the College, having earned her first degree in General Studies in 1971 and a second degree in Nursing in 1985.

“I grew up in this area, and I needed a program that would work with a family and was close to home. I was very satisfied with my Harford program,” she said.

A PASSION FOR NURSING Her passion for nursing has helped her become a leader in the profession. For the past 29 years, she has worked at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) where she has held numerous leadership positions and is currently the Director of Nursing for the Behavioral Health Unit at University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital.

During this time, her truly remarkable energy and drive have motivated her to further her education, all while working full time and raising her four children — Amy, Whitney, Michael, and Adam — with her husband, Roy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and her master’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans.

Most recently, she received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Loyola University New Orleans. The focus of her doctoral capstone project was screening for depression in congestive heart failure patients. It is her hope that the process for screening patients will be implemented on two telemetry units at UM UCH,

umni Award

OMPSON, DNP, RN thus improving the assessment for depression in patients with chronic illnesses.

“I’ve gone as far as I can in my education, and that was my goal. I wanted to learn as much as I can.

Through my doctorate degree, I’m hoping to implement some processes at UM Upper Chesapeake that will change how we do things from a performance improvement standpoint and help identify patients who may have mental health issues.”

Thompson has been recognized on numerous occasions for her exceptional work. She was named Upper Chesapeake’s Leadership Nurse of the Year in 2011 and recently was the recipient of the 2013 President’s Award for Performance Improvement at Upper Chesapeake.

In addition to working at the hospital, Thompson also serves as a member of HCC’s nursing adjunct faculty.

Laura Cianelli-Preston, dean of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, praises her work as a faculty member and as a model and inspiration for nursing students.

“Pat demonstrates to our nursing students what ‘lifelong learning’ means and how it is realized. The completion of her Doctorate in Nursing Practice while continuing to teach for us is an inspiration to us all, but especially to the students who often struggle to balance work with school,” Laura said. “She shows the students the path that is open to them once they complete their degree and become a registered nurse.”

Thompson places great emphasis on leadership skills, time management, and organization with her students, who are usually in their third semester of study.

tragic. I had to do something to honor him and feel like something came of this, and I’ve always wanted to give back to nursing,” she said.

The race is a collaboration between the Harford Community College Foundation and the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation. Proceeds benefit The Adam Thompson Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Harford Community College and The Adam Thompson Memorial Education Scholarship at UM UCH. Both scholarships support students attending Harford Community College. Having just completed the third annual race on May 3, the event has raised more than $60,000 for student scholarships.

“I have worked closely with Pat on both her scholarship and the race, and I am amazed by her energy and love of her profession,” Denise Dregier, director of College and Alumni Development, said. “The College and our students are so fortunate to be the recipients of her time and dedication. She is truly inspiring and a very deserving recipient of this honor.”

Her community service extends beyond the College.

She currently serves on the board of directors for both FIELD, Inc. (Future Independence and Education for the Learning Disabled) and Harford Family House, which provides transitional housing for homeless families.

“I feel like I wanted to leave my mark on nursing somehow. I had the education and the opportunity to go back to school, and I want to be able to say I did the most I could for my profession,” Thompson concluded.

It is quite evident that she has done just that.

“I’ve always felt it’s been my role as a leader to mentor and help others by motivating them to go back to school and do what they can in nursing,” she said.

ADAM THOMPSON 5K RUN/WALK In 2011, Pat’s youngest son, Adam, was tragically killed in an automobile accident. To honor his memory, she established the Adam Thompson 5K Run/Walk.

“I wanted to establish a scholarship in his name. I felt that I wanted to do something good out of something

“ Pat demonstrates to our nursing students what ‘lifelong learning’ means and how it is realized.” Laura Cianelli-Preston, dean of Nursing and Allied Health Professions

Campus N E W S

Dennis Golladay, Ph.D., HCC President, was named a 2014 Influential Marylander in the area of Education by The Daily Record newspaper. This award honors individuals who have impacted Maryland’s business community and have brought services and success to the region.

Iris Barnes, coordinator for the Hays-Heighe House, was recognized at the “Salute to Excellence” award ceremony hosted by the Educational Advancement Foundation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was recognized for her work in the Hays-Heighe House and volunteer activities as Chief Executive Officer for the Hosanna School Museum.

Robert Lieb, Ph.D., retired Physics faculty, received a 2014 Visionary Award from the Northeastern Maryland Technology Council. Dr. Lieb was recognized for his work as a mentor to STEM students and for helping to found the Senior Science Society.

HCC Early Learning Center Earned Honorable Mention in the Child Care category for Harford Magazine’s “The Best of Harford” issue. The HCC Early Learning Center provides a nurturing environment and curriculum that ensures children are well prepared for kindergarten.

HCC participated in the 2014 Chesapeake Science & Security Corridor “Spirit of Thanks” Tour by supporting a free one-day ski excursion to Roundtop Mountain Resort for Aberdeen Proving Ground active duty military men and women to show appreciation for their service.

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Spring 2014

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION GRANT REWARDS INNOVATION An important goal of the HCC Foundation is to support the College in its efforts to offer unique learning experiences. To achieve this and foster innovative thinking across campus, the Foundation established the Grants for Innovation Program.

This annual grant award provides funding to faculty and staff in support of projects that fall outside of the College’s operating budget. Since the program’s inception in 1994, the Foundation has awarded nearly $425,000 in grant funds.

Dawn Volkart, a student development specialist in Disability Support Services, received funding to produce In Their Words, a play about the experiences, triumphs, challenges, and successes of the disabled.

COMING

OCTOBER 2013

“The Grants for Innovation Program was instrumental in allowing me to bring In Their Words to the College and other community venues. If I didn’t have the funding from this program, In Their Words would never have gotten off the ground,” she said. “There is not funding in our normal operating budget to support projects of this magnitude and nature. Because of this grant, we were able to reach over 300 people and make a significant difference in the perception and treatment of individuals with disabilities.”

A unique play about the experiences of individuals with disabilities You will never see disability the same way again.

COMING

OCTOBER 2013

A unique play about the experiences of individuals with disabilities You will never see disability the same way again.

This year’s funding priorities were innovative programs to serve the needs of students, diversity initiatives, international education, workforce “WHEN IT WAS OVER, YOU GRABBED MY development, and youth THROAT AND SAID, ‘DON’T TELL ANYONE.’” programming.

The Foundation is pleased to announce these winners of a 2014 Grant for Innovation: • Kaleidoscope of Cultures – Opportunities to learn about global cultures through music, dance and performing arts during International Education Week

• Strategic Partnerships in International Development – Funding for the Strategic Partnership Innovation Incubator as part of the CCID System of Comprehensive Internationalization

• Technology Needs Teens - Hands-on workshops for eighth grade students to help them understand the career benefits of a STEM education

• Implementation of live, online tutoring for students who are not able to receive services during regular Tutoring Center hours

• Need-based scholarships to transition GED® & ESL students into Workforce Development courses and Allied Health H.O.T. certificate programs

• DNA Barcoding a College Campus Arboretum - GPS equipment, molecular biology kits, and DNA sequencing for student use in introductory biology and geography courses

• HCC Kids - Discovering College/Kids on Campus - 12 full scholarships that allow students to participate in summer programs • An orientation program to help AfricanAmerican students navigate and excel at HCC

•F aces of Freedom – Special events and an interpretive exhibit to inspire learning and engagement about freedom, slavery, and emancipation • Funding for a bench top mini wind tunnel to demonstrate aerodynamics and to enhance STEM community outreach

Campus N E W S

Owl Magazine – Won national honors in the Apple Awards at the College Media Association Convention. “Strike! How to Bowl Like a Pro” won third place in the category of Best Magazine Spread, Two-Year School. The spread was written and designed by Brianna Breece (2012, Art and Design Graphic Design) and published in the spring 2013 issue.

AN OPEN LETTER TO HCC ALUMNI & FRIENDS

“ Through your eyes, I want prospective students to see that an education at HCC will help them achieve their goals.”

On behalf of the Admissions Office staff, I would like to extend warm greetings to you as HCC’s Alumni & Friends.

When I began as Director for Admissions in September 2013, I brought with me a vision of the profound connection the College & Alumni Development Office could have with the Admissions Office. Who else would be better suited to provide guidance, support and inspiration to prospective students and their families considering enrolling at HCC than you? As an alumnus, telling your story about your time at the College, your struggles and triumphs as a student, your successes in completing your goals, are invaluable. I want to communicate your story to each and every person considering HCC as their choice for a college education.

Our office is developing its first ever recruitment & admissions communication plans, which will include highlights from you. With your help, I hope we can create a living example of what the mission and vision of our College is to each person in the community that requests information about HCC. Through your eyes, I want prospective students to see that an education at HCC will help them achieve their goals. With our Parents Connect Program, your stories will provide encouragement and reassurance to families that an education at HCC will result in their student’s successful transfer to a four-year college or inclusion in the workforce.

When you receive a call to join us in these initiatives, please accept the invitation. Together, let’s share our excitement and pride for the community college that has provided so many with an affordable, quality education, right here in Harford County.

I look forward to meeting you, and being inspired by you!

Mary Austin Director for Admissions

Neil Anderson-Himmelspach, assistant professor of Music, Visual, Performing and Applied Arts, received a $3,000 Individual Artist Award in Classical Music Composition from the Maryland State Arts Council. The award was for “In Dulci Jubilo” for men’s chorus and “Gonzo and the Velocipede” for alto saxophone and flute.

Fary Sami, professor of Math; Jennie Towner, coordinator for tutoring and testing; Theresa Libershal, assistant professor of Nursing; Bill Elliott, senior student development specialist; and Wendy Rappazzo, associate professor of Biology are the recipients of the 2014 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards.

NISOD supports the pursuit of excellence in teaching and leadership at more than 700 member colleges.

in

me mo r i am Claire Eckels, former Art History faculty member, passed away on January 21, 2014.

Send us your news! www.harford.edu/alumni or call 443-412-2563 w w w .ha r for d. e d u / a l u m n i 7

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Summer Swing

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ALLIED HEALTH visit PROFESSIONS For more information, www.harford.edu/golf DR. ZOANN PARKER, ASSOCIATE or call us at 443.412.2449.

VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING Proceeds benefit theVICE DR. ANNETTE HAGGRAY, Harford Community Foundation, Inc. PRESIDENT FORCollege ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 14-0350

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