Faculty & Staff Retirements LINDA BERNSTEIN
After nearly 40 years as a member of the Hilbert faculty, Linda Bernstein, Chair of the Professional Studies Division and Professor of Business Administration has retired. Simply put, Linda Bernstein is synonymous with the Business Department and Professional Studies Division. She has been the main administrator for all Hilbert Business majors. In addition to serving as the mainstay for teaching MIS classes for business students, Bernstein has led the Business Department Internship Program since its inception. Her students have noted her strong teaching style and the high standards she sets in her classes. Linda has helped shape the professional studies teaching body and has served on the hiring committee for all members of its current faculty. Her commitment to Hilbert leadership has extended beyond academics as she has held leadership roles in the Faculty Senate and as faculty representative to the Hilbert College Board of Trustees. In 2018, Linda Bernstein’s contributions to Hilbert College were formally recognized when she received the Sister Adrienne Faculty/Staff Lifetime Achievement Award. We will miss her and extend our best wishes for a wonderful next chapter.
DR. MICHAEL DEGNAN
Since he began teaching at Hilbert in 1976, Professor of English Dr. Michael Degnan has been an integral part of his department and the Hilbert campus community. Whether they had him for American or Irish Literature or Public Speaking, his students remember him for his kindness, generosity and one-liners. In Public Speaking, students practiced reading from old fashioned advertising to hone their pronunciation and delivery. Degnan’s commitment to Hilbert students extended beyond the classroom, as he served as Advisor to the Study Abroad Program and wrote countless reference letters. Dr. Degnan’s colleagues appreciate the many leadership roles he has assumed on campus, including President of the Faculty Senate. According to Megan Burke Witzleben, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English, “As President of the Faculty Senate, Mike demonstrated his signature logic, intellect and kindness to voice the needs of the faculty with fairness and diplomacy. He willingly took on the nitty gritty details of faculty governance and was unafraid to make moral decisions if they were the right ones. We could not ask for a more welcoming or caring colleague and mentor.” We understand Mike will continue to volunteer in his Buffalo community, promote his Irish heritage through events and festivals, and perhaps learn a new language or musical instrument. Dr. Degnan will sorely be missed and we wish him all the best in his new chapter.
DR. ED PRISTACH
Dr. Edward Pristach, Professor of Psychology, has retired after 21 years of teaching at Hilbert. His teaching style made Dr. Pristach an in-demand professor, even among non-majors in psychology. They cite his use of real-world examples and demonstrations that helped make difficult concepts clearer and more understandable. Dr. Pristach believes in the importance of student engagement and worked with students to develop research projects for presentation at the annual Penn-York Conference, which highlights undergraduate psychology research. He is well loved and respected by colleagues in his department and throughout campus for his insight and contributions to the advancement of the curriculum, as well as to governance within the institution. Hilbert faculty and staff recognized and appreciated his willingness to support the department and the College overall when illness or other unforeseen circumstances required faculty to pitch-in to teach additional courses. According to Sharon Sisti, Social Sciences Division Chair and Associate Professor of Human Services, “Ed is admired for his work on the psychology curriculum, which was built on best practices, including the use of Bloom’s Taxonomy to ensure scaffolded learning throughout the curriculum. He infused his teaching and relationships with students and colleagues with a great sense of humor.” To quote a recent student in a final course evaluation, “Dr. Pristach is the prime example of what a professor should be.” Everyone at Hilbert wishes him the best in retirement.
CINDY CLAAR
Cindy Claar, Hilbert’s Student Finance Technician, retired in May. She began her career at Hilbert in 2003 and quickly became a source of knowledge and support. She was the primary greeter in the Office of Student Finance and also served as “the voice” of the office by answering most of the incoming phone calls. According to Elaine Szczepanski, Student Finance Counselor, “Cindy was very conscientious in meeting the needs of students, parents, faculty and staff. She knew her job well and graciously assisted all of us with our workloads when asked.” In addition to her Student Finance work, Cindy played a major role with the Lucky Numbers Luncheon, the Hilbert staff’s annual fundraising event to support an endowed student scholarship. Her commitment to this event year after year contributed greatly to its success. We could not have done it without her. We send our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to Cindy for a wonderful retirement. 21