Linda O'Connor, of Littlestown, assistant professor of mathematics, received the Martha J. Stauffer Mathematics Award, which is presented to a faculty member who demonstrates an outstanding record of achievement in the teaching of mathematics. O'Connor is the branch campus facilitator for math at the Gettysburg Campus. In her four years with HACC, O'Connor has taught most of the math subjects offered at the campus. She also teaches and is the Gettysburg coordinator for Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) courses.
O'Connor chaired the committee which developed the college-wide competency exam that is now given to all HACC college algebra students, and which serves as a credit-by-exam for high school students. At the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, O'Connor represented HACC on a panel which guided an open forum on the topic, "College Algebra in Flux." O'Connor came to HACC from Littlestown High School, where she was a high school math instructor.
"In my time at HACC, it's been exciting to see the growth in the student body and in the campus," said O'Connor. "It's been especially gratifying to see the increasing numbers of students who are succeeding in developmental math courses so they are prepared for college level work."
Carol Widerman, of Hanover, Admissions Technician at the Gettysburg Campus, received the Betty Martin Staff Development Award. The Gettysburg Campus will offer a pilot program of ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for academic year 2004-2005, and Widerman said that she plans to use the award to "expand my Spanish language skills so I can effectively communicate with members of the Latino population as they apply for admission to HACC."
Widerman earned her associate degree at HACC and has been on the Gettysburg Campus staff for four years. She serves on the campus ESL committee and is enrolled in Spanish courses at HACC. Before coming to HACC, she was a paraprofessional in ESL classes with the Gettysburg Area School District and with the Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 Migrant Child Development summer enrichment program. She traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, for a service learning project with a group sponsored by Gettysburg College.
Widerman will use the Betty Martin Award to travel again to Guadalajara. "My trip will involve immersion into the daily life of a Mexican family for two weeks. It will be a tremendous opportunity to improve my Spanish language fluency," she says.