Membership in the Circle of Distinction epitomizes the fabric of HACC's student body, according to Kimberly L. Grundon, president, HACC Alumni Association.
"This distinguished group includes a broad spectrum of HACC alumni," she said. "There are many reasons why each of them chose HACC and why each of them were successful at HACC. Forty years after its founding, the college is still making a profound impact on the citizens of central Pennsylvania."
HACC faculty and staff nominated alumni for the honor based on personal and professional accomplishments they believed to be worthy of the recognition. The college plans to feature a display of the Alumni Circle of Distinction in Cooper Student Center on the Harrisburg Campus. Students in Cooper Student Center for registration, financial aid or simply to have lunch will get a chance to see and recognize the achievements of HACC alumni and become familiar with the contributions of HACC alumni - a group they will become a part of after graduation. Each honored alumni also received a commemorative crystal plate.
The inaugural members of the HACC Alumni Circle of Distinction are:
Rev. Nathan Baxter, Liberal Arts-Social Science '67 - '72
Baxter is a third generation clergyman, serving as the rector of St. James Episcopal Church, Lancaster. A noted commentator on faith and national issues, he serves on the Faith and Politics Institute affiliated with the U.S. House of Representatives and is a frequent guest on national news programs including Good Morning America and NBC's Today.David Beard, RN, Nursing '93
Beard is a RN working in the operating room and endoscopy at Gettysburg Hospital. He assists with surgical procedures in the operating room with an emphasis on orthopedic surgery.Earl D. Bock, II, Police Science '96
Bock is a county detective in the Criminal Investigations Division with the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office. He investigates and assists in the prosecution of crimes with a specialty in insurance fraud and auto theft.Lorraine Bock, MSN, CRNP, CEN, Nursing '83
Bock is a nurse practitioner and owner of Bock CRNP Services P.C./Nightingale Health Centers, as well as an emergency department lead nurse practitioner with York Hospital. She consults in health care, offers instruction and lectures for a variety of topics, including CPR, first aid and health and safety issues.Amy Brixius, Executive Secretary '00
Brixius currently works part-time in the billing department of Harrisburg Gastroenterology and full time as the stay-at-home mom of her infant daughter. Her community activities have included Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the United Way. Brixius also returns to HACC each year to encourage students in the informational systems program.Dorothy Byrne, Liberal Arts-Life Science '73
Byrne is a professional opera singer who followed her passion for singing after working in the corporate world. She has performed with opera houses across the country and shares her business kills with other young opera singers by conducting marketing seminars that help them navigate the highly competitive opera world.Susan Comp, RN, Nursing '95
As director of Surgical Services at PinnacleHealth System, Comp oversees two sites within the system, Community General Osteopathic Hospital and Harrisburg Hospital. She was an EMT volunteer for 15 years and First Responder instructor for 10 years before retiring to pursue a degree as a nurse practitioner.Jason Cross, Liberal Arts-Social Science '97
Cross is co-founder and vice president of Foundation Human Nature-USA, a branch of an international organization that supports health and development programs in Ecuador and Ghana. He currently is a J.D. candidate at the Duke Law School and a Ph.D. candidate and teaching assistant in Duke's Cultural Anthropology department.Marsha Davis, Social Science-Education '72
Owner of On Track Consulting Services, Davis advises small to mid-size businesses on business development and coaches business owners, placing a special focus on assisting women-owned businesses. An active member of the community, she is chair of the Harrisburg Public School Foundation, board member of Open Stage and a member of HACC's board of trustees.Timothy L. DeFoor, Paralegal '90
DeFoor recently joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Health Plan as the senior fraud and abuse specialist in the Special Investigations Unit. DeFoor's community involvement has included the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Camp Curtin YMCA-Black Achievers Program and the HACC Multicultural Advisory Committee.Lakesha Dennis, Social Science Education '90
As a counselor for Urban Youth Corps in Baltimore, Md., Dennis provides counseling and support services to corps members, does case management and assessment, conducts home visits and coordinates training activities. In addition to involvement in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters and D.A.R.E. programs, she is enrolled in the masters program of Strayer University.Diane Dimoff Nester, Liberal Arts-Mass Communication '94
Dimoff Nester first joined WGAL in 1995 after graduating from Kutztown University. She left there to pursue various opportunities with radio and television stations in Hanover, Atlantic City, N.J., West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio before returning to WGAL in 2003. She now lives in West Virginia where she cares for her daughter.Kimberly Dodson, RN, Nursing '03
Dodson works as a certified RN first assistant for PinnacleHealth Systems and Cumberland Valley OB/GYN, PC, where she assists with surgeries, physicals, and pre- and post-op procedures. She also is vice president of Londonderry Fire Company, serves on the Board for the Association of Operating Room Nurses and represents OR nurses on the Pennsylvania State Task Force.Eric L. Esch, MD, Liberal Arts-Psychology '91 - '92
One of 17 physicians at Norlanco Medical Associates, Elizabethtown, Esch is very passionate about family practice. He has shared his compassionate spirit by facilitating and teaching monthly educational boot camps for expectant fathers, developed curriculum and taught human sexuality to fifth grade boys and provided medical care to migrant farm workers in the Lancaster area.Lt. Col. Stephen Ford, Liberal Arts-Life Science '87
A board-certified oncology pharmacist and a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist, Ford serves as deputy director for clinical operations/fellow in Immunization Services at the Military Vaccine Agency, Office of the Army Surgeon General. He has been published in a number of medical journals and has been involved in a number of national research projects.La-Verna Fountain, Police Administration '81
Fountain is an entrepreneur with numerous business ventures including real estate, telecommunications, and training in areas of organizational, staff and leadership development. She is the president and founder of Defiant Hope Consulting and Training Company.Anthony E. Fritz, Police Science '95
Fritz is a deputy sheriff with the Dauphin County Sheriff's Office, where he has been since 1997. In 1999, he graduated from the Sheriff's Academy Act 2. He is connected to HACC as a student, graduate and employee.Dwayne Golden, Physical Science Education '90-'95
Golden is the strategic grants and events manager for Highmark Blue Shield. After leaving HACC, he transferred to Messiah College to earn his bachelor's degree in biology and recently received his master's in business administration from Strayer University.Yvonne Hollins, Pre-Teaching-Education '70
For more than 30 years, Hollins has been a champion for student achievement and student success. During her tenure as a teacher, principal, director of secondary education and assistant superintendent at Central Dauphin School District, she has worked tirelessly to make positive changes in curriculum, teacher supervision and teacher training.Mary Belle Jones, RN, BSN, CIC, Nursing '71
A graduate of HACC's first associate degree nursing class, Jones serves as risk manager for PinnacleHealth System. She is actively involved in several professional organizations and has received numerous commendations for her work in risk management.Sanford Krevsky, Esq., Social Science '67
In private practice with Krevsky and Rosen, P.C., Krevsky is a general practice attorney specializing in criminal and domestic law. He is actively involved in many facets of the Harrisburg community and currently serves as a member of the Susquehanna Township School Board and volunteers with Communities that Care.Roderick L. Lee, Business Administration '99
Lee, who is currently pursuing his Ph.D., teaches undergraduate courses in information, sciences and technology and information systems as Penn State Harrisburg. He also conducts empirical research in the computer-supported and collaboration lab at Penn State, University Park.Barry L. Lutz, Business Administration '73
Lutz works for Rite Aid Corporation in Harrisburg as the director of human resources information systems. After leaving HACC, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees and now serves as an adjunct instructor at HACC and Elizabethtown College.Honorable Ronald Marsico, Undeclared '67-'69
The state representative for the 105th legislative district, Marsico has been a legislator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1988. He serves as a member of the Committee on Committees, Liquor Control, Tourism and Recreational Development, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Transportation.Glenn Martin, Civil Engineering Technology '68
Martin is president of Sutliff Capital Ford in Harrisburg. As a HACC student in September 1964, he was the first student to enter the campus building on Front Street; in 1964 he helped organize and start HACC's first fraternity, Delta Omega Phi; and in 1967, he organized the first community college basketball tournament.David Nikoloff, Social Science '76
As executive director of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, Nikoloff is responsible for staff management and achievement of EDC's annual goals and objectives. He serves as a member of the Lancaster County Growth Management Update Task Force and the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Lancaster County agriculture.Sherry O'Brien, RN, Nursing '91
O'Brien is director of nursing for Green Acres, Adams County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Gettysburg. She is responsible for the care and treatment of 154 residents and oversees approximately 125 staff. She also serves as coordinator for staff development.Sandra Pasic, Cardiovascular Technology '00-'03
Pasic is a cardiology technician for Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She works closely with cardiologists and is continuing to improve her skills. Currently, Pasic is enrolled at the HACC Lancaster Campus where she is pursuing an associate degree in cardiac sonography.Honorable Stephen R. Reed, DPS, Liberal Arts-Social Science '69-'71
Since 1982, Reed has served the city of Harrisburg as mayor and chief executive. He has been reelected five times and is the longest serving mayor in Harrisburg history. He also served as a state representative and Dauphin County commissioner before he was elected mayor.Kendra Rivera, RN, Nursing '99
As the director of nursing at Grandview Surgery Center, Rivera oversees all clinical aspects of the center. She also works for HealthSouth Corporation and is responsible for operating room scheduling, budgeting, policies and procedures and professional development education.James Rohacek, Business Administration '71
Rohacek is employed by the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center as an administrator of Support Services Integration. He is responsible for materials management, guest services, value analysis, clinical engineering, linen services and printing services. Rohacek also is very involved in community service.Jeffrey Shaffer, Retail '82-'84
Shaffer is vice president and co-owner of RE/MAX of Gettysburg. He and his partner oversee a real estate company with 20 agents. His community service includes Habitat for Humanity, the Gettysburg-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, Adams County Economic Development Corporation. He continues to serve on HACC's Gettysburg Campus advisory board and just recently joined HACC's board of trustees.Elaine Smedley, Retail '94
Smedley is owner/partner of Commonwealth Business Interiors, Inc., of Harrisburg, which provides space planning of office furniture and design. She and her business partner have established a scholarship fund within the HACC Foundation to demonstrate their appreciation of HACC.Father Joseph Tedesco, Liberal Arts-Communication and the Arts '73
Tedesco is pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows in Trenton, New Jersey. He also is director of the Office of Research and Planning for which he develops and directs the process of restructure of parishes in the Diocese of Trenton.Ann M. Van Dyke, Human Services '72
As assistant to the director of Education/Community Services Division of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Van Dyke helps communities and schools deal with civil tension, including hate crimes and organized hate group activity or with the acts of tolerance of everyday people. She has earned certification from the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct hate crimes training for police.Michael Verotsky, Computer Information System '00
Verotsky is employed at PSECU as a marketing database and research manager. He uses the company's database as tool to recommend marketing promotions and other research-oriented projects. While a HACC student, he was employed part-time with PSECU. Upon graduation he applied for a job and was hired.Peter C. Wambach, Pre-Teaching, Elementary '67
Wambach is executive director of the bipartisan management committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He served as a state representative from 1980 to 1992. He serves as a board member for various local organizations, including Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Drug-Free Pennsylvania.Stacey Winkelspecht, CPA, Business Administration '97-'99
After HACC, Winkelspecht earned both bachelor's and master's degrees and went on to pass the Certified Public Accountants exam. She is now in Westminster Maryland working as an accountant with the Social Security Administration where she received the 2004 Rookie of the Year Excellence in Federal Career Award and the Recognition of Contribution Performance Award. Winkelspecht also teaches accounting as an adjunct instructor at the Gettysburg Campus.