http://www.lakelandcc.edu/ Find out what's happening at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio en-us Copyright 2006 Lakeland Community College 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT 60 http://www.lakelandcc.edu/images/logo.gif http://www.lakelandcc.edu/ 139 64 http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1247
2008 Excellence in Teaching Award Winners
Full-time Faculty
- Professor Debbie Lozano, mechanical engineering
- Professor Deborah Shearer, Ph.D., reading specialist

2008 Excellence in Teaching Award Winners
Part-time Faculty
- Jenine Mahendranath, instructor, American Sign Language
- Allan Oblaczynski, instructor, mathematics

Each instructor was nominated by students and evaluated by a committee of their peers. They were also required to submit their teaching philosophy and were then evaluated in their classrooms.

Other criteria used to determine the winner were:

Innovative approaches to teaching
On-campus and off-campus services, including civic and community activities
Continuing education, work toward additional degrees, and professional
development activities

Debbie Lozano, professor of mechanical engineering, received her bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University and her master's degree from Kent State University. She has been teaching full-time at the college since 1994.

Deborah Shearer, reading specialist professor, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Akron, her master's degree from Edinboro State College, and her doctorate from Kent State University. She has been teaching full-time at the college since 2002.

Jenine Mahendranath, instructor of American Sign Language, received her Associate of Arts degree from Lakeland Community College. She has been teaching at the college for 11 years.

Allan Oblaczynski, mathematics instructor, received his bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University, and his master's degree from Cleveland State University. He has been teaching at the college for 15 years.


Other faculty nominated and considered for the award were:

Full-time
Debra K. Barnick, professor, travel & tourism and hotel lodging management
Richard Basich, professor, mathematics
Christopher Berry, associate professor, fine arts
F. Douglas Clouse, professor, accounting
Susan K. Hill, Ph.D., professor, biology
Vivian E. Smith, professor, psychology
Paul Zachlin, Ph. D., instructor, mathematics

Part-time
Rebecca Bartel, instructor, information technology and computer science
Carolyn Berg, instructor, behavioral sciences
Barbara Fleischmann, instructor, human services
Barbara Friedt, instructor, Weekend College
Nathaniel Morehouse, instructor, philosophy
Timothy McCarthy, instructor, philosophy
Frank Prpic, instructor, photography
Ruth Troup, instructor, business management
Julia Watson, instructor, behavioral sciences]]> http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1247 7 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1246 Lakeland announces its Outstanding Student Awards for 2008. Each year, students from various academic programs at the college are chosen to receive the Outstanding Student Awards. In addition, the Executive Vice President and Provost presents the Dean's Award each year to a member of the graduating class whose academic record and scholastic ability demonstrates the highest level of academic achievement.

For more information, contact the Provosts' office at 440.525.7294.

2008 Dean's Award
Selena Magalotti (Willoughby)

2008 Dean's Award Finalists
Loren Fekete (Mayfield Heights)
Kathleen M. Pap (Mentor)
Annie F. Parker (Wickliffe)

Michael E. Adler (Madison)
Outstanding Electronic Engineering Technology Student

Mark E. Bielech (Geneva)
Outstanding CISCO Network Infrastructure Student

Jerome T. Borris (Wickliffe)
Outstanding Information Technology & Computer Science Student

Clarice M. Bruner (Willoughby)
Outstanding Nursing Student

Danielle R. Fitos (Willoughby)
Outstanding American Sign Language Student

Melissa L. Garvas (Painesville Township)
Outstanding Human Services Student

Margret W. Harris (Mentor)
Outstanding Dental Hygiene Student

Denise M. Kennedy (Mentor)
Outstanding Business Management Student
Wall Street Journal Award

Robert E. Lee (Ashtabula)
Outstanding Applied Electric Utility Student

Sara E. Lesak (Euclid)
Outstanding English Student

Robert S. Manley (Chagrin Falls)
Outstanding Radiologic Technology Student

Thomas E. Manley (Mentor)
Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Technology Student Award

John H. Oatman (Mentor)
Outstanding Nuclear Engineering Technology Student

Kathleen M. Pap (Mentor)
Outstanding Medical Laboratory Student

Annie F. Parker (Wickliffe)
Outstanding Psychology Services Student

Laura M. Puckett (Akron)
Outstanding Paralegal Studies Student

Dimitri Rajko (Concord Township)
Outstanding Chemistry Student
Outstanding Mathematics Student

Robert D. Rohrbaugh, III (Madison)
Outstanding Criminal Justice Student

Jamie L. Salvatore (Willoughby)
Outstanding Early Childhood Education Student

Renee M. Smiciklas (Hambden)
Outstanding Accounting Student

Kenneth P. Stout (Mentor)
Outstanding Fire Science Technology Student

Colleen M. Telling (Chardon)
Outstanding Civil Engineering Technology Student

Carmela J. Trionfante (Garfield Heights)
Outstanding Emergency Management Planning & Administration

David L. Welton (Ashtabula)
Outstanding Respiratory Therapy Student

Maria Bennett (Willoughby)
Distinguished Student Service Award]]> http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1246 7 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1244
This collection by local area artists from Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties will feature work in a variety of media including oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, mixed media, sculpture and three-dimensional media.

The Creative Artists Association was established as a nonprofit in 1952 to promote art education and to provide artistic fellowship for area artists.

Gallery Hours are Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mary Urbas
Lakeland Fine Arts Gallery
murbas@lakelandcc.edu
440.525.7029]]> http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1244 6 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1243 Lakeland will hold its 41st annual Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. The keynote speaker will be John F. Platz, former Lake County Commissioner and current chairman of the Lake County Board of Elections. Platz was a charter faculty member at Lakeland, where he taught political science for 33 years.

Over 3,000 friends and family members are expected to attend the college's ceremony at an outdoor pavilion on campus. A total of 824 students are receiving degrees, with approximately 435 participating in the ceremony. The oldest graduate is 68 and the youngest is 17.

During the ceremony, the college will present a Distinguished Service Award to Charles Frank, director of the Lakeland Civic Band. As a music educator and band director, Frank has spent a lifetime influencing the educational development of thousands of students throughout Lake County

The commencement ceremony will be broadcast on the Lakeland Cable Network on Time Warner (former Comcast Cable Channel 98 and Adelphia Cable Channel 21) starting May 21 through July 1 at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily (Thursdays excluded).

Each graduate participating in commencement was eligible to receive up to six guest tickets to the outdoor pavilion ceremony and a reception. Leftover food from the reception will be donated to the Cleveland Foodbank.


About John F. Platz

Born in Cleveland, John F. Platz has spent the majority of his life in Lake County. Known to friends and family as "Jack," Platz graduated from Cathedral Latin High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in history from John Carroll University. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was stationed in Germany from 1955-56. He later taught at Eastlake North High School for 10 years and earned the distinction of being a Jennings Scholar in 1966. The honor is given by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to outstanding classroom teachers who improve the quality of elementary and secondary education in Ohio.

Having taught at Lakeland since the college first opened its doors in September of 1967, he was a charter faculty member and taught political science for 33 years. While at Lakeland, he designed and developed the college's political science curriculum. In 1997, he established the John F. Platz Good Government Scholarship with The Lakeland Foundation.

In the public service sector, Platz left his imprint throughout Lake County. He began serving the public as a Wickliffe councilman for five years with roles as vice mayor and as a member of the Wickliffe planning commission. He was elected to six terms as Lake County Commissioner, serving for 24 years. He served as president of the board of Lake County Commissioners eight times. During his tenure as a Lake County Commissioner, Platz was instrumental in: establishing the county's enhanced 911 system; building the Emergency Operations Center and Central Communications Dispatch Center; establishing the Lake County Public Defender Office; building the Lake County Jail and Lake County Crime Lab; building the Lake County Solid Waste Facility and new county water system; creating LakeTran; and supporting the Lake County Council on Aging and building senior centers in many communities.

In the political realm, he has served on the Lake County Democratic Party Central Executive Committee for over 30 years. He was the party's chairman from 1998-2002 and is currently vice chair. He has been a member of the Lake County Board of Elections since 1998 and is currently the chairman. This extensive background makes him frequently sought after as a political expert for local media.

Platz and his wife, Connie, are the proud parents of five children and have 10 grandchildren. They reside in Mentor.]]> http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1243 5 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1241
Distinguished Service Award - Community
Charles M. Frank, Lakeland Community College Civic Band director

Charles Frank has spent a lifetime influencing the educational development of thousands of students throughout Lake County. As a teacher, band director, department chair, program innovator, and community outreach specialist, he has single-handedly changed the face of music in the region for almost half a century.

Upon retiring from Lakeland as a music professor and department coordinator for 16 years, he served as interim director of the Rabbit Run Community Arts Association in Madison, Ohio from 1998-2001 and was the executive director of the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby from 1987-1998. As co-founder of the Lake County Visitors Bureau Arts and Culture Fund, he worked to strengthen music programs in the area. He continues to spread his love for music by serving as an Ohio Music Education Association adjudicator, as well as a guest conductor and clinician throughout Ohio.

Frank has been the recipient of numerous awards. In 1987 he was selected as the Jazz Educator of the Year for the Ohio region by the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). In 1992 he was presented with the Achievement Service Award by the Ohio University School of Music Society of Alumni and Friends. In 1987, he was named Jazz Educator of the Year by the Ohio Unit of IAJE. The Ohio University School of Music Society Alumni and Friends presented Frank with the Achievement in Service Award in 1992.

This year, Frank enters his third decade taking the stage as the conductor of the Lakeland Civic Band. Frank's ability inspires others to get involved with music and to perform to the best of their abilities and is a to be a positive role model for Lakeland students and the community.


Distinguished Service Award - Student
Maria Bennett, business major, Lakeland class of '08

As a student worker in Lakeland's Women's Center, Maria Bennett has made significant contributions to the college community. Through campus activities and personal interaction with students, Bennett is a model mentor and supporter to fellow students.

As a single parent, the Willoughby resident was instrumental in the creation of the Single Parents Association, a campus support group for single parents. She developed programming to meet the needs of these students, such as lunches and other social activities, where they could learn how to balance school, work, and parenting. Due to great response, the group now includes any Lakeland student who is a parent (as opposed to only single parents). When a fellow student was deployed to Iraq, Bennett organized a supply drive to send almost 100 boxes of books, paper, food, toiletries, etc., to that students' unit in Iraq. She was also key in bringing Lakeland's SMART (Single Mothers Achieving Real Triumph) program into full swing.

Bennett is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and will pursue her bachelor's degree in social work at Cleveland State University.


Distinguished Service Award - Faculty
Judith Mazzeo, professor of information technology and computer science

Judith Mazzeo began her Lakeland career in 1982. She has devoted 26 years to the college as a full-time data processing, information systems, and Information Technology and computer science faculty member teaching students skills such as programming languages for mainframe and microcomputer systems. She was awarded tenure in 1986.

Prior to her service to Lakeland, the Willowick resident spent 13 years in the I.T. industry doing application programming and systems analysis in business, medical, and manufacturing settings for mainframe systems. She wanted to share her programming skills with the business community at large, and she saw teaching at Lakeland as the way to accomplish that.

For 20 of the past 26 years, she served as chair of the Information Technology and Computer Science Department. She is currently department co-staffing coordinator, building the academic schedule for the department each semester. She has been instrumental in ushering in the next generation of information technology students by spearheading and organizing "We Are I.T. Day," an outreach event designed to encourage and excite girls about the I.T. field. In conjunction with the Ohio Department of Education and the I.T. Works Program, the day-long event brought almost 100 girls from Lake and Cuyahoga county schools to Lakeland's campus for the second year in a row.


Distinguished Service Award - Staff
Shair Myers, graphic design artist

As a graphic artist in Lakeland's marketing department since 1978, Madison resident Shair Myers has contributed to the college's image in very visible ways. Her designs have been featured on the college's catalogs, class schedules, newspaper ads, brochures, posters, and direct mail pieces.

Myers recently redesigned all of the college's major publications to incorporate a new, contemporary graphic look. She has received awards from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations and Lake Communicators for her outstanding designs. Over the past three decades, Myers created professional designs for Lakeland that have enhanced the college's image as a quality institution of higher education.]]> http://www2.lakelandcc.edu/nora/events/iuser/news/newsmore.asp?ID=1241 2 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT