Penn College Presents Teaching Awards at Commencement

Two faculty members at Pennsylvania College of Technology were honored with teaching awards during commencement ceremonies held May 14 at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport.

As part of the Distinguished Teaching Awards program, Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour presented 2011 Excellence in Teaching Awards to Michael J. Ditchfield, instructor of hospitality management/culinary arts in the School of Hospitality, and Christopher J. Holley, assistant professor of automotive technology in the School of Transportation Technology.

Ditchfield began his employment at Penn College in 1996. Previously, he worked as executive chef at the Hillside Restaurant, Montoursville, and the Peter Herdic House, Williamsport. He also was employed as a sous chef at the Gaslight Inn, Montville, N.J., and the Sheraton Inn, Williamsport.

He holds a master's degree in education from Wilkes University, a bachelor's degree in culinary arts technology from Penn College, an associate degree in hotel and restaurant management from Paul Smith's College, and certifications in garde manger, fish and shellfish, and sauces and baking from the Culinary Institute of America.

Comments from Ditchfield's nomination forms include:

• His enthusiasm for his discipline carries over to every educational opportunity.
• He is the champion behind many of his students' professional successes.
• His door is always open to the needs of the students.
• He bridges theory with practical, hands-on learning.

Holley began his employment with Penn College in 2003. Previously, he worked as an automotive instructor at North Metro Technical College, Acworth, Ga.; as a network administrator at PNC Mortgage, Atlanta, and Atlantic Health Group; and as a data processing manager at Southern Ice Cream Specialties.

He holds a master's degree in management (information systems focus) from Southern Polytechnic State University, a bachelor's degree in information systems from Kennesaw State University and an associate degree in automotive technology from North Metro Technical College.

Excerpts from Holley's nomination forms include:

• He seems to always be there if you have a question.
• He encouraged me to be the best student that I could be.
• He carries all the traits which you would find in an exceptional instructor.

Distinguished Teaching Awards are presented to full-time faculty members at Penn College who have been nominated by their students and colleagues for excellence in instructional performance. Since 1982, 87 Distinguished Teaching Awards have been presented.

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