Nearly 100 Honored For Service to Hartwick College During Quinquennial Awards

May 9, 2022

Over two days, Hartwick staff and faculty gathered to honor colleagues for their milestones in service to the College. During the annual Quinquennial Awards Celebration, held in the Celebration Room of Shineman Chapel House, employees were recognized for their time dedicated to the College in five-year increments.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27, 2022, and celebrated employees who would have been saluted in 2020 and 2021.

Hartwick College President Margaret L. Drugovich led the ceremonies that saluted a combined 92 employees who contributed nearly 1,500 years of total service to the College.

Drugovich presented each of those with 15 or more years of service with a “Streak of Blue” award, which is traditionally crafted by a member of the College’s Art and Art History Department. This year the awards were commissioned from Resident Artist in Glass Erik Halvorson.

Those faculty and staff marking the fifth, 10th, or 15th anniversary of the outset of their Hartwick employment were:

2020 Honorees

Five Years (2015)

Jason Arkins – Aramark Dining Cook
Erin Autera – Head Field Hockey Coach
Heather Babbitt – Administrative Assistant for Academic Affairs
Cleopthus Banks – Aramark Facilities Groundsman
Kelly Barr – Dispatcher
Anne Barreto – Administrative Assistant for the Office of Human Resources
Elena Chernyak – Associate Professor of Sociology
Jonathan Dono – Systems Manager
Michael Ennist – Assistant Director of Campus Safety
Mike Jester – Aramark Dining Supervisor
Douglas Kendall – Coordinator of the Yager Museum of Art and Culture
Brian Knapp – Head Women’s Soccer Coach
Karen McGrath – Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success
Wayne McMahon – Professor of Practice in Chemistry
Sandra Rorick – Administrative Assistant for the Perrella Wellness Center

10 Years: (2010)

Lori Beckemeyer – Database Manager
Martin Christiansen – Lecturer in English
Denise Newvine – Lecturer in Sociology
Kimmeche Richardson – Aramark Dining Barista
John Scott – Head Men’s Soccer Coach
Pinki Srivastava – Executive-In-Residence Department of Business Administration and Accounting
Diane Thompson – Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid

15 Years: (2005)

Elizabeth Bloom – Professor of Education
Kristin Jones – Professor of Economics
Persida Krajovan – Aramark Facilities Floater
Matthew Sanford – Registrar and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
Patricia Thorne – Assistant Controller
Douglas Zullo – Associate Professor of Art & Art History

As recipients of Quinquennial Awards were announced for those with 20 years or more of service to the College, Chief Human Resource Officer Suzanne Janitz presented biographical information and reflections of the work of each.

Honored for 20 years of service to the College was Aramark Dining Cook Lorlinda (Lori) Shumway.

Shumway began as a cook at Hartwick in August, 2000. During her time in the Commons Dining Hall, she spent many years on the grill every weekday morning, and become one of the students’ most popular cooks. During the pandemic, she became one of Aramark’s go-tos for quarantine and isolation feeding. She has always cared deeply for the college and her coworkers and it shows in her day to day interactions with everyone.

Dispatcher Barbara Willsey was unable to attend the ceremony.

For 25 years of service, the College honored Professor of Biology Douglas Hamilton.

Hartwick College students and faculty have all experienced Hamilton’s professionalism and collegiality. He came to Hartwick in 1995 after eight years as a research associate at SUNY–Albany. For more than two decades, Hamilton has been the linchpin of the biology department, for which he was chairperson from 2001 – 2009. He continues to serve as the advisor for 3-year biology majors, helping them navigate the challenging path to graduation. His leadership has not been limited to the biology department, having served as the chairperson of the Committee on Appointments, Tenure and Promotion (ATP).

His classes in genetic and plant biology were consistently popular among students, due in large part to energetic and supportive teaching style. In recognition of his outstanding teaching, Hamilton was named the recipient of the Margaret B. Bunn Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003. In addition to teaching on campus, Doug also co-directs the popular off-campus J-term course Island Biogeography in the Bahamas.

Unable to attend was Aramark Facilities Carpenter Wayne Sperry.

Honored for 30 years of service to the College were Aramark Dining Catering Manager Darlene Kopf and Production Manager/Supervisor Robert Eklund.

Kopf began her career as a line attendant, quickly moved into the Deli attendant position and soon after became a cook. From there, she became a supervisor in The Commons, where she honed her craft of setting up the dining hall and decorating it to emphasize events held there. In July of 2018, Kopf became catering manager for the dining program, handling everything from Board of Trustee meetings to everyday student events, and delivering the “WOW” factor the College has come to expect.

Eklund started at Hartwick in the dishroom as the pot washer, and soon moved into a cook’s position, and held different positions until January, 2011, when he became the supervisor/Commons production manager. In this role, “Bubba” has created every menu in the dining hall, whether it be the regular day-to-day fare or for special events. He orders and maintains all products in the dining hall to ensure product is on hand and limited waste occurs. With his knowledge of the entire dining room, Ecklund is a jack of all trades, handling everything from dish machine repairs to head chef duties.

For 35 years of service, Hartwick honored Aquatic Director/Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Coach Dale Rothenberger.

Now in his 37th year, Rothenberger has amassed 596 wins, posting a 323-139 record with the men’s program and a 273-202 record with the women. He has positively impacted more than 1,000 students during his tenure, all of which left Hartwick as stronger swimmers and better people than when they arrived. He has coached his teams to six league titles, three state titles, and coached 22 Women’s and 26 Men’s All Americans. His teams have placed in the top 25 at the NCAA Championships 11 times, and he has also coached a 2-time NCAA National Champion.

Rothenberger is not just the swimming and diving coach, he is also the director of the Aquatic Center and director of the Hartwick College Competitive Swimming and Diving Summer Camp for children aged 9-18. His summer usually includes 3-4 weeks of camp, offering instruction to more than 60 campers each week, and this summer will mark its 41st edition.

Unable to attend the ceremony were Professor of Anthropology Connie Anderson; Aramark Facilities Custodian Richard Cook; Aramark Facilities Groundsman Dennis Harris; Professor of Economics Laurence Malone; and Aramark Facilities Handyman Ricky West.

Also unable to attend were 40-year honorees Aramark Facilities Athletic Groundskeeper Mark Green; Director of Nursing Curriculum and Faculty Development Theresa Turick-Gibson; and Institutional Research Analyst Judith Walsh.

2021 Honorees

Five Years: (2016)

Chad Anderson – Visiting Assistant Professor of History
Jeff Barker – Director of Student Experience Technology and Clery Compliance
Ryan Ceresola – Assistant Professor of Sociology
Biama Charles – Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Jing Chen – Associate Professor of Political Science
Megan Douglass – Laboratory Supervisor for the Center for Craft Food & Beverage
Katherine Eckelmann – Associate Director for Technology and Operations
Osamede Evbuomwan – Occupational Health and Safety Manager
Kelly Feliu – Aramark Facilities Custodian
Leah Frankel – Visiting Assistant Professor of Art
Amber Kerwin – Professor of Practice in Criminal Justice
Jodi Krzyston – Associate Professor of Nursing
Quentin Lewis – Collections and Program Manager
Andrew Pease – Assistant Professor of Music
Meghan Sheehy – Assistant Professor of Music Education
Lisa Wehner – Associate Professor of Nursing

10 Years: (2011)

Kyle Anderson – Aramark Dining Table Rock Supervisor
Patrick Atkinson – Aramark Dining Cook
Anna Chambers – Aramark Facilities Custodian
Eric Cooper – Associate Professor of Biology
Bryan Del Bene – Director of the Technology Resource Center
Ana Gonzalez – Assistant Professor of Music
Donna Moore – Clinical Placement Coordinator
Matthew Mulford – Aramark Dining Supervisor
Matthew Robinson – Aramark Facilities Groundsman
Elizabeth Steele – Editorial and Creative Director
Devin White – Aramark Dining Director

15 Years (2006):

John Dudek – Professor of Chemistry
Barbara Hein – P-T Public Services Assistant
Jason Jameson – Database and ERP Systems Analyst
Alice Lichtenstein – Lecturer in English
Adam Martin – Dispatcher
Barry Tobiason – Campus Safety Officer, Part-Time
Bert Tobiason – Shift Supervisor/Officer in Charge
Parker Troischt – Professor of Physics
J. Jeremy Wisnewski – Professor of Religious Studies

Honored for 20 years of service to the College was Head Athletic Trainer Heidi Hofbauer-Buzzy.

Hofbauer-Buzzy was hired as a full-time athletic trainer in 2001, but had been working with the College since 1994 as a contracted athletic trainer. In 2011, she was promoted to head athletic trainer and has since been responsible for overseeing the athletic training needs of all the sports programs, as well as multiple assistant athletic trainers. Her role is critical to the athletics department, as she works nights, weekends, and holidays, and travels to away games. She has taught the 3-credit Sports Health course, which is one of the four courses required for students by the state to receive their New York State coaching certification. Along with her training and management duties, Hofbauer-Buzzy designed and selected the equipment for the Elting Fitness Center remodel. Last year, she relocated to the Perrella Health Center full time in order to assist its staff with the needs that arose from managing COVID-19 on campus.

Invited yet unable to attend were Aramark Dining Cook Eva Acosta; Associate Professor of English Lisa Darien; Professor of Biology Peter Fauth; and Professor of Philosophy Stefanie Rocknak.

Honored for 25 years of service to the College were Resident Artist in Art/Hot Glass Erik Halvorson and Chief Human Resources Officer Suzanne Janitz.

Halvorson joined Hartwick in 1996 as the technical assistant in ceramics and resident artist in hot glass, and has been dedicated to the 3-D studios in the Anderson Center for the last 25 years. Recent courses he has taught include Introduction to Glass; Glass and Light; and Intermediate and Advanced Glass. Halvorson’s courses allow students to explore the properties of glass to develop an understanding and to discover the possibilities of personal expression through the medium of glass. Halvorson’s glass work can be found in the homes and offices of numerous employees and donors, and museums across the region.

Janitz has served the Hartwick College community since 1996. During her tenure, she has provided vital leadership in the areas of employee relations, compensation, benefits, performance management, regulatory compliance, conflict resolution, diversity and inclusion, and overall risk management. In 2008, she was appointed director of human resources, and in 2019 named chief human resource officer. Janitz is also a key member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team, and directly supports the Board of Trustees and its work as its senior administrative liaison to the Human Resource Advancement Committee. She is also the proud parent of Hartwick College alumnus, Christopher Janitz ’21, and the Nursing Department’s Simulation Lab Technician, John Janitz.

Administrative Assistant for the Department of Nursing Jamie Dalton and Reference Librarian James Friery Jr. were invited yet unable to attend.

Accompanist in Music Timothy Horne was honored for his 30 years of service to the College.

Horne joined the Hartwick community as an instructor in the music department. His piano mastery has led him to accompany the College’s Choir and Chamber Choir, as well as the junior and senior student recitals. He is also the musical preparation accompanist for the Catskill Choral Society and Catskill Choral Society Youth and Children’s Choirs. He has been the music director at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta since 1988, and accompanies the choirs at Oneonta High School and Middle School. Horne has also accompanied musicals performed at area high schools, Orpheus Theatre, and the Foothills Performing Arts Center.

Secretary to Financial Aid Andria Jipson was recognized for her 45 years at the College; Director of Payrolls Christine Utter has been with Hartwick for 50 years; and Aramark Facilities Group Leader Joan Utter joined the College in 1966, marking 55 years of service. None of these long-standing employees were able to attend the ceremony.

For more information on the Quinquennial Awards, contact Assistant Director of Human Resources Kimberley Lindsley at 607-431-4244 or humres@hartwick.edu.