MORRISVILLE, NY–Five Morrisville State faculty/staff members were recently honored with Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence by the State University of New York and SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher.
Receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service is: Timothy W. Gerken, of Garrattsville
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service recognizes faculty members for excellence in teaching techniques, scholarship and professional growth, student services and academic standards.
Receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is: Philip V. Hofmeyer, of Munnsville
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes professors who show outstanding skill in the classroom, scholarship and professional growth, commitment to students and high academic standards.
Receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service is: Brian S. Tefft, of Norwich
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service recognizes outstanding job performance by professional staff in administrative positions and those who have transcended the normal definitions of excellence.
The honor provides system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.
Receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching is: Susan M. Hoffmann, of Cazenovia
As described by SUNY, adjuncts are part-time college employees who usually teach one or two courses per semester and have either a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in their chosen discipline.
Receiving the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service is: Mark P. Lewis, of Madison
All winners will be recognized during the college’s 104th commencement ceremony which will be held May 9 at 1 p.m. in the recreation center.
Philip Hofmeyer
Hofmeyer began his career at Morrisville State College in 2008 through a U.S. Department of Labor grant to help develop the college’s Renewable Energy Training Center (RETC). In 2011, he became a faculty member teaching many classes he created.
During his tenure, he co-authored the college’s renewable energy programs and developed 11 courses for those programs. He has emerged as a campus leader and mentor, serving on numerous committees including the professional development committee, co-advisor of the Renewable Energy Club and as a member of the SUNY 20/20 Anaerobic Methane Digester Steering Committee.
An active advocate for the college, Hofmeyer’s ability to implement technical, hands-on training has immersed students in sustainability/renewable energy projects that have provided them with valuable hands-on field work experience in the community. Some projects have included designing, installing and maintaining three micro hydroelectricity systems throughout Madison County, several solar photovoltaic arrays installed during the Solarize Madison campaigns, and a new wind turbine at the college’s dairy complex.
The college and students have benefited from numerous grants Hofmeyer has helped write and secure, in addition to his assistance with course and curriculum development, along with his assistance with the college’s Renewable Energy Training Center (RETC).
In addition to leaving his mark across campus, Hofmeyer has also done so in the community, teaching numerous professional workshops and courses. He has a long list of distinguished publications and frequently shares his expertise as a speaker in public forums and at conferences. Based on his extensive knowledge and skills, he has become recognized as a regional and national expert, leader and educator in the field of renewable energy.
His community outreach also includes serving as president of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County and serving on the Madison County Energy Committee.
Hofmeyer earned his Ph.D. in forest resources from the University of Maine, M.S. and B.S. degrees from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in natural resources management, and an A.A.S. from Morrisville State College in natural resources conservation.
Timothy W. Gerken
Gerken has demonstrated superior achievement in his service to the Morrisville State College, which started in 2006. Throughout his tenure, he has served in various leadership roles. He is the faculty senator for the college’s university faculty senate, also serving as a sector representative, and sits on the executive committee of the senate. He is also the chair of the college’s senate professional development committee and chair of the writing faculty committee.
His passion for art is demonstrated in many aspects on the college campus where he organized and
curated the college’s Martin Luther King Gallery Show, directs, organizes and coordinates the Butcher Library Gallery Art shows, and coordinates donations of artwork to the Morrisville College Foundation.
His accomplishments are not just through his willingness to serve on existing committees, but also in his efforts to bring to the college opportunities that had not existed before, in terms of diversity, professional development and creative engagement.
Gerken earned a Ph.D. in education, language, literacy and learning from Fordham University, an M.F.A. in poetry writing from Brooklyn College, an M.S. in secondary school certification from Southern Connecticut State University, and a B.S. in personal management from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Mark P. Lewis
Lewis began his career at Morrisville State College in 1993. Revered for his knowledge and expertise in various areas, Lewis is responsible for the water supply and waste treatment for the entire campus. He also oversees underground campus utilities for both in-house excavations and for projects that may impact underground systems.
His diverse knowledge and resourcefulness have earned him many accolades on campus. In addition to his campus involvement, which includes serving on various committees, Lewis is avidly involved in his community, where he has run the youth wrestling program at Madison Central School for the past 13 years, and is involved with youth baseball. He is also a New York State wrestling official.
He serves as the water superintendent for the Village of Madison and is also active with farming in the community. Mark earned an A.A.S. in agricultural business from Morrisville State College.
Susan M. Hoffmann
Hoffmann has worked at Morrisville State College since 1993. Originally from New Jersey, Hoffmann earned her B.S. degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and taught at several schools there before relocating to CNY. She received her M.S. degree from SUNY Oswego in vocational technical education and was a business teacher at Morrisville-Eaton High School for 18 years, retiring in 2011.
Hoffmann’s devotion goes far beyond the classroom. A certified True Colors Trainer, she has been trained in critical skills and learning focused schools, served on the NYS Business Teachers Association Executive Board and participated in the New York State Mentor Program. She has several “Creative Ideas” published in the Teaching Business Education Newsletter, and has lesson plans included in More Games Keyboarding Teachers Play.
She serves on the business department’s advisory board and has instructed classes in the summer educational opportunity program on campus. In her community, she supports Hospice and breast cancer awareness events.
Brian S. Tefft
Tefft joined the staff in 2005. During the time he has worked at Morrisville State College, he has implemented numerous technology upgrades at the Norwich Campus. He also provides technical support, in-service training workshops to faculty, staff and students in addition to assisting with a wide range of community events held at the Norwich Campus. An active member of campus, he also serves on numerous committees. Tefft earned an A.A.S. from Morrisville State College.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.