Five Chosen to Receive 2017 President’s Award for Excellence

May 19, 2017

Hudson Valley Community College has announced its recipients of the 2017 President's Award for Excellence. The awards, which have been handed out by Hudson Valley Community College presidents since 1985, were presented at the college's 33rd annual Faculty Staff Honors Convocation on May 4.

Those who received the President's Award for Excellence in College Service include: John K. Dyson of Troy, a technical assistant in the Computer Learning Center; Tara L. Farley-Wyckoff of Averill Park, a technical assistant in the Center for Effective Teaching; Domenica G. Hall of Troy, a technical assistant in the Registrar's Office; and Patricia G. Hyland of Clifton Park, the department chairperson for Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine.

Philip D. Burtt of Berne, an assistant professor in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Department received the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

John Dyson, a Hudson Valley alumnus, was a work-study tutor and then hired as a professional tutor after graduation. He became a technical assistant in the college's Computer Learning Center (CLC) in 2001. Dyson helps maintain CLC computers, and also assists students in troubleshooting computer issues and with computer-related coursework.

Tara Farley-Wyckoff, an alumna of the college, works at the Center for Effective Teaching, an on-campus resource for faculty and staff that offers mentoring and workshops related to technology, teaching and leadership. She is involved in record-keeping and workshop planning as well as oversight of the Faculty Resource Room and the Faculty Mentors program.

Domenica "Donna" Hall maintains various processes and reports on behalf of the Registrar's Office. She also runs processes in support of Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) certification and enrollment reporting to the National Student Clearinghouse. Hall also produces course registration forms for more than 20 special student populations, such as College in the High School, the Memorial/Samaritan Hospital Nursing and the Learn Where You Earn programs.

Patricia Hyland oversees seven degree and certificate programs as head of the Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine Department. A hallmark of her more than two decades working at the college has been the development of innovative education partnerships with the region's health care facilities and other community partners. The newest program she helped develop will train qualified community health navigators, which will help reimagine the work of community health care and service.

Phil Burtt, an assistant professor of physics, was described by his nominators as a gifted and dedicated educator who inspires his students to succeed. A member of the college faculty since 2000, he is enthusiastic and creative in bringing the content of his physics courses to life in the classroom.

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Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Science; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of nearly 11,500 students and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.

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