Six instructors receive recognition from Foundation

Six members of Mt. Hood’s faculty received annual Distinguished Teaching Awards recognizing their outstanding contributions to their students. They will also get a $500 stipend award, which they will receive during a presentation at the MHCC District board meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

The instructors being recognized are Harry DeWolf, accounting instructor; Chris Jackson, philosophy and religion instructor; Paul Morris, Computer Information Systems instructor; Pat Hanrahan, Planetarium director; Myra Wecker, Health/PE Zumba tone instructor; and Janet Bakes, instructor for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

All of the instructors were excited for their awards.

“The best part about the recognition is that the nominations and comments came from my students; those mean the most to me,” said DeWolf. “I have had some challenging positions before joining MHCC two years ago and this one ranks right up there. I always feel if I am going to do a job, I always want to make a difference and I want to do my very best every day; even on the tough days.”

Jackson called receiving the award “one of the highlights of my teaching career. And it is also very humbling,” he said. “There is a lot of teaching talent at Mt. Hood Community College. I am honored to be among so many talented and passionate colleagues.”

Paul Morris vividly described the announcement of his award: “I was teaching my class, all the lights were out — doing an overhead presentation simulation. My colleague, Wayne Machuca, walks in and he loudly proclaims, ‘It’s too dark in here!’ And then he flips on the lights, and I’m looking at him like, ‘What are you doing?’

“Then, all of a sudden, an entourage of students and fellow colleague instructors, as well as staff people, walk in, and then comes President (Debbie) Derr. I knew what was up when this entourage walked in,” he said.

Hanrahan said the award is an “amazing honor.” He is a part-time instructor and loves his position, he said. There’s “no greater job,” he said. He was surprised when Derr and Dean of Science Steven Goldsmith came into his astronomy class to present his award. Goldsmith stayed to give Hanrahan and his class a congratulatory speech.

Myra Wecker was in the middle of a new Zumba routine when a group came into her class to present her award. “I was totally shocked and was wondering why all these people in nice clothes were coming into my Zumba class,” she said. “I cried when she (Derr) read to me that I was nominated for the part-time faculty award for excellence in teaching

“I couldn’t believe it and I am still on Cloud Nine. I am very honored and humbled by this award and I count my blessings and this one is a huge one,” Wecker said.

Bakes was unavailable for comment.

According to Pam Benjamin, executive assistant to the president, “Recognition of the outstanding work of faculty members is a high priority of the MHCC District Foundation.” Each year, as many as three full-time and three part-time faculty members are honored, and receive the $500 award from the Foundation, she said.