HACC Alumni Recognized for Making a Difference

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Norman Hardy
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HACC Distinguished Alumni for 2015 are, from left, Sherry L. Capello; Brian A. Hudson Sr.; Destini Y. Hodges; Daniel J. Benny, Ph.D.; Gary Laabs; Donald E. Enders Jr.; John M. Bowman; and Kathy M.

1 HACC Distinguished Alumni for 2015 are, from left, Sherry L. Capello; Brian A. Hudson Sr.; Destini Y. Hodges; Daniel J. Benny, Ph.D.; Gary Laabs; Donald E. Enders Jr.; John M. Bowman; and Kathy M. Verna. HACC Alumni Recognized for Making a Difference Eight outstanding alumni join The Circle of Distinction HARRISBURG, Pa. The HACC Alumni Association s Circle of Distinction grew by eight outstanding individuals with the sixth annual awards dinner held June 6, 2015, at the York Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania s Community College. Named were Daniel J. Benny, John M. Bowman, Sherry L. Capello, Donald E. Enders Jr., Destini Y. Hodges, Brian A. Hudson Sr., Gary Laabs and Kathy M. Verna. Distinguished Alumni are chosen because their commitment and hard work embody the HACC spirit and serve as an inspiration to other alumni and all students. Their success is measured by the impact they have made and continue to make in the HACC community and in their personal lives. Daniel J. Benny, Ph.D. Because of HACC, I was able to focus on my professional goals and gained the knowledge I needed to obtain my first security management position. HACC was a great place to start, and I am forever grateful for the foundation it gave me, said Benny, who embodies the qualities of an 1

2 outstanding HACC alumnus because of his educational achievements, professional certifications and service to the criminal justice and security professions. Benny has more than 35 years of experience in public safety management, including the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, U.S. Navy Ships Parts Control Center, Elizabethtown College and 10 years as director of safety and security for HACC. He continues to serve HACC as an adjunct instructor in law enforcement and also works as a private investigator and security consultant. He is a licensed private investigator and has achieved the highest professional security certification issued by the American Society for Industrial Security International. After graduating from HACC with associate degrees in commercial security and police administration in 1980 and 1981, respectively, Benny earned a bachelor s degree in security administration from Alvernia College, two master s degrees one in security administration from Norwich University and one in aeronautical science from Embry Riddle University and a doctorate in criminal justice from Capella University. He also served as a naval intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College. Benny teaches full time at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and serves as chair of the aviation security program. He also teaches boating safety for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Coast Guard Auxiliary and is a first-aid instructor for the American Red Cross. He volunteers his time as an aerospace education officer and instructor for the Civil Air Patrol and the Federal Aviation Administration. John M. Bowman HACC prepared me for a memorable career in law enforcement. I was able to form a close bond with the faculty and students at the Lancaster Campus that continues today, said Bowman, who earned an associate degree in criminal justice in Bowman is a role model for today s HACC students as an outstanding leader within his profession, a mentor and community servant. His successful career is filled with such awards as Officer of the Year and the Police Commendation Award. After graduating from HACC s Police Academy in 1988, he was a patrol officer for the Lancaster Police Department. In June 1989, he joined the East Lampeter Township Police Department and worked his way up the ranks until he was named chief in He is former president of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association and currently serves as co-chair of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Hiring Consortium and the Lancaster County Crisis Intervention Team steering committee. Bowman also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Bowman is committed to providing a safer environment for our HACC campuses. In 2012, he played a significant role in establishing annual active threat training exercises for the College s Department of Safety and Security. He enabled an East Lampeter Township Police Department detective, who specializes in retail security, to train HACC s bookstore staff collegewide. In 2

3 addition, Bowman works with a HACC criminal justice instructor to provide tours of the police station and is a willing resource for students. Bowman has been a coach with the Conestoga Valley Youth Football program, served as a DARE officer who teaches drug and alcohol resistance to middle school students in the Conestoga Valley School District and is an associate member of the Bareville, Leola, Leacock Lions Club. Sherry L. Capello One critical memory from college was during my first year in an economics class. The professor told us that we should not automatically accept what is told to us. We have our own minds. We can educate ourselves and develop our own informed decisions. That moment changed how I looked at everything in my life. Thank you, HACC! Thank you, educators, said Capello, who earned an associate degree in business management in Growing up in a blue-collar family, Capello learned the importance of working hard, which has carried her far in her public service career that includes serving her second term as mayor of the city of Lebanon. Her first public sector job came in 1987 as a zoning officer for Lebanon County. In 1997, Capello became assistant borough manager for Palmyra and, after four months, was named borough manager. Eleven years later, she joined Derry Township as assistant director of community development until she became mayor of Lebanon in As mayor, Capello has focused her administration on becoming accountable to the people. She has led the city in a new direction with impressive results. Lebanon has seen $17 million of development in the last two years, and at least another $24 million is planned for the next two years. She got our house in order by addressing a budget deficit, tackling numerous audit findings, negotiating a contract in 2011 for all three unions and non-union employees that saved the city $150,000 and establishing a reserve fund for future capital purchases. In December 2013, Capello received the prestigious Athena Award from the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her efforts to support, develop and honor women leaders in the community. Capello serves on the Lebanon Campus Advisory Committee, has talked about government and politics to the Lebanon Campus Student Government Association leadership and participated in the HACC Gives Back community service project in Lebanon in September Donald E. Enders Jr. HACC is known for its outstanding faculty, said Enders, who graduated from HACC in 1972 with an associate degree in business administration. Even in the infancy of this institution, my experience was no different. My love of history and business was nurtured at HACC. I believe I have received an excellent education at HACC. From high school students, to individuals 3

4 seeking a new career path, to retirees having a desire to learn for learning s sake, I am always excited to promote HACC as a valuable resource within our community! Enders, president and CEO of Enders Insurance Associates, is seriously committed to his family, business, community and HACC. Enders got his start in the family business at age 18, while also serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He went on to earn a bachelor s degree from Penn State University and later earned Certified Insurance Professional (CIC) and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations. Under his leadership, Enders Insurance Associates has grown to include four offices that serve a large client base in Central Pennsylvania and beyond. He knows the true meaning of work ethic. Enders serves on the boards of the HACC Foundation, Keystone Human Services and Panther Ram Foundation. He is also chairman of the board of Centric Bank Financial Corporation and Centric Bank. In 2013, he was presented with the Edna Silberman Humanitarian Award, Keystone Human Services highest award given to an outstanding citizen who has made significant contributions to the community. He has been intricately involved in the recent renewal and growth of the Panther Ram Foundation, which provides extensive support to the Central Dauphin School District. To give back to his alma mater, Enders has served on the HACC Foundation Board since 2007 and is a member of the Foundation s Planned Giving Committee and the Joint Board Development Task Force. In 2010, he spearheaded the establishment of the Enders Family Scholarship Endowment at HACC. His company has been a consistent supporter of the Frank J. Dixon Tournament for Scholarships at HACC, and in 2014, Enders Insurance Associates was a sponsor for HACC s year-long 50 th anniversary celebration. Destini Y. Hodges HACC s professors and staff are deeply invested in the culture of student learning. I would not exchange or give away the values and lessons I learned here at HACC. HACC is a beacon of light in Harrisburg, and all students should deeply consider letting HACC be their first choice for a quality and accessible higher education opportunity, said Hodges, who proves that great things come in small packages. She has distinguished herself at a young age through her dedication and community involvement to the City of Harrisburg. Hodges is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. As a senior class president of Harrisburg s Sci-Tech High School, she led a peaceful protest against the school s lunches. After a week-long battle, students were able to significantly improve the food options at the school. After graduating in 2008, Hodges studied for two years at Clarion University before transferring to HACC because of financial hardship. Back in Harrisburg, she decided to run for the Harrisburg School District Board. Despite legal challenges about her age, Hodges was elected the youngest member of the Harrisburg School District Board at the age of 21 in December

5 From HACC where she earned more than 30 credits with a major in paralegal studies, Hodges transferred to Penn State for a bachelor s degree in political science. She is currently working toward a master s degree in community and regional planning at Temple University while working full time as an administrative office technician in security communications at HACC. She won the May primary to be the Democratic candidate to fill a two-year term in the Harrisburg City Council in the November 2015 election. Hodges is also a community activist. She is vice president of Harrisburg Hope, a grassroots community group dedicated to civil discourse and dialogue. She serves as diversity coordinator for the Presbyterian Women of Carlisle, coordinator for Capital Youth Connections and a Christian education team member for Capital Presbyterian Church. Brian A. Hudson Sr. HACC provided a great education at a very reasonable cost. I was an accounting major and the advice and encouragement I received from Mike Furjanic, my professor, and Mr. Ritchey, my counselor, inspired me to become a certified public accountant, said Hudson, who graduated from HACC with an associate degree in business administration in Hudson, executive director and CEO of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), may not be well-known by the public, but those who work with him and his agency hold the man in awe. Under his leadership, PHFA has become the commonwealth s leading provider of capital for affordable homes and apartments and is one of the largest housing agencies in America. The simple formula for success is: Brian Hudson = Affordable Housing. Hudson s ascension to leadership at PHFA is well deserved he has worked at the agency for four decades. He began his PHFA career as a staff accountant in Since then, he has held progressively more responsible posts until he took over the PHFA reins as its chief executive on July 1, In addition to his HACC degree, Hudson holds a bachelor's degree from the Penn State University and Certified Public Accountant and Certified Treasury Professional designations. Hudson s list of credits and responsibilities in the housing field is long and impressive. He served as president of the National Council of State Housing Agencies from He also serves on the boards of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, the Commonwealth Cornerstone Group (chair), the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (chair of the Audit Committee), the National Housing Trust and Fannie Mae s Affordable Housing Advisory Council. He was a former member of the Federal Reserve Board s Consumer Advisory Council. Hudson has also served his community. He is former chair of the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation and a member of Impact Harrisburg board of directors. During HACC s 50 th anniversary celebration in 2014, PHFA was a sponsor and provided support for several events during the year, including Dr. Ski s Miles of Gratitude, the Frank Dixon Tournament for Scholarships at HACC and the Golden Anniversary Gala. Gary Laabs 5

6 HACC allows individuals to improve both personally and professionally. HACC attendance benefits the individual, his or her employer and the community. This is why I am passionate about HACC, said Laabs, an outstanding alumnus who has distinguished himself in in three chosen fields. His first career began shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He made the Army his career, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years. While serving, Laabs earned an MBA from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. After retiring from the Army, Laabs began his second career director of human resources at Utz Quality Foods in Hanover, where he was later promoted to vice president of human resources. While at Utz, he worked closely with HACC s Gettysburg Campus on developing various training programs for Utz employees and the Hanover community. During his career at Utz, Laabs also prepared himself for his third career nursing by volunteering on six medical mission trips outside the United States. He retired from Utz in December 2006 and began taking nursing clinicals the following month at the Gettysburg Campus. He graduated from HACC s nursing program in December 2008 and now is a registered nurse at Hanover Hospital. Laabs strongly believes in giving back. He continues to participate annually in medical mission trips in support of Medical Ministry International (MMI). He chairs the Hanover Area Council of Churches Healthcare Committee, whose projects include free medical clinics for the needy, flu shots, weekly blood pressure checks and diabetes education and screenings. This outstanding alumnus is also a strong advocate for HACC. He has served on the Gettysburg Campus Advisory Committee since 2005, and most recently he joined the HACC Foundation Board. Laabs was instrumental in securing major gifts to establish the Arlene Utz Hollinger Foundation Scholarship and the Elsner Engineering Works Family Scholarship, both at HACC. In 2014, he was recognized for his volunteer work by receiving the first Central Penn Parent s Healthcare Heroes Volunteer Award. Kathy M. Verna One has a vision of what college kids look like, but at HACC you see people who are the same age range or ethnic background as you. You feel like you belong. At HACC, I always had the sense that the instructors were willing to do what was needed to help you succeed, said Verna, a true HACC success story. Verna went from being a client of Potential Reentry Opportunities in Business and Education (PROBE) in Lebanon County to becoming an employee and is now the chief executive of the nonprofit agency that enables displaced homemakers, single parents, dislocated workers and people in transition to enter and remain in the workforce. 6

7 Verna, a stay-at-home mom who raised four sons, spent 15 years as an accredited La Leche League leader on the local, state and regional levels in a variety of capacities. Feeling lost when her youngest son started school in 1995, Verna ended up on PROBE doorstep where she was encouraged to go to college. Once at HACC s Lebanon Campus, she found her wings. She earned an associate degree in social service at HACC in 2005 followed by bachelor s and master s degrees in social work at Temple University. She has worked at PROBE since In the past year, she and her staff have provided career development services to 117 people, assisted 76 people in finding employment, provided oneon-one money management counseling to 54 clients and sponsored 28 community financial literacy workshops. PROBE often takes clients on a tour of the Lebanon Campus and encourages them to apply. Active in her community, Verna served on HACC s Human Services Advisory Council until recently and serves on the Advisory Committee for the Lebanon Campus, where she gives input and provides connections. She is a board member of Pennsylvania Women Work, the treasurer for the Lebanon County Money in Your Pocket program and is active on the Lebanon County Coalition to Prevent Homelessness. Information about the HACC Foundation The HACC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 1985 to raise funds for HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. In fiscal year alone, the HACC Foundation contributed close to $2.2 million to the College in support of scholarships for 1,345 students, innovative academic programs, state-of-the-art training equipment and modernized facilities. Donors to the HACC Foundation include individuals, community organizations and corporations. In fiscal year , more than 1,300 donors contributed more than $1.8 million to the HACC Foundation. The HACC Foundation is gratefully YOURS. For more information, please visit hacc.edu/haccfoundation. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews. About HACC HACC, Central Pennsylvania s Community College, offers more than 150 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to nearly 20,000 students at campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York and through virtual learning. In addition, HACC serves more than 29,000 students in noncredit workforce development, public safety, adult basic education and continuing education programs offered at all campuses and off-site locations in many communities in Central Pennsylvania. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews. 7

Judge Patricia L. West

Judge Patricia L. West Career History Chief Deputy Attorney General Office of the Attorney General, Richmond, Virginia 2012 -Present Oversee the legal and administrative operations of the Commonwealth's