Biology professor receives DCCC 2020 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award
MARPLE » Delaware County Community College has announced that Biology Professor Sandra Devenny is the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award.
Devenny of Wayne not only teaches biology, but has been instrumental in helping the College secure educational grants and is the co-founder/volunteer faculty advisor for the Women in STEM Club (WiSTEM). WiSTEM holds workshops and provides students with guidance on how to pursue careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Devenny has taught at the college for 20 years. She returned to education after working as a research associate at the Yale School of Medicine and as a senior development scientist at a small biotechnology company in Horsham.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Marian McGorry said Devenny was nominated by her colleagues because of her command of her discipline, her demonstrated excellence in the classroom and her knowledge about the advances in the field of biology. McGorry also noted that Devenny volunteers to assist other colleagues, pursues grant opportunities to benefit students and coordinates student success activities. She said Devenny’s colleagues also appreciate her collaborative spirit, integrity, kindness and sense of humor in her role as an educator. Devenny goes beyond the traditional textbook and classroom lectures and helps students by utilizing the Internet, animations, collaborative learning exercises and self-tests.
“Once students have learned how to learn, countless doors open up before them,” she says.
Last year, Devenny was instrumental in jointly organizing the 2019 STEM Scholar Academy program at the Marple Campus along with the Eastern Delaware County Branch of the American Association of University Women. It was the second Academy at the College and featured STEM Scholar hands-on workshops in engineering, biology and chemistry, as well as information about STEM career resources, financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
In 2018, Devenny was the principal investigator in helping the College receive a $650,000 National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program grant (award #1741847), which the College uses to provide scholarships and support to qualified, academically talented, financially underprivileged students interested in STEM professions. Using the NSF S-STEM grant, the College created the Supporting Talent for Academic Recruitment in STEM program, which Devenny directs. STARS provides students with mentoring, tutoring, internship and cooperative education opportunities.
Since 1961, the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award has been given to outstanding faculty members at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Individuals are nominated based on their commitment to the intellectual and social development of students. Their approach to teaching is intellectually challenging, stimulating and accessible, and their efforts extend beyond the classroom. The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award includes a $4,000 stipend. More information about the Lindback Foundation can be found at lindbackfoundation.org.
COVID-19 testing available in Chester
ChesPenn Health Services will offer COVID-19 testing by appointment in Chester to anyone over age 18. The testing will take place from 8:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m., Tuesdays, June
23-July 14 at the Center for Family Health at Eastside,
125 Ninth St., Chester. To make an appointment, call 610-471-0279.
State police release 2019 DUI arrest totals
The Pennsylvania State Police announced this week that troopers made
22,139 driving-under-theinfluence arrests in 2019, which reflects a 1 percent increase from the total number of DUI arrests
(20,143) in 2018. In addition, troopers investigated
4,692 DUI-related crashes in 2019.
“Impaired driving is a serious crime that occurs every day in Pennsylvania, often committed by people who would otherwise consider themselves to be lawabiding.” said Col. Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The PSP has a zerotolerance approach toward DUI, whether a driver is impaired by alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or another substance. We remain committed to working with our local law enforcement partners to keep our roadways safe through a combination of education and enforcement.”
In Pennsylvania, a driver is guilty of DUI if they are impaired by any substance. Troopers certified as drug recognition experts receive specialized training to identify the physiological signs of impairment caused by a wide range of controlled substances. State police DREs conducted 1,044 drug influence evaluations in 2019.
State police community services officers regularly speak about DUI prevention and other traffic safety topics at schools, community events, and businesses. Their presentations are offered at no charge and may be requested by contacting your local state police station.
“PSP Community Services Officers staffed more than 2,300 traffic safety presentations in 2019 for a variety of audiences,” said Evanchick. “Our troopers would rather prevent DUI with age-appropriate, inperson education than arrest an impaired driver; or worse, respond to a DUI-related crash involving death or injury.”
Penalties for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania are based on several factors, including an individual’s criminal history, blood alcohol content level, and whether injuries or property damage occurred. Potential consequences include thousands of dollars in fines, license suspension, and prison time.
Zabel set to reopen district offices in Clifton Heights, Drexel Hill
State Rep. Mike Zabel, D-163 of Upper Darby, will reopen his district offices in Clifton Heights and Drexel Hill on Monday, June 22.
Zabel’s office can assist residents with questions and issues with state programs and state-related matters, including unemployment compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
For the safety of the public and Zabel’s staff, the district offices will reopen by appointment only. Zabel is asking all residents to contact the respective district office to set up an appointment. If residents are unable to visit one of the district offices, Zabel’s staff will continue to answer questions and concerns by phone and email.
To set up an appointment in Clifton Heights, call 484200-1563. To set up an appointment at the Drexel Hill office, call 484-200-8262. Online inquiries can be sent to RepZabel@pahouse.net. Office hours for both locations are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.