Mary McCammon, professor emerita of mathematics, has retired
from the Eberly College of Science after 44 years of service. McCammon played
a key role in the development of the Penn State undergraduate mathematics
curriculum.Mary McCammon, professor emerita of mathematics, has retired
from the Eberly College of Science after 44 years of service. McCammon played
a key role in the development of the Penn State undergraduate mathematics
curriculum.
She has been teaching mathematics at the University since 1954, introducing such new classes as numerical analysis and computer programming. In the 1960s, she developed the mathematics department's precalculus courses, made changes to the calculus course series and introduced the use of graphing calculators and personal computers. She also was involved with the establishment of computer science courses in the Department of Mathematics and went on to help establish the Department of Computer Science in 1965.
Most recently, she served as director of undergraduate programs and the scheduling officer for the Department of Mathematics. In addition, she improved the mathematics placement test given to every first-year student and has continually revised this test since its inception more than 35 years ago.
McCammon has been honored with numerous awards, including the Eberly College of Science Alumni Society Distinguished Service Award for her inspiring teaching and advising. The Allied Signal Corp. recently donated funds for two scholarships in her name.
McCammon has been an active member of several professional societies.
She earned three degrees from the University of London: a bachelor of science in 1949, a master of science in 1950 and a doctorate in 1953. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1953 to 1954, she joined Penn State as an assistant professor of mathematics. She was promoted to associate professor in 1960 and to professor in 1992.
McCammon plans to continue her work with students, both as an adviser and as a tutor. She also will spend more time on her hobbies, which include gardening, playing tennis, visiting the fitness center and practicing yoga.
After serving as the College of Education's chief advocate for continuing education and outreach since 1979, Robert F. Nicely Jr. has left the position of associate dean for outreach and faculty development to focus his attention on teaching and research.
Nicely served in the dean's office for 19 years, first as coordinator of continuing education and then as assistant dean for continuing education and Commonwealth campuses. Shortly after a six-month assignment as acting dean in 1989-90, Nicely became the University's first associate dean for outreach and faculty development. His responsibilities expanded to include the Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP), the Office of Pre-service Field Experiences, the college's distance education and World Campus programs, and faculty development.
While serving the College of Education as assistant or associate dean, Nicely also was elected to the presidency of three different professional organizations and served on the international board of directors for a fourth organization. He has authored or co-authored more than 65 journal articles, book chapters and research reports and has presented more than 70 papers at professional organization meetings.
Nicely is a member of the curriculum and supervision faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the educational administration faculty in the Department of Education Policy Studies. He is resuming his research in curriculum analysis and evaluation, and is continuing to serve in a leadership capacity for several national and state professional organizations. He also is continuing to edit the journal Pennsylvania Educational Leadership.
Donna M. Bowersox, staff assistant II in University Health Services, from Nov. 3, 1975, to Oct. 1.
Irene R. Ferguson, staff assistant V in College of the Liberal Arts, from Nov. 1, 1968, to Oct. 1.
Milton C. Hallberg, professor of agricultural economics in College of Agricultural Sciences, from Jan. 1, 1965, to Oct. 1.
Gail A. Horner, staff assistant V in Office of Student Aid, from April 1, 1984, to Oct. 1.
Peter S. Houts, professor of behavioral science in College of Medicine, The Hershey Medical Center, from May 1, 1967, to Oct. 1.
Donna M. Shawley, staff assistant VI in the Bursar's Office, from Dec. 1, 1981, to Oct. 1.
John S. Shenk, professor of agronomy in College of Agricultural Sciences, from Jan. 1, 1970, to Oct. 1.
Philip Winsor, executive editor, University Press, from March 1, 1984, to Oct. 1.
John H. Beebe, department head in Applied Research Laboratory, from Jan. 1, 1965, to Aug. 1.
William L. Fisher, general construction and repair mechanic in Applied Research Laboratory, from June 4, 1973, to Sept. 26.