Margaret Crumley Award for Distinguished Achievement in Science recipient announced

Daytona State College alumna Vicki Collier Ehrhardt has been awarded the institution’s prestigious 2010 Margaret Crumley Award for Distinguished Achievement in Science.

Vicki Collier Ehrhardt

“Surely, in the history of the Science Department at Daytona State College, no one student has served her fellow students more capably or more sincerely,” said Dr. Sandra Horikami, chair of the college’s School of Biological and Physical Sciences.  “She is a colleague, mentor and friend to all those who know her.”

Mrs. Ehrhardt attended Daytona Beach Community College from 1975 to 1978 and again from 1981 to 1984, earning an associate of arts degree, an associate of science degree in Nursing, and a certificate in Operating Room Technology.  Between degrees, she served as operating room and post anesthesia director for Florida Health Care, Daytona Beach. She also worked her way through school as emergency staff nurse at University Hospital, Holly Hill, then as intensive surgical and intensive medical staff nurse at Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach. 

Later, she joined the Carolinas Institute School of Anesthesia, Charlotte, NC, then returned to Volusia County to become staff nurse anesthetist for Daytona Anesthesiology Associates at Halifax Health Medical Center.  She currently is a staff nurse anesthetist for Ambulatory Anesthesia Providers at Twin Lakes Medical Center, Daytona Beach.

During her studies at Daytona State, Mrs. Ehrhardt served as a work/study student employee and, in 1978, she co-authored the college’s Microbiology Laboratory Manual with her future husband, Professor Warren Ehrhardt.  From 1987 to 1988, she served the college as an adjunct instructor of Anatomy and Physiology. 

First awarded in 2001, the Crumley Award is presented annually to alumni who earned a science-related associate degree from the college, have used their scientific knowledge to improve their community, and who have distinguished themselves while working in their chosen scientific field.

Mrs. Crumley established the award to honor her son, John, and husband, Thomas. Award recipients are nominated and selected by faculty of the Daytona State College Science Department.

Past recipients are: Dr. Steven Miles (2001), radiologist, Halifax Hospital; Dr. Ralph Scorza (2002), biologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Dr. Ron Jenkins (2003), biochemist, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Dr. Sam Davis (2004), radiologist, Montgomery, W.Va.; Dr. James Greene (2005), assoc. vice president, Human and Public Services, Daytona State College; Dr. Linda Miles (2006), chair of the School of Nursing at Daytona State College; Mr. David Marsh (2007), retired TV weatherman; Mrs. Willa Fuller (2008), executive director of the Florida Nurses Association; and Dr. David Riban, Jr. (2009), pharmacist, Florida Hospital-Fish Memorial in Orange City, FL; and Ms. Theresa M. Jeter (2010), forensics laboratory researcher, UCF, Orlando. 

Basketball teams honor breast cancer survivors during final home game

Daytona State College's men's and women's basketball teams honored two breast cancer survivors, Pam Ridella and Aggie Garrison, at their last home game of the 2010-11 season in February . Each team presented an autographed basketball to the breast cancer survivors. The two teams also showed their support for breast cancer awareness by wearing pink t-shirts and socks during the game. Many Falcon fans also participated by wearing their pink gear!

"I am so glad we had the opportunity to bring some awareness to a great cause such as breast cancer," said women's team member Mekiala Quallls. "Many women are affected each day by this disease, and I was honored to recognize two courageous women who have survived it. They inspire women everywhere to continue to fight and never give up."

Both teams left the gym in victory. The women's team beat the Florida State College of Jacksonville by a score of 63-56. The men's team won the game beating Florida State College of Jacksonville by a score of 72-54.

In addition to Breast Cancer Awareness Night, it was the last home game for the sophomores of each team. To mark the occasion, 10 sophomore players were recognized for their team spirit, playing ability and academic success.

Lady Falcon Sophomores: Daphne Walker is transferring to Francis Marion University; Diana Choibekova, Shanika Brooks and Mekiala Qualls are currently undecided about their four-year college choices.

Falcon Sophomores: Kadeem Coleby is transferring to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Will Neighbour is transferring to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Kevin Burnell, Marquise Glaze, Corey Harvey, and Willie Green are currently undecided about their four-year college choices.

Daytona State is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Florida Community College Athletics Association Mid-Florida Conference. The Falcons currently compete in seven Division I NJCAA sports including Men's and Women's Basketball, Baseball, Fast-Pitch Softball, Women's Golf and Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving. The main focus of the Daytona State Falcons athletic program is to prepare student-athletes for success in life. This is accomplished through strong academic programs and support services coupled with quality coaching and athletic facilities.

Annual Awards Convocation slated for next week

Daytona State’s Annual Awards Convocation honoring outstanding students and faculty will take place on Wednesday, April 13, at 2 p.m. in the L. Gale Lemerand Center (Bldg. 310) on the Daytona Beach Campus, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Each year, the college honors students in each program discipline for academic achievement and service to the institution, the community or their chosen field of study.

Faculty recipients of Daytona State’s Medallion of Excellence teaching awards also will be recognized during the convocation. The awards have been presented each year since 2007, recognizing faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the college and its mission.

All branch campus classes will be dismissed from 1 – 3:45 p.m. and from 1:30 – 3: 30 p.m. on the Daytona Beach Campus in order to allow students and faculty to attend the event, which also is open to the public.

Education certification ombudsman to serve on state committee

Ana Blaine

Ana Blaine, certification ombudsman for Daytona State’s College of Education, has been selected by the Florida Department of Education to assist in reviewing and revising current competencies, skills and blueprints for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations.

She will be part of a committee of Florida education professionals who will update the FTCE Professional Education test, intended to maintain professional standards and ensure alignment with the newly adopted teacher and student standards for Professional Education.

“We are very excited for Ana and this opportunity to participate in the revamping of the tests that potential teachers are required to take before receiving their certification to practice in Florida,” said Dr. Les Potter, chair of Daytona State’s School of Education.

Ms. Blaine is a 2007 graduate of the University of Miami, where she earned her Master of Science in Education degree.

More from the College of Education

The College of Education also has been working with the Writing Center and Learning Resources Center to provide education majors with a variety of workshops that can enhance their professional skills.

“These free workshops go above and beyond the curriculum and are the result of great collaboration among different departments and staff working together to help our education majors become the best teachers they can be,” said Dr. Potter.

Theresa Greenbaum

Many of the workshops have been organized by Theresa Greenbaum, senior learning specialist in the Academic Support Center. Workshops already conducted include: Education Writing Series and Classroom Grants; APA - Learn the Correct Way to Use APA In Your Classes; and Test Preparation - Tackling Your Three Required Teacher Certification Tests. Another entitled What a New Teacher Should Know - Building Your Bag of Tricks - Strategies to Use in Your Classroom will be offered April 27 beginning 9:30 a.m. in bldg. 200, rm. 307B. All of the workshops are free to the students.

Ms. Greenbaum will highlight Daytona State’s collaborative efforts to provide enhanced support to education and business program students next month at the Association of Florida Colleges Joint Commission Conference to be held May 12 – 13 at the St. Augustine Campus of St. Johns River state College.