Photo from left: SUNY Chancellor’s Award winners Professor Sharon Gleasman-Howell, Bonnie Wezalis and Linda Contino Lamb.
(Herkimer, NY – May 23, 2013) Three Herkimer County Community College employees are recipients of the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award. The three were presented with the awards at the College’s recent commencement.
Sharon Gleasman-Howell ’79, Professor of Physical Education, is the recipient of the 2013 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Professor Gleasman-Howell has demonstrated 32 years of expertise in her devotion to the College: she teaches, coaches and volunteers. She is 
relentless in her commitment to HCCC. In her early years, Gleasman was one of two females in a very strongly male dominated field. She continued to be an excellent role model for other females who had the same career interests, long before numerous federal laws helped enforce equity in athletic programs. Gleasman-Howell has coached nine individual athletic National Champions and won two titles as track coach. She is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
She spends countless hours volunteering with different clubs and student-based organizations, all appreciated by the HCCC community. “Sharon has dedicated countless hours of work to students with disabilities so they can succeed on campus,” said President Ann Marie Murray. “I am proud to present this award to Professor Sharon Gleasman-Howell in recognition of her mastering teaching and coaching techniques that inspire her students.” She holds an A.S. from HCCC; a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island and an M.S. from SUNY Cortland.
Associate Dean of Continuing Education Linda Contino Lamb is the recipient of the 2013 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Lamb has over 20 years of experience in Continuing Education and Online Learning. After 12 years in various roles in Herkimer’s Office of Continuing Education, she became the first Director of the Internet Academy, where she was able to work closely with faculty and returning adult students as they entered the online classroom. The Internet Academy currently supports 850 students who study exclusively on line each term.
Through Lamb’s efforts, a Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) was developed to promote excellence in teaching and support the HCCC community of faculty. In its first year, the TLC offered 45 sessions for faculty on various topics. She was named Associate Dean of Continuing Education in 2005 and oversees the Internet Academy, TLC, Office of Community Education, College Now Concurrent Enrollment Program and the Office of Adjunct instruction.
Dr. Murray said, “Congratulations, Linda, in receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service for your strong commitment to this institution. I am proud to present you with this award.” Lamb holds a B.S. from Alfred University and an M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo.
Bonnie Wezalis ’92 is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. An Office Assistant II in the Humanities/Social Science Division, Bonnie began her employment at HCCC in 1992 as a part-time Secretary in the President’s Office. She became a full-time Stenographer in the President’s Office in 1995. Besides her general office work, she performed duties for the college attorney, Director of Institutional Research and Assistant to the President.
Wezalis became the Office Assistant in the Humanities/Social Science Division in 2003. She continuously demonstrates excellence in performing her job duties. “She’s both professional and courteous in assisting faculty, staff and students. Aside from being exceptional in every aspect of her job description, her enthusiasm, energy and gregariousness far transcend the requirements of her position. Bonnie continually goes above and beyond all endeavors she encounters. I am proud to present Bonnie Wezalis with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service,” said Dr. Murray. Wezalis hold an A.A.S. degree from Herkimer County Community College.
The recipients each received a Chancellor’s Award medallion from the State University of New York. Their names will be included on a plaque in the lobby of the McLaughlin College Center.