Lusby residents receive master of arts in teaching degrees

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photos Paul Christian and Jeannie Elizabeth Monico, left, and Kelly LaRose Rohacek, all of Lusby, were among 23 students at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland to receive master of arts in teaching degrees on June 28. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo

President Jane Margaret O’Brien made opening remarks and presented the graduates with their degrees at the commencement ceremony in St. Mary’s Hall. Dr. Lawrence Leak gave the commencement address. Leak is a College trustee and recently retired chief academic officer of University of Maryland University College. He is also vice chairman of the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission.

This was the second class of M.A.T. candidates to graduate, according to a press release.

Christian, a resident of Lusby, gave the student address. Noting that ‘‘none of us got here alone,” Christian thanked his professors, in particular Ardith Harle, assistant professor of educational studies, and Teresa Field, associate professor and department chair, according to the press release.

Special appreciation was shown during the ceremony to Dallas Plugge Dean (’60) for her establishment of the Dallas P. Dean Teacher-Education Award. She created the scholarship to encourage students to teach. Dean, who graduated from St. Mary’s Junior College and, in 1962, American University, taught fifth grade in the public schools her entire career. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a M.A.T. student, based on need and meritorious achievement as decided by the College’s Educational Studies Department.

Christian is the 2008 scholarship recipient.

Harle presented Dean with an award certificate and an angel pin in thanks for her long-standing support.

James P. Muldoon, chairman of the St. Mary’s College Board of Trustees, introduced Leak, noting that he is ‘‘known in the state as a leading expert in secondary education and was appointed to the prestigious position of assistant superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education,” with a particular focus on teacher certification and school accreditation.