'Master Teacher,' 'Excellence in Teaching' Awards Presented

The Master Teacher Award, the highest level of recognition given to a Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty member, was presented today to Richard L. Druckenmiller, instructor of building construction technology in the School of Construction and Design Technologies.

Druckenmiller received the award during afternoon commencement ceremonies at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport. The Master Teacher is chosen each year from faculty nominees having at least six years' experience at the College. The Master Teacher must demonstrate dedication to providing the highest quality educational experience for students.

The College also presented an Excellence in Teaching Award to Jeffrey B. Weaver, assistant professor of electronics in the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Weaver received his award in morning commencement ceremonies. Excellence in Teaching Awards are presented each May to full-time faculty members who have been nominated by their students and colleagues for excellence in instructional performance.

Druckenmiller, a Trout Run resident, began his employment with the College in 1990. He earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the former Millersville State College in 1974 and a master's degree in education from Wilkes University in 2001. He also holds a certificate of competence in carpentry.

Before coming to Penn College, he worked as a substitute teacher and part-time teacher. He also has 11 years' experience in carpentry and three years' experience in management.

Nominators made these comments about Druckenmiller, who also received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the College in 1996:

"He pushes his students to do the best work possible and wants them to expect nothing less from themselves, because that's how respect is earned in this field. He knows this because he has earned it."

"He is not only a good teacher and club adviser, but he's also a good mentor to us and a great friend who is willing to help out anyone at anytime they have a problem."

"After we had Mr. Druckenmiller for classes and were around him a lot to see his enthusiasm and passion for the field, residential construction no longer was seen as just a job to us; it was seen more like a career and a way of life."

Weaver, a resident of RR 5 Wellsboro, began his employment at Penn College as an instructor of electronics in 1987. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1995. He is the first faculty member to receive two Excellence in Teaching Awards, having also received one in 1990.

Weaver earned an associate's degree in engineering technology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1975 and a bachelor's degree in management of technology from Lock Haven University in 1993. Before coming to Penn College, Weaver was employed for 11 years in the electronics field.

Comments from Weaver's nominators include:

"He is always attempting to provide new and current technologies within his classroom. He goes above and beyond to learn and provide for his students to test and tweak for their real-world experiences."

"Jeff has the ability and skill to express difficult information in ways that allow the student to have fun and learn an important skill at the same time."

"Jeff is an asset to the College and the students he teaches. I can only hope more educators like Jeff will be scattered throughout my continued education."

Since 1982, 65 Distinguished Teaching Awards (Master Teacher and Excellence in Teaching Awards) have been presented at Penn College.