Minc, Shallenberger Honored for Careeers

By Jeanine Kendle

ORRVILLE — Janet Barnett Minc, professor of English, and Peggy Shallenberger, administrative assistant to the faculty, were honored for their careers with the University of Akron Wayne College at the final college meeting of the semester.

Minc has been teaching at Wayne College for 30 years, and Shallenberger has been a staff member for 35 years.

Minc began teaching full-time at Wayne College in 1978. Her first position was as an instructor in English. Minc was promoted to assistant professor in 1979, associate professor in 1986 and professor in 1998. She has taught courses in literature, humanities and writing and wrote a textbook on writing argument essays.

In 1991, Minc began coordinating the Distinguished Student Program. In 2001, Minc added coordination of the Honors College to her responsibilities.

“I’ve really enjoyed teaching so many students over the past 30 years,” Minc said. “My best moments are when students come back after graduation and tell me that all the studying and hard work paid off. It’s very gratifying to think I’ve had some positive impact on their lives.”

Shallenberger is Wayne College’s staff member with the greatest seniority. She began her career at the college in October 1973, working part time as faculty secretary. She also was a full-time student and worked a full-time, third-shift job at the Apple Creek Developmental Center.

In 1975, Shallenberger became coordinator of admissions in the student services office. In 1996, she became the administrative assistant for the Learning Center, and in 2001 she began her current position working with the faculty.

Shallenberger has worked closely with students and faculty during her career and has seen many changes.

“I remember the excitement in June 2000 when Wayne College was named the second ‘most-wired’ two-year college in the country by Yahoo! Internet Life magazine,” said Shallenberger. “When I became the admissions coordinator in 1975, I had to drive to the Akron campus and process admission applications in the platform room of the Computer Center. Now we are scanning applications directly into the system or students are applying online.”

Minc and Shallenberger received Wayne College’s tongue-in-cheek “award” for employees who reach the 30-year mark — a dilapidated lawn chair.

“We could have made the award something more elegant,” says Dean Jack Kristofco, “but we don’t want them to think it’s time to get comfortable just because they have 30 years to their credit. We still need them and want retirement to be in their distant futures.”

Kristofco noted employees also receive an award for their years of service in a ceremony at the Akron campus.

“Janet and Peggy have been important members of the Wayne College family for many years,” Kristofco said. “Their hard work and commitment to excellence have helped to make Wayne College the student-centered, learning-oriented place it is. They both have helped keep our standards and our expectations high. We are truly a better place for having them as colleagues.”

(c) 2008 Daily Record, The Wooster, OH. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.