Keeping up with PEL people: Student, alumni & faculty/staff news

 

Student News

Matt DiPalma '17 (Humanities) has had a new book released. German Military Travel Papers of the Second World War (Schiffer, 2016) is, according to the publisher's website, "a unique and thorough compendium of original paperwork carried by the soldiers themselves, [which] documents the forms required for German soldiers to travel, go home on leave, or visit the spoils of occupation." Over the last 20 years, Matt has developed an extensive collection of historical documents and has two other books in the works. Matt also did the graphic design work in formatting the book.

Mary Anderson, Kathy McDonald, and Christel Dykes '18 at Tech Data

Christel Dykes '18 (Business Management), a manager at Tech Data,  also leads an employee resource group, the Ladies of Tech Data, whose mission is to grow women in leadership roles. Dykes recently collaborated with Kathy McDonald, PEL's director of admissions and recruitment, and Mary Anderson, career specialist with Eckerd College's Career Services, to bring the Three Paths to Career Success workshop to the group. Kathy and Mary shared the model and a career-planning guide with almost 35 women and men who attended the brown bag lunch event. 

Christine Kokoruda '18 (Organizational Studies) attended the Eckerd College Career & Internship Fair in April where she applied for a position as Business Development Representative at Inside Out , which has recently opened a location in downtown St. Petersburg. Christine was hired shortly after and is enthusiastic in her new role.

Alumni News

Connie Boyle '98 (Human Development), who subsequently earned an M.A.Counselor Education from the University of South Florida, is the school counselor for St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, a dual-enrollment, public charter school on the main campus of St. Petersburg College. Connie recently attended the Florida C.A.N. Summit in Orlando where she met Kathy McDonald, PEL's director of admission and recruitment, and Anne Anderson, PEL's director of blended and online learning.



Heidi Tilney Kramer '09 (Humanities), who subsequently earned an M.A. in American Studies (2010) and another in Women's and Gender Studies (2013) at the University of South Florida, has just released her new book Media Monsters: Militarism, Violence, and Cruelty in Children's Culture, in which she analyzes and categorizes U.S. children's films. Most recently, she was a graduate student and instructor at the University of South Florida, Tampa, in the department of Women's and Gender Studies. She gives presentations in classrooms, at bookstores, and at National Women's Studies Association conferences.

Ron Turner '13 (American Studies), who subsequently earned a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Missouri-Columbia, has become the new Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, running unopposed for the office. Turner has been Chief of Staff in the Elections office since 2011.

Remembering . . . Carol Benge '01 (Management & Health Care Concentration) and Lucy Williams McKay '00 (Management) whose recent deaths we mourn and whose lives we celebrate.

Note: An alumni class includes all students who graduated between June of one year and May of the next year. For example, students who graduated in August 2015 are part of the Class of 2016. 

What's new with you? Share your good news two ways:

• Share your personal and professional updates by emailing us at pelsuccess@eckerd.edu. We reserve the right to format announcements to fit style and other considerations. 
• Share Instagram Photos via live update on the Eckerd Alumni Engagement page by including the #EckerdNotes hashtag. 

 

PEL Associate Dean of Faculty Margret Skaftadottir with Pam Buchanan.

 

Faculty/Staff News

Pam Buchanan, assistant to the Associate Dean of Faculty for PEL, Margret Skaftadottir, was recognized recently for 15 years of service to Eckerd College. 

Sandra Hollander helps robe a graduate.

Sandra Hollander '11 (Human Development), assistant to the Assistant Registrar for PEL, was recognized recently for 10 years of service to Eckerd College.




Congratulations to both of you, and thank you for keeping PEL running smoothly!


Remembering . . . Betty Bruce Zandi '69 (Literature), who was part of Eckerd College and the PEL program for more than 30 years. Her family sent this:

Betty Bruce Zandi passed away on July 9, 2016 in Saint Petersburg, FL. Betty was a loving wife to Vahid John Zandi for 34 wonderful years. Betty was a devoted mother to Amanda Atkinson, Emily Rubin and Sarah Kaye and proud grandmother to Catharine. Raised in Mount Sterling, KY, Betty was the daughter of John T. "Red" and Elizabeth Petro. Betty was in the sixth graduating class from Florida Presbyterian (Eckerd College) with a B.A. in Literature. She completed her Masters at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Betty returned to Eckerd College where she taught ELS classes and was an adjunct faculty, writing consultant, and student advisor in the PEL for over 30 years. The family asks that you celebrate her life by remembering her generosity, humanity and sense of humor.