RPTM Kudos and Announcements 3-1-05
Congratulations Alums
The following ten alumni each agreed to mentor students who are currently juniors in our recreation, park and tourism management program. These practitioners came to Penn State on February 11 to meet with their students and attend a mentor dinner and training:
Jennifer Bean (’01), jre146@psu.edu, is assistant program director at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg, Pennsylvania. She assists in conducting a residential outdoor school program and summer adventure camp, and coordinates other environmental programs. Jennifer is mentoring student Sara Shepherd.
Donald CoineJr. (’98), dcoine@state.pa.us, works as a state park manager of the Bureau of State Parks of Pennsylvania. He is responsible for operations and maintenance of the state park systems including duties of personnel, infrastructure, budgeting, training, vehicles and operations. Donald is mentoring student Ryan Walt.
Heather Erle (’04), herle@remed.com, is an activities specialist at ReMed Recovery Care Center in Paoli, Pennsylvania, where she develops and implements treatment plans and monitors client progress. Heather is mentoring student Angie Young.
Katie Gaber (’99), kgaber@remed.com, is a recreation therapist at ReMed Recovery Care Center in Paoli, Pennsylvania, where she develops and implements therapeutic recreation programs for clients in a residential or community setting. Katie is mentoring student Jolene Wagner.
James Hennessey (’87), jhennessey@dorneypark.com is assistant director of operations at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He oversees the park operations department, including recruiting, training and motivating personnel. James is mentoring student Ashley Williams.
Monica Hoffman (’77), monicaahoffman@hotmail.com, is a therapeutic activities specialist at Torrance State Hospital in Torrance, Pennsylvania, where she provides therapeutic recreational services and education for people residing in a psychiatric state hospital. Monica is mentoring student Amanda Becker.
Julie Moyer (’82), jmoyer@fs.fed.us, is an outdoor recreation/natural resource manager for the USDA Forest Service in Bradford, Pennsylvania. She is responsible for operations, maintenance and capital improvement of recreation areas and dispersed recreation activities on the Allegheny National Forest. Julie is mentoring student Jared Fox.
Terry Roth (’76), Terry_Roth@nps.gov, is chief of visitor services at National Park Service in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, where he supervises the interpretive and educational programs for two National Park Services areas. Terry has 30 years of National Park Service experience and is mentoring student Cole Barben.
Phil Smakula (’77) PSmakula@aol.com, is a recreation supervisor for the Montgomery County Department of Recreation in Wheaton, Maryland. Phil supervises employees who provide therapeutic recreation programs in the county and also supervises an outdoor adventure program for senior adults. Phil is mentoring student Amy Baginski.
Larry Smith (‘70g) lsmith18@juno.com, is the innkeeper/owner of Cross Road Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Market, Virginia. He is mentoring student Larissa Witmer.
On February 11, four of the mentors – Don Coine, Julie Moyer, Terry Roth and Larry Smith – participated in an informative panel discussion attended by faculty and students. The willingness of these 10 professionals to become involved in the department is greatly appreciated.
*If you have accomplished something you would like to share with the RPTM crew, please notify me. Also, if you are aware of accomplishments or quotes by our alumni, students, or staff, please let me know so I can share the news. Thank you! – John Dattilo, Professor and Department Head jxd8@psu.edu