GMercyU Honors Seven Professors Emeriti at Commencement 2021
This year, Gwynedd Mercy University is recognizing seven outstanding faculty members as Professors Emeriti for their dedication and contributions to the University, their students, and their fields of study. Congratulations to Nancy Chiarantona, MSN, Susan Cicione, MSN, Wade Farrior, Jr., PhD, Wayne A. Huss, PhD, Velia McCabe, MSN, Jean Michiels, MSN, and Barbara Schuster, MSEd.
Nancy Chiarantona, MSN
Nancy Chiarantona was a tenured Assistant Professor in the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions with 43 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. As mentioned by her nominator, "Nancy was a well-seasoned teacher and a valuable resource on current knowledge and best practice in nursing." She has also had a strong service record and has chaired many faculty committees, as well as participated in recruitment and many other campus events. As the BSN Clinical Coordinator, Nancy developed close partnerships with our clinical agencies supporting the placement and oversight of over 400 students each semester, as well as recruiting and mentoring the clinical instructors.
Susan Cicione, MSN
Susan Cicione was a tenured Assistant Professor in the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions with 37 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. Susan coordinated the weekend program over the past ten years and has taught in each undergraduate track of the nursing programs. She was a strong advocate for the Accelerated BSN and Weekend BSN students. Susan was also a strong advocate for faculty governance and has served on many University, Faculty, and School committees, right up until she retired in December 2020. As mentioned by her nominator, "she has established a great rapport with the accelerated students and is often seen as a champion for faculty governance."
Wade Farrior, Jr., PhD
Dr. Farrior was a tenured Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences with 37 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. He has taught many courses in support of the Nursing and Health Professions programs and the Biology program, impacting over 7,000 students during his time at GMercyU. Dr. Farrior was the recipient of successive grants from McNeil Laboratories, Rohm and Haas Corporation, and the PEW Foundation for improvements in Biology instruction. He served as the Chair of the Natural Science/Mathematics Division of the School of Arts and Sciences for 8 years. As mentioned by his nominator, "to find a faculty member who is so universally loved is a rare thing".
Wayne A. Huss, PhD
Dr. Huss was a tenured Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences with 33 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. He earned the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in May 1993 and was the Program Coordinator for History since 2000 and the prior chairperson of the Humanities Division until this year. Dr. Huss has taught 320 sections of 27 different history courses and has provided guidance for over 100 students who have graduated with a history degree, as well as others taking his general education courses. As mentioned by his nominator "Wayne has become personally synonymous with the History Program at Gwynedd Mercy."
Velia McCabe, MSN
Velia McCabe was a tenured Assistant Professor in the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions with 35 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. Although an outstanding nurse educator who taught in the ASN and BSN nursing programs, Velia was also an excellent administrator as the coordinator of the BSN program. She has been the advising expert and academic coach for many nursing students and was invaluable across the entire University for the BSN program. Velia served on many committees, with a special dedication to the mission and students. For the past ten years, she developed and led the long-sustaining alternative spring break mission trip to the Dominican Republic for nursing students to provide healthcare to people in the Bateyes. As mentioned by her nominator, "her top priority and commitment at work has always been the students."
Jean Michiels, MSN
Jean Michiels was a tenured Assistant Professor in the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions with 50 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. She was passionate about being a nurse educator and has taught in almost every course across the undergraduate nursing programs. With Jean's passion in Community Health Nursing, she was an advocate for the underserved, marginalized populations and developed many community clinical sites. She was a distinguished and talented nurse educator and has significantly impacted the future generation of nurses. While teaching and advocating for the underserved is her legacy, she has also continuously participated in many committees during her time at GMercyU. As mentioned by her nominator, "she has established a great rapport with every level of student and has devoted her life to GMercyU."
Barbara Schuster, MSN
Barbara Schuster was an Assistant Professor in the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions with 35 years of distinguished teaching, service, and scholarship at GMercyU. In her role as the Director of Clinical Education of the Respiratory Care program, Barbara developed and maintained relationships with over 18 clinical sites and hundreds of clinical preceptors and instructors. She has served on numerous committees and task forces and has also participated in Camp Superstuff, a community program for young children suffering from severe asthma, and the COPD Foundation, for those afflicted with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Barbara has also served as the Vice President and District Director of the PA Society for Respiratory Care's Board of Directors. As mentioned by her nominator, "She has truly touched the lives of many of the program's graduates."