Page 167 - ThePhoenix1997-98

FEATURES Thursday, April 16, 1998 - Page 11 Darcy brought Phi Beta Kappa chapter to WMC Dr. Cornelius P. Darcy, Professor of His- tory Students recognize Darcy as the profes- sional professor, wearing a tie at all times. He has been at WMC for the past 35 years, coming here in the fall of 1963 from a teach- ing career in New York and New Jersey. Darcy says he will always remember the date because it was the fall in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Darcy received his B.A. degree in his- tory from Bowdoin College, his M.A. in European history from Harvard University, and his Ph. D. in history from Columbia University. Constantly pursuing his scholarly inter- Dr. Behling has influenced many local school administrators with WMCs graduate program. ests through research awards, Darcy has cre- new courses Behling's accomplishments ated many of the Maryland at WMC. He is a in Committee member for the as well as being instrumental Humanities are his successful students bringing a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa to WMC. His certificate of appreciation letter after COURTESYOFPUDucrNFORMATION Dr. Herman E. Behling, Jr., Associate gram. When he first taught graduate classes Dr. Darcy has put together many new courses Professor and Coordinator of the Gradu- in 1967 there were no women. Behling re- 25 years of service states that Darcy has at WMC in the 35 years he has been here. ate Program in school administration members when the first woman came in to "treated our entire community to numerous As part of the WMC community for 24 his class and had to be reassured that she was exhibitions on historical and artistic subjects. less focused because his wife, a historical years, Behling has had a huge effect on lo- in the right place. [He is] a noteworthy patron of the arts, as researcher, will continue to work for one or cal public schools because so many area 3. His plans include teaching a seminar at well as a supporter of seemingly every on- two more years. school administrators have gone through the National Teachers College in the Philip- campus event." 4. A big accomplishment has been serving WMC's graduate program. pines from January through March of next 1. A memory that stands out in Darcy's mind as an officer and on the governing board of Behling received his B.S. degree in edu- year. He has been t042 countries and enjoys is the day in the 1970's when he learned the American Association of University Pro- cation at Kent State University in Ohio and working with people who live in underde- his M.A. and Ph. D. also in education at veloped countries. Darcy plans on working on his project: art and Columbia University before coming to 4. Behling says his accomplishments are his WMC in 1967 as an adjunct faculty mem- propaganda during World War I, hoping to give it students. Last year in preparation for the state ber. He stayed for 14 years before moving evaluation by the Maryland Department of direction. on to Johns Hopkins University and Appa- Education, he sent questionnaires to students lachian State University. WMC drew him from the past five years who interned with WMC had received membership in Phi Beta back in 1988 10 coordinate the graduate pro- fessors for 25 years. He has also, along with his department. Of those who returned the Kappa. He worked hard to establish this gram in school administration. his colleagues, put together a "fairly strong" surveys, 70 percent had already been pro- chapter and found it to be a rewarding expe- I. His favorite memories are of the students history department program and has worked moted to a school administration position and rience. he worked with who have become success- all indicated they were satisfied with the pro- 2. "WMC has a very interesting student with the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for ful, many as school principals. He also taught gram at WMC. "It was a very rewarding ex- body," Darcy said. In 1963 students were undergraduate and graduate students in his- a man who became the state superintendent perience to get those questionnaires back here for the social aspects of college life and tory for many years. of schools. "It's also nice when old interns from the former students," Behling said. he thinks this is still true today. He has had Some of his disappointments include see- are happy to see me. They smile instead of 5. "Over the years my admiration for WMC some very serious students and others he ing so much talent in faculty in arts and mu- frown at their teacher," Behling said. sic that is not appreciated by students. In has grown," Behling said. As former assis- describes as "happy-go-lucky". 2. The most dramatic change in students at tant state superintendent of schools, he was 3. Darcy plans on working on his project: 1963 students had to attend certain cultural WMC has been the increase in the number visiting many colleges at one time and says art and propaganda during World War I, hop- events, but now student representation is of women in the school administration pro- that WMC is one he has always admired. ing to give it direction. He says his plans are poor. "Students can be pleasantly surprised Darcy said. by these programs," Tait can't think of a better living than teaching Dr, Ronald K. Tait,Associate Professor of Sociology 3. Besides his time on the pro-basketball The college community may soon see Tait court, Tait will continue to teach part-time on the pro-basketball courts after his retire- at WMC next year. He would also like to do in the some mentoring with a young person ment. He claims that his wife is negotiating community. a $4 million contract for Tail and his friend 4. Tail's source of satisfaction has been to replace the two forwards on the Washing- ton Wizards. through his teaching career. "I don't think Besides his sense of humor, Tait is known there's been a more delightful way to make for his service as a volunteer for organiza- a living," he said, describing WMC as a "vir- playground" with its many tual cultural tions such as Big Brothers and Sisters and plays, lectures, and concerts. He hopes his Special Olympics and as an influential pro- greatest accomplishments have been through fessor in sociology for the past 30 years at WMC. his encouragement of students toward altru- After receiving his B.A. in economics in istic thinking, the concern for others. He has 1962 at the University of Delaware, he went gotten a number of students involved in the on to receive his M.A. in sociology also at Big Brothers and Sisters program and has been involved award. in the Zepp Leadership the University of Delaware and his Ph. D. at the University of Maryland. He has also organized students to raise money for poor people in other countries. His 25 year certificate of appreciation letter states that "over the years [Tait] and 5. Throughout his 30 years, Tait has seen his charges have applied technical expertise more continuity than change in academic to studying and researching a wide variety If he doesn't become the newest member of the Washington Wizards, Dr. Tait plans to teach rigor at WMC. He thinks the college has of campus issues, from attitudes toward the part-time at WMC next year. maintained strong academic requirements in college to graduate student satisfaction to dents, which he describes as very fine young many times to compare students now to when the liberal arts program. One change he does student attitudes toward our library." people in both academics and character. he first came here, he has never been able notice is the move toward job preparation in 1. 'Ian's fondest memories are that of his stu- 2. He says that although he's been asked to. the classroom, like an emphasis on social work and business administration.