College of Education welcomes three new
members of the Alumni Chapter Board of Directors

COLLEGE PARK, MD (October 2005) - The College of Education Alumni Chapter Board of Directors represents the college's alumni base of more than 35,000 graduates. The board sponsors many activities and events, and has strengthened efforts to reconnect the alumni base with the college while supporting the college's strategic goals and initiatives. The chapter's continuing success is reflective of its engaged and enthusiastic alumni volunteers who serve as board members. The College of Education welcomed this September three new elected members to the Alumni Chapter Board of Directors: James DeGeorge, '71, '68; Donna Redmond-Jones, '04; and Holly Ponzilla, '02. Lucy Wagner Mitzner has also been appointed by Dean Edna Mora Szymanski to serve as the undergraduate student representative to the board for one year.

James "Jim" DeGeorge, M.S. '71-Comparative Educational Studies; B.S. '68-Social Studies Education
DeGeorge is a faculty associate at the Johns Hopkins University as well as the Professional Development School Coordinator for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, University of Maryland. He is president of the Howard County Retired Teachers Association, an educational consultant to the U.S. and Maryland State Department of Education, plus a motivational speaker at local, state, and national conferences. DeGeorge retired from the Howard County Public Schools System where he served as a vice principal from 1980 to 1986, and a principal from 1986 to 1999. DeGeorge is also the recipient of several awards, including Outstanding Service to the Community, Youth Service Award, Administrator of the Year, Distinguished Educational Leader, and Outstanding Educator of the Year.

Donna Redmond-Jones, Ph.D. '04 - Curriculum and Instruction
Redmond-Jones taught English and Journalism in the Henrico County Public Schools in Richmond, Va. from 1995 to 1998. While earning her graduate degree, she worked as an instructor and research assistant at College of Education, University of Maryland. By 2004, Jones was appointed Assistant Principal of the Winston Churchill High School in Montgomery County. She is a former president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and served as chair for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Youth Council. Jones is a published author and has been recognized with such honors as Distinguished Teaching Assistant and the Sally Mae First Class Teacher Award, and she has been inducted into Golden Key Honor Society and the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.

Holly Ponzillo, B.S. '02 - Mathematics and Math Education
Ponzillo is currently pursuing a master degree in liberal arts from the Johns Hopkins University while working as a math teacher at Hereford High School in the Baltimore County Public Schools System. Ponzillo was active as an undergraduate student in the College of Education. She was founding president of the University of Maryland Honors Program, and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key Honor Society, and Kappa Delta Pi. She was also listed in Who's Who Among College Students . Ponzillo was a National Merit Scholar and the recipient of several scholarships, including Kendal Burrows Memorial Fund Scholarship, the Dean's Scholarship, and the University Honors Scholarship.

Lucy Wagner Mitzner, B.A. '06 - Early Childhood Education
Lucy is a senior in the Department of Human Development's Early Childhood Education program, with a minor in Vocal Performance. Due to graduate in May 2006, she is a Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar and has been inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honors Society. In addition to the Alumni Board, Lucy is a member of the College of Education Senate and works as a student aide at the college's Center for Young Children. She has also been active in the Best Buddies Program for children with disabilities.

These new members join the present Alumni Chapter Board of Directors: Jean Mullan-President, Carl E. Anderson-Vice President, Robert Ramin-Treasurer, Jennifer Jarosinski-Secretary, Mary Batcher, Jacqueline L. Frierson, Stephen L. Hagenbuch, Catherine Kern, Jody K. Olsen, Darla Strouse, Antoinette "Toni" S. Ungaretti, Jane West, and Michele A. Zurad. Brief biographies of all the board members are available at www.education.umd.edu/infofor/alumniandfriends.html.

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For more information on the College of Education, visit: www.education.umd.edu
or contact Jenniffer Manning-Scherhaufer, Communications Coordinator, at: manning1@umd.edu