Theme of issue
Teaching Microbiology to Differently-Abled Students

Table of Contents
View the entire volume of this journal in PDF Format (557 kb).

To view individual papers within this issue of the newsmagazine, click on a title below:

The Visually Handicapped Student in the Medical School Microbiology Laboratory
Janet Schrader and Michael Moninger, University of Wisconsin

The Visually Handicapped Student in the General Microbiology Laboratory
R.E. Benoit, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Students with Special Needs: Addressing a Heterogeneous Audience
Elisabeth F. M. Schlegel, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Passing It On: The Need for Mentors
Pat Johnson, Palm Beach Community College

On Being Mentored
Jennifer Herzog, Herkimer County Community College

The Role of Connections in Teaching and Learning
Spencer A. Benson, University of Maryland

Journal Watch
Kim Finer, Kent State University - Stark Campus

Web Watch
Indiren Pillay, Southwest Tennessee Community College

From the Editor
This issue contains both sadness and celebration. The microbiology community has been greatly diminished by the death of our colleague Ed Alcamo. Ed left an indelible mark on microbiology education and will be sorely missed.

At the same time we are celebrating two of our own: Division W members Spencer Benson and Bob Benoit were named Professors of the Year in their states by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. They were selected from faculty in all disciplines from all colleges and universities in their states. And this issue of Focus on Microbiology Education proudly features articles from both Professors of the Year! Bob Benoit’s contribution is part of this issue’s theme: Teaching Microbiology to Differently-Abled Students. Spencer Benson gives us an article on making connections – look for it in our News and Views section.

Kelly Cowan
Miami Univeristy - Middletown

In Memoriam - I. Edward Alcamo, 1941 - 2002

"I am going to bring you up to speed in microbiology so you can read a newspaper with understanding, talk to your doctor with confidence, and mix smoothly with other members of the health community…I will also be giving you a glimpse of the future by exploring where microbiology is going in the years ahead…Hop aboard for the ride. I think you’ll find it exhilarating."
- Dr. I. Edward Alcamo

The microbiology education community lost a leader, a colleague, and a friend on December 11, 2002 with the passing of Edward Alcamo. He passed away after a six month battle with leukemia.

Dr. Alcamo, whose contributions to science education span 35 years, was Professor of Microbiology at the State University of New York at Farmingdale. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, and four children: Michael, Tracey, Elizabeth, and Patricia.

As an undergraduate biology student at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., Dr. Alcamo first expressed an interest in becoming a microbiology educator. He began teaching courses just a few years later, and went on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y. Michael Vinciguerra, Provost at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, wrote, "In 1970, when I joined the faculty of SUNY Farmingdale as a chemistry professor, Ed’s reputation as an excellent biology educator was already well known. He and I taught many of the same students, and I would often hear them comment on how demanding he was, but also how clear and well organized his presentations were." Both colleagues and students were impressed with Dr. Alcamo’s ability to communicate complex information so it was readily understandable, interesting, and challenging.

A productive author, Dr. Alcamo authored several learning guides and textbooks, including Fundamentals of Microbiology, now in its 6th edition. His latest book, released in 2002, was entitled Microbes and Society: An Introduction to Microbiology. He prepared the encyclopedia entry for Encarta entitled "Procaryotes," as well as The Microbiology Coloring Book. Some of his other books published within the past several years include AIDS: The Biological Basis, DNA Technology: The Awesome Skill, and The Biology Coloring Workbook.

Service to the science and profession of microbiology education has also been a favorite cause of Dr. Alcamo. He was a charter member and former Chair of Division W and the founding editor of this newsmagazine, Focus on Microbiology Education. He also chaired the College Section of the National Association of Biology Teachers in 1998-99 and was an active member of his campus and local communities.

Dr. Alcamo’s contributions to teaching have been recognized with a number of awards and honors. He was the recipient of the 2000 Carski Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award for his exemplary teaching of microbiology to undergraduate students and for encouraging students to subsequent achievement. His institution honored him with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, The President’s Memorial Award for Excellence in Curriculum Development and Scholarship, and the Farmingdale Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1994 he was promoted to the coveted rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor, an honor held by only 1 percent of 34,000 faculty at the State University of New York. He also earned the NABT Outstanding Biology Teaching Award in 1990 and was elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in 1989.

Dr. John Lennox, Professor of Microbiology at Penn State and long time friend of Dr. Alcamo concludes, "As a mentor and teacher he has influenced the lives and careers of thousands of aspiring microbiologists, allied health professionals, and educators."

Compiled from various sources, including the American Academy of Microbiology’s 2000 Carski Award Press Release.