LHU Clearfield professor honored for outstanding service

March 29, 2012

Clearfield, PA – The PA Fish and Boat Commission awarded Dr. Michael J. McSkimming, Assistant Professor, Lock Haven University Clearfield Campus, the “Outstanding Service Award” for his emergency response actions on September 2, 2011. Dr. McSkimming and Wildlife Commission Officer (WCO) Vance Dunbar responded to a two-vehicle accident on PA-879, attending to the hurt individuals until medics arrived and directing traffic until the scene was cleared.

The Commission stated that “Dr. McSkimming earned the award for his selfless display of citizenship and professional competence through emergency response actions.”  Dr. McSkimming has served as a Deputy Waterways Conservation officer for the past 10 years, five of which have been in the North Central Region. 

Dr. McSkimming has taught Criminal Justice and Sociology at the LHU Clearfield Campus since 2008.  He developed and teaches courses on Conservation Law Enforcement and Environmental Justice. Beginning in fall 2012, Lock Haven University will offer a track in Conservation Law Enforcement, which requires completion of these two courses.

“I’m able to bring real experience and professional opportunities for the Criminal Justice program to show our students that it’s not all about chasing bad guys,” Dr. McSkimming stated.  “Our Criminal Justice student club is active in the community by helping with many groups and events such as the Rotary Club’s Election Day Pancake Dinner and fish stocking work with the Fish and Boat Commission. Additionally, our students at Clearfield Campus take it a step further by participating in various internship opportunities within the community. I’m appreciative for this award but more appreciative I can try to lead by example for our students who want to work in the field after graduation.”

Dr. Tamson Six, Criminal Justice Department Chair, commented, “Dr. McSkimming brings an invaluable perspective to his classes and his students as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer.  His work in the field greatly benefits students in his classes by providing the nexus between the class room, research in the discipline, and the field.  On behalf of my colleagues in the department, I extend congratulations on his Outstanding Service Award.  We are very proud of the courses he has developed for the track in Conservation Law Enforcement.  His work in this area really distinguishes our criminal justice program from our peers.”

LHU Clearfield Campus is a branch campus of Lock Haven University, which is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth.  LHU Clearfield Campus is conveniently located in Clearfield, PA on route PA-322 and close to Interstate-80.   For additional information about LHU Clearfield, visit the website at www.lhup.edu/clearfield.