MCC instructor honored by WIU

Ron Geary, criminal justice instructor and department chair at McHenry County College, recently received a "Most Inspirational Teacher" award from Alvin Goldfarb, president of Western Illinois University.

An MCC student who is transferring to WIU has named Geary as his/her most inspirational teacher, in an anonymous survey. In a letter accompanying the award, Goldfarb commends Geary on his "high quality of education and commitment to realizing a goal in shaping the lives of the next generation of America's leaders."

"I feel honored, but I don't teach to get awards," Geary said. "I enjoy teaching and imparting knowledge. The award tells me the students are getting something out of our efforts at MCC. It's a nice outcome."

Since Geary joined MCC five years ago, enrollment in the criminal justice associate in applied science degree program has increased 130 percent. Geary has revamped the CJS program and updated agreements with four-year colleges and universities. He created a tech prep component of criminal justice program for high school students in collaboration with MCC's Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services programs.

Geary credits the program's success to adjunct instructors who currently work in the law enforcement field and apply concepts from the textbook to real world scenarios. In addition to himself, instructors include police officers and an assistant state's attorney.

Geary brings his experience as a police officer to the classroom, helping students see the relationship between theory and real life situations. Rather than visit a crime scene, he brings a crime scene scenario to the classroom, such as teaching students how to conduct searches, principles of constitutional law, juvenile law and policing.

"In the classroom, Ron engages his students with hands-on activities, stories from the news, group discussion and lecture," said Sue Maifield, executive dean of Human and Public Services and Social Science at MCC. "His enthusiasm and respect for the criminal justice system encourages student involvement and interest."

Student Jessica Vormittag of Crystal Lake has taken three different classes with Geary and said, "He's more of a hands-on teacher and he takes the time to help students figure out what other classes you need to take."

Before coming to MCC, Geary has 15 years experience as a police officer, ending as a sergeant for the Wauconda Police Department. He earned his bachelors degree in education from Illinois State University and a masters degree in law enforcement administration from Western Illinois University.

Off campus, Geary is a member of the McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association and he assists local citizen police academy groups with laser shot training. He also works as varsity football coach at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake.

He is included in "Who's Who of America's Teachers" for 2002, 2003 and 2004.

In addition to this year's award from WIU, Geary was one of more than 1,000 community college instructors recognized for teaching excellence in 2005 from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. He resides in Lakemoor with his wife, Jennifer, and two daughters.