Dec. 9, 2010

GETTYSBURG – Jennifer Weaver, vice president of HACC-Gettysburg Campus, is the Gettysburg Adams Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Citizen of the Year.

Weaver, who has been at the helm since HACC established a presence in the community 20 years ago, was nominated by Judy Cole Alder. She described the Adams County native and long-time community activist as a “quiet leader who has put her mark on the county over more than three decades.”

Weaver is “reluctant to claim credit for her accomplishments, commending others for their part in successful programs,” Alder added.

Adding his support to the nomination, Ronald Hankey, chairman of the board of Adams County National Bank, wrote that Weaver’s “efforts have provided our community with an outstanding institution of higher learning for our citizens as well as creating substantial economic benefit to our entire community. We are grateful for her leadership over the past two decades.”

Before joining HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, Weaver was program director and executive director of the YWCA for 14 years and was instrumental in initiating a 1980 campaign to build the YWCA Family Recreation Center.

She also provided leadership as one of the founders of Survivors, Inc., the local nonprofit organization that provides services to victims of domestic abuse.

In 1990, she became the director of HACC’s newly established Gettysburg Center, with 218 students enrolled and offices in the basement of the Gettysburg Area School District administration building.

Under Weaver’s leadership, the campus has experienced extraordinary growth and success in meeting the diverse and evolving educational needs of students and employers in Adams County and the surrounding region: HACC-Gettysburg Campus has grown to nearly 2,400 students this fall; moved to a newly transformed college campus at a former shopping mall; and expanded the operation from limited courses to a wide range of associate degrees as well as a comprehensive program of noncredit courses and workforce training programs.

"Throughout the growth of the campus, she has promoted community partnerships and resources in the development of new and innovative programs, including the implementation of Best Management Practices for storm water management at the campus site; the creation of a health care learning center for HACC nursing programs; College in the High School partnerships with most of the secondary schools in Adams County; and new career and technical programs in collaboration with area business and industry,” said Alder, HACC-Gettysburg Campus development officer.

Weaver also has served on many boards and committees, including the boards of Adams County Economic Development Corporation, Adams County National Bank, Survivors, Inc., and Adams County Criminal Justice Advisory Board; advisory committees for Adams County CareerLink, Adams County Business Education Partnership and Adams County Prison; the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration committee; and the Majestic Theater restoration campaign committee.

Previous awards include Outstanding Woman of the Year award as a leader in education by the Gettysburg Business and Professional Women in 2000; the inaugural Exceptional Women of Adams County Callie award for education in 2001; and a certificate of recognition as one of the Founding Mothers of Survivors, Inc. in 2008.

She earned both bachelor’s and master’s of education degrees from the Pennsylvania State University

“I consider myself a servant leader and fortunate to have opportunities to work with organizations whose missions support the betterment of individuals in our community,” said Weaver.