Associate Degree

The girlfriend of a man who died Wednesday in an industrial accident at the Purina Mills plant near Halfway remembered him Thursday as a wonderful father who went out of his way to help others. "He was always there when anyone needed him," Kristin Cummings said of Aaron Ball. "Aaron was just the best guy. He was always trying to help other people. " Ball, 25, who lived near Mercersburg, Pa., was killed at the plant while he was cleaning a machine, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

NOV. 21, 1941-MARCH 28, 2011 Mrs. Judy Ann (Gaver) Flook, 69, of 14521 Water Company Road, Cascade, Md., passed away Monday, March 28, 2011, at her home. Born Nov. 21, 1941, in Waynesboro, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Glenn E. and Marie Anna (Smith) Gaver. She lived most of her life in the Cascade area. Mrs. Flook was a graduate of Smithsburg High School with the class of 1959. She later received an associate degree in business and accounting from Hagerstown Junior College, Hagerstown, Md. She and her husband of more than 48 years, Mr. Gene Richard Flook, were married Nov. 17, 1962, in Sabillasville, Md. They had lived at their present residence since 1968.

Eastern Correctional Institution TOWSON, Md. — Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) teacher Diane King was honored recently as WMDT's (Channel 47's) Teacher Who Makes A Difference for January 2011. The station surprised her recently in class with flowers and a plaque. ECI inmates nominated King for the honor, with more than 20 people signing a nomination letter they sent to the station. In the letter, inmates said, "Without her, most men here would likely falter, but she keeps us going and gives us goals to shoot for and finally obtain.

MARCH 22, 1945-FEB. 15, 2011 ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gerald Wayne Bayer passed away at his home in Annapolis on Feb. 15, 2011. He was born March 22, 1945, in Boonsboro, Md., and grew up in Waynesboro, Pa.   A graduate of Waynesboro High School in 1963, he received an associate degree in drafting and design from Penn State University in 1965, and a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Rochester in 1969.   He had a long and distinguished career as an engineer, manager and vice president at Eastman Kodak Co., and was vice president of operations at Sterling Pharmaceutical.

NOV. 29, 1955-FEB. 10, 2011 PRESTON, Md. — Curtis A. Barnhart Sr. died at Peninsula Regional Medical Center on Feb. 10, 2011. He was 55 years old. Born in Hagerstown on Nov. 29, 1955, he was the son of the late Richard L. and Peggy Ann Miller Barnhart.     Mr. Barnhart graduated from St. Michaels High School in 1972, and earned his associate degree in accounting from Chesapeake College in 1974. He continued his education by earning a bachelor of science degree from Salisbury University in 1977, with a concentration in accounting.

Officials at Hagerstown Community College and University of Maryland University College recently met to renew and enhance their dual-admission agreement. The agreement is designed to make it easier for students pursuing an associate degree at HCC to transfer academic credits to UMUC to complete a bachelor’s degree. A reverse-transfer option is also available for students who have not graduated to transfer credits back to HCC and earn their two-year degree. “We are very pleased to be able to include UMUC among the fine institutions with which we have articulation agreements,” HCC President Guy Altieri said.

Hispanic or Latino students attending Hagerstown Community College may be eligible to receive the 2011 Accenture Scholarship. The scholarship is intended for second-year Latino students majoring in business, technology or engineering who intend to transfer to a four-year institution after completing their associate degree at HCC. To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements: Be a Latino student enrolled in a two-year accredited...

View all of the photos for purchase! HAGERSTOWN -- For 10 years, Laura Griffith measured her life in what-ifs. What if her husband didn't punch her today? What if he didn't call her names or demean her in front of their children? What if a moment went by when her body and spirit didn't suffer from being abused? One day, she asked herself another question -- what if she left? "I just had enough," Griffith said. "You get to a point where you're done with the violence.

HAGERSTOWN -- Although he knew he was in the running for Maryland State Police Trooper of the Year, Trooper 1st Class Gary Bachtell said it was a surprise when his name was announced for the 2009 honor. "I knew something was up when my kids walked in," Bachtell said. His wife, Cherie, and his mother had accompanied him to the awards cweremony, but not the children. Bachtell, 48, started working with the state police polygraph unit 13 years ago. He has been the state police polygraph coordinator since 2007.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back -- through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others -- at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about L. Ruth Koontz, who died Nov. 16 at the age of 56. Her obituary was published in the Nov. 19 edition of The Herald-Mail. Growing up, John Koontz and Ruth Horst lived about a mile apart on Maugansville Road and went to school together from first to 12th grade.