Skidmore, Logsdon, and Kasecamp earn emeritus professor status
McHenry, MD – Three former Garrett College professors, who totaled 109 years of service, have unanimously been awarded emeritus status by the Garrett College Board of Trustees.
Ron Skidmore, who served on the Garrett College faculty for 38 years, was named professor of art emeritus. Dr. Michael Logsdon and Dr. Terry Kasecamp, who both passed away last year, were posthumously designated professor of adventure sports emeritus and professor of psychology emerita, respectively.
Dr. Logsdon retired after 42 years of service in 2020 and Dr. Kasecamp died last summer as she was preparing for her 30th year on the faculty.
Skidmore, Logsdon, and Kasecamp will all be recognized at Garrett College’s commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16.
“Emeritus status is the highest honor the College can bestow,” noted Professor Christa Bowser, Garrett College’s chief academic officer. “Ron, Terry, and Mike had long and distinguished careers during which they touched the lives of literally thousands of students. They are all exceptionally worthy of this high honor.”
In addition to his classroom career, Skidmore also served as program director for Garrett College’s Department of Humanities, Liberal Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. A former president of the Garrett County Arts Council, the McHenry resident currently owns and operates Deep Creek Pottery with his wife, Lori.
“I was fortunate to have a lot of delightful students,” said Skidmore, recalling his Garrett College career. “ I’ve been able to keep in touch with a lot of my students, creating lifelong friendships.”
Skidmore, a Cumberland native and 1968 graduate of Allegany High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from Frostburg State University and a master’s degree in printmaking from West Virginia University.
“I introduced printmaking at Garrett College, which was one of my early focuses,” said Skidmore, who enjoyed teaching at the collegiate level. “I liked the idea that I could do more advanced art techniques with college students. I also enjoyed the variety of classes I was able to teach,” said Skidmore, who shifted his focus late in his career to ceramic arts.
Logsdon was instrumental in planning and operating the 1989 World Whitewater Championships and the 1992 U.S. Olympic Whitewater Trials, both of which were held on the lower Savage River. The success of those events led to development of Garrett College’s Adventuresports program, which evolved into today’s Outdoor Leadership and Adventure (OLA) Education program.
Logsdon, who served as executive director of the Adventure Sports Center International, was also a major figure within the Garrett Trails organization. He also contributed time to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Garrett Choral Society, and the Garrett Institute for Lifelong Learning (GILL).
Kasecamp, in addition to her teaching responsibilities, was extremely active in co-curricular student activities. She founded the Garrett College student chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and served as faculty advisor for GC’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Kasecamp also organized the College’s Women’s History Month Monologues, Black History Month Monologues, and a recurring art exhibit tribute to feminist Judy Chicago called “The Dinner Party Exhibit: Making Waves, Making History”. She also led women’s history trips to Seneca Falls (NY), Albany (NY), and Washington, D.C.
Skidmore, Logsdon, and Kasecamp – along with Ann Wellham, who is being recognized this year as a dean emeritus – join an elite group of what is now 15 emeriti honorees in the 54-year history of Garrett College.