In the winter of 1998, Ray Schwegler began the design and construction of a multimedia classroom using funds from the Bell Atlantic grant. The classroom included 16 Pentium table top computers, one 48 inch Monitor, two digital video cameras, one digital document camera with tray, one digital portable camera and a computerized white board. Around this time, the College acquired a T-1 line and obtained Internet access via Earth Station

In the Spring, Joanne Kellenbenz stepped down as Education Coordinator, but continued to teach Large Animal Clinical Procedures in the fall as an adjunct faculty member. Introduction to Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Practice Management were combined to form one two-credit course and Surgery was expanded from two to three credits. At the same time, Clinical Chemistry was obligatorily decreased by one credit to accommodate the expansion of Surgery (the College does not permit Programs to exceed 85 credits). Ann McClenaghan and Dr. Bassert developed VT103 Introduction to Veterinary Technology and Practice Management, as a traditional and Internet-based distance education course. Five Marino and Jacob ewes and five lambs arrived at the Motherhouse Farm in May and were pastured in the upper field.

In the summer, Dr. Bassert and Donna White, of CD Communications, developed a course web site for VT103 that held all of the course materials and reference sources. At the same time, Ray Schwegler completed construction of the veterinary technology multimedia classroom. Renovations to the barn were made during the summer and included removal of the milking parlor and construction of eight new horse stalls. Ann McClenaghan became Education Coordinator in August. An additional grant of $53,000., this time provided by the State of Pennsylvania, was awarded to Dr. Bassert for continued development of distance education in Veterinary Technology.

Enrollment in the fall of 1998 reached 97 students making Veterinary Technology the largest program at Manor College. Introduction to Veterinary Technology and Practice Management was team-taught by Ann McClenaghan and Dr. Bassert in the fall and represents Manor's first Internet-based course. At this time, synchronous audio and video streaming using Net Show software was used to deliver lecture material in VT103 on-line. A Veterinary Technology Program web site was developed by Dr. Bassert and Donna White and was linked to the College and VT103 course web sites. This is Manor's first Program web page.

In the summer of 1998, Dr. Dronson developed an inventory of chemical hazards for Vet Tech laboratories and began collection of MSDS sheets. OSHA training materials were purchased and a VT faculty training program was initiated.

The original Veterinary Technology multimedia classroom

Horse stalls constructed, summer 1998


Sheep arrive, summer 1998

Continue to 1999