1999

The College officially changed its name from Manor Junior College to Manor College. In the spring, the College hosted the biannual meeting of the Northeast Veterinary Technician Educators Association (NEVTEA), which show cased the video/audio streaming technology. Ann McClenaghan developed Animal Management and Nutrition (VT106) as a distance education course. Dr. Bassert received grant funding from Hill's Pet Nutrition to develop a CD-ROM of images for veterinary technician educators. "Serena" a mixed breed (female spayed) from the SPCA became the Program's mascot. Enrollment in the fall reaches 104.

Throughout the 1998-1999 academic year, a three phase plan to computerize the library collection of books, periodicals and AV supplies was underway. Books were bar-coded and logged. A computer lab was established in the library for students to complete research and autotutorials. For the first time, on-campus students took VT103 asynchronously using the new computers in the library.

Also in the summer of 1999, Dr. Bassert developed a faculty handbook to facilitate hiring, orientation and instructional support. Much effort, that summer, was devoted toward obtaining an amendment of the PVMA's House Bill #1418. Ann McClenaghan began development of Manor's second on-line course, VT 106, Animal Management and Nutrition.

2000

In addition to the Program Director and the Education Coordinator, Dr. Christina Dougherty, adjunct faculty member, and Jane Zegestowsky, Chairman of the Allied Health Division, became advisors to veterinary technology students for the first time. A grant of $100,000 is awarded to the Program by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for continued development of distance education in veterinary technology. A thoroughbred mare, "Belle", is acquired for the program. Enrollment in the fall is 110 students.

In the Spring 2000, Ann McClenaghan taught VT106 as an on-line course for the first time. In addition, a formal relationship with the Montgomery SPCA was established by Dr. Bassert to provide adequate numbers of cats and dogs for use in VT 218/226, Surgery and Anesthesiology Laboratories. These animals were spayed and neutered and given routine medical treatment before being returned to the SPCA. Also this year, efforts to reduce the number of preserved cats used in the anatomy and physiology laboratories were initiated. Several Prosections were permanently preserved via the silicolyophillization process developed by Dr. Peter Ocello at Michigan State University.

In the summer of 2000, the College participated in a study initiated by the USDA, which monitored the movement of the West Nile Virus. Chickens were placed as sentinel birds at the farm and were tested weekly for the presence of the virus. The Program horses were also tested weekly as part of the study. Dr. Bassert received an additional $100,000 from the State of Pennsylvania to continue work on distance education. One hundred and ten (110) students enrolled in September, 2000.

Continue to 2001