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Saturday, June 13, 2026

1 89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e149092009-11-20 00:00:01.000Marcus RosanoMontgomery College's Susan Bontems Named Maryland Professor of the YearMontgomery College Professor Susan Bontems has been named the 2009 Maryland Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a national foundation dedicated to supporting teaching, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the largest international association of education institutions. The U.S. Professors of the Year program salutes the most outstanding undergraduate instructors in the country-those who excel as teachers and influence the lives and careers of their students. It is recognized as one of the most prestigious awards honoring professors. "I am passionate about my teaching and passionate about Montgomery College," said Professor Bontems, who teaches chemistry at Montgomery College's Germantown Campus. "We truly do change lives in a very real and very positive way. There are so many people around me who do great things, and I am unbelievably proud of my colleagues, my institution, and my career." Bontems worked in the chemical industry for nine years before joining Montgomery College as an adjunct professor, teaching organic chemistry in the evening. She immediately knew that this was the job she had always wanted. She became a full-time professor in 2002. Since then, she has been bringing everything she has to offer to her work. She encouraged the Germantown Campus Chemistry Department to offer honors courses and worked with a colleague to develop and run a seminar-style honors module for organic chemistry. She also co-authored new laboratory manuals for organic labs to improve student understanding and safety. Bontems considers her biggest achievement, however, to be the success of her students. She enjoys watching them continue on to four-year schools and to medical schools, pharmacy schools, nursing schools, and dental schools. "I strongly believe that one of the key elements of excellent teaching at my level is to reach out and make a strong personal connection to every student," said Professor Bontems. "So not only do I come to class with maximum enthusiasm, but I also work to involve the class every few minutes by asking a question or two. This may not sound like much, but many people think that there isn't time to fit discussion into a science course. It certainly doesn't fit easily, but it is worth the extra effort. Students become passionately involved in debating the best answer, and this level of involvement is crucial." "Professor Bontems is a fabulous, engaged teacher who is focused on student learning and serves as a model master teacher," said Katherine Michaelian, instructional dean at the College's Germantown Campus. "She actively involves her students in their learning. What is most remarkable about her classes is how involved her students are; sitting in the front of the lecture hall, asking questions, and participating in give and take. Many of her students try to follow her from course to course. Her motivational skills encourage her students in organic chemistry to persevere in a subject that many find difficult." Montgomery College alumna Minh Van Thi Tran, now a pharmacy student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, credits much of her success to Professor Bontems. "Nowadays, getting into pharmacy school is very competitive, even for students who already have a B.S., so it was much harder for me, a student with just an A.A. But Professor Bontems made it possible, for the knowledge I acquired in her class helped me succeed in the entrance exam for pharmacy school and I got accepted to three schools...." Student Lila Kashi agrees with Tran's assessment. "I remember when I registered for organic chemistry, everybody was telling me that it was going to be a challenging course. In reality, I never enjoyed a course as much as organic, and I believe that is because of Professor Bontems. She has the ability to make a difficult topic very understandable and simple, which undeniably shows her teaching ability." Bontems also mentors both full-time and part-time faculty who are new to the College. She supports all chemistry students outside of class by volunteering in the Science Leaning Center, which offers tutoring and additional help to students. Bontems, an Arizona native, received her bachelor's degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors. She returned home to attend Arizona State University, where she earned a master's degree in chemistry. Following graduation, Bontems did research at the University of Minnesota for two years, and then began working in industrial positions for the next decade, occasionally presenting her research at conferences. This is the third time that a Montgomery College professor has been named a Maryland Professor of the Year. Dr. Mary Furgol, a history professor, received the honor in 2003. And in 2006, Joan Naake, an English professor, received the award.4S-Bontems-front.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/S-Bontems-front.jpgtn_0.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/tn_0.jpgS-Bontems-1.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/S-Bontems-1.jpgtn_1.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/tn_1.jpgS-Bontems-2.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/S-Bontems-2.jpgtn_2.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/tn_2.jpgS-Bontems-3.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/S-Bontems-3.jpgtn_3.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/tn_3.jpgS-Bontems-front.jpgattach/89cb9d08-58ca-1f44-a5a0-5607f0191d2e/S-Bontems-front.jpgOther (Do Not Use)marcus.rosano@montgomerycollege.edu240-567-4022Montgomery College Professor Susan Bontems has been named the 2009 Maryland Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.14909

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Montgomery Collegehttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/Montgomery CollegeGuided Placement Help Days! at Germantown CampusAre you a future student who needs access to or help with MC’s guided placement process? Then join us on campus! Your success at MC is important to us, and the guided placement process will help us make sure you are prepared. Guided Placement Help Days (all events are 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/germantown/event/guided-placement-help-days-at-germantown-campus-1/504a11ca-5d83-46ad-83fd-b783a1de0d12Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMTSummer Open House- Germantown Ready to begin your journey at Montgomery College? Join our Open House Series, where each event is designed to guide you step-by-step through the enrollment process—from placement to registration and beyond. Attend one or all to get the support you need to start strong this fall!https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/germantown/event/summer-open-house--germantown/13039e21-0ce1-4e24-a061-2cc1acfba3bdMon, 15 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMTFree Paying for Education & Training WorkshopThe TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) offers in-person Paying for Education & Training workshops at WorkSource Montgomery (Wheaton) on the third Tuesday of every month. All workshops are free and open to the public.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/free-paying-for-education--training-workshop-3/9649570f-0160-4db7-abcc-88930d4efd45Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:30:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (Amharic)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in Amharic are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-sessionhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-amharic-3/fa7c952a-1ee2-4e95-8a96-a649275087c3Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMTPIC MC Presents: The Tour (Group B)Regular and predictable tours enhance used to create institutional awareness. Sign up here: https://luma.com/homehttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/germantown/event/pic-mc-group-b-tours-4/26ea8bf6-58f2-45f8-923d-143cae5cf28cThu, 18 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMTMontgomery College Alumni Networking EventJoin us for a relaxed networking event designed specifically for recent MC alumni! Don’t miss out on this special event, offered specifically for Montgomery College alumni who graduated or last took classes since 2016. At Pinstripes in North Bethesda, on Thursday, Jun 18 from 5-9 p.m.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/montgomery-college-alumni-networking-event/ca4c583d-0efa-470b-babf-669346bc2951Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMTInto the Woods - MC's Summer Musical w/Dinner Theatre OptinonWhen classic stories collide, the real adventure begins! MC presents 6 performances of the classic musical "Into the Woods".https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/into-the-woods---mcs-summer-musical-wdinner-theatre-optinon/dd245d99-a8b3-4fd4-8e6d-95903784476dSun, 21 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTInto the Woods - MC's Summer Musical w/Dinner Theatre OptinonWhen classic stories collide, the real adventure begins! MC presents 6 performances of the classic musical "Into the Woods".https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/into-the-woods---mcs-summer-musical-wdinner-theatre-optinon-1/44038a6a-bf65-403b-8439-8946635d353eSun, 21 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMTPlant Sale - Environmental Horticulture ProgramPlant Sale: Location: Germantown Greenhouse Time: 2:30-5:30 p.m.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/germantown/event/plant-sale---environmental-horticulture-program-1/0a3bff17-43ac-4aed-9172-f830d46c1edaWed, 24 Jun 2026 18:30:00 GMTFree GED Prep and Pathways Workshop at Wheaton LibraryGet help preparing for the GED through free workshops offered in both English and Spanish. These sessions are designed to support adult learners in building the skills and confidence needed to succeed on the GED exam.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/free-ged-prep-and-pathways-workshop-at-wheaton-library-1/d7887351-8e1d-4b93-b249-f6e103ae68a7Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMTInto the Woods - MC's Summer Musical w/Dinner Theatre OptinonWhen classic stories collide, the real adventure begins! MC presents 6 performances of the classic musical "Into the Woods".https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/into-the-woods---mcs-summer-musical-wdinner-theatre-optinon-2/a81c52aa-a733-4dce-a032-b71c1305260eSat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTInto the Woods - MC's Summer Musical w/Dinner Theatre OptinonWhen classic stories collide, the real adventure begins! MC presents 6 performances of the classic musical "Into the Woods".https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/into-the-woods---mcs-summer-musical-wdinner-theatre-optinon-3/d79949a1-3af1-4dad-8861-f6047476af13Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMTInto the Woods - MC's Summer Musical w/Dinner Theatre OptinonWhen classic stories collide, the real adventure begins! MC presents 6 performances of the classic musical "Into the Woods".https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/into-the-woods---mcs-summer-musical-wdinner-theatre-optinon-4/be526de6-3e36-415f-84fe-f955ff72599cSun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTInto the Woods - MC's Summer Musical w/Dinner Theatre OptinonWhen classic stories collide, the real adventure begins! MC presents 6 performances of the classic musical "Into the Woods".https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/into-the-woods---mcs-summer-musical-wdinner-theatre-optinon-5/c2798608-3c97-42c4-ad4c-9c9ad5a6082cSun, 28 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (Spanish)TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) organiza sesiones informativas virtuales mensuales gratuitas en inglés, español y amárico. Las sesiones informativas virtuales de TRIO EOC son gratuitas y abiertas al público. Las sesiones en español se celebran el primer lunes de cada mes.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-spanish-4/ac04f004-b61f-4140-b353-09ce63e53d45Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (English)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in English are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-session-englishhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-english-5/5608288e-0906-4227-ae9d-d445cb1e34c1Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMTSummer Open House-Rockville Ready to begin your journey at Montgomery College? Join our Open House Series, where each event is designed to guide you step-by-step through the enrollment process—from placement to registration and beyond. Attend one or all to get the support you need to start strong this fall!https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/rockville/event/summer-open-house-rockville/6a6a2d6e-25e9-40cc-8d3c-e0f9212d74a4Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (Amharic)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in Amharic are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-sessionhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-amharic-4/ec052720-6511-4caf-9073-bb81f7a10269Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMTFree Paying for Education & Training WorkshopThe TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) offers in-person Paying for Education & Training workshops at WorkSource Montgomery (Wheaton) on the third Tuesday of every month. All workshops are free and open to the public.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/free-paying-for-education--training-workshop-4/c3fa076b-5b66-4915-83fa-54dd9901808eTue, 21 Jul 2026 19:30:00 GMTPlant Sale - Environmental Horticulture ProgramPlant Sale: Location: Germantown Greenhouse Time: 2:30-5:30 p.m.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/germantown/event/plant-sale---environmental-horticulture-program-2/31853b77-f5a2-4058-aa61-c84a7e203987Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:30:00 GMTRaptor Ready Scholarship DeadlineMontgomery College is providing a $1,000 tuition scholarship to Montgomery County residents who are spring 2026 graduates from a Montgomery County high school, and who register for and attend six credit hours in the fall 2026 semester at MC or fall courses in one of the selected WDCE programs.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/academic/event/raptor-ready-scholarship-deadline/879f589d-a24f-488a-8c5b-2ffca765a7a3Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (Spanish)TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) organiza sesiones informativas virtuales mensuales gratuitas en inglés, español y amárico. Las sesiones informativas virtuales de TRIO EOC son gratuitas y abiertas al público. Las sesiones en español se celebran el primer lunes de cada mes.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-spanish-5/6996df7e-4259-4dd0-aae4-a8c4d6fdf5feMon, 03 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMTSummer Open House- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Ready to begin your journey at Montgomery College? Join our Open House Series, where each event is designed to guide you step-by-step through the enrollment process—from placement to registration and beyond. Attend one or all to get the support you need to start strong this fall!https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/takoma-silver/event/summer-open-house--takoma-parksilver-spring/d5e77b19-c328-4985-89c0-ed6100c82d3aThu, 06 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMTSummer Open House-Virtual Ready to begin your journey at Montgomery College? Join our Open House Series, where each event is designed to guide you step-by-step through the enrollment process—from placement to registration and beyond. Attend one or all to get the support you need to start strong this fall!https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/summer-open-house-virtual/bd49d297-9c70-4a44-8c26-547135c485a5Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (English)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in English are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-session-englishhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-english-6/5f9a8b9a-a564-48b2-91a6-48220cffa8dbThu, 13 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTFree Paying for Education & Training WorkshopThe TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) offers in-person Paying for Education & Training workshops at WorkSource Montgomery (Wheaton) on the third Tuesday of every month. All workshops are free and open to the public.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/free-paying-for-education--training-workshop-5/e1136d8c-7e3e-4f07-affe-1e08ee442e40Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:30:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (Amharic)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in Amharic are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-sessionhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-amharic-5/cd2503a9-a74d-4c18-8064-ce8e9e8c7038Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMTPlant Sale - Environmental Horticulture ProgramPlant Sale: Location: Germantown Greenhouse Time: 2:30-5:30 p.m.https://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/germantown/event/plant-sale---environmental-horticulture-program-3/bd7aa1c6-df0b-46b5-bc28-9a9b0f2f5fe8Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:30:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (English)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in English are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-session-englishhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-english-7/f478eafb-efa2-4279-a798-ac69a3484d28Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (English)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in English are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-session-englishhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-english-8/159e1567-8644-413f-83a0-e100c91a3b86Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (English)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in English are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-session-englishhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-english-9/00e8874c-2c04-44e9-87ae-7876f80cd3acThu, 12 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMTTRIO EOC Virtual Information Session (English)TRIO EOC virtual information sessions are free and open to the public. Sessions in English are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Register for a session here: https://bit.ly/eoc-information-session-englishhttps://go.activecalendar.com/montgomerycollege/site/other/event/trio-eoc-virtual-information-session-english-10/e2764842-ebec-49c1-9378-ec124d435c72Thu, 10 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT