ON THE HILL
Students Pick Faves of
the Year
The Dana College Student Senate announced in May that
Dr. Scott Hermanson, assistant professor of English, and Steve Costanzo,
head wrestling coach, had been elected by the students of Dana as
the professor of the year and staff member of the year respectively.
“This person has really made my English major
worthwhile” said Bernardo Hinojosa ’06 in presenting
the award to Hermanson. “This person treats you like an equal
and doesn’t hold his title around his neck.”
Costanzo was also cited for his enthusiasm for working
with student athletes and his overall dedication to Dana. In a testament
to the students’ regard of him, Costanzo was chosen despite
being accidentally omitted from the ballot.
“He treats us all like his own sons,”
Scott Taylor ’05 said. “Above all, I’m just glad
to have him as a coach.”
Hermanson became a Dana faculty member in 2002. He
earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies from Northwestern
University and a master of arts degree in English from the University
of Cincinnati. The University of Cincinnati also awarded him a Ph.D.
Costanzo is in his fifth year as head wrestling coach
for the Vikings. During that time, the Viking wrestling program
has undergone a revival, leading toward the upper echelon of the
NAIA competition. With a strict and demanding schedule, the Viking
wrestling program seeks action seasonally from the top NCAA, NAIA
and NJCAA programs in the nation.
In the past four seasons the Vikings captured back-to-back
Central Regional Championships in 2001 and 2002, and Great Plains
Athletic Conference Championships in 2003 and 2004. This year, the
Vikings finished sixth in the nation at the NAIA National Championships.
Costanzo’s program at Dana has produced 38 National
qualifiers, eight All-Americans and five Academic All-Americans.
In 2003, Costanzo received the NAIA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence
Award. This award epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of
a role model and mentor for developing young student athletes.
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