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Fall 2014 Activities

Here are the faculty and staff activities for the fall semester 2014.

Here are the faculty and staff activities for the fall semester 2014. 

Faculty and Staff Activities

Dr. Rich Mehrenberg, Early, Middle, and Exceptional Educational Department, had an invited op-ed article published in the December 10 edition of LNP. The article, titled “Taking Fitness Tips from Elvis,” focuses on the current problems associated with allowing people with no teaching experience to make the important decisions in education. An online link to the editorial can be found here…  http://tinyurl.com/o4gkroj

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Dr. M. P. A. Sheaffer, English, sang as an alto ringer in the Advent concert of the Canterbury Choral Society on December 7 in New York at the Church of the Heavenly Rest. Two works by the English composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams comprised the program: “Hodie: a Christmas Cantata” and “Fantasia on Christmas Carols.”

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Drs. Ron Umble and Zhigang Han recently published a textbook in mathematics entitled “Transformational Plane Geometry.”  Their textbook is a resource for the preparation of secondary teachers in response to the new pedagogical approach to geometry specified by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics “Principles and Standards for School Mathematics” and the Common Core State Standards Initiative “Standards for Mathematical Practice.” Guided by Umble and Han’s “Transformational Plane Geometry,” future teachers will acquire the skills they need to effectively apply these standards in their classrooms.

For more information go to:

http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781482234718?j=526038&e=ron.umble@millersville.edu&l=311_HTML&u=10930189&mid=7004476&jb=3&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_term=&utm_content=http://view.email.taylorandfrancis.com/?j=fec7117273640775&utm_campaign=LZN05E_Geometry_and_Topology

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Dr. John Wallace, biology, co-authored a recent publication with lead author: M.Eric Benbow and fellow coauthors: J. Pechal, J. Lang, R. Erb* entitled: The potential of high-throughput metagenomic sequencing of aquatic bacterial communities to estimate the postmortem submersion interval accepted for publication in the Journal of Forensic Science. * indicates MU alumna.  In addition, Wallace was recently awarded a $3,500 grant from End Buruli Ulcer Alliance for research and travel. And, he gave an invited talk in October at SUNY Oneonta titled “Buruli ulcer: Demystifying the ecology and transmission of a neglected tropical disease,”  Dayton, Ohio.

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Obituary 

Carol Anne (White) Fridinger died December 15, 2014.  She began working at Millersville State College in January, 1969 as a secretary in the foreign language department. Years later, she transferred to the women’s athletics department where she worked for the remainder of her career. Her friends and colleagues from Millersville were her extended family.

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Lancaster, PA Resident Graduates from FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute  

Dr. Duane E. Hagelgans, emergency management, graduated from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Emergency Management Basic Academy at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) on September 18, 2014.  EMI has created the National Emergency Basic Academy to produce a comprehensive curriculum that provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support the unpredictable challenges in the field of emergency management.  Additionally, for those who are new to emergency management or for those who are transferring from another profession, this Academy provides a unique opportunity to build camaraderie and establish professional contacts

Hagelgans completed the five courses in the Basic Academy that includes Foundations of Emergency Management, Science of Disaster, Planning: Emergency Operations, Exercise Design, and Public Information and Warning. To graduate, he fulfilled a total of 167 hours of training.

The Basic Academy is the first phase of FEMA’s new Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP).  The EMPP curriculum is designed to be a lifetime of learning for emergency managers and includes three separate, but closely related, training programs. The National Emergency Management Basic Academy is a gateway for individuals pursuing a career in emergency management.

Hagelgans is not only a graduate of the program but was selected to teach the National Emergency Management Basic Academy for FEMA. “Being asked to be an instructor in this top in the nation program is a great honor; however, I wanted to be sure that I could also tell the professionals I am teaching that I am a graduate also,” stated Hagelgans.

For more information on FEMA’s training classes through the Basic, Leaders and Executive Academies, or other emergency management courses, go to:   http://training.fema.gov/empp/.

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Tim Sevison
, adjunct professor in the emergency management department, recently published an article in the November issue of the International Association of Emergency Managers Bulletin. In the article Sevison talks about the “new normal” for emergency management. The “new normal” is that “disasters are increasing due to the effects of climate change and are also becoming more complex,” said Sevison, “many state emergency management systems are looking to their state’s National Guard to help fill this gap.” To read Sevison’s article please visit the following link, http://www.millersville.edu/cdre/files/Sevison_IAEMArticle.pdf

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President Anderson Designated A PERC Champion

Dr. John Anderson, president, was designated as one of Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium’s (PERC) 2014 Campus Sustainability Champions (CSC) for his work to promote sustainability.

The CSCs are annually designated by PERC, with nominations submitted by PERC schools across the state. Only one student and one administration/staff/faculty person can be designated per school as a CSC. Anderson was chosen as one of seven in the administration/staff/faculty category.

He was formally recognized at PERC’s fall conference, “Engaging Sustainability,” at Pennsylvania State University on November 12.

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Janet Kacskos, director of communications, was elected to the national board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at their international conference in October. Kacskos will serve a two-year term, beginning in January.  In addition, she received The Frederick E. Leuschner Award for Excellence in Public Relations from the Central PA chapter of PRSA on November 6.  And, Kacskos was elected to the board of directors for the Center for Community Peacemaking in October.

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Dr. Kazi Hossain, early, middle, and exceptional education, published an article in the fall issue of Multicultural Education journal. The title of his article is “Immigration beyond Ellis Island.” The article provides strategies for teachers on how to present constructive information on the topic of immigration. He also presented a paper, “White Privilege: Perceptions of Pre-Service Teachers,” at the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) annual conference, held in Tucson, Ariz., from November 5-9. In addition to sharing the perceptions of pre-service teachers, this paper also addresses the importance of discussing “white privilege” in a multicultural education course.

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Dr. Saulius Suziedelis, professor emeritus, was an invited presenter at Stanford University. His lecture, “The Nazi Occupation and the Holocaust in Reichskommissariat Ostland: Conflicting Narratives and Memories,” was part of the international conference, War and Freedom: The Baltic Countries in the 20th Century, held at the Hoover Institution on October 8-10. On October 13 Suziedelis also presented a seminar sponsored by Stanford’s Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian  Studies titled, “The History of Genocide and Collaboration as a Journey of Understanding: The Lithuanian Case.”

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Promotion and Tenure of Millersville Faculty

Millersville University recently announced the faculty members who were promoted and/or tenured as of the start of the 2014-15 academic year:

In the School of Education, Dr. Ojoma Edeh Herr, educational foundations, and Dr. Daniel J. Keefer, wellness and sport sciences, were promoted to full professor. Dr. Ellen M. Long, educational foundations, was promoted to associate professor.  Prof. Donna M. Painter, applied engineering, safety & technology, was granted tenure.

In the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Thomas  P. Boyle, communication & theatre, and Dr. Kimberly A. Mahaffy, sociology/anthropology, were promoted to full professor.  The following were promoted to associate professor:  Prof. Victor Capecce, communication & theatre; Dr. Leonora E. Foels and Dr. David H. Johnson, social work; Dr. Jessica J. Kelly, geography; Dr. Sandra J.H. McPherson, economics; and Dr. Lisa M. Schreiber, communication & theatre.  The following professors in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences were granted tenure:  Dr. Onek C. Adyanga, history; Dr. Elizabeth A. Corrigall, management and marketing; Dr. Leonora E. Foels and Dr. David H. Johnson, social work; Dr. Victoria M. Khiterer, history; Dr. Dominic T. Ording, English; Dr. Ryan D. Orr, sociology/anthropology; and Dr. Lowery A. Woodall, communication & theatre.

In the School of Science & Mathematics, Dr. Natalia M. Dushkina, physics, was promoted to full professor. The following were promoted to associate professor:  Dr. Kelly A. Kuhns, nursing; Dr. Erin R. Moss, mathematics; and Dr. Robert B. Vaillancourt, earth sciences.  The following faculty were granted tenure:  Dr. Samuel B. Earman, earth sciences; Dr. Zhigang Han, mathematics; and Dr. Erin R. Moss, mathematics.

In the Library, Krista L. Higham was promoted to assistant professor.  Melissa L. Gold and Krista L. Higham were granted tenure.

In Counseling & Human Development, Dr. Lisa A. House was promoted to associate professor.

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Dr Rich Mehrenberg of the early, middle, and exceptional education department, recently presented “Pedagogical Inspiration through Martial Arts Instruction” at the Fall 2014 Pennsylvania Association of College and Teacher Educators conference held in Harrisburg.

 

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Congratulations to:

George Love, assistant football coach in intercollegiate athletics, and wife Clemente on the birth of their baby girl, Cruze Glojeanne Love, on September 21, 2014.

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Dr. Dominique A. Didier, associate professor  of biology, published two books for the “Exploring Our Oceans” educational series. The titles are “Sea Anemone” and “Moray Eel.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Congratulations to:

Justin Foreman, University Police, on his recent marriage to Miki Garlesky on September 27 in Lancaster.

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Dr. Abdelhadi Halawa, wellness and sport sciences, has completed a peer review of two research grant proposals for the 2014 Research Grant Cycle for Bibliotheca Alexandrina Center for Special Studies and Programs/Research Grants Proposals (BA/CSSP), Alexandria, Egypt. The first proposal is titled “Evaluation of Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1 β) (-115 C/T) as a Predisposing Factor for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in the Egyptian Population.” The second proposal is titled “Patterns of Presentation and Survival Rates of Breast Cancer.”

Should you have any question regarding this news release, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Halawa at: Ex. # 2384, or via e-mail at: ahalawa@millersville.edu

 

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Congratulations to Recently Promoted & Tenured Faculty

Promoted
• Dr. Thomas Boyle, Professor of Communication
• Mr. Victor Capecce, Associate Professor of Theatre
• Dr. Leonora Foels, Associate Professor of Social Work
• Dr. David Johnson, Associate Professor of Social Work
• Dr. Jessica Kelly, Associate Professor of Geography
• Dr. Kimberly Mahaffy, Professor of Sociology
• Dr. Sandra McPherson, Associate Professor of Economics
• Dr. Lisa Schreiber, Associate Professor of Communication

Tenured
• Dr. Onek Adyanga, Assistant Professor of History
• Dr. Elizabeth Corrigall, Assistant Professor of Management
• Dr. Leonora Foels, Associate Professor of Social Work
• Dr. David Johnson, Associate Professor of Social Work
• Dr. Dominic Ording, Assistant Professor of English
• Dr. Ryan Orr, Assistant Professor of Sociology
• Dr. Lowery Woodall, Assistant Professor of Communication

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Dr. M. P. A. Sheaffer, English, has just  been awarded a Third Honorable Mention by the Massachusetts State Poetry Society of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies for her poem “In Season.”

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MU President Named to Two Advisory Boards, Chairs a Third

President John Anderson

Millersville University president Dr. John Anderson recently assumed two leadership roles in Pennsylvania: He was named to the Lancaster General Health Board of Trustees and was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett to the Tuition Account Program (TAP) advisory board. In addition, Anderson chairs the Pennsylvania Campus Compact (PACC) board.

Lancaster General Health is a nonprofit health system led by community and business leaders from throughout Lancaster County. The board volunteers its time and expertise to ensure that the system’s healthcare services reflect the values and traditions of the communities of the Lancaster area.

Pennsylvania’s TAP board serves to review the actions of Pennsylvania’s 529 College Savings Program. Board members include Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor Frank Brogan, among others.

The PACC is an organization of 70 college and university presidents across the state whose mission is “to enhance the capacity of campuses and communities to educate students for civic engagement to advance a healthy, just and democratic society.”  Anderson has served as chair of this body since July 2014.

Anderson’s commitment to serving on boards that will enhance the University’s reputation on the local, state and national scenes is but one small step to the institution’s Bold Path strategic plan. Anderson assumed the presidency of Millersville University in April 2013.  He has a Ph.D. in education from Cornell University, an M.A. in physics from SUNY Geneseo, a B.A. in physics from SUNY Brockport and an A.S. in math and science from Westchester Community College. He also received post-graduate education at Harvard University.

 

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Retired

Francis J. Bremer, professor emeritus of history, is busy this fall with several projects:

  • Keynote address at a conference on “Presbyterianism in the Early Modern Atlantic” at Queens University, Belfast, in September.
  • Essays on “Puritanism,” “John Winthrop” and the “Mayflower Compact,” completed for the Encyclopedia of American Governance–will appear in 2015.
  • Essay on “‘To Tell What God Hath Done for Thy Soul’: Puritan Spiritual Testimonies as Admission Tests and Means of Edification,” will appear in the December 2014 issue of The New England Quarterly.
  • Keynote address at a conference on “”Varieties of Dissenting Experience” at Dr. Williams Library in London on November 8.
  • Book titled “To Taste the Preciousness of Each Other’s Experiences: Lay Religion and the Development of Puritanism,” will appear in 2015 from Palgrave MacMillan.

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Faculty and Staff Activities

DeSantis, Kendall Named to New Positions at Millersville University

Vice president of finance and administration at Millersville University Roger Bruszewski has announced that Laura Kendall and Melanie DeSantis will step into new positions at the University. Kendall has accepted the position as director of both the Ware and Winter centers, and DeSantis will  become executive director of human resources.

Laura Kendall

Kendall, formerly the director of the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center, will take on a combined role following the departure of  the Ware Center’s former director, Harvey Owen.  Kendall will oversee operations and programming for visual and performing art events in both buildings.  Her office will remain at the Ware Center in downtown Lancaster.

“I am very honored for this opportunity to continue bringing wonderful arts and culture events to downtown and campus,” said Kendall. “It is a dream job for me, something I’ve been working towards my whole life.”

Kendall started at Millersville in April 2012 after working at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland as the director of arts programming and adjunct faculty for three years.  She holds her master’s degree in marketing, communication and advertising, and a  bachelor’s in theater and minor in film studies, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

DeSantis, has been serving as interim director of human resources since October of 2013.

Melanie DeSantis

Prior to her role as interim director, DeSantis acted as the director of professional development and training, where her role included creating and facilitating the LeadershipMU development program and the MU supervisory training program. DeSantis also worked to update the New Employee Welcome Orientation program and served as the co-chair of the Core Values Working group for the new University strategic plan.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Towson University and a master’s degree of public administration from American University.

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Dr. Elba I. Rohena, special education, earned an 18-credit graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis from Penn State in State College during her sabbatical. Rohena also completed 300+ classroom internship hours, working directly with students with autism under the supervision of the head of the PATTAN Autism Initiative, Mike Miklos. She also attended a one-week Penn State seminar, featuring Dr. Brian Iwata, creator of functional analysis, and other national leaders in the instruction of children with autism.

 

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Dr. Ying Wushanley

Dr. Ying Wushanley, wellness and sport sciences, competed this summer in several swimming events:

 

 

 

7/12/2014:

3rd Ithaca Masters Long Course Swim Meet, Ithaca, N.Y.

He competed in the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke and won all three events.

7/20/2014:

2014 Pennsylvania Senior Games, Harrisburg, Pa.

He competed in the 50-yard, 100-yard, 200-yard breaststroke, and 100-yard IM and won all four events.

8/3-9/2014:

15th FINA World Masters Championships, Montreal, Canada.

He competed in the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke and placed 11th and 20th, respectively.

8/13-17/2014:

2014 Marriott USMS Summer National Championship, College Park, Md.

He competed in the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke and placed sixth and eighth, respectively.

 

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New Appointments To Millersville University

Millersville University has announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Boyle as the director of the Entrepreneurship Leadership Center and Dr. Orlando J. Perez as associate dean of humanities and social sciences.

Dr. Thomas Boyle

Boyle, currently lives in Hershey and received his bachelor’s degree in multi-media journalism and master’s degree in American studies from Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg. He received his doctorate degree in mass communications from Pennsylvania State University, University Park.

In 2001, Boyle joined the Millersville University community, where he currently serves as a professor of communication and teaches courses on topics such as public relations and communications writing. Before accepting the new position, Boyle served as chair of the communication & theatre department from 2008 to 2014. Boyle has been a part of the entrepreneurship committee that created and implemented one of the newest minors, the interdisciplinary entrepreneurship minor, and served on the entrepreneurship minor curriculum committee.

 

Dr. Orlando J. Perez

Perez, currently living in Lancaster, received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida International University. He received his master’s degree and doctorate degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Previously, he served as a professor of political science at Central Michigan University, where he served as chair of the political science department and director of Cultural and Global Studies. Furthermore, Perez also helped develop an interdisciplinary major and minor focused on cultural competency and global issues.

 

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Dr. Abdelhadi Halawa, wellness and sport sciences, presented his research paper titled Contributions of the Islamic Medieval Physicians to the Globalization of Major Medical Discoveries at the First International Conference on Eastern Studies Methodologies: Interdisciplinary Session, Beijing (Peking) University, Beijing, China, May 16-17. He also presented three other research papers: the first titled Al-Tibb Al-Rawhani (Spiritual Medicine): The Historical Practice of Holistic and Spiritual Healing of Illnesses Pioneered by Ibn Zakariya Al-Razi (865-930 AD),” at the Arabic Language and Literature Department, Beijing (Peking) University, Beijing, China, May 15, 2014 (delivered in Arabic); the second titled The Influence of the Spanish Andalusia Era Polymathic Scholars on the Development and Transmission of Scientific Knowledge to the European Renaissance” at Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China, May 27; and the third titled Ibn Sina (Avicenna)’s Kitab Al-Shifa (Book of Healing): An Analysis of His Theory on the Trilogy of the Body-Mind-Soul Nexus and Perceptions” at Qufu Normal University, Shandong Province, China, June 7.

 

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Millersville faculty recently participated in  a week-long  New Faculty Orientation program.  The program  included meeting with and learning about many offices and departments on campus, as well as programming on pedagogy, technology and student learning.

Photographed left to right:

Sarah Brooks, Educational Foundations

Brent Horton, Biology

Katie Allen, Chemistry

Beth Powers Costello, Elementary & Early Childhood Education

Tatiana Pashkova-Balkenhol, Library

Jianfeng Wang, Management & Marketing

Rachel Fogel, Biology

Mehdi Khalighi, Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology

Janet Josephson, Elementary & Early Childhood Education

Bobby Karimi, Earth Sciences

Puya Ghazizadeh, Computer Science

Andrew Bland, Psychology

Nakeiha Primus, Educational Foundations

Kit Howell, Music

Kim Morton, Academic & Student Development

William Kittleman, Chemistry

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