August 27, 2015 Activities

A warm welcome to the new faculty at Millersville University.

The photo is of the faculty who recently participated in the New Faculty Orientation.

Left to right:

Ping Yang, Communication & Theatre; Baoling Ma, Mathematics; Michele Santamaria, Library; Charlton Wolfgang, Early, Middle & Exceptional Education; Deborah Tamakloe, Early, Middle & Exceptional Education; Mary Lou Mortimer, Nursing; Kathryn Allen, Chemistry; Nicole Sorhagen, Psychology

Absent from photo: John Seiders, Chemistry

 APPOINTMENT OF ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE

Dr. Sandra J. H. McPherson will serve as Acting Director of the University Honors College for the fall 2015 semester, while Dr. Dennis Downey is on sabbatical leave.  McPherson is currently associate professor in economics where she has taught since 2008.  She holds a Ph.D. in economics from Indiana University.

McPherson’s primary teaching responsibilities include macroeconomics, monetary economics, statistics and econometrics.  She has taught several courses in the Honors College and has served as the chair of the University Honors College Committee since 2013.

McPherson’s main research interest is macroeconomic issues as they apply to regional economies.  Her most recent publication, published in Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, examined structural unemployment disparities across Canadian provinces.  A secondary research interest is pedagogy, and she recently published an article in Teaching Statistics outlining a classroom game to teach probability.

The position of Director of the University Honors College reports directly to the Provost and provides administrative leadership to the Honors College.

Faculty and Staff Activities:

Dr. Robert Carballo, English, published his essay, “A ‘Monstrous Birth’ Brought ‘to the World’s Light’: The Assault on Authority and the Darkening of the Soul in Othello,” in the recently released critical edition of Shakespeare’s play edited by Joseph Pearce.  This work had appeared recently in “The St. Austin Review,” published in London and Naples, Fl.

Dr Hagelgans, Center for Disaster Research and Education, recently assisted with the opening of the New Mexico Emergency Management Conference.  Hagelgans gave a plenary speech to the 400+ attendees on the opening day of the state conference, “Planning for the unexpected: A Black Swan Event.”  Hagelgans spoke about his research into regionalization and how regional cooperation allows the emergency management field to better handle disasters, especially those unexpected disasters like the 2006 Nickle Mines Amish shooting.  He discussed the four days he spent at this tragedy and how this began his research into better regional cooperation in the field of emergency management.  In addition, he has been asked by Lancaster County to be the keynote speaker at the County’s annual 9-11 memorial service at the Lancaster County Emergency Services Training Center.  He will be reflecting on that horrific day in 2001, the lives that were lost, the collaboration that took place and, how regional cooperation and all responders and citizens working together is essential in any disaster for a successful outcome.

Jennifer Mariacher, budget, recently presented at the National Association of College and Business Officers (NACUBO) Annual Conference in Nashville, TN, “From Flat Rate to Per-Credit Tuition.”  In addition, at the same NACUBO Conference, Mariacher, Melanie DeSantis, human resources; and Laura Kendall, Office of Visual and Performing Arts, presented “Simple Transition Planning That Works.”   In addition, Melanie DeSantis is the secretary for the College and University Personnel Association (CUPA) Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter.

Dr. Rich Mehrenberg, early, middle and exceptional education, had his article, “5 Tips For Communicating With Families Impacted by Special Education” published in “New Teacher Advocate.”  An online version of the article can be read at this link, starting on page 8. http://digital.watkinsprinting.com/publication/?i=268294.

Dr. Kendra Saunders, counseling and human development, recently published a book chapter entitled “Women in the Workplace: Feminism’s Potential Impact.”  It appeared in the “Handbook on Well-Being of Working Women.”