Faculty Recognition Ceremony
December 2, 2010
Warner Hall
Sponsored by
The Faculty Development & Recognition Committee
Russell Hirshfield, Chair
Irene Duffy |
George Kain |
| Xiaomei Gong |
Burton Peretti |
| Kathleen Hinga |
Massy Rajabzadeh |
Agenda
(Formal Program Commences at 4:15 p.m.)
Opening Remarks.................................................................... Dr. Russell Hirshfield, Chair
Faculty Development & Recognition Committee
Remarks by the President........................................... Dr. James W. Schmotter, President
Earned Degrees...................................................................... Dr. Linda K. Rinker, Provost
Introduction of the School Deans &
Recognition of Faculty Promotion & Tenure................................. Dr. Linda K. Rinker
Ancell School of Business.............................................................. Dr. Allen Morton, Dean
School of Arts & Sciences.....................................................Dr. Abbey Zink, Interim Dean
School of Professional Studies.........................................Dr. Maryann Rossi, Interim Dean
School of Visual & Performing Arts.............................................. Dr. Carol Hawkes, Dean
WCSU Teaching Excellence Award...................... Dr. Linda Rinker & Dr. James Schmotter
Introduction of Mr. David Smith...........................................Dr. Marjorie Callaghan
Closing Remarks........................................................................Dr. Russell Hirshfield, Chair
Earned Degrees
Melissa Fenwick (Division of Justice and Law Administration)
Ph.D. in Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, August 2009.
Publications
Ronald Drozdenko (Marketing
Co-author, “Relationships Among Perceived Organizational Core Values, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Organizational Performance Outcomes: An Empirical Study of Information Technology Professionals.” Journal of Business Ethics 92:3, 341-359.
We investigated the relationships among core organizational values, organizational ethics, corporate social responsibility, and organizational performance. Our analysis of survey responses from a sample of IT professionals in the US indicated that managers from organizations with organic core values reported a higher level of social responsibility relative to managers in organizations with mechanistic values; that managers in both mechanistic and organic organizations which were perceived as more socially responsible were also perceived as more ethical; and that perceived ethical attitudes and social responsibility were significantly associated with organizational performance outcome measures.
Nicholas J. Greco (Chemistry)
Co-author, "Fluorescent Analogs of Biomolecular Building Blocks: Design, Properties, and Applications." Chemical Reviews 110, 2579–2619.
Fluorescence spectroscopy, one of the most informative and sensitive analytical techniques, has played and continues to play key roles in modern research. Indeed, unraveling the inner workings of biomolecules, cells, and organisms relied on the development of fluorescence-based tools. As many of the players in these sophisticated interactions and exceedingly complex systems are not inherently emissive, researchers have relied on synthesizing fluorescent analogs of the building blocks found in biological macromolecules. These are the constituents of the cell surface and cell membrane, as well as proteins and nucleic acids. This review is dedicated to emissive analogs of these relatively small molecules.
Nancy N. Heilbronner (Education & Educational Psychology)
Co-author, “The stepping stone phenomenon: Exploring the role of positive attrition at an early college entrance program.” Journal of Advanced Academics 21, 392-425.
This study investigated factors in attrition at an all-female early college entrance program. A survey was developed to measure students' experiences in the program. Retention participants rated the program of acceleration and the college as more academically challenging than did participants who left prior to graduating. Qualitative analyses conducted on open-ended items revealed that former students were generally satisfied with the program, however they believed that the early college acceleration experience was not for everyone, but rather for students who were a good “fit” with the individual program. Suggestions from participants for ways to increase student/program fit for this accelerative program are summarized in this article.
Shouhua Qi (English)
China Complex: From the Sublime to the Absurd on the U.S.-China Scene. San Francisco: Long River Press, 2009.
“A Leaf Falls” (short story). The Connecticut Review, 31 (Fall 2009). 13-18.
Stacey Alba D. Skar (World Languages & Literatures)
“Contemporary Poetry in Guatemala: Other Voices Redefine ‘The Lettered City.’” National Association of Hispanic & Latino Studies 2010 Monograph Series 18, 1401-1420.
This paper analyzes poetry by two contemporary Guatemalan poets: Maya Cú Choc and Rosa María Chávez Juárez. As indigenous writers in Guatemala City, Cú and Chávez represent voices that intersect tradition and urbanization. Their work questions linguistic borders and resists folkloric representations of indigenous identities. Although some international authorities, such as Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú, have assumed this “otherness” in both body and text, Cú and Chávez reject traditional folkloric roles. In place of folklore, Cú and Chávez inscribe naked bodies and marginal urban realities. Their poems integrate oral tradition and Maya-Quiché cosmogony. However, they reject hegemonic globalization through a resistance to “otherness” as an object for tourists or academics.
Leah G. Stambler (Education & Educational Psychology)
"Give Us Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses… As Long as they are not Asian Women!" The National Social Science Journal 32:1. The United States is characterized as a nation of immigrants who historically have come from a multitude of lands, cultures, and ethnic groups to form the conglomeration of peoples who call themselves Americans. The Statue of Liberty has stood at the Atlantic gateway since 1886, welcoming those who have sought entry into this land with the words of Emma Lazarus' poem, The New Colossus. In contrast, the Pacific immigration station at Angel Island did not greet newcomers to "the golden mountain" with equal enthusiasm since its 1905 inception, enforcing legal restrictions against Asian men and women. What were the push-pull factors and role of eugenics as applied to Asian women?
Presentations
Theresa J. Canada (Education & Educational Psychology)
“Women of Color and Career Choice: Is It Worth It?” The Oxford Round Table, Women at Work: Benefits and Barriers Conference, Harris Manchester College, Oxford, UK, March 14-19, 2010
The 21st century woman has been able to shine outside of the traditional role as homemaker and in many cases, has come to excel in the workplace. There is no doubt that the research has shown that advances have been made by women at work. When it comes to women of color, there are other factors that impact their role in the workplace. This paper will discuss the research and scholarship regarding the career choice and decision making for women of color in the workplace. According to Byars & McCubbin (2001), a substantial amount of new research and conceptual scholarship has been developed. This paper will explain the other factors that affect the careers of women of color in particular and describe if their careers have been worth the investment. Recommendations will be made that can provide guidance for the next generation of women of color as they choose a career outside of the home.
Ronald Drozdenko (Marketing)
Co-presenter, “Dimensions of Experiential Learning: Practical Considerations and an Initial Examination of Perceived Value.” 32nd Annual American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference, New Orleans, April 8-10, 2010.
This paper presents a model outlining the dimensions of experiential learning that includes pedagogy, resources, realism, time, collaboration, technology, community service and the integration of globalization, ethics and social responsibility. We also examined student perceptions. The findings of this study indicate that students felt that experiential semester-long projects require the most effort but also provide the most perceived value and learning relative to other methods. Online discussions, guest speaker without student interaction and case studies from the text were perceived to have the lowest value. Students perceived more learning occurred in group projects compared with individual projects.
Melissa Fenwick (Division of Justice and Law Administration)
"Smoking and Mainlining: The Social Construction of Drug Use and Trafficking in Prison Films”, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Conference, San Diego, February 2010.
While studies have researched prison and its effects on both individuals and society, few academics have examined the images of incarceration. This paper utilizes the social constructionist perspective to examine the images of incarceration and the process through which media manufactured images are translated by the public into social definitions of crime and justice. The focus of this paper is on the depiction of drug use and drug trafficking within prison films. This study examines the inconsistencies between portrayals of drug use and trafficking within prison films and the current academic literature.
Nancy N. Heilbronner (Education & Educational Psychology)
“Factors in STEM Affecting the Retention and Attrition of Talented Men and Women from Science,” Connecticut State University Research Conference, CCSU, New Britain, April 17, 2010.
Survey methodology was used to explore the perceptions of 360 Science Talent Search (STS) semifinalists and finalists during the years 1987-1989 and 1997-1999, and quantitative procedures were used to analyze the data. A greater percentage of men selected computer science, engineering, physics, and mathematics majors, and a greater percentage of women selected biological science and chemistry. Belief in one's ability to achieve in STEM was a predictor of STEM majors in college and STEM concentrations in graduate school. In a departure from the results of previous research, the reasons that men and women selected occupations were similar, as were the reasons they chose to leave or not to enter STEM.
Stacey Alba D. Skar (World Languages & Literatures)
“Contemporary Poetry in Guatemala: Other Voices Redefine ‘The Lettered City,’” National Association of Hispanic & Latino Studies Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, February 2010.
This paper analyses poetry by two contemporary Guatemalan poets: Maya Cú Choc and Rosa María Chávez Juárez. As indigenous writers in Guatemala City, Cú and Chávez represent voices that intersect tradition and urbanization. Their work questions linguistic borders and resists folkloric representations of indigenous identities. Although some international authorities, such as Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú, have assumed this “otherness” in both body and text, Cú and Chávez reject traditional folkloric roles. In place of folklore, Cú and Chávez inscribe naked bodies and marginal urban realities. Their poems integrate oral tradition and Maya-Quiché cosmogony. However, they reject hegemonic globalization through a resistance to “otherness” as an object for tourists or academics.
Leah G. Stambler (Education & Educational Psychology)
“Challenges Related to Infusing Holocaust Studies with Character, Moral, Civics Education Content in 21st Century Teacher Preparation Programs,” The Ethel LeFrak Holocaust Education Conference, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, October 25-27, 2009.
Some events in world history provide valuable lessons about moral choices. The Holocaust is a prime example of such an event. Teacher education programs should prepare K-12 practitioners for their roles in the curriculum movement that sees Holocaust education as a conduit to producing critically thinking citizens of high moral and civic character. Holocaust education serves as a means of analyzing the principles of goodness of behavior and implementation of moral decisions; since, it lies within the parameters of society’s concerns for a revival in character, moral, and civics education in American schools. Multiple studies validate the importance of teacher preparation towards that end.
F. Richard Steinberg (Social Work)
Co-presenter, “Complicated Grieving, Cultural Contexts,” National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter Annual Conference, Albany, March 12, 2010.
This workshop provides a framework for understanding survivors’ complicated grieving processes in traumatic, unexpected loss. Cultural identity, gender, and values orientations are explored, such as role relationships and control in loss circumstances, spiritual meaning of death, managing guilt or blame regard the death, and accessing social support resources.
Marjorie Steinberg (Social Work)
Co-presenter, “Complicated Grieving, Cultural Contexts,” National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter Annual Conference, Albany, March 12, 2010.
This workshop provides a framework for understanding survivors’ complicated grieving processes in traumatic, unexpected loss. Cultural identity, gender, and values orientations are explored, such as role relationships and control in loss circumstances, spiritual meaning of death, managing guilt or blame regard the death, and accessing social support resources.
Kathleen Theisen (Music)
“Class Piano is Cool: The Ultimate High-Tech Class Piano Experience,” Association for Technology in Music Instruction/College Music Society National Conference, Minneapolis, September 2010.
If someone told you there was a way to make your music majors love keyboard harmony class while still maintaining the highest level of musicianship, what would you say? This workshop will show you how to use some of the most cutting-edge software to motivate your students and reinforce skills and concepts in a way that makes learning fun and makes the materials ‘stick.’ The presentation will demonstrate how to set up a MIDI keyboard lab utilizing digital pianos, computers and software such as Classroom Maestro, Home Concert Xtreme, Synthesia, Garage Band, Audacity, and Karaoke Player, as well as how to blend traditional teaching techniques with the use of MIDI files, recordings and other technology.
“Studio Entrepreneurship: How to Succeed in the Music Business While Doing What You Love,” Music Teachers National Association National Conference, Albuquerque, March 2010.
Charge a lesson fee that represents what you are worth, without sacrificing an ounce of musicality. Create a plan to organize your finances, save for your future and still teach at the highest level.
“Music Lessons, or Music for Life? Preparing Students for a Lifetime of Playing for Pleasure & Studio Entrepreneurship: How to Succeed in the Music Business While Doing What You Love,” Wisconsin Music Teachers Association State Conference, Wisconsin Dells, October 2009.
What skills do students need to acquire to make them self-sufficient, autonomous pianists & musicians? This workshop will address ideas such as: What kinds of things do students want to do in their musical lives after piano lessons have stopped? What kinds of things do the parents of young piano students want for their children over the long-term? What kinds of things do teachers really want for their students? What does it take to get our students to the point of autonomy?
“High Tech Hits the Home Studio: Tips, Tricks and Software to Simplify Your Life, Electrify Your Studio and Motivate Your Students,” Schubert Club of Fairfield County, October 2009.
Learn tips, tricks and software to enhance your private studio teaching. In this hands-on demo, teachers will learn about cutting-edge software that will empower their students and themselves.
Co-presenter, “How to Shine Online! Create Your Studio Website Today!” all-day, pre-conference workshop, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Lombard, Illinois, July-August 2009.
During this hands-on pre-conference seminar, participants will actually build an attractive and professional-looking studio website that is ready to upload to the Web. No previous experience is required! Just bring your laptop computer and any photos or text you wish to use, and we'll supply the rest, including templates and a free webpage editor. We’ll teach you how to edit text, place images, add audio and video clips, and even spice up your site with calendars, maps, and other options. Our team of clinicians will provide one-on-one help during the seminar so that you can learn how to create your place in cyberspace!
Co-presenter, “Ready to Launch Your Studio into Cyberspace?” National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Lombard, Illinois, July-August 2009.
More and more piano studios have an online presence. What do these studios actually gain from having a website? How hard is it to set up a webpage? Do you really need one? Let us take you on a tour of contemporary studio websites, show you the benefits of having one, and even point you toward some basic free or inexpensive tools for getting your own website up and running!
Co-presenter, “Website Walk-In Clinic,” National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Lombard, Illinois, July-August 2009.
Get personalized assistance with your web site. Our team of experts stands ready to answer your questions and help you to take your website to the next level! In addition, if you started a website in our pre-conference technology track and would like more, individual help, bring your laptop. We'll work with you, using the tools introduced during the pre-conference workshop.
Performing Arts
Kathleen Theisen (Music)
Associate Conductor, Hudson Valley Singers, New York, 2010-present.
Visiting artist/teacher. University of Illinois "Summer Youth Music." Piano Institute. June 2010. Instruction for middle and high school pianists. Performed on faculty recital.
A-F Education Foundation, Inc., May 2010. Presented a solo recital as a benefit for the Performing Arts Center in Adams-Friendship, Wisconsin, worked with music students in the public schools, performed a solo recital.
Presented two recitals of my original compositions (art songs) for Concert Pro Femina and the Fairfield County Festival of Women Composers, April and May 2010.
Performed a solo voice recital at WCSU for the Noon Convocation Recital Hour, April 2010.
Sang the role of Pamina in "The Magic Flute." Opera Company of Brooklyn, May 2009.
Boards / Service
Nancy N. Heilbronner (Education & Educational Psychology)
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), Research and Development Committee, September 2010 - current.
Shouhua Qi (English)
Served as a judge for the 2010 National Literary Translation Award for American Literary Translators Association.
Served on the advisory board and the judge panel for China’s Inaugural National College English Teaching Contest, sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education, June 12-14, 2010.
F. Richard Steinberg (Social Work)
New York State Crime Victims Board, Advisory Council, member and president, 2009-10.
Kathleen Theisen (Music)
Connecticut State Music Teachers Association, Inc., Vice-President, November 2008-November 2009.
Connecticut State Music Teachers Association, Inc., President, Website Administrator, Newsletter Editor: November 2009-present.
Music Teachers National Association, Inc., Eastern Division representative to the National Nominating Committee, March 2009-present.
Fairfield County Music Teachers Association, affiliated with Connecticut State Music Teachers Association, Secretary and Webmaster, 2008-present.
Schubert Club of Fairfield County, chairperson, Young Musicians Festival in Voice, June 2009-present.
Awards/Grants
Nancy N. Heilbronner (Education & Educational Psychology)
CSU, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), ClassTech Grant, Spring, 2010.
CSU-AAUP Research Grant, 2010-2011.
Shouhua Qi (English)
The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction (ed. by Tara L. Masih, 2009), for which Shouhua Qi is a contributing author, won the third prize of ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards, 2009.
Stacey Alba D. Skar (World Languages & Literatures)
CSU-AAUP Research Grant, 2009-2010.
Kathleen Theisen (Music)
ClassTech Grant, WCSU Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Spring 2010.
Permanent Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Music Teachers National Association, Sept. 16, 2010.
