|
Muskingum University Convocation features address by 1992 alumna Kimberly Masteller
 Muskingum University held its Convocation on August 31 in the Recreation Center on the campus, featuring an address by 1992 alumna Kimberly Masteller, the Jeanne McCray Beals Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri.
In her address to the faculty, staff and more than 500 new students, Ms. Mastellar said, “In an ever-changing world, you need a place of peace, and Muskingum is that place. Muskingum gave me the freedom to chart my own path, and it will do that for you. Cast your net wide, be active, question everything and seize the day.”
As the Jeanne McCray Beals Curator of South and Southeastern Asian Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Ms. Mastellar oversees an internationally-respected and historic collection of South and Southeastern Asian art, encompassing nearly 1,000 sculptures, paintings, and textiles. Through the reinstallation of the permanent collection and the creation of traveling exhibits, she provides museum visitors with the opportunity to experience art treasures from 2,000 years of world history and to gain a greater understanding of the cultural and political forces which have shaped the vast Asian region of the globe.
Ms. Masteller was previously Assistant Curator of Islamic and Later Indian Art at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Harvard University. She co-authored From Mind, Heart, and Hand: Persian, Turkish, and Indian Drawings from the Stuart Cary Welch Collection (Yale University Press and the Harvard University Art Museums, 2004) and was co-curator of an acclaimed traveling exhibition featuring works from this renowned collection.
She is the recipient of prestigious fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation and the Social Science Research Council for study in India and is fluent in several languages. She has taught art and art history at the Art Institute of Boston, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, Denison University, and the Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, MO). She has published her work in an extensive array of catalogues, anthologies, and periodicals, and is a frequent guest lecturer, conference presenter, and peer reviewer.
Ms. Masteller graduated from Muskingum in 1992, earning her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in art and English and minors in philosophy and biology. She holds a master’s degree in art history from Ohio University, with a major in Indian art and a minor in Italian renaissance art. Currently a Ph.D. candidate in the History of South Asian Art at The Ohio State University, she is completing her dissertation on Kalachuri Mandala: A Study of Temple Construction, Iconography, and Royal Identity in Central India.
She and her husband, Donovan Dodrill, reside in Kansas City, Missouri with their daughter Lois Olivia.
Awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship and faculty service granted at Convocation
 At Muskingum University's Convocation, held August 31 on the campus, three faculty members were recognized for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. The awards were presented by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Paul F. Reichardt.
The William Oxley Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Assistant Professor of Religion Dr. Melissa S. Conroy. This award is named in honor of an alumnus whose career combined teaching, ministry and service as president of Miami University and The Ohio State University.
Dr. Reichardt said of Dr. Conroy, “Dr. Conroy distinguishes herself by the excellence of the classes she teaches and by the range of her teaching abilities. She employs innovative and creative strategies in the classroom, including film and other art forms, on-line learning and the creation of Socrates Cafes to bring alive the subjects she teaches. It is significant that the quality of her teaching concepts and strategies has been recognized by support from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion at Wabash College in Indiana.”
Dr. Conroy joined the faculty in 2004. She earned her both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Toronto and her doctoral degree from Syracuse University.
The William Rainey Harper Award for Outstanding Scholarship was granted to Associate Professor of Journalism Dr. Vivian Wagner. This award is named for an alumnus who was a renowned scholar, educator and the founder and first president of the University of Chicago.
Dr. Reichardt said, “Dr. Wagner’s record of publications is impressive, both for its volume and its diversity, with more than 40 articles on topics ranging from technology and food to music and crafts. Her most recent publication, a work of creative non-fiction, describes her immersion in the world of fiddle playing and the culture surrounding this music. Her accomplishments as a published scholar provide students in the journalism program she directs with a model of devotion to the craft of writing.”
Dr. Wagner joined the faculty in 2003. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, her master’s degree from The Ohio State University and her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
The Cora I. Orr Faculty Service Award was bestowed upon Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Colleen M. Stevenson. It is named in honor of a Muskingum faculty member and administrator who served the college with devotion and distinction for four decades.
Of Dr. Stevenson’s achievements at the university, Dr. Reichardt said, “Dr. Stevenson has developed the child and family studies major at Muskingum into an exemplary interdisciplinary program. In addition to managing its curriculum and its advising majors, Dr. Stevenson supervises an expansive network of internships and field experiences, both at Muskingum’s Center for Child Development and in child care organizations located throughout east central Ohio. As a result, the child and family studies program produces graduates who are well-prepared for successful careers with agencies which serve the needs of children, adolescents and their families.”
Dr. Stevenson joined the faculty in 1998. She earned her both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her doctoral degree from Kent State University.
IN THE PHOTO: From left to right, Dr. Paul Reichardt, Dr. Vivian Wagner, Dr. Colleen Stevenson and Dr. Melissa S. Conroy.
Ohio IAIE chapter, headquartered at Muskingum University, hosts world conference of the International Alliance for Invitational Education
The 2010 annual meeting of the International Alliance for Invitational Education (IAIE), Successful Schools: Global and Personal Perspectives, will be held in Columbus September 29 through October 2.
The Ohio chapter of IAIE, headquartered at Muskingum University, is hosting the event with Dr. Barbara Hansen, the Dave Longaberger Professor of Teaching and Learning and Distinguished Professor of Education at Muskingum, serving as the conference chair. Muskingum is also represented on the event’s planning committee by Associate Professor of Education Dr. Linda Rogness and Dr. Vicki Wilson, who is program chair.
"The conference will honor and reflect on the traits of successful schools from both global and personal perspectives,” said Dr. Hansen. “Invitational education is a fresh and innovative approach to developing and enhancing learning environments. It is a theory of practice based on trust, respect, care, optimism, and intentionality. The approach assumes that people are able, valuable, and responsible,” she explained.
Dr. Hansen reports that professionals, educators and business and community leaders from throughout the United States and seven other countries are registered for the 28th world conference.
Among the presenters are:
Dr. Jim Mahoney, Executive Director of Battelle for Kids in Columbus, and a widely recognized motivational speaker;
Chelonnda Seroyer, a successful high school English teacher and a national presenter;
Drs. Harry and Rosemary Wong, authors of The First Days of School, and effective teachers whose careers involve teaching new teachers how to organize for student success;
Lim Lanchin, an educator from Singapore, will share from her book, Living Invitingly;
Dr. Betty Siegel, the first woman to lead a Georgia university and holder of the distinction of being the longest serving female president of a public university in the nation.
Those interested may still register for the entire conference or for specific daily rates. For registration information, see www.invitationaleducation.net.
Muskingum University expands programs in educational leadership
Starting in September, Muskingum University will expand its roster of programs in educational leadership by offering qualified candidates the option of earning the Ohio Superintendent’s license or the Administrative Specialist’s license in curriculum and instruction, staff/personnel administration, school/community relations and/or educational research. Built on a long-standing reputation for offering a full range of quality educator-preparation programs, these new options join programs in teacher-leadership and principal’s licensure already offered at Muskingum.
According to Dr. Barbara Hansen, Dave Longaberger Distinguished Professor of Teaching and Learning, “The development of the new leadership programs has been a collaborative effort incorporating input from the broad educational community, regionally and throughout the state of Ohio. “ She added, “These efforts have resulted in programs that are action-focused, current and cohesive and which will prepare candidates to lead strategically the development and implementation of quality instruction in today’s modern school district.”
To promote easy access for participants, classes in these programs are scheduled in a variety of delivery formats throughout the year and will feature online, blended and classroom-based courses. In addition, the integrated design of these programs makes it possible for candidates to earn multiple credentials by taking a few courses in a relatively short period of time.
Fall classes begin September 20. For additional information call Nancy Bradley at 740-826-8038, or click here.
Bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Studies to be offered
Muskingum University has announced it will begin offering a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Studies through MAP, the adult degree completion program this summer.
The new program is designed for allied health professionals who have already earned an associate’s degree in an allied health field area such as physical therapist assistant, occupational therapy assistant, respiratory therapy, radiology technology, laboratory technology and health information management.
Students pursuing the allied health major will be able to choose from three areas of specialization. The Community Health specialty will emphasize social behavioral processes, wellness and health promotion across a continuum of service delivery systems and special populations. The Healthcare Management concentration will focus on business, informatics, leadership and management skills, while the Health Science emphasis will center on psychobiology and physiological function.
In addition, the new program will prepare graduates for advanced professional training and graduate education in healthcare professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and healthcare management.
"This bachelor’s degree program at Muskingum will provide students with a broader and deeper understanding of the health field and prepare them for career advancements including opportunities in leadership and/or management,” said Cindy Wilkins, assistant dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies. “It will also prepare them to work with a broader population of people across a variety of healthcare settings,” she said.
Courses for the program begin June 1 and are offered in a variety of formats including online, daytime and evening and in 1-week, 5-week and 10-week sessions.
For further information, call the Muskingum University Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies at 740-826-8038.
Dale W. Dickson Scholarship awards support to Doug Burris of Cambridge
A first-year Muskingum University student has been awarded financial support from the Dale W. Dickson Endowed Scholarship Fund. Doug Burris, a Cambridge High School graduate from Cambridge, will begin his studies at Muskingum this fall, where he plans to pursue a major in biology. He is the son of Jeff and Susan Burris of Cambridge. Read the whole story.
Dr. Harsha Abeyaratne performs with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka
 Associate Professor of Music Dr. Harsha Abeyaratne was a featured soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka during a performance in Sri Lanka in May.
Dr. Abeyaratne is a native of Sri Lanka and has appeared in numerous concerts there, but this was his first appearance with that nation’s orchestra. He performed as soloist for Rachmaninov’s First Piano Concerto, which the composer first created in 1890.
The symphony’s performance centered on Romantic Masterworks, and included Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, excerpts from Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No.1, and Rachmaninov's First Piano Concerto. The concert was conducted by Ananda Dabare, who is noted for his insightful and passionate interpretations of the works of the Russian masters. Read the whole story.
Lucas Pattison '10 earns one of only six national awards for the study of foreign language
Muskingum University's Lucas Pattison '10 was one of only six students in the United States to earn the 2010 Dr. Santiago Vilas Scholarship from Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society.
At Muskingum, Pattison was the 2008 recipient of the Mary E. Sharp Award for Excellence in German. He served as an officer in the German Club and has also been an active member of the Spanish Club.. Prior to his study abroad year at Passau University in Germany, he spent a summer term at Lüneburg University there. In addition to his studies in German and Spanish, he studied a semester of French at Muskingum and a semester of Czech at Passau. He was inducted into the Muskingum chapter of Phi Sigma Iota chapter in 2007.
The Phi Sigma Iota honor was Pattison’s second significant recognition this year. He also has received a national award for excellence in the study of German from the American Association of Teachers of German.
Pattison graduated from Muskingum in May with a major in German and a minor in Spanish, and he is the fourth student in six years to earn the Phi Sigma Iota honor. His academic advisor was Muskingum Professor of German Dr. Franz-Joseph Wehage, who also advises the Phi Sigma Iota chapter on campus.
Dr. Vivian Wagner publishes Fiddle: One Woman, Four Strings, and 8,000 Miles of Music
 Muskingum University Associate Professor of Journalism Dr. Vivian Wagner has published Fiddle: One Woman, Four Strings, and 8,000 Miles of Music, which chronicles her musical journey with the violin.
The book describes the transition she made, musically and personally, from a classically trained violinist to the world of fiddle music, and the impact that journey had on both her love of music and her view of life.
Her travels took her from the remote workshop of a master fiddle maker in the Blue Ridge Mountains to a klezmer band in Cleveland, and then to experiencing Cajun fiddle music in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and to a fiddle camp in Tennessee.
Dr. Wagner joined the Muskingum University faculty in 2003. At Muskingum, she advises the campus newspaper, The Black and Magenta, and is the faculty advisor for the university’s chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ). In 2006, she was named the Sheridan Baker Advisor of the Year by SCJ.
An award-winning writer, her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including American Profile, Bluegrass Unlimited, Modern Fiction Studies, Relish and many others.
Released by Kensington Publishing, Fiddle: One Woman, Four Strings, and 8,000 Miles of Music is available from the Muskingum University bookstore, at a variety of booksellers and from Amazon.
Homer A. Anderson Lecture includes student research findings, four award winners
More than 30 Muskingum University Science Division students presented their research findings as a part of the annual Homer A. Anderson lecture, which is held every sprong. Each student presented their research in the form of a poster, and those presentations were then judged on a variety of criteria. The display and judging of the posters was preceded by the Anderson Lecture, which this year was given by Muskingum University alumnus Dr. Wayne Likavec who graduated in 1990 and today is the new product development and quality control manager for DayGlo, Incorporated, a world leader in the manufacture of highly specialized colors and color applications. Read the whole story.
Student-journalists earn national honors
Student-journalists at Muskingum University have earned a variety of national honors in the Society of Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) annual competition.
Heather Menarcheck ’11 and Joshua Chaney ’10 earned first place in the Spot or Hard News category for their story Driver made a mistake. Chaney also earned second place in the Features category.
Cheyenne Campbell ’11 won an honorable mention in the Personal Opinion category for her opinion piece Get more bang for your buck, Muskies Cree Walker ’12 received an honorable mention in the Personal Opinion category for Paperweight cookies: A fond memory. Masashi Kato ’10 won second place in the Photo Essay category for Behind the lens of a photographer.
The SCJ is the national honorary fraternity for members of the student media. The faculty advisor for the chapter at Muskingum University is Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Vivian Wagner.
Student-musicians named to OPCICA Honors Bands
Four Muskingum University student-musicians were named to the 2010 Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) Honors Bands. The students were selected during OPCICA’s annual festival competition, held in January at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Named to the Jazz Ensemble were Terry Linger '12, alto saxophone; and Alex Earich '12, trumpet.
Named to the Concert Band were Kellie Hartmeyer '10, flute; and Zach Zemolong '11, alto saxophone.
Nominations for the concert band and the jazz ensemble were submitted by conductors from each OPCICA-member institution, and those nominations were evaluated by both the president and president-elect of the organization.
Founded in 1987, OPCICA is comprised of more than 20 member colleges and universities. The purpose of the organization is to develop a closer network of communication and resource sharing among the instrumental departments, divisions and conservations of the various privately funded institutions of higher education within the state of Ohio.
Muskingum University participates in two programs to help veterans further their education
Muskingum University is participating in two Federal programs that can help veterans of the U.S. military advance their education.
The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the Yellow Ribbon G. I. Education Enhancement Program both make higher education affordable for veterans who qualify, and each offers different levels of support for various levels of qualification based on military service. Read the whole story.
Interested veterans may also contact Muskingum University Assistant to the Registrar John Sidwell, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, at 740-826-8211, extension 4165, or by emailing him at jsidwell@muskingum.edu.
To see more stories from the 2009-2010 academic year, click here.
|
