Nov14 Faculty Staff Bulletin and Diary.indd

December 2014
&
Mulerider Diary
SAU makes a ‘Big Splash’ in Magnolia
Get involved in Making Magnolia Blossom by visiting MagnoliaBlossom.org
Small idea leads to
big results
After months of planning, the SAU “Dream
Team” and the Magnolia community were
astounded when more
than 500 volunteers
swarmed Main Street
on Oct. 25 to makeover
the heart of our community.
Read the whole story
www.SAUmag.edu/BigSplash
Volunteer for Dec. 6
MagnoliaBlossom.org/
Volunteer
Register for the Dec. 6
Ugly Sweater 5K
MagnoliaBlossom.org/
UglySweater
Members of the MMB committee include, from left, Jason Martisek, Josh Jenkins, Rachel Jenkins, Michael
Westbrook, Aaron Wallis, John Hutchens, Kelsey Urgo, Aaron Street, Vicki Butler, Viktoriya Street, Deana
Taylor, and Glenn Muffih. Not pictured, Gabrielle Davis, Jennifer Ford, LaTricia Davis, Carey Baker, and
Arlesia Taylor.
See more before and after photos at www.Facebook.com/MakingMagnoliaBlossom.
Southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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SAU employee updates
Promotions, Transitions, and rehires:
Dr. Deborah Wilson
Chair, Behavioral and
Social Sciences
Stephen Ochs
Chair, Art and Design
Del Duke
Michael Kornegay
Jeremy Langley
Director, Magale Library Asst. Director of Housing for Web Editor; Director for
Athletic Fundraising
Operations and Management
Tim Daniels
Chair, Biology
Not pictured
Kristy Pennington
Assistant Purchasing Agent
Jason Crisp
University Detective
Jody Westfall,
Coordinator of Off-Campus
Teacher Education Programs
Elizabeth Ray
Aquatic Center
Coordinator
Dr. Brenda Trigg
Britta Clark
Chair, Dept. of Nursing
Student Success
Coordinator
Jennifer Rowsam
Asst. Dean of Advising
New hires:
(July - November, 2014)
Connie Rogers
Admin. Spec. II, Student
Support Services
Peggy Morris
Admin. Spec. I, Upward
Bound
Megan Maye McCurdy Daphne Lindsey-Giles
Story Arena Manager
Not pictured
Director of University
Health Services
Matthew Skare
Asst. Athletic Trainer/HKR
Instructor
Angela Peeks
Admin. Spec. I, ERZ
Robert Nash
Assoc. Director,
Physical Plant
Rodney Rasberry
Public Safety Officer
Brandi Fuller
Admin. Spec. I, Behavioral
and Social Sciences/LPA
Carey Baker
Assoc. Dean of Students for
Student Conduct and Retention
Meredith Lawson
Financial Aid Analyst
Sandra Grissom
southern arkansas university faculty and staff
Jason Anderson
Tuesday Freeman
Lydia Lindsey
Asst. Women’s Basketball Head Softball Coach/HKR
Instructor
Coach/Leadership Dev. Coord.
Admin. Spec. I, Talent Search
Natalie “Sage” Woodham
Asst. Softball Coach
Alonzo Banks
Asst. Men’s/Women’s Track Coach
Jennifer Louden
Visiting Asst. Prof. of Teacher Ed.
Raymond Adams
Asst. Prof. of Social Work
Dr. Alan Wright
Assoc. Profe. of Management
Dr. Antoinette Odendaal
Asst. Prof. of Biology
Shawn Latham
Asst. Prof. of Graphic Design
Dr. Jingyang Huang
Asst. Prof. of HKR
Sherena Abercrumbia
Admission Counselor
Enrollment/Admissions
Dr. Louis Roy
Asst. Professor of Criminal
Justice
Dr. Angela Stanford
Asst. Prof. of Education/MAT
Sandi Daniel
Instructor of Mathematics
Rhonda Douglas
Asst. Prof. of Nursing
Dr. Jesse Filbrun
Asst. Prof. of Biology
Aaron Schuelke
Visiting Asst. Prof. of Mass
Comm. and Digital Cinema
Haley Jones
Admissions
Counselor/Recruiter
Mallory Kornegay
Accountant
Simeon Osten
Admin. Spec. II,
Student Activities
Outreach Counselor,
Upward Bound
Austin Crank
Cindy Grimes
Admin. Spec. I,
Nursing
Admin. Spec. I,
Student Life
2
Cross-disciplinary field trip to kayak for alligators
Science, art and history were represented in a cross-disciplinary field trip during the summer to kayak the
Bodcau and enjoy the southern scenery and wildlife, including alligators. “It was a great opportunity to introduce Dr. Langerbein to a new ecosystem and to a new sport (kayaking for alligators),” said Steven Ochs.
They did “have the thrill” of hearing a large male bellow. Ochs said that when sitting in a skinny boat, you
can feel the vibrations fairly well.
Pablo Bacon, Steven Ochs and Dr. Helmut
Langerbein prepare to kayak the Bodcau.
Article by Dr. Green reaches milestone
Professor of Management Dr. Ken Green recently reached a research milestone.
According to Google Scholar Citations, Dr. Green’s article citation reached the
1,000 milestone on July 18, 2014. To read more about Dr. Green’s research and his
use of it in the classroom, visit http://web.saumag.edu/business/2012/09/05/kengreen/.
Dr. Green
JP and SAU Brass Ensemble perform in Little Rock
JP Wilson and four of his
students performed at a
program at the Albert
Pike Temple in Little
Rock. Chair of the SAU
Board of Trustees Bill and
Betty Stringfellow were
in attendance, and are
photographed here with
the brass ensemble. “JP
and his students received
applause and accolades for
their outstanding performance,” said Stringfellow.
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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Groups take on campus trash
Kindle’s class takes on campus cleanup project
Lavana Kindle’s Transitional Reading: Psychology class bonded
together to pick up trash as a group project in conjunction with
Random Act of Kindness’ nationwide movement. The Physical
Plant gave the students trash bags and gloves, and Kindle offered work gloves for students with latex allergies. The project idea was that
of student Brittney Nicole Mitchell, who said that campus is “home away
from home, and we will be more comfortable in a clean home.” Read more about this in a
story written by Bray reporter Stormi Winthrop at www.theBray.com.
Communications Center adopts trash pickup area
In an effort spearheaded by Vicki Butler, Associate Director of University Marketing and Communications, a new part of all student workers’ jobs at the Copy Center is to follow a schedule
of trash pickup for the area of campus around Harrod and the southeast side of Nelson Hall.
Even though litter seemed to be an increasing problem, Butler and the students have been surprised at the number of bags of trash repeatedly being taken off our campus grounds.
Butler
Dr. Ahmed publishes papers for engineering conference
Dr. Mahbub Ahmed, assistant professor of engineering, had two papers published by the American Society of Engineering Education Midwest Section in Fort Smith, AR. Dr. Ahmed was the
leading author for “Effects of Student Backgrounds on their Ratings of Instructors: Technology
vs. Engineering and Caucasians vs. Hispanics,” one and he co-authored “Survey of Capstone
Design Course Length in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Programs.” Both were
presented at the Sept. 24-26 conference.
Dr. Ahmed
Dr. Ahmed also sent an undergraduate student, Wesley Barton, to present his poster at the same conference.
Barton’s research was on the feasibility of wind energy in southern Arkansas and computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Dingman completes accreditation review for NCACE
Dingman
Steve Dingman, director of the online M.S. in Kinesiology/Coaching program and chair of
the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, recently completed an accreditation review as a member of a three-person team for the National Council for Accreditation of
Coaching Education (NCACE). Folio reviewers go through required training to be selected as
national program reviewers. He received his training in 2011. The team completes an in-depth
review of the entire coaching education program and forwards their review to the national
coordinator who submits the review to the council for accreditation.
Dr. White, Dr. Dobbins and Dr. Wilson collaborate on research project
Dr. George White (Health, Kinesiology and Recreation), Dr. Neelie
Dobbins (Counseling and Professional Studies) and Dr. Deborah
Wilson (Behavioral and Social Sciences) are collaborating on a research project titled “Candidate Screening Partnerships with PK-12
Schools and Preparation Programs Using the Myers-Briggs and the
16 PF as Predictors of Candidate Success.” Their project has been
funded by the SAU Research Committee but has been accepted for
Dr. White
Dr. Dobbins
Dr. Wilson
presentation at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher
Education (AACTE) National Convention in Atlanta, GA.
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Dr. Huang to present in Seattle at SHAPE America National Convention
Dr. Jingyang Huang has been notified that his research proposal, “Preservice Physical Educators’ Stress and
Instructional Effectiveness” has been accepted as a poster presentation at the 2015 SHAPE America National Convention in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Huang is in his first year at SAU as a member of the HKR faculty.
SHAPE America, formally AAHPERD, is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical
education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport.
Dr. Dai continues translation work with recently published book
Dr. Yonghu Dai, associate professor of Spanish, recently published a book of translation called
“Selected Short Stories by Horacio Quiroga.” The book was published by Lijiang Publishing
House (Guilin, China) in October. It belongs to the series of “World Literature Masterpieces by
Famous Translators.”
Horacio Quiroga (Uruguay, 1878-1937) was called the father of Latin American short story,
who produced about 200 stories. Some important collections of stories includes Stories of
Love, Madness and Death, The Savage, The Jungle Stories, Anaconda, The Desert, and The
Dr. Dai
Exiles.
Dr. Dai’s translation comprises of 35 short stories and 3 theoretical essays on short story as a literary genre.
Professor Dai became a published translator very early in his career. When he was a graduate student at
Peking University in China, he published translation of poems by authors such as Gabriela Mistral (Chile),
Jorge Luis Borges (Argentina), Rubén Dario (Nicaragua), and articles by Octavio Paz (Mexico). He also
translates from English. His translation of an essay by Terry Eagleton, “Capitalism, Modernism, and Postmodernism” (Co-translated with Weijie Song in 1994), has been extensively referenced by Chinese scholars
and researchers.
Prior to the story book by Horacio Quiroga, Dr. Dai had published Bilingual Anthology of Poetry by Ruben
Darío (2004) and Selected Stories by Ruben Darío (2013).
The publication of Selected Short Stories by Horacio Quiroga was made possible by a SAU summer research grant.
Makia publishes book that helps students succeed in college
Japhet N. Makia, instructor of writing, has co-authored a book with his wife, Elner J. Makia,
entitled “Time Management Survival Planning Guide for Schools and Colleges.” It was published fall 2014 by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. The book’s primary purpose is to help
students cope with the overwhelming responsibilities and demands of academia by providing a
pipeline for them to prioritize their academic and extracurricular activities. Copies of the book
are at the SAU Bookstore.
Makia
Career Closet opens at the College of Business
Hughes
The SAU Career Closet at College of Business room 110 had a grand opening on October 30.
Through the Career Closet, current SAU students will be able to acquire business professional
and business casual attire for job interviews, professional conferences, and on-the-job activities at no cost. Each semester a currently enrolled student can get up to four individual items
or one suit. Traci Hughes, who has headed up this project, thanks everyone who donated to
the Closet and helped make this service available to our students. Contact Hughes if you have
items you would like to donate or for more information.
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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Reppert earns mass media teaching award
James E. Reppert, associate professor of mass communication at Southern Arkansas University, recently received the President’s Award for Outstanding Instruction in Mass Media from
the Kentucky Communication Association.
The honor was given at the Kentucky Communication Association’s annual convention, held
September 26-27 at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn, KY.
Reppert was recognized for interactive teaching techniques that foster media literacy. Twitter,
Reppert
Facebook and RebelMouse are used to disseminate course readings and research activities.
Transparency and accountability of student work are stressed, with completed projects curated on Reppert’s
Google website.
To read more, visit http://web.saumag.edu/news/2014/12/03/reppert-earns-mass-media-teaching-award/.
Dr. Buckman co-authors book chapter on narrative therapy
Dr. Rudy Buckman, faculty member in the counseling program, has co-authored a book chapter on narrative
therapy that will be published in 2015 [Buckman, R., Buckman, J., & Reese, A. (2015). Narrative Therapy.
In N. Coady and P. Lehman (Eds.), Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: A generalisteclectic approach (3rd ed.). New York: Springer]. The chapter was co-authored with his son, Jonathan Buckman, who is earning a graduate degree in social work at the University of Michigan, and Ann Reese, a friend
and colleague. Dr. Buckman indicated that without the support of his colleagues, Drs. Testa, Mohdzain, and
Bloss, and the generous support and editorial expertise of his wife, Alice, the project would have been much
more difficult. Therefore, he is very thankful for all of their help and support!
Dr. Lammers speaks at conference about teaching diversity and inequality
Dr. Matt Lammers, assistant professor of sociology, was invited to speak at the Arkansas Sociological and Anthropological Association meetings held on November 14 at the University of
Central Arkansas. He participated in a session on teaching diversity and inequality in Arkansas.
Lammers
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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Vasser’s Creative Dramatics class performs original play
Judy Vasser’s Creative Dramatics class
performed for the
elementary students
visiting campus for
the Education Fair
Vasser
on December 2. This
year’s performance featured an
original script, written by student
Tyler Lewis, pictured at left in the
photo. The short play incorporated
musical numbers and original
choreography. There are twentyone students enrolled in Creative
Dramatics this semester, and each
student was cast in this play.
Creative Dramatics students, including Lesley Robertson’s daughter Lainey Walthall, center,
perform a play written by Honors College student Tyler Lewis, left.
Dr. James Ulmer has short story published
Dr. James Ulmer, professor of English and chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages, recently had a short story published in the fall issue of “Conclave: A Journal of Character.” Ulmer’s story was titled “The Summer on Breckenridge Street.”
Ulmer
Dr. Tucker publishes three articles on genomics research
Dr. Tucker
Dr. Abraham Tucker, assistant professor of biology, has recently published genomics research
done in collaboration with colleagues at Indiana University. “Extensive error in the number of
genes inferred from draft genome assemblies” will be published in a upcoming issue of PLoS
Computational Biology. “Characterization of newly gained introns in Daphnia populations”
has been published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution. “Common Transcriptional
Mechanisms for Visual Photoreceptor Cell Differentiation among Pancrustaceans” was also
recently published in the journal PLoS Genetics.
Denton JF, Warren C, Lugo-Martinez J, Tucker AE, Schrider DR, Hahn MW (2014) Extensive error in the number of genes inferred from draft genome assemblies. PLoS Computational Biology (in press).
Li W, Kuzoff R, Chen KW, Tucker AE, and Lynch M (2014) Characterization of newly gained introns in Daphnia populations
Genome Biol Evol 6(9):2218-34
Mahato S, Morita S, Tucker AE, Liang X, Jackowska M, et al. (2014) Common Transcriptional Mechanisms for Visual Photoreceptor Cell Differentiation among Pancrustaceans. PLoS Genet 10(7): e1004484.
Dr. Tucker was also invited to present his research to the biology department at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He presented his talk, “Gene conversion may limit longevity of asexual populations: a population
genomic analysis of Daphnia pulex,” to faculty, postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates on October
16.
Upward Bound team wins “Hot Ta Molly” burger cook-off
The Upward Bound team consisting of Director Carla Williamson, Mary Iverson, Jamie Smith, Simeon Oston and Peggy Morris took top honors by making the “ULTIMATE BURGER” during the “Hot Ta Molly”
Mulegating burger cook-off at homecoming. The team said that their key ingredient was teamwork!
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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New SAU commercial features notable alumni
The latest SAU commercial, which is currently
airing in movie theaters
in Texarkana and Benton,
highlights notable alumni
from central Arkansas,
including Senator Joyce
Elliott, pictured at right. It
can also be viewed online
at www.YouTube.com/
SAUmag. It was shot and
produced by Aaron Street
and Aaron Wallis of the
Department of University
Marketing and Communications. Additional videos
featuring SAU alumni
will be produced and distributed online throughout
Dr. Bloss receives ‘Caring Person’ award from Ark. Counseling Association
Dr. Kim Bloss, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and professor of counseling, recently
received the Donald R. Rye Caring Person Award from the Arkansas Counseling Association at
its annual conference on November 20.
Quoting from the awards nomination materials, this is “an annual award honoring a person
who gives to others without fanfare or expectation of reward other than personal satisfaction in
seeing other persons made happier or the social milieu given more integrity. In summary, a caring person will have been observed in unselfish involvement over a period of time in a cause
Dr. Bloss
or situation which benefits others, not self. This person would become Arkansas’s nominee
for the Gilbert and Kathleen Wrenn Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person given by ACA (American
Counseling Association).”
Dr. Bloss has a passion for teaching, counseling and her university family. She epitomizes the personhood
of being a counselor and has done so in Arkansas since 1997.
Dr. Odendaal publishes review on prebiotics
Dr. Antoinette Y. Odendaal, assistant professor of biology, recently published a review article titled “Your
Prebiotic Primer” in “Nutritional Outlook.” 2014, 17(8), 48–52.
Dr. Street appointed to director of microbiology laboratory
Dr. Street has been appointed to director of the microbiology laboratory at the Department of
Biology. Her responsibilities will include maintaining bacterial cultures, upkeep of instrumentation and lab supplies and setting up for more than 40 hands-on experiments to provide students with opportunities to learn classical microbiological techniques that are used in medicine
and research.
Dr. Street
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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Sponsors still needed to adopt angels this holiday
As of December 3, more than 180 angels were left on the tree to be adopted.
Help is needed to make this Christmas great for all Columbia County children.
The tree is located at Reynolds Center 218. Suggested spending is $50 per child,
and donations are also welcome. All gifts are due December 10.
For more information, call 235-4047.
SAU nursing alumni and faculty go on medical mission trip to Nicaragua
A group of SAU nursing alumni took a
medical mission trip
to Leon, Nicaragua in
February. The group
worked with Voice of
Hope for a week. During the week, Voice of
Hope provided care for
more than 400 people,
served more than 1,200
meals, and provided
many salvations. “It
was a privilege to work
with this great group of
nursing alumni,” said
Becky Parnell, associate professor. Pictured are Tammy Clausen (2000), Parnell, Vicki Milam (1999),
Tammy Forbes (2006), Terri Cameron (2013), and Jordan McAdams (2013).
Stride Against Domestic Violence raises $3,856 for Magnolia shelter
SAU students
and faculty
joined members
of the community in the 1st
Annual Stride
Against Domestic Violence 5k
on November 1,
benefiting the
Living Water
Domestic Violence Shelter in SAU nursing students were among those who participated in the Stride Against Domestic Violence 5K.
Magnolia. The event raised awareness of domestic violence and brought in $3,856 to help individuals and
families in need of a safe haven in our community.
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Magnolia Specialized Services calendar features Street’s photographs
The 2015 Magnolia Specialized Services, Inc. (MSS)
calendar features photographs
by Aaron Street, asst. dean
of integrated marketing. The
photos feature MSS clients
in vintage clothing, many
with antique automobiles,
in scenes across Columbia
County. Three scenes were
captured at SAU, including the “move-in” photo at
right in front of Bussey Hall.
The calendars are one of
the biggest fundraisers for
MSS. They are $15. For more
information, contact Sarah
Carrington or Ben Correa,
SAU alum, at 234-6118.
Faculty and staff pledge more than $4,000 for United Way
The 2015 SAU employee pledges to Columbia County United Way exceed $4,000. “Thank you from the
bottom of our hearts,” said Caroline Waller on behalf of the United Way Board. These generous donations
will benefit the following agencies: Abilities Unlimited, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Columbia County Senior Meal Service, Columbia County Independent Living, 4H Club, Girl Scouts, Hospitality House,
Magnolia Columbia County Literacy Council, Magnolia Specialized Services, Salvation Army, Southern
Christian Mission (our local shelter for the homeless), and the Stew Pot.
Chief Williams working to bring Victim Relief Ministries to area
SAU Police
Chief Anthony
Williams,
photographed
second from
left, is working with
Victim Relief
Ministries
on starting a
VRM chapter
in Columbia
County and
in Hot Springs. Chief Williams hosted VRM representatives on August 15, and they attended a barbecue at
Calvary Baptist Church for area chaplains, seen in the photo above with Boyd Good, asst. chief, at right.
Although the group responds to major disasters, the basis and founding principles of the group are to assist
crime victims based on recommendations from police and other public safety officials. Chief Williams was
an advocate and champion for VRM for 15 years while he was with the Dallas Police Department and he
continues to serve on the VRM Advisory Board. VRM representatives pictured are Chaplain Don Gieseke,
left, and Chaplain Vic Prince, third from left.
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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Westfalls welcome third daughter
Aaron and Jodie Westfall,
coordinator of off-campus
teacher education programs, welcomed Camryn
Jo Westfall to the world
on September 26. She
was 7 lbs, 11 oz, and was
19 inches long. She had
two very excited sisters,
Brantlee and Trystan.
Camryn Jo Westfall
with sisters.
Hall wedding
Whitney Michelle Black, director of university outreach in Texarkana, exchanged marriage vows
with Mr. Jonathan Colby Hall on May 17, 2014, in downtown Texarkana, Texas.
Hall
Bradshaw’s have first child
Lance and Amy Bradshaw, asst. professor of agriculture, had their
first child, Lane Jackson Bradshaw, on July 15. He arrived weighing 7 lbs, 8 oz, and was 21 inches long. Lane is also the grandson of
staff member Mary Bradshaw, accounting tech II.
Lane Jackson Bradshaw
The Department of University Marketing and Communications makes every effort to include all relevant information
related to the work of the faculty and staff in the Faculty/Staff Bulletin. To ensure your story is included, please submit
your news using the online form at http://web.saumag.edu/news/report/. Thank you!
southern arkansas university faculty and staff bulletin - December 2014
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