COMMUNIQUE ` - The University of Akron

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Dean’s Message
Honoring the Past – Looking Forward to the Future
I recently had the pleasure of entertaining four previous College of Education
deans – Ken Barker (1966-1985), Bill Klingele (1989-1996), Rita Saslaw (interim,
1996-1998) and Larry Bradley (interim, 1998-2000) – for a dedication of a photo
gallery in our conference room honoring past COE deans. For Larry Bradley, it
was the first time he had set foot on campus in the 10 years since he had retired.
We had an opportunity to mingle for a while, and the stories these individuals told
paralleled the same challenges that we face today:
how to provide our students a quality education in
Former Deans Larry Bradley and Bill Klingele. (l-r)
the face of recurring budget cuts, how to increase the
diversity of our faculty and students, how to conduct cutting-edge research
with limited facilities and how to make a difference in the Akron community.
One of the things that struck me was the deans’ collective conclusion, based
on a variety of sources, that what we are doing today somehow surpassed
what was being done during their respective administrations – whether it be
in teaching, research or community service. Their overall impression seemed
to be that what we are producing today qualitatively stands out from the
performances of their day.
Rita Saslaw
In spite of a recovering economy, they were upbeat about the future of the COE and this University. Having
known our predecessors and this institution, they were confident that we would weather the current
financial challenges and move ahead as they had done. As I look ahead to the programming of our new
College of Education building this coming year, I am grateful for their past leadership. Through their legacy,
these individuals have created an environment that has allowed us to move our strategic directions agenda
forward. I invite you to stop by Zook Hall 207 and view the photo gallery at your next opportunity.
Regards,
Mark D. Shermis
Dean
Mark Your Calendars
Nov. 30 - COE Graduate Reception, 5:00 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field,
R.S.V.P by Mon., Nov. 22 to the Alumni Association at ext.7270, or alumni@uakron.edu.
Dec. 5 - Holiday Party – Details to follow.
Jan. 8 - Alumni Tailgate and Faculty Huddle (UA vs. Kent State):
pregame social at 5 p.m., men’s basketball at 7p.m. R.S.V.P by Wed.,
Jan. 5 to the Alumni Association at ext.7270, or alumni@uakron.edu.
Ken Barker
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Departmental Highlights
Knight Grant Recognizes UA’s Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
Akron will work to increase the recruitment, retention and graduation rates of black male students
with a $425,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. John E. Queener, a
professor in the Department of Counseling, is a co-principal investigator on the grant.
UA’s “Rising to the Occasion” program, part of the Office of Multicultural Development, will be
strengthened with Knight Foundation support and will include:
• Creating support systems by placing African-American male freshmen into small groups, taking
courses and attending study groups and leadership exercises together;
• Launching a “Rites of Passage” program to focus on self-esteem, identity, personal responsibility
and professional development;
• Conducting a climate study on African-American males to gain understanding of the campus experience,
in order to help improve it;
• Providing faculty workshops and symposiums on challenges facing African-American students.
“Improving the retention and graduation rate of African-American males is a benefit to all, which translates into a more
informed citizenry, a more educated and equipped workforce that better positions this nation to compete globally and
to build stronger and stable families,” says Fedearia Nicholson, director of
UA’s Office of Multicultural Development.
Queener has also been spotlighted recently for his national conference
work. He presented two papers at the Association of Black Psychologists
National Conference held in Chicago. One detailed how mental health
workers can collaborate with the black church to offer culturally relevant
mental health services. The other discussed the relationship between black
racial identity, acculturative stress and perceptions of racial climate among
counseling students in the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Queener is the president of the
Greater Cleveland-Akron Chapter of the Association of Black Psychology.
Two students who attended the Black Male
Summit held on campus this past April.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Departmental Highlights
NIHF STEM Learners Reach Out to El Salvadorian Students
FACULTY
The partnership with The University of Akron and the National
Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for STEM Learning
continues to have far reaching benefits, this time around the globe.
Denise Stuart, associate professor (CIS), visited the school to share
her work teaching English and literacy in Agua Caliente, El Salvador.
STEM students compared their lives and schooling to that of the
students in El Salvador, finding both similarities and differences. Two
middle school advisory groups developed service learning projects
to support the education of the young students at the San Jose
School, located in a region challenged by poverty and limited resources. This was the
first year of the NIHF STEM school, grades 5-6, and the first year of the San Jose
school, grades 1-3.
Coach Amanda Boyd (UA alumna) led the “The Bling Boyds” advisory group of fifth
graders in raising funds for the San Jose school. They spent many hours handcrafting
journals, bookmarks and “stem” pens. They also planned, organized and implemented
a not-for-profit business model and earned $285 to benefit the students at San Jose.
Another advisory group of sixth graders, “The Brainstormers,” led by Coach Donna
Wojcik decorated flip-flop sandals with inspirational messages as their service learning
project. These communications are in English
so the students at San Jose will have an
opportunity to not only practice their
emergent reading but to learn English which
is a curricular goal of the San Jose school. The
community will benefit broadly with the inspirational
work of this service learning project
titled “Soothing Soles: Messages of Hope.”
Stuart will return to Agua Caliente, El
Salvador, in January 2011 to implement a
student-centered curriculum that focuses on principles of democracy and learning
about the current elected President Mauricio Funes, a popular leader, who has
expressed a commitment to building educational opportunities for the
citizens of El Salvador.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Departmental Highlights
FACULTY
College of Education Professor Named Fellow
in Two Prestigious Organizations
James R. Rogers, professor (Counseling), was named an American
Psychological Association Fellow in the Society of Counseling
Psychology. A fellowship is an honor bestowed for extraordinary
accomplishment to an individual whose contributions generally
advance and enrich counseling psychology as a field. Fellows are
selected by peers on the basis of evidence of prolonged higher-level
performance that is recognizable at a national level.
Rogers was also named a Fellow of the International Academy of
Suicide Research by the IASR Board of Directors. “The recognition
of being named a fellow validates that Jim is an international expert and a major
contributor to the field of suicidology,” noted Karin Jordan, chair (counseling).
More than
34,000 suicides
occurred in the
United States
in 2007.
CLEAR is located at the Akron Innovation Campus
Building on Wolf Ledges Parkway.
Rogers will teach a new course about suicide at UA in spring
2011. More than 34,000 suicides occurred in the United States
in 2007, with an average of almost 95 per day. The course will
discuss theories, treatment and prevention efforts for suicide.
Rogers has also assumed direction for the newly created
Consortium for Leadership in Evaluation, Assessment and
Research (CLEAR). CLEAR provides quality evaluation and research services to
K-16 schools, mental health agencies and other educational and mental health service
entities, locally and regionally.
For more information please contact Jim
Rogers at 330-972-6281/7813
or jrrogers@uakron.edu.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Departmental Highlights
Akron Coalition Selected as Journal Editors
FACULTY
Five College of Education faculty members were selected as the
editorial team for the Midwestern Educational Researcher journal.
The Akron Coalition includes Jennifer Milam, assistant professor
(CIS); Sandra Spickard Prettyman, associate professor (EFL);
Susan Kushner Benson, associate professor (EFL); Xin Liang,
associate professor (EFL); and Kristin Koskey, assistant
professor (EFL).
Counseling Professor Elected as Treasurer
Ingrid Weigold, assistant professor, Counseling, was elected to the
position of treasurer of the American Psychological Association’s
Division 17, Section on Positive Psychology.
Three Education Staff Members Serve as Honorary Coaches
In appreciation for their service to
The University of Akron Department
of Athletics, the College of Education
Preadmission advisers, Kevin Tondra,
Kevin O’Connor and Betsy Kerns were
asked to serve as honorary coaches for
the UA Homecoming Game on Oct. 2
against Northern Illinois.
Congratulations to this dynamic trio!
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Student Highlights
Education Students Teach in France
STUDENT
The University of Akron and seven other
universities arrived in France the first week
of September to participate in the Franco-
American Teachers-in-Training Institute
(FATITI). Education students attended a
language and culture seminar at the Center
for Applied Linguistics in Besançon for three
weeks. Afterward, they taught science, math,
music and English in schools in Reims, Rouen,
Amiens, Orléans, Tours and Blois.
The teacher-exchange program, funded by
a grant from the U.S. Department of State,
is coordinated by UA in conjunction with
the Franco-American Commission and
French Ministry of Education. The current
group is the fourth sent by UA. As part of
this intensive cultural experience, the
students will live with host families. They will
return from France Dec. 15. For more
information about UA’s annual Franco-
American Teachers-in-Training program, call
330-972-7980 or e-mail dhergen@uakron.
edu. Additionally, you can visit the Franco-American
website at http://www.uakron.edu/education/community-engagement/fatiti/
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Student Highlights
If You Build It They Will Come!
STUDENT
Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic (center, back) celebrates the finished playground with
volunteers and the young constituents who will be making use of the new space.
Students from The University of Akron’s College of Education were among the 200
volunteers who recently built a new, safe playground at Patterson Park in Akron’s
North Hill Neighborhood.
Education students Jordan Ferrell, Tiffany Brenner and Julie Humes joined Dr.
Shelley Waltonen-Moore, co-coordinator of the college’s Dean’s Dozen, for the daylong
project. Sponsors for the project were the City of Akron, Kaboom!, John S. and
James L. Knight Foundation and North Akron Baseball Association.
“This was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my years at Akron,”
says Ferrell. “I got to be a part of making something that children can enjoy for
years and years to come! I am very glad to be a part of the build team, and it is an
experience I will never forget.”
The volunteers built the playground in one day, through planning, teamwork and hard
work. Brenner mixed concrete, which she says was tough, but well worth the effort.
(continued on pg. 8)
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Student Highlights
(continued from pg. 7)
STUDENT
“Kids from the neighborhood stopped to stare as we worked to build the playground,”
she says. “It was a great feeling knowing that I was helping make a place for
them to play and have fun. I cannot wait to show people what we helped build.”
Humes, Ferrell and Brenner represented
the Dean’s Dozen, a group of extraordinary
students who act as ambassadors,
spreading their enthusiasm for the college
and UA across numerous events that
include admissions, academic and alumni/
donor activities. They also advise the administration
on key issues facing students
and participate in leadership and servicelearning
activities.
“I would have to say that building a playground in one day was the most meaningful
experience that we have provided for our members of the Dean’s Dozen,” says
Waltonen-Moore. “This event had civic engagement in mind and it was very
rewarding to participate in this event. At one point I looked across the street and
three of the children from the community had set out a blanket and they watched
for several hours as a team of 200 volunteers constructed their playground. You
could see the excitement in the community and it was very rewarding.”
Student Receives STEM Scholarship
Rebecca Woloschyn was the recent recipient of the Choose Ohio
First STEM Scholarship. Rebecca is also the recipient of the First
National Bank Scholarship and Wayne College Founders
Scholarship. Rebecca is currently a student in the Postsecondary
Technical Education program.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Alumni in the News
Woodridge Local Schools Hires Akron Alum for Top Job
ALUMNI
Woodridge Local Schools hired College of Education Alumnus
Walter Davis as the district’s superintendent. Davis was previously
at Cuyahoga Falls City School District, where he served 21 years
as a teacher, principal, curriculum coordinator, director of teaching
and learning, and as finally assistant superintendent, a position he
assumed in 2004. Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary
education and a master’s degree in educational administration
at UA.
Doctoral Student Named Superintendent of Plain Local Schools
Plain Local Schools named College of Education doctoral student
Brent May as the district’s superintendent. Davis held the position
of assistant superintendent for Plain Local Schools since 2006.
May is earning a doctorate degree in educational leadership.
Alumna Receives Award for Impact
The Greater Akron Chamber named Marie Reichart, Elementary
School Principal at Our Lady of the Elms in Akron, as a recipient
of the “30 for the Future” award. This award honors young
professionals, ages 25-39, who have impacted the Greater Akron
Region. Reichart received her master’s degree in education
administration at UA.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Alumni in the News
Two UA Alumni Honored by Plain Local
ALUMNI
Plain Local Schools honored two UA College of Education alumni
for distinguished careers. Christopher Maurer and Glenda Zink
were honored on Oct. 14 during Plain Local Alumni Association’s
14th Hall of Distinction ceremony at GlenOak High School.
Maurer earned a degree in education in 1971
and did his student teaching at Glenwood High
School. Zink earned three degrees at UA: a
bachelor’s degree in business management, a
master’s degree in postsecondary technical
education and a doctorate of education with
a concentration in business.
It’s never too young to start
tailgating! Ethan Zachariah
(son of Sajit “Zac” Zachariah),
Shernavaz Vakil, associate
professor (CIS), and Zippy join
the fun at the Dean’s Annual
Alumni Tailgate Party.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
New Looks
Facelift for College of Education Zook Hall Lobby
UPDATE
Students entering the south entrance of Zook Hall these days are pleasantly
surprised to see a stylish update to the lobby. A fresh paint job in shades of maroon
and grays off-set the modern new furniture and coordinating rugs. The lobby is a
popular place for students to meet and study as they wait for their classes.
The contemporary furnishings will be
used in our new College of Education
building which will be built on the site
where Memorial Hall once stood. The
site is currently being cleared of all the
materials from the demolished builiding.
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
New Looks
The College of Education Launches Updated Website
UPDATE
In early October, internet users who clicked their way to The College of Education
web pages found the newly designed and accessible screens that have been under
construction for the last 6 months. The new template matches the University’s
recently updated color layout and design. Shelley Waltonen-Moore led the web
redesign team which consisted of Eileen Pennisi, Roberta Reese, Adrienne Janke
and Julie Humes. Comments and suggestions can be emailed to swalton@uakron.edu.
Visit us @ www.uakron.edu/education
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
November 2010
Donors
With Special Gratitude to Our Generous Donors (July 1 - Sept. 17).
Lamplighter’s Club
Mrs. Susan Cianciola
Drs. Thomas J. and Diane Vukovich
Dean’s Club
Mrs. Carol Barden
Ms. Nancy Meadows
President’s Club
Mr. Richard L. Smith
Century Club
First Energy Foundation
Ms. Carol A. Adams
Mr. and Mrs. David L. Allman
Mrs. Jean S. Bartley
Ms. Alice Becker-Collier
Mrs. Phyllis C. Berry
Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Bonezzi
Mr. David K. Dornfeld
Mr. Carleton H. Endemann Jr. and
Mrs. Elinoe B. Arnold
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ferenczi
Mr. and Mrs. Dale A. Garrison
Dr. Karen M. Herrington
Mrs. Mary Kostas Anasson
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Krueger
Ms. Emilie R. Mesenburg
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Natoli
Dr. and Mrs. Mike I. Omoregie
Dr. Mary E. Rice
Dr. John V. Richard
Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Seal
Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Shamis
Major General and Mrs. Jack W. Sheppard
Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Tatman
Dr. Virginia L. Van DeWater
Ms. Madella L. Williams
(continued on pg. 14)
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
Donors
With Special Gratitude to Our Generous Donors (July 1 - Sept. 17).
Loyalty Club
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur F. Amacher
Mr. and Mrs. Russell M. Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Austin
Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Bailey
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry J. Baley
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Bame
Mrs. Roseann M. Bandelow
Mr. Jere D. Baughman
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Baxter
Mr. Gene E. Beard
Mrs. Susan Jane Bedall
Mrs. Christine Bedell
Mr. Leslie E. Bell
Ms. Wendy Berry
Dr. Ronald F. Bobner
Dr. Elizabeth A. Bowser
Mrs. Kathleen Brent
Mr. Bruce E. Brubach
Mr. and Mrs. Allen M. Buhoveckey
Mrs. Evelyn H. Calhoun
Mrs. Dianne M. Capitena
Mr. Edwin J. Carlin Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David L. Christy
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Clement
Mr. and Mrs. Basil Correale
Mrs. Susan A. Costonis
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory L. Crane
Mrs. Donna R. Curfman
Ms. Kimberly A. Dambrogio
Ms. Valerie A. Dapp
Mr. and Mrs. James Daymon
Mr. and Mrs. David A. DiDonato
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Dillon
Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Elliott
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Elsner
Ms. Sue Ann Esker
Mr. and Mrs. Lambert J. Essary Jr.
Mrs. Debra A. Farmer
Mr. William V. Flynn Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Fry
Dr. Delores E. Groves
Mrs. Sandra L. Gruneich
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce F. Hagen
Mr. William L. Hagey
Mrs. Susan D. Hamblen
Dr. and Mrs. Ted H. Hamilton
Mrs. Laura S. Hancock
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund K. Harris
Dr. Thomas E. Henry
Mr. Paul A. Herold
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Hickson
Mr. and Mrs. David Hodgkinson
Mrs. Linda M. Hollinger
Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Hooper
Mrs. Sarah Ann Hudson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Huffman
Mr. Harry Ifantiedes Jr.
Mr. Kenneth P. Jones
Mrs. Nora Jones
Mrs. Julia Kiser Long
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd F. Knudsen
Mrs. Karen H. Koslowski-Cahoon
Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Kostko
Mrs. Barbara L. Lewis
Mrs. Linda L. Mahan
Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Maloney
Ms. Barbara J. Marshall
(continued on pg. 15)
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
College
COMMUNIQUE
`
Donors
With Special Gratitude to Our Generous Donors (July 1 - Sept. 17).
Loyalty Club (continued)
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Martau
Ms. Mary G. Maul
Mrs. Patricia A. Mayer
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. McCarthy
Dr. Dawn Hamlin McCombs
Dr. and Mrs. James E. McDonald
Mr. Kevin J. McDonald
Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. McFrederick
Mrs. Audrey J. Mitchell
Mrs. Kara Lynn Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Muren
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Musick
Dr. and Mrs. John W. Myers
Mr. and Mrs. R Dale Myers
Ms. Mary A. Nahas
Dr. and Mrs. Phillip F. Nasrallah
Mr. Michael Neidert and
Mrs. Nancy A. Lemmon
Ms. Molly F. New
Dr. Bradley W. Orville
Mr. Robert F. Otte
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Palombi
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Peter
Mrs. Pamela Peters
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Postle
Mrs. Lynn P. Reed
Mrs. Suzanne R. Rinehart
Mr. and Mrs. John Ross III
Mrs. Cornelia A. Roth
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Rozewicz
Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Schmidt
Ms. Judith A. Schneider
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Shadeed
Mrs. Lucy J. Shaheen Figg
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey D. Sheeks
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley B. Silverman
Mr. and Mrs. Jason M. Sloan
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Snyder
Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Soukup
Mrs. Joyce L. Sprowl
Mrs. Donna Steffens
Mrs. Sharlene M. Stouffer
Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Sutter
Ms. Rosemary Vitavec
Mr. and Mrs. Jack G. Wagar
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Waldecker
Mrs. Robbyn L. Watkins
Mrs. Heidi L. Weber
Mr. James A. Wertz
Ms. Debra J. West
Mrs. Marilyn A. Wilson
Ms. Stacy I. Winer
Mrs. Louise M. Worsencroft
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey W. Wright
Mr. and Mrs. John Yilling
Mr. and Mrs. Randall K. Young
Mrs. Nancy M. Zabawa
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Zimmerman
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Zogakis
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence V. Zufall
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley A. Zurowski
College Communiqué
Published by the College of Education
The University of Akron
For more information, contact:
The University of Akron
College of Education
Dean’s Office
Akron, OH 44325-4201
Phone: 330-972-7680
Fax: 330-972-5636
www.uakron.edu/education
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