Letter from the Dean

Dear Friends of the College,

I'd like to welcome everyone back to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for the 2007-2008 academic year. With orientation complete for our new students and classes fully underway, the semester is off to a wonderful, fast-paced start.

You may have noticed that campus looks a bit different. In this issue of Inside A&S, you’ll read about the beautiful new banners hung around the Mendel Science Center and St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts to celebrate the arts and sciences in our world and on our campus, and the lives and significant achievements of the individuals featured on the banners. You'll also read about the new statue on the front lawn of SAC. In addition, you'll learn about new academic programs the College is offering this year, a Spanish-language internship program that serves members of Philadelphia's Hispanic community, and much more. 

Be sure to check out the College's Web site. Here, you will see a complete run down of special events and lectures hosted by the College. Learning takes place both in and out of the classroom, and I encourage you to attend those events that interest you. And even if an event doesn't peak your interest, why not make plans to attend simply to learn something new? You just may surprise yourself.

And to our new subscribers, I welcome you and thank you for joining our community. It is a pleasure to have you with us. Whether you are a parent of a current student in the College, an alumnus of the College, or a prospective student, we welcome you and hope that you enjoy reading about the many activities, events, and initiatives happening in the College.

Thank you for continuing to read the College's e-newsletter, the newly named, Inside A&S. We appreciate your continued interest in the life of the College, and we welcome your feedback.

Sincerely,


Rev. Kail C. Ellis, O.S.A., Ph.D.
Dean of the College
 

In College News …

New Banners Around SAC and Mendel Celebrate the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Banners hung around the St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts and the Mendel Science Center, which celebrate prominent individuals and their many contributions to our world, have welcomed back students to campus. The banners serve as a constant and beautiful reminder of the importance and value of the liberal arts and sciences in the College, on campus, and in our world. Learn more about the banner project here.

A Third Statue Joins the "Augustine the Teacher" Display on the Front Lawn of SAC

A third student has been added to the existing three sculptures, the theme of which is "Augustine the Teacher," on the front lawn of the St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts. The new student sculpture was made possible through the generosity of Barry Johnson, Engineering, M.E., '70, and his wife, Kathie Johnson. It joins the other sculptures of St. Augustine and two students that were donated by James Magee, A&S, '75. Renowned artist and sculptor Peggy Mach from Long Island, N.Y., was commissioned to sculpt a third statue, which joins the depictions of St. Augustine and two other students in conversation. It is the artist's vision that additional statues representing young students of various genders, cultures, and races eventually will join the grouping, thereby depicting the influence of St. Augustine on the education of youth through the ages. A more in-depth feature article on the donors who made this significant addition possible will appear in a future issue of Inside A&S.

The College Proudly Announces the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies

The College proudly announces the creation of the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies. The Institute is an academic unit whose primary purpose is to provide students with a set of skills that will foster critical and analytical thinking and problem solving preparing them for responsible global citizenship.

Students who elect to major in this highly rigorous and relevant course of study do so under the guidance of a caring, dedicated, and nurturing faculty, highly skilled in their specific discipline, who also collaborate with each other to help students integrate their coursework. The major consists of 10 courses totaling 39 credit hours to complete the degree program.

The central dynamic of the Global Interdisciplinary Studies major is five global interdisciplinary seminars, three of which are mandatory (Introduction to Global Interdisciplinary Studies, the Junior Research Seminar, and the Capstone Colloquium). In any given curriculum cluster, which is designed by the student, his or her faculty mentor, and the institute director, the student may take up to 10 seminars. Furthermore, students are required to participate in a semester-long study abroad experience, which focuses on language and cultural immersion.

Maghan Keita, Ph.D., a professor of history and director of the Institute, explained that the major in global interdisciplinary studies is a reiteration of the Augustinian vision of an engaged community of learners within the global context.

“The very nature of who we are as a Catholic, Augustinian community is an expression of the global and the interdisciplinary,” Dr. Keita said. “The Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies is crucial to meeting the needs required for participation in a global society by creating a new generation of problem-solvers that is in keeping with the Catholic and Augustinian ideals of the University, and in particular, its commitments to justice and peace. This will be achieved by promoting the highest levels of intellectual engagement in the integration of what have been traditionally taught and conventionally thought of as disparate disciplines and fields of study.”

Rev. Kail C. Ellis, O.S.A., Ph.D., dean of the College, explained that the purpose of the institute centers on the College’s service to the broader University community in the humanization and globalization of the professions and disciplines.

“The institute emphasizes their interconnectedness with human endeavor and our broadest intellectual lives,” Father Ellis said. “It promotes the continued conversation between the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, and the professions, at a global level. All of us in the College are excited about the opportunities the institute will offer to our students and faculty.”

For more information about the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies, please contact Maghan Keita, Ph.D., the director of the Institute.
 

Rina Ebert Joins the College as the Director of the Internship Program

Rina Ebert has joined the College as Director of the Internship Program. She began on Monday, August 6. An alumna of the College, Rina earned a BA with a double minor in Spanish and secondary education in 1999 and an MA in counseling in 2003. Rina has served as assistant director of academic advising in the Villanova athletic department and, most recently, was guidance counselor at the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr. She brings an expansive vision and creativity to the internship program and a strong desire to help students in their pursuit of academic achievement and professional development.

Here, Rina sits down with Inside A&S for a Q&A session to discuss the value and importance of internships for liberal arts and sciences students.

Q. Welcome to the College! What is your vision for the College's internship program?
A. The internship program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a wonderful tool for students to utilize throughout their college experience. Many of our students are currently engaged in a summer internship or about to start their fall internship. My vision for this office is to grow a program in which the majority of students in the College take advantage of the opportunities available or, at the very least, utilize the internship office to help meet their career goals and aspirations.

Q. Why do you feel that internships are important experiences for liberal arts and sciences majors?
A. Internships are nearly essential experiences for our liberal arts and sciences majors for many reasons. An internship gives a student a greater sense of understanding about how academic courses apply in the working world. In addition to this, the internship is important during the job selection process as it gives employers an opportunity to see the background and experience of a student. Finally, during the course of an internship, students learn more about themselves, their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses.

Q. What do you hope students will gain from an internship experience?
A. During the course of an internship I hope students gain a better understanding of themselves and how their personal strengths can be applied in each experience. I also hope they come away with a strong sense of what challenges and motivates their energies. Often times, we assume that because of a student's coursework, he or she is definite about their career pursuits, but many students are still unsure of what they want to do after graduation. It is my experience that internships can clarify some of this uncertainty.

Q. Let's say I'm a professor who wants to talk about the value of internships with my students. How do I go about doing that?
A. An open dialogue between professors and students regarding the internship program is vital to the success of the program. It's important for professors to convey the significance of this experience to students throughout their time here at Villanova. Professors should emphasize how these opportunities can give clarity to the students career pursuits, add real-world experience to their résumé, and enable them to apply much of what they learn in class.

Q. Lastly, how do I find you to learn more about internships offered through the College?
A. For complete details and advice on internship selection and application, résumé preparation, interviewing skills, and more, stop by the Internship Office or call and make an appointment. 415 St. Augustine Center T: 610-519-4081
You can also visit the program’s Web site here.
 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Redesigns Web Site Home Page

The College has refreshed its home page: www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/. Be sure to visit it, and while you are there, check out the College's new view book, which is posted online as a PDF here. Also, be sure to view "Alumni Perspectives on the Value of a Liberal Education" here. You'll find this on the Web site of the Office of Advising and Professional Development.

Important to note: in addition to launching the new site, faculty and staff can edit their Web site profiles using the BioTool. Please use these instructions to edit information like your title, interests, publications, etc.
 

Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers

The Villanova Center for Liberal Education (VCLE) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to repeat a workshop series for primary and secondary school teachers entitled, “Benjamin Franklin and the Invention of America.” The workshops, originally conceived and directed by Dr. Colleen Sheehan (Political Science) and Dr. Catherine Wilson (VCLE) in the summer of 2006, will once again be part of the Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for Primary and Secondary School Teachers seminar series sponsored annually by the NEH. Learn more about this exciting program here.
 

College Prepares to Host Liberal Arts Open House for Prospective Students on Saturday, Sept. 8

Prospective students and their families will experience and learn about the distinct benefits of a liberal arts education at Villanova University at the College's liberal arts open house on Saturday, Sept. 8. Prospective students will hear from the College's students and faculty who will share what makes an education in the liberal arts at Villanova an exceptional and life-changing experience. At the College, opportunities abound for students ready and willing to learn and grow. More information about the event will appear in a future issue of Inside A&S.

Department of Computing Sciences Offers a Second Integrated BS/MS Program

A new integrated bachelor’s/master’s program is now being offered by the Department of Computing Sciences. The integrated program in Software Engineering is taking its place alongside the successful existing BS/MS in Computer Science as a second BS/MS program in computing. 

Last year, the department added a master’s degree in Software Engineering. This new degree program prepares students for either a career in software engineering or for advanced study in the field. In addition to providing the practical knowledge and experience needed to specify, design, develop, and maintain today's software systems, the program includes the theoretical knowledge that informs the practice, said Don Goelman, Ph.D., an associate professor of computing sciences. The Computer Science master’s degree program has a somewhat different emphasis: It provides expertise in applied and basic computing through its course offerings in computer systems, theory, languages, and algorithms. It is designed to prepare students for a career as a computing professional, though some students go on to pursue a Ph.D. degree at another university. Both degrees are in great demand in today’s high-tech sector. 

The new BS/MS program has already attracted attention and applications by undergraduate computer science majors who would like to pursue a master’s degree in software engineering. They can now achieve this within five years of entering Villanova. More information on this program may be found here: http://csc.villanova.edu/academics/msseProgram.

Spanish Internship Program Serves Members of the Philadelphia Hispanic Community

Students Gain Real-World Experience and Much, Much More

Opportunities to apply classroom learning in real-world situations are invaluable ones for students, and for those students who are studying and attempting to master a foreign language, those opportunities to speak and write the language in a variety of professional settings may be even more valuable.

Now in its fifth year, the Spanish Internship Program offers an essential experience for students interested in helping the Hispanic community while using their Spanish language skills. The goals of the program include:

• To help students become fluent in Spanish by translating and interpreting for student lawyers while helping members of the Philadelphia Hispanic community

• To express publicly, through service and scholarship, the University’s commitment to promoting social justice and the common good for all
                                                                                                
• To serve the poor and marginalized members of the community through service and scholarship in recognition of the words of St. Thomas of Villanova: “The Lord hear the cry of the poor.”

The Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures offers qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of the Spanish language and culture with practical experience in the Philadelphia Hispanic community by working closely with law students. The program is designed to help students build relationships with professionals in the private and public sectors, gain valuable work experience, and discover their interests and aspirations.

“This is a totally unique program that combines the knowledge and expertise of several disciplines to enhance awareness in our students, help them develop by working as young professionals in the community, and help the poor Hispanic community by offering services that are very much needed,” said Mercedes Juliá, Ph.D., a professor of Spanish in the department of classical and modern languages and literatures and one of the creators of the program. “The Spanish internship program can be an eye-opener for many students who are proficient in Spanish. It allows students to practice and perfect their Spanish by interpreting back and forth from Hispanic clients and lawyers as well as by translating letters and legal documents. It also allows students to come in contact with a culture and lifestyle completely different from the one they are used to.”

The program maintains the academic integrity of the curriculum of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences through careful planning and by providing uniform requirements and careful supervision. Using field work experiences in the Philadelphia area Hispanic community, students gain an understanding of the Hispanic culture and the opportunity to practice and improve their knowledge of the Spanish language.

The Spanish internship allows students with excellent command of Spanish to use it in the community, while gaining professional experience. It is a program that provides the student with intellectual, social, and emotional development. Besides personal growth, students gain professional work experience and acquire valuable job contacts.

Here is what one student who participated in the internship program had to say about it:

"My experience working at the Villanova law clinic has been formidable. The clinic has given me the opportunity to further enhance my bilingual proficiency, and at the same time, I have been able to help those that need my skills the most. I highly recommend the internship at the clinic for those students who want to experience a real and genuine experience in expanding their bilingual skills. Not only will the intern be able to translate legal documents, but he or she will also have the opportunity to interpret day-to-day conversations. Working at the clinic is a fantastic learning experience."

To learn more about the program, please contact Mercedes Juliá, Ph.D.
 

John Hansen-Flaschen, M.D., to Receive Praxis Award in Professional Ethics

The Ethics Program of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will present its second annual Praxis Award in Professional Ethics to John Hansen-Flaschen, M.D., a distinguished physician specializing in critical care pulmonology. The Praxis Award highlights and celebrates the contributions of a professional or an academic in the field of professional ethics. The award will be presented on April 2, 2008, at 5 p.m. in the Villanova Room of Connelly Center. For more information, please click here.
 

College Announces New Department of Geography and the Environment

The College is pleased to announce the new Department of Geography and the Environment, a department which links the social sciences and the natural and physical sciences. The department will integrate the disciplines of geography and environmental science in seeking to understand the interaction of people and the natural environment in specific places and around the world. Three degree programs will be offered.

The Geography degree program (B.A.) focuses on the interaction of humans with the natural and physical environments of the earth from a spatial perspective. The program’s graduates will have a fundamental understanding of the patterns of human social dynamics and physical processes at the earth’s surface, such as globalization and global climate change, within the context of places, landscapes, and regions. Graduates will also be trained in the use of geospatial technologies as tools in addressing many modern concerns. The geography degree is a traditional arts degree requiring 10 classes in geography. Geography courses count toward the social science general education requirement.

The Environmental Studies degree program (B.A.) focuses on the interface between environmental science and relevant social sciences, including public policy, political science, law, economics, sociology, and planning. The program’s graduates will have a fundamental understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical principles that underlie the structure and function of the natural and physical environments of the earth coupled with a foundation in the social sciences that underlie the relationships between humans, as individuals and/or societies, and the natural and physical environments of the earth. The environmental studies degree is a multidisciplinary arts degree built around a variety of social science courses, with a few additional science courses required.

The Environmental Science degree program (B.S.) focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to understanding the natural and physical environments of the earth. The program’s graduates will have an understanding of and appreciation for the processes and interactions that occur both within and between the atmosphere, the biosphere, the lithosphere, and the hydrosphere and be able to assess and address the direct and indirect influences of human activities on the integrity of the earth’s systems. The environmental science degree is a multidisciplinary science degree, which requires at least eight laboratory science classes. Interested students should be encouraged to take science classes beginning in their first year.

For more information, please contact Keith Henderson, Ph.D. The new chair of the department is Lt. Col. Frank Galgano, Ph.D.
 

College Offers Students, Faculty, and Staff Access to Mideastwire.com

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is pleased to offer to its students, faculty, and staff access to Mideastwire.com, an Internet-based news service that employs a team of translators from around the region to gather important stories from and about the Middle East. Its core product is a daily e-mail newsletter to English speaking subscribers that aggregates key English language stories about the Middle East together with translated Arabic and Persian stories that appear via the print, radio, and television media of the region. 

While there are now more than 500 Arabic and Persian news outlets reporting stories from and about the Middle East, there is currently no affordable means for English speakers to gain access to much of this content. As a result, the overwhelming majority of English speaking businesspersons, students, journalists, and others who have an interest in the affairs of the region are largely unaware of what the Middle East media is covering and how they are covering these stories.

Mideastwire.com aims to close this gap by offering a daily e-mail newsletter of concise, translated briefs covering some of the key political, cultural, economic, and opinion pieces appearing in the media of the 22 Arab countries, Iran, and the Arab Diaspora.

For more information, please contact Mideastwire.com.
 

Department of Psychology Now Offering Two Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

The Department of Psychology now offers two five-year bachelor’s/master’s degree programs. In the first program, students earn both a B.A. and an M.S. in psychology. This program provides an especially strong foundation for individuals who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in one of the many subfields of psychology. It also serves the needs of students who are unsure of their future professional goals and of individuals seeking a terminal master’s degree before entering the work force.



Whereas this program emphasizes basic theory and research in psychology, the second bachelor’s/master’s program has a decidedly applied focus, combining a B.A. in psychology with an M.S. in Human Resource Development. This program specifically prepares students to enter the work force as human resource professionals by providing a comprehensive background in the basic human resource competencies with emphasis on global, strategic, and developmental issues.

In both programs, students take graduate and well as undergraduate courses during their senior year. Several of the graduate courses count for both graduate and undergraduate credit, allowing the master’s degree to be obtained in only one additional year. Learn more here.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Partners with the Financial Times

Providing Students With Global Perspectives on World Events

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has partnered with the Financial Times, internationally recognized for its authoritative news, comment, and analysis, to provide students and faculty with full access to the FT’s electronic edition and to FT.com’s Level Two subscription service. This partnership will enable the University to further educate its students on socio-economic and geo-political issues that affect everyone regardless of a student’s major.

How To Access the Financial Times Online

There are many ways to access the FT online:

• For resources for faculty, please click here.

• For resources for students, please click here.

• To access the digital version of today's newspaper, please click here.

• To access the Financial Times online, please click here.

Save the Dates!

Please mark your calendars for these important events:

Liberal Arts Open House                             Saturday, September 8
Science and Technology Open House           Sunday, October 28
Early Action Candidates' Day                      Saturday, February 2, 2008
Candidates' Day                                        Saturday, April 12, 2008  

Please click here for the complete academic calendar.

Event Round-up

Be sure to visit the College's home page for a more complete rundown of upcoming events!
 

University Events Module Makes It Easy to Promote Special Events, Lectures, and Other Happenings
Posting an event on the University's Web site and College's Web site has never been easier. Simply enter all relevant information here.
 

Department of Political Science Offers Fall 2007 International Relations Lecture Series
Tue., Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m., SAC 300 -- “9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq: Are We Safer Now?” by David Barrett

Tue., Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m., SAC 300 -- “American Foreign Policy” by Joseph Thompson

Tue., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., SAC 300 -- “Russia: Intransigent or in Transition?” by Jeffrey Hahn

Tue., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., SAC 300 -- “East Asia: Friends, Foes, and In-between” by Maria Toyoda

For more information, please visit the Department of Political Science on the Web.
 

"In the Beginning ..." -- The Fall 2007 Series of Anthropology Lectures Announces Its Exciting Schedule
Be sure to click here to learn all about the exciting events that form this year's 2007 anthropology lecture series, "In the Beginning ...." All lectures take place in SAC Room 300 and begin at 7:30 p.m. The first lecture -- How Did the Universe Begin? -- kicks off the exciting series on Thursday, Sept. 13, featuring Phil Maurone, Ph.D., chair of the physics department.

Fall 2007 Cultural Film Series: "We're Not Gonna Take It"
The fall 2007 Cultural Film Series examines individuals or groups who challenge power structures.  View the complete schedule of films, including show times, here.
 

U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Gary A. Grappo to Speak on the Critical Role of the Sultanate of Oman
The University is pleased to welcome U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Gary A. Grappo to campus for an informative lecture and discussion entitled, “The Critical Role of the Sultanate of Oman,” on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m. in the Connelly Center Cinema. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please click here.
 

College Welcomes Notre Dame's Sabine MacCormick to Campus
The 2007 St. Augustine Lecture will feature Sabine MacCormick from the University of Notre Dame in a lecture entitled, "Augustine Reads Genesis: 'Give what I love, for I do love it, and this also you gave me' (Conf. XI,2,3; 22,28)," on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Villanova Room of Connelly Center. The event is sponsored by the Augustinian Institute and Augustinian Studies. For more information, please click here or call Anna Misticoni at 610.519.4780.
 

"Faith and the Ways of Knowing": Topic of the Patristic, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies Conference
The College's 32nd International PMR Conference will be held October 19 to 21 and will explore the topic of "Faith and the Ways of Knowing." Featured speakers include Denys Turner of Yale University and David Burrell of the University of Notre Dame. The conference will be held at the Villanova Conference Center. Click here for more information.

Make Plans Now to Visit the Mendel Exhibit ... Coming to Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences
Villanova University and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia proudly announce their partnership to present the traveling exhibition, “Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics,” which will visit the Academy at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway from May 28 to September 28, 2008.

The exhibition will be available to only five tour venues in the United States through 2008: Philadelphia (Villanova and the Academy of Natural Sciences); Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Columbus, Ohio, and Memphis, Tennessee.

During the exhibition’s Philadelphia tour, all Villanova students, staff, and faculty who present valid identification will receive free general admission to the Academy of Natural Sciences. It is our hope that you will find this special exhibition informative and enjoyable.

To learn more about the exhibit, please visit http://www.fieldmuseum.org/mendel/. For more information, please contact Kate Szumanski.

Faculty in the News

• Hibba Abugideiri, Ph.D., an assistant professor of history, has been awarded a Visiting Scholars Fellowship for 2007-08 by Qatar University.
   
• David M. Barrett, Ph.D., a professor of political science, was quoted in a recent New York Times article entitled, "Cold-War Era Abuses Invite Contemporary Comparisons." In the article, the author writes, "Mr. Barrett, author of a 2005 book on the C.I.A. and Congress in the 1940s and 1950s, said the notion that the C.I.A. was once lawless but now meticulously follows the law is simply wrong." Dr. Barrett also was a recent guest on WHYY's "Radio Times."
   
• Timothy Brunk, Ph.D., an assistant professor of theology and religious studies, has written the book Liturgy and Life: The Unity of Sacrament and Ethics in the Thought of Louis-Marie Chauvet. New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Franfurt am Main, Oxford, Vienna: Peter Lang, 2007.
   
• Alice Dailey, Ph.D., an assistant professor of English, is featured in an article entitled, "Teacher of Shakespeare is the merchant of menace in ring."
   
• Marc Gallicchio, Ph.D., chair of the department of history, has edited the book, The Unpredictability of the Past: Memories of the Asia Pacific War in U.S.-East Asian Relations, by Duke University Press.
   
• Amanda Grannas, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemistry, is quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer article about a Bristol High School chemistry teacher.
   
• Ed Guinan, Ph.D., a professor of astronomy and astrophysics, has co-edited the book, Close Binary Stars in the 21st Century: New Opportunities and Challenges. This book is the edited proceedings of an international conference on close binary star systems held in Syros, Greece, in June 2005. Dr. Guinan was one of the organizers of this meeting and co-editor of the book.
   
• Vikram K. Iyengar, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biology, has received a Research Initiation Grant for Broadening Participation in the Sciences from the National Science Foundation. The award, Chemical Ecology to Study Differential Reproduction, is for $146,007.
   
• Catherine Kerrison, Ph.D., an associate professor of history, has won the Outstanding Book Award for 2007 by the History of Education Society for her work, Claiming the Pen: Women and Intellectual Life in the Early American South (Cornell, 2004). 
   

• Timothy W. Kirk, Ph.D., a Catherine of Siena Fellow in Ethics and visiting assistant professor of philosophy, published a column, "Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators and Hospice Care," in the July/August 2007 issue of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology. The essay highlights dilemmas faced by hospice patients who have active ICDs and identifies starting points for systematic analysis and action by manufacturers, hospice policy-makers, and clinicians to address the issue.

• Michael J. Mason, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Education and Human Services, was awarded a $275,000 exploratory grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, for complete funding of his two-year project, “The Social Ecology of Urban Adolescent Substance Abuse: A Multiple Domain Approach.”

• Jill McCorkel, Ph.D., an assistant professor of sociology, was the featured speaker at a seminar on Journalism and the Sociological Imagination held at New York University in April. Dr. McCorkel also was a featured speaker in a session entitled, "The Experience of Incarceration in North America, the U.K., and Germany," at the annual meeting of the Law and Society Association in Berlin, Germany.
   
• Paul C. Pasles, Ph.D., an associate professor of mathematical sciences, was quoted in a Philadelphia Style magazine article entitled, "Rolling the Dice, Punching the Numbers."
   

• Alain J. Phares, Ph.D., a professor of physics; Francis J. Wunderlich, Ph.D., an associate professor of physics; and their collaborator and former Villanova physics student, David W. Grumbine Jr., Ph.D., an associate professor of physics at St. Vincent College, have published an article entitled, "High Temperature Adsorption Isotherms on Equilateral Triangular Terraces," in Physics Letters A, Vol. 366, Issues 4-5, pp. 497-502, 2007 (2 July 2007). Dr. Phares also has presented a paper with the same co-authors entitled, "Monomer Adsorption on Equilateral Triangular Lattices with Attractive First-neighbor Interactions," at the 23rd International Conference on Statistical Physics of the International Union for Pure and Applied Physics, in Genova, Italy, July 9, 2007.

• Harriet Power, M.F.A., an associate professor of theatre, recently directed Tio Pepe by Matthew Lopez, with an all-star cast including Broadway veteran Priscilla Lopez, at Luna Stage. She traveled to Toronto in late June to speak at the annual international conference of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas. 
   
• Bernard G. Prusak, Ph.D., a Gallen Fellow in the Humanities in the Villanova Center for Liberal Education, has written the article, "All We Can Eat? Thinking about Vegetarianism," which was the cover story in the July 13, 2007, issue of Commonweal.
   

• Paul Sheldon, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology, was interviewed by Margot Adler for the nationally-broadcast Justice Talking program of National Public Radio. The program topic was taxation. Paul discussed the relationship between paying our taxes and paying for war, and suggested that we consider our conscience when we pay taxes that support warfare. The program was broadcast during the week before April tax day.  The entire program is available at www.justicetalking.org/. Paul’s interview can be found here.

• Janus Stefanowicz has received a Barrymore Award nomination for costume design of The Tempest. 

• R. Kelman Wieder, Ph.D., a professor of biology and associate dean for sciences in the College, has received support from SURE Northern Energy, Ltd., for a project entitled, “Program in Sustainable Development in Peatland Regions,” being conducted in collaboration with Dale Vitt, Ph.D., of Southern Illinois University. The overall objective of the program is to conduct research targeted toward the development of strategies that align environmental stewardship and economic objectives. In addition, at the annual meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Dr. Wieder was made a Fellow of the Society. Fellow is the highest recognition of membership bestowed by the society, honoring individuals for their outstanding contributions in an area of specialization whether in research, teaching, management, service, or administration and whether in public, commercial, or private service activities.
  
  Seth Whidden, Ph.D., an assistant professor of French, was featured in an online MSNBC article entitled, "Taking in the Tour de France — in style." Dr Whidden teaches a course on the cultural history of the Tour de France.

• News from the Department of Computing Sciences: Department members again were active at the 12th Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2007), which took place this year in Dundee, Scotland, in June. This year’s theme was inclusion and diversity. Thomas Way, Ph.D., an assistant professor of computing sciences, presented two papers on topics closely related to the conference theme. They arose from research conducted in his Applied Computing Technology (ACT) Lab. One, co-authored with graduate student Richard Kheir, is entitled, “Improving Access to Computer Science Education with Speech Recognition.” Co-author of the second paper is Joseph Distasio (B.S. 2006), “Inclusive Computer Science Education Using a Ready-made Computer Game Framework.” For further details and a photo of the first presentation, please click here. At the same meeting, Lillian Cassel, Ph.D., a professor of computing sciences, was a co-leader of a working group, “Using a Computing Ontology for Educational Purposes," and Don Goelman, Ph.D., an associate professor of computing sciences, chaired a session, “Teaching CS Theory – Tools and Techniques.”

• Thomas Way, Ph.D., co-authored a paper entitled, “Compiling a Mechanical Nanocomputer Adder,” with graduate student Tao Tao, who presented it in June at the 2007 International Conference on Computer Design (CDES’07) in Las Vegas.

• Thomas Way, Ph.D., and Mary-Angela Papalaskari, Ph.D., an assistant professor of computing sciences, conducted a workshop at the Haverford Summer Institute, teaching K-12 teachers about how to apply ideas from the Villanova Magic School summer camp program into the classroom and other ways to incorporate magic tricks into teaching as a way to engage, motivate, and inspire students.

Alumni in the News

• Karen Abbott, '95, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English, has written the acclaimed Sin in the Second City. Read more about the author and book here.
   
• Malik Allen, '00, who received a bachelor's degree in communication, is featured in an article in the Courier Post entitled, "Allen, Bouchard hook up again to assist local kids." While at Villanova, Allen was an All-Big East second-team pick as a senior after leading the Wildcats in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots.
   

• Barbara P. Barnett (MA in Romance Languages in 1977) was decorated Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the Republic of France on May 18, 2007. The Palmes académiques (Academic Palms), a decoration established in 1808 by Napoléon Bonaparte, recognizes those who have advanced the cause of French culture, education, and the arts. The Palmes Académiques are awarded to those who have actively contributed to the expansion of French culture throughout the world. Whether in the arts or the sciences, these distinctions have been a cherished award for almost 200 years. It is the most prestigious honor a scholar or academician can receive from the French Government. Mme Barnett, a teacher of French and Head of Modern Languages at the Agnes Irwin School, has produced two French-language documentaries and written a book about France Under the German Occupation.

• Judge Mary DiGiacomo Colins has assumed Chairmanship of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as only the second person and first female to hold that position. She succeeds outgoing Chairman Thomas "Tad" Decker. Read more about her here. Colins received an MA in English from the University in 1973.

• John G. Emling, '91, who received a bachelor's degree in political science, has been named Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, the White House announced. Emling currently serves as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Treasury. Earlier in his career, he served as a Policy Analyst on the Senate Republican Policy Committee and Chief of Staff to Congressman Eric Cantor.
   
• Christian Giudice, '97, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in English, has written the first biography of one of boxing's biggest legends, Hands of Stone: The Life And Legend of Roberto Duran, published by Milo Books.
   
• Kate Hetherington, who earned a master's degree in counseling and human relations from the Department of Education and Human Services, has been named the new president of Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. Read the full story here.
   
• Jerome Canady, M.D., '76, who received a bachelor's degree in biology, was featured in The Valley Independent in an article titled, "Nontraditional procedures offer hope to Valley native." Dr. Canady practices medicine at Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township, Pennsylvania, where he specializes in general surgery. Dr. Canady was profiled in a 2001 Villanova magazine article, "A Man for All Reasons."
   
• Adrienne McNeil, '01, executive director of York County Community Against Racism, which works to promote cultural appreciation and racial equality in housing, employment, and churches, is featured in an article in the York Dispatch entitled, "New director has high expectations for anti-racism group." McNeil earned a graduate degree in Human Resource Development.
   
• Yasmin Namini, '89, who earned a master's degree in applied statistics, has been named senior vice president for marketing and circulation for the New York Times Media Group. Read the full story here.
   
• Gloria Park, MAPP, a doctoral student in exercise and sport psychology at Temple University, wrote an article entitled, "Aspiring to be a Positive Parents," in the Positive Psychology News Daily. Currently, Park works as a program coordinator at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is an assistant instructor for the Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her BA in psychology and philosophy from Villanova and an MA in applied positive psychology from UPenn.
   
• Jon D. Pels, Esq., of Pels Anderson, L.L.C., was recently named the 2007 Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association. Pels graduated in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in geography. Read more here.
   
• Karen Rizzo, M.D., an otolaryngologist, or ear, nose and throat doctor, at Otolaryngology Physicians of Lancaster, was featured in a recent article in the Sunday News. Dr. Rizzo earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Villanova in 1981 (graduated magna cum laude).

IT Corner

• Questions about your new phone? Click here.
   
• Questions about Microsoft Outlook? Click here.
   
• Smart Classroom -- Mendel 154.  Over the summer, Mendel 154 was renovated to create a "Smart Classroom."  This room features three individually controlled projectors, an interactive whiteboard/"SMART Board," a recording audio system, a media site connection for recording or live streaming, and a video conferencing connection. This room can be used for video conferencing and/or recording special lectures for posting on media site or iTunes U. Villanova's Media Services Department can assist with the use of this room and other media enriched classrooms around campus.
   
• Second Life in Education.  Villanova welcomes Barton Pursel from Penn State University’s College of Information Sciences and Technology to talk about the virtual world of Second Life and its educational applications Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Falvey Memorial Library – Viewing Room 3.  View the flyer here.
   
• Scantron. The Scantron system has been upgraded and relocated to SAC Room 18. Learn more here.
   
• SharePoint Upgrade. Departmental sites will be moved over individually and will be contacted prior to the migration. The new SharePoint site can be found at: https://sp.artsci.villanova.edu
   
• Web site Updates. The following departments or programs recently launched new Web sites: Cognitive Science, Ethics, Environmental Studies, Peace and Justice, and Philosophy.
   
• UnIT Web site.  University Information Technologies has launched its new Web site.  Please visit to see the numerous services UnIT offers. While you are there, you can sign up for Nova Alert!
   
• BioTool. Faculty and staff can edit their Web site profiles using the BioTool.  Please use these instructions to edit information like your title, interests, publications, etc.
   
• College IT Office Has New Home. The College's IT Office has consolidated its services and physical space to serve you better in SAC Room 085. All staff have the same phone extensions. Stop by and visit.

Send Your News Items and Event Notices for Publication

Is your upcoming event not listed in this e-newsletter? Do you wish it was? Do you need help broadening your outreach efforts, publicizing events, and getting the word out about the accomplishments of your faculty? Learn more here! Please submit your announcements or events via our online submission form or directly to Kate Szumanski. Kate will include it in the next issue of the College’s e-newsletter.