A Quick Note from the Dean | Faculty Achievements and Activities | Alumnae/Alumni Achievements and Activities | Student Achievements and Activities | Introduction of New Faculty |NATS Winners | Lance Cohort 5 Arrives | Mid-South Psychology Conference | Congratulations to Jessica Henderson! | Fall Concert Series | Rumors Report | Online Gift Form | Contact Us |
This fall the University and our School of Arts experienced a tremendous increase in first year students, as well as a record number of transfer students. Some of our alums would be surprised to see most survey classes with 28 to 30 students and upper division classes with 16 or more students. It has been a challenge, but one that the faculty met. The School of Arts can boast the second largest number of majors at the university. Individual departments also have distinctive records. Psychology still leads CBU with the most majors, 115 day majors. History is the fastest growing major at the University with a 69% increase this fall for a total of 45 majors. Elementary Education (Liberal Studies) and Graduate Education are also doing very well. Graduate students in Education account for more than half of all graduate students at CBU. This fall also has witnessed a return of German to our language offerings. Additionally, we have had record number of Spanish and French students. We offered twelve foreign language sections during the day and six sections in the two fall evening terms. The Fine Arts department had a big success with Neil Simon’s play, Rumors, and there will be a spring play this year. Finally, I hope you like CBU’s “new look” website, which has allowed us in the School of Arts to make our Arts’ pages better, more accessible, and easier to use. I want to extend a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our alums and friends of the Arts at CBU. Marius Carriere, Dean FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Samantha Alperin (Education) has appeared on three segments of Fox 13’s Good Morning Memphis. On November 9 and 16, she discussed how girls and boys interact/relate to toys differently. On November 22 she reviewed the best toys for children and adults this Christmas. To watch her appearances follow these links: David Gides (Religion and Philosophy) on September 18 presented a lecture entitled "Why Is Theology Important for the Folks in the Pews?" at the Church of the Holy Spirit. In the lecture, Dr. Gides addressed topics such as liberation theology, war and pacifism, and Catholic and fundamentalist readings of Scripture. Karl Leib (History and Political Science), in recognition of U.S. Constitution Day, on September 18 organized a public seminar at CBU featuring Marlinee Iverson, Shelby County Assistant District Attorney. Ms. Iverson spoke about the Constitutional issues that arise in criminal cases. Sister Ann McKean (Religion and Philosophy) celebrated in August her Golden Jubilee year, a milestone in recognition of fifty years of religious service. Lavern Terrell (Education) presented a paper entitled "An Evaluation of the Character Education Curriculum in Shelby County Schools" at the Mid-South Educational Research Association 2007 Annual Meeting, November 7-9, in Hot Springs, AR. Jana Travis (Fine Arts) is one of four winners of the 4th Annual First Tennessee ArtForum competition. Her work, chosen from submissions by 75 artists, will be displayed on the Club Level of the FedExForum for the next year. ALUMNI/ALUMNAE ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Lauren Bobal (Psychology '07) has accepted the position of clinical care monitor at Frayser Family Counseling and plans to become Advocare certified. Bobal, who will work with a wide range of people from therapists to case managers to nurses, reports, "I feel that my education in psychology at CBU has more than prepared me for work in the field of mental health. I am so lucky to have had such wonderful professors!" Lauren Cox (Psychology '05) just finished her master's degree in school counseling at the University of Memphis and has secured her first job as a counselor at St. Francis in Cordova. Matt Ray (ECCM '97) received an MBA in May from Webster University in Saint Louis and recently has taken a position as Director of Quality Assurance for Mobile Armor, Inc., which is located in Chesterfield, MO. Mobile Armor, Inc., a leading provider of Enterprise Mobile Data Security (EMDS) ™, develops and markets the next-generation software suite that enables dynamic organizations to fully protect business, financial, and operating information and data. E.J. Watson (Marketing major, Art minor '07), whom we interviewed in the Summer 2007 edition of our newsletter, has accepted the position of District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America office in Houston, TX. Watson also is considering furthering his education in art. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Steve Farese, a nationally known criminal defense attorney, attended Debbie Monroe’s English 111 class on October 11 as a guest and interview subject. The Composition I students put the lawyer on the “witness stand” for over an hour, eliciting details about his career, education and background, personal interests, and future goals. After the interview Mr. Farese commented favorably on the poise and intellect of the CBU students. Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society is happy to announce a new on-campus recycling program as part of its community service efforts. The new recycling bins are available outside the Buc, the Bookstore, the Library, and the Computer Center. Please bring your aluminum cans and glass or plastic bottles to these recycling bins to help make CBU a greener campus community! Honors Program students participated in the annual Murder Mystery Night on October 24. This year's event was entitled "The Class of '54." Participants were Alex Arthur, Laura Bailey, Russell Brandon, Burton Bridges, Chelsea Chandler, Boris de Souza, Rachel Escue, D.J. Hobbs, David James, Maria Lukasiewicz, Frank Minneci, Matt Nelson, Dustin Perry, Joe West, Jacky Wong, and Honors Program director Dr. Tracie Burke. The Honors Program held its annual Freshman Retreat on September 29-30. This year 27 students traveled to Bolivar, TN to participate in outdoor adventure activities at Victory Ranch. Participants included Cheryl Clausel, Jennifer Cobb, Stephanie Cooper, Chase de Saint-Felix, Samantha DeVilbiss, David Dodge, Jenessa Gebers, Rachel Haag, Hunter Hardin, Morgan Alexandra Harrell, D.J. Hobbs, Matt Jackson, Max Karimnia, Maria Lukasiewicz, Brandon Maharrey, Jordan Marshall, Frank Minneci, Danielle Rhein, Lauren Rotzoll, Lynne Sneed, Angela Toomer, and Tyler Wingett. Honors Council students assisting at the retreat were Russell Brandon, Burton Bridges, Carolyn Fly, and Caroline Mitchell. Also in attendance were faculty members Dr. Tracie Burke and Dr. Teri Mason. For more information visit the Honors Program web site. Dr. Wendy J. Ashcroft joins the school as an Assistant Professor of Education. Dr. Ashcroft, who received her Ph.D. from Memphis State University, becomes a full-time faculty member after teaching as a CBU adjunct for almost 10 years. She has completed 32 years with the Shelby County School District as a special education teacher and administrator. Dr. Paul W. Berk
joins the school as a Visiting Assistant Professor of History and
Political Science. Dr. Berk, who received his Ph.D. from Florida State
University, comes to CBU from the Maclay School in Tallahassee, FL,
where he taught World History, U.S. History, and AP American Government.
Dr. Karen B. Golightly joins the school as an Assistant Professor of Literature and Languages. Dr. Golightly, who recently received her Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University, comes to the CBU faculty with fifteen years of teaching at the university level at a variety of schools, including the University of Memphis, Southern Illinois University, University of Maryland University College, and CBU, where she taught as an adjunct lecturer from 1995 to 1998. Her major area of interest is nineteenth-century British and Irish literature. Dr. Golightly also will be teaching creative writing at CBU. Dr. Geoffrey D. Miller joins the school as an Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy. Dr. Miller, who received his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America, comes to CBU from Marymount University where he taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Philosophy, Theology, & Religious Studies. His main area of expertise is the Bible, especially the Old Testament. Br. Michael A. Schmelzer joins the school as an Assistant Professor of Education. Brother Michael, who received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University, becomes a full-time faculty member after teaching at CBU as an adjunct last year. His research and scholarly interests include sociocultural theory, activity theory, education for social justice, and Lasallian educational tradition and spirituality. The Memphis/West Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing held its student competition at the University of Tennessee at Martin November 10. Taking 1st Place in the Freshman Women Division was Caitlin Bower and 1st Place in the Freshman Men Division was Russell Brandon. Also taking 1st Place in the College Musical Theater Division was Stephanie Ramirez. All these award winners are students of Tommy Gaines, who is an Assistant Professor of Music at CBU. Gaines also had winners in these additional categories: 2nd Place High School Women under 17 years old, First Place H.S. Women 17 and older, First Place H.S. Men, 1st place Adult Beginners (Teresa Griffith, CBU '88), First Place Adult Intermediates and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place in the High School Musical Theatre Division. Congratulations to all of these students! A big CBU and Memphis welcome to the seven new LANCE teachers who arrived on campus the first week of June and will be teaching in the Memphis area during the 2007-08 school year. Cathy Bistolfi is from Jackson, TN and graduated from Lambuth University. She will be teaching Kindergarten at St. Augustine Elementary School. Katie Hawkins is from Canton, MS and graduated from Spring Hill. She will be teaching English, Spanish and Religion at Bishop Byrne. Cara Hanscom is from Somers, CT and graduated from St. Anselm College. She will be teaching Second Grade at Little Flower. Shannon Hoff is from Tulsa, OK and graduated from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio. She will be teaching Third Grade at St. Augustine Elementary School. Austin King is from Germantown, TN and graduated from CBU. He will be teaching Science and Math at Bishop Byrne. Maria Sanders is from Cere, CA and graduated from Colby College in Maine. She will be teaching English and German at St. Benedict High School. Julie Whitacre is from St. Louis, MO and graduated from the University of Dayton. She will be teaching Math at Memphis Catholic Middle/High School. MID-SOUTH PSYCHOLOGY CONFERENCE On February 23, 2008, the Department of Behavioral Sciences at CBU will be hosting the 11th Annual Mid-South Psychology Conference. For last year's conference information go to http://psyc.memphis.edu/mspc/. For information on the CBU Behavioral Sciences 2005 Conference go to http://www.randtassociates.netfirms.com/mspc.html. CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA HENDERSON!
CBU’s 2007 Fall Concert Series included four very entertaining and well-attended performances. On September 28 "An Evening of Recital" consisted of a rich variety of songs and arias performed by the students of Tommy Gaines, Assistant Professor of Music at CBU. On October 26 "Faculty Recital by Tommy Gaines, Baritone" featured Mr. Gaines’s spirited renditions of art songs and operatic arias, as well as sacred and popular songs. Mr. Gaines has sung professionally with several opera companies and appeared as a frequent soloist in numerous oratorios, concerts and recital venues. A recipient of the Encouragement Award at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, he also was a winner of the Beethoven Club of Memphis' Young Artist Competition. On November 16 at the "Duet and Ensemble Recital" students of Mr. Gaines gave the audience a delightful evening of duet, trio and small ensemble selections ranging from classics and opera to Broadway show tunes. On November 30 "This is Christmas" featured the CB Singers, CBU's premier singing group, welcoming the Holiday season with sacred and popular Christmas songs arranged by Bob Krogstad, one of today's most popular arrangers. Neil Simon’s Rumors turned out to be another successful production for the CBU Theatre Department. It was the first production to be presented in the newly renovated University Theater. Cast and crewmembers alike enjoyed having new amenities like a curtain that actually opened and closed. I know that audience members enjoyed the warmer atmosphere of the theatre that was provided by the new paint, draperies, carpet, and cushioned chairs. Estimated audience attendance for the entire October weekend was around 300. The Encore Drama Club already is planning its next production for the spring with several workshop classes offered by the director, Ms. Linda Dinwiddie. For suggestions on future performances and audition information contact Burton Bridges, Vice-President of the Encore Drama Club at encore@cbu.edu. The CBU Annual Fund now allows alumni to designate their gifts to a particular school or area. The online donation page is set up so you can specify where your gift should be used. In addition, you can dedicate your gift to the honor or memory of someone special in your life. Because of its simplicity, giving cash is the most popular form of giving. Cash gifts may be made by currency, check, money order, bank draft, or credit card. The applicable income tax deduction reduces the actual cost of the gift. If you would like to make a donation online, you may do so by visiting https://secure.cbu.edu/alumni/gift/ Do you have news you would like to share with the School of Arts? Email us at soanews@cbu.edu today! |
As
I write this, CBU and the School of Arts’ faculty are about
to begin our Christmas Break. I know everyone is looking forward to
the Christmas and New Years’ holiday, and the Dean is no exception.
I hope to make a brief visit “back home” to New Orleans
to touch base with family and friends and, hopefully, to see much
more progress in the rebuilding of that historic city. I might even
squeeze in Memphis’ bowl game with Florida Atlantic University.
Chelsea
Chandler (Psychology '09), competing in the Fifth
Annual Orpheum Star Search in Memphis on October 20, won
$500 as one of ten finalists chosen from more than 200 contestants
who auditioned in the spring. Chelsea is a member of the CB Singers
and has won numerous competitions, including the recent USA World
Showcase at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The
School of Arts would like to congratulate recent CBU graduate Jessica
Henderson (ECC '07) on her new position at 
(Back
row Left-Right): Chris Ragghianti as Glenn Cooper, Candice
Lermusiaux as Cassie Cooper, Dylan Perry as Officer Welch, Ally Gomez
as Chris Gorman, Shamus Smisor as Ken Gorman, and Skye Mellow as Cookie
Cusack. (Front row Left-Right) Shanta Wilson as Claire Ganz, Russell
Brandon as Lenny Ganz, and Burton Bridges as Ernie Cusack.