Committed Teachers and Scholars
Professor Michelle Geoffrion-Vinci Named Spanish Teacher of the Year
Michelle Geoffrion-Vinci did not always want to be a teacher. “When I started college, I majored in economics and Spanish with the idea of becoming some sort of international financier,” says the associate professor of foreign languages and literatures. It was not until Geoffrion-Vinci served as a teaching assistant for a Spanish class that she [...]
Roxanne Lalande Brings Barbed Wit and Elegant Prose of French Literature to Life
With a single witticism, any who dared overstep the bounds of conformity were summarily cast back to their proper place in society. A withering comment on yesterday’s political blog? A snarky Facebook posting circa 2011? No, it’s the writings and sayings of 17th century France, the milieu of Roxanne Lalande, professor of foreign languages and [...]
Math Professor Gary Gordon Helps Students Break Down Complex Problems
If given the choice offered to Neo in The Matrix, Gary Gordon, professor of mathematics, would likely choose the blue pill. He appreciates a finely constructed matrix, thank you very much. Gordon’s upcoming book, tentatively titled Matroids: A Geometric Approach, examines matrices, networks, and their points of connection. Written in collaboration with Professor Jennifer McNulty [...]
Retiring Professors William Collins and Ann McGillicuddy-DeLisi Elected to Emeritus Status
Retiring faculty members William J. Collins, associate professor of computer science, and Ann V. McGillicuddy-DeLisi, Marshall R. Metzgar Professor of Psychology, have been elected to emeritus status and will be recognized at the 176th Commencement on May 21. Read more Commencement coverage Collins, who served as head of computer science from 1990 through 2004, has [...]
Professor David Nice’s Research Expands Knowledge of the Universe
For David Nice, associate professor of physics, passion for his field came naturally. “I’ve always been interested in how things work and physics is all about how things work at the most fundamental level,” he says. “I love astrophysics research in particular because it often involves simple, straightforward physical ideas, but we can learn fundamental [...]
Music Professor Skip Wilkins Releases Two New Jazz Albums
As Skip Wilkins, associate professor of music, was preparing to leave for Brooklyn to record a new album, After, with bassist Scott Lee and drummer Jeff Hirshfield, he decided at the last minute to bring along some underplayed standards in case the group had any unused studio time. His foresight paid off: The trio recorded [...]
Economics Professor David Stifel Helps Students Understand the Root Causes of Poverty
Although the Madagascar portrayed in the animated Disney movie appears as a lush and idyllic paradise solely inhabited by animals, the reality is that 18 million people live on the small island off the coast of Africa, and much of the country’s roads are in disrepair or simply don’t exist. As a result, many Malagasy [...]
English Professor Ian Smith Guides Students on Literary Voyage of Discovery
For a man who knew very early in life that he wanted to be a college professor, the best moments in the classroom are what Ian Smith refers to as the “ah ha!” moments. Smith, professor of English, delights in helping his students escape routine classroom exercises and embark on a journey of “unexpected connections, [...]
Professor Kristen Sanford Bernhardt Explores New Ideas through Collaborative Research with Students
Like many children who grow up to be civil engineers, Kristen Sanford Bernhardt, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and chair of the engineering studies program, loved playing with blocks. That along with an affinity for science and math created the perfect recipe for a career as a civil engineer and professor. As an [...]
Geologic Detective: Professor Dru Germanoski Uses Scientific Techniques to Help Students Interpret the Past
Dru Germanoski developed a passion for the outdoors as a child and spent hours hiking, canoeing, and fishing in the waterways of central Pennsylvania’s Bedford County, where his parents owned a cabin. Once, when he was 5, his parents formed a search party after he didn’t show up for dinner. He finally returned at sundown, [...]
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