UPDATED APRIL 2013

Dr. Nancy Gibson was elected national President of ASCD ((formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development).  ASCD has 140,000 members from 134 countries and 56 affiliate organizations. In March,  at the ASCD Chicago conference, she was seated as a Board member and President Elect.  In March, 2014, she will become President and in March 2015 she will be seated as Past President.   

http://www.ascd.org/about_ascd/Governance/Board_of_Directors_Roster/Gibson13-14.aspx

Dr. Daniel Tomal and Dr. Craig Schilling recently published two books:    

• Schilling, C. A., & Tomal, D. R. (2013). Resource management for school administrators: optimizing fiscal, facility, and human resources. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
• Tomal, D. R., & Schilling, C. A. (2013). Managing human resources and collective bargaining. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.

Dr. Craig Schilling wrote, “Reach your Potential:  Achieving Excellence through Goal Setting” for  the Illinois Association of School Business Official's 'Update" magazine Summer 2013 Issue.

Dr. Andrew Steinmann:

• published “Correlation of Select Classical Sources Related to the Trojan War with Assyrian and Biblical Chronologies” by RODGER C. YOUNG and ANDREW E. STEINMANN in Journal for the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament  vol. 1.2 (2012): 223-48 and is available online at http://jesot.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/JESOT-1.2-Young-Steinmann.pdf.
• Taught from  March 2-10 at the LCMS center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia training native pastors in Old Testament as part of their ongoing training for service in Southeast Asia.  Dr. Steinmann engaged in this work at the invitation of the Luther Institute of Southeast Asia. He is willing to share pictures he has of Phnom Penh and of his work with the pastors.
• Published a book review, The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation  by Sailhamer, John. (2009) InterVarsity.
  http://www.bookreviews.org/BookDetail.asp?TitleId=8130 
• Presented: "The Chronology of the Nativity" to the Cincinnati, Ohio Circuit LCMS  pastors on 1/9/2013"
• Jesus in History" at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee on Tuesday (2/5/2013)
• "Basic Old Testament Chronology" to Circuit 9W pastors of the Northern Illinois    District LCMS  (2/7/2013

Dr. Amanda Maddocks presented the following papers at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, April 27-May 1, 2013 in San Francisco.

• “Assessing doctoral program partnership models and the preparation of candidates for dissertation research” to the Doctoral Education Across the Disciplines SIG
• "Integrating the Research: Co-Teaching to Prepare Reading Specialists to be Specialists in Research” to the Professors of Educational Research SIG (With Dr. Dara Soljaga)
• Additionally, Dr. Maddocks chaired sessions on “Research Quality Assessment and Outcomes for Teaching Educational Research” and “Methodological Issues in Survey Research”

Dr. Maddocks was elected Chair of the Professors of Educational Research SIG for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Prof. Amy Barth made the following presentations at the annual Illinois Counseling Association conference in Springfield, IL., November 2012:

• Wickman, S., Barth, A. L., Smith, K. J., Filmore, J., Klug, A., and Wambu, G. (2012). Constructivist Counselor Education: Beyond the Banking Model. Pre-conference workshop
• Barth, A. L. (2012). My journey to the Beck Institute: CBT principles, model, and conceptualization.
•  Barth, A. L., and Standefer, S. (2012). Poster presentation: Termination is NOT a bad word.

Dr. Christopher Lilly presented "Secondary Literacy Coaching: Examining the Role of Content Knowledge and Literacy Processes to Facilitate Disciplinary Literacy Instruction," with Dr. Michael Manderino, Northern Illinois University; Dr. Phillip Michael Wilder, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Paula Di Domenico, Northern Illinois University at the Literacy Research Association's 62nd Annual Conference in San Diego, CA on November 28, 2012

Dr. Thomas Jandris presented, “The role of leadership in disruptive innovation in higher education” to invited research faculty of Oxford and Cambridge universities at the Oxford Cambridge Club, London, England, on November 20, 2012. The paper has been accepted for publication in the proceedings of the London Education Research Symposium. 

Dr. Pamela Kalbfleisch has been invited to serve as a member of the American Council on Education’s Women’s Network Executive Counsel for a three year appointment.  Dr. Kalbfleisch will serve as a liaison to state women’s network coordinators and as an advisor to ACE on issues related to advancing women in higher education administrative careers.  Dr. Kalbfleish previously coordinated the ACE North Dakota State Women’s Network for Women in Higher Education.  She noted, “I am delighted that I can now use this experience to help women nationally as a member of the ACE Women’s Network Executive Counsel.” 

Prof. William Pierros presented a workshop,, "Comparing Apples to Apples: Teaching Comparative Politics Using a Structured-Focused Comparison Model" at the American Political Science Association Teaching and Learning conference February 8-10, in Long Beach California.

Emeritus Dr. Alton (Clark) Dubois, received the Mildred M. Seltzer Distinguished Service Recognition Award from the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education at the Annual convention Feb. 28-March 3 in St. Petersburg, Florida. This award honors colleagues who are near retirement or recently retired. Recipients are individuals who have been actively involved in AGHE through service on committees, as elected officers, and/or have provided leadership in one of AGHE's grant-funded projects 

Prof. Debra Herman recently concluded a five-year grant provided by the John and Frances Beck Foundation of Chicago to develop an art history curriculum for 1^st through 8^th grades called, Artists and Their Art: Sharing Visual Stories. This free, downloadable resource featuring eighty lessons is currently posted on the Concordia University Chicago’s website at www.cuchicago.edu/artlessons. The site serves current art education students, teachers in the field, school districts and homeschoolers. The art lesson site received 13,239 hits from August 1, 2011 to August 1, 2012 and have reached educators around the world. I hear constantly from people in religious and secular educational settings and homeschoolers who are grateful for this resource.

Educators are extremely busy professionals who desire to provide their students with quality art experiences. Often times this includes only an art production experience. Understanding art movements and art in an historical context, combined with discussions around art aesthetics and criticism, are essential content to maximizing a full art experience beyond just art production. Artists and Their Art: Sharing Visual Stories provides accessible, quality lessons that presents a story both of the artist’s life and a featured work of the artist.  

Dr. Patricia Hoffman & Dr. Lauren Wellen presented at the Northern Illinois District Lutheran Teachers Conference in Merrillville, IN. on Oct. 4, 2012.  The topic was “Is Your Curriculum Skewed or Is It SCEWD?”

Dr. Lauren Wellen presented at the Midwestern Educational Research Association Annual Conference in Evanston, IL on Nov. 7, 2012. The topic was “An Oral History of the Influence of Shirley K. Morgenthaler’s Wisdom and Works on Early Childhood Education.

Dr. Thomas Jandris presented, “Creative Talent Training and Nurturing at U.S. Universities” and Dr. Marilyn Reineck presented, “Academic Organization of US Universities: Authority and Responsibilities at the University and at the College Level”  to visiting administrators and faculty from Henan University, China, Jan. 30, 2013.

 

 

November 2012

The more than 100 full-time faculty at Concordia University Chicago apply their expertise not only to providing our students with the best possible education but also to advancing scholarly knowledge within their fields and for the public. Featured below are recent Concordia faculty presentations, research, media interviews and projects.

Members of the media: Concordia faculty and staff are available to provide specific expertise in a range of fields. For source recommendations or to locate a faculty or staff member for interview, contact Concordia's University Communications and Marketing Services Department at (708) 209-3111.

Arts/Sciences | Business | Education | Graduate/Innovative Programs | Emeritus

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Andrew Steinmann’s review of Fried, Lisbeth S., editor. Was 1 Esdras First?: An Investigation into the Priority and Nature of 1 Esdras. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2011 has been published in The Review of Biblical Literature at http://www.bookreviews.org/BookDetail.asp?TitleId=8187.

On Oct. 27^th, Dr. Steinmann presented at All Saints Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC. The presentation was entitled "The Messiah in Genesis" and was part of the 10th annual Lutheran Lecture Series.

Prof. Caryn Putra has been appointed by Governor Pat Quinn to the Governor's Council on Health and Physical Fitness. Prof. Putra noted, " I feel very honored to be selected to serve on this council to try to bring more attention to the importance of physical education, physical activity, fitness and nutrition to others throughout the state.”

Dr. Jeremy Houska presented “Research methods Project Design:  Maximizing Benefit to Students, Ourselves and Psychology” at the Society for the Teaching of Psychology’s Best Practices in Teaching Statistics and Research methods writing conference Oct. 11^th in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Michelle Morkert and Dr. David Settje presented:  “Gender, Religion, and War in Contemporary America: How Lutheran Women Used Their Own Media to Address War” at The Lutheran Historical Conference Biennial Convention, Oct. 11-13^th in Philadelphia.

Dr. Settje was the Program Committee Chair for the conference.

Dr. Michelle Morkert presented a paper at the National Women’s Studies Association Annual Convention Nov. 8-11th in Oakland, CA.  Dr. Morkert’s paper focused on the successful development of the WGS Program at CUC and emphasized the need to include faith-based institutions in the larger WGS discipline and scholarship.  The paper was part of a round table that she co-created entitled “Women/Gender/Sexuality Studies Programs and Curricula: Current Trends and Future Possibilities. 

Dr. Rachel Eells and senior College of Education student, Jacklin Vargas presented a sectional entitled “Test Anxiety” at the Northern Illinois District Lutheran Teacher’s conference, in Merrillville, IN on October 4, 2012.

Prof. BettyAnn Mocek has works in the following shows:

• “Under Mexican Light”, five printmakers from the Chicago land area exhibit together who have been touched by the Mexican printmaking tradition. View six of her prints at: Elmhurst Artist’s Guild Gallery, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, IL: October 28 – December 14,

• 10 Chicago Women Artist’s Exhibition at: Studio 203 located at 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL: Opening Reception: Friday, November 2, 6 – 9 PM. Closing Reception: Friday, December 7, 6 – 9 PM. Additional viewing dates and times please call Andrea Ginsburg for an appointment: 312-286-1625. Two of her works will be on display.

• “Expressions II”, Chicago Society of Artists’ Exhibit: Tom Robinson Gallery, 2416 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL: November 6 – December 6, Artist’s Reception: Friday, November 16, 5 – 8 PM. Each artist in the show exhibits one work of art.

Dr. Pamela Kalbfleish presented “Humor in the Classroom: Predicted Outcomes, Motivation, and Anxiety” at the National Communication Association Conference Nov. 15-18 in Orlando.

Dr. Rebecca Trueman’s students are engaging in service learning at Lake Opeka this semester.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121008/submitted/121009845/
http://desplaines.patch.com/blog_posts/the-beauty-and-health-of-lake-opeka-restored-by-science-students

The following faculty presented at the ACCA (Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area) Scholarship of Pedagogy Symposium on Oct. 27^th at Dominican University.

• Prof. William Pierros, “Approaching rapprochement: Facilitating student interest in American Foreign Policy.”  

• Dr. Rebecca Trueman, “Advancing science pedagogy via service learning.”

• Dr. Art Safer, Dr. Susan Mann, Dr. Cynthia Grant (with Kenneth Hasse), “Teaching Students to Identify their Ethical Core through Personal Reflection.”

• Prof. Amy Barth participated in a roundtable discussion, “Promoting Personal Growth and Professional Development through the Internship Experience.”

• Dr. Kathy Bonnar and Dr. Judy Skorek participated in a roundtable, ”Bullying in the Workplace:  What Students entering the Workforce need to know.”

Dr. Michael Whiteside will present,  “Agroterrorism: Means, Mechanisms, Results and Readiness,”  at the International Conference on Biothreats & Biodefense on Oct 15 2012 in Chicago.   

http://www.omicsonline.org/biodefense2012/scientific-programme.php?day=1&sid=128  

Dr. Andrew Steinmann and Dr. Robert Sorenson made several contributions to Concordia Publishing House’s The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes (2012). 

CPH also posted a recent interview with Dr. Steinmann.

http://academic.cphblogs.com/exegetical-theology-and-bible-commentaries/steinmann-named-distinguished-professor-of-theology-and-hebrew/

Deaconess Jennie Asher, director of the deaconess program, presented, "The 'wired generation': What does this mean for pedagogy?" at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties conference in Minneapolis, October 5-7.

Rachel Eells, PhD, assistant professor of psychology, and Michelle Morkert, PhD, associate professor of English, co-presented “Gender Issues in the Classroom” at the CLEF (Chicagoland Lutheran Education Foundation) during the Annual Networking Conference, August 13. At the same conference, Dr. Rachel Eells additionally presented “Address and Reduce Test Anxiety.”

BettyAnn Mocek, MFA, professor of art, participated in four art shows during the fall of 2012. Shows included: Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art Members’ Show, entitled “Small Works” at Gallery 1837 in Chicago; “Under Mexican Light”, at Elmhurst Artist’s Guild Gallery, in Elmhurst, IL; “10 Chicago Women Artist’s Exhibition” at Studio 203 in Chicago; and “Expressions II”, Chicago Society of Artists’ Exhibit at the Tom Robinson Gallery in Chicago.

Dr. David Rogner, Professor of English, composed the text for a choral anthem, “O Comforter, Descend on Us, We Pray.” The anthem, with music by Carl Schalk, premiered at First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago on Pentecost Sunday.  His hymn text entitled “O Son Of Man, You Came to Serve and Give,” with music by Jonathan Stahlke, was published in May in Motif.   

Dr. Rebecca Trueman

• T S Gala, R J Trueman and S Carlyle (2012). Soil hydrodynamics and controls in prairie potholes of central Canada.  Area © 2012 Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers)

• CUC students work on the lake. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120607/submitted/120609918/

Prof. William Pierros:

• Presented a workshop entitled: "Weaving the Cognitive Web:Cross-Disciplinary Connections and Critical Thinking in an Upper-Level, Undergraduate American Presidency Seminar"  at the American Political Science Association Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Washington, D.C. February 17-19 2012.

• Participated as a consultant for Wadsworth/ Cengage Learning’s "Hybrid Learning in the 21st Century".  At Wadsworth/Cengage corporate offices, Chicago, IL.  April 2012

• Participated in Pearson Learning’s "Teaching and Technology Focus Group in Political Science" at The Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.  April 2012

Dr. Christian Hauser presented “Pre-service Teachers & Composition” at the Texas Music Educators Association in San Antonio, Feb. 9, 2012.

The following CUC theology faculty members presented at the LCMS Theology Professors Conference at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, May 29-June 1. 

Prof. Jennie Asher--"Online and Blended Learning: Tools for Promoting Critical Thinking"

Prof. John Rhoads--"Eucharistic Discipline and Gospel Meal: 'Worthy' and 'Welcome' in the Lutheran Confessions and Paul"

Dr. Andrew Steinmann--"Gazelles, Does, and Flames: (De)Limiting Love in Song of Songs"

Dr. Jeremy Ashton Houska, Assistant Professor of Psychology, was recently appointed Editor of the Teaching of Psychology Idea eXchange (ToPIX). Jeremy's 3-year term will run through 2015. ToPIX is a product of the American Psychological Association’s Division 2: Society for the Teaching of Psychology. The resource includes various pedagogical tools such as demonstrations, handouts, podcasts, videos, and current events.

Prof. Caryn Putra

• Co-presenter on “Keeping Kids Active:  New Sports Games, Rainy Day Activities and Outdoor Games” for Oak Park District Summer Camp Staff Training Workshop in conjunction with Pioneering Healthy Communities.

• Presented “Team Building with Strengths among Christian Educators” ” at the Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Annual Conference, Indiana Wesleyan University, June, 2012.

Dr. Suzanne Walsh presented “Measure of Religiosity” at the Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Annual Conference, Indiana Wesleyan University, June 8, 2012.

Dr. David Settje published “Lutheran Responses to Watergate.”  Lutheran Forum.  46 (Spring 2012): 20-23.

Dr. Jenna Mahay.  Forthcoming. “Their Lives Are So Much Better Than Ours! The Ritual (Re)construction of Social Identity in Holiday Cards.”  In Discourse 2.0: Language and New Media, edited by D. Tannen and A. Trester.  Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

Summary: This chapter systemically examined the images, text, and design of holiday photo-cards on the leading retail websites.  The study found that the availability of the digital technology that allows one to create one’s own customized holiday photo-cards has turned the holiday card tradition into a powerful medium for constructing and displaying one’s own social identity, both in terms of class and status, but also in terms of membership within the hegemonic family ideal.  Further, this analysis found that a powerful part of what is ultimately communicated and reinforced through these holiday photo-cards is a certain normative definition of ‘happiness.’ 

Dr. Jeremy Houska  

• Presented "Research-Based Learning in Core Psychology Courses: Faculty and Student Perspectives" with student co-authors Manthan Satyawadi, Brooke Burmeister, and Tegan J. Pfortmiller at the Midwest Institute for Students and Teachers of Psychology on Feb. 24, Glen Ellyn, IL.

• Presented "Innovative Ways to Incorporate Technology in Your Teaching" at the Southeastern Conference on the Teaching of Psychology in Atlanta, Georgia on February 25^th.

• Presented "Profs who Tweet: Student Impressions and Implications" with student co-authors Benjamin P. Bain (graduate), Abbi R. Hoffmann (undergraduate) at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference April 12-14 in Reno, Nevada.

Dr. Maurice Boyer successfully defended his dissertation, “The Articulation of Time in the Seventh Symphony of Jean Sibelius: Toward Informed Performance” on April 5, 2012 at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Christian Hauser successfully defended his dissertation, “The Effect of Three Compositional Structures on the Compositional and Instructional Self-Efficacy of Pre-service Music Teachers” on April 6, 2012 at the University of North Texas.

Dr. Rebecca Trueman has received full-funding (provided by the National Science Foundation) to present at the Ecological Research as Education Network meeting in June 2012. 

Dr. Trueman also made the following presentations with her students:

• Zachary Bauknecht and Rebecca Trueman (2012) Determining the accuracy of weather models in an era of global change.  ACCA student symposium, Elmhurst College.

• Emily McGorty and Rebecca Trueman (2012) Measuring the effect of ocean acidification on carbonate skeletons of coral.  ACCA Student symposium, Elmhurst College.

Excerpts from Dr. Jennifer Smith’s current project, “A New Looseness”: The Generative Fictions of the Short-Story Cycle will be published in a number of venues in 2012. A short essay, “Born in the Workshop: The MFA and the Short-Story Cycle,” appeared in Triquarterly Online at the end of January.  A longer essay, “Latter-Day Winesburgs: Sherwood Anderson and the Contemporary Cycle,” will appear in a new collection of essays on Anderson published by Rodopi. Her article “Locating the Short-Story Cycle” will be published in the fall issue of The Journal of the Short Story in English.  She also presented “Epistles in the Ether: Feminism and the Contemporary Novel” at the Northeastern Modern Language Association conference held in Rochester, New York, March 15-18. Dr. Smith also designed a course for The Newberry Library, “Winesburg, Ohio and Its Legacy.”

Dr. Andrew Pederson and Prof. Jayme McGhan delivered a presentation entitled “Playing Short: Approaches and Expansions of the Ten-Minute Play” on March 3^rd, 2012 at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs National Conference in Chicago, IL.

Prof. Andrew Pederson presented:

“How to Deal With a Playwright Who Isn’t Dead: Collaboration Basics” at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, TN on March 8^th, 2012. (with Brian Fruits from the University of Memphis).

“The Trick of Singularity: The Dramatic Monologue as a Standalone Play” at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, TN on March 9^th, 2012.

Dr. David Settje has been selected to participate in the Council of Independent Colleges/Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History’s seminar, Slave Narratives at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, from June 10-13, 2012.

Dr. O. John Zillman has been selected as a 2012-2013 Thrivent Fellow.  Thrivent Fellows engage with other leaders from Lutheran colleges and universities in a year of intensive study designed to provide professional growth and discernment in vocation and leadership

Concordia University Chicago was selected to participate in the Council of Independent Colleges Engaging Evidence Consortium, made possible by a generous grant from the Teagle Foundation. The project will span 18 months and consist of a variety of activities on campus.  A workshop featuring presentations by national experts in assessment was  held in Washington, DC, August 5–7, 2012.  Dr. Elizabeth Owolabi, Dr. John Zillman and Dr. Marilyn Reineck attended.

Thomas Von Hagel, PhD, professor of theology, wrote, “A Bibliography of the 1580 Dresden Concordia,” Concordia Journal 37.4 (Fall 2011): 292-98 and forthcoming, “The Charter Subscribers of Lutheran Concord. Two Folgen die Namen der Theologen and One Nachdem die Subscriptiones in the 1580 Dresden Concordia,” Concordia Journal.

Michael Whiteside, PhD, assistant professor of chemical biology, presented “Agroterrorism: Means, Mechanisms, Results and Readiness,” at the International Conference on Biothreats & Biodefense in Chicago, October 15.

English

Prof. Andrew Pederson, Assistant Professor of English, and his play, June First, has been nominated for the Source Festival in Washington D.C.  The nominations for the full-length plays come from established directors, playwrights or producers. Three plays will be selected and receive a full production of their work at the Source Theatre in Washington D.C. in June 2012.

From the festival website:  “Source Festival is Washington’s source for new work. Every creative journey begins with one bold step. In the spirit of adventure, Source Festival combines the forces of rising talents with established artists. Driven by creativity, collaboration and invention, Source Festival artists from across the nation present 25 new works over three weeks. The relationships built here lay the path for the next generation of outstanding performing artists.”

Prof. Andrew Pederson’s play, An Open House was performed as part of The Morris Theater Guild 2^nd Annual 24 hour Theatre Festival. 

Theology

Dr. Andrew Steinmann, Professor of Theology, authored the "Searching the Scripture" section of the October issue of The Lutheran Witness. The study, entitled "A Great and Compassionate God,” is based on Nehemiah 9:5-37.

Dr. Andrew Steinmann authored the "Searching Scripture" feature in the November Lutheran Witness. It is entitled "Thanksgiving—The Response of a Heart that Knows God's Love."

Dr. Andrew Steinman authored the "Searching the Scripture" section of the December issue of The Lutheran Witness. The study is entitled "A Stress-Free Christmas,” based on Titus 2:1--3:7

Sociology

Dr. Jodie Dewey, Associate Professor of Sociology, presented “The Paradox of Treating the Trans-Identified Patient: How Professionals balance between providing good care and doing good medical/therapeutic work” on Sept. 26, 2011 at the World Professional Association of Transgender Health in Atlanta, Ga. 

English, Biology, Sociology, etc.

Congratulations to the following presenters at the Association of Chicago Colleges Scholarship of Pedagogy Symposium Oct. 15^, 2011.

• “Congress and Campaigns: Inquiring about the Civil War Through Simulation” by Dr. Lila Kurth, Professor English

• “Effective use of GC/MS technology in a Biology course” by Dr. Rebecca Trueman, Associate Professor of Biology

• “Teaching Comparative Anatomy: A Place for Pedagogical Theory and Practice” by Dr. Robert Carr, Associate Professor of Biology

• “A Research-based Instructional Starategy for University Faculty: Identifying Similarties and Differences Enhances Students’ Understanding and Ability to Use Knowledge” by Dr. Nancy Gibson, Dr. Arthur Safer, Dr. Paul Sims and Dr. Robert Wilhite

• “Imaginary Expeditions” and “You Do It Too: The Less-Than-Rational Student/Consumer” by  Prof. John Hildebrand, Assistant Professor of Business

• “Making the Connection: Engaging Students with Social Justice Issues through a Multifaceted Approach” by Dr. Jodie Dewey, Dr. Jenna Mahay and Prof. Pierros.

Communication & Theatre

Stage Left Theatre announces the upcoming World Premiere of The Fisherman written by Prof. Jayme McGhan, Assistant Professor of Theatre, and directed by ensemble member Drew Martin. The Fisherman is the third production of Stage Left’s 30th season. Press opening is Feb. 25 at 8 p.m., and the show runs through April 1.Read more at http://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Stage-Left-Theatre-Presents-THE-FISHERMAN-218-41-20111202.

Art

Prof. BettyAnn Mocek, Professor of Art, has six recent works of mixed-media art in an exhibition. The show is titled: “Exposure: 10 Chicago Women Artists.” It opened Dec. 2, 2011 at Blink Contemporary Gallery in Michigan City, Ind. The exhibition ran through Jan. 28, 2012.

Psychology

Dr. Jeremy Houska, Assistant Professor of Psychology, will join the Editorial Staff of the journal Teaching of Psychology. Having served as an ad-hoc reviewer for empirical articles in ToP the last four years, he has been selected as a Consulting Editor for Methods and Techniques.

Dr. Rachel Eells, Assistant Professor of Psychology, presented “Shaping Identities Through Exploration, Self-Awareness, and Critical Thought: Psychology and Emerging Adulthood” at the October 2011 Annual Conference of the Association of Lutheran College Faculties in Austin, Texas. Dr. Eells delivered a day long in-service entitled “Designing Assessments That Work” for the teachers at Christ Lutheran Church and School in Little Rock, Ark. in late October 2011. She also presented “Negative Rhetoric and the Corrosion of Teacher Efficacy,” and with Prof. Peter Renn, Assistant Professor of Education, presented “Safe Spaces and Sacred Places: Finding the Conversation” at the American Educational Studies Association November 2011 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo.

Dr. Eells will also present “Collective Teacher Efficacy and Student Achievement: A Meta-Analysis“ at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Vancouver in April.

Spanish

Prof. Alannah Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Spanish, presented “The Long and Winding Road From the Old World to the New: Vampire Migrations in Carmen Boullosa’s Isabel” at Vampires:  Myths of the Past and the Future, at the University of London. Prof. Hernandez also chaired a panel at this conference entitled “Vampires of the Future.”

Art

Prof. Nikkole Huss, Associate Professor of art, has taken on the role of “Artist in Residence” during the 2011-12 academic year as a way of combining her passion for teaching and love of creating art.  
 
As part of her “residency” the CUC community, alumni and local residents are invited to visit her in her studio during her work sessions. Visitors can see how Huss creates art, learn about new processes and ask questions about the concepts presented in the work.  Huss is an inter-media artist and shifts back and forth between intersecting regions of drawing, painting, photography, fiber and installation.  She is drawn to the ordinary details of everyday life and often depicts themes of growth and recession in natural and man-made environments.  

Huss is inspired by topographical terrain and outer space phenomena collected from various sources including Google Earth, the Hubble Space Telescope and her own personal telescope.  She states, “By gazing far beyond the human eye’s ability to see and tapping into technologically driven vantage points, it is possible to perceive the impossible and make the intangible – tangible.”

Music

Dr. Richard Fisher, Distinguished Professor of Music, was the guest conductor for the Illinois All-State Band Jan. 26-28^, 2012. Dr. Fisher notes, “I conducted 153 very talented, wonderful high school students from all 9 districts of the state of Illinois. We rehearsed 4 hours Thursday night, 9 hours on Friday and a had dress rehearsal on Saturday morning at the Civic Arena in Peoria, Illinois followed by the concert at 1 p.m., in front of approximately 5,000 people.”

Interdisciplinary

Maryanne Rusinak, Dr. David Settje, Dr. Robert Sorensen and Dr. Andrew Steinman have been selected to participate in the 2012 Information Fluency in the Disciplines: Workshop in Ancient Studies to take place March 22–24, 2012, in Baltimore, Md. The workshop has been made possible by the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and is co-sponsored by the Association of College and Research Libraries and the Council on Library and Information Resources. The workshop is also endorsed by the Appalachian College Association, the American Philological Association and the United Negro College Fund.

English

Dr. Michelle Morkert, Associate Professor of English, was invited as one of 12 US Women’s and Gender Studies scholars for a three-day intensive training in New York City June 20-23, 2012.

Biology

Dr. Rebecca Trueman, Assistant Professor of Biology, presented "Effective ecology pedogogy through GC/MS analysis of EDCs and PPCPs in a local river" at the Ecological Society of America meeting in Austin, Texas Aug. 8, 2011.

Human Performance

Prof. Caryn Putra, Assistant Professor of Human Performance, and a colleague have just completed the revision of curriculum titled “Walk Across Illinois.” Walk Across Illinois is an integrated Physical Education curriculum that takes students on a “virtual” walking tour of our state. Within each lesson students will participate in physical education and fitness activities as well as learn historical facts about the state. The project is sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance so pedestrian, bicycle, railroad and traffic safety lessons are integrated into each physical education lesson plan. The curriculum is divided into segments, which allow teachers to select any or all of the segments with their classes. Lesson are structured to be used for grades 3 and up but could be adapted for younger students. The curriculum guide is available for free to all Illinois schools.

Music

Jonathan Kohrs, MCM, assistant professor of music, presented “A Semiotic Analys of Richard Hillert’s Gloria’ at the North American Academy of Liturgy annual meeting in San Francisco, Jan 6-9

Interdisciplinary

President John F. Johnson, PhD, Jane Buerger, PhD, professor of mathematics, Sandra Doering, EdD, professor of teacher education, and Patricia Hoffman, PhD, professor of teacher education, contributed to Learning at the Foot of the Cross A Lutheran Vision for Education, edited by Joel Heck and Angus Menuge.

English

Jennifer Smith, MA, visiting professor of English, presented “Imagining the Future of Time in Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles” and “Illegible Truths and Legible Fictions in Faulkner’s ‘The Bear’” at the Midwest Modern Language Association Conference Nov. 4-7.

Mathematics and Computer Science

Mary Goetting, PhD, associate professor of mathematics and chair, department of mathematics and computer science, presented “Mixing It Up – Making Mixtures Meaningful” at the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual meeting in Springfield, Ill., Oct. 21-22, 2010.

Mathematics and Computer Science

Astrida Cirulis, DA, professor of mathematics, presented “Exploring the Platonic Solids” at the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual meeting in Springfield, Ill., Oct. 21-22. She is serving as president of the Illinois Math Teacher Educators.

Sociology and Social Work

Carol Jabs, PhD, associate professor of social work and director, social work program, received the Alumnus of the Year Award from Northwestern University’s Family Institute. The award is given to an individual to recognize significant scholarly and/or clinical contributions to the filed of marital and family therapy.

Theology/Languages

Alannah Hernandez, MA, assistant professor of Spanish and director, Academic Service Learning Center, presented “Manipulating Fear Through the Manifestation of the Uncanny in ‘El arbol’ by Elena Garro” and The Construction of Fear and Horror Through Prophetic Apocalyptic Discourse in The Sundial by Shirley Jackson” at the Midwest Modern Language Association Conference Nov. 4-7, 2010.

Music

Jonathan Stahlke, DMA, professor of music, presented “The Sojourner Experience: Micah and Adopting Six, Relating Our Experience Adopting a Sibling Group from Ukraine and Life Lessons Learned, as well Applications to the Classroom” at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties Conference in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 1-2.

Psychology

Sociology and Social Work

Damian Williams, PhD, assistant professor of sociology, defended his doctoral dissertation “Down and Out in Music City: The Urban Structuration of Homelessness,” Sept. 10 at Vanderbilt University.

Psychology

Jeremy Houska, PhD, assistant professor of psychology, was selected by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas President Neal Smatresk as an Outstanding Graduate. Houska will be honored Dec. 14, 2010 at the university’s Commencement ceremony.

Several Concordia University Chicago faculty will present at the Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011, including Kevin Borchers, MS, assistant professor of Christian education, on “Ministry to the Emerging Culture”; Katherine Brandon, MA, assistant professor of teacher education, on “Crossing Into Standards-Based Education”; and Kevin Brandon, EdD, dean of the College of Education and associate professor of teacher education, on “Dialogue with the Deans: Teacher Preparation at the Crossroads of Standards–based Training.” Michael Eschelbach, PhD, professor of theology and philosophy, will present “Accent on Apologetics: Paul’s Letter to the Galatians as Foundation and Springboard for Effectively Engaging Modern Society through Lutheran Schools”; and William Ewald, MBA, associate professor emeritus of business, will present "Courtship, Love and Marriage: Rules, Regulations and Practices in LCMS Administrative Offices, Institutions of Higher Education and Parish Schools.”

Additional presentations include Debra Herman, MFA, associate professor of art, on “Artists and Their Art: Sharing Visual Stories”; Carol Leli, EdD, assistant professor of curriculum, language and literacy, on “Crossing Over to New Literacies”; Lorinda Sankey, EdD, assistant professor of teacher education, on “Embracing Cultural Diversity”; and Lauren Wellen, PhD, associate professor of curriculum, language and literacy, “on “Crossing Over to New Literacies” and “Bridging Literature to Bible Stories."

Theology/Languages

Michael Eschelbach, PhD, professor of theology and philosophy, presented “Revelation and Anthropology in the Lutheran University: What We Know, Who We Are, and What Difference Does It Make?” at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties annual conference in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 1-3, 2010. A regular guest on “Studio A with Roland Lettner” on KFUO station in St. Louis, Mo., Eschelbach was interviewed on “Virtue in 2 Peter 1:5” Feb. 10 and “Baptism and the Holy Spirit” June 1 on the station.

Multiple Concordia University Chicago faculty and staff members participated in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Strategy Forum hosted by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association in May 2010. All participants are members of Concordia's AQIP Steering Committee. Faculty participating were Manfred Boos, PhD, distinguished professor of mathematics and computer science, Katherine Brandon, MA, assistant professor of teacher education, Mary Goetting, PhD, associate professor of mathematics, Lorinda Sankey, PhD, assistant professor of teacher education and Deborah Serra, PhD, professor of chemistry. Staff who participated were Christine Wedekind and Elizabeth Becker.

Theology/Languages

Andrew Steinmann, PhD, professor of theology and Hebrew, review of Paul Borgman, “David, Saul and God: Rediscovering an Ancient Story”was published Jan. 13, 2011 in the Review of Biblical Literature. Hisreview of Joshua Blau’s Phonology and Morphology of Biblical Hebrew “Linguistic Studies in Ancient West Semitic 2” was published in the December 2010 issue of The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. He also had his article “The Bible’s Big Story” published in the fall edition of Teachers Interaction. Steinmann is involved in a new project for Concordia Publishing House. Along with Reed Lessing, he will write an Old Testament isagogics (introductory study) textbook for seminary-level studies. This will be the first isagogics textbook published by CPH in over 40 years. He also spoke on the book of Daniel at the Columbus Indiana Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod Pastor’s conference.

Sociology and Social Work

Jodie Dewey, PhD, assistant professor of sociology, will present “Professionally-guided Patent Decision-making: How Medical and Mental Health Providers Treat Trans-identified Patients” at the Pacific Sociological Association 2011 Conference March 11-14 in Seattle, Wash. She presented part of her dissertation at the Canadian Professional Association of Transgender Health in Montreal, Quebec April 30, 2010. She defended her dissertation “How Medical and Mental Health Professionals Make Treatment Decisions with the Trans-Variant Patient” at Loyola University April 13, 2010.  She also presented “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Professionals’ Accounts of Treating the Trans-Identified Patient” at the Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University Second Annual Joint Gender and Women Studies Mini Conference March 20, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest.

Art, Communication, and Theatre

Debra Herman, MFA, associate professor of art, presented “Artists and Their Art: Sharing Visual Stories” to the Thatcher Woods Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa along with local public and private school teachers Nov. 17. She taught a May term class on book arts at Concordia University Nebraska. Herman will present “Artists and Their Art: Sharing Visual Stories” at the 2011 Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sociology and Social Work

Alton Clark Dubois, PhD, professor of social work and gerontology and chair of the department of sociology and social work, served as the moderator on the panel “Sexual Behavior: Global Perspectives” at the Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University Second Annual Joint Gender and Women Studies Mini Conference March 20, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest.

English

Michelle M. Gardner-Morkert, PhD, associate professor of English and coordinator of the Women’s and Gender Studies program, contributed a chapter to the upcoming anthology Women, War, and Violence: Personal Perspectives and Global Activism published by Palgrave Macmillian. She also served as the panel moderator for “Assumptions, Equity, and Social Change” at the Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University Second Annual Joint Gender and Women Studies Mini Conference March 20, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest.

Art, Communication, and Theatre

Susan Ericsson, PhD, assistant professor of communication, presented “Gender and the Melodramatic Turn in Far from Heaven” at the Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University Second Annual Joint Gender and Women Studies Mini Conference March 20, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest.

Theology/Languages

Thomas Von Hagel, PhD, professor of theology and languages, presented “A Rather Traditional Reading of Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle: The Imitation of Mary” at the Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University Second Annual Joint Gender and Women Studies Mini Conference March 20, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest.

Art, Communication, and Theatre

Laura Hudson Pollom, PhD, associate professor of communication and chair, department of art, communication and theatre, served as the moderator on the panel “Feminism and Christian Spirituality” at the Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University Second Annual Joint Gender and Women Studies Mini Conference March 20, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest.

Art, Communication, and Theatre

BettyAnn Mocek, MFA, professor of art and director, Ferguson Art Gallery, exhibited two works in “The Chicago Society of Artists Celebrates 125 Years in Chicago” group show at the Cook County Treasurer’s Office Nov. 24- Jan. 1. Her work was also exhibited in the Chicago: Urban/Convergence show at ARC Gallery throughout October in celebration of Chicago Artist’s Month. The Union League Civic and Arts Foundation also invited Mocek to a special luncheon in honor of Chicago Artists Month Oct. 6.

College of Business

“Prairie North: A joint civilian/military mass casualty exercise highlights the role of the National Guard in community disaster response,” George Vukotich, PhD; Jamil D. Bayram, MD, MPH, EMDM, MEd; Miriam I. Miller, MPH, CHEC, was published in American Journal of Disaster Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 1, Winter 2012

William Ewald, MBA, associate professor emeritus of business, will present "Courtship, Love and Marriage: Rules, Regulations and Practices in LCMS Administrative Offices, Institutions of Higher Education and Parish Schools" at the 2011 Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011. He presented “Marketing the Berlin Wall in America: Piece by Piece” at the annual meeting of the Society for German American Studies April 25-26, 2010.

College of Education

Teacher Education

Lorinda Sankey, PhD, assistant professor of teacher education, will present “Embracing Cultural Diversity” at the 2011 Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kevin Brandon, EdD, dean of the College of Education and associate professor of teacher education, was appointed Dean of the College of Education May 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012. He previously served Concordia University Chicago as intermin dean of the College of Education. He will also present “Dialogue with the Deans: Teacher Preparation at the Crossroads of Standards–based Training” at the 2011 Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Teacher Education

Katherine Brandon, MA, assistant professor of teacher education, presented "The Heart and Mind of Teaching" and "The Sounds of Our Language: Oral Language and Phonemic Awareness" at the Indiana District LCMS Early Childhood Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 14-16, 2010 which was developed by Lauren Wellen, EdD, associate professor of education in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs. She will also present “Crossing Into Standards Based Education” at the 2011 Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.   

College of Graduate and Innovative Programs

Dr. Michelle Turner Mangan, Associate Professor, Department of Research, received an Excellence Award in Service from the Faculty Association of National Louis University in recognition of her excellence in service as the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee & Co-Chair of Faculty Welfare and Compensation Committee during the 2011-2012 academic year. She was one of two faculty chosen from approximately 180 total nominees for the Excellence Award (and corresponding monetary prize) which was presented during a ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center on September 5 2012.

Dr. Ardelle Pate was the Keynote Speaker at Chicago State University for their adjunct faculty orientation and development day on September 22nd. Dr. Pate’s address was on “Knowledge and Communication through Emerging Technologies.”  Ardelle Pate is an Associate Professor in the Educational Design and Technology program (within the Department of Instructional Design and Technology) in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs.

Dr. Isabel Nunez appeared on Chicago Tonight http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2012/09/25/chicago-poised-major-charter-school-expansion

"Standardized Test Scores are Worst Way to Measure Teachers," was published in the Chicago Sun-Times on Sept. 12, 2012.

Dr. Thomas Jandris has been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the “Higher Education Redesign Initiative,” a five year research and dissemination initiative funded, in part, by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC).

The purpose of the project is:  To collaborate on a redesign initiative to transform higher education to better meet the needs of citizens, states and society.  The five year project will engage representative stakeholders to create innovative solutions, actionable plans, and prototypes aimed to improve educational outcomes.  The stakeholders will be selected from leaders and emerging leaders across public and private sectors including policymakers, researchers, designers, instructors, artists, policy analysts, business leaders, foundation officers, and advocates, with the goal of facilitating transformational change in higher education.

This transformation will occur, in part, through the creation of prototypes, models and policy solutions that address core obstacles in higher education access, affordability, and completion.  The activities of the researchers will be facilitated by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE), a partner in the initiative.

Dr. Andrew Tawfik  published

• "Why Do We Fall? Using Experiences of Failure to Design Case Libraries"(with  Jonassen, D., and Keene, C.). International Journal of Designs for Learning. 2012, in press.

• "Effectiveness of introducing problem-based learning in the undergraduate curriculum" (with Khanna, S., Winholtz, R., Jonassen, D., and Henry, H.). Proceedings of the ASME International Conference IMECE2012 November 9-15, 2012, Houston, TX. 2012.

Dr. Amanda Maddock’s  article, “Assessing partnership models: maintaining quality as professional doctoral candidates are prepared for independent research” was accepted for publication in the next issue of the Journal of Work Based Learning published in the UK. This article was a result of the project she did last year as part of her faculty load reduction for research.

Prof. Richard Richter gave the following presentations:

• Lutheran Education Conference for Southern Africa 2012, South Africa, September 8-16, “Global e-Learning Initiatives” presentation to Lutheran Teachers in Wartburg, Luneburg and Pretoria, South Africa

• SLATE, Midwest Blackboard Users Conference, Naperville, IL, October 11, 2012, “Getting Faculty Buy-in... With a Twist” (presented with John Schnack).

• iNACOL,  International Association for K-12 Online Learning, November 23, 2012, New Orleans, LA, “Using Online Discussion Forums Effectively:  The How What When Where and Why of Discussion Forums” (presented with Dr. Carol Reiseck).

Dr. Isabel Nunez (2012) edited Section 3: “Self, Sexuality and Teaching” and wrote the section’s introductory essay, ‘Teaching as Whole Self” in Sexualities in Education: A Reader, Erica Meiners and Therese Quinn (Eds.), Peter Lang publishing.

• was the lead author on the first research brief, released in February 2012, from Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE).  The  brief is called Testing Today in Context: History, Impact, Alternatives.  It is available in English and Spanish here: http://createchicago.blogspot.com/2012/02/create-research-brief-1-testing-today.html was an invited speaker on a panel, “Minority Women Professors Venturing on the Landscapes of Education, “ addressing the Society of Professors of Education on April 14th in Vancouver, Canada.  

Dr Isabel Nuñez, Dr. Pam Konkol and Dr. Simeon Stumme presented a paper,  “ To ‘know thyself’ is not enough: Envisioning a teaching life through autobiographical narrative,”  at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, April 15, Vancouver, Canada.

Nuñez, I., Konkol, P. J. and Schultz, B. D.  Troubling the (Public) Rhetoric of School Reform: The New Visions and Familiar Conflicts of CReATE (Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association.  Vancouver, BC, Canada.  April, 2012.

Dr. Isabel Nuñez and Dr. Pam Konkol. So/ewing Creativity: Portrait of a Student-Directed Capstone Experience. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association for Multicultural Education.  Chicago, IL. November, 2011.

Dr Pam Konkol and Dr. Isabel Nuñez.  Reworking the Intersections Between Self and Others: The Role of Autobiographical Narrative in Envisioning Oneself a Teacher of Diverse Students. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association for Multicultural Education.  Chicago, IL. November, 2011.

Dr. Pamela Konkol:

• Publications:  Konkol, P. J. (2011).  Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Community Activism as Curriculum Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice, 24(4).

• presented  Ethos?  Ethic? Does it even matter? Troubling the consequences of the words we choose,” at the annual meeting of the American Educational Studies Association.  St. Louis, MO.  November, 2011.

• The Council for Social Foundations of Education Committee on Academic Standards and Accreditation. Reframing the Discipline: Standards for Academic and Professional Instruction in Foundations of Education, Educational Studies, and Educational Policy Studies.  Invited presentation at the annual meeting of the American Educational Studies Association.  St. Louis, MO. November, 2011.

• Konkol, P. J., Rayle, J. and Christie, H.K. Education, Ethics and the Construction of Conscience. Panel presentation at the annual meeting of the American Educational Studies Association.  St. Louis, MO. November, 2011.

Dr. Sandra Doering published (May, 2012) a children's book called "Molly Finds a Family".  It is a transitional chapter book (28 pages long) written on a late 1st grade/beginning 2nd grade level.  It is for children ready to make the jump to chapter books.   You can read all about the book at the following website:  http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000564860/Molly-Finds-a-Family.aspx.   

If people are interested in buying this book for their children or grandchildren, Dr. Doering has them at the author's discounted price of $10.00 each.  Just contact her at x3051.

Several of Prof. Nikkole Huss’ encaustic paintings from her faculty research grant, Artist in Residence were on display in National Natural, a solo exhibition at Gallery Uno in Chicago

Dr. Dan Tomal, professor of leadership, gave a presentation on” Ethics and Leadership” at Wheaton College on April 9, 2012.

While many were watching the news related to the May NATO Summit recently held in Chicago, Dr. Dan Tomal took a proactive part and worked with military members who were in the area. He conducted a well-received workshop related to responding to a crisis and effectively working with team members. The program developed as a result of discussions between Dr. Tomal and Dr. GeorgeVukotich, who is a member of the National Guard.

Dr. Pamela Zimmerman presented a national webinar to LEA participants on Thursday, May 10th entitled " Common Core Standards:  Preparing America's Children for Success in the 21st Century." 

 Dr. Claudia Santin (2012) coauthored Chapter 10: Socially Responsible Approaches to Using Technology in the 21st Century in The Refractive Thinker®: Vol: VII: Social Responsibility.

Dr. Craig Schilling has been selected to present at the ASBO International Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in October, 2012.  Dr. Schilling will present, Control and Manage the Highest Cost Portion of the Budget: Personnel. The program focuses on the synergy and teamwork that must exist between Human Resources and Financial professionals as they define the issues to be solved by an integrated solution, including work flow processes, and determine how to identify and select the application that will best meet the needs of the district. Topics to be covered, and discussed with the audience in detail, include: position control, the tools required to manage the highest cost portion of the budget: personnel, the importance of a core data repository, the meaning and definition of ‘accountability’, authorization (prior to timesheet transactions), and visibility. Team composition and management throughout the selection process, as well as the role of the chief school business official in the process.

Dr. Andrew Tawfik

• Successfully defended his dissertation, “The Role of Failure in the Construction of Case Libraries” on Jan. 21, 2012 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

• Was selected as a reviewer for the “Journal of Online Learning & Teaching” 

Dr. Suzanne Walsh presented “Measure of Religiosity” at the Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Annual Conference, Indiana Wesleyan University, June 8, 2012.

Dr. Yurimi Grigsby was elected as a Member-At-Large for the Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages-Bilingual Education (ITBE). This professional, non-profit organization promotes and supports research and instruction in the teaching of standard English to speakers of other languages or dialects and in bilingual education. Her term of service goes through June of 2014.

Dr.  Judy Skorek participated in an interview for the RedEye newspaper regarding some of her research on bully behavior. http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/ct-red-workplace-bullying-20120408,0,4181707.story

Dr. Donna Blaess and Dr. Kathryn Hollywood will present "Preparing the Professoriate to Prepare Globally Competent Leaders"  at the Association of Leadership Educators' annual conference: "Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude: Discovering the Keys to Innovation in Leadership Education." July 8-11^th in Key West, FL.

Dr. Heather Harder made the following presentations at the International Reading Conference  April 29-May 2, Chicago.

• “Bibliotherapy Book Selection: The Do's & Don'ts to Maximize Success & Support the Gifted”    

• “Using Bibliotherapy to Develop Critical and Creative Thinking”  

• “Using Bibliotherapy to Teach Emotional Resilience “

Dr. Yurimi Grigsby and Dr. Lauren Wellen presented, “Instructional Strategies for Developing the Literacy of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: A Balanced Approach to Literacy”  on Feb. 24, 2012 at Illinois Teachers of ESOL and Bilingual Education (ITBE)’s 38^th Annual Convention: Getting the Balance Right in Lisle, Illinois. 

Drs. Grigsby and Wellen also wrote an article for the Spring 2012 Convention Issue of the ITBE Newsletter with the same title as our presentation.  The newsletter is fully online with clickable links and full color. Use the link below to go straight to the current issue.   http://www.itbe.org/docs/Spring 2012 ITBE Newsletter Issue 1 of ITBE LINK.pdf

Dr. Lauren Wellen’s article “Early Childhood Education in the United States: Emphasis on Diversity of Learners” was published in the Polish journal, Problemy Wczesnej Edukacji, translated Problems in Early Childhood Education/Issues in Early Childhood Education on April 15, 2012.    

The following faculty presented at the Women and Gender Studies Conference on March 31^st at Dominican University.

• Alannah Ari Hernandez, “Paradigms of Power: Constructing the Female Other Through Patriarchy and Race in “El árbol” by Elena Garro”

• Lila Kurth, “I Couldn’t Seem to Strike No Places to Harden Me Against Him”: Huckleberry Finn Discovers His Feminine Side

• Panel: The Evolution of Female Leaders

Moderators: Cynthia Grant and L. Arthur Safer  Panelists: Susan L. Mann, Adjunct Professor; Jennifer Groh, Ph.D. Candidate; Lisa West, M.Ed. Candidate;

Dr. Michael Wannah presented “A Comparative Analysis of Formal Traditional African Educational System (the “Bush” School) and Formal Western Education in Liberia and Sierra Leone” at the 44^th annual Liberian Studies Association Conference on March 29 at Cornell University in New York. The conference was sponsored by The Liberian Studies Association in collaboration with the Cornell Institute for African Development.

Dr. Wannah spoke at Loyola University’s Comparative and International Education Graduate Students speaker series on March 13th.

As part of New Media Consortium and the Horizon Report, Dr. Ardelle Pate will present her paper "Meaningful Conversations: Social Presence Through Social Netiquette" as a Breakout Session for the 2012 NMC Summer Conference, to be held on June 12-15 in Boston, Massachusetts, and hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Three faculty members of the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Drs. Donna Blaess, Kathryn Hollywood, and Cynthia Grant had their article, “Preparing the Professoriate to Prepare Globally Competent Leaders,” accepted for publication in the (2012, April) Journal of Leadership Studies.

The essay, “Consciousness, Philosophy of Education, Technology, and Language Acquisition” by Daniel J. K. Bardy (with) Laura Hawkinson will appear as Chapter 8 in the forthcoming, Essays in Helping Diverse Student Attain Educational Success: When the Classroom isn’t White and Middle Class, edited by Professor of Education James Etim (Concordia University Chicago Alum) from the University of North Carolina Winston-Salem, published by Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston, New York. 2012.

 This collection of essays examines the interrelationships between family, the school and educational success for students traditionally at risk, with a focus on practical strategies to help educators develop these essential relationships.  

Laura Hawkinson is graduating in May 2012 from Concordia University Chicago with a dual degree from the College of Business and the College of Arts and Science in Business Communications and Spanish.  Dr. Dan Bardy is Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Language, and Literacy.

Dr. Andrew Tawfik published the following article:

Henry, Holly R.; Tawfik, Andrew A.; Jonassen, David H.; Winholtz, Robert A.; and Khanna, Sanjeev (2012) "“I Know This is Supposed to be More Like the Real World, But . . .”: Student Perceptions of a PBL Implementation in an Undergraduate Materials Science Course," Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning: Vol. 6: Iss. 1, Article 5.

Dr. Tawfik also serves as a reviewer for the journal: Current Issues in Education.

Dr. Claudia Santin cowrote the eBook, Academic Publishing and Professional Development in the New Millennium with Drs. McDaniel and Shaw, published in the February 2012 by the eLearning Institute.                                   

Dr. Paul Sims presented:

•  "Implementing Professional Learning Communities" to principals and teachers from ten schools of the Diocese of Joliet on February 27^th.

•  “Homework That Works” and “Formative and Summative Assessment” to principals and teachers from the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Joliet on March 5^th.

Dr. Pamela Zimmerman gave a presentation, "Designing Quality Assessments:  How to know what our students are learning” to the DuPage Valley Social Studies Conference Annual Institute Day March 3^rd

Dr. Nancy Gibson, Department of Education Leadership, traveled to three countries in December and January as a member of a delegation of ASCD Board of Directors under the leadership of Dr. Gene Carter, CEO and Executive Director of the national organization ASCD.  As a delegate, she visited schools in China, Thailand, and Vietnam.  Multiple opportunities for dialogue and conversation regarding issues facing educators around the globe were provided. The delegates spoke with educators from research foundations, government officials, private and public school teachers and university professors at teacher training institutions.  One of the highlights of the trip was a special invitation to a Thai Ministry of Education Reception and Dinner for ten visiting Ministers of Education from ten Asian countries.  The dinner featured Thai food and the entertainment was provided by groups of children from each country who sang and danced to their native music dressed in national folk costumes. Each minister was introduced as was the ASCD delegation.  According to Dr. Gibson, it was a lovely and special evening.

Dr. Craig Schilling was chosen as a member of  the Board of Advisors of the National Education Finance Conference.  The board is composed of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers in both elementary and secondary education as well as higher education.

Andrew Tawfik, PhD, assistant professor, co-authored, “Human-Computer Interaction Factors in Designing Educational Video Games” published in Current Issues in Education. In addition, Dr. Tawfik was appointed to the review board for the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies.  

Thomas Jandris, PhD, Dean of the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, was appointed to the “Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Education” committee of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools.

Margaret Trybus, PhD, assistant dean of graduate studies, was appointed to a four year term beginning in 2012 to the International Editorial Board of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a society for key women educators.

Amanda Maddocks, PhD, director of academic research, and Dara Soljaga, PhD, associate professor of curriculum, language and literacy, co-presented “Integrating the Research: Co-Teaching to Prepare Reading Specialists to be Specialists in Research,” at the Mid-West Educational Research Association in Evanston, November 7-10. Additionally, Dr. Maddocks chaired two sessions at the conference including, “Real World Issues in Education Informed by Research Methodology” and “Promoting Student Success in Graduate Programs”.

Christopher Lilly, PhD, associate professor of curriculum, presented, “The Evolution of Education and Learning: The Brain is Adapting, Are You?” at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, August 9. 

Thomas Jandris, PhD, Dean of the College of Education and Vice President of Educational Innovation, delivered the keynote address on Oct. 5th at the internationally promoted EduTech 2011 Showcase and Forum at the University of Minnesota.  The title of his address was, “Education Technology – From the Technology Entrepreneur’s Back Room to the Innovative Classroom”

Dr. Thomas Jandris, the keynote speaker for TiE Minnesota, EduTech 2011, was featured in:
”Want ed-tech boom? Go for 'disruptive innovation,' Thomas Jandris says” (Beth Hawkins, MinnPost.com, Oct. 7, 2011),

Jon Carson, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and Martha Kanter, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, invited Dr. Thomas Jandris to a meeting at the White House on October 28, 2011. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a briefing on exciting and important work being carried out by higher education institutions and stakeholders focused on civic learning and democratic engagement.

Dr. Thomas Jandris has accepted an invitation to join the Council of the American Commonwealth Partnership (ACP), extended for his outstanding leadership in public engagement. He was appointed to the ACP Policy Initiative and The Deliberative Dialogue Initiative. In those capacities, Dr. Jandris will join other national and state policy makers and higher education leaders for the following purposes:

• Working with the US Department of Education to focus on recommending new state education policies to strengthen the engagement of the higher education community.

• Collaborating with the National Issues Forums Institute to help define the role of higher education in “America’s collective future.

Tomorrow’s Promise: Vision 2020, a community partnership program with Concordia University Chicago, Fifth Third Bank and Proviso Township School District 209, held a Back to School send-off party at CUC for the Tomorrow’s Promise students and their families. Under the leadership of Dr. Tom Jandris and Fifth Third Bank, 18 students received a packet of school supplies in preparation of their first day of high school. The event was featured as a “High Five” story on the NBC 5 Chicago 10 p.m. news. Congratulations to our Tomorrow’s Promise students!

Dr. Heather Harder, Associate Professor in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, was installed as the new president of the Illinois Reading Council’s College Instructors of Reading Professionals. This organization represents all reading and literacy college/university faculty throughout Illinois. 

Dr. Heather Harder’s article, “How to Create an Amazing Classroom Library,” was published in the August issue of the Illinois Reading Council Communicator (Vol. 35, Number 1).

Paul Bucchi, PhD, visiting professor in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, had his paper “The Role of Disintermediation in E-Commerce" published in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Business Leadership Today.

Richard Richter, Director of Instructional Design, co-presented at the SLATE Conference on the topic “Beyond Quality Matters: Evaluating Online Teaching (Not Course Design). SLATE is one of the largest Blackboard user groups in the country. The conference was held at the Gleacher Center of the University of Chicago Oct. 13-14, 2011.

Dr. Donna Blaess, Associate Professor of Leadership, Dr. Paul Bucchi, Visiting Associate Professor of Leadership, and Dr. Kathy Hollywood, Assoicate Professor of Leadership, presented ”Moving Mission to Action”  at  the Association of Lutheran College Faculties Annual Conference at Concordia University Texas held Oct. 7-9, 2011. Particular attention was given to servant leadership and knowledge management, which are leadership specializations developed by Drs. Blaess and Bucchi, respectively.

Dr. Ardelle Pate, Associate Professor in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, participated in the Rahm Emanuel and the Obama Administration's invite-only conference for "The Common Good" on Dec. 6 at the UIC forum in Chicago. This small conference was part of The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and offered participants the opportunity to share knowledge and resources in a small-group workshops with other faith-based organizational leaders at the national and state level. She also  presented "A Christian Perspective on OERs (Open Educational Resources)" at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties Annual Conference at Concordia Univeristy, Austin, Texas, on October 7-9, 2011. 

Dr. Yurimi Grigsby, Dr. Shirley Morgenthaler, Dr. Ursula Ricketts and Dr. Carolyn Theard-Griggs presented “Identifying Social Factors necessary for Successful Cultural and Academic Engagement for Amerasian Youth in Okinawa” at the Hawaii International Conference on Education in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 4-7, 2012.

Dr. Yurimi Grigsby, Associate Professor in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, will present “Teacher resistance to classroom diversity and strategies for the teacher educator when facing that resistance” at the Third Asian Conference on Education October 27-30, 2012 in Osaka, Japan.

Dr. Lauren Wellen, Associate Professor in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, edited the booklet, Celebrate! The Wisdom and Work of Dr. Shirley K. Morgenthaler and Marilyn Lindeman, in honor of the co-founders of Concordia University Chicago’s Early Childhood Annual Conference.  As part of the 35^th Annual Conference celebration, the booklets were distributed to conference participants in honor of these two colleagues.   

Amanda Smith, PhD, associate professor of curriculum, language and literacy and chair, curriculum, language and literacy, and Daniel Bardy, EdD, associate professor of teacher education, have been appointed members of the editorial board of the Journal of Interdisciplinary Philology by the dean of the faculty of science at the University of Ilina in Slovakia.

Anthony Przeklasa, PhD, assistant professor of leadership, completed the first cycle of peer reviewing Psychosocial and Behavioral Research Grant Proposals for the American Cancer Society.

Jie Lin, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and research, wrote “Promoting Diversity: Recruiting and Retaining Minority Faculty” that was published in the Lutheran Education Journal.  

Cynthia Grant, PhD, assistant professor of assistant professor of foundations, social policy and research, Isabel Nunez, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and research, and Pamela Konkol, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and research, wrote “Visibility Matters-Higher Education, Teacher and Social Worker Preparation in Illinois: A Web-based Assessment of LGBTQ Presence,” published by Safe Schools Alliance.

Donna Blaess, PhD, associate professor of leadership, and Cynthia Grant, PhD, assistant professor of foundations, social policy and research, wrote “A Survey of Graduate Student Academic and Psychosocial Service Needs,” published in the Lutheran Education Journal.

Naveeda Athar, EdD, associate professor of counselor education and director, mental health clinic, presented “South Asian and Family Violence” at the Illinois Counseling Association 2010 conference Nov. 13, 2010 in Lisle, Ill.

Gregory Michie, PhD, professor of foundations, social policy and research, had his article printed in The Washington Post Jan. 9, 2011. He presented the keynote address “Embers of Hope: In Search of the Democratic Ideal in Education” at the Education Symposium for the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture’s 40th Anniversary Nov. 4, 2010. He was also the keynote speaker at the National Network for Educational Renewal 2010 Conference in Bloomington, Ill., Oct. 7-9, 2010. He also presented “Between Miracles and Metal Detectors: Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools” at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y., Oct. 18, 2010.

Paul Sims, PhD, assistant professor of leadership, presented “Come and Get Fed: A CAFÉ Experience of Professional Development for Faculty at Concordia University Chicago” at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties conference in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 1-3, 2010. 

Donna Blaess, PhD, associate professor of education, and Kathryn Hollywood, PhD, director of partnership and distance learning, presented “The Servant Leader as Facilitator of e-Learning” at the 2010 Pacific Northwest Region Conference on Servant Leadership at Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, Ore., Oct. 21-22, 2010.

Instructional Design

Prof. Richard Richter,  Prof. Scott Schuth and Dr. Paul Sims, along with colleagues, wrote "Come and Get Fed: A CAFE Experience of Professional Development for Faculty at Concordia University Chicago," which will be published in the January 2012 edition of the International Journal of Educational Leadership (IJELP).

Samuel M. Kwon, PhD, assistant professor of instructional design and technology, presented “The Academy and the Inner-City: The Impact of Collaborative Instructional Design and Technology Activities on a University-High School Partnership for Urban School Improvement” at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 1-3, 2010.

Jie Lin, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and research, Cynthia Grant, PhD, assistant professor of research, and Amanda Maddocks, PhD, associate professor of leadership, presented “Listening to faculty voice during transitions at a Lutheran University” at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties conference in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 1-3, 2010.

Several faculty of the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs participated in the American Educational Research Association Conference in Denver April 24-May 3, 2010. Presentations included Pamela Konkol, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and resarch and Isabel Nunez, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and research on "Confronting the Mirror: Painting a Portrait of Tension in Teacher Preparation"; and Nunez on "Colonizing Curriculum: How the Thinking Function Learns to Dominate the Psyche." Dara Soljaga, PhD, associate professor of curriculum, language and literacy, and Simeon Stumme, PhD, assistant professor of foundations, social policy and research, also presented "Oppsoing Dominant Discourse: Identity Construction as an Active Process."

Carol Reiseck, EdD, associate professor of leadership, and Richard Richter, MA, assistant professor of instructional design and technology and director, instructional design and technology will present "Creating a Climate for Innovation: Addressing Barriers to Change" at the Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C) International Conference in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 3-5, 2010.

Isabel Nunez, PhD, associate professor of foundations, social policy and research, was elected co-chair of the Ella Baker/Septima Clark Human Rights Award Committee. She co-authored "Part V: Guide to New Resources" published in Multicultural Perspectives: An Offical Journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education. She also serves as program chair of Division B: Curriculum Studies for the American Educational Research Association.   

Tom Jandris, PhD, vice president for educational innovation, professor of educational leadership and dean of the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, was the keynote speaker at the National Conference for TIE in Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 20, 2010.

Ursula P. Ricketts, EdD, assistant professor of curriculum, language and literacy, presented “Personal Integration: Faith in the Classroom, Faith and Vocation, Balancing Family and Vocation” at the 75th Annual Meeting of the Association of Lutheran Colleges Faculties at Concordia University Irvine Oct. 1-3, 2010. She will also present "Culturally Relevant vs. Multicultural Pedagogy" at the 2011 ASCD, formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Annual Conference, March 26-28, in San Francisco, Calif.

Margaret Trybus, EdD, assistant dean of the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, has been elected president for the Iota Chapter of Lambda State in Illinois for the Delta Kappa Gamma Society 2010-2012.

Susan Bridge, EdD, associate professor of educational leadership, and Brenda Graham, EdD, professor of leadership, presented “From Presidential Policy to Classroom Reality: The Indelible Impact of ESEA” at the American Institute of Higher Education’s 5th International Conference in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2010.

Carol Leli, EdD, assistant professor of curriculum, language and literacy, will present “Dinosaurs or Digital Citizens…Discovery through Children’s Literature” at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers 2010 conference in Omaha, Neb., Nov 4-7. She will also present “Crossing Over to New Literacies” at the 2011 Lutheran Education Association Convocation March 24-26, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Instructional Design

Scott Schuth, MA, associate professor of instructional technology, presented "The Road to Outcomes Assessment" at the Blackboard BbWorld 2010 Conference July 15, 2010.

Instructional Design

Ardelle Pate, PhD, associate professor of instructional design and technology and chair, department of instructional design and technology, is conducting a series of six technology workshops on 21st Century Learners in the Christian Classroom for Immanuel Lutheran School in Crystal Lake, Ill. She gave the keynote address “School Reform: the National Educational Technology Plan 2010” at the Bellwood School District 88 in-service Nov. 23. She also presented “Transitioning our Classrooms into the Digital Age” at the Association of Lutheran College Faculties in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 1-3, 2010, and “Tailoring the Syllabus to Create Social Presence with an Online Discussion Forum” at the ED-MEDIA 2010 World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications in Toronto, Canada June 28-July 2, 2010.

Daniel Bardy, EdD, associate professor of teacher education, has been named co-chair of the Global Education Committee for the World Council of Curriculum and Instruction for a two-year term. He presented “Rudolf Steiner’s (1865-1920) View of Technology and the Spirit World,” “The Cahokia Indian Nation” and “Microcephelic Individuals and Consciousness” at the Saxion University, Academie Pedagogiek en Onderwijs in Deventer, The Netherlands March 22-26, 2010. Bardy was also selected by the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI) to present “Technostress is Technostress in Any Language: The Management of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Communication in Reducing Technostress: Lessons Learned by Librarians and Instructors” at the 14th World Conference in Education in Pécs, Hungary July 11-17, 2010.

Amanda Maddocks, PhD, associate professor of leadership,presented “Is Fidelity an Appropriate Measure of Quality in Online Delivery?” at the 26th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning in Madison, Wis., in August 2010. She also received the Concordia-Chicago Summer Faculty Research Grant for her work on the evaluation of faculty response to college reorganization

Instructional Design

Michael Sukowski, MEd, assistant professor of instructional design and technology, is consulting with the Myria Reed Foundation for Children with Special Need. Mike will work with the foundation, teachers and parents to provide flexible approaches and technologies that can be customized and adapted for individual student needs. He also served as a moderator for the Chicago Area Faculty Development Network panel discussion and workgroup at Judson University Nov. 19, 2010. He received the SLATE Star Award at the 8^th annual SLATE 2010 Conference Oct. 22, 2010. The award is given to an individual who has shown leadership, demonstrated initiatives, presented new ideas, improved procedures, established effective relationships or provided substantial resources that have effected the success and promotion of SLATE, the educational experience, and/or the general Blackboard Community of Practice. While there, he also presented “Portfolios: From Student Assessments to Interviewing Tool.” Sukowski’s other presentations include “Newspaper Design for Non-designers” for Concordia-Chicago’s Spectator staff Sept. 22, 2010 and “Teaching with Wikis & Google Docs & Google Sites” at Concordia-Chicago Oct. 27, 2010. Sukowski presented “Bringing BB9 to the Community: A Variety of Solutions” at the BbWorld 2010 in Orlando, Fla., July 13-16, 2010. He presented “Portfolio: From Student Assessment to Interviewing Tool” at the Mid-Central Illinois Region Scholastic Art Awards Honors Day Assembly at Springfield College in Illinois on Feb. 26, 2010.

Lauren Wellen, PhD, associate professor of curriculum, language and literacy, has been elected a member of the 2010 Golden Apple Foundation selection committee, which honored 10 outstanding high school teachers with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in May 2010. Wellen will be the keynote speaker at the Indiana District Early Childhood Conference Aug. 10, 2010  where she will present “The Heart and Mind of Teaching” and “The Sounds of Our Language: Oral Language and Phonemic Awareness.” She will also present “Crossing Over to New Literacies” and “Bridging Literature to Bible Stories” at the 2011 Lutheran Education Symposium March 24-26, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

L. Arthur Safer, PhD, professor of leadership, volunteered Aug. 22-27, 2010 in the national Common Ground’s 100,000 Homes Campaign. In cooperation with the Chicago Department of Family Services and the Franciscan Outreach Association, the goal is to identify long-term homeless individuals who may be eligible for permanent housing. He also presented “Chicago HOPES: An Educational Intervention Program for Homeless Youth in Chicago Shelters” at the Illinois Education Research Council annual research symposium in Champaign, Ill., June 9, 2010. He was elected to the Board of Directors for the Chicago Franciscan Outreach Association.

Cynthia Grant, PhD, assistant professor of foundations, social policy and research presented “Ask the Experts: Understanding Your Diagnosis,” for the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness Metro suburban chapter in Oak Park, Ill., January 2010. She was also appointed interim coordinator of CUC’s program, Tomorrow’s Promise: Vision 2020, in partnership with Fifth-Third Bank and Bellwood School District 88. Grant presented her dissertation research "An Exploration of the Interpersonal Research Experience of Participants with Schizophrenic Disorders: A Mixed Method Study" at the 22nd National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work at Ohio State University May 1, 2010.

Heather Harder, PhD, associate professor of reading, was invited to serve on the Manuscript Review Panel for the International Reading Association. She completed her 21st ongoing radio interview with Charlene Springer, radio host on WSTX-AM 970 in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She has been consulting on-air with Cecile Galiber DeJongh (U.S. Virgin Islands First Lady) and Cheryl Barnes Francis (wife of Lt. Governor Gregory Francis) on education initiatives for youth and families of the U.S. Virgin Islands. She also presented at presented two workshops at the Illinois State Reading Conference in Springfield, Ill. She led “Vocabulary Development: Building a Positive Relation with Words is the Key to Reading Success” March 19, 2010 and “Bibliotherapy: Using Children’s Books to Identify and Heal Emotional Wounds” March 20, 2010. She is president-elect of College Instructors of Reading Professionals for the Illinois Reading Council.

Instructional Design

Richard Richter ’72 MA ’76, assistant professor of instructional design and technology and director, instructional design and technology, spoke at the Lutheran Educator International Education Conference Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2010 in Bethlehem, Palestine. He joined other Lutheran educators in examining how a Christian worldview relates to their school and its context. He also co-presented “Digital and Visual Literacy” at the Learning 2010 Conference in Shanghai, China Sept. 16-18, 2010. Richter authored “Why is the Question, ‘What is the Role of Technology in Faith Formation?’ Important?” that was published in the fall 2010 edition of Issues in Christian Education.