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Columbus State University News

New Faculty This Fall Will Reinforce Key Programs

September 8, 2004

CSU has opened the fall 2004 semester with 32 new full-time professors and instructors whose expertise range from political philosophy to cardiovascular nursing and astrophysics.

In the College of Science, astrophysicist Zodiac Webster will guide a physics-lab upgrade and introduce radio astronomy. We hired her for her interest in teaching physics, but her interest in astronomy is a big plus, said professor and chemistry/geology department chair Tom Hanley.

Installation of a pair of radio telescopes will allow Webster to direct CSU-student research of galactic hydrogen gas and related subjects. The system is expected to be operable in 2005. Webster also will engage students in projects concerning star and planet formation. She has explored such topics through her University of California-Berkley doctoral dissertation and subsequent, related publications as a faculty member at California State University, San Bernardino.

The activities will reinforce CSUs astronomy program, a popular elective program, anchored by CSUs Mead Observatory at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Webster, though, cites the space centers role as a resource for teacher training:

I am strongly interested in science teacher education and the space science center is a vital center for this in this region.

In addition to working with CSU students interested in becoming secondary science teachers, Webster also will succeed retired professor Francis Gardner as regional Science Olympiad director. Teams of middle school students throughout west central Georgia compete in the CSU-hosted event every spring.

Another College of Science newcomer, Lisa Price will teach upper-level nursing classes with 18 years of experience of cardiovascular and intensive care nursing. Her colleague Brenda Brown arrives with 23 years of experience including surgical nursing and mental health nursing. The pair arrives to bolster CSUs nursing program as it participates in a $3.8 million second-phase University System of Georgia program to add more than 700 nurses and other specialists to Georgia hospitals.

Meanwhile, Daniel Van Kley arrives from Auburn University to add political, economic and scientific components to CSUs philosophy program.

We competed very well for new faculty this year and have recruited the brightest and the best from across the country. They are a diverse group, attracted by opportunities to engage students in the learning process. It was a thrill to welcome them to CSU and help get them started on their first terms here, said CSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Martha Saunders

In the College of Education, Bill Hortmann and Justin Finney arrive from the Muscogee County School District. Hortmann, the former MCSD superintendent for administration, will serve as assessment coordinator and teach courses in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership and Professional Studies. Finney, a former Rothschild Middle School teacher, will teach and serve as coordinator in the history education program.

D. Abbott Turner College of Business additions include John Finley who has served TSYS as a research and development specialist and liaison to MasterCard Europe and MasterCard International. Finley becomes a full-time CSU faculty member following part-time instructor service, as does Shana Young , Lisa Cesnik and Michelle Jones . Jones, who will serve as a liaison to the College of Education, is a Columbus native and graduate of Spencer High School where she was senior-class valedictorian.

More notable faculty moves include:

Professor Ric Long moves to the College of Educations Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership and Professional Studies after 13 years in the College of Arts and Letters Department of Communication.

The Schwob School of Music welcomes just one addition recently-appointed director Larry Kaptain while Moffatt Williams moves from temporary instructor to associate professor.

Visiting archaeology professor Karen Stothert is the fall 2004 Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Eminent Scholar in Latin American Studies. Stothert, research associate for the University of Texas Center for Archaeological Research, is noted for pioneering the study of Preceramic Coastal Ecuador and recovering the earliest evidence for domesticated agricultural plants in South America.

CSU adds an international law expert in John Van Doorn who joins the political science faculty from Oklahoma State University.

Fall 2004 New Faculty

College of Arts and Letters
Erika M. Adams, assistant professor of art, received a masters degree from the University of New Mexico and bachelors degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Nikita Y. Harris, assistant professor of communication, holds a doctorate from Howard University, a masters degree from Auburn University, and bachelors degree from Clark Atlanta University.
Retha J. Martin, assistant professor of communication, holds a doctorate from the University of Tennessee, a juris doctorate from Indiana University and bachelors degree from Taylor University
Shana D. Young, temporary assistant professor of communication, received her masters degree from Auburn University and bachelors degree from Valdosta State University. She has taught at CSU as a part-time instructor.
Michael P. Bailey, assistant professor of criminal justice, received a bachelors degree and masters degree in public administration from CSU, and is completing his dissertation for a University of Alabama doctorate.
Kyongseon Jeon, assistant professor of linguistics, has a doctorate from Georgetown University and masters degree from the University of Texas.
Tyrone Jones, assistant professor of language and literature, holds masters and bachelors degrees from the University of Alabama.
Laurence D. Kaptain, director of the Schwob School of Music, holds a University of Michigan doctorate, a masters degree from the University of Miami and a bachelors degree from Ball State University.
John Van Doorn, assistant professor of political science, holds an Oklahoma University doctorate, a masters degree from Georgia State University and bachelors degree from Berry College.
Timothy P. McGraw, associate professor of theatre, holds a masters degree from Wayne State University.
Lisa M. Cesnik, temporary assistant professor of theatre, holds a masters degree from the University of Georgia and bachelors degree from Ball State University. She has been teaching at CSU as a part-time instructor.
D. Abbott Turner College of Business
John T. Finley, temporary assistant professor of business administration, has served TSYS as a research and development specialist and liaison to MasterCard Europe and MasterCard International. A part-time instructor at CSU since 2001, he holds a CSU MBA and a master of arts and doctorate from the University of Georgia. He earned his bachelors degree from Roanoke College.
Teresa K. Lang, assistant professor of accounting and computer information systems, holds a masters degree and doctorate from Auburn University and a bachelors degree from the University of Florida.
Eric F. Travis, temporary instructor of business administration, will teach international business and international management. He holds a bachelors degree in anthropology from Georgia State University and masters degrees in international affairs and business administration from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Beverly Venable, assistant professor of marketing, specializes in marketing research and international marketing. She arrives from the faculty of East Carolina University with a doctorate from the University of Mississippi, a masters degree from Samford University and a bachelors degree from the University of Alabama.
College of Education
Jan Gunnels Burcham, associate professor of education, joins CSU following 18 years on the Troy State University faculty. She holds a doctorate and bachelors degree from Auburn University and a masters degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. In addition to teaching, Burcham will serve as early childhood program coordinator in the Department of Teacher Education.
Patricia P. Duttera, associate professor of education, has extensive teaching and administrative experience in P-12 schools, as well as consultative work relating to school improvement with the George Department of Education. She holds a doctorate and education specialist degree from Auburn University, a masters degree from Georgia State University and a bachelors degree from Troy State University. She will teach educational leadership courses in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership and Professional Studies, and will assist with graduate educational foundation courses.
Justin M. Finney, full-time instructor of education, will teach history education courses and serve as history education program coordinator. He arrives from a teaching position at Rothschild Middle School in Columbus with CSU bachelors and masters degrees. He also is pursuing an education specialist degree at CSU.
J. William Hortman, associate professor of education, will teach courses in Counseling, Educational Leadership and Professional Studies and serve as the College of Education assessment coordinator. He arrives from the Muscogee County School District where he served as associate superintendent for administration, technology and information. He holds a doctorate in the administration of higher education and statistics from the University of Alabama and bachelors and masters degrees from Valdosta State University.
H. Marguerite Yates, assistant professor of education, will teach early childhood education courses. She recently earned a doctorate from Auburn University where she was named the 2003 Outstanding Graduate Student in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching.
College of Science
Zodiac Webster, assistant professor of chemistry and geology, joins CSU from the California State University San Bernardino faculty where she taught physics and astronomy, published several articles on astrophysics and had extensive experience organizing and delivering lab instruction, mentoring undergraduates, training lab instructors and working with inservice teachers. She graduated magna cum laude from Mt. Holyoke College with a bachelors degree in physics. After teaching briefly at the Kent School in Connecticut and working as a software trainer for Microcal Software, she entered graduate school in astronomy at UC Berkeley where she completed her studies dealing with understanding the earliest stages of star formation, a subfield of astrophysics.
Daniel Van Kley, assistant professor of philosophy, specializes in the philosophy of science, social and political philosophy and ethics. He holds a University of Wisconsin Madison doctorate, a masters degree from Western Kentucky University and a bachelors degree from Calvin College .
William Brian Muse, assistant professor of mathematics, has expertise in discrete mathematics, with emphasis in the areas of combinatorial design theory, graph theory and algebraic coding theory. He holds an Auburn University doctorate and masters and bachelors degrees from North Alabama University.
Melinda Pell, instructor of mathematics, holds a CSU bachelors degree in mathematics. She is working on her thesis for her masters degree from Auburn University.
Quan Zheng, assistant professor of mathematics, holds a Clemson University doctorate. During 1997-98 he was a visiting assistant professor at Texas A&M University. From 1998 to 2002 he was a software analyst for Lucent Technologies, Holmdel, NJ.
Brenda Brown, assistant professor of nursing, has 23 years of experience in medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, nursing administration and clinical teaching as adjunct faculty. With a masters degree from Troy State University., she plans to pursue a doctorate. Her specialties include mental health nursing, nursing education, and public policy and administration.
Elizabeth Price, assistant professor of nursing, has 18 years of experience in cardiovascular nursing, critical care nursing, home health nursing, nursing administration and post-anesthesia care. She holds a masters degree in family practitioner nursing from Troy State University. Her specialties include cardiovascular nursing, intensive care nursing and nursing education. She is certified in advanced cardiac life support and advanced pediatric life support.
LaTonya Pringle, assistant professor of nursing, holds a masters degree from the University of South Alabama. Her clinical experience and interests include adult health, medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing and home health care.
G. Thomas Frost, assistant professor of psychology, joins the CSU faculty from the University of Georgia faculty where he holds a doctorate. No Photo
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Simon Schwob Memorial Library
Michelle E. Jones, instructor of library science, joins the CSU library faculty as liaison librarian to the College of Education and interlibrary loan coordinator. She holds a bachelors degree in English and a masters degree in library science from Clark Atlanta University.
Susan C. Wynne, instructor of library science, holds a masters degree in library science from the University of South Carolinas School of Library and Information and a Clemson University bachelors degree in history. She will serve as head of cataloging and periodicals and serve as liaison librarian for the disciplines of psychology, sociology and philosophy. Prior to coming to CSU, she worked in technical services at Clemson University Libraries.