Category: Professional Notes

Stephen Hanna

Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen P. Hanna, professor of geography, and Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, are co-authors of a research article,  “Visualizing Virginia’s Changing Electorate:  Mapping Presidential Elections from 2000 to 2012,” which was published in the May 2013 issue of The Virginia News Letter. The Virginia News Letter is published by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.

Eric Bonds

Eric Bonds recently published an article, entitled “Grappling with Structure, Social Construction, and Morality: Towards a Human Rights Approach to Social Problems Instruction,” in the journal Societies Without Borders: Human Rights and the Social Sciences.  In the article, Bonds makes the case for a human rights approach and situates it within the theoretical traditions more traditionally used in social problems classes.  The article includes a sample syllabus and an overview of Bonds’ Social Issues class taught at UMW.  The article can be accessed here.

Debra Schleef will serve as the Chair of the Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) for the American Sociological Association during 2013-2014.

Abbie McGhee, coordinator of community events, presented a session on Free Online Resources at the 33^rd Annual Conference of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors – International (ACCED-I) in Toronto, Canada.  Attendees included campus professionals who design, market, coordinate and plan conferences and special events on the campuses of colleges and universities in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the university’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, talked about his book, “Spinner in Chief: How Presidents Sell Their Policies and Themselves,” on C-SPAN’s Washington classroom for a session that focused on the White House and the media. The program aired nationally on April 26.

The session was part of a joint educational partnership involving C-SPAN, the Washington Center, George Mason University, and Purdue University. The course focused on “The Presidency, Congress, and Media,” examining all facets of politics in the TV and digital age, taking a look at the issues and events shaping the agenda for the next Congress and next round of elections, as well as the historical process of public policy making.

In addition Farnsworth, and Benjamin F. Hermerding, an Alvey Scholar at UMW and a research associate at the Center, are coauthors of an opinion column, “Could the Old Dominion Give Birth Again?” published in the Free-Lance Star on April 24. The column was based on an analysis of the Center’s recent survey of Virginia voters that found considerable interest within the state in having both Sen. Mark Warner (D) and Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) seek the presidential nominations of their respective parties.

John P. Broome, assistant professor of curriculum & instruction in the College of Education, was selected to join the Editorial Board of Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (CITE Journal).

“Established in 2000, Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (CITE Journal) is a peer-reviewed publication of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) and is co-sponsored by four other teacher education associations. It is an interactive electronic journal, capable of incorporating into its articles video, sound, animated images, and simulations, as well as ongoing dialog about issues that advance the field.” (Source: CITE Journal website)

Laurie Abeel, Associate Professor of Education, is the Virginia Affiliate Director for Destination Imagination. On April 13, she ran a state tournament with 162 teams of students from around the state. Teams of up to 7 students, from elementary through university level, presented their solutions to technical, science-based, fine arts, improvisational, structure, or service learning challenges. She will lead the 43 advancing teams to the Global Finals tournament at the University of Tennessee at the end of May.

Daniel Preston, editor of the Papers of James Monroe, was interviewed by Voice of America for a segment on Elizabeth Monroe, wife of President James Monroe.  The interview will be part of program broadcast in South Korea and North Korea on May 8.

Claudia Emerson, Arrington Distinguished Chair of Poetry and professor of English, is the recipient of the university’s inaugural Waple Award for Professional Achievement. The award was announced during the General Faculty Meeting on April 24.

The award, based on faculty nominations, recognizes Emerson’s scholarly, creative and professional achievements.

Three faculty members have received Waple Professorships to support two years of research and scholarship. In the inaugural year of the professorships, awards went to one faculty member from each of the three colleges: Allyson Poska, professor of history; George Meadows, professor of education; and Dave Henderson, assistant professor of accounting and management information systems.

The professorships are supported by an endowment from the estate of Shirley Van Epps Waple’52. For more information about the professorships, visit http://cas.umw.edu/dean/waple-professorship/.