Category: Professional Notes

Laurie Abeel, associate professor of education, is the Virginia Affiliate Director for Destination Imagination (DI), the largest creative problem solving program in the world. DI focuses on creative problem solving skills, critical thinking, leadership and team work.

This year, 1,276 teams from 45 states, seven Canadian provinces and 13 countries made the Destination Imagination Global Finals, the largest celebration and competition of creativity and problem-solving skills of its kind. Virginia had 45 teams represented at Global Finals which took place at the University of Tennesee.

Abeel oversees seven regions in Virginia, along with the state tournament and advancing teams to Global Finals. Many teams from Stafford County were also among the 45 teams representing Virginia. Anyone interested in learning more about this program is encouraged to contact Abeel and check the Destination Imagination website, www.idodi.org.

Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships in the College of Education Adria Hoffman’s article “Representin’ and Disrespectin’: African-American Wind Band Students’ Meanings of a Composition-Based Secondary Music Curriculum and Classroom Power Structures” appears in the journal Music Education Research through Taylor & Francis Online.  To review the article, click on this link:  : http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14613808.2012.685458

Congratulations to Sean O’Brien, IT project manager in the office of the vice president for information technology, who has been selected as an Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of June.  A parking spot of his choosing has been reserved for him until the end of the month.

Here is what one of his co-workers said about him:

“I would like to nominate Sean O’Brien for the Excellent Eagle Employee. When I have any issue relating to IT, I always call Sean. He always knows what direction to point me in, or who to direct me to talk to. Sometimes navigating other divisions is a puzzle, but Sean clears up any questions I have and saves the day. He also checks in to make sure the issue was resolved. I really appreciate that IT has someone as accessible and helpful as Sean. A parking spot is a great way to say thanks and keep up the good work!”

To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, send an email to Priscilla Sullivan (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the subject Line.  In your email, be sure to list the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized.  Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).

Keith Mellinger, associate professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics, saw his co-authored article “Semiovals from Unions of Conics” published in the most recent issue of Innovations in Incidence Geometry.  The article completely characterizes certain types of semiovals, special structures in finite geometries that  find application as cryptologic keys.

Mellinger presented part of this work as an invited speaker at the 14th annual Discrete Math Days conference in Fort Collins, Colo.

Richard Finkelstein, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of English, published “The Comedy of Errors and the Theology of Things” in the spring issue of Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900.

The article looks at both theological and mercantile traditions to argue that Shakespeare sees participation in the marketplace as redemptive.