I Three for Four
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Three for Four Cottey Introduces Three New Faculty Members to Teach Upper-Division Courses for the Proposed Four-Year Programs by Steve Reed agency), will represent the three disci- plines proposed for Cottey’s inaugural B.A. programs, which are: In Dr. Judy Rogers’ inaugural address, • English (both women’s writers she stated, “Cottey must grow.” In her and traditional concentrations); Ifirst years on campus, she worked with • Environmental studies; and faculty and staff on the College’s strate- • International relations and busi- gic plan. One objective listed in the plan ness (both political science and was to “encourage the development of commerce/finance/management new academic programs and degree lev- concentrations). els that attract students and build on the strengths of the College.” In the spring of Three new faculty members have been 2007, the President appointed a group to hired to teach the inaugural courses and study the feasibility of offering specific, develop the curricula. Teaching envi- Left to right are Dr. Sylvio Mannel, assistant professor of environmental studies; selected baccalaureate programs. This ronmental studies is Dr. Sylvio Man- Dr. Michel Rakotomavo, associate professor of international business; and Dr. Paul semester, Cottey began offering its first nel, who holds a Ph.D. from the South Cook, assistant professor of English. upper-level courses as part of the process Dakota School of Mines and Technology. to gain accreditation for three selected Teaching English is Dr. Paul Cook, who These programs are interdisciplinary, in the next generation. The instructional baccalaureate programs. earned his doctorate from the University related to each other and to current philosophy of the Cottey Environmental of South Carolina. Dr. Michel Rakoto- program offerings, and draw on current Studies program emphasizes experiential These new courses, designed with input mavo, who moved to Nevada from Paris, faculty strengths. Since Cottey is a mis- and inquiry-guided learning approaches from The Higher Learning Commission France, will teach international business. sion-driven institution, all three programs on campus, off campus and field-based of the North Central Association of Col- His doctoral degree is from the City Uni- include a substantial women’s leadership programming, and opportunities for leges and Schools (Cottey’s accrediting versity of New York. component in addition to the major area service learning and community engage- emphasis. These new programs will con- ment. These experiences and opportuni- stitute the Cottey Institute for Women’s ties are carefully crafted to allow Cottey Dr. Sonia S. Cowen, Director of the Leadership and Social Responsibility. students to graduate with useful expe- Below are abbreviated descriptions of the riences and learning in the integrated Institute for Women’s Leadership and three proposed programs. and practical nature of the international development of environmental resources. Social Responsibility English A baccalaureate degree in English with International Relations and Business The Institute for Women’s Leadership and Social Responsibility will be the umbrella a concentration in women writers offers We are living in an interrelated world under which Cottey’s baccalaureate programs are developed. Heading this challenge prospective students a highly unique where events in one part of the world is Dr. Sonia S. Cowen, who began her duties in September. educational experience that builds on can influence events on the other side the strengths of our current faculty and Dr. Cowen comes from the New Mexico of the world. The Cottey International responds directly to Cottey’s mission and Military Institute in Roswell, New Relations and Business program recog- strategic plan goals. This program grows Mexico, where she was the director of nizes this interdependence and prepares out of the combination of a traditional the Daniels Leadership Center since students to take on leadership roles in English degree program with a women’s 2003. She has a Ph.D. in leadership a more globalized world society. The studies emphasis, and our innovative hy- from Gonzaga University, an M.F.A. in program encourages critical understand- brid degree allows students to complete creative writing from the University of ing of issues occurring throughout the what is essentially an English major built Montana, and a B.A. in English from world and analysis based on multiple on a traditional foundation and accented Eastern Washington University. perspectives such as cultural, economic, by a women writers focus. and military. Students in this program Dr. Cowen has been in higher education learn about the historical, physical, and Environmental Studies administration for more than 20 years, monetary underpinnings of modern The Cottey Environmental Studies pro- including service as the associate vice states, and gain a strong foundation to gram is based on the concepts of sustain- chancellor of the Pennsylvania State consider international issues, the global able societies. We emphasize the impor- System of Higher Education (SSHE), as political economy, the global culture, tant roles played by women in addressing the associate director of the Nebraska environmental issues linked to sustain- Sonia S. Cowen, Ph.D. Please see Cowen, page 3 ability and the need for leaders and doers See Three for Four on page 3 Cottey Introduces Two New Trustees Janet Hansen, River Falls, Wisconsin, was appointed to the Cottey College Board of Kathy Leffler of Scottsdale, Arizona, was appointed to the Cottey College Board of Trustees in 2010. Trustees in 2010. Janet earned a B.S. in elementary education from Macalester College in St. Paul, A native of El Paso, Texas, Kathy is a 1964 graduate of Cottey College and earned her Minnesota, and an M.S. in elementary B.S. in elementary education with a minor education and pre-school from the Uni- in political science from the University of versity of Wisconsin River Falls. Texas-Austin. She remains a Longhorns fan to this day. Her daughters Ambre and For 22 years, Janet was a kindergarten Holly also followed her to Cottey. Ambre teacher and in her career was a recipient is a 1994 alumna and Holly graduated in of the Outstanding Educator Award from 1997. the Wisconsin Association of Teacher Educators. She created and directed her P.E.O. has been a family affair for Kathy. school district’s mentor program and She joined her mother, Evelyn Peyton, chaired her elementary school’s North when she was initiated into Chapter BP, Central Evaluation. Janet has also partici- El Paso, in 1968. Kathy later joined her pated on three North Central Evaluation mother-in-law, LaVerne Leffler, when she teams: two for elementary schools and dimitted to Chapter AM in Albuquerque, one for a two-year college. In 2007 she New Mexico. Today, Kathy and both of received the Friend of the College award her daughters are members of Chapter from the Cottey College Alumnae As- BA, Scottsdale, Arizona. sociation. Kathy met her husband Albert while Janet became a member of P.E.O. when she was working in musical theater for she was initiated into Chapter DW, Wisconsin, in 1996. She has served as the chapter Special Services at Ft. Bliss, Texas. They moved to Tempe, Arizona, where Albert treasurer, vice president, and president. Janet’s two daughters are also P.E.O. mem- served an internship in performing arts management at Grady Gammage Auditorium bers; one in Chapter DA, Wisconsin, and the other in Chapter CC, North Carolina. at Arizona State University. During that time, he became one of the co-founders of Ticketmaster. He and Kathy came up with the company name while driving on a trip Janet and her husband, Glenn, and have been married 26 years and enjoy a wonderful, to El Paso. loving blended family of five children and ten grandchildren. They are both retired educators and enjoy spending January through March on the beach in Gulf Shores, The Lefflers have maintained an active interest in performing arts organizations, par- Alabama, and also love to take cruises. ticularly those involving young people. They have served on numerous boards in this regard—Phoenix Boys Choir, Scottsdale Schools Music Association, and Desert Bells In 2007, Janet received her certification to teach Hatha and SeniorYoga. She teaches International. She has also been an accompanist for a Yamaha Music Studio. classes in her church in River Falls and in her condo building in Alabama during the winter months. Janet’s other interests include volunteer work in the community, along Kathy has worked in various aspects of the writing business, including newspapers with gardening, reading, singing, and traveling. and magazines. She currently owns and operates a home-based freelance writing busi- ness called Words to Go, Inc. Kathy enjoys monthly gatherings with a gourmet group and book club, and impromp- tu travel opportunities. She noted that many of these “opportunities” revolve around Albert’s passion for steam locomotive restoration. Other interests include reading, Faculty/Staff Notes writing, music, foreign films, cooking, and hiking. Dr. Rusalyn Andrews, professor of Pedagogy? Ethnographic Questions and Theological Interpretation of Culture and speech and theatre, recently returned Ethological Encounters” published in the other one was a Community Leader- from the United Kingdom where she JAC (Journal of Advanced Composition) ship award. Dattended the world’s largest perform- in June of this year. ing arts festival, The Fringe Festival in Dr. Trisha Stubblefield, associate Edinburgh, Scotland. Between August 8 Professor Michael Denison, associ- professor of English, scored Advanced and August 12, Dr. Andrews and 19 other ate professor of theatre and speech, has Placement English Language exams for college professors completed orientation received a Fulbright Foundation grant to ETS June 10-18, in Louisville, Kentucky. to the International Collegiate Theatre conduct research in Thailand for a period Festival. The ICTF will be included as of three months. He will create and put Dr.