Newsletter Issue 7 - Fall 2018/Spring 2019 The Only Constant By Dr. James Bell, Dean of Faculty the lion’s share of prep work for Ellucian, breathless students hanging on my every The old cliché is that change is the but we have been (or will be) forced word, then free associating about the text’s only constant. Cliché or not, many of us to face the disorientation that comes significance, but teaching is no longer (Was live that reality. I think about some of the with change to outmoded but familiar it ever?) that. Our students often bring changes that currently impact me: new systems. As for my heel, the phrase “re- elevated expectations and diminished windows for the Fine Arts building, the anchor the tendon to the bone” probably preparation to the classroom; demands implementation of a new information says all it needs to say about discomfort. for “accountability,” some well-intentioned system for the entire campus community, A second and maybe significant and others driven by political concern, and a new (or vastly improved) Achilles theme of these recent changes is shape the university environment; and if Tendon and spur-free heel for me later inevitability. In each case, the simple we are honest, it is hard to keep up with this week. Though the installation is reality is that things have worn out or technological and cultural change. still in progress, the new windows have no longer meet the needs they were And yet those changes are here. already made a significant improvement intended to meet. Time has taken its Discomfort aside, they have become to the appearance of Fine Arts. The new toll, and change—however unsettling— inevitable. Of course we don’t submit to information system, Ellucian, is showing cannot be avoided. every change without careful thought and great potential. As for my heel and tendon, I was invited to be the breakfast reflection. After all, we are academics. the surgeon is promising good things. speaker at the Conference of College However, we do have to recognize that These changes have made me Teachers of English last March, and my the “traditional experience” is simply not reflective, seeking to find a theme in all talk was called “Trickle Up and Trickle going to be had by most students. We this flux. One obvious common factor Down: Recent Forces at Work in the can long for it nostalgically, but longing is discomfort. Anyone who has been in English Classroom.” I spoke about doesn’t change the historical moment in Fine Arts this summer knows that the the ways in which transformations in which we teach. change has brought its share of dust and education, student expectations, and What we can hope for, and perhaps upheaval. The contractors, our physical teaching modalities have reshaped the (if we dare to hope) a constant as reliable plant staff, and our building custodian, enterprise of English teaching in ways as change is the impact that one good LesLee, have worked diligently to that I never could have anticipated when professor can have on students. Many minimize the impact of the renovation, I began teaching in 1986. still come to us with curiosity and the but they have not been able to eliminate My early, naïve notions of what it desire to have their worlds expanded. the discomfort entirely. Similarly, various meant to be an English professor—shaped We can certainly hold on to that reality academic support offices have taken on by movies from The Paper Chase to Back as we let go of expectations—however to School, and by novels such as Lucky reluctantly—that reflect a past that is Jim and Small World—have given way familiar but gone. to the realization of what it means to be As we start the new year, I wish you a professor today. It would be wonderful great pleasure in the fulfillment that Change and Growth if it were reading dog-eared and over- comes when good teaching and eager annotated pages to a room of eight learning coalesce. Spotlight 1 Seven new faculty members welcomed Northwestern welcomed seven both from Texas A&M University. University of Texas at Austin and the new faculty members to campus to She also earned a Master of Science University of Central Oklahoma. begin the school year. degree in agricultural economics and Garret Lahr, instructor of Two faculty members werehired a Doctor of Philosophy degree in crop business, holds a Bachelor of in the School of Arts and Sciences and and soil sciences, both from Michigan Business Administration degree two in the School of Education, while State University. She previously served from Northwestern and a Master the remaining three work in the School on the faculty at Oklahoma Panhandle of Business Administration degree of Professional Studies. State University. She also worked with from Southwestern Oklahoma State Short biographies of each faculty the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension University. He served as an adjunct member are listed below: Services, was an adjunct professor at instructor of business at Northwestern Michael Seth Cudd, instructor of Wayland Baptist University (Texas), during the 2018 spring semester. music and director of bands, holds a and was a soil scientist with the World Dr. Joseph Sundarraj Paul, Bachelor of Music degree in theory Agroforestry Center in Kenya. associate professor of business, holds and composition from Southwestern Dr. Jason Ferrell, assistant professor a Master of Business Administration Oklahoma State University, and a of psychology, holds a Bachelor degree from Texas A & M University- Master of Music degree in composition of Science degree in psychology Commerce, and a Doctor of from the University of Oklahoma. He and a Master of Science degree in Business Administration degree in is on track to complete a Doctor of psychology, both from the University international business management Philosophy degree in composition of Central Oklahoma. He has a Doctor from Argosy University (Fla.). His from Rutgers University (N.J.) in of Philosophy degree in psychology previous work experience includes May 2019. His prior work experience from the University of Texas at serving as an assistant professor at includes serving as a professor at Austin. Ferrell has previously taught Oklahoma Christian University, and Southwestern Christian University at St. Edward’s University (Texas), the Continued to Page 3 and as director of bands at Okemah Public Schools. He also has served as assistant band director for several public schools. Douglas Davidson, research and instructional services librarian and assistant professor of library science, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Oregon State University, a Master of Arts degree in Near and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Library Science degree from Emporia State University (Kan.). He served as a field staff archaeologist with Ethnoscience, Inc., and was a clerk for one year with the Newton Public Library (Kan.). He has held numerous archaeological positions New faculty members begin the 2018-2019 academic year at Northwestern Oklahoma State with various companies. University. Pictured left to right in the front row are Heidi Ritchie, instructor of nursing; Dr. Tracy Beedy, assistant professor and Dr. Tracy Beedy, assistant professor of agriculture. Second row left to right, Douglas Davidson, research and instructional services librarian and assistant professor of library of agriculture, holds a Bachelor of science; Garret Lahr, instructor of business; Dr. Joseph Paul, associate professor of business; Science degree in agronomy and a Dr. Jason Ferrell, assistant professor of psychology; and Michael Seth Cudd, instructor of Master of Science degree in soil science, music and director of bands. 2 Spotlight 33 new staffers welcomed to campus Northwestern also welcomed 33 employed at several businesses in psychology from Northwestern. She new staff members to campus in the Cherokee. has been employed at several Alva fall. Short biographies of each staff Erin Davis, university relations and Cherokee businesses. member are listed below: specialist, has a Bachelor of Science Dian Frey, printing services Renae Acker, Bill Johnson in mass communication from assistant, holds a Bachelor of Science in Correctional Center treatment Northwestern. She has assisted with law enforcement from Northwestern. counselor, has a Bachelor of the Northwest Oklahoma Concert She has held multiple positions with Science degree in psychology from Series and in the university’s print the Department of Human Services Northwestern. She has worked at shop. and other family and youth initiatives. several local Alva businesses. Zach Doyle, sports performance Danae Hagelberg, development Sharon Batchelder, Enid campus coach, earned a bachelor’s degree in officer with the Northwestern police officer, has a bachelor’s degree in health and sports science education Foundation and Alumni law enforcement from Northwestern. from Northwestern. He previously Association, has a bachelor’s degree She retired after a 25-year career with assisted the football program with in early childhood education from the Enid Police Department. strength and conditioning. Northwestern. She has worked Jacob Boggess, hall supervisor Katie Draschner, assistant athletic for the Oklahoma Department of at Coronado Hall, holds a bachelor’s trainer, has a Bachelor of Science Corrections and the Alva Public degree in health education and degree in athletic training from the Schools. promotion from the University of University of Nevada and a Master of Pamela Hess, secretary for the Arkansas at Little Rock. He has been Education degree from Northwestern. division of nursing, has served as a a student assistant in the athletic She previously served as a graduate paraeducator for the South Barber department. assistant at Northwestern and as a (Kansas) Public Schools and as Callie Campbell, loan coordinator student assistant at the University of bookkeeper for several Kiowa, Kansas, with financial aid services, has Nevada at Las Vegas.