NEW FACES NEW PLACES - 2012 Please welcome our new colleagues! We wish to share with you the following information regarding new faculty and staff. Below is an alphabetic listing of staff who have joined us since our last meeting in August of 2011 and of faculty who are joining us this academic year.

Altic, Becky - Professional Laboratory Associate: Simulation Expert, School of Nursing B.S.N., Mennonite College of Nursing Becky began her new duties in the School of Nursing in January. She previously worked for Illinois Wesleyan University as an adjunct faculty member. Becky worked at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center for 16 years most recently working in the Mother-Baby Unit, as a clinical educator and as the quality assurance coordinator. She also worked at Illinois State University on expanding teaching for a nursing home project. She and her husband Dave have four children and five grandchildren. Becky enjoys gardening, antiques, painting, writing, motorcycles and target shooting.

Bailey-Smith, Karla - Stage Carpenter, School of Theatre Arts B.F.A., Illinois Wesleyan University, M.F.A., University of Illinois Karla joined Illinois Wesleyan University in January. Karla previously worked as a scenic artist for film, television and theatre in New York from 1994-2000. During that time she was a member of the United Scenic Artists. Karla then relocated with her family to London, England. While in London, Karla started her own painting business, Artistic Answers, which she continues to operate in Bloomington-Normal. She is married to Karl Smith, and has a son, Kai who was born in 2006. Karla enjoys cycling, tennis, Wii dance games, and watching her son act out stories.

Bible, Mary - Data Entry Operator, Office of Residential Life Mary previously worked as the IWU event coordinator in the alumni relations office from 1990-2007, when she retired. Later that year she worked in the Registrar’s Office for College Conference of Illinois Wisconsin until 2011. She has a daughter, Elizabeth who is a jewelry designer. Mary is an alumna of the Girl Scouts of America and a member of the local and national chapters of the Arthritis Foundation. She is interested in antique jewelry; enjoys rhythm and blues music; and reading Dashiell Hammett and James Patterson novels.

Bidmead, Sarah - Visiting Professor of Psychology M.A., Ph.D., Florida Atlantic University Sarah is interested in the way that pre-existing knowledge about tasks, objects, and tools can affect how individuals approach problems. The phenomenon in which prior knowledge precludes novel or innovative solutions is known as "fixation." She is interested in how situational factors (such as stress) as well as dispositional factors (such as inhibitory control) may influence the ability to overcome fixation and solve problems creatively.

Blocher, Weimin (Grace) - Staff Counselor, Counseling and Consultation Services B.S., National Taiwan University, M.S., Indiana University, Ph.D., Iowa State University Grace was welcomed to Illinois Wesleyan University in September. Prior to coming to the Counseling and Consultation Services department, Grace held other counseling positions. She worked as a staff therapist at The Center for Behavioral Health in Bedford, Indiana; a counselor at The Student Counseling Services at Iowa State University and most recently, a counselor (intern) at The Counseling Center of University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Grace lives with her husband, Kyle and her son who turned one last month.

Buckley, Ingrid - Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science M.A., Ph.D., Florida Atlantic University Ingrid Buckley received a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Florida Atlantic University in 2012. Her research interests include the application of software patterns to build secure and reliable systems. She is the author of several publications on these topics.

Carney-Hall, Karla - Vice President for Student Affairs/ Dean of Students, Dean of Students B.S., Louisiana State University, M.S., Florida State University, Ph.D., University of Iowa Prior to her arrival at Illinois Wesleyan, Karla worked as the dean of students at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and more recently she was the vice president for student affairs at Hendrix College. She is married to Eric and they have a son, Brendan. Karla enjoys college football, arts, reading and travel.

Carter, Amber - Residence Hall Director, Office of Residential Life B.A., Central Michigan University, M.S., South Dakota State University Amber spent three years as a residence hall director at South Dakota State University before coming to IWU. She received her master’s degree in counseling and human resources. She enjoys reading, swimming and crafting. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Chaulagain, Nawaraj - Visiting Instructor in Religion M.A., Florida International University Nawaraj was born and brought up in Nepal, a South Asian nation lying in the Himalayan foothills. He holds degrees in literature (American and British), Religious Studies, and South Asian Studies. He studies the social, historical, and political dimensions of religions in South Asia. His current focus is on Hindu studies, though he also concentrates on the historical and contemporary interactions between Jain, Sikh, Buddhist and other religious traditions. He has taught courses on literature, literary theories, Asian Religions, and languages, and worked as a Teaching Fellow for world religions and other religious studies courses. Nawaraj is currently finishing a dissertation under the supervision of Professor Michael Witzel, entitled “The Hindu Kingship: Rituals, History, and Power.” He plans to defend his dissertation in December 2012 and continue working on this topic for the publication of my research in Harvard Oriental Series. His next project will focus on the Jain installation and consecration ceremonies and will be supported by grants from Jain institutions in India and the US.

Daniel, Tonya - Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs, Dean of Students B.A., University of Alabama, M.A., University of Mississippi Tonya relocated to Illinois Wesleyan from her home in Alabama. She received a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy and then worked in the non-profit sector for six years before earning her master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Personnel. She enjoys tennis, volunteer work and belongs to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American Academy of Religion.

Davidson, Vincent - Custodian, Physical Plant Vincent joined Illinois Wesleyan University last August. He has several years of custodial experience. He spent seven years working at Leman Chevy City and four more years at Nords Cleaning Service. Vincent is married and has two girls and two boys. He also enjoys membership at a church in the Bloomington area.

Diers, Ashley - Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor, School of Theatre Arts B.A., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Ashley brings to IWU her experience working as a draper, a stitcher and a costume designer. In 2004, she received the Eelin Stewart-Harrison Award for Excellence in Costume Design.

Donnell, William - Visiting Associate Professor of Mathematics M.A., North Texas State University, Ph.D., Texas Tech University William Donnell received his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. His research interests include algebra, linear algebra, and elementary number theory, history of mathematics, mathematics education, and inquiry-based-learning.

Engen, Andy – Assistant Professor of Philosophy B.S., University of Wisconsin, Ph.D., University of California Andy is thrilled to be joining the IWU Philosophy Department as an assistant professor. He completed his Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of California-Berkeley in 2011 and was a lecturer at Berkeley last year. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he majored in both philosophy and computer science. His philosophical interests are wide, but his research focuses on moral and political philosophy. His dissertation considers the issue of how state punishment is morally justified. This year, Andy will teach courses on ancient philosophy, medical ethics, and ethical theory.

Finley Ashenbremer, Sarah - Office Coordinator I - Hansen Student Center, Dean of Students B.A., B.S., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Sarah received a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice: Paralegal Studies with a minor in Political Science. She spent four and a half years working as a legal assistant and three years as a paralegal in Carbondale, Illinois. When she relocated to Bloomington, Sarah worked a year and a half in temporary administrative assistant positions. Sarah was hired to work at Illinois Wesleyan University in February. Sarah’s husband, Curtis is originally from Downs, Illinois. Together they have a daughter, Regina who had her first birthday over the summer. The family also enjoys the company of their two cats, Todd and Priscilla.

Fitzgibbons, Sarah (Sally) - Visiting Assistant Professor of Business Administration B.S., M.S., University of Illinois Sally Fitzgibbons joins our faculty after teaching for the last six years at Illinois State University. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and a Masters in Accountancy Science at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She was enrolled as a doctoral student in the Accounting PhD. program at University of Illinois from 1999-2003. She previously taught as an adjunct instructor at Illinois Wesleyan University from 2003-2006.

Gorman, Michael - Project Analyst, Information Technology Services B.A., Illinois Wesleyan University After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan in 2010, Michael started a freelance web development business. The business focuses on small businesses and non-profit organizations in the Bloomington-Normal area. He can frequently be seen biking or walking the Constitution Trail. He also enjoys listening to the news. Michael has an honorary membership in Upsilon Phi Epsilon.

Hill, Kimberly - Senior Communications Specialist, Office of Communications B.S., Southeast Missouri State University, M.S., Arizona State University Kim recently moved to Bloomington from Phoenix, Arizona with her husband who works at State Farm. Her experience includes marketing and public relations for a solar energy firm, working as an assistant editor at Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine; freelance writing for publications like the Arizona State University magazine, Arizona Highways, American Spirit and The Arizona Republic; teaching at the college level as an adjunct faculty member at the Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU and Mesa Community College; and managing the media relations office at Southeast Missouri State. Kim will be putting her extensive writing and public relations experience to work reporting on faculty accomplishment, writing feature stories for the University magazine and working on donor related communications.

Hudson, William - Visiting Instructor in the School of Music B.S., West Chester University of PA., M.A., Longy School of Music William Hudson is a singer and specialist in historical performance whose voice has been described as “positively hypnotic” by Gramophone magazine. He is the director and founding member of LIBER: Ensemble for Early Music (formerly Liber unUsualis), which has become the foremost interpreter of late medieval music in the United States and has presented concerts on four continents. An active scholar and clinician, Mr. Hudson was the winner of the 2009 Noah Greenberg award and has presented at the 2011 International Congress of Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo. He has been on faculty at the Madison Early Music Festival, led master-classes and given lecture-demonstrations in performance practice at universities throughout North and South America, and can be heard on over 15 commercial recordings. Mr. Hudson previously taught voice and music history at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky and was an Associate Instructor of voice at Indiana University. He expects to defend his dissertation this fall at Indiana University. Jackson, George - Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, Dean of Students B.A., Taylor University, M.A., Colorado State University Prior to joining IWU on July 1, George worked at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, where he was the coordinator of diversity affairs. A native of Indiana, George has a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Theatre Arts and a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education. George has provided leadership for diversity programs at other institutions, including Butler University and Messiah College.

Johnson, Victoria - Admissions Counselor, Admissions B.A., Illinois Wesleyan University Before joining Illinois Wesleyan, Vicky worked as an American College Test teacher and tutor for The Princeton Review in the western suburbs of Chicago. She also worked as an administrative assistant for a wedding florist, Walden Floral Design Co. also located in the western suburbs of Chicago. Vicky enjoys indoor gardening, historical fiction, philosophy, cooking, music and movies.

Kerr, Abigail - Assistant Professor of Psychology M.S., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Abigail received her B.A. in English from Wittenberg University in 2004. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, she pursued a Ph.D. in Psychology, with a focus in neuroscience, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under the direction of Dr. Rodney Swain. Dr. Kerr did a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin with Dr. Theresa Jones before joining the Psychology department at Illinois Wesleyan University. While at IWU, Abigail will be teaching courses in learning and conditioning and neuroplasticity. Her research laboratory at IWU will study neuroplasticity and behavioral recovery following brain injury in a mouse model of stroke.

Kolbe Zambito, Sarah - Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Studies B.S., College of William and Mary, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati Sarah Kolbe is an environmental geoscientist with wide-ranging interests centered on understanding the impacts of human landscape transformations on natural biological and geochemical cycles. She recently completed her doctorate in geology at the University of Cincinnati, where she studied the local environmental effects of regional urban growth and expansion. Her current projects focus on assessing the greenhouse gas sequestration potential of anthropogenically modified soils, and diagnosing the effects of multiple urbanization-related disturbances on forest ecosystems. When she is not in the field or the lab, she enjoys spending time outside gardening, biking, and backpacking. She is excited to join Illinois Wesleyan's Environmental Studies program as an instructor this fall.

Kooken, Wendy – Assistant Professor of the School of Nursing B.S.N., M.S.N., Bradley University, Ph.D., Indiana University Dr. Kooken was awarded National Institutes of Nursing Research funding during her doctoral studies and her current program of research centers on vigilance. Specifically, her research examines how nurses, patients, and families experience vigilance in healthcare systems and how vigilance influences patient safety. Dr. Kooken comes to IWU with extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She lives in Peoria with her husband and has daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 2 granddaughters. Dr. Kooken loves to read, embroider, and spend time with her family.

Kroutil, Louis (Pete) - Security Officer, Security In July, Pete returned to Illinois Wesleyan University as a part-time security officer. He previously worked in the Physical Plant for seventeen years before retiring in 2010.

Lawton, William (Paul) - Groundsman, Physical Plant Paul joined Illinois Wesleyan University in October. He brought with him several years of experience. He worked as a grounds crew leader for ten years while living in Wisconsin. Locally, he worked at a golf course manicuring the greens and other landscape. Paul has three children; two girls and one boy. He enjoys running marathons, biking and all sports. Manabe, Mayumi - Visiting Assistant Professor of Japanese B.A., University of Chicago, Ph.D., University of California Mayumi Manabe will be joining the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Japanese. She received her B.A. from the University of Chicago and Ph.D. from the University of California at Irvine. After receiving her degrees, she taught at Vassar College and Colgate University as a Visiting Assistant Professor. A specialist in modern Japanese literature, she is currently working on a project that explores how working-class women’s involvement in the development of consumer culture in 1920s Japan figured into the transformation of Japanese womanhood. At IWU, she will be teaching Japanese, her native language, and courses on Japanese literature and culture.

Martinez, Raymundo (Ray) - Computer Lab Supervisor, Information Technology Services On January 16, Ray joined Illinois Wesleyan University as the computer lab supervisor in the department of Information Technology Services. For the past ten years, he worked for Carl Sandburg College in three different capacities, as the coordinator of academic computing services, adjunct faculty teaching computer coursework and as an instructional network technician. He is engaged to Jennifer and has a daughter, Aurora and a son, Logan. Ray enjoys the Bears, Cubs, traveling, motorcycling, concerts, trying different foods, anything technology related and most of all, his family.

McAninch, Andrew -Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy B.A., University of Iowa, Ph.D., Indiana University Andrew was born and raised in Aurora, IL; attended The University of Iowa, in Iowa City, as an undergraduate; and recently completed his Ph.D. in philosophy at Indiana University Bloomington. His dissertation, Holding Me to My Word: The Normative Avowal View of Rational Agency, is an account of how persons can be answerable to rational appraisals of their actions even when those actions are guided by motives of which they are unaware at the time of acting. Such persons are answerable, he argues, to the extent that they are able to avow those motives as reason-giving. Andrew’s areas of specialization include ethics, metaethics, and philosophy of action, but he also has interest in questions about rule-following, self-knowledge, and evolutionary considerations bearing on morality and moral psychology. During his first term at IWU, Andrew will teach a Gateway seminar on the evolution of morality as well as two sections of Mind and World, an introductory metaphysics and epistemology course.

Meek-Davis, Jill - Library Building Aide, Ames Library B.S., Illinois State University Jill returned to Illinois Wesleyan University as a library building aide for Ames Library. She previously worked in the same position in 2008. Jill has volunteered for the McLean County Museum of History and is a caregiver to her special needs son. Her previous volunteer work has been with United Cerebral Palsy and Easter Seals. Most of her work history has been in the retail sector. Jill and her husband Randy have two sons.

Nielsen, Kristine - Visiting Assistant Professor of Art M.A., Ph.D., University of Chicago Kristine’s areas of specialization are modern and contemporary art; the historiography of art history and visual studies; postwar art and political monuments in the German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic; and the history and theory of iconoclasm & idolatry. Her current book project examines the visuality and politics of monument production and destruction in the GDR and FRG, arguing for a history of image negations. Kristine’s research has been supported by various fellowships and grants, including the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities (2010-12), Lipman Fellowship, Getty Research Institute and University of Chicago's Visiting Committee on the Visual Arts. She has been an editorial board member of the journal Ekfrase: Nordic Journal of Visual Culture since 2009.

Polanco Encarnation, Geremias - Visiting Professor in Mathematics M.A., University of Illinois Geremias Polanco Encarnacion was born in the Dominican Republic where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. A Fulbright scholarship opened the door for his graduate studies at the University of Illinois, at Urbana- Champaign, where he completed two masters and a Ph.D. in Mathematics. Always passionate about learning and communicating Mathematics, Geremias has taught math courses at UIUC and at his home university in the Dominican Republic. A thought that has shaped his teaching is one that is adapted from the medical profession: "Students don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care". His primary research interest is in Number Theory and Combinatory and he is also interested in Actuarial Science.

Rick, Jon - Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy M.A., Ph.D., Columbia University Jon is very excited to join the IWU Philosophy Department as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the 2012-2013 academic year. His philosophical research interests include Ethics, Political Theory (and the Histories of both) as well as the Philosophy of Economics and Value Theory. In 2009, he completed and successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, entitled, “From Partial Passions to Moral Sentiments: Taking Up Adam Smith’s Impartial Spectator Perspective,” which earned him a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Columbia University. Jon has previously held a Visiting Assistant Professorship in Philosophy at UNC-Chapel Hill (2009-10), where he taught courses in the Duke University-UNC co-sponsored Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program. And, he has just recently completed a two-year stint as a Core Lecturer in Philosophy at Columbia University, where he taught several sections of Columbia’s yearlong seminar in the History of Western Moral, Political, Social, and Religious Thought, called, “Contemporary Civilization.” While at IWU, Jon will be teaching courses in Ethics and Politics as well as a first-year seminar exploring the intersections between markets and morals.

Rinda, Nancy - Student Accounts/Accounting Coordinator, Business Office B.S., Eastern Illinois University Nancy joined IWU on September 12. Prior to joining Illinois Wesleyan, she worked as a financial assistant at Trinity Lutheran Church/ School. Nancy has also worked as an operations officer at Umbank in St. Louis. She lives with her husband, Phil and their daughter, Katie and son, Jacob. Nancy enjoys sewing, gardening and reading. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. She is also a trustee of the Hudson Area Public Library.

Roberts, Dan - Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics M.A., Ph.D., Auburn University Dan was born in Greenville, OH in 1984. He received his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Dayton in 2007, and his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Auburn University in 2012. When not searching for mathematical truths, Dan likes to play guitar, hang out with his family, play basketball, drink tea, and read about the universe. He currently resides in Normal, IL with his wife Emilee and daughter Stella.

Romei, Ann - Residence Hall Director, Office of Residential Life B.A., Dickinson College, M.S., University of Mississippi Prior to coming to Illinois Wesleyan University in July, Ann worked as a residence hall director at the University of Mississippi for two years. She is a member of the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the American College Personnel Association. She enjoys cooking and reading.

Ross Barnett, Jennifer - Nurse Practitioner, Arnold Health Services A.S.N., Richland Community College, B.S.N., University of Illinois at Springfield, M.S.N., Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Prior to joining the staff at Illinois Wesleyan University, Jennifer worked as an advance practice nurse. She lives with her husband, Larry and together they have three adult children, Derek, Christopher and Brittany. Jennifer is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing and the American Associate of Diabetes Educators. Jennifer enjoys walking and running.

Susong, Cristen - Recruitment Coordinator, School of Theatre Arts B.A., University of Texas at El Paso, M.A., Illinois State University Cristen joined the School of Theatre Arts, in October. She has taught English history and theatre for 15 years. She is currently also teaching at Illinois State University. Cristen and her husband, Scott have two children, Eli and Eden. Cristen also enjoys the theater, singing, reading, yoga and travel.

Terven, Wanda - Custodian, Physical Plant Wanda joined Illinois Wesleyan in August 2011. She had previously worked several years at Kelly Services. She is married to Dennis and they have one daughter. Wanda loves camping and following National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Tribett, James - Custodian, Physical Plant Prior to joining the custodial staff, James worked for the Department of Rehabilitative Services providing in-home care to disabled and/or terminally ill individuals. Prior to moving to the area, James worked in Flint, Michigan at Baker College in the custodial department. James enjoys singing with a 300 voice concert choir, traveling, meeting new people and helping others.

Warden, Michael - Stage Electrician, School of Theatre Arts B. A., Fine Arts, Miami University, Ohio Mike has worked as the assistant master electrician at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival for two years. He was also a technician at Chicago Fringe. Mike worked lighting and sound design at various venues in Chicago.

Wong, Monica - Office Coordinator II, Financial Aid Monica grew up in Central Ohio. She eventually found her way to the Bloomington, Illinois area where she worked in the customer service field. After a seven year period of staying home with her children, she returned to the work force as a teaching assistant for children with special needs and remained in the elementary schools for five years. She joined the Financial Aid department on August 31. Monica is married to Geoff and together they have two sons, Samuel and Benjamin and one daughter, Maya. Monica spends most of her free time cheering her children on while they participate in sporting and school activities.

Woodard, Kenneth - Admissions Counselor, Admissions B.A., Illinois Wesleyan University After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan in 2010, Kenny worked as an activity director at ASTA Care Center in Bloomington and at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community in Chenoa, Illinois. Kenny is married to Gloria who also graduated from IWU in 2010 and they are expecting a baby girl in November. He enjoys racquetball, basketball and skateboarding. His favorite food is Indian food and he loves the Puran Restaurant. He likes reading, listening to National Public Radio and loves giving speeches. Kenny’s religion is important to him; he is a member of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith. He is a Sunday school teacher and preaches at the church.

Young, Amy - Video Production Specialist, Office of Communications B.A., University of Illinois, M.F.A., California Institute of Art Amy recently earned a master’s degree in Film and Directing. She has a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies. Amy worked for about ten years at U of I in various Web and communications roles. In addition she has worked as public relations manager at Wolfram Research which produces computational software used on our campus, in higher education nationally and in the private sector. During her time there she and Wolfram served as script consultants to the Columbia Broadcast System Numb3rs television series. Besides her work here, Amy has two documentary film projects in various stages of production.

The following faculty who were on visiting appointments return as tenure track faculty members: Ann Eckhardt Jeanne Kohler Tim Pitchford

Office location changes: Lisa Caughron and the ITS help desk moved from the IT house to Ames Library Pat Zehr and Tina Keller have moved from Stevenson Hall lower level to the ITS House Chris Rutledge has moved from CNS to the ITS House Ray Martinez has offices at Buck Hall and the Ames Library Thorpe Center

Departmental name changes: The IT Help Desk has combined with the Ames Information Desk and will now be known as Help@Ames.