New Faces New Places.Final.8.21.12

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

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