USC UPSTATE COLLEGE OF
SPRING 2016
Upstate to Introduce New Campus and Academic Program to Downtown Greenville
Over the past several years, USC Upstate has demonstrated a Office of Service-Learning and Community Engagement, the steady evolution toward expanding its presence in the region program will utilize the unique “urban laboratory” opportunity and further fulfilling its metropolitan mission. In the upcoming the downtown Greenville location provides and offer students months, this evolution will take another major step forward a hands-on learning experience. with the opening of the university’s downtown Greenville location and the establishment of a new major in urban and “We realized very quickly that the best place for the students regional studies. to begin their studies in a program like this was in a place like Greenville, which is nationally recognized and is studied around USC Upstate’s River Street Campus, located at 501 River St. the country in urban development programs as an example of above Greenville’s Centre Stage theatre, will begin offering urban redevelopment,” McCormick noted. “Its success story is classes this August, with students having the opportunity to take known nationwide, so to position the program in the middle of courses in history, religion, art and other popular areas of study. that couldn’t be more ideal. That’s what we mean by the urban laboratory. You walk out the door and it’s the “We want to have more and more of our “ laboratory.” undergraduates to find this location convenient We see this as an engine and find this location very desirable for their for recruiting more However, the urban and regional studies needs,” Dr. Rob McCormick, associate dean of students and getting the program will not simply be focused on areas the College of Arts and Sciences, said. “We’d USC Upstate message to like Greenville. Issues in rural development and like to have as many involved there as we can.” redevelopment will also be addressed in hopes of people in Greenville.” providing services to smaller communities in the The location will feature three classrooms, a region and throughout the state. Furthermore, conference room, a lobby and office space, as well as an outdoor the program will provide training and educational opportunities patio for special events. In addition to serving current students, to community leaders through its local government academy. the downtown campus will be a valuable tool for expanding Upstate’s reach. “This is designed to attract municipal leaders from around the state of South Carolina to meet with figures around the country “We see this as an engine for recruiting more students to that deal in urban and regional studies issues as well as real USC Upstate and getting the USC Upstate message to people estate developers and banking officials who are involved in those in Greenville,” McCormick said. “Greenville’s dynamic growth investment opportunities,” McCormick added. “It’s designed to necessitates it. We need to position ourselves, especially in bring the municipal figures who tackle these issues together downtown Greenville.” to share ideas of what can be done to make South Carolina an attractive and highly livable place.” The River Street Campus will also house Upstate’s new bachelor’s program in urban and regional studies, which will begin accepting The downtown location is owned by Greenville real estate students in Fall 2017 and be the only one of its kind in South developer Phil Hughes, who has been a significant supporter of Carolina. Developed by McCormick and Dr. Abe Goldberg, the campus. associate professor of political science and director of Upstate’s
Faculty & Program Updates ���������� 2 Staff Updates ...... 6 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Student & Alumni Updates ������������ 5 Giving Back ...... 6 Breaking Down Walls: Students Work to Provide Opportunity for Upstate Inmates A common goal for professors in any college course is to challenge Both Hernández-Laroche and Hauptman have years of experience students to take on new experiences and perspectives they might working with inmates and community education. Prior to working otherwise never engage – even if that means going to jail. in higher education, Hauptman worked in administration at the South Carolina Department of Corrections for six years, This semester, several USC Upstate students are partnering with including the last few years in the Division of Educational Services. the Spartanburg Adult Education program to provide tutoring to Hernández-Laroche began tutoring in high school and eventually inmates at the Spartanburg County Detention Center as they taught college-level Spanish as part of the San Quentin Prison prepare to take the South Carolina High School Equivalency University Project. Certificate exam. The opportunity is part of the service learning component of a course taught by Dr. Samantha Hauptman and In preparation for the program, students were trained on the USC Dr. Araceli Hernández-Laroche, assistant professors of criminal Upstate campus by Tammy Cooley, director of Spartanburg Adult justice and French, respectively, that focuses on terrorism, torture, Education. Although anxious at first, students’ confidence in their and the culture of fear that has manifested in society. ability as tutors has steadily grown since beginning the detention center visits in February. So far, 14 students have participated in the tutoring program, which brings them to the detention center twice per week to tutor “I was reading their initial reactions from early February, and that’s inmates in math and English skills. The tutoring is meant to better where they expressed this anxiety. Am I going to be a good tutor? prepare inmates before they enroll in more formal coursework But I think that now we’ve done it a few times they are a lot geared toward passing the equivalency certificate exam. more relaxed and they realize they know a lot more math than they thought they knew,” Hernández-Laroche said. “They’ve been “One of the most important things we do for offenders in jail or a very valuable resource. All that anxiety now has disappeared.” prison is to help them get their GED or high school diploma so that they have a better chance of gaining meaningful employment The current tutoring program will run through June, but on the outside,” Hauptman said. “That obviously benefits the Hernández-Laroche and Hauptman would ultimately like to see inmates, but it also benefits the community as it is instrumental in involvement continue over the summer and into the upcoming reducing recidivism.” school year through the work of other USC Upstate volunteers. Additional participants would also allow tutoring to be offered to Hauptman and Hernández-Laroche also believe the students have both female and male inmates. much to gain from the opportunity. Students or community members interested in volunteering for “The earlier students get involved with non-profits in the the program can contact Hauptman at [email protected] community, the more they have a leg up in terms of developing or Hernández-Laroche at [email protected]. leadership skills, but also lots of communication skills, and the more they become invested in their local communities,” Hernández- Laroche said.
FACULTY & PROGRAM UPDATES
Caster Completes Second Term as LLC Chair After six years as chair of the Department of Language, Literature In addition, LLC expanded its stewardship of African American and Composition, Dr. Peter Caster, associate professor of English, Studies, creating the first tenure-track position in that area and will step down after two successful terms in the position. more than tripling the number of such courses taught each year. Furthermore, the department created Spanish 101 and 102 courses During his time as chair, LLC faculty published two books and specifically for nursing and business majors and implemented received over $300,000 in grants. Faculty also collaboratively an enhanced classroom featuring multiple visual displays and authored a textbook for first-year writing, raising over $15,000 25 computers. for the department foundation, with which the Warren J. Carson student scholarship for academic excellence was established.
2 Pingley Receives Fulbright Fellowship to Teach in Hungary Dr. Allison Pingley, associate professor of political science, has election. For the contemporary issue of politics course, students been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to teach in Hungary this fall. will discuss hot topics such as gay marriage, immigration, Pingley will be teaching two classes at Eotvos Lorand University in abortion, gun control, and drug laws, examining how the Budapest – a bachelor’s course in contemporary issues of politics, American approach to these issues is similar or different from and a master’s course in U.S. campaigns and elections. those taken by other countries.
The course in campaigns and elections will focus on the U.S. electoral system and process, including the upcoming presidential
Richardson Completes Doctorate in Health Administration Dr. Susan Richardson, instructor of informatics at USC Upstate, Study,” focused on the concern surrounding the current healthcare recently completed her doctoral study through the University of environment’s unlimited access to health information by patients, Phoenix, earning a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA). providers and payers. The purpose of the study was to develop a best practice for Health Information Management (HIM) professionals Her dissertation, titled “Managing the Release of Health Information to strategically manage the access and release of health information as Health Information Exchange Initiatives Evolve: A Qualitative as the availability of personal health information increases.
Upstate Faculty Featured in Hub City Bookshop Signing On April 1, four USC Upstate faculty members from the College • Celena Kusch, associate professor of American literature – of Arts and Sciences participated in a book signing at downtown Author, “Literary Analysis: The Basics” Spartanburg’s Hub City Bookshop. In addition to signing copies of • Nolan Stolz, assistant professor of music – Contributing essayist, their work, the authors discussed their projects with readers. The “The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends featured authors and works included: Who Rocked the World” • Rob McCormick, associate dean of the College of Arts and • Ben McCraw, adjunct professor of philosophy – Co-editor, Sciences – Author, “Croatia under Ante Pavelic: America, the “The Concept of Hell”, “Philosophical Approaches to the Devil” Ustase, and Croatian Genocide” and “The Problem of Evil: New Philosophical Directions”
Tony Award Winner to Produce On-Campus Musical Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Hugh Hayes will co- In addition to Candace Bryant, other Upstate students will perform produce “Into the Woods” this May at USC Upstate as part of as well as serve as interns and production team members. the Performing Arts Renaissance Theatre’s (PART) inaugural performance. This is just the most recent accolade for the theatre program at USC Upstate. In November, Irish studies scholar John Countryman PART, founded by Greenville sisters Kimilee and Candace Bryant, nominated Jimm Cox, professor and director of the Upstate theatre will utilize Upstate’s Humanities and Performing Arts Center for program, for an Award of Excellence in Directing from The John the performances May 5-8. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the American College Theatre Festival for his work on the “Cripple of Inishmaan.” Kimilee, who played Christine in the Broadway production of Barry Whitfield, instructor of theatre, also earned a nomination for “Phantom of the Opera,” will star in the performance and co-direct set design. with her sister Candace, who will graduate from Upstate in May.
CWGS Sponsors Multiple On-Campus Lectures The Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (CWGS) hosted healthcare and marginalized populations’ agency in overcoming several special events during the spring semester that featured barriers to access. many leading scholars and speakers in the field. On March 2, Dr. Amy McCandless of the College of Charleston In January, Dr. R. Danielle Egan’s “Becoming Sexual: A Critical delivered the Women’s History Month Lecture on “The Siege of Appraisal of the Sexualization of Girls” critiqued existing discourse Charleston: Through Women’s Eyes.” Later that month, the 7th on the topic and advocated for better public policy geared toward biennial Bodies of Knowledge Symposium featured cultural icon the protection of girls. The following month, Dr. Bayla Ostrach and author, Michelle Tea, and Dr. Shelley M. Park, associate professor of Boston University spoke on the “Obstacles to Reproductive of philosophy at the University of Central Florida. The two keynote Healthcare for Disadvantaged Women.” Dr. Ostrach is a public speakers discussed the topic of queer motherhood.. health researcher whose scholarly work focuses on barriers to 3 USC Upstate Hosts National Foreign Language Convention Led by Dr. June Carter, professor of Spanish and director of the Alpha Mu Gamma is the national collegiate world language honor Center for Teaching Excellence, USC Upstate recently hosted society of the United States, founded in 1931. Its primary purpose the 35th National Convention of the Alpha Mu Gamma National is honoring students for outstanding achievement in world language Collegiate Foreign Language Honor Society from March 24-26. study in college. The Nu Iota Chapter was established on USC This was the first time since the 1980s that this convention was Upstate’s campus in 2004, having since inducted several students held in the South. The National Convention theme was “Advancing each year during the spring semesters. International Competence through World Languages and Culture” along with several sub-themes.
Annual Child Advocacy Conference Held at Upstate The seventh annual “A Brighter Future: Ending Child Abuse through Additional speakers included professionals and advocates from Advocacy and Education” conference was held on March 25 at the medical and social services fields. Target audiences for USC Upstate’s University Readiness Center. The conference the conference included attorneys, counselors, educators, the included multiple speakers, including a keynote address from Bruce faith community, judges, law enforcement, nurses, physicians, D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., founder and senior fellow of Houston’s Child psychologists, social workers, therapists, victim service Trauma Academy. Dr. Perry spoke on the impact of early childhood professionals and all other concerned community members. trauma on the developing brain.
Flowers Receives 2016 Golden Foundation Residency Mark Flowers, instructor of art and gallery coordinator of the Since 2012, the Sam and Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts Curtis R. Harley Gallery at USC Upstate, has been chosen for has offered a unique artist residency for those working in paint. the 2016 Golden Foundation Residency. Flowers was one of 18 Artists-in-residence participate in an opportunity to explore the artists chosen from a pool of 250 for the prestigious residency in widest, most innovative range of materials and technology available New Berlin, New York. He will attend the residency from June 20 today. Flowers’ works are mixed media narrative imagery reflecting until July 17. on observations of his life.
Marks Featured at Spartanburg Art Museum The work of Michael Marks, assistant professor of art and Viewers are challenged to consider science and mathematics in foundations coordinator, is being featured this spring and summer conjunction with the visual arts. Some of the themes addressed at the Spartanburg Art Museum as part of the “Some Abstraction by the objects include the duality of chance and precision, Required” exhibit. The group exhibition, which runs from April 21 mathematical systems and patterns, and altering the viewer’s until June 12, features the work of nine contemporary artists. It perception of space. displays a variety of mixed media techniques, including painting, collage, altered books, epoxy clay, and site-specific installation.
Art Exhibit, Local Musician Benefit Upstate College Scholarship From Jan. 7 through March 5, the USC Upstate Gallery on Over the years, the two men struck up an unlikely friendship, Main in downtown Spartanburg featured alumnus Brian S. Kelley’s entrenched in a love of good Blues music and a desire to keep exhibit “Mac Arnold: Bluesman Close-Up” documenting South the arts alive in public schools. Out of this bond, the two have Carolina blues legend Mac Arnold. A 2004 graduate, Kelley established the Dr. Mac Arnold Scholarship Fund for USC Upstate has followed Mac Arnold, who owns a farm in the Fork Shoals students seeking a degree in the arts. The artist donated 50 percent community of Greenville County, for nearly 10 years, capturing of the proceeds from artwork sold during the exhibit to the images of him as he tended to his crops and took the stage with his scholarship fund. band Plate Full of Blues.
Nodine’s Work Profiled in National and International Publications The work of Jane Nodine, professor of art, has been featured “Encaustic Art in the Twenty-First Century” explores 79 North in two publications reaching both national and international American artists’ feelings about their work in encaustic and how audiences. Nodine’s artwork appears in the book “Encaustic Art in they use it to express their inner worlds and the world around the Twenty-First Century” by Anne Lee and E. Ashley Rooney and in them. In Surface Design Journal, Nodine’s work is profiled along the Winter/Fall 2015-2016 issue of Surface Design Journal. with other artists in Miles Conrad’s article, “The Tactile World.”
4 STUDENT AND ALUMNI UPDATES Upstate Communications Students Excel in Political Internships Over the past year, two USC Upstate communications students social media management, among other contributions. In addition, have successfully interned for South Carolina Rep. Harold Mitchell, this work led to multiple meetings with President Bill Clinton as gaining valuable experience and rubbing shoulders with a former he campaigned for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid. president along the way. Cornish and Jackson have also initiated The Get Involved Seniors Anastasia Cornish and Eric Jackson worked with Rep. Movement, which is geared toward fostering college students’ Mitchell and his communications director on public relations community involvement, leadership, and overall awareness of responsibilities during the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters. political and social issues facing the world today. Their duties included website design, community outreach, and
Art Education Students Promote Art Careers to the Community Led by Dr. Mary Lou Hightower, associate professor of art education, The careers presented were video game developer, art teacher, USC Upstate art education students recently spent a morning at Disney artist (Imagineer), book illustrator and graphic designer. New Prospect Elementary speaking about possible careers needing This unique service learning activity provided students with a an art background. Each of the Upstate students created a special direct link to the 2005 EEDA legislation (Economic and Education poster to visually present an art career, listing the education required, Development Act) that requires career development in every the median salary and a job description. Along with the poster, classroom. a short activity was created for the students that represented the career in some way.
USC Upstate History Alum Named Curator of Collections of the Upcountry History Museum-Furman University Kelly Smith, who graduated from USC Upstate with a Bachelor Smith, who earned her MA in history from Villanova University, also of Arts degree in history, has been hired as the new curator of teaches United States history and world history at USC Upstate, collections of the Upcountry History Museum-Furman University, Spartanburg Methodist College and Greenville Technical College. a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Warner Wins 2015 South Carolina Art Education Association Promising Young Professional Award Sarah Warner, USC Upstate graduate and visual arts educator and supporters of art education in South Carolina. Warner, along at Pine Street School in Spartanburg School District Seven, was with the other statewide winners, was recognized at the South recently named the recipient of the South Carolina Art Education Carolina Art Education Association’s Fall Conference in Beaufort Association’s Promising Young Professional Award. in November.
The South Carolina Art Education Association’s awards program recognizes excellence in the many outstanding individuals, programs,
Shoestring Players Invited to the American College Theatre Festival in Charleston USC Upstate’s Shoestring Players, the university’s internationally theatre piece, which was named one of the top five “Best in Fest” recognized theatre troupe, was recently invited to The American productions at the International Youth Arts Festival in London this College Theatre Festival in Charleston, where they presented past summer. “The Pursuit of U.S.” This was not the first honor for the devised
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