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Jonathan Master
Dr. Debbie MacCullough
Paula Beach
Dr. Roger Petersen
PBU Chamber Singers
Ecuador
Kenya
Eric Bofinger
Ephraim Schäfli
Opera Workshop
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Academically Speaking
Susan Childers, Assistant Professor in the Graduate Christian Counseling Program, spoke with her husband, Gail Childers, at a couple’s workshop in September at the Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Bellmawr, NJ, on the topic “Communication 101: The Empathetic Spouse.”
Jonathan Master, Associate Professor in the School of Bible and Ministry and Director, Center for University Studies, recently published a feature book review, “A Triumphant Debunking,” addressing Rodney Stark’s The Triumph of Christianity in the Englewood Review of Books.
Dr. Debbie MacCullough, Dean of the School of Education, taught a webinar for the Association of Christian Schools International in December and January titled, “Best Practices in Mathematics Teaching.”
Dr. Sheryl Vasso, Professor and Chair of the M.S. in Education Program in the School of Education, spoke at the Child Evangelism Fellowship retreat at Camp Hebron in January. Her topics included “Hard Words, Soft Words, Wise Words” and “Consider Your Ways, Number Your Days” (a study of Haggai). In addition, Dr. Vasso and Cammy Tidwell published their fourth book, a Bible study for educators, titled Walk the Talk, Dress the Part.
Dr. Jean Minto, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, presented a paper at the national conference of the American Conference of Irish Studies, held in New Orleans in March. Her paper was on St. Patrick and Politics.
Dr. Gary Schnittjer, Professor in the School of Bible and Ministry, recently completed a webpage for Zondervan’s TextbookPlus, which offers resources to instructors using Dr. Schnittjer’s The Torah Story as a textbook. The site includes sample syllabi, exams, quizzes, assignments, and visual aids.
Paula Beach, Associate Professor in the School of Education, received the “HERitage Award” in recognition of and appreciation for her dedication to women in sport and athletics. The award was given by the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at the State convention in November 2011.
Jack O’Brien, Adjunct Faculty in the School of Bible and Ministry, represented CAM International at the North America Missions Bicentennial Celebration in Salem and Boston, MA, in February. In March, he was the speaker at the Hispanic Weekend retreats at America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ.
In December, Philip Tuttle, President of Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, presented Dr. Roger Petersen, Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, with the President’s Award “for extraordinary service to Walk Thru the Bible.” Dr. Petersen became an instructor with Walk Thru the Bible in 1978 and has taught over 700 live events, far more than any other instructor in the history of the organization.
Dr. Debbie Lynn Wolf, Professor and Chair of Music Education in the School of Music and Performing Arts, commissioned by the research executive committee of the National Association for Music Education (NafME), submitted literature reviews on elementary pitch and rhythm development for the standards revision project included in the research report, Arts Education Standards and 21st Century Skills, released fall 2011 by The College Board, in partnership with the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards. Her work will also be foundational in another research strand to be released in the near future focusing a comprehensive review of preK-12 arts education and child development. This spring, her chapters are being developed into a formal publication through NafME.
Service
The PBU Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. David Shockey, Professor and Chair, Voice Studies in the School of Music and Performing Arts, traveled to Japan in December with artist Makoto Fujimura. They performed concerts in Tokyo and in the northern regions devastated by March’s tsunami. They were joined by Chancellor Sherrill Babb and his wife Nayla.
A team of students, faculty, and staff traveled to Ecuador during J Term to serve at El Refugeo, helping to build a climbing wall, a prayer garden, dig trenches, and paint. The team was led by Dr. Juliet Campbell-Farrell, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work, and Christian Donabie, Maintenance. Students Harry Mikula, Brenmarie Nazario, Mary-Bliz Balletros, Kat Groff, Allie Pisarro, and Kacie Loucks participated.
During J Term, Blair Benjamin, Internet Technology Specialist and Web Architect, led a team of ten students, several alumni, and medical professionals on a 17-day trip to Kenya to work once again with a church in a small village doing a medical camp and continuing work on a building project in conjunction with the Benjamin Wellness Center. The team included students Shannon Champagne, Julie Martin, Wayne Peiffer, Caleb Solt, Jessica Kirkner, Jeremy McAlack, Natalie Crooke, Mary Burdett, Zachary Mahon, and Kathleen Meacham.
PBU-SIFE partnered with New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey to launch a social media campaign as he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC). In the months preceding and during his climb in January, over $100,000 was raised for a new health clinic. PBU-SIFE has worked with BTC to expand an existing small enterprise called Set Beautiful Free. Thomason Varghese, Assistant Professor in the School of Business and Leadership, and his family will be leaving PBU to serve with BTC in Mumbai.
Other News
Eric Bofinger, Head Coach of PBU’s Cross Country teams, won the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon in December, qualifying for the Boston Marathon in the process. Bofinger ran a personal best of 2:36:23 in the race.
Serving as the President of Association for Business Administrators for Christian Colleges, Jan Haas, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, presided over the ABACC Conference in Orlando, Florida the week of February 22nd-26th. He led workshops on Structure & Culture and Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting.
PentaVoce, PBU’s Faculty Wind Ensemble, directed by Joseph Caminiti, Assistant Professor and Chair of Instrumental Studies in the School of Music and Performing Arts, consists of performers and teachers who are well-established professionals. The ensemble has performed throughout the region during this year. To learn more about their upcoming performances, visit www.cairn.edu/pentavoce.
Ephraim Schäfli was named 2011 Staff Member of the Year for his work as Music Events Coordinator for the School of Music and Performing Arts. He was recognized for his work scheduling itinerate ensembles, coordinating on-campus music events and concerts, and collaborating with the Communications and Marketing Department to produce print pieces for the School.
In January, Robin Massie, Adjunct Voice Faculty in the School of Music and Performing Arts, performed the role of Ermengarde in a concert version of “Hello Dolly!” with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, starring Sandi Patty and Gary Beach and conducted by Jack Everly. Composer Jerry Herman was in attendance, as was Dr. Todd Williams.
Steven Condy, Adjunct Faculty and Director of Opera Workshop for the School of Music and Performing Arts, marked his 75th career performance of Dr. Bartolo in “The Barber of Seville” with Boston Lyric Opera in March.
The School of Music and Performing Arts’ Opera Workshop course presented The Melody Lingers On: The Songs of Irving Berlin in February. Stage and musical direction was provided by adjunct professors Steven Condy and Robin Massie. To see photos from the event, visit PBU’s page on Facebook.
The PBU Women’s Volleyball Team were named a 2011 Scholar Team by NCCAA.
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