cbufaculty focus JUNE 2012
Dr. Gary Bonner, founding dean of the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music, was honored Dec. 13 at the Riverside City Council meeting for his contribution to the arts in Riverside. He was recognized by the Riverside Arts Council as the December Arts Honoree of the Month. In 2002, Bonner led the CBU School of Music that has gained a stellar reputation for quality and community service. CBU music groups perform at local venues, including the Fox Performing Arts Center and Harvest Christian Fellowship, as well as national sites like the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology and clinical microbiologist, co-authored seven peer-reviewed scientific articles in 2011. The articles primarily related to molecular biology and genetics of mosquitocidal bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Israelensis. Two recent articles, co-authored with DiazMendoza and Federici, B.A., were published online and are currently in press. Bideshi, an active member of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, was recently elected SecretaryTreasurer of the Bacterial Division. His term runs through 2013. Articles authored by Dr. Jeff Cate, professor of New Testament, and Dr. Dan Wilson, professor of Christian Studies, are featured in the Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook, published in September by Bakerbooks. Cate wrote articles on slavery and the synagogue, and Wilson’s piece focused on the crucifixion. Cate also contributed two chapters to another recently published work, Essays on Revelation: Appropriating Yesterday’s Apocalypse in Today’s World, published by Wipf and Stock. 12 I 13
Michael Berger, assistant professor of graphic design, designed two logos that were selected from among 36,000 entries for inclusion in the Logo Lounge Book 7, set for publication in July 2012. Dr. Tran Hong was named associate vice president of technology and began his new duties Feb. 1. A scholar and practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in information technology, Hong became Dean of Technology for Online and Professional Studies at CBU in 2010. Dr. Tracy Ward, associate provost for administration and assistant professor of psychology, presented a paper from her dissertation research titled, “Student Retention and Social Network Site Use at a Four-Year Private University,” Nov. 17 at the Association for the Study of Higher Education in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Daniel Blair, assistant professor of American Sign Language, starred with son Jonathan in LifeHouse Theater’s production of the award-winning musical, “JOSEPH.” The show opened Feb. 25 and closed April 1. The musical closely followed the Biblical story. Blair has also acted with his son and daughter, Krista, in Seussical the Musical, Scrooge, Unto Us and It’s a Wonderful Life. Dr. Anthony Chute, associate dean of the School of Christian Ministries, was named a finalist for the John Pollock Award under the “Christian Biography” category with Father Mercer: The Story of a Baptist Statesman. The award, named after the Christian biographer, is awarded annually by Beeson Divinity School for the most outstanding Christian biography. Father Mercer follows the life of Jesse Mercer, a Georgia Baptist leader in the 19th century.