NewsNotes
Faculty and Staff News Faculty Awards Convocation The Faculty Awards Convocation held each spring recognizes six faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves as excellent teachers and advisors. This year’s ceremony also recognized several faculty and staff for 25 years of service and celebrated two retirements. Anthony J. (A.J.) Miceli ’86M, assistant professor and chairperson of communication arts, was recognized with the Distinguished Faculty Award, nominated by the Faculty Senate. Professor Miceli is well known by many alumni as one of Gannon’s most dynamic faculty. Other recognition included John M. Vohlidka, Ph.D., instructor of history, with the SGA Excellence in Teaching Award; John Coleman, security officer, with The Bishop Trautman “Feed My Sheep” Award, a recognition chosen by students’ election; and Elisa Konieczko, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, with the Undergraduate Research Award for outstanding work in assisting undergraduates with professional research. Additionally, Robin Powers, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, and Holly Jodon, assistant professor of the physician assistant program, both received the Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Award for their respective colleges.
Faculty Complete Terminal Degrees
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Several faculty members recently furthered their education and completed terminal degrees. Parris Baker ’92, assistant professor of social work, completed his Ph.D. from the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. Duane R. (Rick) Prokop, assistant professor of marketing, completed his D.S.L. (Doctorate in Strategic Leadership) from Regent University in Virginia. Suzanne Sturdivant ’06M, instructor of radiologic sciences, received her M.Ed. (Master’s of Education) from Gannon University.
A.J. Miceli accepts the Distinguished Faculty Award from President Garibaldi. Frank Bogacki, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; Robert Brooker, Ph.D., professor of finance; Mary Carol (M.C.) Gensheimer, assistant professor of communication arts; Michael Messina, Ph.D., associate professor and program director of marketing; Penelope Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of English; and Bruce Morton Wright, music director and conductor of the Erie Chamber Orchestra, were all recognized for 25 years of service. Sister Lucille DeStefano, SSJ, associate professor of fine arts, and Thomas Parthenakis, Ph.D., associate professor of history, entered retirement.
Newly Tenured Faculty During the May Board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved tenure for the following nine faculty members: Gong Chen, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering Linda Fleming, Ph.D., associate professor of counseling psychology Catherine Gillespie, DHSc, assistant professor of physician assistant program Patrick Headley, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics Mark Jubulis, Ph.D., associate professor of history, political science and legal studies Sister Min-Shik Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing Carlos Mamani, Ph.D., assistant professor of foreign languages and cultures Scott Steinbrink, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering Professor Deborah West, assistant professor of Nash Library