School of Mathematics & Sciences
SMS MESSENGER Fall Newsletter
2017
Dean’s Message Dear Alumni and Friends of the School of Mathematics and Sciences: Classes have been back in full force this fall semester. The first day of the semester arrived on the same day as the Solar Eclipse, making an already life-changing day even more so for our incoming first-year students. Many huddled around Lake Mullinex to view the event, listen to the confused wildlife, and then return to class, practice or rehearsal. The return of students and faculty always turns a quiet, sleepy hilltop campus into a lively, community of teaching, learning, leading and collegiality. The last day to add a full semester course has now passed and so students have been set with their schedules, and the advisors/ faculty are focusing entirely on their courses, scholarship and service to the smooth functioning of the university.
Dr. Jacob Harney, Dean School of Mathematics & Sciences
The School of Mathematics and Sciences welcomed two new colleagues to the mix: Charity Robertson and Dr. Fred Fortunato. Charity has a unique relationship with Reinhardt as her parents, Sylvia and Eddie, were both long-time faculty members of the university, retiring in 2011 and 2015, respectively. Charity carries on where her father left off teaching introductory biology and laboratory for us in the evenings, which meets a real need for some of our non-traditional students. In addition, she is tutoring in the Academic Support Office where she replaced Shirley Silver, who retired in May 2017. Dr. Fortunato comes to us from Evangel University, in Springfield, MO, where he taught chemistry, statistics, physics and operations management. Fred and his wife moved to Georgia to be closer to family, and we were fortunate enough to have an immediate replacement for chemistry professor Andy Edwards, who retired after 43 years at Reinhardt. We are excited to have professors Robertson and Fortunato as part of the natural sciences at Reinhardt University. Please enjoy our newsletter and find out what’s been going on. Remember, we are always delighted to hear from alumni and members of the community who may have an interest in visiting campus and sharing some of their experience and wisdom with our students. The Vision, Mission and Values of Reinhardt University Vision: Create a unique Reinhardt Experience where each student thrives Mission: Reinhardt University educates the whole person by developing the intellectual, social, personal, vocational, spiritual and physical dimensions of its students. Values: Faith – Learning - Leading Honor Pledge: Reinhardt University is a community of learners committed to the integration of faith and learning in the education of the whole person. As a partnership of students, faculty, and staff, we are dedicated to intellectual inquiry, academic freedom, and moral development. We are devoted to the principles of integrity, honesty, and individual responsibility. Therefore, in all our personal and academic endeavors, we will strive to represent our institution with integrity, purpose, and pride; demonstrate honest behavior and expect honesty from others; and accept responsibility for our own words and actions.
In This Issue
Dean’s Message
Social Behavioral Sciences
Psychology
Sociology
Biology
Political Science
Honor Lists
2017 Math-Science Graduates
Lawson Academic Center and Samuel C. Dobbs Science Center
Important Dates Thanksgiving Holidays
November 22 - 24
Last Day of Fall 2017 Semester Classes
December 1
Final Examinations for Fall Semester
December 4 - 8
Deadline for posting fall 2017 Grades
December 11
Spring Semester 2018 begins
January 8
Contact Us Our community is important to us. If you are an alumnus or current student with updates, a prospective major, or someone simply interested in our programs, please contact us – we’d love to hear from you! Dr. Jacob Harney Dean, Mathematics & Sciences 770-720-9102 jph@reinhardt.edu
Ms. Nydia Patrick Admin. Asst. 770-720-5797 nsp@reinhardt.edu
Social Behavioral Sciences
Pi Gamma Mu, Honor Society for Social Behavioral Sciences, celebrates its 2017 induction.
Social Behavioral Science Honor Societies
SBS and Pi Gamma Mu members participate in the RU 2017 Spring Day event.
The three social science honor societies enjoyed celebrating this year’s new member induction on April 21, 2017. We welcomed 16 new members to the Georgia Rho chapter of Pi Gamma Mu (PGM). At our ceremony, we were also able to recognize the outstanding work of students in sociology and political science. Five exceptional students in sociology were inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) along with five new members joining the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha (PSA).
Social Science Honor Societies Welcome New 2017 Members
Austin helps out at the SBS/PGM table during the Spring Day event.
PI GAMMA MU Social Sciences
ALPHA KAPPA DELTA PI SIGMA ALPHA Sociology Political Science
Braswell, Rebecca D. - Pres Bryan, Brittany N. Cicci, Colleen N. Finn, Abigail R. Franklin, Brittany N. Harris, Darian Z. Hawthorne, Michael B.
Cicci, Colleen N. Franklin, Brittany N. Harris, Darian Z. Miller, Jr., Tommy L. Payne, Katie T.
Gaines, Tyler M. Harris, Darian Z. Hawthorne, Michael B. Koppes, Zachary S. Miller, Jr., Tommy L.
Jones, Kristina M. - Sec Koppes, Zachary S. Miller, Jr., Tommy L. Nable, Richard A. * Patrick, T. Grant Payne, Katie T. - VP Rubio, Jose G. Strickland. Cassie C. Turner, Coy C. * *Graduate Students
Psychology
Making time for some fun and games helps to fight the winter blues for some RU Psychology students.
Members of Pi Gamma Mu, Honor Society for Social Behavioral Sciences, celebrate their 2017 induction.
A whirlwind spring semester Wow! We had such a busy year. Early in the semester, we fought the winter blues with a get together to share in some fun and games. But the excitement didn’t end there. We worked and played all semester long! Over Spring Break, nine of our majors took part in the Southeastern Psychological Association annual meeting in Atlanta. Regional conferences are such a great way for students to see the vast possibilities of research in psychology.
Dejane Clark presented her research on the racial experiences of African American college students.
We had three students presenting their research at the meeting. Dejane Clark presented her research on the racial experiences of African American college students. This project represented her work over the last year and two methods courses. Rebecca Braswell and Austin Garlinghouse presented their work with Dr. Katrina Smith and Dr. Danielle Satre, exploring the effects of essential oils on memory and cortisol levels. Austin and Rebecca were also able to travel with Dr. Satre to present their work at a biology conference in Birmingham.
And as our semester drew to a close, it seems like things sped up instead of slowing down. We had nine experimental methods students presenting their projects at our annual poster session and 11 students presenting work in the professional development seminar. SBS and PGM members worked to share in the fun of Spring Day, and we celebrated the graduation season with our spring graduates.
Rebecca Braswell and Austin Garlinghouse with Dr. Katrina Smith at the annual SEPA conference.
Instead of stopping there, we kept right on going -- all the way to Cuba. Our group of 21 had the experience of a lifetime! Students took classes on U.S./Cuba History and Policy, Environmental Psychology, Diverse People of Cuba, and Magical Realism taught by the intrepid guides of the trip – members of the RU faculty and administration. We are sharing our adventures in the Year of Cuba. We did so much, I don’t know just how we are going to top it next year.
Sociology
Art…..….. and nature were on full
RU travelers gather to hear Dr. Mark Roberts present the words of leading Cuban writers against the backdrop of the Cuban coast.
The planning for this trip began two years ago when a pal at EF, the travel company I use for many trips, called to let me know they would soon be able to take education groups to Cuba. I signed up that day. There was no doubt in my mind that taking members of the RU community to Cuba would be an amazing journey. Within a couple days my team was on board and we began telling everyone about the opportunity. By the time registration for the trip closed, we had 21 folks ready to go. We had current students, dual-enrolled folks, alums, faculty, administrators, a trustee, spouses and a member of the Waleska community. Together we laughed, learned, mourned a loss, danced, sang and engaged with the Cuban community. While we left as 21 individuals, we came back a family – and isn’t that what RU’s all about? Old cars…...
….and nature were on full display and won the hearts of RU travelers!
From Havana to the coast in Cienfuegos, the RU group had an adventure for the ages. Our nine-day journey saw us cruising through South Beach and Little Havana in Miami before completing our visas and heading to Cuba. We visited the University of Havana, the canon ceremony held nightly at the fort overlooking Havana Harbor and several community programs assisting young people to learn a variety of important skills to improve their futures.
Sociology Cont’d.
We got to take a ride on an old steam engine train that was built to haul sugar cane to the refinery.
We got to play baseball against an award-winning local team….lucky for us no one kept score!
Youngsters in Havana feeding the pigeons – a favorite game for little ones everywhere.
Old cars in Havana parked by the world famous Malacon – a place to stroll in the evenings.
Biology
Measuring frogs at the OTS site in Palo Verde, Costa Rica.
Biology majors participating in the study abroad trip in May attend the Botanical Gardens to become familiar with the plants they will study in Costa Rica.
In May, Dr. Davenport and Dr. Satre took 13 biology students on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica. Before the trip, students took two courses focused on the ecosystems, plant and animal life of Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, the group visited Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna waterfall, Baldi Natural Hot Springs, and they went zip lining in Monteverde Cloud Forest. Our group also spent considerable time in two biological field stations: La Selva (a rainforest reserve) and Palo Verde (a dry forest reserve). Students had the opportunity to learn from Costa Rican researchers and collected data for ongoing research projects at the stations.
Sexing frogs at the OTS site in Palo Verde, Costa Rica.
Amy Williams makes a mold of an animal print in Monteverde.
Students were able to assist in data collection at the OTS site in La Selva (measuring trees), as well as assist in data collection at the OTS site in Palo Verde (trapping and measuring frogs). In addition, students participated in a service project in Monteverde where they looked for animal tracks and made molds of tracks they found. These experiences gave them the chance to observe the wild life we have been studying as well as get a taste of field work. Overall, the trip was a great success, and the Biology department looks forward to making another Costa Rican trip in the future.
The study-abroad group poses for a photo with their guide, Tony, at Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica.
Biology (Cont’d.)
Biology majors gather at the Atlanta airport in anticipation of their departure to study abroad in Costa Rica!
RU Students Kevon James and Emily Haney measuring trees in the arboretum at La Selva Biological Station. The measurements taken by students contributed to a pre-existing database containing several decades of tree growth and climate change data.
Reinhardt students and faculty enjoying the La Fortuna Waterfall near the Arenal Volcano.
Drs. Danielle Satre and Aliya Davenport on canopy bridge at Monteverde.
RU students preparing to zip-line through the canopy at Monteverde Cloud Forest.
RU students and faculty, along with guide Anthony NuĂąez in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Biology majors gather at the airport in Costa Rica awaiting their flight home after a very educational and enjoyable trip!
Biology (Cont’d.)
New Inductees of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society. Back row (l to r): Tony Herrington, Kayley Edgar, Sarah Brennan, Alexis Davis, Haley Collins, Sarah Kate Jenkins, Kerstin Joyner, Eric Owens. Front row (l to r): Helem Morales, Sara York, Hunter Irvin, Madeline Moore.
Beta Beta Beta 2017 New Inductees
From left to right: Taylor Weaver (Vice President), Kailey Payne (President), Alexis Davis (Historian) and Sara York (Treasurer). Not pictured: Tony Herrington (2nd Vice President), Victoria Cassidy (Secretary 1) and Kersten Joyner (Secretary 2).
Tri-Beta upperclassmen biology majors mentor to up and coming biology majors.
Arnold, Michael Brandon, Ashlyn Brennan, Sarah Collins, Haley Davis, Alexis Edgar, Kayley Harding, Aubrey Herrington, Tony
Irvin, Hunter Jenkins, Sarah Kate Joyner, Kersten Moore, Madeline Morales, Helem Owen, Eric Wooding, Erika York, Sara
The Psi Pi Chapter of Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) National Biological Honor Society held an induction ceremony on Wednesday, March 1 2017, at the Bannister Glasshouse. Students and their guests were treated to a sit-down dinner, and Dr. Austin Flint (Reinhardt University Board of Trustees Member) gave the keynote address. Students must meet the following criteria in order to be inducted into Tri -Beta: they must be second semester sophomore biology or biology education majors, they must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or greater, they must have taken at least three biology courses, and they must have a 3.0 GPA or greater in their biology courses. The following students were inducted: Michael Arnold, Ashlyn Brandon, Sarah Brennan, Haley Collins, Alexis Davis, Kayley Edgar, Aubrie Harding, Tony Herrington, Hunter Irvin, Sarah Kate Jenkins, Kersten Joyner, Madeline Moore, Helem Morales, Eric Owens, Erika Wooding, Sara York. Tri-Beta also conducted a mentoring activity during the spring semester. At this event, upperclassmen met with groups of freshmen and sophomores to share their experiences as Reinhardt biology students, and to offer advice to the underclassmen. During spring semester we completed several other activities, including a visit to the Bodies exhibit, a service project at a nearby nursing home and an end of the year party. At the final meeting, officers for the 2017-2018 school year were elected. The results are as follows – President: Kailey Payne; Vice President: Taylor Weaver and Tony Herrington; Secretary: Victoria Cassidy and Kersten Joyner; Treasurer: Sara York; Historian: Alexis Davis.
Biology (Cont’d.)
Biology graduates at commencement. From left to right: Taylor Asher, Emily Haney, Yaneli Bibiano, Michael Dubuc, Jocelyn Blair, Dr. Jacob Harney (Dean, School of Math and Science), Caleb Faulkner, Diana Perez, John Bowling, Danielle Pray, Adrian Hayes. Not pictured: Storm Lewis, LJ Stegall, Amber Herrington, Erika Woodfin. What a great end of the year it was. We experienced the largest graduating class with 21 students graduating from the biology program. Please join us in congratulating all the graduates. We wish them the best success in their future endeavors.
Biology Alumni News
On May 12, 2017, Zach Felix and his colleague Bryan Hudson hosted a meeting in the Science Building. This meeting was meant to bring together numerous parties from the region that are involved with the management and conservation of the northern pine snake, and to explore the possibility of forming a working group that will meet regularly and coordinate funding and research activities. The meeting was attended by including representatives from the Georgia Division of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Power, Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, Zoo Atlanta, The Smithsonian Institute, Kennesaw State University, UT Knoxville and the Shortleaf Pine Initiative, The Vet Clinic West in Marietta, as well as state agencies from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and North and South Carolina.
Recent graduate Storm Lewis will be working with the Georgia DNR (Department of Natural Resources).
Dr. Zack Felix and Bryan Hudson host a “Pine Snake Conservation” meeting at the Dobbs Science Building in May 2017.
Political Science
Dr. SimonPeter Gomez poses with 2017 Pi Sigma Alpha inductees.
Nicolle Amaya, RU sociology major, is currently doing an internship with Cherokee County Superior Court Judge (and Reinhardt University Trustee) Ellen McElyea. Because Judge McElyea is currently without a law clerk, Nicolle has a unique opportunity to essentially serve in that role, providing her with invaluable experience researching and briefing legal cases, and making recommendations to the judge on how to rule on legal issues that arise during her court cases. Congratulations to Dr. SimonPeter Gomez, assistant professor of political science, on the recent acceptance of his article for publication. The article, “Change and Stability in Offender Behaviors and Incident-Level Characteristics of Mass Public Shootings in the United States, 1984-2015,” will be published in “Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling.” Congratulations are also in order for the other authors of this article: Joel Capellan (assistant professor of criminal justice at Rowan University), Colleen Cicci (current Reinhardt sociology major), and Alex Garcia (2015 Reinhardt University graduate in political science). Following is an abstract from the article. For the last 40 years, the general profile of mass public shooters has enjoyed enduring consensus by experts, and as a result has remained stable during this time. However, a recent string of mass public shootings perpetrated by atypical offenders brings into question our understanding of the characteristics, motivations, and methods employed by these offenders. The goal of this study is to examine the stability and change in these characteristics and behaviors over the last 32 years (1984-2015). Using an open-source database, this study compares mass public shootings from 1984 to 1999 to attacks committed from 2000-2015. The results illustrate not only a sharp increase in such attacks, but also significant growth in the racial heterogeneity and background characteristics of these offenders, marking a clear departure from the generally accepted profile of mass public shooters. The results also point to key characteristics and behaviors that have remained stable during this time. Additionally, this study explores the implications such changes have on crime prevention strategies, and strategies employed to mitigate the lethality of such attacks.
Congratulations! School of Mathematics & Sciences Spring 2017 Graduates Abrams, Jonathan D.
Psychology
Adams, Brandi N.
Biology
Asher, Taylor D. ♦
Biology
Barikos, Alan V.
Biology
Baxter, Chelsea C.
Berezin, Dakota L.
Magna Cum Laude
Sociology - Social Services, Criminal
Sociology - Social Services
Bibiano-Baltazar, Ines Y. ♦*
Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Blair, Jocelyn L. ♦*
Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Bodine, Amanda L. ♦
Biology
Summa Cum Laude
Bowling, John M. ♦
Biology
Summa Cum Laude
Bryant, Aliyah M.
Psychology
Clark, Dejane A.
Psychology
Cooper, Aleah J. ♦
Sociology - Criminal Justice, Social
Davenport, Charlotte A.
Psychology
Dawson, Kelsey M.
Psychology
Cum Laude
Dubuc, Michael A. ♦*
Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Evans, Madison E. ♦
Biology
Cum Laude
Faulkner, Caleb J. ♦*
Biology
Cum Laude
Finn, Abigail R. Franklin, Brittany N.
Psychology, Sociology - Cultural Diversity Sociology- Social Services, Psychology
Gray, Madeline C. ♦■
Biology
Haney, Emily N.
Biology
Harding, Aubrie A.
Biology
Hayes, Adrian K.
Biology
Herrington, Amber C.
Biology
Ives, Georgina K.
Biology
Summa Cum Laude
* Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 2017 ♦ Honor Student ▪ Alpha Chi Honor Society
Congratulations! School of Mathematics & Sciences Spring 2017 Graduates, Con’t. Koppes, Zachary S.
Political Science
Lewis, Mario A.
Sociology - Criminal Justice
Lewis, Terran S.
Biology
Lindstrom, Chapman T.
Mathematics
Martin, Tyler E.
Mathematics
McClurkin, Nia O. ♦ Misner, Matthew R. Nicolacopulos, Cassandra L. Odom, Mar’Trina L. Perez-Mora, Diana F. ♦■* Porter, Benjamin L.
Sociology - Criminal Justice, Psychology Sociology - Criminal Justice, Psychology Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Sociology - Criminal Justice
Pray, Danielle L.
Biology
Ray, Cameron M.
Mathematics
Rubio, Jose G. ♦
Sociology - Criminal Justice
Russell, Briana A.
Mathematics
Salazar-Cruz, Rafael ♦
Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude
Simpson, Sadie F. ♦
Sociology - Criminal Justice,
Cum Laude
Stegall, Lafonzo N.
Biology
Trull, Seth T.
Sociology - Criminal Justice
Walden, Emily M.
Sociology - Cultural Diversity
Walker, Jason D.
Political Science
Woodfin, Erica R.
Biology
Cum Laude
* Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 2017 ♦ Honor Student ▪ Alpha Chi Honor Society
Congratulations 2017 Math & Science Graduates!
School of Math & Science Students Study Abroad in…
Cuba
Costa Rica….Pura
Vida
Math & Science President’s List – Spring 2017
Math & Science Honor Lists
FR
SO
JR
SR
TOTALS
Biology
0
3
2
3
8
Math
0
1
1
1
3
MIT
1
0
0
0
1
PMPD
0
0
0
5
5
Political Science
0
1
1
1
3
Psychology
0
0
0
2
2
PVET
0
1
0
1
2
Sociology
1
0
1
1
3
Total
27
Math & Science Dean’s List – Spring 2017
Biology Math MIT PMPD Political Science Psychology Sociology
FR
SO
JR
SR
TOTALS
0
7
13
2
22
0
1
0
3
4
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
2
0
1
0
1
2
1
3
0
3
7
0
2
0
3
5
Total
44
Congratulations to all the Math & Science students who achieved this status!
Discover your passion. Make a difference. Answer the questions you care about. Learn about yourself and the world around you.
It's Your Path and We Help You Get There. The School of Mathematics & Sciences at Reinhardt offers you exciting academic programs that build the foundation for a successful future. As a student, you will have the opportunities for hands-on learning and field experiences that prepare you for whatever path you take after graduation - whether it's furthering your education in graduate school or entering a career in your field. Degree programs are offered in biology, mathematics, political science, sociology and psychology, as well as an associate's degree in pre-nursing. Even though the associated field courses are not part of a degree program, they give you a deeper understanding of a specific area of science.
Faculty Experiences In & Out of the Classroom You can learn from faculty who are experts of their field in the classroom and in the real world. From a molecular geneticist to a licensed therapist, the faculty are committed to your academic success and to challenge you to reach your fullest potential. Minors Give You a Well-Rounded Experience Do you want a program to complement your current degree program? You also have the option of minoring in an area of mathematics and sciences. You can choose from six different minors, from biology to social science research. Make Your Biggest Discovery in the School of Mathematics & Sciences. For more information, contact Dr. Jacob Harney, Dean of the School of Mathematics & Sciences, at 770-720-9102 or JPH@reinhardt.edu