School of Mathematics & Sciences
SMS MESSENGER Summer Newsletter
2016
Dean’s Message Dear Alumni and Friends of the School of Mathematics and Sciences: As the last days of summer countdown and the deadline for the school report approaches, it is a good time to reflect on the 2015-16 academic year in the School of Mathematics and Sciences (SMS). You’ll notice that there is new title for the newsletter, SMS Messenger. Dr. Donald Gregory came up with the title which reflects the mission of the newsletter: to send clear and timely messages about the outstanding achievements of our students, faculty, staff and alumni, upcoming events and any new strategic plans for the school’s future.
Dr. Jacob Harney, Dean School of Mathematics and Sciences
The academic year just completed was a very successful one for both students and faculty in the School of Mathematics and Sciences. For starters, there were 44 total inductions into one or more of five different honor societies (see pgs. 3,7,11,12). Collectively, these outstanding students represent the best in their respective disciplines (biology, math, political science, psychology, sociology or cross-disciplinary) and they embody what is most rewarding to faculty, student ownership and total engagement in their education. The concept of taking ownership of your education is one that our school fully embraces. We want our students to know their general education and major disciplinary requirements. From their first day on campus we want them to feel welcomed, excited and challenged. We strive to provide a safe, intellectually stimulating environment that fosters personal growth, social acceptance and intellectual inquiry resulting in the development of mature, responsible adults. That goal will never change, regardless of the addition or subtraction of new or old programs that is a part of the evolution of higher education and the job market. In addition to the honor society inductions, our students presented undergraduate research in psychology and sociology at regional meetings. Biology students presented numerous research projects at the annual Convocation of Artists and Scholars and social science students raised thousands of dollars for service projects in Mexico (many actually traveled to Mexico and participated in those projects) as well as performing hundreds of hours of collective community service with local food banks, the Salvation Army, soccer programs for at risk kids, and the Special Olympics. Academically, 45 of the 67 students (67%) who made the Dean’s List at the end of spring semester were repeaters to the list from fall 2015. To make the Dean’s List, students must achieve a 3.5 or better GPA based on the successful completion of at least 12 credit hours and no grade below a B. This was a list that I strived to make when I was a student, and it pleases me immensely to see so many students demonstrate consistent outstanding performance. Our M&S faculty were quite active both inside and outside the classroom, publishing research papers, book chapters, contracting and writing a book, presenting at regional and local conferences, mentoring community service-learning projects, traveling abroad with students to participate in international community service, reviewing original research for professional journals, serving as advisors for honor societies and teaching English to Spanish speaking students at the Mi Familia Center in Canton, GA. I am proud to serve as dean for a school that is so dedicated to teaching, service excellence and continued scholarly activity. The future is very bright! The school will begin a new program in Information Technology (Cyber Security) with concentrations in Cyber Attacks and Computer Forensics. If interested, contact Dr. Francesco Strazzullo, Mathematics Program Coordinator, at FS1@reinhardt.edu or 770-720-5904. Please feel free to contact my office (jph@reinhardt.edu or 770-720-9102) at
any time with questions, interests, or ideas that you might like to see the School pursue. You can always find important dates for university-related events here or on the Reinhardt website - www.reinhardt.edu.
In This Issue
Dean’s Message
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Physics
Biology
Mathematics
Political Science
Graduate Studies
Graduation & Honor Societies
Lawson Academic Center and Samuel C. Dobbs Science Center
Important Dates President’s State of the University Address (FPAC)
9:00-11:00 a.m.
August 15
Employee Welcome Back Breakfast & Service Awards (Gordy)
9:00-10:30 a.m.
August 16
New Faculty Orientation
8:30-12:30 p.m.
August 17
Fall 2016 Semester begins
August 22
Faculty Colloquium
3:30-4:45 p.m.
Fall Break
September 22 October 12-14
Faculty Colloquium
3:30-4:45 p.m.
Advising/Registration for Spring 2017 Semester Faculty Colloquium
October 20 October 24 - November 4
3:3 0-4:45 p.m.
Thanksgiving Holidays
November 17 November 23-25
Last Day of Fall 2016 Semester Classes
December 2
Final Examinations for Fall Semester
December 5-9
Spring Semester 2017 begins
January 9
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 - new members and alumni
Social Behavioral Science Honor Societies
New members of Alpha Kappa Delta
New members of Pi Sigma Alpha
On April 8, 2016, the three social science honor societies welcomed new members at the spring induction. We welcomed nine new members to Pi Gamma Mu (PGM) and the Georgia Rho chapter. Pi Gamma Mu is an international, interdisciplinary social science honor society. The Georgia Rho chapter of PGM was formed in 2014 – only two years ago. It was under the leadership of Reinhardt alumni Ms. Callie Johnson and Ms. Samantha Sabin that seeds of a great chapter were planted. We were honored that they were able to join us for the event. The young chapter was nurtured and protected by the 2015-2016 officers: Ms. Kayla Spenard, Ms. Stephanie Smith, and Ms. Katie Blair. Thanks to their hard work and leadership, our members were able to organize and host the first annual Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Undergraduate Research conference last October. We welcomed over 50 participants bringing research from four of our North Georgia neighbors. The officers at international headquarters of PGM recognized the outstanding work of the Georgia Rho chapter by awarding the chapter with the prestigious Roll of Merit. Our chapter has also been featured on the cover of their newsletter – twice this year. At our ceremony, we were also able to recognize the outstanding work of students in Sociology and Political Science. Six exceptional students in Sociology were inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) along with two new members joining the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha (PSA).
PI GAMMA MU Social Sciences
ALPHA KAPPA DELTA Sociology
PI SIGMA ALPHA Political Science
Cooper, Aleah J. Davenport, Charlotte A.
Cooper, Aleah J. McClurkin, Nia O.
Blair, Katie M. Palmer, Jamieson E.
Gordon, George V.
Palmer, Jamieson E.
Gregory, Cole S.
Rubio, Jose G.
Hamid, Hijrah
Simpson, Sadie F.
McClurkin, Nia O.
Smith, Stephanie B.
Palmer, Jamieson E. Simpson, Sadie F. Walker, Kyle J.
Congratulations to the SBS students that achieved these honors!
Sociology
Students and faculty mix cement for the well in Mexico.
Year of Mexico
Dr. Cheryl Brown, Professor of Sociology, along with other faculty and part of her spring 2016 Diverse People class, travel to Mexico during spring break to help build a well that will provide water for the village of El Tablon.
For anyone who ever wanted to wander through a small town fiesta, try authentic pan dulce (sweet bread), or learn about the Monarch butterflies (who winter south of the border), RU was the place to be this year. The latest “Year Of” celebration focused on our neighbor, Mexico. During the 2015-16 academic year, students, faculty, staff, and administrators experienced some of the best Mexico has to offer!
Cement is carried up this ladder to make the cistern for the well in Mexico.
In addition to learning all about the culture and history of Mexico, the RU community came together and raised more than $8,500 to help sponsor clean water and educational projects in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. During spring break, students were actually able to work on service-learning projects in Mexico that served children throughout the Hidalgo area. The RU campus and community celebrated Mexico throughout the year with events that included a Mexican festival, goat-kissing contest and other fundraising events, lectures and an end-of-the-year fiesta. It was a great year participation was awesome and fun was had by all! Make your own “Day of the Dead” masks along with a live Mariachi Band and Mexican dancers were some of the fun activities at the Mexican Festival last semester.
Dr. Felix, Elizabeth Smith, Dr. Harney and Dr. Strazzullo run a booth at the YOM Festival!
Psychology
RU Psychology majors presented their research from the semester at the spring 2016 Professional Development Seminar.
Psychology professors Dr. Beth Russell and Dr. Katrina Smith celebrate graduation with Psychology majors!
Of course it isn’t all work….Dr. Katrina Smith enjoys Spring Day 2016 with students.
On April 22, 2016, the Professional Development in Psychology class welcomed presentations from 17 students that had completed research projects over the semester. Each student presented their work as a paper presentation offered at professional conferences.
Dr. Katrina Smith’s spring 2016 Experimental Methods class.
Also in April, students in the Experimental Methods course presented the findings from their semester’s project in a poster session hosted by the SBS club. Eleven students had completed original research projects that involved identifying a research question, finding relevant literature, developing a formal application submitted to the RU Ethics Review Board, collecting and analyzing data, and finally presenting their work.
Physics
Dr. David Moore attended the Gordon Research Conference at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.
Dr. David Moore, professor of physics, attended the Gordon Research Conference on Einstein's Relativity and Gravity Waves on June 5 -10 at Salve Regina University. Gravity waves were first discovered just last September, even though Einstein predicted their existence over 100 years ago. Participants in the LIGO (laser interferometer gravity wave observatory) presented the details of the discovery and the 50-year history of the project. Other presentations included discussions of how to incorporate these findings in undergraduate physics and astronomy courses. Dr. Moore plans to review this discovery in a faculty colloquium during the fall 2016 semester.
Biology
Officers of Psi Pi, the RU Chapter of BBB. From left to right: Jocelyn Barrett (treasurer-spring sem.); Jocelyn Blair (secretary); Madeline Gray (treasurer-fall sem.); Amy Williams (president); John Bowling (vice president); Diana Perez (historian).
Biology
Beta Beta Beta National Honor Society for Biology Beta Beta Beta (BBB) National Biological Honor Society is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Reinhardt’s chapter (Psi Pi) was chartered in 2004 and has since become one of the most active organizations on campus. The Psi Pi chapter held an induction on February 26 during which 19 students were inducted. Each inductee is at least a sophomore level biology major that has taken at least three biology courses, and possesses an overall and Biology course GPA of 3.0 or better.
Drs. Donnell, Satre and Santoro tour the CDC with BBB members.
In March, Dr. Irma Santoro took a group of students and faculty to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. At the CDC, the Reinhardt group toured the facilities, visited the museum and met with a CDC researcher in his lab. In April, BBB participated in Spring Day with a Snake Show and Tape Your Professor fundraiser. For the fundraiser, members of the Reinhardt community donated money to the jar of the professor they wanted to see taped to a column outside Gordy. The “winner” was Mrs. Elizabeth Smith (Math Department). BBB also hosted an end of the year party for the Biology department. At this meeting, newly elected officers were inducted.
Beta Beta Beta New Inductees Spring 2016 Dr. Harney, Dean of Mathematics & Sciences, speaks at the Beta Beta Beta induction ceremony.
New members of the BBB Honor Society being sworn in by Dr. Danielle Satre.
Asher, Taylor
Evans, Madison
Barrett, Jocelyn
Faulkner, Caleb
Bibiano, Yaneli
Gray, Madeline
Blair, Jocelyn
Haney, Emily
Bodine, Amanda
Payne, Kailey
Boswell, Hensley
Perez, Diana
Bowling, John
Pray, Danielle
Cassidy, Victoria
Trawick, Matthew
Clark, Elliot
Williams, Amy
Dubuc, Michael
Biology (Con’t.)
Dr. Harney and Biology faculty pose with some of the 2016 RU biology graduates.
Congratulations to Dr. Aliya Donnell and Jason Davenport on their June nuptials. The School of Math & Sciences extends our best wishes to you both!
CONGRATULATIONS to all the Mathematics and Sciences graduates of 2016!! We are all very proud of each of you!
Community members handle a snake during Spring Day 2016!
Math
Math Professor Elizabeth Smith hangs out with Beta Beta Beta members on Spring Day 2016! Matthew Freeman (Math 2016 graduate) recognized as a nontraditional honor student, poses with his great-grandmother (RU graduate class of 1946).
Math faculty pose with two Math graduates, one already has a job as quality controller for an insurance firm. Pictured from left: Dr. Strazzullo, Dr. Basta, Matthew Freeman, Alek Flener-Satre, Dr. Summers and Ms. Elizabeth Smith. Congratulations to our graduates!
Math Alumni News It’s all fun and games for Elizabeth Smith (math professor), winner of the BBB “Tape your professor” fundraiser during Spring Day 2016!
Dallas Hollis graduated in Dec. 2015 with a degree in Math and Secondary Math Education. Within days of graduation, she was teaching algebra and geometry at Riverwood Charter School. This August she will be starting a new job teaching Algebra at Creekview High School and her wedding is planned for September. Congratulations Dallas!
Let us know what you’ve been up to!
Political Science
Dr. Simon Gomez, professor of political science, speaks at the SBS Honor Society Induction.
LOCAL EDUCATOR SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM READING Dr. Simon Gomez was chosen to participate in the College Board’s Annual AP Reading. Each June, selected AP teachers and college faculty members from around the world gather in the US to evaluate and score the free-response sections of the AP Exams. The AP Reading is a unique forum in which an academic dialogue between educators is both fostered and encouraged. The Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies – with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both – while still in high school. Through AP courses in 37 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam, students learn to analyze complex problems, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue – skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students.
Graduate Studies
Pictured from left: Steven Vosika, Tyler Vanderberg, Hijrah Hamid, George Gordon, and Dr. Karen Owen.
MPA – Master of Public Administration The MPA program graduated its second cohort of graduate students on May 6, 2016. These four students excelled in their professional development and knowledge. After graduation, MPA graduates, their families, and Reinhardt faculty enjoyed a reception at the President's Home where we honored their academic accomplishments.
Congratulations! School of Mathematics & Sciences Spring 2016 Graduates Baugus, Morgan M.*♦
Biology
Bettez, Eryn B.
Criminal Justice-Sociology
Blair, Katie M.♦
Criminal Justice-Sociology
Cannon, Joseph M.
Biology
Clark, Elliott C.
Biology
Curtis, Niagel D.
Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude
Criminal Justice-Sociology
DeLay, Jessica B.
Biology
Dupre, Robert N.
Psychology
Eubanks, Beau K.
Social Services-Sociology
Flener-Satre, Alek D.
Mathematics
Freeman, Matthew G. *♦▪
Mathematics
Summa Cum Laude
Frost, Rachel M.
Criminal Justice-Sociology
Garcia, Hugo A.♦
Political Science
Cum Laude
Gordon, Natalee N. *♦▪
Biology
Summa Cum Laude
Gouba, Paridas M.
Biology
Hollis, Dallas N.♦
Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude
LaFever, Colby J. *♦
Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Lopez, Tara M.
Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Palmer, Jamieson E. Pierce, Charles E.
Political Science Biology
Rangel, Alma B.
Psychology
Schulte, Dylan J.
Criminal Justice-Sociology
Smith, Stephanie B.♦
Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
Spenard, Kayla D. *♦▪
Criminal Justice-Sociology
Summa Cum Laude
White, Lindsey C.♦
Cultural Diversity-Sociology
Cum Laude
Gordon, George V.
Master of Public Administration
Hamid, Hijrah
Master of Public Administration
Vanderberg, Tyler W.
Master of Public Administration
Vosika, Steven M.
Master of Public Administration
* Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 2016 ♦ Honor Student ▪ Alpha Chi Honor Society
Mathematics & Sciences Dean’s List - Spring 2016 Major Breakdown FR
SO
JR
SR
TOTALS
Biology
1
11
7
10
29
Math
3
2
3
4
12
Political Science
0
2
1
0
3
Pre-Nursing
1
1
0
0
2
Psychology
0
4
2
5
11
Sociology
1
2
3
4
10
6
22
16
23
67
Mathematics & Sciences - Spring 2016 Honor Students Class
Major
Bowling, John M.
Senior
PMDP
Davenport, Charlotte A.
Senior
Psychology
Gray, Madeline C.
Senior
Biology
McClurkin, Nia O.
Senior
Sociology
Simpson, Sadie F.
Senior
Sociology
Mathematics & Sciences Spring 2016 Alpha Chi Recipients Class
Major
Asher, Taylor D.
Senior
Biology
Blair, Jocelyn L.
Junior
Biology
Bodine, Amanda
Senior
Sociology
Bowling, John M.
Senior
PMDP
Gray, Madeline
Senior
Biology
Congratulations to all the Math & Science students that achieved these statuses !
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 fields courses are not part of a degree program, they give you a deeper understanding of a specific area of science.
Faculty Experienced In & Out of 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 "Jake" Harney, Dean of the School of Mathematics & Sciences, at 770-720-9102 or JPH@reinhardt.edu