School of Mathematics & Sciences
SMS MESSENGER Winter Newsletter
2017
Dean’s Message Dear Alumni and Friends of the School of Mathematics and Sciences:
Last I wrote to you we were gearing up for the 2016-2017 academic year and now we are in the midst of spring semester 2017. The campus is buzzing, the sun is shining and it is a great time to reflect back on the fall semester 2016. You will see that 45 of our students earned recognition on the President’s List, an honor bestowed on students having a 4.0 GPA, and another 67 made the Dean’s list (GPA greater than 3.0). There is nothing more rewarding for a school dean and his/her faculty than to have large numbers of students earning and receiving academic honors!
Dr. Jacob Harney, Dean School of Mathematics & Sciences
Our students also have been quite involved and successful outside the classroom. Social science students and faculty attended annual local scientific and legislative meetings, and hosted their 2 nd annual Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference. Two psychology students were invited to present their research at the Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference and will be presenting this semester at the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting. Members of the biology honor society, Beta Beta Beta, participated in the clean-up of Shoal Creek. Dr. Davenport’s plant taxonomy class took an overnight field trip to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, GA to study the biodiversity of the region. Students learned about career opportunities for wildlife biologists, in park ranging and with the Department of Natural Resources. In addition, Drs. Santoro and Davenport worked with senior STEM students from Woodstock High School on ongoing research projects in their labs. The students then had opportunities to present their findings locally and this month, regionally in a state competition in Athens. As far as achievements go, alumna Kerstin Edberg (biology,’07), was named one of the “10 Under 10” by Reinhardt. Elliott Clark (biology,’16) has been accepted to Mercer Pharmacy School, and present undergraduate John Bowling has been accepted to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Finally, Dr. Francesco Strazzullo was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. Donald Gregory was promoted to Professor of Sociology. Please congratulate our students and colleagues if the opportunity presents itself. Those are just a few highlights from this academic year to date. Our faculty are extremely busy teaching their classes, assisting in school and university-wide strategic planning, and preparing for the 10-year SACSCOC reaccreditation. I have great faculty in M&S, and it is a pleasure to watch them work. Please enjoy the updates and consider coming to campus to visit. The School of Mathematics and Sciences welcomes you anytime.
In This Issue
Dean’s Message
Sociology
Psychology
Physics
Biology
Political Science
Mathematics
Lawson Academic Center and Samuel C. Dobbs Science Center
Important Dates Dean’s Scholarship Reception
April TBA
Spring Day - No Classes
April 6
Convocation of Artists & Scholars
April 10-12
Faculty Colloquium
April 13
Good Friday Holiday - Closed
April 14
Last day of spring semester classes
April 25
Reading Day - No Classes
April 26
Final Exams
April 27-May 3
Baccalaureate Service
May 4
Commencement Ceremony
May 5
Summer semester classes begin
May 8
Memorial Day Holiday - Closed
May 29
Fall semester classes begin
August 21
TBA
3:30-4:45
7:00 pm - FPAC 10:00 am - Ken White Field
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
Sociology
Reinhardt sociologists Dr. Cheryl Brown (middle) and Dr. Donald Gregory (right) take Savannah and the Georgia Sociological Association.
Nia McClurkin (back) and Sadie Simpson (front) presenting at the GSA.
Seniors Nia McClurkin and Sadie Simpson joined Drs. Donald Gregory and Cheryl Brown at the annual meeting of the GSA. Together Nia and Sadie presented on “Gender Portrayal in Televised Commercials.” Later at the meeting Nia presented on her qualitative project titled “Pub Culture in London.” Dr. Brown served as a panelist on “Transformations Through the Sociologist’s Life Course,” while Dr. Gregory moderated the session. He also served as moderator for two additional sessions. But, it was not all work. The meeting served as a mini graduate school reunion with our two intrepid professors enjoying time with their Georgia State colleagues Dr. Margaret Williams from the University of North Georgia and Dr. Ned Rinalducci from Armstrong State University.
Senior Nia McClurkin presents her project at the GSA.
Dr. Donald Gregory, Dr. Margaret Williams, Dr. Cheryl Brown and Dr. Ned Rinalducci visit together at the Georgia Sociological Association conference.
Sociology (Con’t)
Adventures in Iceland - the land of fire and ice! For several days over the recent Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Professor of Sociology Dr. Cheryl Brown and her wife Lynn Van Horn had the opportunity to explore Iceland with a new company Dr. Brown was vetting for future RU trips with students.
Enjoying a walk down to the river with crampons and trekking poles. Dr. Brown and Lynn take in the beauty that is Iceland during their adventure.
Old meets new in Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland.
Lava fields and craggy mountain peaks dominate the landscape in Iceland.
Our guide shows us the entrance to our journey through a glacier – luckily we’d been working on our slow steady ice pace. Happy to report – no falls or broken bones.
Night falls and the Northern Lights come out to play – here’s a great shot taken by Scotty in our group. The camera’s filters and open shutter really capture the experience in a way that the human eye does not. -Amazing!
Psychology
DeJane Clark and Rebecca Braswell present at the PURC conference.
Dr. Katrina Smith with The Georgia Rho Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu.
Things just keep getting better for the Georgia Rho Chapter...
SBS members in fine Halloween dress at the Trunk or Treat hosted by SGA and the Waleska United Methodist Church.
Sociology majors Michelle Bonin and Dakota Berezin with Dakota’s son Bentley at Trunk or Treat.
So that we would never be accused of burying the lead, this year the Georgia Rho chapter of Pi Gamma Mu was awarded the Roll of Distinction. This is the highest award that a chapter can receive. I think of us as small but mighty. In the fall semester, we hosted the second annual Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference. This year, we welcomed 20 presenters. Three of our presenters traveled all the way from Colorado (and were looking forward to making the conference a regular event). It has been rewarding and exciting to see this initiative growing. Of course, our chapter president Charlotte Davenport deserves a hearty thank you for all of her hard work to make this event a success.
Speaking of research and growing conferences, we were also proud to have two students from our program invited to present their research at the Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC) hosted by GSU. Because of the growth in the number of students wanting to attend PURC, this year participation was limited by the conference organizers. Two of our students were selected to participate in the event. Dejane Clark and Rebecca Braswell presented findings from their recent research projects. Both authors have continued and expanded their work and have been accepted as presenters at the spring regional conference for the Southeastern Psychological Association. Of course, all work and no play‌ well, you know the rest. The SBS crew needed to have some fun. So, we got dressed up at the Halloween Trunk or Treat hosted by SGA and Waleska United Methodist Church. SBS president Austin Garlinghouse and Vice President Abigail Finn made sure that everything ran smoothly (as they always do).
Physics
Dr. Moore is pictured above with Reene Williams, Associate Manager of the Program.
Over the Christmas break, Dr. David Moore gave two presentations to students at the Roswell ASAP (After School Achievement program). One group took a trip to the moon, and the second group explored the planets in our solar system. Dr. Moore is pictured with Reene Williams, Associate Manager of the Program (top picture). Students, acting as planets, orbit the Sun (bottom picture).
In this photo, students, acting as planets, orbit the Sun.
Biology
Adjunct C. Keith Ray, biology lecturer, was hired as a full-time faculty member in August 2016. The School of Math & Sciences is happy to welcome Keith to our Biology Department. He has been a great addition to our school! In February 2016, Mr. Ray had an article published in Zootaxa. The article included a description of a new species of fish. To check out the article, please visit http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/ zootaxa.4072.5.1/4170
We are happy to welcome Mr. C. Keith Ray as a full-time Biology faculty member.
The Rivers Alive Cleanup team
River Cleanup participants working hard to lift a heavy TV.
In November, members of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society partnered with Rivers Alive to host a cleanup of Shoal Creek (under Moore’s Mill Bridge on Hwy. 108, just past Lake Arrowhead). Our small group picked up an estimated 350 pounds of trash from the creek and surrounding areas. Our “fun finds” included a toilet, seven tires, three TVs and approximately 56 cans and bottles. The event was planned completely by Tri-Beta students, with senior John Bowling coordinating the effort. Our volunteers were Amy Williams, John Bowling, Victoria Cassidy (and younger brother Shane Cassidy), Diana Perez and Amanda Bodine.
Victoria Cassidy, a junior, picking up trash. ria .Trash picked up at the River Cleanup Event.
Biology (Con’t.)
Dr. Davenport’s Plant Taxonomy Class at Cloudland Canyon State Park
The Vascular Plant Taxonomy class took a field trip to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, GA. We stayed overnight in the park’s Yurts (plat formed tents) and explored the amazing biodiversity of the area during the day. Students also had the opportunity to meet with the Park Ranger and Wildlife Biologists to discuss careers in the Department of Natural Resources. Five Reinhardt students were nominated to participate in Research Bound, a program to recruit students into Biology graduate programs at Georgia Tech. Students learned valuable information about how to apply to graduate school and how to write a good personal statement. They also had the chance to meet with Georgia Tech faculty members and tour the biology department facilities. Participating students were: Yaneli Bibiano, Amanda Bodine, Madeline Gray, Diana Perez and Amy Williams. The Biology Program is very active this year and growing as we currently have 110 majors. The following are just a few highlights of current activities and news within the program. This is the time of year for many students that are graduating in the spring or have recently graduated to hear news about their applications to professional and/or graduate schools.
Congratulations to biology seniors John Bowling and Michael Dubuc! John was accepted to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lake Erie, PA and Michael was accepted to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Dentistry in Bradenton, FL. Both gentlemen will begin classes this fall. Madeline Gray recently interviewed for the Georgia Institute of Technology Biology Doctoral program. She has also accepted a fulltime position at Applied Technical Services as a Chemistry Technician. Congratulations to all these students and good luck to those that are still awaiting interviews and acceptance decisions.
Biology (Con’t.)
New this academic year, two faculty members of the Biology program, Dr. Aliya Davenport and Dr. Irma Santoro, partnered with seniors in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program at Woodstock High School. These students come to Reinhardt once or twice a week as interns to assist with active ongoing research projects. Dr. Santoro also mentored one of the students, Ramsha Khan with her research project that is required as part of the program. Ms. Khan presented her research findings at the NWGA Regional Science Fair and it won first honors. It will now go on to the state competition in Athens, GA on March 30 – April 1, 2017. The Beyond Dobbs Seminar Series that was established several years ago to introduce students to careers and opportunities away from the Reinhardt Campus is bringing several speakers to campus this semester. On February 8, 2017 Lori Forrester from the Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority discussed various volunteer opportunities with the Georgia Adopt-a-Stream program for monitoring local streams and on how to become certified to do so.
Biology Alumni News Biology Alumna Kerstin Edberg (’07) was named one of the “10 Under 10” by Reinhardt. Elliott Clark, a recent graduate (’16), has been accepted to the Mercer Pharmacy School.
Dr. Kerstin Edberg (’07) named one of “10 Under 10” at RU!
Robert Daniel Maner, a former Reinhardt student, returned to Reinhardt on March 1. He met with students and gave a presentation on his experiences in Medical School at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and his experiences preparing for residency. He has recently been accepted to his first-choice residency program in Emergency Medicine at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, Michigan.
Political Science
Reinhardt participants (l-r): Tyler Gaines, Nicolle Amaya, Alexis Flanagan, Dr. Karen Owen, Darian Harris and John Croley.
Reinhardt Political Science and Sociology students attended the 2017 Georgia Legislative Outlook event at Troutman Sanders Law Firm in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. The students heard an informative discussion between Georgia Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Ralston, and University of Georgia Professor Charles S. Bullock, III. Speaker Ralston shared current news and events from the 2017 Georgia General Assembly session with the students. He also spoke about the major legislative initiatives scheduled for debate and votes this year.
Math The Math Program is currently working to complete all the required paperwork needed to become a Mathematics and Computer Sciences Program. This will enable us to offer a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security starting in Fall 2017. This process includes a search to fill a full-time faculty position dedicated to support this new degree.
Math senior, Tyler Martin, is also a member of our esteemed football team.
Some of our current students are expected to graduate in Cyber Security by Spring 2020. One of our graduating seniors, Tyler Martin, has been working hard to help the Cherokee County Juvenile Justice Services Department teach a videogame designing course for about eight male teenagers under the JJSD supervision. All the lengthy paperwork is almost completed and Tyler's internship should start soon.
Math & Science President’s List – Fall 2016 FR
SO
JR
SR
TOTALS
Biology
3
4
3
1
11
Biology Edu
1
0
0
0
1
Math
0
1
1
0
2
Math Edu
0
0
1
0
1
MIT
1
0
0
0
1
PMPD
1
0
0
5
6
Political Science
1
1
0
0
2
Pre-Nursing
9
1
0
0
10
Psychology
0
0
0
0
0
PPHT
0
1
0
0
1
PVET
1
0
0
0
1
Sociology
2
3
3
1
9
Total
45
Math & Science Dean’s List – Fall 2016 FR
SO
JR
SR
TOTALS
Biology
8
7
1
1
17
Biology Edu
0
0
0
1
1
Math
3
1
1
2
7
Math Edu
1
2
0
0
3
MIT
1
0
0
0
1
PMPD
0
0
0
1
1
Political Science
2
1
0
0
3
Pre-Nursing
18
2
0
1
21
Psychology
4
0
1
0
5
Sociology
4
1
2
1
8
Total
67
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 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