Melanie Buellesbach, director of communication, was one of 16 people selected to attend the inaugural Tweetup (a gathering of Twitter users) at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center/ Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Former space shuttle astronaut Hoot Gibson (left) also shared his experiences.
Sabbatical exhibition
Dr. Charles Cortright, associate professor of theology, earned his Ph.D. from Marquette University. His dissertation title was “‘Poor Maggot-sack that I Am’: the Human Body in the Theology of Martin Luther.” It’s a study in historical theology that examines the place and role of the human body in Luther’s writings, sermons, and letters. William Curtis joined Wisconsin Lutheran College in June as women’s softball coach. He also will serve as director of athletic development. Curtis was the varsity softball coach at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee. He replaces Rachel Kuehl, ’96, who stepped down as softball coach but will continue as an adjunct professor in sport and exercise science and coaching. Dr. Ray Dusseau, executive director of the Center for Urban Teaching (CfUT) at WLC, led two presentation teams at the annual international conference of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development in San Francisco. Co-presenting with Dr. Dusseau were CfUT director Edie Kastenschmidt and three WLC alumni and current urban teachers, Stef Herbert, Lindsay Maas, and Kayla Schraufnagel. Dr. Dan Ebeling, ’98, associate professor of chemistry, and WLC students Jonas Gertsch and A.J. Armstrong are working on “Novel Process Technologies for Disinfection of Potable Water.” The research project is funded by NASA and is in collaboration with KWJ Engineering (Newark, California). Dr. Ned Farley, assistant professor of anthropology, completed his Ph.D. in May. The subject of his research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was the mortuary development of a frontier cemetery in eastern Walworth County, Wisconsin. His dissertation title was “ReImagining the American Frontier: Mortuary Patterns at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1840-1889.” Carolyn Fons, director of WLC’s chapel choir and adjunct voice faculty member, conducted the conference choir for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society convention in June. One of the pieces the choir sang was written by WLC director of theatre Jan Gompper. Brian Jacobsen, associate professor of business administration, appeared on CNBC’s Market Alert (left) in spring to discuss the rising stock market. Dr. Kerry Kuehn, associate professor of physics, was awarded the Frank G. Brewer Civil Air Patrol Memorial Aerospace Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of youth in aerospace activities.
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n April and May, James Matson, professor of art, presented a series of more than 50 ceramic pieces created during his fall 2009 sabbatical. “Over the past several years, beginning with the death of my mother, I have experienced life as a series of transitions filled with joy and pain,” Matson wrote in his artist statement. “My current work attempts to consider the mysteries of the spirit, the struggles of daily life, and the unseen ramifications of choices.”
Hosting Guest Artists
Dr. Paul Lehninger, professor of theology, presented a paper titled “The Relationship between Biblical Illiteracy and Western Morality” at the Congress on the Lutheran Confessions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Aaron Palmer, assistant professor of history, had an article accepted for publication in December 2011 issue of The Journal of Early American History. The article was titled “An Extension of Power: Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Elite Rule in the South Carolina Lowcountry on the Eve of the American Revolution.” Gary Schmid, ’82, has accepted a call to serve as the college’s new vice president of finance beginning in August. For the past 20 years, he has been the comptroller, manager of finance, and deputy treasurer for the city of West Allis, Wisconsin. Duane Schlomer, current vice president of finance and administration, will be retiring in October. Deborrah Uecker, professor of communication and chair of the school of professional communication, was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Christ in Media Institute at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota. Dr. Rhoda Wolle, director of the Academic Success Center, earned her Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis in educational psychology from Capella University. Her dissertation title was “College Professors’ Description of the Lived Experience of Working with First Year Learners: A Phenomenological Study.”
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irector of arts programming Dan Schmal (left) and box office and events manager Loni Boyd pose with pianist Jeffrey Siegel during a reception following the final show of the 2010-2011 Guest Artist Series. Siegel returns to the Schwan Concert Hall four times this season for his popular Keyboard Conversations series. For a complete Guest Artist Series schedule and ticket information, call the box office at 414.443.8802 or visit wlc.edu/arts. Wisconsin Lutheran College | 15
faculty & staff
Faculty & staff notes