New Faculty, Coach Bring Experience, Credentials

A new group of faculty described by President Dick Merriman as "spectacular hires" was on hand to open the academic year.

All of the six open faculty positions and one coaching job were filled by persons with unusually strong academic and classroom experience, says David Nichols, dean of faculty.

"We are excited about the quality of the new faculty members we have employed for the new year," Nichols says. "We have been able to attract some outstanding scholars and experienced and skilled teachers. We have also been able to add to the diversity of the faculty with professors from Bangladesh and Argentina, and a soccer coach from Brazil. Our ability to attract such persons demonstrates the fact that Southwestern is becoming a college of distinction in our region."

New faculty members include three hired in tenure-track positions:

• Munir Hassan, assistant professor of finance. Hassan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, and has most recently taught at Fort Hays State University. He will be extensively involved in the new master of business administration (MBA) degree.
• Jennifer Miller, assistant professor of biology. Recently graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a doctorate in plant physiology, Miller will teach courses including microbiology and an integrative studies course titled Plants, People, and Places. Her research into how the depletion of the ozone layer affects aging in plants has been published, with another paper in review. ·
• Moira Rogers, associate professor of international studies and modern languages. A native of Argentina, Rogers speaks seven languages, including French, Spanish, German, and Greek. She earned her doctorate from Virginia Polytechnic University. In addition to heading the international studies program, Rogers will work with Conocer Southwestern, SC's service learning program that seeks to improve interaction between cultures.

Other new faculty members are:

• Shawn Neises, assistant professor of education and director of the early childhood education program. Neises had taught kindergarten for 11 years, the last six at Belle Plaine. She is studying for her doctorate at Oklahoma State University.
• Daniel Williams, assistant professor of theatre design. With extensive experience in theatre design (lighting, sound, sets) and technical directing, Williams has a master of fine arts from Southern Illinois University. He was most recently technical director at Wichita State University.
• Ann Wasilewski, assistant professor of education. Wasilewski will complete her doctorate in curriculum and social foundations at Oklahoma State University in November. She is experienced in both teaching and counseling in Georgia and Oklahoma school districts.

One new coach joined the Southwestern College during the summer. Roberto Dos Santos will coach men's and women's soccer. A native of Brazil, Dos Santos graduated from Bethany College, where he also was head women's soccer coach. He then served as assistant men's coach at the University of Evansville.

Summer Camps Flourish

With the February addition of a director of summer camps and conferences, Southwestern College summer 2000 was a busy one. Unlike many years, halls and facilities did not sit idle from June through August.

The Southwestern College Allied Health Camp was one of 21 camps and conferences held on campus this summer. Senior nursing students planned and organized the week-long camp for high school students.

Campers were sponsored by their local health professionals or organizations and sampled health-related professions including optometry, nursing, trauma care (with a visit from the Lifewatch helicopter), and athletic training.

"I think this camp offered a wonderful opportunity for high school juniors and seniors-something that wasn't offered for me," says Jelinda Gose, a senior nursing student who helped organize the camp. "It gives them a chance to sample before they choose a particular health-related profession."

Eleven senior nursing students planned and executed the camp under the supervision of Susan Bumsted, associate professor of nursing. Twenty-one campers attended the camp sponsored by hospitals, clinics, and other businesses from such towns as Salina, Liberal, Sabetha, Lakin, Medicine Lodge, St. Francis, and Ponca City, Okla.

Summer 2000 at Southwestern College included 21 programs with 1,300 participants (up from 13 programs and 517 participants in 1999). Camps and conferences included:

Rotary Youth Leadership Camp · Allied Health Camp · Bridges Conference FCA Football Camp · Christian Symposium · Chrysalis Children's Choir Camp · Horsefeathers and Applesauce Day Camp Horsefeathers and Applesauce Workshop · Faculty Technology Conference Men's and Women's Basketball · Four Commuter Volleyball Camps Disciple Teachers' Workshop