草莓社区 (EMU) welcomes 12 new faculty to the ranks for the 2015-16 academic year. The new faculty, announced by , provost; , vice president and seminary dean; , vice president and undergraduate academic dean; and , vice president and dean of graduate and professional studies are:
Abigail Berkey, PhD, visiting assistant professor of biology
Berkey earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in pre-professional zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master鈥檚 in integrative biology from University of Illinois. She completed her PhD in ecology, evolution and conservation biology from University of Illinois in 2015. Her interests lie in wildlife, ornithology and ecology. Berkey has previously served at University of Illinois as an adjunct instructor.
Marcille Frederick, director of Sadie Hartzler Library
Frederick has served as a librarian at several institutions, including Trinity Christian College, The King鈥檚 University College and Institute for Christian Studies. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 in history from Beloit College, a master鈥檚 in American history and a master鈥檚 of library science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also earned a master of philosophy degree in historiography and philosophy of history at the Institute for Christian Studies in Ontario. As a librarian, she loves bringing people together to create community around ideas and sharing resources to nurture deep reflection and coming alongside as a teaching and mentor.
Samuel Wai Johnson, Jr., visiting instructor of economics
Johnson earned a bachelor鈥檚 in economics from University of Liberia and a master鈥檚 degree in economics from Ohio University. He anticipates completing a PhD this year at George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. He brings experience as a visiting scholar at EMU in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding program and as a visiting adjunct at University of Liberia. Johnson鈥檚 expertise and interest are in economic dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding, economic development and post-conflict development finance.
Lisa King, instructor of nursing
King earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing at EMU and a master鈥檚 in nursing leadership and management also at EMU. She brings nursing experience in the hospital along with specific training and certification in advanced cardiac life support and end of life and pain management. She has served as an adjunct nursing instructor previously in the nursing program at EMU.
Audrey K. Myers, assistant professor of the practice of nursing
Myers bring nursing experience in the hospital setting, both as a nurse and as a pediatric nurse practitioner, to previous instructional positions in EMU鈥檚 RN-BS nursing completion program. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology at EMU, and two degrees from University of Virginia: a bachelor鈥檚 in nursing and a master鈥檚 degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Melody M. Pannell, assistant professor of social work
Pannell returns to EMU, where she was director of multicultural services from 2003-2008. She earned master鈥檚 of divinity and master鈥檚 of education in Christian education at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology this year. Pannell brings experience as a counselor in the university, in-home, youth and clinical counseling. Her interests include church ministries and expertise in diversity and multicultural relations. She also holds two degrees in social work: a bachelor鈥檚 from EMU and a master鈥檚 from Fordham University.
Daniel Showalter, PhD, assistant professor of mathematics
Showalter brings international teaching and working experiences in a variety of rich cultural settings, including South Korea and Laos. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in mathematics from Urbana University, and a master鈥檚 degree in mathematics and a PhD in mathematics education from Ohio University, where he has been an adjunct professor and visiting assistant professo. His interest and passion lie in mentoring students in their personal, spiritual and professional paths. He values working with students holistically, whether teaching online or in the classroom.
Timothy Seidel, instructor of community and international development
Seidel brings experience in international peacebuilding and interfaith engagement, after a 10-year career with Mennonite Central Committee. Currently a PhD candidate at American University School of International Service, Seidel looks forward to 鈥渆ngaging students in critical reflection around issues of politics, development, and peacebuilding.鈥� He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biochemistry from Messiah College, a master鈥檚 degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University School of International Service, and a master of the theological studies from Wesley Theological Seminary
Michael Spory, assistant professor of art
Spory earned a degree in art from EMU and completed a master鈥檚 in architecture in 2015. He brings experience as an architectural intern and worked in marketing at MennoMedia. Spory鈥檚 interests lie in freelance photography, architecture, graphic design and branding. He was selected as a Lilly graduate fellow from 2012-2015.
Johonna Turner, PhD, assistant professor of restorative justice and peacebuilding
Turner brings a wealth of teaching experience from K-12 schools in Washington D.C. to adjunct teaching of undergraduate and graduate students at University of Maryland. She has also taught at EMU鈥檚 Summer Peacebuilding Institute. As founder and director of the Vision to Peace Project, she has been instrumental in teaching young people leadership skills to prevent violence and promote justice in their communities. Turner earned a bachelor鈥檚 degrees in interdisciplinary studies and news-editorial journalism at University of Missouri, Columbia. She earned a PhD in American studies at University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, she earned a graduate certificate in women鈥檚 studies at University of Maryland, College Park and an urban youth ministry graduate certificate from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Anna Westfall, assistant professor of art
Westfall earned a BFA in ceramic/sculpture from James Madison University and an MFA in ceramic/sculpture at University of New Mexico. Westfall brings prior teaching experience at EMU, as well as Bridgewater College and Savannah State University. Her interests lie in ceramic and sculpture techniques, three and two-dimensional design, drawing, photography and small scale casting.
Laurie Miller Yoder, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry and chemical hygiene officer
Yoder earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry from EMU and a PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Michigan. Most recently, she was lay minister at Lombard Mennonite Church and a communications coordinator at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center. In addition, she was an independent consultant at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. Her work and interests are in kinetics (rates) of gas phase (atmospheric) chemistry as well as the rates of biochemical solution phase reactions.