By Julia Mericle
News Editor
Professor Adam Cook, who graduated with a Ph. D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo last year, joined the finance department as a visiting assistant professor.
Cook previously worked as a visiting professor at SUNY Fredonia.
He will be teaching macroeconomic principles and statistical apps for business this semester and also working on research.
According to Cook, his field of expertise is health and education economics.
“What I’m really good at is the computational stuff,” Cook said. “So, I’m mostly an empirical economist. I work with computers and lots of data.”
Dr. Sandy Pool, author of “Exploding Into Night” and “Undark: An Oratorio,” is teaching courses, including Clare 110 and creative writing: poetry and the Romantic Movement in the English department.
Pool, a native of Ontario, Canada, graduated from the University of Toronto, received her master’s from the University of Guelph and her Ph. D. from the University of Calgary. She has taught at a number of universities including the University of Toronto and University of Calgary.
Pool said she plans to work with different academic clubs, but also hopes students will come to her with their creative work.
“I am happy to sit down with anyone who wants to chat,” Pool said. According to Pool, her current position is everything she enjoys in one job.
Professor Heather Harris, previously a part-time journalism and mass communication professor, now has a full-time position.
Harris graduated from Syracuse University, received her MBA from the University of Rochester and her MFA from Academy of Art University.
With higher education experience teaching at Villa Maria College and Corporate America experience working at large companies, including Fisher Price, Harris said she hopes to share her experiences to teach her students. This semester, Harris is teaching digital portfolio and career readiness, marketing communication research and integrated marketing communication (IMC) principles and practices.
“I love the IMC program. I think it is perfectly positioned for where marketing and business are going for the future,” Harris said. “So, I’m really excited to be part of that program as that continues to grown and evolve.”
Dr. Michael Gallagher, assistant professor of finance, received his Ph. D. from Fordham University in economics with a concentration in finance.
This semester he is teaching corporation finance, money and banking and econometrics for finance.
Gallagher previously worked in financial markets as a trader on Wall Street, until the market became largely electronic. In response, Gallagher returned to school to stay competitive, he said.
While in school, Gallagher began teaching at Fordham University and Fairfield University. He said he enjoyed it.
According to Gallagher, teaching allows him to learn a lot more about his field and he is looking forward to becoming part of the St. Bonaventure community.
“My experience here has been very, very welcoming,” Gallagher said. “I find everybody to be really pleasant and friendly and I want to be a part of that.”
Professor David Kassnoff, previously an adjunct professor in the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will teach as a full-time lecturer of marketing communications and public relations this semester.
Kassnoff graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in journalism and mass communication and has taught at other schools, including SUNY College at Brockport and St. John Fisher College.
He has more than 25 years of professional experience in public relations and marketing communications with Eastman Kodak Co., the University of Rochester and several advertising agencies.
According to Kassnoff, this new position will allow him more opportunity to engage with students. “I’m going to work to live up to the example set by Dr. Jandoli,” Kassnoff said. “I had the great fortune of attending his classes, and his passion and dedication to helping students succeed is a model for the type of professor I’m working to become.”
Fr. Michael D. Calabria, O.F.M., Ph.D, has returned to St. Bonaventure University this year to establish the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies.
Calabria left St. Bonaventure in 2012 to complete his doctorate in Islamic Studies with the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, UK. He also previously attended Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, Colombia University and the Washington Theological Union.
During his previous time at St. Bonaventure, Calabria initiated Arabic language classes and a minor in Arabic and Islamic studies, which has transitioned into the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies.
The center focuses on on-campus instruction, off-campus instruction, community outreach and scholarship.
Calabria suggested the university begin teaching Arabic when he noticed student interest in his Clare 206 classes when covering the Qur’an.
“What I like about all of this is that it was student interest that drove it in the first place,” Calabria said. “And I’m assuming that student interest will also move it forward.”
According to Calabria, a lecture series, featuring scholars in the field of Arab and Islamic studies, will begin this semester.
The mission of the new center is to foster understanding, appreciation and respect between Muslim and Christian people.
Dr. Joseph Zimmer, previously the dean of the School of Education, is now the Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In his new position, Zimmer is responsible for academic services for students.
According to Zimmer, the biggest difference between his previous and current role is the scope of issues he must address.
“Instead of dealing with all of the issues of one school, I now deal with the larger issues of all six schools,” Zimmer said.
This semester, Zimmer said he plans to explore more opportunities for graduate education and healthcare programs.
Bo
b VanWicklin, who graduated from Houghton College and earned his masters degree from Naval War College, will act as the Vice President for Advancement starting Monday.
VanWicklin previously worked as a foreign affairs advisor for Congressman Amo Houghton and his successors. He joined the Navy Reserve as an intelligence officer.
VanWicklin also worked in higher education administration at both Houghton College and the State University of New York at Buffalo, which he said has given him experience in fundraising and working with alumni.
“Bonnies are a very loyal and proud group of alumni,” VanWicklin said.
