By Alexis Young
Staff Writer
The 2016-17 school year has heightened the standings of four professors along with adding an additional ten to the ‘Bona bubble.’
New professors can be found in three of the university’s five schools, including the School of Business, the School of Arts and Science and the School of Education. The new hires and their positions are as follows:
Larry Hudack, Accounting Visiting Professor,
Matrecia James, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Business,
Margaret Jones-Carey, Ed.D, Graduate Teacher Education Assistant Professor,
Donika Kelly, English Assistant Professor,
Todd Moe, Economics Visiting Assistant Professor,
Nguyen Pham, Ph.D., Marketing Assistant Professor,
Sean Ryan, Ph.D., Biology Assistant Professor,
Scott Simpson, Ph.D., Chemistry Assistant Professor,
Christine Uhl, Ph.D., Mathematics Assistant Professor and
Hou Ung, Ph.D., Chemistry Assistant Professor.
Ung said he completed his Ph.D and began his professorship in Southern California. During his Ph.D work, Ung taught as a graduate student at the University of California Riverside. Upon completing his degree, Ung became a visiting professor at the University of Redlands. He said that this is his first time coming this far east and is excited to see the snow this winter.
“Family, friends, advisers and other professors; a lot of them inspired me to be the person I am today. My graduate adviser at Riverside was very helpful—a very nice person, easy to talk to. He’s my inspiration to become a person or professor just like that,” Ung said.
Professor Pham began her academic career at the Vietnam National University, where she completed her B.S. in biology. Upon completion of her degree, Pham attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she graduated summa cum laude. Most recently she attained her Ph.D. in marketing from Arizona State University, where she also taught as a graduate student. She said that the people at Bonaventure have been nice and very helpful as she has settled into her new role.
Professor Uhl, the new face in the mathematics department, completed her graduate work at the University of North Texas. During these six years, Uhl served as a teaching fellow for undergraduate mathematics. She said, “A lot of hard work and very supportive family and friends” got her to where she is today.
The faculty members who received promotions include:
Megan Walsh, Ph.D. tenured Associate Professor of English,
Darryl Mayeaux, Ph.D., Director of the Honors Program, Professor of Psychology,
Gregory Privitera, Ph.D., Chair of Psychology Department, Professor of Psychology and
Father Peter Schneible, O.F.M., Associate Professor of Biology.
The ladder of academia progresses from assistant professor, to associate professor and then finally to full professor.
According to Walsh, “The university has granted me the freedom to explore new directions in research and in innovative teaching methods, while at the same time my commitment to the university’s future has increased as I take on new leadership responsibilities here.”
In order for professors to be promoted, they must be recognized in their research, teaching and service within their field and the university. According to Schneible, promotions at Bonaventure are mainly based on publication.
In his time between promotions, Mayeaux wrote textbook ancillaries and published between two and three papers. Schneible was also busy helping to write a grant that brought the school $600,000 from the International Science Foundation; $500,000 of which will go towards scholarships for science students.
However, their scholarly work is not the only thing that helped these professors get where they are today. Privitera accredits his success to other people, specifically those who encouraged him to take on challenges and helped him overcome the obstacles he found along the way.
Because of these people, Privitera has a desire to be that person in others’ lives.
“If someone really starts to be passionate about something, instead of telling them about all the road blocks in their way, being a partner with them and helping them to realize what their goals are,” Privitera said.
Each of the promoted professors expressed gratitude for the promotion and are excited to continue his or her careers as Bonnies.
youngam13@bonaventure.edu
