St. Norbert College welcomes new faculty

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From St. Norbert College, October 4, 2010
by Stephen Schumacher, stephen.schumacher@snc.edu, (920) 403-3089

St. Norbert College welcomes the following new faculty and staff members for the 2010-2011 academic year:

Ravikant Agarwal: St. Norbert College welcomes Dr. Ravikant (Ravi) Agarwal as assistant professor of computer science. Ravi received his B.S. and M.S. from Wilkes University in electrical and computer engineering and his Ph.D. from Auburn University in computer science and software engineering. Ravi joins St. Norbert College from Hope College, where he was a visiting assistant professor for two years. During that time, he taught several introductory courses, supervised undergraduate research projects, and developed a new course.
Paula Brusky: Dr. Paula Brusky joins St. Norbert College as an adjunct assistant professor of music. Originally from the Appleton area, Brusky received a B.M. cum laude from Northwestern University and a M.M. from Indiana University before being awarded the Endeavor International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to attend the University of Sydney, Australia. Brusky completed her Ph.D. in bassoon performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She also played principal bassoon with the Sydney Chamber Orchestra and freelanced with Colleguim Musicum Choir, Sydney Philharmonic Choir, Sydney Youth Orchestra, and Symphony Australia. In addition to her accomplishments as a performer, Brusky is a published researcher specializing in injury prevention for musicians and frequently presents guest lectures at universities throughout the country.

Laurey Clampett: Laurey Clampett joins the college as an adjunct instructor of finance. Clampett was on the business faculty at UW-Green Bay for many years teaching personal and corporate finance. She also used her experience as a stockbroker and financial planner to design and conduct personal financial planning seminars for the Green Bay Packers. Currently, as co-founder of Metacomm, Clampett conducts management training in areas such as public speaking, written communication skills, and meeting management; conducts organizational communications assessments through surveys and interviews; and assists companies with planning communication strategy for organizational changes.

Ryan Cordell: Dr. Ryan Cordell joined St. Norbert College as an assistant professor of English and director of writing across the curriculum this summer. Cordell received his B.A. in English language and literature, magna cum laude, from George Washington University, and his Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Virginia. At Virginia, Cordell taught the Little Red Schoolhouse writing curriculum.

Tina Dhaliwal: Dr. Tina Dhaliwal joins the college as an adjunct instructor of education and as a member of the division of student affairs in counseling and testing services. Dhaliwal received her Psy.D. and M.A. in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Outside of her work and educational experiences, Dhaliwal has also traveled and spent time in India, becoming very familiar with interdependent societies and cultures.

Jeffrey Frick: Dr. Jeffrey Frick joins St. Norbert College as dean of the college and academic vice president. Frick received his A.B. in chemistry from Augustana College and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Loyola University of Chicago. Frick's research interests include the tracking of environmental contaminates present in wildlife and the synthesis of biological compounds. While a chemistry professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, Frick was awarded a NSF grant to write an integrated curriculum for first- and second-year college chemistry courses. Most recently, Frick was associate provost for academic services at Illinois Wesleyan.

Daniel Groft: Daniel Groft joins St. Norbert in the social science division as an instructor of economics. Groft is in the process of receiving his Ph.D. in macroeconomics from Louisiana State University. He is particularly interested in central banking and monetary policy. He won two "Excellence in Teaching" Awards at LSU.

Jason Haen: St. Norbert College welcomes alumnus Jason Haen (1996) as an instructor of accounting. Haen received his B.A. from St. Norbert College, his M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is a certified public accountant. He was most recently the director of finance and accounting for the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. Haen has also served as an adjunct instructor at NWTC and St. Norbert College.

Julie Black Harder: Dr. Julie Harder returns to St. Norbert College as an adjunct instructor of religious studies. Harder taught at the college last spring semester. She earned her B.S. in biology from the University of Notre Dame, where she also discovered a fascination with theology, taking all her electives in the theology and philosophy departments. Harder received her M.D. from the University of Wisconsin Medical School and moved to Green Bay in 1987 after completing her pediatric residency training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. While practicing pediatrics, Harder became coordinator of adult education at her congregation (Atonement Lutheran Church), and subsequently chose a new career path, earning a M.A. in theology (concentration in New Testament) from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque.

Blake Henson: St. Norbert College welcomes Dr. Blake Henson as an assistant professor of music, specializing in theory, history and composition. Henson received his B.M. and M.M. in theory and composition from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and his D.M.A. in music composition from The Ohio State University. He has composed numerous orchestral works, but he is best known for his choral music, which has been performed both nationally and internationally. Henson comes to St. Norbert from The Ohio State University, where he served as graduate teaching associate in music as well as artistic director of the New Music Collective.

Kortney James: Dr. Kortney James joins the college as the new adjunct instructor of music (flute). Previously, James taught flute at Arizona State University as a faculty associate for a one-year appointment, and at Arizona School for the Arts for four years. While living in Arizona, James performed regularly with the Arizona Opera Orchestra and enjoyed a successful freelance career. Since moving to Wisconsin in 2006, she has performed with the Green Bay Symphony, Fox Valley Symphony, and various chamber ensembles throughout the area.

Marc Jimos: Adjunct Instructor of Music

Michael Knight: Dr. Michael Knight joins St. Norbert's music department as an assistant professor of music, director of bands, and head of instrumental music education. He earned his B.S.E. from the University of Missouri, his M.M. from the University of Georgia, and his D.M.A. in musical arts: band conducting from the University of Iowa. Michael held the position of associate director of bands at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his primary responsibilities there were conducting and teaching within the School of Music.

Patricia LaPointe: Ms. Patricia LaPointe joins St. Norbert College as an adjunct assistant professor of art. She earned her B.F.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. LaPointe has integrated her love of art into the community by volunteering and showing her photography in solo and group exhibitions.

Majorie Mau: The college welcomes Marjorie Mau as an adjunct instructor of art. Mau, a local professional artist, received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she has taught in the art department. Mau has completed advanced courses and workshops at several institutions and has illustrated childrens books. She has exhibited her work in many state and national exhibitions.

Rebecca Nimmer: Becky Nimmer the college as an adjunct instructor of music. Becky is a 1996 graduate of St. Norbert (B.M.), and completed her M.M. at Northwestern University. She is currently a music teacher in the Kaukauna Area School District.

Brenda Pfeil: Brenda Pfeil is now an adjunct instructor of French in St. Norbert's modern languages and literatures discipline. She holds a B.S.E. with a major in French from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Pfeil is a local resident and has taught at several K-12 schools throughout the area.

James Porter: Visiting assistant professor of physics

Erin Pryor: Dr. Erin Pryor joins St. Norbert College as a visiting assistant professor of sociology. Pryor received her Ph.D. from the University of Akron Kent State University joint Ph.D. program and received her M.A. and B.A. from the University of Toledo. Pryor has done research largely focused on the contemporary experiences of Blacks in the U.S. and how the social construction of race maintains inequality over time. Her research interests center on race, inequality and family, with particular attention to critical race theory. This fall she will teach both Introduction to Sociology and Social Inequalities.

Susan Regnier: Susan Regnier joins the college as an adjunct instructor of education. Regnier holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in elementary education and cognitive disabilities and an M.S.E. from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in special education with emphasis in learning disabilities. She retired after 36 years of full-time teaching, primarily in the area of learning disabilities. For the past two years, Susan has worked as a substitute teacher for the Ashwaubenon School District.

Barbara Ryan: The college welcomes Barb Ryan, adjunct instructor of education. Ryan spent 35 years as a special education teacher and program support teacher in local schools. Ryan completed both her undergraduate and master's degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Ryan has served on local and state educational committees to develop inclusionary educational practices, transitional programs and curricula. She has worked to support both regular-education and special-education teachers in their roles to serve students with disabilities.

Sarah Ryan: Sarah Ryan joined the St. Norbert College academic affairs division as director of grant development in the office of institutional effectiveness beginning June 1, 2010. Ryan earned her B.A. in legal studies and history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her J.D. from De Paul University College of Law. Ryan previously worked at De Paul as development director of a legal aid group. Working with faculty and staff in academic affairs, student affairs, and St. Norbert College's Mission and Heritage department, she will identify and publicize potential sources of grant funding and coordinate the development, preparation and submission of grant proposals.

Rebecca Schmeisser: Dr. Rebecca Schmeisser, assistant professor of geology, joins St. Norbert College in the natural science division. Schmeisser received her B.S. in geology from St. Norbert, her M.S. geology from Northern Arizona University, and her Ph.D. in geosciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Schmeisser will focus on undergraduate education, both in teaching and research.
Sally Stamper: Sally Stamper joins the college as a visiting instructor for religious studies. Stamper is completing her dissertation in theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School, from which she also received an M.A. in divinity. Stamper has a B.A. from Agnes Scott College in English and psychology and an M.S.W. in clinical social work from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Prior to her graduate work in theology, Stamper worked as a child welfare specialist and psychotherapist. Her teaching experience includes humanities, philosophy, religion, and academic writing at Lake Forest College, Midland Lutheran College, and the University of Chicago.

Karen Stefiuk: Adjunct instructor of music

Julie Stockwell: Adjunct instructor of social work

Meg Turville-Heitz: Meg Turville-Heitz joins St. Norbert College as an adjunct instructor of anthropology. Turville-Heitz received her B.A. in English/journalism, her M.A. in anthropology/archaeology, and is working toward her Ph.D. in archaeology and mass communications, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Turville-Heitz also has extensive experience in journalism and environmental science.