Hope College Dean for Social Sciences

Grant Continues Evaluation of Program for Feeding Orphans in Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:35:00 +0000

A grant to Dr. Deborah Sturtevant of the Hope College sociology and social work faculty will continue her on-going evaluation of a program to feed orphaned children in Zambia; her hope: to help save lives. She will be examining the "Milk and Medicine Program" of the Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ), measuring the effect of changes implemented this past year based on her earlier, three-year study of the program. Her work is being supported by a $200,000 grant to the Alliance for Children Everywhere, a partner organization of the CACZ, by the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.

The "Milk and Medicine Program" provides infant formula, protein supplements and medicine to children through age three who have been orphaned but are staying with their extended families. Sturtevant noted that by providing resources for their care, the program is seeking to enable the children to remain with families rather than be institutionalized. The problem is particularly acute, she said, with the AIDS epidemic sweeping Africa having left many children without their parents.

"This is a really fragile situation," said Sturtevant, who is a professor of sociology and social work as well as chairperson of the department. In analyzing data for 2006 to 2008, Sturtevant found that the outcomes weren’t matching the vision. While 88 percent of children entering the program were under the normal weight for Zambian children, 94 percent were still underweight after 18 months in the program. "While children are surviving, the data showed that the program isn’t working as well as it should be," she said.

In the spring of 2009, she visited Zambia with colleague Dr. Jane Wimmer of Dalton State University and interviewed participants, staff and others involved to identify changes for improvement. Patterns emerged. For example, the children needed more nourishment than the formula alone could supply, and family members sometimes needed to walk many hours to retrieve the formula, too far to manage. The interviews resulted in four suggestions that were implemented later in the same year: increasing the amount of formula based on weight and age, adding vitamin and mineral supplements, improving record keeping and adding distribution sites. For the next three years, she will examine the data to see if—as she hopes—the children’s health improves. In 2012, she’ll return for another site visit and follow-up interviews.

Professor Sturtevant’s involvement in the project reflects her long-term emphasis on child welfare abroad, work that has taken her to Romania, China and Central America in addition to Africa. She regularly involves Hope students in her research. Current seniors Bethany Braaksma of Cambria, Wis., and David Dethmers of Champaign, Ill., have been working with her most recently on the "Milk and Medicine Program" project, with sophomore Lindsey Boeve of Holland becoming involved in the statistical analysis full-time this summer.

Education Professor Sheds Light on Beginning Teachers' Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:29:00 +0000

Professor Laura Pardo of the Hope College Education Department has contributed a chapter to a text that examines a variety of issues related to teaching in urban settings. Research on Urban Teacher Learning: Examining Contextual Factors Over Time (Stairs, A.J. and Donnell, K.A., 2010, Information Age Publishing: Charlotte, NC) presents a range of evidence-based analyses focused on the role of contextual factors on urban teacher learning. Part I introduces the reader to the conceptual and empirical literature on urban teacher learning.

Part II shares eight research studies that examine how, what, and why urban teachers learn in the form of rich longitudinal studies. Part III analyzes the ways federal, state, and local policies affect urban teacher learning and highlights the synergistic relationship between urban teacher learning and context. What makes this collection powerful is not only that it moves research front and center in discussions of urban teacher learning, but also that it recognizes the importance of learning over time and the way urban schools' contexts and conditions enable and constrain teacher learning.

Professor Pardo's chapter, "Preparing Students for the Test is not Necessarily Preparing Them to be Good Writers: A Beginning Urban Teacher’s Dilemma," is a further analysis of the work she has done in recent years that examines how a variety of factors impact the experience of new teachers.

Dave Myers Adds to Psychology Literature

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:26:00 +0000

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Professor David Myers of the Hope College Psychology Department has published a new AP edition of Psychology 9th Edition. The content, photos, examples, and overall organization of the text has been adapted to suit the high school market. With the explosive growth in Advanced Placement Psychology (from 3900 exam takers in 1992 to more than 150,000 in 2009), the need for outstanding teaching materials has increased significantly.

Social psychologist David Myers is a communicator of psychological science to college students and the general public. His scientific writings, supported by National Science Foundation grants and fellowships and recognized by the Gordon Allport Prize, have appeared in three dozen academic periodicals, including Science, the American Scientist, the American Psychologist, and Psychological Science. David has digested psychological research for the public through articles in four dozen magazines, from Scientific American to Christian Century, and through seventeen books, including general interest books and textbooks.

Psychology Students Earn Regional Research Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:04:00 +0000

Two teams of Hope College students are receiving regional awards for excellence in research from the Midwestern chapter of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. It is the 11th consecutive year that Hope students have been named winners of regional awards, and the fifth year in a row that multiple Hope students have received regional recognition. More than 300 research students or teams of students submitted work for the Midwestern competition. Only 24 awards were granted.

The awards will be presented during the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association in Chicago, Ill., on Thursday-Saturday, April 29-May 1. The team of Lauren Wright of Chelsea, who graduated in December, and seniors John VanDusen of Liberty Township, Ohio, and Kyle Stufflebeam of Centralia, Ill., is being honored for the project "Guilt and Sympathy Increase Perceptions of Racism and Ageism." The students conducted their research with Dr. Mary Inman, professor of psychology.

The team of seniors Timothy Brandt of Portage, Lindsey Lawrence of Flint and Courtney St. Clair of Stow, Ohio, is being honored for the project "Self-Forgiveness: A Study of Rumination, Repentance and Self-Condoning Responses after Committing an Interpersonal Transgression." The students conducted their research with Dr. Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet, professor of psychology.

The Psi Chi national honor society was founded in 1929 to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in scholarship, and advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi has chapters at more than 1,000 senior colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Since its founding, the honor society has registered more than 500,000 members. Psi Chi chapters are grouped within six regions: Eastern, Midwestern, Rocky Mountain, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. The Midwestern Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Hope’s chapter of Psi Chi was chartered in 1965.

Professor Roger Nemeth Selected for Overseas Program

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Professor Roger Nemeth of the Department of Sociology and Social Work was recently selected to participate in IES Abroad's Global Cities: London and Berlin in Perspective Program. Professor Nemeth traveled to Berlin and London to learn more about the possibilities for establishing courses in the social sciences for Hope College students in thos cities. He developed first-hand familiarity with all facets of the IES Abroad London Center, London Residence Hall, and Berlin Metropolitan Studies Program through visiting the IES Abroad Center facilities, touring local partner universities, attending classes, visiting student accommodations, and meeting IES Abroad students, staff, and faculty. In addition, he had the chance to explore the program locations through cultural activities and regional excursions.

Professor Nemeth has extensive international experience. He has taught or conducted research in Japan, Korea, Egypt, and the Netherlands.

Faculty Present at Regional Athletic Training Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:42:00 +0000

Dr. Kirk Brumels and Meg Frens of the Hope College kinesiology faculty and athletic training staff made research presentations during the Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA), held on Thursday-Saturday, March 11-13, in Detroit. Dr. Brumels spoke twice, presenting "Video Game Based Rehabilitation" and "Wii and Video Game Based Rehabilitation for Back and Core Training." Professor Frens presented "Pilates Exercises for Back and Core Strengthening."

GLATA's professional education conference provides continuing educational opportunities for athletic training and health care professionals from across the country and especially those who reside in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, and the provinces of Ottawa and Manitoba in Canada. Both Professors Brumels and Frens are active in professional associations and currently hold leadership positions in the Michigan Athletic Trainers' Society (MATS), and through their involvement in MATS were also active in planning the GLATA event. Dr. Brumels, who is an associate professor of kinesiology, athletic trainer and director of the athletic training program at Hope, is currently serving a two-year term as president-elect of MATS and will be president during 2011 and 2012. Professor Frens, who is an assistant professor of kinesiology and athletic trainer, is chairperson of the Professional Education Committee of MATS

Upward Bound Students and Families Celebrate Program's Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:34:00 +0000

A celebration of the Hope College Upward Bound Program took place on Saturday, March 13. The event was part of a national commemoration, but the "TRIO Day Celebration" scheduled by Hope College TRIO Upward Bound focussed on local impact: the hundreds of high school students whose lives have been touched by the program across 40-plus years. The celebration began at Graves Hall on the Hope campus, where Upward Bound's offices are housed, and continued to Centennial Park. The event was scheduled as an opportunity for current and past participants and friends of the program to gather, with the walk symbolizing their personal journey to higher education and the program's community focus. Students, their families, alumni and members of the community shared reflections concerning the difference that Upward Bound makes in helping students prepare for college.

Hope College Upward Bound is funded through the TRIO program of the U.S. Department of Education, which supports hundreds of pre-college and college programs nationwide. "It’s been meaningful to hear their commitment to higher education," said Andrea Mireles, who is the student and family advocate with Hope College Upward Bound. "For parents to have had their children here, and to say that they see the difference that the program has made to their child."

Upward Bound, which began in 1968, serves 80 high school students from the Holland, West Ottawa and Fennville school districts during both the school year (afternoons and some weekends) and the summer. The program seeks to generate the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school from among students from low--ncome and first-generation families who have the potential to pursue a college education but may lack adequate preparation or support. The goal of the program is to increase the academic performance and motivational levels of eligible students so that they may complete secondary schooling and successfully pursue post-secondary educational programs.

Liz Colburn, director of Hope College Upward Bound, estimates that more than 2,000 area students have participated in the program since its inception. Recent high school graduates are currently attending colleges and universities including Hope, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University and Western Michigan University. Alumni of the program live as nearby as within a few blocks of campus, and as far away as California and Hawaii.

National TRIO Day was established through a 1986 Congressional resolution to focus "attention on the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives, to the necessary investment if they are to become contributing citizens of the country, and to the talent which will be wasted if that investment is not made." There are more than 2,800 TRIO programs serving nearly 850,000 students at more than 1,200 colleges, universities and community agencies throughout the United States, Caribbean and Pacific Islands, including more than 960 Upward Bound programs.

Baker Scholars Go International

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:24:00 +0000

The Hope College Baker Scholars established a new chapter in the organization's 40-year history when it took its first international trip in February. The group visited the Republic of Panama where it was hosted by Baker Scholar alum and Associate Peace Corps Director for
Community Economic Development, Zach Barricklow '05.

Panama has one of the most vibrant economies in the hemisphere. The Bakers met with economists, diplomats, business professionals, consultants, corporate and non-profit executives, and community organizing professionals. They visited the largest real estate development in the world, one of the most biologically diverse rain forests in the tropics, an indigenous village the second largest free trade zone on earth and, of course, the canal which facilitates global trade and on which the vast majority of U.S. goods rely on for passage from producer to consumer. Needless to say, the group’s five days in Panama was filled to the brim.

The Baker Scholars are a select group of upper-class students, chosen by a panel of local business professionals through a rigorous application and interview process. All applicants meet a high academic standard; however, those selected are distinguished by their leadership potential. Bakers are motivated, intelligent, hard working, and creative. The program provides students with experiences and opportunities outside the normal curriculum of the college. Program activities consist of professional visits and trips to major business centers, engagement with important business leaders, service to the college and the community, and social activities. The group is student led. Professors Vicki Ten Haken and John Lunn of the Department of Economics, Management, and Accounting serve as advisors.

Matt Scogin '02 Address on "Who is looking out for Main Street?"

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:21:00 +0000

The Student Congress at Hope College sponsored a lecture "From Washington to Wall Street: Who is looking out for Main Street?" by Hope graduate Matt Scogin, who is a senior staff member with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and was formerly with the U.S. Treasury Department, on Monday, March 15. Scogin, who is vice president and chief of staff to the chief executive officer at the NYSE, offered his perspective on what needs to change in Washington and on Wall Street to advance a common economic good for the nation. Scogin graduated from Hope in 2002 with majors in political science and economics.

For the year after graduation, he served as a senior advisor for State Representative Barb Vander Veen in Lansing. He subsequently attended the graduate program in public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., graduating with a Master's of Public Policy degree in 2005. During 2005-06 he held a year-long research fellowship in Germany, sponsored by the Bosch Foundation, to study welfare reform and labor markets. He later joined the staff of the United States Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., serving as senior advisor to the Under Secretary for Domestic Finance. He has also worked previously for Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Wachovia Bank in Charlotte, N.C.

Scogin, who is originally from Portage, is himself a past member of the college's Student Congress, and served as the organization's president during 2000-01 and vice president during 1999-2000. He was involved in numerous other campus organizations and college activities as a student. During the spring of 2001, he held an internship in the Office of Political Affairs in the White House while participating in the college’s Washington Honors Semester.

DEMA Student Wins Accounting Scholarship

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:13:00 +0000

Josh Jelenek, a Hope College senior from Laingsburg, has won the "Fred Rugg Student Scholarship" presented by the Western Michigan Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Grand Rapids Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants. Jelenek was announced as the winner of the $1,000 award during the 2010 "Student Night" meeting sponsored by the two chapters on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and held in Grand Rapids. He was chosen on the basis of his essay addressing the topic "How will the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) impact your accounting career as you prepare to graduate and start a career in public accounting or private industry?"

The scholarship competition was open to students from Aquinas College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and Hope. In addition to the scholarship announcement, the Feb. 9 event included a keynote address by Kim Korth, president of IRN Inc., who presented "The Economy and Future of the American Auto Industry."

Jelenek is a certified public accounting major at Hope whose recognition on campus includes having been named to the Hope College Baker Scholars, an elite group of business students who plan a career in business or future graduate business studies. He has completed an audit internship with Deloitte and a tax internship with Perrigo, and after graduation will be joining the audit staff of the Grand Rapids office of Deloitte. His activities at the college have also included serving as a resident assistant, intramurals, Habitat for Humanity and the golf team. He is the son of Thomas and Lisa Jelenek of Laingsburg, and a 2006 graduate of Laingsburg High School.

Student to Represent State on Athletic Training Senate

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:09:00 +0000

Emilee Anderson, a Hope College sophomore and athletic training major from Fenton, has been selected to represent the students of the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society (MATS) as the state representative on the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA) Student Senate. The Student Senate is responsible for representing the students from the six states represented by GLATA as part of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. She will serve through the spring of 2012, the conclusion of her senior year at Hope. She was chosen from among applicants from the 13 accredited athletic training programs in Michigan. Anderson is the daughter of Philip and Rhonda Anderson of Fenton, and is a 2008 graduate of Fenton High School.

In conjunction with her major, she has held athletic training assignments with the college's men's tennis and volleyball teams, and currently the men's basketball team. Athletic trainers are allied health care professionals who prevent, manage and rehabilitate injuries in physically active populations. Hope offers a major in athletic training as one of three majors within the department of kinesiology. Hope was the first liberal arts college in Michigan to have its athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

MATS is a not-for-profit organization formed to assist its members and to educate the public on the role of a certified athletic trainer (ATC) within the health care profession. The society consists of certified athletic trainers, non-certified athletic training students and other health care professionals. GLATA includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The association represents approximately 22 percent of the total membership of the national association. Members serve in settings including high schools, colleges and universities, professional sports organizations, physician offices, rehabilitation clinics and industrial work sites.

DeWitt Tennis Center Named National "Facility of the Year"

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:06:00 +0000

The DeWitt Tennis Center at Hope College has been named the national 2010 "Public Facility of the Year" by the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). The PTR presented the award on Sunday, Feb. 14, during its 2010 PTR International Tennis Symposium being held Friday-Thursday, Feb. 12-18, at the PTR Headquarters on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The six-court center, which opened in August 1994, was honored for the array and quality of programs that it offers to its members as well as the Holland tennis community.

"Our club is known as a place that has excellent teaching, and we develop a lot of outstanding players, particularly in our Junior program," said Jorge Capestany, who has managed the DeWitt Tennis Center since the fall of 2003. The DeWitt Tennis Center features instruction year-round for young players from kindergarten age through the high school level, including through an intensive, nine-week tennis academy held each summer.

Since 2003, the DeWitt Tennis Center has produced more than 24 high school state champions, as well as nine Midwest qualifiers in USTA competition. Across their overall careers, Capestany and his staff have developed more than 180 high school state champions in Michigan as well as three national champions. The center offers annual memberships for individual community members and families, and its services also include adult tennis clinics and private lessons. The center has also served as a resource for the PTR, including serving as a host site for filming and editing of the registry's "Preparation for Certification" DVD.

The award follows a challenging and even painful year for the center and its staff. On June 19, the facility's six indoor courts were flooded with four feet of water during the violent summer storm that dumped some seven inches of rain on the Holland area in just a few hours, prompting the center to close for two months while the courts were resurfaced. On July 3, the center's assistant manager, Karen Page, who was also coach of the college's women's tennis team, died following a long battle with cancer. Capestany accepted the award on Page's behalf.

Capestany, who is a 28-year veteran of the tennis industry, is one of only 10 people worldwide to hold Master Professional distinction with both the PTR and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). In addition to Capestany, the center's full-time staff includes Nate Price, who is director of tennis and a USPTA Professional and PTR Professional; and Matt Bradley, who is a PTR Professional. The DeWitt Tennis Center is located along Fairbanks Avenue near Holland Municipal Stadium. In addition to its six courts, the 40,000-square-foot building features men's and women's locker rooms, and a large waiting reception area. The center is named in honor of the Gary and Joyce DeWitt family.

Founded in 1976, the PTR is the largest global organization of tennis-teaching professionals, with more than 14,000 members in 122 countries. The registry's mission is to educate, certify and serve tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game. In addition to its awards program, the 2010 PTR International Tennis Symposium includes 50-plus on-court and classroom presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, a tennis trade show and a $25,000 Championship competition.

In Memorium: Carl Frost

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:02:00 +0000

The namesake of Hope College's Carl Frost Center for Social Science Research died in June 2009 at the age of 94. Dr. Carl Frost dedicated his life to advancing principles of organizational research critical in maximizing the outcome measures of non-profit and governmental entities as well as myriad companies from Motorola to Herman Miller. One of his legacies is the Frost-Scanlon Plan. The Frost-Scanlon plan originated in the 1930s. As a worker for a steel mill corporation, Joseph Scanlon led labor-management relations. He was able to solve a conflict between union workers and management on the principle that cooperation is more productive than competition. Scanlon assisted the two sides in making an agreement: if the workers were able to increase productivity, they would in turn be awarded higher wages. This accomplishment led him to management within the company and later on to a role as professor at MIT. Dr. Carl Frost worked with Mr. Scanlon at MIT.

In 1949, Frost left MIT to teach Psychology at Michigan State University. In Michigan, Dr. Frost helped local businesses to incorporate the Scanlon Plan. In 1968, eight companies that had worked with Frost formed the Midwest Scanlon Associates, which later became the Scalon Plan Associates. The association holds annual conferences. The Frost-Scanlon Plan is founded on the principles of identity, equity, competence, and participation. The Frost-Scanlon Plan recommends the formation of two committees within an organization: a Production Committee and a Screening Committee. The Production Committee consists of two members (one manager and one elected non-managerial employee) from each department in the organization.

The organization meets once or twice a month to review suggestions on how to increase productivity and acts upon the suggestions made. The Steering Committee includes a number of managers from different functional areas (e.g. engineering, sales, finance) and an equal number of elected non-managerial employees. The committee meets once a month to determine bonuses paid for good ideas that have led to increased productivity.

Annie Dandavati Invited to Present at Conference in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Dr. Annie Dandavati, professor of political science and director of women's studies at Hope College, spoke at an international conference focusing on "Gender Dynamics and International Regimes," in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday-Monday, Feb. 20-22. The title of her talk was "Gender, the State and Empowerment: Reflections from Latin America."

Dandavati asserts that while civil society has made gains in achieving women's empowerment, women's organizations must consistently pressure the State to create and maintain institutions and processes that are gender-responsive. Using Chile as a case study, she contends that both civil society from the bottom-up and international regimes from top-down must compel the State to establish not only a political discourse that is amenable to gender but must also hold the State accountable to adopt policies that help to create "substantive" democracies in Latin America. Dandavati's invitation to the conference developed through contacts she made while serving as a visiting professor at Meiji Gakuin University during the fall semester. Hope and Meiji Gakuin have maintained ties since the 1960s, beginning with student exchanges and since 1994 including faculty exchanges.

Professors Christian Spielvogel and Sonja Trent-Brown presented their scholarship at the college's annual Winter Happening event in January.

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Spielvogel presented The Valley Sim: New Forms of Storytelling in a Digital Age. While the Internet has provided us with unprecedented and instantaneous access to vast sums of information, it also contains great untapped potential as a creative storytelling medium. This seminar examined one such example of digital storytelling - the Valley Sim - in greater depth. The Valley Sim is an online reenactment or simulation of the American Civil War based on the award-winning Valley of the Shadow digital archive. The Valley archive contains tens of thousands of original photographs, diaries, letters, maps, and newspaper articles that tell extraordinary stories about ordinary people from two wartime communities-Augusta County, Va., and Franklin County, Pa. The Valley Sim, by assembling the most dramatic, illustrative, and vital fragments from the Valley archive, generates a compelling, ground-level narrative of two wartime communities that students and members of the general public alike can reenact through collaborative online role-play. The seminar explored this project and its implications for 21st century forms of participatory learning and storytelling. Dr. Spielvogel is an associate professor of communication at Hope, where he teaches courses in rhetoric and culture, social media, and conflict resolution, and conducts research on how public discourse and serious games can be used to critique enmity, violence, and war.

Trent-Brown presented Who is it? Voice Quality and Speaker Identification. Have you ever listened to a person you don't know- maybe over the phone or on the radio? Did you somehow get a mental picture of that person: male or female, older or younger, ethnicity? What information in the voice does the brain use to help us create the image of the speaker and how accurate are we in making these perceptual decisions? This seminar presented perceptual results for the contribution of voice quality as well as acoustic analysis outcomes that shed some light on the psychoacoustic variations that appear to help us to identify speakers. Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown has been an assistant professor of psychology at Hope since 2005. Her research is in the areas of perception and psychoacoustics, and explores speech perception and the acoustic correlates that give rise to perceptual interpretations. She has worked extensively with cross-language speech perception and production with various languages, including American English, Japanese, German, Spanish, and African American English. In March 2009, she was selected as one of the inaugural class of Franklin & Marshall Emerging Scholars Fellows for her work with acoustic resonance characteristics and speaker identification.

Exercise Science Student Honored as Volunteer Mentor

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:47:00 +0000

Derek Bradley, a Hope College junior from Roscommon, has been chosen to receive this month’s "Senator's Award for Men in Mentoring" by State Senator Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland). Bradley is a volunteer coach with the "Total Trek Quest" program coordinated by Pathways, MI. He received the award during a ceremony on January 15 at the Pathways, MI office in Holland. Total Trek Quest is a 10-week highly interactive program designed exclusively for boys in third, fourth and fifth grades that provides opportunities to explore and develop their individuality and strengths, through running and other activities to promote goal-setting and social development. The program takes place at several schools in Ottawa County.

Bradley has been a volunteer coach with the program for the past two years, serving at Holland East and at Waukazoo Elementary/Lakewood Elementary (a combined West Ottawa team). He is the only volunteer coach currently mentoring two teams. Bradley is a 2007 graduate of Roscommon High School and the son of Richard and Theresa Bradley of Roscommon. He is an exercise science major and a member of the college's cheerleading squad. Kuipers represents the 30th District, which includes all of Ottawa County as well as the City of Grandville and Sparta Township in Kent County. The Senator's Award for Men in Mentoring is intended to highlight the importance of mentoring by males in particular, since nationwide two thirds of all youth in need of mentors are male but only one third of mentors are male. Kuipers presents it monthly to the programs, including "Heights of Hope," that are partnered with the Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative, including Pathways, MI, with each program able to identify one recipient per year.

Pathways, MI was formed in 2006 through the merger of Child and Family Services of Western Michigan and Children's Resource Network Inc. The organization's mission is to provide life-transforming services to children, families and communities, through a wide array of services that include counseling, early-childhood programs, the Great Start Western Regional Resource Center, parent and family support and education, foster care, adoption, and participation in community efforts to improve life for children and families.

Economist Todd Steen Attracts National Attention

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Todd Steen, the Granger Professor of Economics, was recently quoted in an Associated Press article that has been picked up by a variety of national news outlets, including Forbes and the Christian Science Monitor. Steen, a noted labor economist, has also conducted research on Christian perspectives on economics. His courses at the college have included Principles of Macroeconomics, Labor Economics, Christianity and the Marketplace, Econometrics, First-Year Seminar, Economic Themes and Topics, Internships in Vocation and Intermediate Macroeconomics. He has published dozens of articles and reviews in a variety of journals, including "Population Research and Policy Review," "International Journal of Social Economics," "Perspectives" and "The Christian Century," and he has also made numerous presentations at professional conferences. He has served as the managing editor of "Christian Scholar's Review" since 1994. The Christian Science Monitor article can be viewed at:
http://ezorigin.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2009/1224/Underemployed-For-some-US-workers-now-any-job-will-do

Annual Recognition Luncheon Honors Faculty

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:37:00 +0000

Hope College honored faculty members for service, academic achievement and professional involvement during the college's annual recognition luncheon in January. The luncheon traditionally marks the beginning of the college's second semester. Several Social Science Division faculty were honored.

Recognized for 35 years of service were Jim Piers (sociology) and John Shaughnessy (psychology). Recognized for 25 years of service were Matt Neil (kinesiology) and Jim VanderMeer (kinesiology). Steve Smith (kinesiology) was honored for 20 years of service.

The "Ruth and John Reed Faculty Achievement Award" was presented to Scott Vander Stoep (psychology).

The "Technology Innovation Award" was presented to Thomas Ludwig (psychology).

Faculty honored for serving on the college's Teaching Enhancement Workshop Committee were: Debra Swanson (sociology, and committee director) and Lorna Hernandez Jarvis (psychology).

Acknowledged as authors and editors during the past year were Kirk Brumels (kinesiology), Bob Eames (management), Kim Hawtrey (economics), Teresa Housel (communication), Stacy Jackson (management), and David Myers (psychology).

Members of the kinesiology faculty and staff honored for accomplishments as coaches of MIAA championship teams were Bob Ebels (men's golf), Brian Morehouse (women's basketball), the late Karen Page (women's tennis), John Patnott (men's swimming and diving), Becky Schmidt (volleyball) and Tiger Teusink (women's tennis).

Meg Frens (kinesiology) was honored for being named an officers of a professional association.

Faculty and other members of the campus community recognized for receiving honors and awards were Paula Booke (political science), Vicki-Lynn Holmes (mathematics and education), Roselyn Lee (communication), David Myers (psychology), Rich Ray (Dean for the Social Sciences), John Shaughnessy (psychology), Sonja Trent-Brown (psychology), and Steve VanderVeen (Center for Faithful Leadership; and economics, management and accounting).

The Phelps Scholars Program, directed by Professor of Psychology Charles Green, was recognized for having been honored as an exemplary diversity program in higher education by the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Several faculty were recognized as recipients of grants and fellowships, including Kirk Brumels (kinesiology), Maureen Dunn (kinesiology), Deirdre Johnston (communication), Leslie Muller (economics), Roger Nemeth (sociology), Rich Ray (Dean for the Social Sciences), Steve Smith (kinesiology), Christian Spielvogel (communication), and Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet (psychology).

Address on Falling and Reducing Fall Risk

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:33:00 +0000

Research into falling—primarily among the elderly--and how to reduce fall risk was the focus of the January address in the Distinguished Lecture Series in Sports Medicine at Hope College. Dr. James Richardson of the University of Michigan will presented "Neuropathic Gait: What is it and what to do about it?" Richardson noted that peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common neurologic findings in persons over 60, affecting nearly 20 percent of the age group in the U.S. Patients with neuropathy typically appear to have normal gait and mobility function, but, when challenged by a surface irregularity are unable to effectively respond and fall at a rate 15 times that of their non-affected peers. The lecture will presented biomechanical research which quantifies neuropathy-associated sensory and motor impairments at the ankle, and described how the impairments influence gait over smooth and irregular surfaces, and the ability to reliably stand on one foot.

Richardson also shared clues to the clinical recognition of functionally significant neuropathy and strategies for reducing fall risk in the affected population. Richardson is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, where he has been on the faculty since 1990. He is also co-director of the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory of the University of Michigan Health Systems. His previous appointments include having served as a staff physician in Rehabilitation Medicine Service with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Ann Arbor and as medical director in Inpatient Rehabilitation Service with the University of Michigan Medical Center. He has made multiple presentations and written several articles published in professional journals concerning peripheral neuropathy and falling and balance, and has received multiple honors for his writing including the "Abstract Award"from the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the "Excellence in Research Writing Best Paper Award" from the Association of Academic Physiatrists, both in 2007.

Through the years he has received a variety of external grants in support of his research, and he currently holds a five-year award from the National Institutes of Health for his project

"Neuropathic Gait, Irregular Surfaces and Fall Risk." Richardson is a graduate of Miami University, and completed his M.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He conducted post-doctoral training in internal medicine at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan. The Distinguished Lecture Series in Sports Medicine is designed for health care professionals with an interest in physically active patients, and is intended for students, educators and clinicians alike. It is co-sponsored by Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan, Shoreline Orthopaedics, Holland Hospital Rehabilitation Services and the college.Richardson's address is the third of four lectures scheduled through the series for the 2009-10 school year. Additional information about the series may be found online at http://www.hope.edu/academic/kinesiology/athtrain/ dlssm/index.html

CFL Partnership Highlighted

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:27:00 +0000

The Center for Faithful Leadership was highlighted in a recent newsletter of the NW Allegan County Chapter of Love INC. LdOUT (pronounced lēad out) is a partnership of Love INC and the Center for Faithful Leadership at Hope College with student groups at Hamilton High School and Middle School and area youth leaders or church members. LdOUT is designed to help teach and equip young people to be leaders today.

Hope College students enrolled in the Center for Faithful Leadership have developed a leadership curriculum which will be taught to the Student Leadership Connection at Hamilton High School. These students will apply this material as they identify and work to solve a school or community problem of their choosing. Upon completing their training, the high school students will revise and re-teach the leadership curriculum to a leadership group at Hamilton Middle School. The Middle School group will use this material to identify and work to solve a different school or community problem.

Roger Nemeth Selected for International Study Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Professor of Sociology Roger Nemeth traveled to London and Berlin February 14-20 as part of IES Abroad's Familiarization Trip Program. He was selected as part of a national competition designed to help professors investigate study abroad opportunities in their disciplines. Program participants developed first-hand familiarity with all facets of IES Abroad London Center, London Residence Hall, and Berlin Metropolitan Studies Program through visiting the IES Abroad Center facilities, touring local partner universities, attending classes, visiting student accommodations, and meeting IES Abroad students, staff, and faculty. In addition, attendees had the chance to explore the program locations through cultural activities and regional excursions. Nemeth has served as a sociology professor at Hope College since 1983. He has extensive international experience having taught and conducted research in Japan, the Phillipines, Egypt, Korea, and the Netherlands.

Jeanine Dell'Olio Honored

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:21:00 +0000

Jeanine Dell'Olio Honored

Professor of Education Jeanine Dell'Olio was honored in December at a reception to mark the conclusion of her service at Hope College. Dell'Olio joined the Hope faculty in 1993. The Board of Trustees voted in January to grant her status as Professor Emerita of Education. She has taught courses including "Elementary Curriculum and Methods (Math, Science, Social Studies)" and "Classroom Management for the Elementary and Middle School Teacher." Prior to joining the Hope faculty, Dell'Olio held teaching positions at The Ohio State University and Xavier College.

Her past positions also include serving as a teacher specialist in staff development with the New York City Teacher Centers Consortium. From 1978 to 1990 she held a variety of elementary or secondary teaching positions, including in North Hollywood, Calif.; East Los Angeles; and East Harlem. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in theatre from the School of Fine Arts of the University of California-Los Angeles in 1976, and obtained a fifth-year teaching credential from the UCLA Graduate School of Education in 1978. She received a master of arts with an emphasis in dance education for children from New York University in 1987; and a master of education from Columbia University in 1990 and a doctorate from Columbia University in 1993, both with emphases in teacher education and staff development.

Hope College Partners with Holland Public Schools

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:19:00 +0000

Hope College Partners with Holland Public Schools

As part of Hope College's stated desire to serve as the primary higher education partner for the Holland Public Schools, Dean of Social Sciences Richard Ray has embarked on a variety of initiatives with HPS Superintendent Brian Davis. Among the efforts being spearheaded by Ray and Davis include HPS's New Tech High School - planned for Fall 2010.

Professors from the Education, Modern and Classical Languages, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology Departments have participated in site visits to an Indianapolis high school operating on the New Tech model. Professor Laura Pardo of the Education Department will participate in New Tech teacher training in April. Other elements of the Hope-HPS partnership include

Mutual support for the Children's After School Achievement Program (CASA).

Joint grant writing efforts designed to strengthen learning in STEM disciplines.

Carl Frost Center for Social Science Research design for various HPS program evaluations.

Professonal development for HPS teachers provided by Hope College faculty.

Field placement and student teacher opportunities for Hope College students in HPS classrooms.

Professor Emeritus Ted Nielsen Dies

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Hope College Professor Emeritus Theodore Lynn (Ted) Nielsen died on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids following a brief illness. He succumbed to a rare disease called vasculitis, and was only hospitalized for a short while.

Prof. Nielsen was a member of the Hope communication faculty from 1975 until his retirement in 2000. He developed the classroom program of cable broadcasting that gave Hope students on-the-air experience in television production for more than 20 years. He also collaborated with staff colleagues in producing promotional movies/videos for the college. He earned degrees from the universities of Iowa (BA), Michigan (MA) and Wisconsin (Ph.D.). Prior to joining the Hope faculty, he had taught at the University of Massachusetts, Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin. He had also worked in radio and television from 1953 to 1967, and won the Peabody Award in Education Broadcasting in 1958 for his work as director of Fred Roger's Children Corner, forerunner of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, at WQED in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 2000 he retired as the Guy Vander Jagt Professor of Communication. Since retirement he had volunteered at the Holland (Mich.) Museum as a docent and a photographer.

Ted's interests were wide ranging beyond his work. He loved the music of Mozart and Mahler, the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the plays of Shakespeare and Chekhov, and the paintings of Van Gogh and Hopper. He enjoyed travel, great food, and good wine. Ted was a sports fan, Cubs and Tigers baseball and UM football especially. His bassett hounds, most of them rescued dogs, were always welcome companions. The family is requesting that memorial gifts in honor of Ted's life and work be made to the Theodore Nielsen Prize Award in Communication at Hope College.

Education Professor Examines Project Effectiveness

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Ray) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:41:00 +0000

Professor Jane Finn has published a study that evaluates the perceived effectiveness of a populat special education program (Finn, J.E. & Kohler, P.D. (2010). Transitions Outcomes Project: Perceptions of School Personnel Explored Through a Multiple Case Study. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, vol. 4, pp. 95-107).

This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to investigate the perceptions of eight Local Education Agency (LEA) personnel who implemented the Transition Outcomes Project (TOP) in a midwestern state. These personnel represented 100% of the state LEAs who instigated the pilot of TOP in the participating state. Findings showed that TOP had three major positive effects: greater understanding of IDEA’s transition requirements, enhancement of student participation in the planning process, and improved interagency and interdisciplinary collaboration. Outcomes consisted of better focused transition meetings, improved perceptions concerning the ability of students with disabilities, more parent participation at meetings, and improved compliance. Results also showed that “best practices” in transition were implemented, including formal and informal assessments, life skills instruction, and staff training on transition components.

Jane Finn is an Associate Professor of Education who specializes in isues related to special needs learners. Included among the courses she teaches are Introduction to Assessment, Secondary Special Education: Transition from School to Life, Instructional Design: Learning Disabilities/Emotional Impairments, and The Exceptional Child.