New this academic year

We’re almost ready to begin the 2013-14 academic year. The windows have been washed on Hanley Library’s atriums, the goodies have been unpacked for orientation and new academic programs are ready to roll. Here’s what’s new this year at Pitt-Bradford.

People

Dr. Tracee Howell joined the Office of the President this summer, serving in the role of executive associate to President Livingston Alexander. Prior to working in the president’s office, Howell taught American Literature and Composition and served as a consultant in the Writing Center at Pitt-Bradford.

Prior to her faculty appointment at Pitt-Bradford, Howell served as assistant to the president for communications at the University of Buffalo.

Jessica Taylor was promoted to fill the position of director of housing. She joined Pitt-Bradford in 2011 as a residence life coordinator.

Pitt-Bradford will once again host two Confucius Institute scholars this year. Lu Chen and Jun Liu will teach Chinese language and culture to Pitt-Bradford students and present seminars and noncredit courses to the community.

New full-time faculty members are Dr. Patricia L. Brougham, assistant professor of criminal justice; John J. Crawford, assistant professor of business management; Dr. Helma de Vries-Jordan, assistant professor of Political Science; Orin A. James, instructor of biology; Dr. Shelly R. Klinek, visiting assistant professor of health and physical education; Anna K. Lemnitzer, assistant professor of art; John S. Liberatore, visiting instructor of music; Mark H. Morrison, visiting instructor and interim director of the Mathematics Center; Dr. Denise A. Piechnik, assistant professor of biology; and Dr. James M. Salvo, assistant professor of speech communication.

Dr. Shailendra Gajanan was promoted to professor of economics and will serve as the new Chair of the Division of Management and Education.

Places

Pitt-Bradford will unveil its own bronze panther statue at its Founders’ Day 50th anniversary celebration Sept. 3. The panther, which was sculpted by Bradford native David Hodges, was paid for in part by significant contributions from the student body.

The 10 ½-foot-long statue will make its home on a large rock in the Robert B. Bromeley Quadrangle in front of the Frame-Westerberg Commons building.

Students at Pitt-Bradford will have the benefit of a new Mathematics Center this fall modeled on its successful Writing Center. Students will be able to visit the Mathematics Center for one-on-one or group tutoring in math.

The center will be co-directed by Andrea Robbins, a faculty member in the chemistry and mathematics departments since 1982, and Mark Morrison, who taught mathematics at Bradford Area High School for 32 years.

In July, the Kessel Athletic Complex was rededicated during the Pennsylvania Little League Championship tournament, which was held at the complex, following a $2.68 million renovation.

Things

Students at Pitt-Bradford will have two new majors and three new minors to choose from this fall. A new major in energy science and technology is a survey of advanced mathematics, energy science and technology, physics, chemistry, global information systems, geology and engineering designed to give students a solid scientific background preparing them for work in a variety of energy fields, from traditional fossil fuels to alternative energies.

The new general studies major will allow students returning to college and transfer students to make the most of their credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Students may also use the major to craft a course of study for a self-directed major.

The new minors are in criminal forensic studies, legal studies and women’s studies.

Also new this fall is a women’s bowling team, which will be led by Andy Spring, who has been named the first head coach. Women’s bowling is the first sport to be added to Pitt-Bradford’s competitive athletics since men’s and women’s tennis in 2008-09. It is the campus’s 15th NCAA-affiliated sport.