Mathematics DepartmentThe Mathematics Department at Shippensburg Universityis committed to actively engaging stu-dents in and out of the classroom environment, along with helping them pursue the course of studythey desire. The department currently holds sixteen faculty positions, four of which are occupied byspecialists in mathematical education. Students interested in mathematics have four undergraduatetracks to choose from which include Statistics, AppliedMathematics, Secondary Certification, or theoption of no concentration (designed for students interested in studying pure mathematics ingraduate school). The program also encompasses a master's degree in Curriculumand Instruction.

Students are encouraged to participate in a widerange of activities and events. These xperiencesinclude and are not limited to the Putnam ExamTeam, Math ClubjKME,Problem-SolvingContest,a weekly student-centered seminar, walk-intu-toring sponsored by graduate students andcourses within the Honors Program. On March12th,students from the departmentwillbe at-tending the Mathematics Conference and Math/Computer Day.

An interesting class the department offers isMathematical Modeling (MAT326).Chair of thedepartment, Dr.James "Winston" Crawley,de-scribes the course: "Mathematical Modeling pro-vides a unique opportunity for both mathematicsmajors and other mathematics-intensive majors.The class focuses on solving real-world problemsusing mathematics, assisted by computers."

Problems are drawn from many disciplines including physics,biology,and economics. Eachstudent worksat a desktop solving problems using Microsoft Excelin an active learning environment. Advanced studentsin science and business majors lookingfor experience using mathematics and computers in solving prob-lems should consider the course."

Students graduating from this program take on a variety of occupations including positions as secondaryeducation teachers, actuaries, statisticians or analysts. When asked what he feels are the strengths of thedepartment, Crawleyresponds: " like other secondary education departments on campus, the studentswho wish to pursue a career in teaching benefit from the department's specialists in math education. Thismeans that their methods block and student teaching will be done under the tutelage of persons who notonly know about education, but who also know about and love mathematics. Approximately 2/3 of ourstudents are future middle/secondary school teachers. We also have had a number of students success-fully complete at least one actuarial exam prior to graduation from Shippensburg. The various undergradu-

. ate research opportunities provide valuable experience for the students, especially if they are consideringthe possibilityof graduate studies in math."

~ ~ 4tEditor Dr. KimLong Graduate Editor,Writer Laura Beltzner

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SU FOUNDATION UPDATESLate in 2008, new options emerged for IRAaccount owners. In October 2008 President Bushsigned into law an extension of the IRACharitable Rollover,which had preViously'expired inDecember 2007. Until December 31, 2009, individualswho are 70 Yzor older can take advan-tage of this law extension. It allows significant tax savings for gifts made directly to charitiesfrom IRAaccounts. In essence, such gifts from funds within an IRAaccount made directly to aqualified charity are tax free. Thiscan be particularly appealing ifyou are a non-itemizer oryou have maxed out your charitable deductions.

Note: Tax benefits apply to gifts up to $100,000 per year and the amount must be in the formof an outright gift.

As another new development, in December 2008 the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recov-ery Act included an important provisionfor certain retirement plans and accounts. It includeda temporary waiver of the required minimum distribution for 2009. This recent tax lawchange is aimed at helping retirees and retirement plan beneficiaries receive needed flexibil-ity in managing their finances during the current economic times.

Ifyou would liketo learn more about how you can support Shippensburg Universityand itsstudents with a gift from an IRAaccount, please contact ElizabethHerr at 717-477-1377, ext.3186, or email echerr[a>sufoundation.org.-----------------------

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FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Barbara J. Denison, associate professor of sociologyand coordinator of the graduate pro-gram in organizational development and leadership, was appointed to a three-year term onthe Cumberland County Commissionon Women beginning this month.

Dr. Blandine Mitaut, assistant professor of French, published the article "Vendre la peau deI'ourse: la question due bilinguismedans I'oeuvre de PascalQuignard" in the October volumeof Contemporary French and Francophone Studies.

Dr. Mike Long,assistant professor of mathematics, was named Honors Professor of the Yearin 2008.

Dr. LuisMelara joined the faculty in Fall2008. Hisresearch is an applied mathematics, and heis expected to strengthen the department's ability to offer applied mathematics courses andexperiences. He was instrumental in our recent installation of the Matlab software packagethis year, which we willbe using in our courses. Matlab differs from Mathematica and Maplein that it is commonly used for numerical approximations to solutions to equations in compu-tational mathematics.

STUDENTS- MATH DEPARTMENT

LynnMiller - James EldonAward in Mathematics

Brooks Emerick- Michael D.Seyfried Memorial AcademicAchievement Scholarship-

Valerie Koontz- Dr. Paul F.and Elizabeth HoffeditzCauffman Scholarship

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

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FACULTY AND STUDENT PROJECTS: TOM CROCHUNIS

Last Spring Assistant Professor in English Dr. Tom Crochunis led students in the following projects:

. A three half-day field observation and teaching experience for secondary English certification stu-dents at Harrisburg SciTech high school. Sixteen methods students worked with seven teachers ofEnglish and Social Studies. Students observed classes and in many cases had a chance to lead anactivity as part of the cooperating teacher's lessons. SciTech is a magnet school whose students areselected based on interviews and demonstrated commitment to preparing for college. It is a major-ity minority school that has a 100% college acceptance rate.

. Honors Communication/Journalism filmmaking student Nick Ray and Crochunis traveled to Londontwice to record digital video of rehearsals, interviews, and performances during the FinboroughTheatre's work on Joanna Baillie's 1836 play Witchcraft. The play had never been performed for thepublic. Ray is currently editing the digital material for his honors project presentation, and Cro-chunis has been exploring funding opportunities to support the development of a hypermedia edi-tion of Baillie's play for mounting on the British Women Playwrights around 1800 Website.

PennACE'sJoann Day Student of the YearThe College of Arts and Sciences would liketo recognize the Shippensburg Universitynominees of the PennACE(PA Association of Colleges and Employers) Student of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding interns:

Non-Technical Nominee Brittany Modlesky

Technical Nominee Hugh Lewis

These nominees are commended for their efforts. The application process included a resume, student state-ment, internship supervisor support statement, and faculty support statement. These students were nomi-nated by their faculty internship advisors who believed they were deserving of this award. Congratulations!

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Congratulations!Congratulations to the following Arts and Sciences secretaries who hetvetecently been,recognized for years of service milestones at Shippensburg University.

Becky Fulton, Physics Department -35 years

Brenda Horst, Psychology Department -35 years

Melissa Fleming, Psychology Department -30 years

Pam McLaughlin, Math Department - 30 years

We also recognize Pat Martin, administrative assistant in the dean's office

for 10 years of service to Shippensburg!

SPECIAL EVENTS -LUHRS PERFORMING ARTS

FEBRUARY THE 5 BROWNS

2/10 - The 5 Browns

2/17- Dance Lessons Beginner andAdvanced

2/19- Juan Williams (Lecture)

2/21-Max & Ruby

2/26-African FootprintAFRICAN FOOTPRINT

MARCH

3/11- Theatre Tales, Tours and Trivia-Open House

For more information contact:

717-477-SHOW or check out

http://www.ship.edu/news/index.htm I

COLLEGE OF ARTS,. SCIENCES

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I ~ Student Spotlight: '\

Public Administration major CharlesMcClister, is a 34-year-old non-traditional un-

dergraduate student at Shippensburg Unive~sity.As a major in Public Administration, McChsterstudies how different branches of government

policy (e.g. education, local and state gover~-ment, federal government, non profit agencIes,civil service and social justice) operate andfunction. Public administration also examinesthe work of non-governmental organizations.

Along with his duties as a student,McClister currently interns for the College ofArts and Sciences working on internship initia-

tives. Ambitious and willing to serve, McClister When asked what he reallyis eager to help students find potential prospects enjoys about his position, McClis-in their field of study. Three days a week, he ter replies, "It's the interaction notworksto organize,centralizeandexpandt~~ . onlywith the students,but the in-current internship program. Other responsIbllI- teraction with the faculty as well.ties include, planning and executing an intern- As an intern, you want to makeship fair and collaborating with the chairs and sure you have hands-on experienceinternship coordinators from each department to and that's exactly what I'm receiv-

get their recommendations on potential employ- ing here." I\ ers. ." /,--------------------------------

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES: FACULTY AND STAFF

TITLE NAME PHONE

Dean Dr. James Mike 477-II 5 I

Associate Dean Dr. Kim Long 477-I 15I

Administrative Assistant Patty Hooper 477-1151 (ext.3240)

Administrative Assistant Pat Martin 477-1151

Assistant Bonnie Heming 477-1151 (ext.32I 0)

Assistant Laurie Stader 477-1151 (ext. 3910)

Ifyou have items you wish to appear in our next newsletter please contact

Laura Beltzner at Ib1619@ship.edu

aSHIPPENSBURG

UNIVERSITY

Collegeof Artsand SciencesShippensburgUniversity1871 Old Main Dr.Shippensburg,PA17257

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ArtCathy Graham, Secretary ext. 1530Steve Dolbin, Chair ext. 1390http://webspace.ship.edulart

BiologyJoan Carson, Secretary ext. 1401Gregory Paulson, Chair ext. 1590http://webspace.ship.edulbiology

ChemistrySally Markee, Secretary ext. 1629John Richardson, Chair ext. 1774http://webspace.ship.edulchern

Communication/ Jou rnalismLoretta Sobrito, Secretary ext. 1521Ted Carlin, Chair ext. 1517http://webspace.ship.edu/commjour

Computer ScienceCarole Kann, Secretary ext. 1178Carol Wellington Chair ext. 1424http://webspace.ship.edulcompsci .

EconomicsVickie Byers, Secretary ext.l437Brendan Finucane, Chair ext. 3229http://webspace.ship.edulecons

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Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 12

Shippensburg, PA

Shipp ens burg University College of Arts and SciencesDepartment secretaries, chairs, and websites

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EnglishCathyMills, Secretary ext. 1495William Harris, Chair ext. 1304http://webspace.ship.edulenglish

Geography/Earth ScienceJudy Mentzer, Secretary ext. 1685William Blewett, Chair ext. 1513http://webspace.ship.edul geog

History/PhilosophyJanice Reed, Secretary ext. 1621Susan Rimby, Chair ext. 1265http://webspace.ship.edulhistory

Human Communication StudiesHelena Buhrman, Secretary ext. 1732Kara Laskowski, Chair ext.1564http://webspace.ship.edulhcs

MathematicsPam McLaughlin, Secretary ext. 1431Winston Crawley, Chair ext. 3099http://webspace.ship.edulmath

Modern LanguagesAnita Weaver, Secretary ext. 1635Agnes Ragone, Chair ext.1559http://webspace.ship.edulmodlang

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Music/Theatre ArtsKaren Reath, Secretary ext. 1638Trever Famulare, Chair ext. 1238http://webspace.ship.edulmusic

PhysicsBeckyFulton,Secretary ext. 1570Allen Annstrong, Chair ext. 3013http://physics. ship. edu

Political ScienceBrenda Horst, Secretary ext. 1718Sara Grove, Chair ext. 1666

http://webspace.ship .edulpolisci

PsychologyMelissa Fleming, Secretary ext. 1657Suzanne Morin, Chair ext. 1538http://webspacc.ship.edulpsych

Sociology/AnthropologyLisa Dubbs, Sccrctary ext. 1735RobertPineda-Volk,Chair ext. 1117http://webspace.ship.edulsocant

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