Torch, Fall 2003

18 TORCH / Fall 2003 Women’s Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall F ourteen members of the Cedarville University Women’s Choir took part in a multi-age choral concert in Carnegie Hall in May. Conducted by Almeda Berkey, a highly recognized conductor and soprano, the concert showcased three choirs: a children’s choir, a choir of mainly college-age students, and the 200-member mixed-age choir of which the Women’s Choir members were a part. Participants in this third group ranged in age level from high schoolers to senior citizens. “The two pieces our choir performed were Crucifixus and Cantate 2000, both by Jackson Berkey,” noted Beth Cram Porter, director of the Cedarville University Women’s Choir. According to Porter, while in New York the Cedarville group stayed at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, where they had several rehearsals. Their dress rehearsal and performance were held in the Isaac Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall. The Isaac Stern Auditorium, according to www.carnegiehall.org, “has been the premier classical music performance space in the United States since its opening in 1891 …”. These exciting practices and performance in New York landmarks kept the women busy; however, the trip to New York City was not all work. Porter shared, “We did take a harbor cruise on Saturday night after the performance, which was fun.” Porter suspects that the invitation to perform came because the Women’s Choir has sung several pieces by Jackson Berkey (the husband of Almeda Berkey) who is well-known for his choral compositions and his keyboard work for Mannheim Steamroller. Porter said that she hopes to return next year with an even larger group of Women’s Choir members. Faculty Members Honored S everal Cedarville University faculty members were recently honored by their Miami Valley peers. James Leightenheimer, Dr. Chris Miller, Dr. Cheryl Irish, and Dr. Susan Warner were all recognized at the 2003 Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) faculty excellence awards presentation. The awards presentation was a part of SOCHE’s “Innovations in Teaching and Learning” seminar. Leightenheimer, who is a Cedarville graduate, is an associate professor of communication arts. He also directs the student-operated campus radio station. He was honored for developing and implementing a multi-track studio production program. Leightenheimer has been on the faculty since 1982. Miller is a professor of Bible and chair of the department of biblical education. He was recognized for his development of interactive CD-ROMs for two Baker Book House textbooks used widely in biblical studies curricula: Encountering the Old Testament and Encountering the New Testament. He has served on Cedarville’s faculty since 1991. Irish is an assistant professor of education. She was recognized for her expertise in using computer-assisted instruction to enhance basic multiplication performance in elementary students. She has been on the Cedarville faculty since 1998. Warner is an assistant professor of sociology. She was recognized for introducing online class discussion options and periodic interactions with a Wilberforce University sociology course on race relations. She joined the Cedarville University faculty in 1999. SOCHE is a consortium of regional colleges and universities advancing higher education through academic collaboration, corporate and community partnerships, student success, and public awareness. To learn more about SOCHE, visit www.soche.org. New Faculty Members Join CU T wenty-four new faculty members have joined the ranks of Cedarville University, including a new dean of the School of Engineering, Nursing, and Science. Dr. Stanley K. Baczek will serve as dean, as well as professor of polymer science and engineering. Baczek fills the void left by Dr. Dan Wetzel, who retired from the dean’s position after 40 years of service to the University. Additional new faculty members are: Harry Anderson (business), Carolyn Barnett (nursing), Karen Callan (nursing), Heping Chen (engineering), Robert Clements (communication arts), Dr. April Crommett (exercise and sport science), Dr. Joan Dungey (education), Dr. Charles Elliott (communication arts), Taylor Ferranti (music and art), Timothy Frame (music and art), Christine Fulmer (social work), Ryan Futrell (language and literature), Jeffrey Guernsey (business), Dr. Aaron Hutchison (science and mathematics), Kristine Kidder (nursing), Dr. James Lamborn (social sciences and history), Dr. Timothy Norman (engineering), Brandy Phipps (science and mathematics), Dr. Keith Shomper (science and mathematics), Rebecca Sietman (communication arts), Dr. Thomas Sweigard (education), J. Michael Thigpen (biblical education), and Dr. Branson Woodard Jr. (language and literature).