Torch, Summer 2004

Summer 2004 / TORCH 19 Advancing Intercultural Competencies C edarville University was one of 11 colleges to participate in the recent Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Presidential Symposium on Advancing Intercultural Competencies. Held at Union University in Tennessee, the symposium was underwritten by the Gates Foundation. Topics included how your campus can help faculty and students of color be successful; how to prepare all students for a society of increasing ethnic and racial diversity; and how your campus builds strategic alliances with other Christian organizations to help internationalize the campus experience. McClain Named Faculty Scholar C edarville University annually names one of its faculty members a Faculty Scholar based on model classroom teaching, campus leadership, the use of pioneering teaching methodology, creative course development, and instructional support. The 2004 Faculty Scholar was Dr. Mark McClain, associate professor of chemistry. Dr. Duane Wood, academic vice president, said, “Dr. McClain is an outstanding classroom and laboratory teacher. He has consistently received high student evaluations with comments about his accessibility to students outside of class. His on-campus activities have included service on the University Strategic Planning Committee and the Strategic Planning for Future Faculty Task Team. “Dr. McClain has coordinated and chaired the chemistry sub-department and led the chemistry curriculum conversion from quarters to semesters,” Wood continued. “He organized the University’s first high school science and math recruiting day, and he also judges local science fairs.” McClain holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Cedarville and earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Michigan. Prior to coming to Cedarville in 1996, McClain taught at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M. McClain has had 14 articles published in academic journals and has presented papers at several regional and national academic conferences, including the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, the Materials Research Society, and the American Ceramics Society. He has also served as a Faculty Research Fellow at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Faculty Excellence Recognized O n April 2, four faculty members were honored with Faculty Excellence Awards from the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE). Dr. Jeff Cook, associate professor of Bible; Dr. Timothy Dewhurst, professor of engineering; Dr. Jeff Fawcett, associate professor of marketing; and Dr. Clint Kohl, associate professor of electrical engineering, each received the award. Also in April, Cedarville University honored nine of its faculty members for their service contributions. The Allen Monroe Integration of Faith and Learning Award was given to Dr. Irene Alyn, professor of nursing and chair of the department of nursing. The award recognizes sustained excellence in integrating Scripture and Christian world/lifeview with a discipline or practical application. The Faculty Advisor Award was presented to Dr. Pamela Diehl Johnson. The award is given to a faculty member who has had a significant influence on students as an advisor, counselor, or leader. Johnson is senior professor of exercise and sport science and dean of the School of Health and Human Performance. The Faculty Innovator of the Year Award was given to Dr. Jeffrey Cook, associate professor of Bible, for his design of a homeless simulation weekend for his urban ministry class. The award recognizes an instructional or curricular innovation that has resulted in improved student learning. Three Deans’ Service Awards were given to faculty who have demonstrated contributions to school committees and task teams; service to the higher education community; involvement with students; and work with civic and church groups. Dr. Thomas Hutchison, associate professor of Christian education and assistant chair for the department of biblical education, received the award for 1-10 years of service. Dr. Phil Bassett, who was professor of education and chair of the department of education at the time of the ceremony, was given the award for 11-20 years of service. Dr. James Phipps, professor of communication arts, received the award for more than 21 years of service. Three Faculty Teaching Effectiveness Awards were given to faculty members based on student evaluations, department chair and peer recommendations, performance of students in subsequent classes or after graduation, use of instructional technology, and use of effective teaching techniques. Dr. Heather Kuruvilla, associate professor of biology, received the award for 1-10 years of service. Dr. Chris Miller received the award for 11-20 years of service. He is a professor of Bible and chair of the department of biblical education. Dr. Donald Baumann, professor of biology and chemistry, received the award for more than 21 years of service. Dr. Clint Kohl, Dr. Jeff Fawcett, Dr. Duane Wood, (Academic Vice President), Dr. Tim Dewhurst, Dr. Jeff Cook