May 01, 2024  
2023-2024 Westminster College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Westminster College Catalog

The Faculty, 2023-2024


The listing that follows includes full-time members of the faculty and certain admin­istrators who hold faculty rank. The date in parentheses is the year of initial appoint­ment as a full-time faculty member.

ANDREW W. ADE, Professor of English (2003) B.A., Northwestern University; M.A., Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

MICHAEL E. ALEPRETE JR., Professor of Political Science (2007) B.A., Duquesne University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

KRISTEN M. AMICK, Associate Professor of Microbiology; Registrar (2018) B.S., Penn State Erie; Ph.D., The George Washington University

ROBERT BADOWSKI, Associate Professor of Business; School of Business Chair (2016) B.S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.B.A., Ph.D., Robert Morris University

ANDREW J. BAIN, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Studies (2023) BSc., Southampton University; MSc., Ph.D., University of Portsmouth

JOSEPH M. BALCZON, Associate Professor of Biology (1997) B.S., The Penn­sylvania State University at Erie, Behrend College; M.S., Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

JEFFREY T. BERSETT, Professor of Spanish (2002) A.B., Washington University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Virginia

KEITH B. BITTEL, Assistant Professor of Business (2015) B.A, Westminster Col­lege; M.S., M.B.A., Duquesne University; C.P.A. (Pennsylvania)

ADAM BLUMENTHAL, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Mathemat­ics (2020) B.S., M.S., Auburn University; Ph.D., Iowa State University

JOHN P. BONOMO, Professor of Computer Science; Mathematics/Computer Science/Physics Chair (1998) B.S. and M.S., Catholic University; Ph.D., Purdue University

HELEN M. BOYLAN, Professor of Chemistry; Gibson Drinko Chair; 2018 Distinguished Faculty Award (2001) B.S., Westminster College; Ph.D., Duquesne University

MARTHA C. BROWN, Instructor of Sports Management (2023) B.A., Taylor University; M.S., Slippery Rock University

DEANNE M. BUFFALARI TENNANT, Associate Professor of Psychology; Psychology and Neuroscience Chair (2014) B.S., Allegheny College; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

CRAIG L. CAYLOR, Associate Professor of Physics (2001) B.S., Kansas State Uni­versity; M.S., Ph.D., Cornell University

1JAMIE J. CHAPMAN, Associate Professor of Sociology, All-College Honors Pro­gram Director (2014) B.A, M.A., Edin­boro University; Ph.D., The University of Akron

PATRICIA G. CLARK, Associate Professor of History (2004) B.A., Michigan State University; M.S., A.M., Ph.D., University of Illinois

JENNA M. COPPER, Assistant Professor of Education (2022) B.A., M.Ed., Slippery Rock University; Ph.D., Robert Morris University

JOSHUA C. CORRETTE-BENNETT, Associate Professor of Biology (2001) B.S., Bates College; Ph.D., Brandeis University

KEITH F. CORSO, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies (2004) B.A., Westminster College; M.A., University of Akron; Ph.D., Capella University

TRISHA M. COWEN, Associate Professor of English; Heritage Chair in the Hu­manities (2018) B.F.A., Emerson College; M.A., Ph.D., Binghamton University

ROBERT B. CRAVEN, Assistant Professor of English (2022) B.A., Westminster College; M.A., Duquesne University; Ph.D., University of Oregon

JONI L. DARBY, Lecturer of Nursing (2019) B.S., Penn State University; M.S.N., Robert Morris University

KERRI CORNELL DUERR, Associate Professor of Biology (2010) B.A., Hartwick College; M.S., Villanova University; Ph.D., University of Vermont

MEIREL RODRIGUEZ FEBUS, Lecturer of Spanish (2015) B.A., University of Pittsburgh; B.A., M.S.Ed., Youngstown State University

ERIC C. FIELDS, Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience (2021) B.A., B.S., Middle Tennessee State University; M.S., Ph.D., Tufts University

NATACHA C. FONTES-MERZ, Associate Professor of Mathematics (2004) B.A., Oberlin College; M.A., Ph.D., Kent State University

MARIAN M. “MAROSH” FURIMSKY, Associate Professor of Biology; Biology Chair (2006) B.S., Ph.D., University of Ottawa

ERIC A. GABER, Lecturer of Business; Scheller-Edwards Entrepreneur in Resi­dence (2018) B.S., Clarion University; M.B.A., E.M.B.A., Indiana University

JOHN C. GARRISON, Associate Professor/Serials and Electronic Resources Li­brarian (2012) B.A., The College of Wooster; M.S., University of Michigan School of Information

JOHN W. GEIDNER, Lecturer of Accounting (2014) B.S, M.B.A., Indiana Uni­versity of Pennsylvania; C.P.A. (Pennsylvania and Ohio)

R. TAD GREIG, Professor of Music; Director of Bands (1995) B.M., Grove City College; M.M., Youngstown State University; Ph.D., Kent State University

TIMOTHY R. GRIEVE-CARLSON, Assistant Professor of Interfaith Studies (2022) A.B., Drew University; M.A., Ph.D., Rice University

KANDICE A. HARTNER, Lecturer in the School of Communication (2020) B.A., Westminster College; M.A., M.F.A., Chatham University

LOREEN HUFFMAN, Lecturer in Psychology (2020) B.S., The Pennsylvania State University; Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

KRISTIANNE KALATA, Associate Professor of English, English/Art/Theatre Chair (2005) B.A., Westminster College; M.A., Ph.D., Duquesne Univer­sity

RYAN A. KEELING, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities (2022) B.A., West Liberty State College; M.M., East Carolina University; D.M.A., West Virginia University

JAMIE P. KOHLER, Associate Professor/Collection Management/Cataloging Librarian (2011) B.A., Juniata College; M.L.I.S., University of Pittsburgh

PATRICK D. KRANTZ, Associate Professor of Environmental Science (2002) B.S., West Virginia University; M.S., Northwest Missouri State University; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

PATRICK E. LACKEY, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Director of the Drinko Center (2016) B.S., Duquesne University; Ph.D., University of North Carolina

ANGELA M. LAHR, Associate Professor of History (2013) B.A., University of Evansville; M.A., Ph.D., Northern Illinois University

DAVID BONTRAGER HORST LEHMAN, Assistant Professor of History (2023) B.A., Goshen College; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

JESSE R. LIGO JR., Professor of Accounting; William McKee Chair (2008) B.A., Westminster College; M.B.A., Bowling Green State University; C.P.A. (Pennsylva­nia)

MATTEO LUISI, Assistant Professor of Physics (2021) B.S., Dipl.-Inq., Graz University of Technology; M.S., Ph.D., West Virginia University

RUSSELL E. MARTIN, Professor of History; History/Philosophy/Religion Chair; 2023 Distinguished Faculty Award (1996) B.A., University of Pittsburgh; A.M., Ph.D., Harvard University

JAMIE G. McMINN, Professor of Psychology; Vice President for Academic Affairs (2003) B.A., Emory & Henry College; M.S., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

COLLEEN M. MERRICK, Associate Professor of Communication Studies (2002) B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Duquesne University

HEATHER M. MUCHOWSKI, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Engineering (2021) B.S., Marist College; M.S. Iowa State University; Ph.D., Iowa State University

DIANA I. ORTIZ, Associate Professor of Biology (2014) B.S., Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico; M.S., Jackson State University; Ph.D., University of South Carolina

KRISTIN PARK, Professor of Sociology; Vira Heinz Chair (1993) A.B., Colgate University; M.A. Certificate in Latin American Studies, M.A., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

SHERRI P. PATAKI, Professor of Psychology (2004) B.S. Al­legheny College; Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

DANIEL E. H. PERTTU, Professor of Music (2008) B.A., Williams College; M.M., M.A., Kent State University; D.M.A., The Ohio State University

MELINDA H. CRAWFORD PERTTU, Professor of Music (2011) B.S., Duquesne University; M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University

BRIAN A. PETRUS, Associate Professor of Business Administration (2014) B.S, Westminster College; M.B.A., Youngstown State University

RENÉ A. PICÓ II, Associate Professor of Education; School of Education Chair (2017) B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

JOEL T. POSTEMA, Associate Professor of Spanish; Modern Languages Chair (2005) B.A., Calvin College; M.A., Western Michigan University; Ph.D., Washing­ton University

KAREN K. RESENDES, Professor of Biology; Associate Dean of Assessment and the First-Year Experience (2009) B.S., College of William and Mary; Ph.D., Brown University

JAMES C. RHOADS JR., Professor of Political Science; Criminal Justice/Sociol­ogy/Political Science Chair; LawPac Coordinator (1992) B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Kent State University

JESSICA D. RHODES, Associate Professor of Psychology (2016) B.A., D’Youville College; M.A., Ph.D., University at Buffalo

PAMELA A. RICHARDSON, Professor of Mathematics (2006) B.S., Bowling Green State University; Ph.D., University of Virginia

JOHN C. ROBERTSON, Associate Professor of Biology (2000) B.S., University of Massachusetts; M.S., University of Rhode Island; Ph.D., Arizona State University

BRITTANY A. ROWE-CERNEVICIUS, Assistant Professor of Public Relations; School of Communication Chair (2010) B.A., M.A., Edinboro University; Ph.D., Bowling Green State University

TRICIA L. RYAN, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Nursing Chair (2016) B.S.N., The Pennsylvania State University; M.S.N., Ph.D., Robert Morris University

MARIA A. SAPIENZA, Instructor of Nursing (2023) B.S.N., Slipperty Rock University; M.S.N., Wayne University

JESSICA L. SARVER, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Biochemistry/Chemistry Chair (2016) B.S., Penn State Behrend; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

ERIN T. SMITH, Associate Professor; Chief Information Officer (2002) B.S., M.S.I.S., University of Tennessee

1PETER M. SMITH, Professor of Chemistry (2002) B.S., Ph.D., University of Tennessee

SHANNON ISHIYAMA SMITHEY, Professor of Political Science (2003) B.S., B.A., Southern Methodist University; M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University

TAMMY L. SWEARINGEN, Professor of Physical Education; Assistant Athletic Director; Head Women’s Volleyball Coach (1993) B.S., Youngstown State Universi­ty; M.S., University of Akron

DAVID G. SWERDLOW, Professor of English (1990) B.A., University of Mary­land; M.A., Ph.D., Ohio University

MILAGROS Z. SWERDLOW, Lecturer of Spanish (1997) B.A., Westminster Col­lege; M.A.T.L., University of Southern Mississippi

ANN E. THROCKMORTON, Professor of Biology (1990) B.S., B.A., Hastings College; M.S., Fort Hays State University; Ph.D., Florida State University

JENNIFER WALDO, Instructor of Finance (2022) B.A., Westminster College; M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh; M.Ed., Seton Hill University

BRADLEY L. WEAVER, Lecturer of Broadcast Communications (2000) B.A., Alderson-Broaddus (W. Va.) College; M.S., University of Kansas

SHANNON WHITCOMB, Lecturer of Nursing (2018) B.S., Lock Haven University; M.S., Iowa State University

ERIN E. WILSON, Associate Professor of Chemistry (2015) B.A., Kenyon College; Ph.D., University of Michigan

TIMOTHY D. WINFIELD, Associate Professor of Music; School of Music Chair (2014) B.S, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.M., Ithaca College; D.M.A., University of Southern California

1SUMMER E. ZICKEFOOSE, Associate Professor of Art; Art Gallery Director (2010) B.F.A., B.A., The University of Iowa; M.F.A., The University of Florida


1 On sabbatical leave, spring semester 2024

 

Emeriti

DAVID A. BARNER, Professor of Broadcast Communications Emeritus, 2020 Dis­tinguished Faculty Award (1981-2020) B.S., M.S., Shippensburg University; Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh

MONIKA A. BECKER, Professor of Biology Emerita (1980-2001) B.A., Youngstown State University; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University

DORITA F. BOLGER, Professor, Librarian Emerita (1981-2013) B.A., The Penn­sylvania State University; M.S.L.S., Clarion University

CAROL M. BOVÉ, Professor of French Emerita (1984-2010) B.A., University of Pennsylvania; M.A., Ph.D., State University of New York, Binghamton

EVA H. CADWALLADER, Professor of Philosophy Emerita (1973-1996) B.S., Bucknell University; M.A., University of Louisville; Ph.D., Indiana University

AMY H. CAMARDESE, Professor of Education Emerita, 2019 Distinguished Fac­ulty Award (2001-2020) B.S.Ed., Ohio University; M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., Kent State University

A. DWIGHT CASTRO, Professor of Classics Emeritus, 2015 Distinguished Faculty Award (1970-2015) B.A., Gettysburg College; M.A., Ph.D., Indiana University

EDWARD S. COHEN, Professor of Political Science Emeritus (1996-2019) B.A., Brooklyn College; M.A., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

CAROLYN K. CUFF, Professor of Mathematics Emerita, 2017 Distinguished Faculty Award (1989-2020) B.S., Westminster College; M.S., Ph.D., Case Western University

TIMOTHY CUFF, Professor of History Emeritus (2000-2020) B.A., Westminster College; M.A., Bowling Green State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Pitts­burgh

BEVERLY WHITE CUSHMAN, Associate Professor of Religion and Christian Education Emerita (2004-2015) B.A. Stetson University; M.Div., M.A., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

DAVID O. CUSHMAN, Professor of Economics Emeritus (2005-2015) B.A., Stet­son University; M.A., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

ANN MURPHY DAMMRON, Associate Professor of French and Spanish Emerita (1995-2020) B.A., Clark University; M.A., Ph.D., Brown University

NANCY J. DeSALVO, Associate Professor of Music Emerita (2000-2020) B.M., Youngstown State University; M.M., Manhattan School of Music; D.M.A., The Cleveland Institute of Music

LINDA P. DOMANSKI, Professor of Education Emerita (1996-2013) B.S., M.Ed., Slippery Rock University; Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh

JACOB ERHARDT, Professor of German Emeritus (1968-2004) B.A., Bald­win-Wallace College; M.A., Middlebury College; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University

BARBARA T. FAIRES, Professor of Mathematics Emerita, 2001 Distinguished Fac­ulty Award (1971-1972; 1976-2009) B.S., East Carolina University; M.S., Universi­ty of South Carolina; Ph.D., Kent State University

DANIEL E. FISCHMAR, Professor of Economics Emeritus, 2014 Distinguished Faculty Award (1975-2017) B.A., M.A., Roosevelt University; Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

ELIZABETH A. FORD, Professor of English Emerita, 2005 Distinguished Faculty Award (1989-2005) B.A., M.A., Youngstown State University; Ph.D., Kent State University

JOSEPH B. FUSCO, Professor of Physical Education Emeritus (1968-2000) B.A., M.Ed., Westminster College; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

ALAN G. GITTIS, Professor of Psychology Emeritus, 2009 Distinguished Faculty Award (1976-2011) B.A., Temple University; M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State Univer­sity

DAVID B. GRAY, Professor of Psychology Emeritus, 2003 Distinguished Faculty Award (1965-2003) B.A., Westminster College; M.Div., Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; M.Ed., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

S. KIPLEY HAAS, Professor of Physical Education Emerita (1970-2005) B.S., M.Ed., Slippery Rock University

CLARENCE E. HARMS, Professor of Biology Emeritus, 1993 Distinguished Fac­ulty Award (1969-2003) B.A., Tabor College; M.A., University of Kansas; Ph.D., University of Minnesota

WARREN D. HICKMAN, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus, 1998 Distinguished Faculty Award (1968-2008) B.S., Capital University; M.S., Case Western Reserve University; Ph.D., Kent State University

G. EUGENE HILL, Associate Professor of Education Emeritus (1974-1998) B.S., M.A., West Texas State College; M.A., Ed.D., University of Denver

FREDERICK D. HORN, Professor of English Emeritus, 1997 Distinguished Faculty Award (1966-2002) A.B., Lycoming College; M.A., Ph.D., University of Delaware

DARWIN W. HUEY, Professor of Education Emeritus, 1994 Distinguished Faculty Award (1977-2017) B.A., M.Ed., Westminster College; Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh

NANCY E. JAMES, Professor of English Emerita (1965-1990) A.B., Waynesburg College; M.A., University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

WILLIAM L. JOHNSON, Professor of Physics Emeritus, 2007 Distinguished Fac­ulty Award (1971-2007) B.A., University of Southern Mississippi; M.S., Ph.D., U.S. Naval Postgraduate School

ALLEN C. JOHNSTON, Professor of Education Emeritus (1976-2001) A.B., Grove City College; M.Ed., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

MARTHA R. KELLNER, Associate Professor of Chemistry Emerita (1993-2015) B.A., Greenville College; M.S., University of Illinois; Ph.D., University of Kentucky

PHYLLIS G. KITZEROW, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies Emerita, 2011 Distinguished Faculty Award (1978-2012) B.S., University of Wis­consin; M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

TERRI L. LENOX, Professor of Computer Science Emerita, 2013 Distinguished Faculty Award (1999-2018) B.S., Grove City College; M.S., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

G. SAMUEL LIGHTNER IV, Professor of Physics Emeritus (1970-2008) B.S., Randolph-Macon College; Ph.D., University of Virginia

GARY D. LILLY, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies Emeritus (1977-2013) B.A., Westminster College; M.A., Ph.D., Kent State Univer­sity

ROBIN ANNA-KARIN LIND, Associate Professor of Music Emerita (2000-2014) B.A., College of Idaho; M.A., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Utah

KENNETH M. LONG, Professor of Chemistry Emeritus, 2002 Distinguished Faculty Award (1962-2002) B.S.Ed., Goshen College; M.A.T., Michigan State University; Ph.D., The Ohio State University

CAMILA BARI DE LÓPEZ, Professor of Spanish Emerita (1997-2014) Profeso­ra de Literatura, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina; Ph.D., University at Albany

NANCY A. MACKY, Associate Professor of English Emerita (1993-2003) B.A., Rutgers University; M.A., Ph.D., Kent State University

JESSE T. MANN, Professor of French, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Emeritus (1984-2019) B.A., Washington and Lee University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Virginia

PATRICK C. McCARTHY, Professor of Biology Emeritus, 2008 Distinguished Faculty Award (1970-2008) B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Wayne State University

MANDY B. MEDVIN, Professor of Psychology Emerita (1992-2020) B.A., Rutgers University; Ph.D., University of Washington

GAIL L. MILLER, Professor of Business Emeritus (1983-2013) B.A., Otterbein College; M.B.A., University of Georgia; D.B.A., University of Kentucky

DEBORAH C. MITCHELL, Professor of English and Film Studies, 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award (1992-2022) B.A., M.A., Youngstown State University; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University

M. EILEEN MORELLI, Associate Professor of Education Emerita (2002-2015) B.S., Youngstown State University; M.Ed., Valparaiso University; Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh

J. MILLER PECK, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus (1958-1962; 1963-1999) A.B., Harvard University; M.S., Carnegie Mellon University

BRYAN S. RENNIE, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, 2021 Distinguished Faculty Award (1992-2021) B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland

D. SCOTT RENNINGER JR., Professor of Physical Education Emeritus (1978- 2014) A.B., Heidelberg College; M.S., Eastern Michigan University

DAVID C. SMITH, Associate Professor of Accounting Emeritus (2004-2016) B.S., Bucknell University; M.S., Robert Morris University; M.B.A., University of Pitts­burgh; C.P.A. (Pennsylvania)

MOLLY P. SPINNEY, Associate Professor, Head Librarian Emerita (1975-2012) B.A., Westminster College; M.L.S., University of Pittsburgh

RICHARD L SPROW, Professor of English Emeritus, 2016 Distinguished Faculty Award (1976-2016) B.A., St. Lawrence University; M.A., Ph.D., Purdue University

ROBERT L. VANDALE, Professor of Religion Emeritus, Director of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Center (1973-1998) B.A., Lawrence College; M.Div., Pitts­burgh Theological Seminary; Ph.D., University of Iowa

SANDRA K. WEBSTER, Professor of Psychology, 2012 Distinguished Faculty Award (1983-2021) B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

R. THOMAS WILLIAMSON, President Emeritus (1997-2008) B.A., College of Wooster; J.D., University of Baltimore

ROGER T. WOLCOTT, Professor of Sociology Emeritus (1956-1993) B.A., Cor­nell University; M.A., Ph.D., Columbia University

PAUL G. WOZNIAK, Professor of Accounting Emeritus (1974-2008) B.S., M.B.A., Youngstown State University; C.P.A. (Pennsylvania)