FACULTY HIGHLIGHT Dr. Jonathan Gates
Professor of English & Director of Nyack College Honors Program, Rockland Campus
 What I plan to do over summer vacation: Well, right now I'm still finishing substantial work on writing assessment and finishing a six week College Writing I course at our Manhattan campus. In a few weeks we'll head to our cabin in Maine where I hope to fish, chop wood, and play board games with my children. Later in the summer we'll be traveling to the beach in South Carolina where forty some members of my immediate family will gather to celebrate my parent's 80th birthdays. By the time that's all done, I'm sure to have new material for writing poems.
What's on my Ipod playlist: I don't have an Ipod—or a cell phone for that matter—but our North Campus Administrative Assistant, Jaime Moore, is doing her best to convince me of my need.
Latest interesting reading: Recently, I finished Ian McEwan's new novel Saturday. Also, I've been reading The Devil's Highway about the trials a group of Mexican men face trying to cross one of the most desolate stretches of the Arizona desert.
Favorite food: This is a tough one given that my wife is an excellent cook, but a bowl of New England clam chowder would probably be it. But, you can't have just the chowder; you have to have it with a side of butterfly shrimp, a Caesar salad, and blueberry pie for dessert.
Unknown talent: Dodging middle school baseballs that come smashing through my office window!
Why I'm at Nyack: This is one of those questions that could be understood from many directions, so I'll give it a turn. While opening some doors and closing others, God called us 18 years ago to help educate young men and women at Nyack College. During these years, God has used faculty and students to teach me how to be a more effective teacher, and He has enabled me to instruct many to pursue wisdom and understanding through the careful reading and contemplation of challenging and inspiring literature. I appreciate the opportunities to work with my colleagues and students, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds and experience, as we pursue living as Kingdom people. I also value the rich cultural feast afforded to us by living in metropolitan New York.
BEST PRACTICES
Best Practices at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary
submitted by Dr. Bennett Schepens
Educators are often inspired by the "best practices" of their fellow teachers. Since the 1980s, the U.S. Department of Education has published a series of books called What Works in Schools. This section of Class Act will be dedicated to some of the best practices of our professors, and sometimes schools or departments. As professors we sometimes have tunnel vision, seeing only our department. The practices relayed here will give us all a much broader perspective of the excellence of teaching at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary. This will be our version of "What Works at Nyack College." I hope you enjoy reading what others do to make their classes and programs special. Best Practice in the School of Education
submitted by Mrs. Kristen Luba, Director of Assessment
Educational research and best practice has identified seven teaching processes which are fundamental to improving student learning in the classroom, which is the entire goal of teaching. In an effort to facilitate the development of these seven teacher processes in candidates for the field of education, the Renaissance Teacher Partnership For Improving Teacher Quality created a Teacher Work Sample (TWS) that elicits by prompting a demonstration of these processes in action in the classroom.
In the course of constructing and teaching a comprehensive instructional unit during student teaching, teacher candidates are expected to (1) describe factors in the teaching-learning context that affect instruction, (2) identify appropriate, standards-based, learning goals, (3) create an assessment plan designed to measure student performance before, during, and after the instruction, (4) plan for, and (5) modify the actual instruction for maximum effectiveness. After teaching the unit, teacher candidates (6) analyze student learning and then (7) reflect upon and evaluate their teaching as related to student learning data.
The TWS that each teacher candidate compiles is designed to document sound theory and effective teaching practice. The TWS is evaluated by both the Senior Seminar professor and the professor supervising the candidate during student teaching. Best Practice in Instruction
submitted by Dr. Frank Chan
 Sixty Rockland students took part in the Personal Spiritual Formation retreat over a weekend last April at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison, NY. This retreat is the capstone activity of the annual Personal Spiritual Formation course, a centerpiece of the curriculum for Nyack's College of Bible and Christian Ministry (CBCM). The students spend the previous twelve week class periods meeting in small groups under the guidance of a spiritual director and an assistant spiritual director (faculty, staff, and other friends of Nyack), who facilitate direct application of the spiritual formation principles from the lectures. A central element of this small group experience is the writing of a grief journal, which forces the student to face his or her past emotional wounds and to deal with the present impact upon his or her walk with God. The goal of the retreat is simple: to encounter God in the midst of this very intense processing and to celebrate together in worship the spiritual lessons learned. There are no special speakers or Bible studies at this retreat—only personally tailored spiritual formation activities, designed to awaken the student to the voice and heart of God.
Dr. Ron Walborn and Prof. Wanda Walborn give the weekly lectures, select and advise the spiritual directors, and give overall shape to the retreat. One final note: this past Personal Spiritual Formation (PSF) retreat was the eleventh since its inception in 2000, which means there are some 500-600 PSF "alumni" serving in various capacities all over the world. Many have stayed in touch with Nyack, remembering fondly the "life-changing" nature of the class and the retreat. This course, more than any other in the CBCM curriculum, sums up the "Nyack experience."
Best Practice in Intercultural Studies
by Prof. Scott Reitz
Rockland seniors majoring in Intercultural Studies got a head start on the post-graduation job interview process in their senior seminar class, taught by Prof. Scott Reitz, head of the Intercultural Studies Department. Students prepared their resumes and researched actual job openings chosen by Prof. Reitz from monster.com. This year the first round of mock interviews was for a position with the Art Institute of Chicago and the second round was for a position with World Relief in the Sudan. Professor Reitz chose the mock interviewers, coached the students, videotaped their interviews, and then analyzed in class afterwards, using feedback from the interviewers. The Intercultural Studies students find the assignment stimulating and even something of a bonding experience. Best of all, they are better prepared and more competitive in their search for jobs.
Taking Time for God
Excerpted from "Taking Time for God" in The Forum, September 2009
by Dr. Charles Franklyn Beach
English Department
In our busy schedules, one of the things that often falls by the wayside is our spiritual life. Even though we are at a Christian liberal arts college, it can be all too easy to take our relationship with God for granted. We have chapel three times a week, we frequently have Bible classes in our semester schedule, and during each week we have all kinds of opportunities to worship God, participate in ministry, and attend Bible studies.
So why is it that we often find ourselves spiritually dry, as if we were walking through a desert and not the abundance which surrounds us on every side?
Part of the difficulty is that in an environment where God is readily acknowledged and worshipped we do not necessarily have to put any real effort into our faith. We can coast on the good vibes around us--or so we think. It is something we must pursue actively or we risk slowly slipping away from God. Not that He ever leaves us, but if we are not looking to Him for guidance, we are likely to wander off the path He has set before us.
And if we are not growing in our faith, continuing to develop our relationship with God, we are on our way to becoming spiritually stagnant. And we know that, just as we would not want to drink water out of a stagnant pond, we would not really want our lives to be as spiritually lifeless and foul to the taste.
These years we spend at Nyack College should be a time of spiritual growth. We should be drawing closer to Christ. If we are not conscientious and dedicated to developing our relationship with God (daily personal devotions, small group Bible study, prayer, involvement in a Christian faith community off campus) we may find ourselves spiritually no better off. And if that happens, it will be our great loss. |
College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Fernando Arzola, Jr.
 The spring 2010 semester has been a busy time for Dr. Arzola, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, traveling from New York to Boston to Chicago. He continues to speak in his field of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. He lectured at the following: "Prophetic Youth Ministry," North Park University, Chicago, Illinois (April 9, 2010); Symposium Workshop, Nyack Scholars Symposium, "Exploring Corporate Worship: Evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox Perspectives," Nyack College, Nyack, NY (April 13, 2010); "Urban Youth Ministry," Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME), Boston, MA (March 16, 2010); "Urban Youth Ministry," Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA (March 16, 2010); "Youth, Adolescents, Disciples: Ministry to Young People Ages 13 to 18," St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY (February 23, 2010).
Dr. Arzola was also on the planning committee of RELOAD, a one-day conference for Urban Youth Workers, held on Saturday, June 12, 2010. The Nyack College Manhattan Campus served as one of the sites for this year's gathering hosting 200 urban youth workers.
Dr. Vilma Balmaceda
Dr. Balmaceda was accepted to the second annual Summer Institute, Teaching Peace in the 21st Century, which will be held at the Kroc Institute of the University of Notre Dame June 13-18. This summer program is designed to equip professors to launch or strengthen peace studies programs on their own campuses. Dr. Balmaceda will join some 58 faculty members from various institutions and engage intellectually with leading thinkers on peace studies research, teaching, and practice; collaborate on course development; and explore the pedagogical, administrative, and communications challenges of peace studies.
Professor Brad McDuffie
 Professor McDuffie published two of his poems, "Fidelity" and "On Through to Sundown," in the 2009 issue of The Shawangunk Review, and several of his poems were chosen for the special 2009 anniversary issue of this publication. Other published works include his poem, "Visiting Coney Island, January 2005" in The South Carolina Review; a chapbook of poetry entitled Seven Hymns from the West; and a short cycle of seven poems and three refrains in Des Hymnagistes Anthology in 2010.
Professor McDuffie's additional accomplishments include: presentation of a paper on Breece D'J Pancake at the American Literature Association (ALA) Conference in Savannah, GA; co-chairing three panels of papers (and presenting one) on re-discovering J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories at this year's South Atlantic Modern Language Association (SAMLA) Conference in Atlanta, GA; being awarded a Hinkle Grant from the Ernest Hemingway Society for his work on Ernest Hemingway and J.D. Salinger; and presenting essays at both the International Imagism Conference in Austria and at the International Hemingway Conference in Switzerland, where he was also a featured poet.
Dr. Jacqueline Washington
 Dr. Washington, department chair of biology and chemistry, was selected to receive the Faculty Enhancement Program Travel Award sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Dr. Washington's application was selected as an example of her commitment to teaching undergraduate microbiology and biology. Dr. Washington received a $700.00 travel subsidy, a one-year complimentary membership to ASM, and was recognized during the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators as a travel award winner. School of Business and Leadership
Dr. Richard L. Gathro
 Dr. Gathro, Nyack DC dean and assistant to the president, regularly hosts the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance (IRFA) meetings at Nyack, DC. The IRFA is a coalition of Evangelical, Catholic, and Jewish groups concerned about maintaining the "right to hire" based on shared religious faith. The House is currently re-proposing a failed bill, focusing on sexual orientation, which poses a serious threat if not amended. Dr. Gathro lobbied for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) when the bill came out two years ago. He was able to get religious hiring protection for higher education, with the help of IRFA friends and the House Minority Whip. The TV show, Religion in the News, recently filmed an interview at Nyack DC with Stanley Carlson-Thies, the head of the IRFA. School of Education
Dr. JoAnn Looney
 Dr. Looney recently became a member of the New York State Task Force on Inclusive Schooling (http://www.inclusion-ny.org). One of several core missions of this task force is to train faculty in institutions of higher education to accommodate students with differing disabilities in their classrooms. Dr. Looney attended a "Diversity Forum" held by Pace University for its faculty, where two keynote sessions were devoted to the research supporting strategies and instructional models to accommodate these students. She also worked with her group in developing materials for faculty training.
School of Music
Dr. Dana Talley and Dr. Sue Talley
Drs. Dana and Sue Talley, professors of music, NYC, were both named fellows of the Sophia Institute, which is situated on the campus of Union Theological Seminary in New York City. The primary aims of the Sophia Institute are to encourage the study of the Eastern Christian Tradition – its history, thought, liturgical and spiritual cultures, as well as issues concerned with its ecumenical and socio-ethical engagement with the contemporary world.
Dr. Sue Talley also wrote a review of the "Monteverdi Vespers of 1610" recently presented in NYC, published in the March issue of American Recorder Magazine, a magazine of the American Recorder Society. Alliance Theological Seminary (ATS)
 Dr. Luis A. Carlo
Dr. Carlo, associate dean of ATS (NYC), has been named the chairman of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Board, which is a very significant achievement and great responsibility. The mission of the CCDA is to inspire, train, and connect Christians who seek to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities. The organization strengthens existing Christian community development organizations; encourages new Christian community development efforts; promotes Christian community development through regional training; educates and mobilizes the body of Christ at large to become involved in Christian community development; and sustains, enables, and inspires individuals doing Christian community development.
Dr. Elaine Leong Eng
Dr. Eng's book, The Transforming Power of Story: How Telling Your Story Brings Hope to Others and Healing to Yourself, was published in March 2010 by CreateSpace. Dr. Eng and co-author, Dr. David Biebel, put together a powerful collection of stories focused on transformation and healing from a wide array of losses, including disability, miscarriage, cancer, widowhood, abortion, infertility, pornography addiction, death of a loved one due to suicide, and the loss of a young child to illness. This book demonstrates, through multiple true life stories, how sharing one's story, especially in a group setting, can bring hope to listeners and healing to the one who shares.
Division of Library Services
Mr. Robert Wagner
Mr. Wagner, reference services librarian of the Wilson Library on the NYC campus, presented a workshop at the Association of Christian Librarians Conference entitled "Teaching Research Skills to Undergraduate Psychology Students" which was held at Northwestern College, Minneapolis, MN. Staff
Mr. Dinesh Mahtani
Director of Admissions of the Rockland campus, Dinesh Mahtani, received a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and graduated with highest distinction, achieving a 4.0 GPA.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Nyack College and ATS Retirees
Professor Emeritus, David Huttar
Professor David Huttar published an article in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society entitled "Did Paul Call Andronicus an Apostle in Romans 16:7?" He also presented a paper at a regional ETS meeting in Lancaster in March 2010 entitled "Misuse of Augustine and Aquinas in the Evolution Debate."
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Summer Research Grants
Please afford your heartiest congratulations to the following distinguished members of our faculty. The Tenure and Promotion Committee selected the following recipients for Summer 2010 Research Grants.
* Dr. Charles Awasu
* Dr. Vilma Balmaceda
* Dr. Ron Belsterling
* Dr. Stephen Bennett
* Dr. Stephen Maret
* Dr. Lyndell O'Hara
* Dean Linda Poston
* Dr. Anita Underwood
* Dr. Marie White
* Dr. Kwi Yun
Congratulations to these faculty members for their continued efforts to conduct research and publish their works. Please congratulate Dr. Amy Davis upon the successful completion of her doctoral degree, a Ph.D. from Drew University. Dr. Davis' successful defense completes our "trifecta" of faculty completing their doctorates this spring (Kevin Pinkham and Sherry Jarrett being the other two) and brings the percent of fulltime undergraduate Bible faculty with terminal degrees to 100%, a first in the institution's history. Congratulations to Award Winners
Thank you to all the faculty and staff who were able to attend and help celebrate another successful academic year-end at the banquet on May 10, 2010. We extend a special note of congratulations to the following award recipients:
Enrollment Associate of the Year, Joel Fevig
Online Educator of the Year, Dr. Sue Talley
Nyack.edu Web Engagement Award, Dr. Fred Arzola
Student Financial Services Associate of the Year, Maria Arroyo
Commitment to Mission Award – Faculty, Dr. Vilma Balmaceda
Commitment to Mission Award – Staff, Lesly Milord
A special congratulations to Barbara Shiffer for 40 years of service to Nyack!
David Jennings presented a tribute to Barb along with an overview of her time at Nyack. The following is quoted from Dr. Jennings' presentation:
 The following are just a few of the remarks made about Barb and her work from colleagues over the years:
• 1984 - "I just wanted you to know that I appreciate the extra effort you put into helping me with my problems this month."
• 1989 - "I just want to thank you for all your help during the past couple of weeks. The many times you dropped by to ask me if I needed help and then all the times you ran here and there to help…even doing photocopying which I hate to do. Your servant spirit and helpfulness to me during those busy days was so appreciated."
• 1995 – "I want to express to you my deepest appreciation for the services you provide. You make it a pleasure to work here."
• 2003 – "Thank you for taking the time to do the filing for me. It certainly wasn't your responsibility, yet you saw the need and willingly offered to do the un-enjoyable – thank you!"
• 2009 – "Watching you work yesterday reminded me of how important you are to the life of this institution. You quietly work behind the scenes to insure that 'quality' occurs. Please know that your ministry does not go unnoticed."
He also shared the closing paragraph of her employment letter from May 1970 which read, "We sincerely believe that you are joining our staff as an opportunity for ministry unto the Lord, and it is our prayer that it shall be a good and profitable time for you. We trust that as you are a blessing to us, we shall be a blessing to you." Thank you for faithfully holding up your end of the bargain for forty years.
Congratulations to the following employees who were recognized for 20 years or more of faithful service to Nyack College:
20 years of service:
Dr. Agnia Assur
Dr. James Danaher
Dr. Larry Poston
Miguel Sanchez
Dr. Michael G. Scales
25 years of service:
Dr. Robert Bryan Widbin
30 years of service:
Dr. William Crockett
40 years of service:
Barb Shiffer
Mrs. Elsie Barney, wife of Dr. G. Linwood Barney, co-founder of ATS, sent a congratulatory letter to Dr. Bryan Widbin and Dr. William Crockett that was read aloud on her behalf. The following is an excerpt from her letter:
My sincere congratulations to you both on the celebration of many years of outstanding service to our Lord and Alliance Theological Seminary. You both have touched many lives and contributed to their growth in the Lord and their desire to serve Him here in the States and around the World.
The first life you touched was no doubt my dear husband, Lin Barney. He knew your contribution would have lasting effects on individuals, as well as the school as a whole, because of your background, education, and commitment to the Lord.
Although he often stood in awe at your intellectual knowledge and abilities, he delighted in shared conversation and humor. If Lin were here, I am sure he would offer profound thanks, as I do also, to both of you (Bryan for 25 years and Bill for 30 years) for remaining at ATS through all its challenges and changes. The fact that you remained contributed greatly to its growth, advancement, and world-wide influence. Lin would say, and I agree, you have been especially faithful to the Lord as you devoted your time and efforts in preparing others to fulfill God's calling on their lives. To God be the Glory!
Congratulations to the following employees for their dedication to Nyack College:
15 years of service:
Miss Mei-Fong Chau
Dr. Janet Dale
Miss Cheryl Felmlee
Dr. Elaine Lux
Dr. Louise McCreery
Dr. Elena Murphy
Dr. Lyndell O'Hara
Dr. Carol Robles
Mr. Ricardo Santiago
Dr. Bennett Schepens
Mrs. Dona Schepens
10 years of service:
Mr. Alfredo Cid
Ms. Elizabeth Dahlberg-Lee
Mrs. Carol Ann Freeman
Mrs. Deborah Harris
Mrs. Julia Hood-Baldomir
Mr. Sung (Sam) Lim
Mrs. Beverly Locke
Mrs. Kristen Luba
Dr. Russell McLeod
Miss Doreen Reed
Dr. Glen Shellrude
Mrs. Miriam Velez
Mrs. Wanda Walborn
Dr. Steven Ware
Dr. David Weir
5 years of service:
Dr. Barbara Austin-Lucas
Dr. Karen Fenton-LeShore
Mr. Caleb Guzman
Rev. Charles Hammond
Mr. Bradley McDuffie
Mrs. Raquel Reynoso
Miss Christine Warrington
Dr. Jack Wiltshire, Sr.
Miss Jamila Yousif Save the Date
Employee Health Fair – August 27
The Employee Health Fair will be held on Friday, August 27, 2010 at the Rockland campus. Plan to attend to receive free medical screenings, get information from representatives about your benefits, and enter drawings to win prizes. Background Screenings
Background screenings are one component of a careful, diligent hiring process aimed at further reducing risk to the college's human, financial, informational, technological and physical resources. As part of the college's commitment to providing a safe and secure workplace and learning community, an unconditional employment offer from the college for work beginning on or after July 1, 2010 is contingent upon a successful background check for most non-student employee classifications, including adjunct faculty. Please contact Human Resources for additional information or if you have any questions about the hiring process.
Keep us in the loop!
Please send your latest achievements including books published, research completed, honors received from professional organizations, fellowships awarded, oversight or development of service learning projects, and work with community organizations to Erica Kirsh at Erica.Kirsh@nyack.edu.
Please provide details (who, what, where, when, why) and the significance of news in relationship to our core values, where possible. High resolution digital photos that you can share for publication are welcome. (Please note: copy may be edited for length). |
©2010 Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary
