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Learning Opportunities

Programs of Study

Academic programs in the Division of Social Sciences share a focus on human beings’ social worlds. Social Science disciplines prepare students with both a theoretical and an applied understanding of society. The Division delivers this fundamental knowledge base through seven core programs: geography, history and philosophy, political science, psychology, recreation and tourism management, social work, and sociology. 

Graduates are equipped with the conceptual sophistication and practical skills required to embark on rewarding careers. The Division’s responsiveness to professional opportunities is reflected in programs in cartography and geographic information systems, civic engagement, correctional rehabilitation, legal studies and pre-law, and public and non-profit administration. 

Scholarships

The Division is proud to award scholarships to deserving students each year. Kristen Evangelista receives a divisional tuition scholarship in 2007-08. Ms. Evangelista is a social work major from Bluefield.

The Division is awarding Tierney scholarships this year to Holly Belcher and Christopher Day. Princeton’s Holly Belcher is majoring in sociology and in history with an emphasis in philosophy.  Christopher Day is a sociology major from Beaver.

Thanks to Bonnie Dorsey, chair of the division’s scholarship committee, and committee members Sally Campbell, Danette Light, Rod Klein, Tracy Luff, and Roy Ramthun for their hard work.

Conference Opportunities

Among the most rewarding aspects of a career in higher education is the opportunity to introduce students to the professional world beyond the university campus.  Conferences which bring professionals together give students a view of careers in their fields and help them develop professional networks. Divisional faculty make every effort to involve students in their disciplines’ meetings.

Geography faculty and students annually attend the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers’ meeting. In November, 2007, the conference was held in Charleston, SC. In  April, 2008, the geography program will host the Conference on Appalachian Geography.

Philosophy students joined professor Thomas McKenna on a  Christmas break trip to Baltimore for the meeting of the Eastern Division of the American Philosophical Association.

Every semester, Concord’s political scientists visit the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. The Miller Center conducts a webcast lecture series featuring leading political figures which is the basis for a CU seminar. The Concord course culminates in a  trip to Charlottesville to participate in a seminar.

Psychology faculty and students attend the annual meeting of the Maryland Association for Behavioral Analysis. The Psychology program is centrally involved in the Tri-State Psychology conference and hosted it in 2006.

Every spring, the RTM program participates in the Northeast Recreation Research Symposium at Lake George, NY. Students are encouraged to present their research at the conference.

Social Work students join their professors to travel to the West Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers annual meeting in Charleston.

Sociology professor Tracy Luff and her students regularly make research presentations at conferences. In 2007, they journeyed to Philadelphia for the Eastern Sociological Society’s meeting.

Study Abroad

Jim White, Chairman of the International Studies Committee, leads Concord’s study abroad initiatives. Every summer, Dr. White and Dr. Manzo direct the McKelvey Foundation / David R. Bard Study Abroad Program to the United Kingdom. The three week trip during July and August focuses on comparative government, geography, theatre, and culture. London’s Schiller University hosts the group. Excursions are made to Scotland, Wales, and France. In 2007, 23 students completed this study abroad experience. The 2008 trip will begin on July 22 and conclude August 12. Please contact Dr. White (jwhite@concord.edu) or Dr. Manzo (manzoj@concord.edu) for more information.

Costa Rica Report

Lab and Classroom Technology

Digital technology is essential to contemporary higher education.  The Division of Social Sciences is committed to providing students and faculty with appropriate technology for teaching and research.

The Divisional computer lab (Marsh Hall 123) offers twelve computer workstations, a scanner, and a printer. In addition to Internet and Microsoft Office applications, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is installed on the computers. The Division’s Spatial Analysis Lab (Marsh Hall 124) is named for the late R.T. Hill, Concord professor of geography from 1962 to 1989. The lab has 15 dual monitor computer workstations, a presentation projector, a printer, a scanner, and a large format poster plotter. Specialty software includes SPSS and ArcGIS, the industry standard GIS program.

Among the Division’s classrooms equipped for digital presentations, the John D. Seago Conference Room (Marsh Hall 109) merits special mention. Named for emeriti professor of psychology John Seago, who was division chair for 20 of his 27 years of Concord service, the conference room provides a professional environment for seminars and meetings.

The Divisional technology committee directs implementation of lab and classroom technology. Chairman Roy Ramthun is joined on the committee by George Towers, Lynne White, and Susan Williams.

Student News

Outstanding Graduates

Three graduates from divisional programs were valedictorians in 2007. In May, psychology major Kira Bailey and Steve Taylor, who majored in both geography and history, were honored. Cindy Markum, a geography major, was a valedictorian at the December ceremony.

At the Annual Honors Banquet held on May 1st, the following 2007 graduates in Social Science programs were honored:
  • Honors Program Graduates: Steve Taylor and Stephanie Young
  • Outstanding Graduate in Geography: Steve Taylor and Stephanie Young, co-recipients
  • Outstanding History Student of the Year: Steve Taylor
  • Outstanding Student — Phi Alpha Delta and Legal Studies / Pre-Law: Sean Noland
  • Outstanding Psychology Student of the Year: Kira Bailey
  • Outstanding Social Work Graduate for 2007: Jennifer Crowe
  • Outstanding Sociology Graduate of the Year: Nicholas Dolin
  • Philosophy Essay Prize: Holly Belcher

Faculty members Jonathan Berkey, Rod Klein, Tracy Luff, Carol Manzione, Tom McKenna, Bob Rhodes, John David Smith, George Towers, and Sarah Whittaker were on hand to present awards and celebrate these outstanding students.

Student Organizations

Through extra-curricular organizations, students explore and develop lifelong interests. Division faculty are very glad to be involved with the following student groups:

  • Alpha Phi Omega Honor Society, John David Smith, sponsor
  • Amnesty International, Sally Campbell, sponsor
  • Dance Team, Angela Lamb, sponsor
  • ECO Club, Roy Ramthun, sponsor
  • Geography Club, Joe Manzo, George Towers, and Jan Westerik, sponsors
  • Phi Alpha Delta Pre Law Fraternity, John David Smith, sponsor
  • Phi Alpha Honor Society, Sarah Whittaker, sponsor
  • Philosophy Club, Thomas McKenna, sponsor
  • Psi Chi Honor Society, Rod Klein, sponsor
  • Social Work Organization, Bonnie Dorsey and John David Smith, sponsors
  • Sociology Club, Tracy Luff, Sponsor
  • Young Democrats, Sally Campbell, sponsor

Love of Learning

Many of our graduates embarked on graduate study this year. We miss having these excellent students in our classes and we look forward to hearing from them as their academic careers progress.

  • Ashley Acord, Social Work, Univ. of Tennessee (CU major: Social Work)
  • Kira Bailey, Psychology, Iowa State Univ. (major: Psychology, minor: Sociology)
  • Jesse Call, Law, Northern Kentucky Univ. (major: Political Science, minor: History)
  • Don Colley, Geography, Kent State Univ. (major: Geography)
  • Kristin Cook, Environment, Society, and Public Affairs, Univ. of Vermont (majors: Geography and Sociology)
  • Nicholas Dolin, Criminal Justice, Univ. of Cincinnati (major: Sociology, minor: Psychology)
  • Wendy Garcia, Social Work, WVU (major: Social Work)
  • Evgeniya “Jenny” Gospondinova, Law, WVU (major: Political Science)
  • Ben Hatfield, Law, Syracuse Univ. (majors: Geography and Political Science)
  • Scott Holley, Sociology, East Tennessee State Univ. (major: Sociology)
  • Joey Lares, Teacher Education, Marshall Univ. (majors: Geography and Sociology)
  • Sean Noland, Public Administration, Virginia Tech Univ. (major: Political Science, minor: Pre-Law)
  • Jeffrey Pack, Political Science, Marshall Univ. (major: Political Science)
  • Brittany Puckett, Appalachian School of Law (major: Political Science, minor: Geography)
  • Lyndsy Schurdell, Appalachian School of Law (major: Political Science)
  • Matthew Stonestreet, Law, WVU (major: Political Science, minor: Pre-Law)
  • Amie Vedral, Psychology, SUNY New Paltz (major: Psychology, minor: Sociology)
  • Britney Williams, Social Work, WVU (major: Social Work)
  • Stephanie Young, Geography, Marshall Univ. (majors: Geography  and Recreation and Tourism Management)

Credentials into Careers

The following graduates are beginning their professional careers this year. We wish them great success!

  • Shawn Allen, Social worker, Council on Aging, Princeton (major: Social Work)
  • Micah Bailey, Social worker, Greenbrier County DHHR (major: Social Work)
  • Jasmine Bledsoe, Counselor, Bannum Place of Charleston (major: Sociology, minor: psychology)
  • Eric Combs, GIS Analyst, Region One Planning and Development Council, Princeton, WV (major: Geography)
  • Reed Flinn, Park Ranger, Shenandoah National Park, Luray, VA (majors: Geography and RTM)
  • Melissa King, Social worker, Wyoming County DHHR (major: Social Work)
  • Andrew Lowe, County Mapper, Raleigh County, West Virginia (major: Geography, minor: Political Science)
  • Curtis Porter, Smoke Hole Caverns, Seneca Rocks, WV (major: RTM)
  • Mindy Southern, Social worker, Mercer County DHHR Adult Protective Services (major: Social Work)
  • Gary “Skipper” Stewart, GIS Analyst, Wyoming County E-911 (major: Geography)
  • Steve Taylor, U.S. Army Special Forces, Fort Bragg, NC (majors: Geography and History)
  • James Underwood, Photogrammetrist, Pentree Engineering, Princeton (major: Geography)
  • Jon Yates, GIS Analyst, Region One Planning and Development Council, Princeton, WV (major: Geography)
Faculty News

Faculty 

The Division of Social Sciences is fortunate to offer Concord students outstanding teaching from highly qualified faculty who have been widely recognized for their excellence. For example, six current division faculty have won the Student Government Association’s Joseph Friedl Award. This honor is annually given to the Concord faculty member who most “exemplifies the true essence of the college professor.” Dr. Tracy Luff, the 2006 honoree, is the Division’s most recent Friedl Award winner (see list).

Furthermore, two Division members have won the West Virginia Professor of the Year Award: the recently retired Dr. David Bard in 2002 and Dr. Joseph Manzo in 2006. Concord’s Division of Social Sciences is the only academic unit at any college or university to boast two winners of this prestigious award.

Faculty Administrators

The following faculty receive release time from teaching for these University administrative appointments:

  • Dr. Danette Light, Director of Assessment
  • Dr. Roy Ramthun, Chairman, Division of Social Sciences
  • Dr. John David Smith, Vice President and Academic Dean; Coordinator, Honors Program
  • Dr. George Towers, Interim Associate Dean
  • Dr. Sarah Whittaker, Director, Social Work Program

Three division faculty members administer externally funded programs that bring great benefits to the Concord community:

Dr. Rod Klein directs Concord’s  McNair Scholars Program. Named for the late astronaut, Ronald E. McNair, this federally funded program prepares students from disadvantaged backgrounds for graduate school. 

Dr. Joseph Manzo is the Coordinator of the West Virginia Geographic Alliance. Funded by the state and by the National Geographic Society, the Alliance promotes geographic education in West Virginia schools.

Faculty Travels

Division faculty were prodigious international travelers in 2007. Faculty led study abroad classes, served as University ambassadors, presented their research at conferences, and just had fun.

Professors Roy Ramthun and Joe Manzo traveled on Concord’s behalf to Russia and Japan, respectively. Dr. Ramthun lectured at Mari State Technical University in Yoshkar-Ola, Russia. While at Mari State, he explored possibilities for exchange programs with Concord. Dr. Manzo visited Osaka College and the Japan College of Foreign Languages in Tokyo to inform students of opportunities at Concord.

Carol Manzione presented a research paper at The Social and Cultural History of Children and Youth Conference at Linkoping University in Linkoping, Sweden in June, 2007.

Faculty also went abroad for family. Jan and Judy Westerik saw relatives in Canada, the Netherlands, and Vietnam. Carol Manzione also had a family affair in Vietnam as she helped her sister adopt a daughter. Tom McKenna and his wife, Bruna Carchedi, re-united with Bruna’s many relatives in Italy.

Last but not least, the summer break is a time for vacation travel. Joe and Sharon Manzo spent a week on the Greek island of Mykonos, the Westeriks toured Scotland, Rod Klein and Karen Griffee escaped to St. Lucia, and Jim and Lynne White and their family visited Vancouver, Canada on an Alaskan cruise,

Retirement  travels well, too. Dave and Carol Bard made two cruises in 2007: one through the Greek Isles and another along Russia’s rivers. Old friends Al and Marilyn Beatty took their annual summer vacation in Canada. 

New Faculty: Dr. Joan Pendergast

The Division welcomes Dr. Joan Pendergast, Assistant Professor of Social Work. Dr. Pendergast received the Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of South Carolina in 2007. Her thesis addressed the relationship between the middle school social environment and academic achievement.

After completing the Masters of Social Work at Marywood University in Scranton, PA, Dr. Pendergast worked in community mental health, school based counseling, and emergency room social work in Columbia before entering USC’s doctoral program. Dr. Pendergast gained extensive teaching experience while a graduate student. She will teach Group Dynamics and Interviewing Skills, Human Behavior and Social Environment Theories, Field Instruction, and Social Work Issues Seminar this fall. 

Raised in Opelika, Alabama, Dr. Pendergast comes from a family of teachers. Her father was a professor at Auburn University, her brother has served on the faculty of the US Military Academy at West Point, and her sister is a high school teacher.

Faculty Governance

Social Sciences professors are leaders in faculty governance. Division faculty serve on the following University committees:

  • Academic Affairs Executive Council: Danette Light, Rod Klein, Carol Manzione, George Towers
  • Academic Policy Committee: Jonathan Berkey, Thomas McKenna, George Towers
  • Administrative Policies and Procedures Committee: Danette Light
  • Assessment Committee: Danette Light (Chair), Tracy Luff, Carol Manzione
  • David S. Roth Scholarship Committee: Jonathan Berkey (Chair)
  • Faculty Athletic Representative: Jim White
  • Faculty Development Committee: Rod Klein (Chair)
  • Faculty Senate: Sally Campbell, Rod Klein, Joseph Manzione (Div. Rep.), Thomas McKenna, Susan Williams (Secretary)
  • Higher Learning Commission / North Central Association Accreditation Committees: Mission and Integrity: Jonathan Berkey, Roy Ramthun (Chair); Preparing for the Future: George Towers; Student Learning and Effective Teaching: Danette Light (Chair), Tracy Luff, Sarah Whittaker; Engagement and Service: Joe Manzo, John David Smith (Chair)
  • Honors Committee: Jonathan Berkey
  • Human Subjects Review Board: Bob Rhodes (Chair)
  • International Studies Committee: Jim White (Chair)
  • Library Advisory Committee: Roy Ramthun, Jan Westerik (Chair)
  • President’s Cabinet: John David Smith
  • Student Affairs Committee: Sally Campbell, Karen Griffee
  • Teacher Education Advisory Committee: George Towers 

 

Adjunct Faculty

The Division is very fortunate that local professionals are eager to share their expertise through teaching at Concord. Many of our adjuncts are loyal Concord alumni serving their alma mater. Adjunct professors hold advanced degrees in their fields and are active in their professions.

The local legal community is closely involved in Divisional offerings. Judge John Frazier*, retired from West Virginia’s 9th Circuit Court, teaches the Sociology of Law. Attorneys Alex Alvarez, Marshall S. Campbell, and Deborah Curry* are integral to the delivery of the legal studies program. Bruce Lazenby, a Beckley lawyer, is teaching American Federal Government.

Educators and core members of the West Virginia Geographic Alliance, Debbie Gallaher and Linda Poff*, teach introductory geography courses. Ms. Poff also teaches Special Methods in Teaching Social Studies. Jason Roberts*, GIS Director for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s West Virginia Region I Planning and Development Council in Princeton, offers courses on GIS and the Global Positioning System in the geography program. The geography course in Broadcast Meteorology is taught by Corey Henderson, meteorologist for WVVA Television.

The History program is fortunate to have the services of R. Keith Lilly*. Mr. Lilly holds the M.A. in History from Virginia Tech and has taught for CU for many years. His current courses focus on world history and West Virginia history.

Psychologists William A. Brezinski and Lawrence Richmond*, Dr. Griffee’s colleagues at Laurel Ridge Psychological Associates in Princeton, are teaching upper division courses in child psychology. Dr. David Ellis, a psychologist at a federal correctional institution in Raleigh County, also teaches junior and senior level classes in the Psychology program. McNair Scholars Program staff member Doug Snuffer* teaches introductory psychology.

Dr. Gary Nussbaum, Professor Emeritus in the Department of  Recreation, Parks and Tourism at Radford University, leads caving and rock climbing courses for Concord’s Recreation and Tourism Management program.

Terri H. Philpott, a CU Educational Outreach Counselor, and Lori Pace teach introductory sociology.

Local social work professionals teaching at Concord include Robbin Durham, who is in private practice in Beckley, and Marie Newcomb, Judy Smith, and Ramona Stanley, all of whom work in the public sector.  Ms. Newcomb is an Education Coordinator for Beckley ARH Hospital, Ms. Stanley is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services’ Appalachian Area Agency on Aging, and Ms. Smith works for the West Virginia Bureau of Children and Families’ Princeton office.

The Appalachian Studies program is greatly strengthened by the involvement of Pamela Scaggs. Ms. Scaggs serves on the Appalachian Leadership Education Foundation (ALEF) Board of Directors and teaches ALEF Leadership at Concord.  ALEF is a non-profit organization that supports students from Appalachia in leadership education. Also in Appalachian Studies, retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers archeologist Dr. Robert Maslowski teaches Appalachian Archeology. Dr. Maslowski was honored in 2003 as a Distinguished West Virginian for his contributions to his field.

* Concord alumnus

Congratulations on the following faculty accomplishments and promotions

  • Mr. Marshall S. Campbell was appointed Director of the Student Center.
  • Dr. Ellen Darden received promotion to Professor of Social Work.
  • Dr. Carol K. Manzione was promoted to Associate Professor of History. 
  • Mr. Jan Westerik was recognized for his fifteen years of full time Concord service in May, 2007.
  • Dr. Susan Williams, Assistant Professor of Recreation and Tourism Management,  completed her Ph.D. degree in West Virginia University’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism.
Joseph Friedl Award

The Student Government Association’s annual  Joseph Friedl Award for the outstanding professor was established in 1984.  In the Friedl Award’s 24 years, Social Sciences faculty have been honored 13 times.

2006 Tracy Luff
2005 George Towers
2003 John David Smith
2001 Danette Light
2000 Carol Manzione
1998 David Bard
1996 Thomas Tierney
1993 Michael Federici
1992 David Bard
1987 Joseph Manzo
1986 Harriette Wright
1985 Jack McMichael
1984 David Bard 

 


 

 

 


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Last Updated: 2/25/08 GT