Dear Bellarmine Students, Faculty and Staff,
Our inaugural TEDx event on March 1 was a great success! More than 100 people attended, and the video captured from the live stream has been viewed more than 1,400 times on YouTube. With the overarching topic of “Who are we? Past, present, future,” speakers discussed ways to make Louisville a city of lifelong learning, a healthy city, and an even more compassionate community. The issues addressed ranged from the power of rising about generational stereotypes to the potentially lifesaving use of acupuncture for pain sufferers who might otherwise be prescribed opioids.
TEDx core organizers included students Crystal Bhagwandin, John Klapheke, Lucas Rogers, Grayson Rohrig and Gillian Urbaniak, alumni Quincy Nelson and Jacob Schuhmann, adjunct theater faculty member Angela Miller and Dr. Shawn Apostel of the School of Communication. Thank you to the organizers for all of their hard work to launch what I hope will become an annual event. If you weren’t able to attend, you can watch all of the TEDx talks here.
Bellarmine College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Justin Klassen, associate professor of Theology, published an essay, “Brandi Carlile’s Biblical imagination in ‘By the Way, I Forgive You,’” in America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture, Feb. 8, 2019. In December 2018, Dr. Klassen presented “Facing Facts, Keeping Faith: Theological Reflections on the 2018 IPCC Report” for the Clingman Forum of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.
Dr. Gregory Hillis, associate professor of Theology, has several recent publications: “Introduction” for St. Cyril of Alexandria, Glaphyra on the Pentateuch – Volume 1: Genesis, Nicholas Lunn, trans. (Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 2018); “Thomas Merton, the Problem of War and the Character of Christian Nonviolence,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Religion and Ethics, Jan. 29; “A Gift, Not a Guilt Trip,” Commonweal, Jan. 12; Review of Judith Valente’s How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us about Happiness, Meaning, and Community in America Magazine, Jan. 7; and “What Life Is like Outside the Cloister,” America Magazine, Dec. 28, 2018. Dr. Hillis was also invited to be on a panel to discuss the continuing influence of Merton’s life and writings: “Disappear from View”?: Conference Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Merton’s Death, at the Bernardin Center, Catholic Theological Union, in Chicago in December 2018.
Dr. Deborah Prince, interim chair and associate professor of Theology, presented a two-week adult education study, “Pray, See, Act: The Spirituality of Luke-Acts,” at Epiphany Catholic Church in Louisville in March.
Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, professor of Theology, has been invited to serve as part of the Advisory and Writing Groups of the Clergy Women Study for the Flourishing in Ministry project housed in the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame. The study will focus on the experience of women across denominations entering into their first call in ministry. Dr. Hinson-Hasty was also elected to the Board of the Society of Christian Ethics at the Annual Meeting in January 2019. In addition, her book The Problem of Wealth was ranked among the top 50 books of 2018 by the interfaith organization Spirituality and Practice.
Ms. Alli Truttmann, adjunct faculty in Psychology, had the only Kentucky company selected to participate in the 2019 Global Startup Grind. She founded Wicked Sheets in 2008 to market sheets with advanced wicking and cooling technology. Wicked Sheets gained global recognition at the February conference in Silicon Valley.
Dr. Jean Lamont, assistant professor of Psychology, presented a poster entitled “Differential effects of body shame and body guilt on health information seeking” at the 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in Washington, D.C., in March.
Dr. Leslie Anderson, adjunct faculty in Global Languages & Cultures, published the article “Sisters, Eroticism, and the Red Cat: Homosocial Female Bonds in Troubadour Poetry” in Tenso 34.
Dr. Frank Hutchins, professor of Sociology and program director of Sociology and Criminal Justice, delivered a virtual lecture to the Infectious Diseases Interest Group at the University of Wisconsin, titled “The Anthropology of Infectious Disease.” Along with co-authors Diego Herrera, David Gaus & Carlos Troya, he published an article in Anthropology & Medicine titled “Intercultural Health in Ecuador: An Asymmetrical and Incomplete Project” (Dec. 2018). Dr. Hutchins was also the third author (with co-authors Derek Ruez and Dr. Michael Strawser) on an article in the Journal of Geography titled “Incorporating Geography Contingently: Geographic Pedagogies in a University without a Geography Department” (Dec. 2018).
Dr. David Porta, professor of Biology, gave a platform presentation titled “Seat Belt Analysis: Sometimes Plastic Transfer to a Webbing Indicates the Restraint was NOT in Use” in the Engineering Section at the 71st annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Baltimore on Feb. 22.
Dr. Roberta Challener, assistant professor of Biology, Dr. Joanne Dobbins, professor of Biology, and Dr. David Porta led 14 students to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas over Spring Break as the field portion of the Marine Biology course BIOL 226. The course was begun by Dr. Tom Bennett in 1979. Dr. Bennett passed away in December 2015, and the faculty spread some of his ashes in the water during their traditional Sunday afternoon at Grotto Beach, the nicest beach on the island.
Ms. Karole Spangler, adjunct faculty in Theatre, is appearing in the Theatre (502) production of Women Laughing Alone with Salad, March 29-April 20 at the MeX Theatre.
Ms. Megan Burnett, program director and assistant professor of Theatre, launched the national tour of her one-woman play, Conversations with a Suffragist – Mattie Griffith Browne, Kentucky Abolitionist and Suffragist, with a performance at the Louisville Free Public Library on Feb. 26. The play is the result of research supported by a Faculty Development Grant from Bellarmine.
Mr. Frederick Smock, professor of English and 2017-18 Kentucky Poet Laureate, presented a benefit reading for the American Association of University Women at Berea College on March 16 and will deliver the keynote address at the Harriette Simpson Arnow Conference on the Humanities at Somerset Community College on April 6.
Mr. Douglas Miller, adjunct faculty in Art, has an exhibition at the Antler Gallery in Portland, Oregon, that runs through March. He also has two drawings in a group show, “Kentucky Wildlife,” at the Living Arts and Science Center in Lexington that runs through May 31.
College of Health Professions
Dr. Chelsey Franz (assistant professor, Athletic Training), Dr. Dawn Hall-Bibb (associate professor, Physical Therapy), Dr. Myra Stockdale (associate professor and chair, Athletic Training) and colleagues have an article, “Elbow Injury Prevention in Youth Dominican Baseball Players: A Training Intervention Pilot Study,” accepted for publication in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice.
Dr. Christopher Wingard (professor, Physical Therapy) and colleagues had two articles, “Alveolar Macrophage ABCGI Deficiency Promotes Pulmonary Granulomatous Inflammation” and “PPARγ Deficiency Exacerbates Fibrotic Response to Mycobacteria Peptide in Murine Sarcoidosis Model,” accepted for publication in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (Red journal).
Several faculty members from the College of Health Professions made presentations at the Bellarmine University President’s Society’s first-ever Donor College on Feb. 16 on campus: Dr. Thomas Wójcicki (assistant professor, Exercise Science), “Active Transportation in Louisville”; Dr. Andrew Carnes (assistant professor, Exercise Science), “The Basics of Distance Running Physiology and Performance”; Dr. Carrie Hawkins (assistant professor, Physical Therapy), Mr. Dennis Lesch (instructor, Physical Therapy), Dr. Beth Quinn (assistant professor, Physical Therapy), Dr. Norm Ayotte (assistant professor, Physical Therapy), Dr. Kate Crandell (associate professor, Physical Therapy) Dr. Paul Lonnemann (assistant professor, Physical Therapy) and Dr. Liz Ulanowski (assistant professor, Physical Therapy), “Dynamic Community Engagement: Partnerships for Improving the Well-Being of Others”; and Ms. Dana McNeeley (assistant professor, Nursing, and Simulation Coordinator), Ms. Debi Hatton (instructor, Nursing, and Simulation Director), Ms. Sarah Pehlke (instructor, Respiratory Therapy) and Ms. Ryanne Noel-Luttrell (Simulation Laboratory technician); “Responding to an Opioid Overdose Crisis.”
Dr. Paul Lonnemann provided a presentation entitled “Caring, Hope and Healing: Our Community’s Opiate Crisis” at Bellarmine University on Feb. 21 as part of an expert panel of health care professionals.
The Exercise Science Department traveled in February to the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine (SEACSM) Conference in Greenville, S.C., where a team of three students competed in the Student Bowl. They made it to Final Jeopardy, before losing it all in the final round. Additionally, a student-led poster was presented by Mr. Nigel Ouslan (Exercise Science), Dr. Sara Mahoney (associate professor and Chair, Exercise Science), Dr. Thomas Wójcicki and Dr. Andrew Carnes entitled “Sources of Nutrition Information in Ultramarathon Runners (the SNIKR study).”
Dr. Dawn Hall-Bibb, Dr. Chelsey Franz, Dr. Leann Kerr (Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy) and Dr. Kristin Cook (associate professor and interim associate dean, School of Education) completed their annual service-learning trip to the Dominican Republic. They took two MSAT students, three DPT students, one RT student, one education student and four EXSC students.
As of February, Bellarmine University is now an official Exercise Is Medicine—On Campus institution, part of a network of more than 200 colleges and universities committed to encouraging physically active lifestyles. The campus Leadership Team includes Dr. Thomas Wójcicki, Dr. Alice Kimble, director of Health Services, Dr. Chelsey Franz, and students Kennedy Ricci and Morgan Seppenfield.
Dr. Thomas Wójcicki attended a racial equity training session at the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness in February.
Dr. Kathy Hager (associate professor, Nursing) testified for Senate Bill 65, “an act relating to patient quality of life,” filed by Sen. Julie Raque Adams. She testified to the Senate Committee on Feb.19 and to the House Committee on March 4, 2019. The bill passed in both chambers and will go on the consent agenda. Dr. Hager also attended Kentucky Youth Advocacy Day in Frankfort on Feb. 13 and the Coalition for Nurse Practitioner Advocacy Day on Feb. 27.
Dr. Ta’Neka Lindsay (assistant professor, Nursing) is a newly appointed Lincoln Foundation Trustee. The mission of the organization is “to provide educational enrichment programs that develop and support youth in overcoming barriers to achievement.”
Dr. Keith Knapp (associate professor and chair, Health Services and Senior Living Leadership) has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Highland Court Apartments, provider of affordable housing for seniors.
Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education
Dr. Jessica Ivy was appointed chair of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Professional Development Services Committee. She also presented a session, “Integrating Digital Fabrication for Mathematics Teacher Educators,” at the Association for Mathematics Teacher Educators’ Annual Meeting in Orlando. Dr. Ivy also provided STEAM Professional Development session for middle grade JCPS teachers (four schools represented) in collaboration with UK colleagues.
Dr. Christy McGee was invited on Jan. 21 to lead an AILACTE pre-conference leadership workshop entitled “Inspiring Innovations in Teacher Education.”
Dr. Donald “DJ” Mitchell Jr. was selected for the 2019 cohort of Scholars for the University of Michigan’s National Center for Institutional Diversity’s Diversity Scholar Network. The Diversity Scholars Network is committed to advancing understandings of historical and contemporary social issues related to identity, difference, culture, representation, power, oppression, and inequality.
Dr. Kevin Thomas led a Leadership Workshop entitled “Technology: Selecting, applying, and evaluating different technologies to improve practice” at the 2019 AILACTE Conference. He and Dr. Christy McGee conducted a roundtable discussion on “Preparing Teacher Leaders to Work with Diverse Students, Parents and Communities: One Teacher Preparation Program’s Approach” at the 2019 AILACTE Conference.
Dr. Mike Vetter was recently elected to a second year as the faculty representative on the Executive Board of the College Personnel Association of Kentucky (CPAK), a state division of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). CPAK concerns itself with professionals in the areas of student affairs, student services, campus life, academic support, and higher education administration throughout the state of Kentucky.
Dr. Rosie Young represented Bellarmine at the JCPS State of the District address by Superintendent Marty Pollio and the Ohio Valley Education Cooperative (OVEC) meeting.
W. Fielding Rubel School of Business
Dr. Dan Bauer, professor of Finance, was reappointed to the Park Community Credit Union Supervisory Committee at the February 2019 Park Annual Meeting.
Ms. Christy Burge, instructor of Accounting, presented “Blockchain: The World’s Next Disruptor of Society” at the first-ever President’s Society’s Donor College; conducted a Blockchain Professional Workshop; and connected students with area employers and CPA firms at an Industry Meet & Greet Networking Event and “Breakfast with Burge & Friends,” respectively.
Ms. Patricia Carver, instructor of Management, was the emcee for the 32nd annual Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Multicultural Ministry African American Catholic Leadership Awards Dinner, held on March 2.
Dr. David Collins, professor of Accounting, provided editorial review for four chapters of a new online Principles of Accounting textbook being developed by Rice University.
Dr. Sharon Kerrick, dean of the Rubel School, is co-hosting the Small Business Administration’s statewide Emerging Leaders program. She was an invited guest to Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business Social Innovation symposium. She was re-elected as vice president of Research for the national Small Business Institute, and she presented a paper entitled “Earth's One-dimensional economy - Will It Translate to Business in Outer Space?” She was elected chair of the Louisville Water Company Compensation Committee and remains on that board as appointed by the mayor.
Dr. Michael Luthy, professor of Marketing, has done some pro bono consulting work for Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky. Dr. Luthy also co-hosted an informational lunch for faculty interested in Fulbright Scholar opportunities.
Dr. Elizabeth Payne, endowed chair of Accounting, as a member of the Board of Directors of Financial Executives International, delivered a program featuring Samantha Timmermann, VP of Marketing for Ananda Hemp, who discussed the hemp revolution and its many commercial possibilities. Dr. Payne also continued her service on the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy.
Dr. Frank Raymond, professor of Economics and MBA director, was guest speaker for the Louisville Employee Benefits Council. His talk focused on regional employment data and future trends.
Dr. Hongwei Song, assistant professor of Economics, was notified that the Western Economics Association’s 94th annual conference has accepted her paper, “The Allocation of Foreign Aid and Sustainable Development Goals,” for presentation on June 28-July 2, 2019.
School of Communication
Dr. Kyle Barnett chaired a panel on Feb. 27 entitled “Grateful Dead at Bellarmine: 50 Years,” with author Jesse Jarnow and local DJ and music historian Lonnie Griesbaum, co-host of WCHQ’s “Back Tracks,” in an event sponsored by the Student Government Association and Bellarmine Radio. More than 150 people attended, including some who attended the original Dec. 7, 1968, concert.
Dr. Michael LaRocco hosted a screening of Rust Creek, a film shot in Kentucky, in the Admissions Theater on March 21 and conducted a Q&A with film producer Stu Pollard. Dr. LaRocco also delivered a guest lecture at Occidental College entitled “Developing the Spatial Paradigm of Virtual Reality” on Feb. 27. Finally, Dr. LaRocco collaborated with members of the Bellarmine Admissions Department in February to produce a 360-degree video showcasing student dorms, as a pilot for future VR projects.
Ms. Sue Mauldin and Mr. Bob Lockhart conducted a School of Communication humanitarian service project, collecting more than 100 pairs of shoes for Waterstep to aid their efforts to create clean water supplies worldwide.
Faculty and Staff News and Achievements
Dr. Jim Breslin, dean of Student Success, was named a Diamond Honoree at the ACPA College Student Educators International convention, the highest honor a distinguished leader in the field of higher education can receive from ACPA.
Mr. Drew Thiemann, director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness, and Dr. Jim Breslin presented “Towards a Strategic and Holistic First-Year Retention Predictive Model” at the Kentucky Association of Institutional Research (KAIR)’s 2019 annual meeting, March 7-8 in Frankfort. The KAIR Board awarded the presentation “Best Paper,” and the two have been invited to share their work on the First-Year Predictive Model during the national AIR Forum in Denver on May 27-31. Mr. Thiemann also had a refereed poster presentation accepted for the national forum: “Using Logistic Regression to Predict Early Graduation Candidates.”
Dr. Paul Pearson, director and archivist of The Merton Center, published “Mnich z Duchowym Wyposażeniem Artysty. Sztuka Thomasa Mertona” in the Polish journal Świat I Stowo Filogia Nauki Spoteczne Filozofia Teologia 31.2 (2018).
Mrs. Emily Werner, associate director of Campus Wellness, presented “Sleepy Knights: An Initiative to Promote Healthy Sleep on Campus” at the Louisville Sleep Forum.
Dr. Jordan Rose Wiehebrink, associate dean of Graduate Admission, was asked to serve as a panelist for the Leadership Summit at the 12th annual Graduate Student Regional Research Conference (GSRRC) at the University of Louisville Health Sciences Campus on Feb. 27, 2019.