On Wednesday, a train derailed several miles from Randolph College, sending three cars carrying crude oil into the James River. When local media began reporting on the environmental impacts of the resulting oil spill, they asked Sarah Lawson, a Randolph environmental studies and physics professor, to explain what could happen.
On Thursday, Lawson appeared on a live WSET noon newscast to talk about how the spilled oil could affect the waterways and wildlife. Later, she helped reporters at the News & Advance explain the potential long-lasting consequences of the oil spill. Her comments are included in the sidebar on this article.
Showing posts with label faculty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faculty. Show all posts
Friday, May 2, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Randolph professor publishes more books in EasyGuide series
A Randolph professor has published two more books in the EasyGuide series designed to help students grasp technical topics related to psychology and other social sciences research.
This month, SAGE Publications released An EasyGuide to Research Design and SPSS and An EasyGuide to Research Presentations, both co-authored by Beth Schwartz, the William E. and Catherine Ehrman Thoresen ’23 Chair in Social Sciences and assistant dean of the College.
Dennis Goff, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology, was one of Schwartz’s co-authors for the book on research design.
These books follow An EasyGuide to APA Style, which Schwartz published in 2013. “It started as a single book, but when I talked with the publisher after the success of that first book, we decided it would be great to add some additional EasyGuides,” Schwartz said.
The EasyGuide books aim to make information more accessible to students by conveying technical information in a more conversational tone, as well as combining information from a variety of sources, Schwartz said.
“The books include step-by-step instructions, with screenshots when applicable, to help with the logistics of writing, conducting statistical analyses, and creating presentation slides,” Schwartz said. “The information is easy to read, includes some humor to make what can be dry material a bit easier to digest, and has easy-to-follow examples.”
Schwartz said she has already started discussing potential topics for more books in the EasyGuide series.
Dennis Goff, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology, was one of Schwartz’s co-authors for the book on research design.
These books follow An EasyGuide to APA Style, which Schwartz published in 2013. “It started as a single book, but when I talked with the publisher after the success of that first book, we decided it would be great to add some additional EasyGuides,” Schwartz said.
“The books include step-by-step instructions, with screenshots when applicable, to help with the logistics of writing, conducting statistical analyses, and creating presentation slides,” Schwartz said. “The information is easy to read, includes some humor to make what can be dry material a bit easier to digest, and has easy-to-follow examples.”
Schwartz said she has already started discussing potential topics for more books in the EasyGuide series.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Randolph professor named archaeologist of the year
A statewide organization of archaeologists has recognized a Randolph professor as the Virginia Professional Archaeologist of the Year for 2013.
Lori Lee, the Ainsworth Visiting Professor of American Culture, received the award for her years of research at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, where she has helped discover, document, and analyze the lives of slaves who lived on the plantation.
The Archaeological Society of Virginia (ASV) attempted to present the award to Lee at its annual meeting last year, but she was not present due to family commitments. When the organization notified her of the award, she was out of the country. She finally received the award in the mail recently.
“It was a great honor to be selected for this award,” Lee said, adding that her membership in ASV has helped her grow as an archaeologist. “I am very proud of this award and the social relationships and exciting collaborative work projects that resulted in receiving it.”
In addition to the honor of receiving the award, Lee was delighted that she was nominated by a professional archaeologist who was once a student in one of Lee’s archaeological field schools at Poplar Forest. “It was very meaningful to be nominated by someone who I worked with in an educational environment who has gone on to pursue a career in archaeology,” Lee said.
The Archaeological Society of Virginia (ASV) attempted to present the award to Lee at its annual meeting last year, but she was not present due to family commitments. When the organization notified her of the award, she was out of the country. She finally received the award in the mail recently.
“It was a great honor to be selected for this award,” Lee said, adding that her membership in ASV has helped her grow as an archaeologist. “I am very proud of this award and the social relationships and exciting collaborative work projects that resulted in receiving it.”
In addition to the honor of receiving the award, Lee was delighted that she was nominated by a professional archaeologist who was once a student in one of Lee’s archaeological field schools at Poplar Forest. “It was very meaningful to be nominated by someone who I worked with in an educational environment who has gone on to pursue a career in archaeology,” Lee said.
Monday, January 23, 2012
English professor asked again to pronounce for regional spelling bee
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| Margie Lippard takes the stage during one of her previous rounds as a spelling bee pronouncer. |
Lippard will be the pronouncer for the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee next month. This will be her third year pronouncing all the bee’s spelling words, along with definitions, sentences, and other helps contestants can ask for. Although it requires careful practice, it is an event Lippard has come to look forward to.
“For a teacher of composition, it’s a pleasure to have students expand their vocabulary, know how to use words in sentences, and be really sensitive to the sounds of a word, to work it out if they don't quite know the word,” said Lippard.
Pronouncing words accurately and well comes naturally to Lippard: Her first job after college was teaching writing and speech at Harvard Business School. In her current full-time position as director of development for United Way of Central Virginia, she addresses audiences throughout the region to discuss the needs of nonprofit agencies and fundraising.
In 2010, Lippard began teaching “Finding Your Voice,” a writing course taken by many first year students at Randolph College. She likes being back in the classroom several hours each week.
“I thoroughly enjoy seeing the students progress in their writing and their ability to express their voice, she said. “They are so intelligent and curious and have great ideas. I love the mix of student-athletes and non-athletes, male students and female students, and multicultural students. The more diverse the classroom, the better the experience.”
Lippard said writing is both an art and a science, with spelling placed in the science side. In a world where Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging can foster communication with hasty misspellings and abbreviations, teaching at Randolph and serving in the spelling bee provide a breath of fresh air, she said.
“Spelling matters. It matters for a sense of pride as a writer. It matters to the reader, who relies on accurate spelling to convey meaning. It shows respect for communication and literature,” Lippard said. “Without correct spelling, our communication can become incoherent.”
“I see a great synergy between the mission of the spelling bee and the mission of the English Department here, and also the mission of the United Way, where one of our impact areas is education,” she said.
This year’s spelling bee will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, at the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation. The winner of the regional spelling bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Rick Barnes blogs from Semester at Sea
Rick Barnes, professor of psychology and environmental studies, is spending
the fall 2010 semester teaching aboard a ship as it cruises around the world.
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Cadiz, Spain
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Takoradi, Ghana
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Port Louis, Mauritius
- Chennai, India
- Singapore
- Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
- Hong Kong / Shanghai, China
- Yokohama / Kobe, Japan
- Honolulu / Hilo, Hawaii, USA
- San Diego, California, USA
Follow Professor Barnes' journey on his blog...
http://ricksemsea.blogspot.com/
About Semester at Sea
Semester at Sea (SAS) is a study abroad program founded in 1963, now managed by the Institute for Shipboard Education in Charlottesville, Virginia. The University of Virginia's the current academic sponsor for the program while the program, itself, is run on a cruise ship called the MV Explorer. Throughout the history of the program, nearly 50,000 undergraduate students from more than one thousand colleges and universities have participated in Semester at Sea.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Jennifer Gauthier wins Larew Award for teaching
Jennifer Gauthier, associate professor of communication studies, was named as the recipient of the Gillie A. Larew Distinguished Teaching Award during Convocation ceremonies August 31, 2010 at Randolph College.The award is given annually to a faculty member for outstanding teaching.
"Gauthier is known for being both challenging and caring." said Dennis Stevens, dean of the college, in announcing the award. "One of her students said that she 'is a gifted thinker and educator and an asset to this academic community.' Another said that 'it seems as if she never has an ‘off’ day."
"She is liked and respected by her colleagues. My predecessor referred to her as 'a walking power plant' because of the energy and enthusiasm she brings to her students. She takes her teaching seriously, both in and out of the classroom, as is shown by her work in leading the Driver Film Festival, which focused on social issues of intense concern to students."
The Gillie A. Larew Distinguished Teaching Award was established to honor Gillie Larew for her amazing contribution to the college. She was a student at Randolph-Macon Woman's College in 1900 and returned to teach mathematics for 46 years. She also served as Dean of the College for four years. It is the oldest of our faculty awards, having been first presented in 1968. The recipient is chosen by a committee of former winners in consultation with the Dean of the College.
Randall Speer wins Davidson Award
Randall Speer, associate professor of music, was named as the recipient of the Katherine Graves Davidson Award during Convocation ceremonies August 31, 2010 at Randolph College.The award is given annually to a faculty member who has brought distinction to the College.
"This year's winner has had a significant impact on our community," said Dennis Stevens, dean of the college, in announcing the award. "Not only is he a respected teacher, but he has enriched our lives by his contributions to the cultural life of the college and the greater Lynchburg community."
In the past year, Speer has published two original choral works, organized and directed the collaborative production of Mozart's Requiem, and led a student Summer Research team in a project to catalog the College's music archives. Speer serves as director of the Randolph College Chorale and the Touch of Harmony vocal jazz ensemble. He has composed original works for Randolph College theatre productions and served as a judge for community music competitions.
Speer has taken the power of music to Westminster Canterbury, and he has brought the power of music to Randolph College students in his international study seminar in Austria, Italy, and Bulgaria.
"A colleague says that he is affable, quick to laugh, optimistic, cheerful, never complains, and works incredibly hard," said Stevens.
The Katherine Graves Davidson Award was established in 1975 to honor Trustee Emerita Katherine Graves Davidson, '35. The award has been made possible by gifts from Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilson Newman in recognition of the services rendered to private education by Mrs. Davidson and her husband, Frank G. Davidson. It is given annually to a faculty member who has brought distinction to the college. The recipient is chosen by a committee of local alumni, in consultation with the Dean of the College.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Classics Professor Amy Cohen Wins Davidson Award
Professor recognized for bringing distinction to Randolph College.
 Associate Professor of Classics Amy Cohen |
Associate Professor of Classics Amy Cohen is the 2009-10 recipient of the Katherine Graves Davidson Award.
The honor was announced during Randolph College's Convocation ceremony on September 1, 2009.
The award is given annually to a full-time member of the Randolph faculty who has been outstanding in bringing distinction to the College.
In presenting the award, Dennis Stevens, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, praised Cohen for "her passion and energy" in producing the Greek Play as well as her dedication to teaching and contributions to campus culture and social life.
During the summer of 2009, Cohen took a group of students to Greece to perform the centennial edition of the Greek Play, "Alcestis," in a classic Athens amphitheatre.
Learn more about the Greek Play...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Preventing H1N1 Flu at College
As the new academic year commences at Randolph College, the Health Center and the Student Life Office are taking positive, proactive steps to keep students, faculty and staff healthy and prevent the threat of H1N1 flu (aka swine flu). H1N1 afflicts college-age populations particularly hard.
Officials have distributed hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes to all offices and faculty, worked to obtain vaccinations, and continually hold information sessions for students on how to avoid infection.
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