Greetings Alumni:

I am delighted to share news of a number of important events in the College of Liberal Arts & Education. The College has added three outstanding new faculty members this fall. Marshall Kitchens, formerly of Oakland University, has joined the College as assistant professor of English and director of the Writing Program in the Department of English. Jo-Ann Sowers, who joins us from Portland State University, is associate professor of Education and director of Special Education in the Department of Education. Lorri MacDonald has joined the College as an assistant professor of Science Education in the Department of Education.  She comes to the College from Michigan State University.

The College of Liberal Arts & Education has received two grants from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs to support the Theatre Company's production of Malice Aforethought:  The Sweet Trials in February. Theatre department Co-chair Arthur Beer is the playwright of Malice Aforethought: The Sweet Trials, which won the national Gesu Play Award.

Several faculty from the College have recently received significant awards. Associate Professor of Psychology Judy McCown has been elected a Fellow of the Michigan Psychology Association for her "significant contributions toward the advancement of psychology in Michigan." Associate Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice Mike Witkowski was awarded the Frederick Milton Thrasher Award by the Journal of Gang Research; he received the award for his "cutting-edge gang research" at the recent International Gang Specialist Conference.

Professor of Religious Studies Jane Schaberg received the University of Detroit Mercy Distinguished Faculty Award and Associate Professor of Philosophy Marty Leever received the Faculty Achievement Award.  In addition, Associate Professor of Philosophy Gail Presbey was awarded the Mission Electiveness Award at the President's Convocation.

Thank you to all of our alumni for your continued support of our College and the University.  I am most appreciative.

Charles E. Marske, Ph.D.
Dean