Sixteen new faculty arrive for fall semester

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz welcomed 16 new faculty members to its teaching roster last week for the fall 2003 semester. This new group will fill teaching positions in a variety of different departments throughout campus.

“Our new faculty members not only have exceptional educational backgrounds and experiences for providing high quality instruction in the academic programs here at New Paltz,” said David K. Lavallee, provost at SUNY New Paltz, “but they are also very enthusiastic about their scholarly and creative work. They exhibit a vibrant interest in exploring their ideas with students and other faculty members. This synergy will undoubtedly contribute greatly to our learning environment.”

The new faculty members include: Judith Barringer (Art History), Shafiul Chowdhury (Geology), Orkunt Dalgic (Business), Diego Dominici (Mathematics), Andrew Evans (History), Melanie Hill (Psychology), Majid Hosseini (Mathematics), Aaron Isabelle (Elementary Education), Shuguang Liu (Business), Thomas McQuaide (Communication and Media), Sangsook Park (Art Education), Emily Puthoff (Art-Sculpture), Judith Rance-Roney (Secondary Education), Anat Shiftan (Art-Ceramics), Pamela S. John (Chemistry) and Eve Waltermaurer (Sociology).

These 16 new faculty members add to the growing list of full-time faculty at New Paltz, many who have been celebrated for their research in, and contributions to, academia.

Within the last 20 years, 12 SUNY professors have received Fulbright Scholar Grants to conduct research and lecture in foreign nations. Also, Gerald Benjamin, dean of New Paltz’ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and professor of political science, was recently appointed to the position of Distinguished Professor, a designation conferred on individuals who have achieved national or international prominence in a chosen field; and, Dr. Katherine L. French (History) and Patricia C. Phillips (Art) were recently both selected as recipients of the Chancellor’s Research Recognition Award to honor SUNY faculty research and scholarship in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

In addition, this year, The Society of Catholic Social Sciences conferred the Pope Pius XI award on Dr. Donald J. D’Elia (History), an award that is given to scholars who have made outstanding contributions to the understanding of Catholic social doctrine.

Note to editors: A group photograph of the newly appointed SUNY New Paltz faculty may be downloaded from the SUNY New Paltz Web site at www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/newfaculty.html.