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	Home Thiel Headline News Experts and Speakers Graphics Standards Public Relations Office Today at Thiel		News & Events > Experts and Speakers > Experts Directory CAREER SERVICES Balas, Heather Interim Director of Career Services/Coordinator of Orientation & Transitional Programs Contact #: ext. 2014 E-mail: hbalas@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Etiquette; Career Services Topics Professional Information: M.A. - Slippery Rock University; B.A. - Thiel College CHEMISTRY Frantz, Kathryn K. Professor of Chemistry Contact #: ext. 2113 E-mail: kkfrantz@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Organic Chemistry; Biochemistry Professional Information: Ph.D. - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; B.S. - Grove City College; Advisor of American Chemical Society Student Affiliates; Secretary of Penn-Ohio Border Section of ACS (American Chemical Society) COMMUNITY ORGANIZING Villani, James Adjunct Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2021 E-mail: jvillani@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Writing, Editing, Book Design, Creative Writing, Poetry, Publications, Community Organizing Lectures available for presentation: Poetry Readings; Writing Workshops; "From Manuscript to Publication; "The Small Press" Professional Information: Youngstown State University; Editor, Managing Editor and Publisher at Pig Iron Press, Youngstown Ohio; Community Organizer in the arts and cooperatives COMPUTER SCIENCE Grover, Andrew Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science Contact #: 2032 E-mail: agrover@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Computer Science Lectures available for presentation: “Black Box Voting: Concerns With Electronic Voting Systems”; “Linux for the Novice”; “AP Computer Science” Professional Information: M.S. - University of Pittsburgh; B.A. - Alma College; faculty consultant for the Advanced Placement exam in Computer Science EDUCATION Kiser, Fred Adjunct Professor in Education Dept; Counselor at Greenville High School Contact #: 588-2500 ext. 2140 (day); 588-546 (night) E-mail: fkiser@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Teenage depression; Motivation; Creativity Lectures available for presentation: "Keeping Energy & Excitement in Life"; Variety of Teambuilding Seminars; "Fostering Creativity"; "Motivational Games & Activities that Work"; "Dealing with Student Depression & Preventing Suicide" Professional Information: M.Ed. - Miami University; B.A. - Thiel College EMERGENCY & CRISIS MANAGEMENT Rindy, John Dean of Educational Outreach Contact #: ext. 2181 E-mail: jrindy@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Emergency and Crisis Management, Public Health, Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Lectures available for presentation: “Biological Terrorism – Just the Facts”; “Chemical and Biological Agents – An Overview”; “Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms and Using Antibiotics Responsibly”; “Profile of a Public Health Disaster” Professional Information: M.P.H. – Youngstown State University; Masters certificate – Disaster and Emergency Management, Touro College; B.S. – Youngstown State University; A.A.S. – Youngstown State University ENGLISH DelMaramo, Mark J. Associate Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2156 E-mail: mdelmara@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Composition Theory; Writing/research Lectures available for presentation: "You Love Poetry" (high school level); Internet Research Professional Information: Ph.D. - Bowling Green University; M.A. - Gannon University; B.A. - Clarion University of Pennsylvania Dorfeld, Natalie M. Assistant Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2273 E-mail: ndorfeld@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Adjunct Phenomenon in Higher Education; Marathon Running Lectures available for presentation: "Broke, Bohemian and Burned Out: An In-Depth Analysis of the Adjunct Lifestyle" Professional Information: Ph.D. - Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.A., B.S., B.A. - Slippery Rock University Hall, Mary Theresa Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2154 E-mail: mthall@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Medieval Literature, Geoffrey Chaucer, Spiritual Autobiography, Bible as Literature, Linguistics, Poetry Lectures available for presentation: “’How’ Literature Means”; “The Pilgrim Wanderer”; “An Introduction to Literary Studies”; “George Herbert and Gerard Manley Hopkins: Poetry & Prose As Spiritual Autobiography” Professional Information: Ph.D. - Duquesne University; M.A. - Carnegie Mellon University; B.A. and certification (secondary) in English & French - Seton Hill College; Dr. Hall serves as adviser to the campus chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honorary society Villani, James Adjunct Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2021 E-mail: jvillani@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Writing, Editing, Book Design, Creative Writing, Poetry, Publications, Community Organizing Lectures available for presentation: Poetry Readings; Writing Workshops; "From Manuscript to Publication; "The Small Press" Professional Information: Youngstown State University; Editor, Managing Editor and Publisher at Pig Iron Press, Youngstown Ohio; Community Organizer in the arts and cooperatives ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS Rindy, John Dean of Educational Outreach Contact #: ext. 2181 E-mail: jrindy@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Air quality; indoor air; mold and microbiology in indoor environments; soil, water and waste and environmental contaminants; public health Lectures available for presentation: “Indoor Air for Homeowners”; “Contaminants in Our Air”; “Contaminants in Our Water”; “How We Clean Wastewater”; “Groundwater Systems”; “How Aquifers Work”; “Abatement of Indoor Contaminants”; “Profile of a Public Health Disaster” Professional Information: M.P.H. – Youngstown State University; Masters certificate – Disaster and Emergency Management, Touro College; B.S. – Youngstown State University; A.A.S. – Youngstown State University ETIQUETTE Balas, Heather Interim Director of Career Services/Coordinator of Orientation & Transitional Programs Contact #: ext. 2014 E-mail: hbalas@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Etiquette; Career Services Topics Professional Information: M.A. - Slippery Rock University; B.A. - Thiel College FITNESS Linn, Jeff Associate Director of Admissions/Assistant Wrestling Coach Contact #: ext. 2757 E-mail: jelinn@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Coaching, Fitness, Travel Professional Information: B.A., Elementary Education Certification - Thiel College GRADUATE SCHOOL Dorfeld, Natalie M. Assistant Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2273 E-mail: ndorfeld@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Adjunct Phenomenon in Higher Education; Marathon Running Lectures available for presentation: "Broke, Bohemian and Burned Out: An In-Depth Analysis of the Adjunct Lifestyle" Professional Information: Ph.D. - Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.A., B.S., B.A. - Slippery Rock University Wilent, W. Bryan Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Contact #: ext. 2099 E-mail: wwilent@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Electrophysiology, Graduate School Lectures available for presentation: "A Full Barrel: Integration of inputs in rat whisker cortex;" "Electrophysiology: Exploring the Funcation of Neurons;" "You are Here: How our neurons register our position in space" Professional Information: Ph.D., M.D. – University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; B.S. – Millersville University MATHEMATICS Grover, Andrew Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science Contact #: 2032 E-mail: agrover@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Computer Science Lectures available for presentation: “Black Box Voting: Concerns With Electronic Voting Systems”; “Linux for the Novice”; “AP Computer Science” Professional Information: M.S. - University of Pittsburgh; B.A. - Alma College; faculty consultant for the Advanced Placement exam in computer science MERCER COUNTY HISTORY Miller, David M. Chair Accounting/Business Dept. Contact #: ext. 2037 E-mail: dmiller@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Free Enterprise; Mercer County History; Mortuary Science Education Professional Information: MBA - University of Pittsburgh; B.A. - Thiel College; Diploma - Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science; Director, Haller Enterprise Institute; President, Mercer County Historical Society; Coordinator, Mortuary Science Program at Thiel MORTUARY SCIENCE EDUCATION Miller, David M. Chair, Accounting/Business Dept. Contact #: ext. 2037 E-mail: dmiller@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Free Enterprise; Mercer County History; Mortuary Science Education Professional Information: MBA - University of Pittsburgh; B.A. - Thiel College; Diploma - Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science; Director, Haller Enterprise Institute; President, Mercer County Historical Society; Coordinator, Mortuary Science Program at Thiel MUSIC Bray, Michael Professor of Music Contact #: ext. 2149 E-mail: mbray@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Baroque, Classical, Romantic periods; Jazz; Gregorian Chant Professional Information: D.M.A. – University of Arizona; M.M. – University of Northern Colorado; B.A. – South Dakota School of Mines NEUROSCIENCE Wilent, W. Bryan Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Contact #: ext. 2099 E-mail: wwilent@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Electrophysiology, Graduate School Lectures available for presentation: "A Full Barrel: Integration of inputs in rat whisker cortex;" "Electrophysiology: Exploring the Funcation of Neurons;" "You are Here: How our neurons register our position in space" Professional Information: Ph.D., M.D. – University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; B.S. – Millersville University PHILOSOPHY White, Arthur Professor of Philosophy Contact #: ext. 2091 E-mail: awhite@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Ethics (medical & business); Social & Political Philosophy Lectures available for presentation: "Ethics in Medicine"; “Business Ethics in Contemporary Economy” Professional Information: Ph.D. - University of Virginia; M.A. - University of Virginia; B.A. - Randolph-Macon College PHYSICS Hecking, Patrick C. Professor of Physics Contact #: ext 2104 E-mail: phecking@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Physics (in particular Nuclear Physics); Astronomy; World Travel Lectures available for presentation: “European Culture and Education” (native of Germany); “Recent Developments in Astronomy”; “The Prospect of a Hydrogen Economy” Professional Information: Ph.D. - University of Erlangen (Germany); M.S. - University of Erlangen (Germany); B.S. - Unversity of Cologne (Germany) PSYCHOLOGY Faltot, Joan Adjunct Professor of Psychology Contact #: ext. 2251 E-mail: jfaltot@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Child Development, Behavioral Specialist, Psychotherapy Lectures available for presentation: “Developmental Stages of Children/Adolescents”; “Parenting Style: What Works and Doesn’t Work?” Professional Information: M.Ed. – Westminster College; B.S. – University of Pittsburgh Shaffer, James Professor of Psychology Contact #: ext. 2089 E-mail: jshaffer@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Gerentology Lectures available for presentation: "Our Aging Population"; "Myths of Aging" Professional Information: Ph.D. - West Virginia University; M.A. - West Virginia University; B.A. - West Virginia University PUBLIC HEALTH Rindy, John Dean of Educational Outreach Contact #: ext. 2181 E-mail: jrindy@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Air quality; indoor air; mold and microbiology in indoor environments; soil, water and waste and environmental contaminants; public health Lectures available for presentation: “Indoor Air for Homeowners”; “Contaminants in Our Air”; “Contaminants in Our Water”; “How We Clean Wastewater”; “Groundwater Systems”; “How Aquifers Work”; “Abatement of Indoor Contaminants”; “Profile of a Public Health Disaster” Professional Information: M.P.H. – Youngstown State University; Masters certificate – Disaster and Emergency Management, Touro College; B.S. – Youngstown State University; A.A.S. – Youngstown State University PUBLISHING Villani, James Adjunct Professor of English Contact #: ext. 2021 E-mail: jvillani@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Writing, Editing, Book Design, Creative Writing, Poetry, Publications, Community Organizing Lectures available for presentation: Poetry Readings; Writing Workshops; "From Manuscript to Publication; "The Small Press" Professional Information: Youngstown State University; Editor, Managing Editor and Publisher at Pig Iron Press, Youngstown Ohio; Community Organizer in the arts and cooperatives RELIGION Eppley, Daniel Associate Professor of Religion Contact #: ext. 2271 E-mail: deppley@thiel.edu *Dr. Eppley is available for lectures only, no media contact please. Lectures available for presentation:* "Religion, Politics and the War on Terror;" "Perspectives on Religious Diversity;" "Perspectives on Interpreting the Bible;" "Religion & Science;" "Perspectives on Same-Sex Marriage" Professional Information: Ph.D. (religion) - University of Iowa; M.S. (chemistry) - Cornell University; B.A. (chemistry) - Custavus Adolphus College Ng'weshemi, Rev. Dr. Andrea M. Campus Pastor Contact #: ext. 2130 E-mail: angweshe@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: World Christianity; Christian Though in the Non-Western World; Globalization Lectures available for presentation: "'Christianity' or 'Christianities?' A Look at the Changing Face of the Church;" "Whose Religion is Christianity? Towards Understanding World Christianity;" "In the Power of the Book: Reading and Believing the Bible in the Non-Western World;" "Global Jesus: The Jesus Experience Around the World;" "Mission in Reverse: The Rise of African Christianity and Its Implications to Christianity in the West" Professional Information: Ph.D., Th.M. - Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; M.A. - University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; B.D. - Makumira University College, Tanzania Thompson, Curtis Professor of Religion Contact #: ext. 2106 E-mail: cthompso@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Interfacing of Religion and Culture; Dialogue of Science and Religion; God and Contemporary Experience; Christian Theology Lectures available for presentation: "The Abusiveness and Usefulness of Religion"; Re-Thinking God in a Post-Theistic Society"; "Jesus Research and Christian Faith"; What Religion Can Learn From Science" Professional Information: Ph.D. - University of Chicago; M.A. - University of Chicago; M.Div. - Luther Seminary; B.A. - Concordia College; Co-director of the Institute for Science and Religion SPEECH & HEARING Strecansky, Stephanie Adjunct, Sign Language I & II Contact #: E-mail: sstrecan@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Deaf Community; Deaf Education; Sign Language; Early Intervention for children, birth - 5 years Lectures available for presentation: Various Professional Information: M.Ed. - Kent State University; B.S. - Edinboro State University SOCIOLOGY Hunchuk, Allan M. Associate Professor of Sociology Contact #: ext. 2087 E-mail: ahunchuk@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Crime; Social Class; Group Methods; Social Change; Values; Societal Norms; Religion; Social Theory; Popular Culture, Music; Canada Films; India Professional Information: Ph.D. - University of Notre Dame; M.A. - Univerity of Regina; B.A. - Luther College; Board member, Habitat for Humanity, Mercer County STRATEGIC PLANNING Lenning, Oscar Director of the Center for Learning and Advising Contact #: ext. 2039 E-mail: olenning@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Assessment and Evaluation; Goal Setting; Learning Assistance; Learning Outcomes; Needs Assessment; Strategic Planning; Student Retention Professional Information: Ph.D., M.A. - University of Iowa; B.A. - Wartburg College; B.S. - Iowa State University; A.A., Waldorf College STUDENT ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION and RETENTION Lenning, Oscar Director of the Center for Learning and Advising Contact #: ext. 2039 E-mail: olenning@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Assessment and Evaluation; Goal Setting; Learning Assistance; Learning Outcomes; Needs Assessment; Strategic Planning; Student Retention Professional Information: Ph.D., M.A. - University of Iowa; B.A. - Wartburg College; B.S. - Iowa State University; A.A., Waldorf College TERRORISM Rindy, John Dean of Educational Outreach Contact #: ext. 2181 E-mail: jrindy@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Emergency and Crisis Management, Public Health Lectures available for presentation: “Biological Terrorism – Just the Facts”; “Chemical and Biological Agents – An Overview”; “Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms and Using Antibiotics Responsibly”; “Profile of a Public Health Disaster” Professional Information: M.P.H. – Youngstown State University; Masters certificate – Disaster and Emergency Management, Touro College; B.S. – Youngstown State University; A.A.S. – Youngstown State University THEATER Robinson, William A. Professor, Director of Theater Contact #: ext. 2029 E-mail: wrobinso@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Theater and Film Professional Information: Ph.D. - Bowling Green State University; M.A. - University of Pittsburgh; B.A. - Duquesne University; Faculty advisor to Alpha Psi Omega, honorary dramatic fraternity TRAVEL Hecking, Patrick C. Professor of Physics Contact #: ext. 2104 E-mail: phecking@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Physics (in particular Nuclear Physics); Astronomy; Living in Europe (native of Germany) Lectures available for presentation: The Future of Nuclear Power; A student's life in Europe; The New Millennium and the Sky Professional Information: Ph.D. - University of Erlangen (Germany); M.S. - University of Erlangen (Germany); B.S. - University of Cologne (Germany) Linn, Jeff Associate Director of Admissions/Assistant Wrestling Coach Contact #: ext. 2757 E-mail: jelinn@thiel.edu Area(s) of professional expertise: Coaching, Fitness, Travel Professional Information: B.A., Elementary Education Certification - Thiel College