Faculty News

December 2017
Associate Professor of Accounting/Finance Dr. Stephen Dukas completed his Masters in Accountancy from Western Carolina University in December.

January 2018
Professor of Business Dr. Hub Powell was granted a research sabbatical for the Spring 2018 term during which he gathered 400 survey participants—with help from students at Montreat College, UNC-Asheville, Mars Hill College, Brevard College, Warren Wilson College, and Western Carolina University—for a study that will examine Generation Z’s perceptions of effective leadership. He hopes to conclude this project and have it ready for conference submission and publication by the conclusion of the Fall 2018 academic term.

March 2018
Adjunct Professor of Bible and Ministry Dr. Stephen Woodworth published the article “How Can Pastors Reclaim the Role of Father?” in the Spring 2018 edition of Christianity Today: Pastors. He also taught a New Testament survey course in Albania in February (pictured) and a hermeneutics course in Siberia in March.

April 2018
Adjunct Professor of Math and Science Jack Howard spent 10 days in Chile as part of the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. He is also currently editing an astronomy supplement for publication by Bedford, Freeman, and Worth.

April 2018
On April 20, 2018, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Mark Lassiter gave the Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College Spring 2018 STEM Presentations and hosted an afternoon workshop: “Measuring Stress Indicators and Role of Esterases—From Trees to Alzheimer’s.” He was also selected to coauthor the 11th edition of Beran’s Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry (Wiley and Sons) with Dr. Jo Beran.

June 2018
On June 16, 2018, Isaac Owolabi was installed as the 92nd district governor of Rotary International for Western North Carolina District 7670 at the District Governor Installation at Cascade Resort, Hendersonville, N.C. As governor, Dr. Owalobi will be responsible for the management and direction of the 48 regional Rotary Clubs with approximately 2,200 members for Fiscal Year 2018-19. Rotary International is a community of 1.2 million men and women from all continents, cultures, professions, and experiences who connect through 35,000 global clubs. Rotary Clubs in Western North Carolina have worked with MANNA Food Bank, local area schools, and many other charities to address problems locally as well as internationally.

July 2018
Assistant Professor of Business Dr. Paul Gratton published the article “Organization Development and Strategic Planning for Non-Profit Organizations” in the Organization Development Journal (Volume 36, Issue 2).

August 2018
Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Brad Faircloth published the article “The Effect of an Outdoor Program on Participants’ Biophilic Expressions” in the Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education with co-authors Dr. Andrew Bobilya, Dr. Nathan Meltzer, Dr. Denise Mitten, and Dr. Resa Chandler.

October 2018
Adjunct Professor of Natural Sciences Dr. Sam DeMent has been invited to lecture for the 30th consecutive year at the Regional Hematopathology Conference at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, to be held in October 2018.
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Endurance
Peter Ripmaster ’06 and His Dramatic Journey Through the Alaskan Winter
The Perseverance of Christian Higher Education
An Interview with Shirley Hoogstra
Grit and Excellence
Exploring the Concept of Grit in Education and Beyond