New faculty bring rich perspectives to UW-Whitewater
Released: August 18, 2003
If there’s any doubt about who adds the “universe” to the university, take a look at the eclectic mix of new faculty beginning their first full year at UW-Whitewater.
From a native of Land O’ Lakes who earned national acclaim as a dancer/choreographer to a native of Ghana who just earned her Ph.D. in Canada, the group of 23 new full-time faculty bring a remarkable range of backgrounds to campus.
Provost Richard Telfer noted that the university approved 26 faculty replacement positions last fall, although the colleges had requested filling 52 positions – a clear reflection of state budget difficulties. Nonetheless, the colleges made the most of their opportunities to attract fresh talent.
“While the uncertainty of the budget and the level of cuts made the hiring process challenging, the departments were able to hire outstanding new faculty to join UW-Whitewater,” said Telfer. “We look forward to working with these new members of our faculty.”
More than 50 new faculty and staff will be recognized by Chancellor Jack Miller during a breakfast on Monday, which kicks off a week of preparation for the new academic year. Here’s a sampling of new names:
• Helena Addae, department of management: Addae just completed her doctorate with Concordia University in Montreal, where she was nominated for Canada’s top Ph.D. thesis. The Ghana native has logged teaching experience in Trinidad and Tobago and the West Indies. Addae’s research expertise is in workplace absenteeism, looking at how different countries perceive the issue.
• Sang Choi, department of occupational safety: A recent doctoral degree-winner from Western Michigan University, Choi’s specialty is in workplace ergonomics, and also studies roofing safety issues. He will be part of the construction safety teaching team.
• Simone Devore, department of special education: Devore is an expert on early childhood inclusion and has studied how families with children who have disabilities find appropriate child care. She will be a part of the team teaching UW-Whitewater’s new early childhood major.
• Robert Benjamin, department of physics: Benjamin studies a variety of astronomical mysteries and recently presented the colloquium “Exploring New Galactic Frontiers: From Star Formation to Galactic Winds.” Benjamin will teach a new course this fall on energy.
• Margo Kleinfeldd, geology and geography: Kleinfeldd studies the most vulnerable populations in war-torn countries, particularly children, and the development of “humanitarian spaces” to protect civilians from war. Her dissertation at the University of Kentucky was titled “Cease-Fires for Children” and focused on the war in Sri Lanka. She participated in that country’s cease-fire in 2001, where she helped immunize children.
• Mark Eiswerth, professor of economics: Eiswerth is an environmental economist who has extensively studied the impact of invasive species (such as zebra mussels) on the economy. Eiswerth has done consulting work with the private sector and for the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Xiaohang Zhang, department of art. Zhang will join the interdisciplinary team teaching the new minor in multimedia. She is also an artist in paper-cutting, which originated in China and is one of the world’s oldest art forms.
• Barbara Grubel, department of theatre and dance: Originally from Land O’ Lakes, Wis., Grubel went on to a professional dance performing career in Minneapolis and New York City. She has taught dance and choreography most recently at Virginia Commonwealth University, and also has taught in South Korea, Chile and Russia.
- Brian Mattmiller,npa@uww.edu
