University Collective

Dr. Denise Doyle, vice president for academic and student affairs and Dr. Bob Connelly, dean of math, science and engineering, recently gave a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Catholic Colleges and Universities sponsored by Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, D.C. The Higher Ed section focused on The Role of the University in Developing Faithful Citizens. Their presentation was titled The Challenge of Embedding Social Justice in the Undergraduate Experience.

Dr. Hubert R. Robichaux, lecturer in anthropology, together with UIW students Larry Benson, Linda Childs and Roy Garcia, UIW graduates Alexandra Miller and Candace Pruett and Arizona State University doctoral student Kristen Hartnett aided by five Belizeans, recently conducted the third consecutive field season of the UIW Punta de Cacao Archaeological Project in Belize, Central America. The fourth season of the project is planned for Summer 2004. Various reports, papers, and presentations, some by the students, have come from the project. Project reports were authored or co-authored by UIW students/graduates Benjamin Smyth, Diana Meneses, Mary Gonzales, Jacalyn Abbe, Alexandra Miller, and Candace Pruett. Reports were currently written by UIW students Roy Garcia and Larry Benson. Dr. Fred Valdez Jr. of UT Austin is the project's ceramic analyst. Dr. Bonnie McCormick, assistant professor of biology, was the project's consultant with regard to GPS mapping.

Dr. Cheryl Anderson

Dr. Cheryl Anderson, dean of interactive media & design assisted the project by establishing a project Web site, and Adela Gott, multimedia specialist, provided digital cartographic assistance. Project funding was derived from a large number of private donations, foundation grants obtained through the efforts of Robert Sosa, director of foundations, corporations & government relations, internal UIW funding through the efforts of Sister Kathleen Coughlin, vice president for institutional advancement, Dr. Terry Dicianna, provost, and Dr. Pat Burr and several individuals in Belize, including Mr. Barry Bowen.

Dr. Hubert R. Robichaux, lecturer in anthropology has authored or co-authored the following publications:
“Archaeological Research at the Punta de Cacao Ruins in Northwestern Belize: Community Analysis Using the Multi-Nuclei Urban Model of Geography,” published by the Belize Institute of Archaeology in December 2003.

“Transformations, Periodicity, and Urban Development in the Three Rivers Region,” by Dr. Richard E.W. Adams (UTSA), Robichaux, Dr. Fred Valdez Jr. (UT Austin), Dr. Brett Houk (SWCA Inc), and Ms. Ruth Mathews (NW La). This was “The Terminal Classic in the Maya Lowlands,” edited by Arthur A. Demarest of Vanderbilt and published by University of Colorado Press in 2004.

“Urbanismo episódico en las Tierras Bajas de los Mayas: un modelo de sistema complejo para la agricultura moderna y el clima antiguo,” by Dr. Joel Gunn (University of North Carolina), Dr. William Folan (Universidad Autonoma de Campeche), and Robichaux. This was published in “Naturaleza y Sociedad en el Área Maya” by the Academia Mexicana de Ciencias, Mexico D.F., in late 2003 and was edited by Patricia Colunga-García Marin (Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan).

Dr. Francisco Lozada Jr., associate professor of religious studies, recently participated in a scholarly discussion on the topic "The Color of God: The Intersection of Race, Religion, and Social Justice" through the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He was among 10 scholars invited to this meeting. Also, Lozada appeared in the San Antonio media discussing the movie, “The Passion of The Christ.” His comments provided an academic foundation for a community discussion on this controversial film.

Dr. Bob Connelly

Dr. Bob Connelly, dean of math, science and engineering, and Dr. Sara Kerr, associate professor of biology, and their staff helped coordinate the ARASE Science Fair at UIW in early March. The Alamo Regional Academy of Science of Engineering (ARASE), a non-profit organization founded in 1956 by Sister Joseph Marie Armer (1907-2000) of Incarnate Word College, has been encouraging students from 30 counties to present their scientific research at the annual science fair. Students in grades 6-12 utilized the scientific process in conducting an experiment and defending the results before members of the scientific community.

UIW was represented by Dr. Moumin Quazi, assistant professor of English, Dr. Becke Hettich, assistant professor of English, and Dr. Pat Lonchar, chair of English, at the annual conference of CCTE (Conference of College Teachers of English) and TCEA (Texas College English Association) March 4-6 in Beaumont. Besides chairing several literature panels for CCTE, Quazi also read his poem “The Road to Topolobampo” at the TCEA special session on Creative Writing. Hettich delivered her paper “From Writing to Page Design: Visuals as a Way to Teach Audience,” and Lonchar presented her discussion of “Self-Fashioning via Another’s Gaze: Manley’s Trip to Exeter” at respective

Mendell Morgan

CCTE concurrent sessions. During the CCTE business meeting, Lonchar was appointed to serve a term as a councilor of the organization.

Dr. Lansing Prescott, recently retired professor emeritus of biology, at Augustana College and his wife, Linda, donated his collection of books on microbiology and biochemistry to the Mabee Library at UIW. Prescott is the lead author of the McGraw-Hill textbook, “Microbiology,” now in its sixth edition, which is used for General Microbiology at UIW and at most other universities nationwide. Prescott’s visit was hosted by Dr. David Foglesong, associate professor of biology, who teaches microbiology at UIW. Mendell Morgan, dean of library sciences, and Carol Gill, science librarian, received the books and gave Prescott a tour of the Special Collections Room. Prescott’s collection of books significantly enhances the library’s holdings in microbiology.

Dr. Roger Barnes

Dr. Roger C. Barnes, professor of sociology, made a presentation on the death penalty at the Amnesty International gathering at Incarnate Word High School on March 27. In addition to IWHS students, there were UIW students and Central Catholic High School students in attendance.

Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, associate professor in the Dreeben School of Education, and Dr. Susan Hall, professor in the Dreeben School of Education, were both invited to present their research at the Oxford Round Table at Oxford University in England March 28-April 2. Hall was not able to attend, but Moore went as a representative of the University of the Incarnate Word. The professors were invited to discuss their paper The Play Link to Literacy: Promoting Literate Behaviors in Young Children, which specifically addresses the link between play and literacy. Focusing on the effects of play on children, the paper described the effects of poorly paid teachers in our city, the importance of nationally accredited child-care centers in the region, and the emphasis that is placed on state-mandated tests, allowing children less time for play and recess.

In April, Dr. Kathi Light, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, and Esperanza Barron, secretary of the Nursing Department, visited the Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia in Mexico City. Here, Light meets with Vicente Fox, president of Mexico, as Barron looks on. Light and Barron were visiting Mexico City to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the institute and school of nursing. The Sisters of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) manage the nursing services and the school of nursing at the institute, which is the major hospital in Mexico for research and care of patients with cardiac diseases. Light and Barron assisted the school in writing a grant that funded new equipment for the learning lab at the school.