Bridgewater welcomes new faculty members

Bridgewater College welcomes seven new faculty members, a visiting professor and promotes one adjunct to instructor for the 2009-2010 academic year. The faculty members, who will arrive on campus in late-August for faculty meetings prior to the start of classes on Sept. 1, will join the departments of communication studies, computer science, education, health and exercise science, history, mathematics and sociology.

The new faculty members, announced by Dr. Carol Scheppard, vice president and dean for academic affairs are as follows.

Two join the department of history as assistant professors, Jennifer S. Duncan and Brandon Marsh. Duncan earned a BA from The University of Georgia, an MAIS from Oregon State University and a PhD from the University of Oregon. Marsh received a bachelor’s degree from Lewis & Clark College and earned a master’s degree and is pursuing a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Joining the department of communication studies as assistant professor is Bernardo H. Motta. He received an ABD from the University of Tennessee.

Abir Qasem joins the department of computer science as assistant professor. He received BS and MS degrees from the University of South Alabama and a PhD from Lehigh University.

The department of education welcomes Julia Y. Best as assistant professor. She earned a BA from Spelman College, a MEd from Valdosta State University and a PhD from Virginia Tech.

Jill Lassiter joins the department of health and exercise science as assistant professor. She received a BS from Wake Forest University, a MSEd from State University of New York, College at Brockport and an EdD from D’Youville College.

Joining the department of mathematics is Jeffrey S. Isaacs as instructor. He earned a BS from West Virginia Institute of Technology, a MEd from West Virginia Wesleyan College and EdS and EdD degrees from Virginia Tech.

Lindsey Feitz joins the sociology department as a visiting professor. She received a BA from Drury University and earned a MS degree from The University of Kansas, where she is a PhD candidate.

Tracy L. Deem, has been promoted from adjunct to instructor of biology. She earned a BS from Marietta College and a PhD from the University of Cincinnati.

Bridgewater College, a private, four-year liberal arts college, enrolls more than 1,500 students. Founded in 1880 and located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, it was the state’s first private, coeducational senior college.