Eastern Mennonite University will have five new full-time teaching faculty when fall semester of the 2009-10 academic year begins Sept. 1.
The new faculty, announced by Dr. Fred Kniss, provost, and Dr. Vernon Jantzi, interim vice president and undergraduate academic dean, are:
* Jeffrey M. Copeland, assistant professor of biology. Dr. Copeland holds a BA in biology from the University of Virginia and a PhD in biology from the California Institute of Technology. Since completing his doctorate he has been involved in post-doctoral research, studying the genes involved in mechanisms of cellular death and investigating the role of mitochondria and reactive oxygen species in aging of Drosophila melanogaster. Copeland brings significant research experience and enthusiasm for undergraduate education in a liberal arts setting as he joins the science faculty at EMU and engages in guided research practice with undergraduates.
* Thomas P. Joyner, assistant professor of theater. Dr. Joyner holds a BA in English from Rollins College and an MA and PhD in theater from the University of Colorado. He also has professional certification in actor-created physical theater from Naropa University. He taught most recently at the University of Central Florida and has significant production, directing and free-lance writing experience. Joyner desires to contribute to “the strong academic, institutional and spiritual values EMU seeks to embody” and to “see the theater department flourish academically and artistically.”
* Teresa J. Haase, assistant professor in the masters in counseling program. Dr. Haase earned a BA in English and secondary education and an MA and EdS in counseling psychology from James Madison University. She holds a PhD in counseling from George Washington University. Haase has taught at JMU and GWU and earlier taught English at Broadway High School. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including Mary Washington University Counseling and Psychological Services, Catholic Charities, the College Student and Development Center at JMU and the GWU Community Counseling Services Center. Haase “joyfully embraces the opportunity to work with the exceptional students, faculty and staff of the masters in counseling program at EMU.”
* James M. Leaman, assistant professor of business and economics. Dr. Leaman holds a BS in business administration and computer science from EMU, an MPA from JMU and a PhD in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. He currently teaches several economics and management courses and international relations at EMU and advises the university’s investment club. Leaman’s research and teaching interests focus on interrelated areas of international development, global political economy and public administration. He spent 12 years in missions and business work in Kenya, providing educational and operational leadership and management within an international non-governmental organization.
* Marta F. Loyola, associate professor of Spanish. Dr. Loyola earned a BA in Spanish language & literature and an MA in Hispanic literature from George Washington University and holds a doctorate of modern languages in Spanish and French from Middlebury College. Loyola has taught at Miami-Dade Community College, Trinity College, St. Thomas University, George Washington University and most recently at Lakeland College. She also has elementary and secondary school teaching experience. She has directed advanced placement summer institutes for ETS and the College Board and brings experience in test writing and development for the Foreign Language Test in Spanish. Loyola is enthused at the prospect of “working next to a faculty and staff dedicated to assisting students in their academic learning and personal growth and doing so in a Christian environment.”
In addition, the language and literature department at EMU will have two language assistants through a program sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee – Alexandra M. Montoya from Columbia and Norman Aguilera from Nicaragua.
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