Curriculum initiatives:

Revised music performance major to liberal arts B.A. in music; developed liturgical music minor

Developed a new major, Computer Information Technology, to integrate and replace Management Information Systems (MIS) and Computer Science majors

Developed interdisciplinary Irish Studies minor

Developed 24 experiential courses for new January Term, 2008; seven study abroad/away courses; 57% first-year students and 83 upper-class students (not required to take J-Terms) enrolled

Revised the four curricula of Physical Education and Sports Studies: athletic training, physical education, sports management and sports science

Faculty awards and initiatives:

Fulbright year-long appointments in Ukraine to Lisa Grinde Budzisz, Ph.D. and Christopher Budzisz, Ph.D.

John Cardinal O'Connor Chair for Catholic Thought to Andrew Auge, Ph.D.; Cardinal Newman Award for teaching/service excellence to Thomas Davis, Ph.D.; Mike and Linda Budde Award for teaching/service to Julia Omarzu, Ph.D.

Sponsored the Tri-State Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference

Secured $172,000 in external funding from National Science Foundation and Medical Associates for science equipment

David Shealer, Ph.D., Vice President and President-Elect of Waterbird Society, developing scientific program for the North American Ornithological Congress international conference, Barcelona, Spain

David Cochran, Ph.D., appointed to State Judicial Nominating Commission

David Speckhard, Ph.D., invited to National Science Foundation grant proposal review panel

Kristin Anderson-Bricker, Ph.D., appointed to Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association travel and book award committee

Craig Schaefer, M.A., awards for documentaries Tracing a Journey and For God and Country

Dana Livingston, Ph.D., certified as an oral proficiency instructor by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

More than 30 publications in regional and national journals and more than 50 regional or national conference presentations, performances or productions; three international conference presentations by faculty

Accreditation:

Kenneth McLaughlin, Ph.D., Chair of the Faculty, and Kevin Koch, Ph.D., Chair of Language and Literature Division, named co-chairs for the Higher Learning Commission self-study and visit in 2010