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News Briefs

Professors Visit Paraguay

On June 13th, 2005, GC professors James Zahniser, assistant professor of Psychology, and Richard Huston, associate professor of History, met with the President and First Lady of Paraguay, Nicanor Duarte Frutos and Gloria Penayo de Duarte. Jim Zahniser arrived in Paraguay interested in establishing connections with local mental health professionals to learn what they were doing to promote community mental health, and to contribute from his experience and training. Missionary psychologist Dr. Herbert Palomino, friend of Richard Huston and father of GC sophomore Kathy Palomino, is a personal friend of the first family and knew about the First Lady's interest in improving mental health services in her country, particularly in rural areas. In addition to facilitating a visit to the neuropsychiatric hospital in Asuncion, Dr. Palomino arranged a meeting with the First Lady. President Duarte Frutos also attended the meeting.

Professor Zahniser outlined his interests in helping mental health patients to transition successfully from the hospital back into the community, and in developing effective community-based mental health programs. The First Lady expressed keen interest and suggested initiating a pilot project that would demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of community mental health services for people with mental illnesses. The pilot project will be carried out in one or two locations where her foundation recently has established community centers, including one in her home town of Coronel Oviedo.

New Faculty at GC

Dr. Christina Smerick

Greenville College welcomes new faculty member, Dr. Christina Smerick, as director of Jewish-Christian studies. Smerick said, “I feel that GC is truly serving its students and the larger world by having a Jewish-Christian Studies program.” She holds a joint appointment as assistant professor in the department of Philosophy/Religion and Historical/Political Science. Dr. Smerick comes to Greenville from Saint Xavier University in Illinois, where she taught part-time at both DePaul University and Saint Xavier until 1999. Dr. Smerick earned her B.A. from Trevecca University in Nashville, Tennessee and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from DePaul University in Illinois.

Greg Pennington

Greg Pennington recently joined the college as assistant professor of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice. A 1987 alum of Greenville College, Prof. Pennington received his Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin and Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has worked as a clinical, hospice and child welfare social worker. He will teach “Introduction to Social Work,” “Introduction to Criminal Justice,” “Social Policy” and “Juvenile Delinquency.”

Faculty Retirement

Dr. John Wright

During his 33 years of service, Dr. John Wright has left his mark on the tradition of excellence in education at Greenville College. As director of secondary education and English education, Dr. Wright has had the opportunity to impact many students as an advisor and professor. “The growing that classroom teaching has enabled me to do and the growing that my students do, has been the most rewarding experience. Classroom teaching is an opportunity for me to create a learning experience designed to help students come to the thresholds of their minds,” said Dr. Wright.

"He will really be missed by all,” said Director of Teacher Education, Dr. Ed Blue. Dr. Wright will continue part-time, teaching a class and working with students who wish to improve their teaching. Dr. Wright also teaches a Bible study at the Greenville federal prison, leading a group of men in God's word and prayer.

COR 401 Group Winners

On April 21, 2005 seniors at Greenville College participated in the second annual, Common Day of Learning. The topic for this year's class was, "Dancing in the Dark: Christianity and Pop Culture.” Students prepared an hour long presentation that incorporated this topic and their entire college education.

"You are Distracted,” a multimedia presentation, took first place for best overall presentation. The senior students participating in this group included Jared Chestnut, Christopher Pitzer, Jennifer Pitzer, Scott Reeves, Jacob Torbeck and Daniel Wright.

College Receives Excellent Review from State Board of Education

After an extensive review of the teacher education program, a nine member team of educators representing the Illinois State Board of Education indicated that Greenville College had met all state and national standards with no weaknesses. The team commenced the review on November 6 and concluded their work on November 10, 2004 and the official results were announced on June 17. The next scheduled accreditation review will occur in 2011.

"We are thrilled with such a positive outcome,” said President V. James Mannoia. “Our teacher education program faculty, led by Dr. Ed Blue, spent five years preparing for the review and their hard work paid off.” Dr. Blue added that the results represented a total college effort.

"The administration, faculty, students, members of the information technology department, alumni, area teachers, and our community college partners all did a tremendous job of presenting the program to the visiting team.”

Associated Colleges of Illinois Awards Education Student

Nathan Eubanks, a junior at Greenville College, was one of four winners of the ACI (Associated Colleges of Illinois) Making the Grade Contest: High Expectations for High-Need Schools essay contest. Eubank's essay was judged one of the best efforts from among 23 competitors from ACI institutions throughout the state.

Eubanks, a future teacher, says Greenville College has given him the opportunity to participate in many hours of clinical experience in high-need situations. “In St. Louis, I saw a great teacher working with high-risk students and I realized what a blessing a teacher can be,” Nathan recalls. “I think a lot of high-risk kids need an extra push to get them the benefits that everyone in this country is entitled to. They don't always get that push and I think that's where I can help out.”

Last updated: October 26, 2005