UPIKE College of Arts and Sciences Spotlight Fall 2022

THE DEAN’S CORNER

In a recent survey, CAS faculty pointed out what makes the student experience in our College so special. Some things come to mind immediately: close mentoring relationships, a caring environment, and programs designed for career and lifelong success. Additional distinctions include our high-impact practices, like undergraduate research and other experiential learning opportunities, flexible formats in online and hybrid offerings, and important partnerships with our professional schools, athletics, and the community. In their responses, faculty showed a deep commitment to whole-student learning and the diversity that defines our student body. With our evolving strategic plan, CAS is poised to do more and better in all these areas. Exciting ideas for the future include creative course formats that engage students in project-based learning, collaborative spaces designed for innovation, and more career-oriented credentials. As faculty and staff continue each day to work with students in innumerable ways, CAS continues to grow and innovate. I am thankful for the CAS commitment to UPIKE’s mission and to an education of impact

Fall is squarely upon us in central Appalachia, and my wish for everyone is that they take a moment to breathe in the beauty and serenity that surround us in these hills and mountains. Typically revered for its lively festivities and yummy treats, autumn also signals a transition from what has been to what could be. I hope that this sense of renewal resonates with you and that you are able to find grounding, purpose, and wellness as we continue to collectively emerge from the pandemic. There is a palpable spirit of recharged energy that pulses through our campus - it has been such a pleasure to watch our University come together this semester at a variety of both new and traditional activities. As always, the College of Arts & Sciences continues to set an example of excellence through its focus on student learning, personal growth, collaboration, and innovation. I am truly grateful for the vibrant community of scholarship that we continue to build together.

Jennifer Dugan, Ph.D. Dean of CAS

Ella Smith-Justice, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of CAS Professor of Spanish

SUMMIT 2022, PIGEON FORGE, TN

UPIKE affirmed our history as a major player in the ACA Summit. CAS participated in a big way, with fine presentations and thoughtful discussions. Here’s a toast to in-person conferences and the importance of the Summit to the CAS

community!

PRESENTATIONS BY:

Alix Herter

Alix-Ariel Herter is a captain of the University of Pikeville Women’s Soccer program. She is a standout player used in multiple positions. Her skills on the pitch have seen her play overseas and for one of the best soccer clubs in Kentucky, Racing Louisville Academy. In addition to her athletic career, she is a Biology major and looking to use her studies in a sports career of any capacity. Currently, Alix has opportunities around the world to continue her soccer career but has chosen UPike to obtain a degree and play at a school and in a soccer program that align with and support her growth as an individual. Her coach, Logan Langseth, has stated, “Alix is one of the most versatile players I’ve had in my 15 years coaching soccer. As a player and person, she is someone you want in your team and family.”

Although Alix’s future is still being written, she hopes to continue her soccer career at the professional ranks and enter the sports science field when she hangs up her boots.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Graycee Pratt

Graycee Pratt is a first-year student from Shelby County who is working toward a major in biology and a minor in global health. Participating in her high school’s Project Lead the Way program, Graycee started on a path in biomedical science that led her to UPIKE and toward a career in pediatric medicine. After visiting our campus, Graycee “instantly fell in love” with UPIKE, our biology faculty, and the chance to earn a spot in KYCOM. Once here, she decided to add a global health minor, “because it incorporates all sides of medicine.” As a future pediatrician, Graycee plans to work in rural health. With training in medicine and global health, she will be equipped to better understand her patients’ community and culture and to “be a better doctor.”

Congratulations

Congratulations to Dr. Sumer Bingham Musick, Associate Professor of Religion, for completing her doctorate in Practical Theology from Palm Beach Atlantic University!

CAS COLLOQUIUM

Our Colloquium series is in full swing. On a Friday afternoon each month, faculty, staff, and students gather to learn about a new topic and engage in scholarly discussion. All are invited to the next one in November.

Assistant Professor of History, Dr. Brittany Goetting, “From Maine to Kentucky: Religious Print Culture and Its Impact on Community Formation” (November 11, 2022 at 3pm in ARM 213)

Campus Chaplain and Instructor of Religion, Dr. Rob Musick, “Hollering Theology: Exploring liberation theology in Central Appalachia and its power to transform students at the University of Pikeville” (October 2022)

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Justin Hazlewood, “Community Policing - It’s What We Have Always Done: Community Policing in Rural Southeastern Kentucky” (September 2022)

PATTON COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN THE NEWS

PCOE is making serious news on state-wide and national levels. In May, we learned that our education programs earned accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). For PCOE to achieve this status - with absolutely no recommendations for improvement - is a reflection of the strong and determined leadership of Dr. Coletta Parsley and her amazing team. As if to emphasize this point, PCOE recently received the 2022 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement, which is another national recognition that places our educator preparation programs at the top, alongside several large public institutions.

The quality of our programs is matched by the quality of the experiences PCOE faculty and staff open up to students. On September 29-30, with support from UPIKE’s experiential learning fund, a group of students along with PCOE faculty attended the Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators conference at the University of Kentucky. Two students, Dylan Morris and Kynsley Redmon, received the prestigious Watts Award. Thank you, PCOE team, for your deep commitments to our students, our programs, and to teaching as a noble profession.

Lisa (Kelly) Senetar, ’00 Biology and Chemistry Major

I came to Pikeville College in 1996 as the first one in my family to go to college. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, I continued my education as a graduate student at UK.

While I was working on my dissertation, my husband suggested that I find a hobby to destress. I went to the local craft store, bought some beads and stretch cord, and taught myself how to make my first piece of jewelry. After earning a doctoral degree in Biochemistry in 2005, I accepted a Research Fellowship in a prominent lab at the University of Wisconsin and continued beading as a fun and fashionable way to relax.

In 2007, I decided to take a break from academics and focus on developing my art.

To combine my science background with my passion for making jewelry, I launched PhbeaD, a playful combination of Ph.D. and bead. PhbeaD fuses science and art by creating unique resin jewelry with actual insect wings.

I use a lot of different insects in my work including butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, cicadas, dragonflies, and dobsonflies (I never use endangered species). All of the wings

I use are from bugs that have already died, many of which are locally-sourced and collected by hand. For example, in 2021, I collected over 1000 wings myself, 863 of which were from Brood X Periodical cicadas from Florence, KY. Many of my Monarchs and Painted Lady wings come from an exhibit in Frankfort, KY, whose staff saves them once the butterflies pass away so I can reuse them in my work.

I am a juried member of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and travel to numerous art shows and festivals each year. My work has been featured on KET’s “Kentucky Life” as well as the cover of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and The Crafts Report magazines. Find more about me on Instagram @PhbeaD.jewelry and at www.PhbeaD.com

CAS ENGAGES THE WORLD

Whether the world comes to us or we go out to it, CAS students are learning valuable lessons about the importance of kindness, understanding, and serving humanity.

This May, a group of UPIKE students will visit Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Munich, and Berlin with Dr. Brigitte Anderson (faculty of English and German) and Dr. Brittany Goetting (faculty of History).

Students enjoying the Pride festival

Students meet Presbyterian peacemaker from Malawi in their Global Health course, with Dr. Margo Riggs.

Students tour the Ark in Williamstown, KY

Byron Meade and his team of student researchers produced their first harvest of mushrooms in the lab.

Dean Dugan cooked up a batch for supper recently and reports that the golden oyster mushrooms are delicious!

Daniel Flores, freshman biology major from TX/VA Savannah Lowe, freshman biology major from Louisville, KY

Kolby Newsome, sophomore biology major (and 2022 Keen Fellow) from Pike County, KY Mushrooms pictured: Golden oyster, pearl oyster, lion’s mane

THE CREATIVE ARTS

The Division of Humanities has provided many opportunities this semester for community engagement and learning: the Art program hosted an exhibit entitled “The Only Way Out is Art” by Eastern Kentucky artist Charles Parker Boggs in Weber Art Gallery, the UPIKE Music Program has given a number of lively and moving performances in concerts and at University events, the Theatre program held its second-annual 24-Hour Play production, and the Film & Media Arts program has coordinated two South Arts film screenings and Q&A sessions by independent filmmakers. Be on the lookout for future events from the Division, such as the upcoming Carol Grizzard Lecture Series, which is facilitated annually by the Religious Studies program.

STUDENT-FACULTY COLLABORATION

Proposals for the CAS Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP) are now being accepted. This program will fund three student projects during the Spring 2023 semester. It is an opportunity for interested faculty and students to engage in a formal mentorship experience related to academic research and scholarship. Also, applications for the Keen Fellowship are being accepted. Made possible through the generous funding of W. Hubert Keen (‘67), Ph.D., and Sally Keen (‘69), the Fellowship is intended to foster scientific inquiry through faculty-student research. Contact Dr. Sumer Bingham-Musick (REL), Dr. Brittany Goetting (HIS), or Dr. Ian Pimienta (CHE) for more information.

WELCOMING NEW CAS FACULTY

Slade Denman

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Music

Anticipated Doctorate of Musical Arts - Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas

Brittany Goetting

Assistant Professor of History Ph.D. from the University of Maine

Jonathan Hale

Assistant Professor of Art and Digital Media

Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Kentucky

Byron Meade

Assistant Professor of Biology

Anticipated Masters of Science from Western Kentucky University

Garrison Turner

Assistant Professor of Physics

Anticipated Doctorate of Physics from the University of Louisville

EXCITING SPACE RENOVATIONS

Much-needed renovations to ARM 421 and 422 this summer created improved classroom and learning spaces for students and faculty. Once one large room, the two classrooms were built years ago when undergraduates began using the fourth floor. Now, the rooms have been transformed into two comfortable, modern classrooms that encourage collaboration and dialog.

ARM 421 has computer tables and chairs as well as a discussion area that includes comfortable seating that encourages discussion and interaction. ARM 422 is arranged with movable tables and chairs of multiple heights, allowing for increased sight lines.

“The new renovations have made the classroom more of an interactive learning space. Being able to work on the computers along side sitting on the other side of the room with the furniture can allow the class to have different dynamics. Personally I retain what’s being taught better and have established better relationships with my peers. I absolutely love the new room!” senior Blake Maupin said. Faculty agree that the spaces are positive learning environments.

“The new classrooms enable multiple learning opportunities. Leading a discussion is easier and livelier. I appreciate the investment for our students,” Chandra Massner, professor of communication, said.

Thanks to the resourcefulness of Charles Atkinson, Director of Facilities, we also have a new collaboration space on the third floor of Armington, outside of the Social Work wing, which students are already enjoying.