Hollinger actually got his job before he graduated, moving to the Washington D.C. area in the summer of 2014. He finished his last class (calculus) online while beginning a research assistant position at . Hollinger now works exclusively with data analysis and power sector modeling for the .

But he’s is still enjoying other long-term benefits of his internship: the research he contributed to was recently published by his mentor and collaborator, business professor , in the , the magazine of the .

The economic benefits of solar panels

Hollinger interned in the spring and summer of 2014 at which installed the solar panels on 91短视频鈥檚 Hartzler Library. Smith, who owns the Staunton-based company, suggested Hollinger investigate if 91短视频鈥檚 solar photovoltaic (PV) project provided any economic benefits to other ratepayers within the Harrisonburg territory.

Opponents say solar hurts local ratepayers by raising the stranded electricity generation costs for non-solar customers. Proponents say the opposite is true, that when solar is in use, energy costs go down and other economic and health benefits accrue for all ratepayers within a given area.

鈥淭ony had this idea that since his company had data from 91短视频, we might be able to work with the Harrisonburg Electric Commission to actually test this claim and see if it is true,鈥� Hollinger said. 鈥淲e found that within this scenario, distributed solar is a benefit, not a big one, but not a negative impact either.鈥�

Hollinger cautioned that the analysis was for a very specific location with a non-generating utility company and that findings might be different in different scenarios.

Internship helps determine career path

By the end of his internship, Hollinger knew he wanted to work in environmental policy, or renewable energy research and data, so he began applying to jobs that seemed to fit those requirements. The ICF International job was 鈥渃ompletely random, just something I stumbled onto online and applied for.鈥�

Within a month of applying, the company hired him. Hollinger thinks his experience at Secure Futures paved the way there. Smith agrees that Hollinger鈥檚 experience at Secure Futures may have proven to be a differentiating factor.

Hollinger 鈥渄eveloped a lot of high value expertise very quickly about the economics of renewable energy and he was able to translate that into a positive result for himself,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淎nd he is overall a very sharp guy. He deserves his own credit for that.鈥�

Hollinger is now part of a six-member team that helps 鈥渢he EPA model their environmental regulations as related to the US power sector,鈥� he said. When the EPA is considering a new regulation, policymakers need to know what kind of an impact it could have both on the environment and the national economy. So Hollinger and his team use ICF International鈥檚 Integrated Planning Model along with EPA-directed scenarios, to help representatives determine what regulations would work best if passed. On the team, Hollinger works with data analysis and manipulation.

One example of a project he has worked on is modeling the effects of a proposed piece of EPA legislation called The Clean Power Plan. The plan would establish carbon pollution standards for existing power plants. Hollinger鈥檚 team has been running scenarios for the EPA and producing data that shows 鈥渋f these are the standards you wish to set, then this will be the cost, this will be the impact.鈥�

Hollinger said his close relationship with Smith and other professors helped guide him onto his current career path. 鈥淚 was one of the first people to major in and economics,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 immediately sure how those two fit together, but through conversations with professors and classes that taught me to be a critical thinker, I began to figure it out.鈥�

For professionals already in business or leadership roles, the graduate certificate is an intermediate step between a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in the field. The coursework can be applied towards an or an .

91短视频鈥檚 graduate business coursework emphasizes 鈥渁pplied leadership for the common good,鈥� says community justice advocate and educator Andrew Nussbaum, MA `15 (), who took several of the core courses while earning a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership. 鈥淚 have been able to apply my learning in both a local and global context with new skills, new colleagues and new understanding.”

91短视频鈥檚 faculty members, all holding doctorates in their field, bring a variety of expertise and foundational knowledge gained through domestic and international business and non-profit experiences.

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

The 15-unit , which can be completed in less than a year, provides foundational skills and tools necessary to lead effectively in business, public agencies or nonprofit entities.

鈥淥rganizational leaders have both an opportunity and a responsibility to facilitate a turn toward solving many of the complex problems we encounter in the world today,鈥� says . 鈥淭his certificate offers leaders the foundational knowledge and contemporary data to recognize the need for change, and the philosophy and tools to lead a stakeholder-inspired process toward more sustainable and just outcomes.鈥�

Required courses address such topics as business ethics and policy, organizational behavior, and finance and accounting. Students are allowed a maximum of two elective courses, one of which can substitute for a course on comparative perspectives on business and society. Electives from the MBA program of study are offered in technology, information and data analysis; marketing management; human resources; entrepreneurship; and project management and grant writing.

Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership

The can be completed in 18 months. The 17-unit program focuses on developing and broadening leadership skills through the study of organizational behavior and change, teambuilding, mentoring, and conflict transformation techniques. Students are encouraged to reflect on current and past practices, through readings, writings, and the completion of individual and team projects.

Students interested in this program may already have an MBA or other business skills, but desire to improve their management and leadership abilities.

鈥淢ost managers in organizations have learned how to manage people, money, and programs. What they usually lack, however, are the skills to lead sustainable change in their departments or organizations,鈥� said professor , a specialist in organizational leadership who has trained or consulted with over 100 organizations, including in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. 鈥淭his certificate equips participants to both understand the systems they lead and the tools to effectively lead and change them.鈥�

Coursework includes 鈥淟eadership and Management for the Common Good,鈥� which highlights ecological, social, and economic stressors of organizations at local and global levels, and approaches to leading people, systems, and organizations in positive ways. Other classes focus on organizational behavior; leadership theory and style; effecting and leading change within organizations; and developing healthy organizations through team building and collaboration. A 2-unit mentorship program is also required.

Faculty with a wealth of expertise and experience

91短视频鈥檚 faculty members include current and former business owners, as well as non-profit and NGO professionals.

鈥檚 professional experience in business, including 12 years with an NGO in Kenya, lend perspective to his analysis of the role and impact of business and organizations within ecological limits and dynamic social systems, resulting in an integrated lens of sustainability, stewardship and justice. Leaman has a master鈥檚 in public administration and a PhD in public and international affairs.

served with several community development and conflict transformation organizations, including five years as executive director of a community development organization in southern Arizona. He has an MBA and a PhD in sociology, with a specialization in religious and organizational conflicts.

holds a doctorate in sociology. She lived and worked in South Africa for 16 years and the Middle East for 17 years. She was an organizational development consultant (with NGOs and blue chip companies undergoing post-Apartheid workplace diversity shifts), and has also worked in the domestic and gender-based violence field, and as a community development specialist.

brings significant international experience and a background in commercial banking and microfinance to courses in business ethics and policy, at the level of the employee, the firm, and the macro economy. Cowles has a master鈥檚 of theological studies, an MBA and a PhD in the social foundations of education.

specializes in development and international economics. He has a master鈥檚 in agricultural economics and a PhD in economics. His research topics have included the fair trade coffee market, mosquito net delivery systems, sustainability and effectiveness of microfinance programs, and issues surrounding financial crises.

has founded, co-founded and/or directed numerous small businesses and nonprofit organizations in community economic development, sustainable agriculture, energy management, and commodity futures trading in energy. Smith has a master鈥檚 of architecture and a PhD in social systems sciences. He is founder-CEO of , a solar development company that developed the .

, a certified public accountant, specializes in financial accounting reporting issues. He has three graduate degrees: an MBA, a master鈥檚 in accounting, and a PhD in accounting. His work experience includes the controllership of a large farm equipment company in southeastern Pennsylvania and summer projects with a local construction contractor, tire retreader, and an aviation company.

The new installation, expected to be in operation by the summer of 2015, will be able to generate 511 kilowatts of electricity (as measured in 鈥渄irect-current鈥� or DC power). The panels will be mounted on canopies above the University Commons parking lot and on that building鈥檚 roof. Along with the original library array, the new installation should allow 91短视频 to produce up to 14 percent of its annual electric demand from solar energy.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 a huge percentage,鈥� said Drew Gallagher, Virginia campus organizer with the who attended a public meeting in early October announcing the new solar initiative. Afterwards, in an email to , Gallagher wrote of his plans to begin 鈥渟howcasing 91短视频鈥檚 efforts as your campus is on the cutting edge among Virginia colleges.鈥�

As was the case with the installation on the library roof, 91短视频 has entered an agreement with , a solar energy development company based in Staunton, Virginia, to install, operate and maintain the new array. Secure Futures president and CEO is also a professor at 91短视频鈥檚 .

The new solar project will proceed under a unique 鈥渃ustomer self-generation agreement鈥� between 91短视频 and Secure Futures. The arrangement, devised by Secure Futures to overcome various regulatory hurdles that have made Virginia a relatively difficult state for solar energy development, requires no capital investment from 91短视频 and will reduce the university鈥檚 electric bill from the very start.

91短视频 will achieve additional across-the-board operational savings with the help of a natural gas generator that will be installed at the same time as the solar panels. The generator will help the university lower its peak electric demand, a measurement of consumption used to set electric rates throughout the year. With the additional solar capacity and occasional help from the generator 鈥� primarily during the winter, when the solar panels produce less electricity 鈥� that lower peak demand will put 91短视频 on a cheaper rate scale with the , Smith said.

The solar panels and generator will also serve as a 鈥渘ano-grid,鈥� improving 91短视频鈥檚 emergency preparedness with the capacity to meet electricity demands in Northlawn鈥檚 dorm rooms and dining hall during a wider power outage, Smith added.

鈥淚t鈥檚 another step in a long history of 91短视频 paying attention to energy use,鈥� said Swartzendruber. 鈥�91短视频鈥檚 been leading efforts in going back to the 鈥�70s.鈥�

Swartzendruber, who serves on the board of the , has been an outspoken proponent for sustainability. He said the conviction is rooted in a moral obligation created by the disproportionate negative impact climate change will have on the needy.

At the public event announcing the new solar project, Swartzendruber was asked if he would encourage state leaders to enact regulations that would make it easier for more solar and other renewable energy development in Virginia.

鈥淚鈥檓 certainly willing to lend my voice where that seems appropriate,鈥� he said later, while adding he has no specific plans to do so at this point (he does, however, regularly interact with leaders in Richmond when he goes to lobby on behalf of state tuition assistance grants).

Gallagher, from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said he was 鈥渞eally excited how strong of a stance [Swartzendruber] appeared to be willing to make on the issue of climate change.鈥�

鈥淵ou could tell that it was more than just an issue that they were working on just because it鈥檚 hot right now, or something that people would want to see [a university] doing,鈥� Gallagher continued. 鈥淚 work with campuses all over the state鈥� Now when I go to new schools and help them install solar panels, I鈥檓 going to point to 91短视频 and say, 鈥楲ook at all the success they鈥檝e had.鈥� 鈥� I think it鈥檚 great what they鈥檙e doing, and it鈥檚 really exciting to see them pushing the boundaries and setting the bar high.鈥�

91短视频 was recognized for its solar array on the roof of the . At the time of installation in fall 2010, it was the largest array in the state of Virginia. It has exceeded its performance goals for the period of January through June 2012 by 118 percent and is the first in Virginia to exceed 100 kilowatts in capacity, in fall 2012.

The array provides about 2.5 percent of the energy the Harrisonburg campus and its approximately 1,500 students consume.

The 126,000 kilowatt-hours the system produces is equivalent to 1.26 million 100-watt light bulbs burning for one hour, according to , an assistant professor of at 91短视频 and CEO of the company that owns the solar array, , in a story published by the Daily News Record on Sept. 6, 2012.

The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council is a nonprofit membership organization serving the greater Shenandoah Valley of Virginia by helping technology businesses in the area succeed and grow. They host Tech Nite once a year to highlight the successes of technology firms, organizations and programs in the region and the entrepreneurs, innovators, leaders and educators behind those successes, according to its website.

Working in teams among 24 competitors, including many experienced 鈥渟erial entrepreneurs,鈥� the two 91短视频 (91短视频) juniors each pitched projects to help students connect online. Mensah won second prize for his plan in the 54-hour marathon competition, held at (JMU) on April 5. The group-encouragement idea that Greene pitched didn鈥檛 win an award, but it did garner attention from JMU students for its creativity.

鈥淛osh and George were so well-received. They really knocked the socks off the jury,鈥� said 91短视频 professor , PhD, who teaches both students in his business topics course and served as a coach/mentor in the event.

Twelve days later, Mensah was named 91短视频鈥檚 nominee for the to be held May 2, 2013, in Richmond, Va. A panel of five independent judges convened by 91短视频鈥檚 department of business and economics chose Mensah鈥檚 business plan as the one 鈥渕ost likely to grow/succeed in 90 days,鈥� an honor that came with $1,000 in prize money.

At Startup Weekend, underwritten by , participants suggested ideas, then formed six teams around the most popular suggestions. Each team had to turn their idea into a full-fledged business plan, and pitch it in five minutes to a panel of judges 鈥� a model employed at similar events in 3,500 communities globally, Smith noted.

Mensah, who is from Liberia, proposed a mobile app for students called 鈥淰ite-Us.鈥� It could keep classmates informed of events, ranging from parties to performances to chapel services, he said.

Newcomers to campus find 鈥渋t鈥檚 hard to keep up with what鈥檚 happening,鈥� he added. His proposal would allow posting of all types of activities, on or off campus. Just-arrived first-year students might follow the site鈥檚 link to a campus map and reach their first 鈥渂arbecue on the hill.鈥�

After tying in an early round with more experienced competitors, Mensah considered dropping out until Dale Strickler, who belonged to a team heading to the sidelines, linked forces with Mensah, identified as one of the potential finalists. In previous years, Strickler had developed software for Rosetta Stone, a leading company for language-learning software. He is now pursuing an executive MBA at . The duo divided up their work this way: Mensah provided creativity in graphics and vision for the business plan, while Strickler focused on its financial aspects and provided mobile app software expertise.

When teams fanned out on the JMU campus to survey students, they found enthusiasm for their Vite-Us pitch, even among visitors from high schools. 鈥淲e put it on a Facebook page, and [soon] had 50 hits,鈥� Mensah said.

鈥淎nybody could post鈥� on Vite-Us, Mensah suggested. Revenue sources, he said, might include charging students $2 or less to get the program on their iPhones. Businesses could pay to post events. Google ads could be solicited.

The two 91短视频 students, Mensah and Greene, already operate a business, Dub Life LLC, matching classmates with printers and tailors for custom-made clothing. The plan presented at JMU by Greene, of Richmond, was for the formation of groups that would circulate as grassroots initiators of positive reinforcement, giving cheers and high fives, as part of 鈥渟tepping up and being the Local Growl.鈥�

91短视频鈥檚 business topics class has centered around developing business plans, experiencing not only the dream of entrepreneurship but the background work, said junior Kate Steury, another student in Anthony Smith鈥檚 class. Steury, a , won $550 as 鈥渕ost promising entrepreneur鈥� for her “Express Lane Deliveries, LLC” project in 91短视频鈥檚 business-plan competition.

Persons can meet the MBA co-directors, Ronald L. Stoltzfus and Anthony E. (Tony) Smith and current students and get information on 91短视频’s MBA program. Light refreshments will be served. Stop in anytime between 6 and 7 p.m.

In addition to 91短视频’s accelerated, steward-leadership MBA program, the department offers concentrations in health services administration, nonprofit entrepreneurial management and a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership and social entrepreneurship.

For more information or to let 91短视频 know you’re coming, call 540-432-4150 (website: www.emu.edu/mba).

The ordinance, passed by a four-to-one vote, exempts commercial solarpower equipment from the city’s machinery and tools tax while at the same time exempting residential solar systems from real estate taxes. Both exemptions last for a term of 20 years from the installation of any solar equipment.

鈥淗arrisonburg has indeed made a bold statement in support of solar power, helping to ensure that the leadership shown by the community in renewable energy can continue,鈥� said Anthony E. (Tony) Smith, CEO of Secure Futures, LLC, which operates Virginia’s largest solar energy facility, located in Harrisonburg. Dr. Smith is co-director of the masters in business administration (MBA) program at 91短视频.

In fall 2010, working with Southern Energy Management (SEM) of Morrisville, NC, Staunton-based Secure Futures installed 328 high-efficiency photovoltaic panels on the roof of 91短视频’s Hartzler Library. At 104 kilowatts, the system is the largest solar energy project built so far in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The new tax-exemption clears the way for Secure Futures and SEM to develop a second project at 91短视频 of an additional 300 kW of solar panels on raised canopies on the north parking lot of 91短视频’s University Commons.

鈥淭his ordinance could not have happened without the leadership from Council members who spoke in support, the commitment of 91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber, facilitation from state Senator Mark Obenshain and support from the dozens of citizens who showed up last night,鈥� said Smith.

Leading up to Harrisonburg’s Council vote, weeks of discussions took place among Council members, city staff, officials of 91短视频 and Secure Futures, owners of residential solar power systems and concerned citizens leading to an idea for a partial or more limited tax exemption. The ordinance took final form only minutes before the City Council put the measure to a vote.

鈥淐ouncil’s decision to amend the ordinance to provide a 100% tax exemption for 20 years was the right way to reward the buyers of solar systems for doing the right thing for the environment, even when there’s an extremely long payback period,鈥� said Mitch King, board member of the Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association.

In less than six months of operation, 91短视频’s solar project has already brought benefits to the city.

• 91短视频’s project brought in substantial funding to the area from outside sources including federal and state grants as well as private investment.
• If solar power becomes more widespread in the City, this could translate into lower costs for ratepayers since solar peak production in the summer coincides with the peak demand costs for the Harrisonburg Electric Commission, the city’s municipal power utility.
• By reducing demand for utility power generated by coal and other fossil fuels, the 91短视频 solar project will eliminate more than 6,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the projected 35-year life of the solar panels.

Supporters say that the new ordinance will allow financial and environmental benefits to the city to increase in the future as 91短视频 and others install more solar power.

鈥淐lean energy represents yet another means for strengthening the local economy and to help create jobs,鈥� said Smith.

————-

91短视频 Secure Futures

Secure Futures, LLC designs, develops and co-finances distributed solar solutions with and for tax-exempt entities to reduce their electricity costs and to protect against future grid price increases through 15 to 25 year Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPAs). Secure Futures is based in Staunton, Va., and may be found on-line at

Few business programs encourage students to use Facebook and Wikispaces to develop collaborative team strategies outside the classroom. But then, the Steward-Leadership Masters in Business Administration at 91短视频 is no ordinary MBA program.

MBA students in a summer class on “Stewardship, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship” interact with rangers at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park.

“Given its history of increasing leadership strengths, building management skills, and developing stewardship strategies, 91短视频’s MBA program is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of today’s demanding work-place and regional employers, as greater emphasis is now placed on ethics, stewardship of natural and human resources and effective collaborative strategies for a fast-changing global marketplace,” said Anthony E. (Tony) Smith, MBA co-director. “These very qualities lie at the heart of 91短视频’s institutional core values.”

Innovative course includes live projects

Dr. Smith has been teaching a summer course in the MBA program “Stewardship, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship,” that engaged students in systems approaches to stewardship and innovation and involved them in live projects with local corporations and non-profit organizations.

The clients included:

• Shenandoah National Park
• Rosetta Stone
• American Shakespeare Center
• Staunton Creative Community Fund (SCCF)

“I’m very impressed by the amount of research on a complicated topic, in a short period of time that the MBA students have achieved.” said Tim Taglauer, assistant chief of interpretation and education for Shenandoah National Park, after MBA students gave a presentation on business strategies for increasing the “sustainable advantage” for the Park.

Their recommendations included repositioning the park as a center for increasing eco-literacy and for the park to develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with local communities and schools.

Meghan Williamson, executive director of SCCF, found that the MBA students had developed an innovative “business to environment” model that could strengthen the success of their small business clients and outlined innovative financing methods to support SCCF’s programs.

The course ended Aug. 4 with MBA business strategy presentations to Rosetta Stone and to the American Shakespeare Center.

Linda Manka, naturalist ranger at Shenandoah National Park, discusses stewardship design principles and their application to real-life business situations as MBA students Kim Shipe (l.) and Juanita Zban listen.

“This course is but one example of how the 91短视频’s Steward-Leadership MBA program offers a distinctive approach to preparing business leaders for the challenges of an increasingly uncertain business environment,” Smith stated. “The program works with the busy schedules of full-time working professionals who are seeking to strengthen their careers.”

For more information about the Steward-Leadership MBA program, contact Smith at anthony.smith@emu.edu or visit the website at www.emu.edu/mba or the MBA Facebook page, entitled “Steward Leadership MBA at 91短视频.”

Questions/additional comments: Dr. Tony Smith, 432-4095

, co-director of 91短视频’s MBA program, works with student during a class.

Interested persons can attend a free MBA open house between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 19 at 91短视频’s Campus Center building, room 301, or contact the MBA office at 540-432-4150.

Nonprofit Focus for Business Leaders

A new MBA concentration in nonprofit entrepreneurial management will allow nonprofit leaders to earn their MBA in 2 1/2 years as part of a cohort taking classes together Thursday evenings.

In addition, the MBA program now offers a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership and social entrepreneurship in collaboration with 91短视频’s renowned Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP). The certificate program includes five courses that can be selected from a menu of options to provide broader opportunities to tailor their training.

“We’re excited to offer these new programs to nonprofit leaders, as we see this as a growing sector of the Shenandoah Valley and Albemarle Co. area economies,” said Dr. Anthony (Tony) Smith, MBA co-director. “The 91短视频 MBA program focuses on increasing leadership strengths, building management skills and developing stewardship strategies.

The university’s mission and culture emphasize the values of ethics, stewardship and sustainability. Students may also pursue a general management MBA or a concentration in health services administration.

The new faculty, announced by Dr. Beryl H. Brubaker, 91短视频 provost, and Dr. Marie S. Morris, vice president and undergraduate academic dean, are:

Kirsten Eve Beachy, assistant professor of English. Beachy earned a BA with a double major in theater and in philosophy and theology from 91短视频 and an MFA in creative writing from West Virginia University. She has experience as a teacher, writer and journalist.

Annmarie L. Early, associate professor of counseling education. Early earned a BA in psychology from San Diego State University, an MA in Christian leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and an MS and a PhD in marital and family therapy from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. She has six years of clinical counseling experience and has been teaching part time in the counseling program and seminary at 91短视频.

S. Jeanne Horst, assistant professor of psychology. Horst earned a BA in psychology from Millersville University and an MA in psychological sciences with a concentration in assessment, measurement and statistics from James Madison University. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in assessment and measurement at JMU. Horst has taught courses in psychology and research and statistics and most recently worked in the office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at 91短视频.

Leah M. Kratz, assistant professor of business. Kratz earned a BS in accounting from 91短视频 and an MBA from James Madison University. She is a certified public accountant and has most recently worked as the assistant fiscal director at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Fishersville, Va. During 2006-07, she was an adjunct instructor at 91短视频.

Linda Leitch-Alford, associate professor of counseling education. She earned a BS from Philadelphia College of Bible with majors in Bible and Christian education. Leitch-Alford received an MS in counselor education degree from North Dakota State University and an EdD in counselor education and supervision from Northern Illinois University. She comes with 23 years of private practice as a counselor along with part-time teaching.

Katrina L. Maynard, associate professor of education. Maynard earned a BA in psychology, an MT in special education and a PhD in special education from the University of Virginia. Her doctoral specialization is in learning disabilities with a focus on reading instruction and the prevention of reading disabilities. She has 12 years of public school teaching experience and several years at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Andrew D. Miller, assistant professor of business. Miller received a BA in international agriculture from 91短视频 and an MS in agricultural economics from Iowa State University. He began doctoral coursework in agricultural Economics at the University of Maryland-College Park and is also currently pursuing an MDiv degree at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

BJ Miller, director of institutional research and effectiveness. Miller earned a BA in economics at Virginia Tech and an MA in assessment, measurement and statistics and a PhD in assessment and measurement, both from JMU. She was assistant director of institutional research at St. Mary’s College of Maryland for eight years prior to her PhD work and has worked in JMU’s Center for Assessment and Research Studies for the past year.

Kreg R. Owens, assistant professor of art and speech communication. He earned a BA in art from Northwest Nazarene College, an MA in speech communication from Eastern New Mexico University and an MFA in ceramics from JMU. Owens has taught numerous courses in ceramics, three-dimensional design and sculpture as well as public speaking, group and interpersonal communication and classical rhetoric.

Cathy Ernst-Rittenhouse, associate professor of nursing. Ernst-Rittenhouse earned a BS in nursing from 91短视频 and an MSN from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked as a staff nurse and a nurse practitioner as well as an adjunct instructor at JMU.

Glenda L. Siegrist, associate professor of nursing. Siegrist earned a BS in nursing with a certificate in international nursing and an MSN with adult nurse practitioner certification from George Mason University. She worked as a nurse practitioner in Northern Virginia prior to several years of international nursing. She has worked as a Peace Corps medical officer in Russia, a medical consultant in Armenia and as a foreign service health practitioner in Armenia, Romania and Tunisia and most recently in Uganda.

Donald D. Smeeton, director of libraries (Hartzler Library). Smeeton earned a BA in Bible from Central Bible College, a BS in history from Evangel University, an M.A. in church history and history of Christian thought from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, an MA in Bible from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, a PhD in religious studies from the Catholic University of Louvain and an MLIS from Dominican University. Most recently, he was director of the William G. Squires Library that serves Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Tenn. He served many years as a missionary teacher and administrator with the Assemblies of God in Belgium and South Africa.

Anthony E. Smith, associate professor of business. Smith earned a BA in English and philosophy from Haverford College, a masters degree in architecture from The University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in management from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He comes to 91短视频 with more than 20 years of management, development and teaching experience. While teaching part time at 91短视频, he will continue as managing director of the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton.

Mary Ann Stripling, associate professor of counseling education. She earned a BA in English from Texas Tech, an MEd in counselor education from the University of Virginia and a PhD in family studies from Virginia Tech. Stripling is currently director of guidance and counseling at Waynesboro High School and has many years experience as an English teacher and school counselor.

Shelly L. Thomas, assistant professor of biology. Shelly earned a BS in biology from Eastern University and a PhD in ecology and environmental science from the University of Maine.

Judith H. Wilfong, associate professor of teacher education. Wilfong earned a BA in education from Bridgewater College, an MA in reading from JMU and an EdD in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She retired from the local public school system in December 2006 after more than 20 years teaching and administrative experience and joined the 91短视频 faculty full time in January this year.

In addition, the language and literature department at 91短视频 will have three language assistants through a program sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee:
– Cecibel de la Tamaris, Nicaragua;
– Deicy Bermudez Hurtado, Colombia; and
– Mariela Rios Balboa, Bolivia