Waking up at 3 a.m. every day is part of normal life for the new professor in the music department. Between the hours of 3 and 6 a.m. is the only time during his day that Ryan Keebaugh — husband, father to a 9-month-old little girl, and new professor here at 91����Ƶ — has time to dedicate to composition.

Keebaugh is a new hire this year in the music department, and he is currently teaching seven credits hours: Class Voice — also known as Voice Proficiency — Elementary School Music, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, and Composition, all in Lehman Auditorium.

He came to 91����Ƶ after receiving his undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College, his graduate degree from Shenandoah Music Conservatory, and finishing at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. with a D.M.A. in Composing and Conducting.

Prior to working at 91����Ƶ, he worked at Clarke County High School, and balanced teaching schedules between Mary Baldwin College and Lord Fairfax Community College. Now his job is simply to be a husband, father, and professor here at 91����Ƶ.

When the position at 91����Ƶ opened up, he jumped at the opportunity. He had gone to Bridgewater and lived near 91����Ƶ so he knew it was a good institution before he got here.

He came to 91����Ƶ, “through Ken [J. Nafziger] and Joan [Griffing] — I knew them and when the position [became] open, I applied and just got lucky.”

Once he had accepted the position, he was surprised at the warmth and hospitality he was greeted with on his first day with the faculty.

When he arrived, everyone seemed to know him before they had even met him. “New faculty orientation [was when I knew that 91����Ƶ was different]. Right away [it] felt like a community. Administration knew all [of the new faculty]. Our background, field, family… everything.”

Although he has been to many different colleges and universities as both student and faculty, he had never before experienced the instant feeling of community present at 91����Ƶ.

Keebaugh started his path towards a career in music at an early age. He grew up with his mother, the organist, and his father, the minister of a Brethren church, so music was always surrounding him at home.

Because music was an integral part of his childhood, Keebaugh found a passion in music at a young age and began composing when he was four years old.

He started his undergraduate program with the thought that he would become a High School Band or Choir Director, but after going through the education portion of the major, he decided that it was too structured and did not allow him to teach the way that he wanted to.

Keebaugh, then, followed through in his focus on the composing and conducting aspect of his education, and the idea of working in high schools left him.

After he graduated, he was offered a position, with no prompting on his part, to teach at his local public high school. Despite his previous feelings that it was not really for him, he accepted the position and loved it.

Junior Katherine Graber has now had him since the beginning of the semester in both the Elementary Music and Women’s Choir courses.

Graber commented that Keebaugh is, “laid back but extremely bubbly and energetic.”

Sophomore Luisa Miller appreciates that, “he doesn’t ever get annoyed at us for messing up. He always has a good attitude about helping us rather than being upset with us.”

Graber also gives the warning that, “there may be moments when you are put on the spot and you feel embarrassed, but it is for your own good,” as a student and musician.

When teaching, he uses humor to keep his students interested while they learn their assigned music. Sophomore Jacinda Stahly, in Women’s Choir as well as Elementary School Music, “loves how he brings so much vitality to all of [his] classes.”

Graber agrees that Keebaugh is energetic—“there is never a dull moment in his [classes]. We are always interacting with him and the instruments [in Elementary Music].”

He is appreciative of getting the position here as an 91����Ƶ professor because now, even though he has an hour commute each direction, he has more time to spend with his wife and child than he did previously.

Keebaugh’s suggestion for students is that they should “remain a dreamer, always be creative, [and] be like a child—always happy for the moment without looking to the future.”

– Carrie Wilkie, Feature Editor

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 91����Ƶ 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 91����Ƶ 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 91����Ƶ.”

James M. Leaman, assistant professor of business and economics. Dr. Leaman holds a BS in business administration and computer science from 91����Ƶ, 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 91����Ƶ 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 91����Ƶ will have two language assistants through a program sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee – Alexandra M. Montoya from Columbia and Norman Aguilera from Nicaragua.