22 new full-time faculty members welcomed to Shorter College

August 25 - Shorter College welcomes 22 new full-time faculty members to campus for the start of the 2009-2010 academic year.

Dr. Kane Barker will serve as assistant professor of chemistry. He holds a doctoral degree in analytical chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from King College. Dr. Barker has experience as a graduate research assistant and graduate teaching assistant at Georgia Tech’s School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Dr. Stephen Darrell Barnes joins the Shorter faculty as an assistant professor of English. He earned a doctoral degree in literature from the Institute of Philosophic Studies at the University of Dallas. Dr. Barnes also holds a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Science in education from Oklahoma State University. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Daugavpils University in Latvia. Dr. Barnes also has teaching experience as assistant professor of humanities at the College of the Ozarks and as an instructor and teaching assistant at the University of Dallas.

Dr. Christopher G. Brown will serve as assistant professor of biology and freshman lab coordinator. Dr. Brown holds a doctoral degree in biology from Vanderbilt University, a Bachelor of Science in biology from Shorter College, and an associate’s degree in biology from South Georgia College. He has experience as a research assistant and teaching assistant at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Brown also served as a field assistant at Duke University and the University of Arizona and was a wildlife specialist at Camp Wesley in Fairburn.

Dr. Yuell Edward Chandler IV joins Shorter’s faculty as an assistant professor of music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music in vocal performance from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Chandler received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Florida State University and has taught applied voice lessons at North Greenville University, The Lawson Academy of Music at Converse College and the University of Kentucky.

Dr. F. Jane Cobia will serve as associate professor of education and chair of the Education Department. Dr. Cobia holds a Doctor of Education and master’s degree from the University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville State University. She previously served as superintendent of Sylacauga City Schools in Sylacauga, Ala., and was coordinator of the career/technical programs for the Talladega County School System in Talladega, Ala. She served as both acting and assistant superintendent of the Pell City School System in Pell City, Ala., and was a consultant for the Alabama Department of Education.

C. Elizabeth Crews joins Shorter as an assistant professor of English. Ms. Crews is a doctoral candidate at Georgia State University and plans to receive her degree during the 2009-2010 academic year. She received a Master of Arts degree in English and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi College. Ms. Crews has experience as a graduate teaching assistant and writing consultant at Georgia State University. She also taught at Mississippi College and served as associate editor for the Eudora Welty Newsletter/Eudora Welty Review.

Dr. George “Trey” M. Cunningham joins the Shorter College faculty as assistant professor of sport management. He holds a doctoral degree in human performance: teaching administration from The University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s in exercise science from Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Cunningham received his bachelor’s degree in fitness and wellness (clinical concentration) from Louisiana Tech University. He has teaching experience at Northwestern State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Cunningham also served as operations director for the Center for Spectator Sport Security Management at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Stephen Darville will serve as instructor of sport management. He received his Master of Science in sport psychology and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Darville served as counselor and football instructor at Kanakuk Camps in Missouri and was a sales and merchandise intern at Kessler Team Sports in Knoxville, Tenn.

Pamela Dunagan joins the Shorter faculty as assistant professor of nursing. Mrs. Dunagan earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of West Georgia and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Jacksonville State University. Previously, she served as a nursing instructor at Georgia Highlands College and was a public health nurse at the Floyd County Health Department. She also worked as a staff nurse at Redmond Park Hospital.

Dr. Susan Yoder Earwood will serve as the director of undergraduate program in Shorter’s Professional Studies Program. She received her Doctor of Education degree in school improvement from the University of West Georgia and an Education Specialist degree from West Georgia College. Dr. Earwood earned a Master of Arts degree in school counseling from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and theatre arts from Lenoir-Rhyne College. She previously served as an adjunct professor at Shorter’s Riverdale campus and as a school counselor and graduation coach at Whitewater Middle School in Fayetteville.

Dr. James Allen Easton joins Shorter as assistant professor of chemistry. He holds a doctoral degree in chemistry from Miami University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Northern Kentucky University. He has also completed postdoctoral work at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Easton has experience as a research associate and training assistant at Miami University. He has also worked as a laboratory technician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Procter and Gamble.

Dr. Dana Ferguson Hall will serve as assistant professor of communication arts and chair of the Department of Communication Arts. Dr. Hall holds a doctoral degree in communication studies from the University of Kansas and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Louisville. She received her bachelor’s degree in art/advertising from Texas Tech University. Dr. Hall has teaching experience as an adjunct professor of communication at Reinhardt College and served as a marketing strategy consultant for John Noble and Associates in Overland Park, Kan.

Dr. Renae R. Applegate House will serve as assistant professor of English. She holds a doctoral degree in English – Literature and Criticism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in women’s studies from the State University of New York at Albany, a Master of Arts degree in English from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing from Geneva College. She has served as assistant professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and as an instructor of English at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Dr. House has also served as adjunct instructor of English at Wesleyan University and Indiana University Kokomo.

Cassandra D. Johnson joins Shorter’s faculty as assistant professor of communication arts. Ms. Johnson is a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern Mississippi and plans to receive her degree in August 2010. She holds a Master of Science in management from Belhaven College and a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Alcorn State University in Mississippi. Ms. Johnson has teaching experience as a graduate teaching assistant in the mass communications department at the University of Southern Mississippi and also served as an adjunct instructor for Belhaven College’s Department of Business. Additionally, she taught English at Enterprise Attendance Center in Brookhaven, Miss., and was a writer, reporter and editor for The Daily Leader newspaper in Brookhaven.

Dr. Dixon McLeod will serve as assistant director of undergraduate education for Shorter’s Professional Studies Program. Dr. McLeod earned his Doctor of Education and Master of Education from Duke University and his Bachelor of Science degree at Campbell University. He previously served as adjunct professor at Argosy University, assistant principal at Gwinnett County Schools and assistant professor at Kennesaw State University. Dr. McLeod also held the position of director of student interventions for Atlanta Public Schools and was principal of Slaton Elementary School.

David Nisbet joins Shorter’s faculty as assistant professor of theatre. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Millikin University. He has completed two scene studies, one for Wisdom Bridge Theatre and one for Victory Gardens. Mr. Nisbet has teaching experience as an adjunct professor for Columbia College and Illinois State University and also taught for the Niantic/Harristown Public School District.

Dr. Justin H. Pettegrew will serve as assistant professor of history. He holds Doctor of Philosophy degree in history from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Arts in history from Minnesota State University. Dr. Pettegrew received his Bachelor of Science in history and theology from Pillsbury College. He was a visiting assistant professor of history at Grand Valley State University and an instructor at Aquinas College and Loyola University Chicago.

Benjamin Reigel joins Shorter’s faculty as assistant professor of theatre. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Reigel has teaching experience at Prairie Hill Waldorf School, the University of Delaware and Southern Utah University. He also took part in the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Dr. Gary Lee Ross will serve as assistant professor of education. He earned a Doctor of Education from California Coast University and a Specialist in Education degree and a Master of Education, both from the University of West Georgia. Dr. Ross received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee. He previously served as principal at Stratford Academy in Macon, adjunct instructor of education at Wesleyan College and education principal at the Georgia Department of Human Resources/Division of Youth Services in Macon.

Dr. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss joins Shorter’s faculty as director of bands, assistant director of instrumental activities and associate professor of music. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in music education with a minor in conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Music Education and bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Strauss previously served as director of bands at Carrollton High School and associate director and director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also served as part-time band director at Christ the King School in Buckhead and as associate director of bands for the Atlanta Olympic Band.

Dr. Diana Swanagan will serve as assistant professor of mathematics. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics education from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in mathematics from Oakland University. Dr. Swanagan has teaching experience as an adjunct math instructor for Athens Technical College and a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Georgia. She was also co-editor of The Mathematics Educator for the Mathematics Education Student Association.

Dr. Jerico M. Vasquez joins the Shorter faculty as assistant professor of music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance with a minor in music history and literature from the University of Houston. Dr. Vasquez also received a Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of California. He has teaching experience as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, a lecturer at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston and a vocal coach at the University of California Young Artist Vocal Institute. Dr. Vasquez has also held the position of piano instructor at West University Methodist School of Fine Arts and the Kingwood Music School.

Founded in 1873, Shorter College is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas, master’s level and undergraduate degree programs for working adults, online courses, and a vibrant intercollegiate athletic program. Shorter will transition to university status June 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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