Faculty refresh themselves, their work

By Joy May

The academic strain of papers, quizzes, final exams and lengthy reading assignments makes any student long for spring break. But students aren’t the only ones who feel the pressure; faculty members, caring for 20 or more students per class, also need a break for renewal and rest.

Seven university faculty have taken sabbaticals this spring to refresh themselves, work on terminal degrees, conduct research or write. Associate professor of business Rebecca Haskett, associate professor of nursing Marlene Poe-Greskamp, professor of political science Dr. Douglas Nelson, instructor of English Jill Dickerson, professor of chemistry Dr. Dale Bales and professor of Christian mission Dr. Juanita Leonard are all taking semester-long breaks, while Sharon Collins, professor of social work, is completing a year-long sabbatical.

Collins’ study in peacemaking and social justice includes a six-week trip to Ireland’s Corrymeela Peace Community. She also hopes to experience “spiritual renewal” while she works with those called to a lifetime of peacemaking.

Bales, visiting the University of Texas, is observing the “UTeach” program, a curriculum designed to prepare students in the field of science teaching. His efforts this semester are geared primarily toward improving AU’s science education program for current students and attracting new students. Bales is also developing new instrumentation for the science department: the X-ray Flourescence Spectrometer. This equipment will offer quick analysis of certain elements and provide chemistry and physics students with improved research opportunities, especially in the field of archaeology.

Quick analysis seems to be important in more than one field. Dickerson is taking her first sabbatical — after 33 years of teaching — to examine the use of Internet research by students and to work on integrating library resources in researching.

“I am very frustrated by the lack of knowledge and interest in library research because the Internet is so handy,” Dickerson says. “These two wonderful resources need to work together.” She hopes to find time to write essays for many of the ideas she has garnered teaching expository essay writing.

Haskett began her disertation for a doctoral degree at Indiana University. She plans to spend her semester constructing her thesis for “emotional intelligence” (EQ) competencies and their association with exemplary faculty. She hopes to answer the question, “How do we improve faculty teaching and what are the strong EQ competencies that may contribute to their success?”

Having used her first sabbatical years ago to complete her dissertation, Leonard is using this leave to complete a manuscript on “Women in Cross Cultural Mission” for a deceased colleague. She is also working on a manuscript about South African mission agencies and is completing a revision of an already published work, Called to Minister, Empowered to Serve. Beyond this, she is helping to revise the current School of Theology curriculum to reflect the adaptations in the master of divinity program.

Though Nelson teaches political science at AU, his work has a theological bent. He is conducting a study on the effectiveness of religious leaders on foreign policy questions, specifically their reactions to the war on terrorism.

“I have collected a large number of sermons from churches across the country and from official statements from denominational leaders,” Nelson says. He is examing how these leaders framed their responses to the Sept. 11 attacks.

Poe-Greskamp is visiting children’s hospitals across the nation to observe up-to-date technological advances in pediatric oncology. “I will combine the Midwest and Eastern trends in treatment for an evaluation,” says Poe-Greskamp. This will hopefully result in a class to be offered on the subject.

While a semester-long absence may seem like a “long rest” for these professors, their departure for purposes of study and renewal often bring back greater returns. “It is truly a gift,” explains Leonard, “that brings dividends to the learning community.”