School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

Welcome back for the Fall 2009 semester.

Dean Figart This summer, Stockton’s new Campus Center began to take shape. We are all excited about adding the square footage to the campus and making more room for graduate students, who are now almost 10% of Stockton’s student body. Our new building, placing student services at the center of campus, will include space for a Graduate Student Lounge. In turn, this will open up space on the main campus spine for a Graduate Student Computer Lab that graduate students have said is sorely needed.

This summer the graduate school also welcomed a new employee, Tara Septynski, as Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment Management. Tara has many ideas to try to reach prospective graduate students from near and far.

With the budget crisis facing higher education and family budgets, we continue to be concerned about how students can finance their degrees. According to the Council of Graduate Schools, 49% of graduate deans, myself included, reported that student financing is one of the most pressing issues that they face. Increasing numbers of students are seeking graduate degrees at the time that the cost of a higher education is rising and budgets are tightening. To better counsel prospective graduate students about financing their degrees, we have added a new landing page to the graduate school Web site titled “Financing Graduate Education”. A link from that page takes you to a new pamphlet that we have written: “How To Finance Your Graduate Education.” We intend to update this pamphlet regularly and welcome your comments and suggestions.

Unfortunately, there are few sources of reliable data on how graduate students fund their advanced degrees. Some of the best data is provided by the National Postsecondary Student Aid Society (NPSAS) With a random sample of graduate students surveyed every 3 – 4 years. We learn from the most recent, 2007-2008, survey that:

Nearly 73.5% of all Master’s degree students and 87.6% of first-professional degree students (Stockton’s DPT is in this category) received some type of financial aid in that year. As a comparison, 65.6% of undergraduate students were supported by financial aid in 2007-2008;
The average amount of 2007-2008 aid was $14,386 for the Master’s level and $33,200 for first-professional students;
Student loans—especially Stafford loans—were the most prevalent form of aid for graduate students, but alternative loans were often utilized, too;
Nearly half of all doctoral students received support from Graduate Assistantships (teaching or research), much more than Master’s students;
Still, one of five (21.4%) Master’s students received some form of support from their higher education institution; and
In 2007-08, graduate students carried an average debt load from graduate school that totaled $34,910, not including any outstanding debt from study for the baccalaureate degree.

We understand that taking on debt is scary and the graduate school is doing all we can to try to help students keep that debt to a minimum. Getting a graduate degree is still worth it. If you have not had an opportunity to view my PowerPoint presentation about "Why Graduate School" even in these tough times, please take a look at your leisure. Have a rewarding and successful semester.

Deborah M. Figart, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

Focus on Faculty: Lewis Leitner

By Michele Hewitt, Secretary to the Dean and MACJ Student

Dean’s Note: Professor Lewis Leitner is a faculty member in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Michele Hewitt received her B.S. in Business from Stockton and took classes with Professor Leitner, who continues to have a profound influence on her career. Professor Leitner has been at Stockton for 37 years and is transitioning to retirement.

When I was asked by Dean Figart to write an article for Headway about Dr. Lewis Leitner, I was quite honored. I have known Dr. Leitner for many years. I was one of his undergraduate students in the late 1980s, returning to take a graduate course with him in the late 1990s, and then becoming a colleague at the College in 2000. Over the years we have become friends, and I have watched his professional life develop and change in amazing ways.

Our chat began in typical Professor Leitner fashion when he sat down and asked, “So what is the focus of this article?” I responded that maybe we should start at the beginning. I expected we would begin in 1972 when he came to Stockton, but he decided to take me back to the days when he formed his interest in psychology that led to his original career choice of becoming a psychotherapist.

The story begins with a newspaper comic strip character called Mandrake the Magician. I had not heard of this comic strip, so I did a quick search in Wikipedia and I found that this cartoon began in 1934, arguably becoming the first superhero cartoon character. Dr. Leitner remembers reading this comic strip as a child and becoming fascinated with Mandrake’s ability to hypnotize his adversaries with only a gesture. This ability to control another’s mind spurred an interest in psychology that, in turn, led him to write his high school senior thesis on hypnosis. Writing the thesis turned out to be the pivotal reason for his choice of psychology as his major at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Realizing that this was truly the field for him, he went on to enroll in graduate work at SUNY Buffalo where he earned a Master’s and Doctoral degree, both in clinical psychology.

During Dr. Leitner’s doctoral studies, he gained experience in teaching not only as a teaching assistant but as the primary instructor of several classes. Through an internship experience at a local Veterans Hospital, he also gained exposure to clinical practice. The clients he saw at the VA Hospital were mainly young Vietnam Veterans returning from the war with various physical injuries, mental health issues, and narcotics addictions. Many were suffering from combat fatigue or what clinicians would now consider post traumatic stress disorder. Work with this group was often frustrating and frequently less than successful. Admitting that he is definitely a “results-oriented type of person,” the lack of positive outcomes with this population led Dr. Leitner to realize that he enjoyed teaching and research much more than clinical practice.

I asked: “If your internship had involved a different type of client, do you think you might not have pursued teaching as a profession?” Dr. Leitner surmised yes, adding that he wanted to be “a competent and potent therapist” who could see “quick and visible improvements.” This definitely fits with his personality as any student or colleague would attest to, especially those who have been around him for many years.

Professor Leitner chose to come to Stockton realizing he could be part of a group of individuals who would help design, create, and build the psychology program. An added benefit was that the school was close to the shore which he had always loved as a child, having vacationed for many summers with his family in Bradley Beach, NJ. In 1976, Dr. Leitner was asked to serve as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBL). He became the full-time Dean in 1977 and remained in the position for an additional five years. During his time as Dean, Dr. Leitner continued teaching one class per semester and began developing a training business (Stress Management Associates) with his Psychology Program colleague, Dr. Israel Posner.

Dr. Leitner returned to the faculty in 1982 as a Professor of Management in the Business Program. He was later named director of the MBS (now MBA) program from 1998-2001, assisting in its development and eventual transition from the Master of Business Studies to a Master of Business Administration.

Dr. Leitner noted there are many psychological concepts and practices that apply to both business and organization environments. Stress Management Associates eventually became Training Dimensions, Inc. which then morphed into TDI Management Consulting Services. This partnership kept Drs. Leitner and Posner busy for 30 years. Their most lengthy engagement was with the American Dairy Association and National Dairy Council, the producers of the famous “Got Milk?” advertising campaign, where they provided strategic planning facilitation and organization development services from 1993 to 2005.

In 2004, Dr. Leitner and his colleague Dr. Posner took on new roles for Stockton. They became Executive Directors of the new Management Development and Professional Services product line in the division of Continuing Studies. This has been a very successful endeavor, as the College now has mutually beneficial ties with local businesses as well as the hospitality and casino industries.

Even with all of these accomplishments and forthcoming retirement notwithstanding, Dr. Leitner is not ready to give up his role as educator, trainer or consultant. He is very involved in several training and strategic planning projects for organizations in the region and he continues to teach several classes much to the delight of many students. In the end, this faculty profile is not only a glimpse into the professional life of one of Stockton’s busiest professors, it is also a story with a lesson: if we are open to new opportunities and allow flexibility in our lives, and take risks in trying new things, we may find ourselves reflecting upon careers that turned out to be more amazing and successful than we ever thought they could be.

Memorable (and Comical) Hooding Ceremony and Commencement for the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

If an imitation fir tree falls on stage right during the Graduate Hooding Ceremony and President Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., who was shaking hands with each graduate, did not see it, did it happen? Ask Associate Professor Doug Harvey, Director of the Master of Arts in Instructional Technology (MAIT) program. Dr. Harvey delicately picked up the fallen tree that fell between the seats of the VIP section and the student section at the Spring 2009 Graduate Hooding Ceremony while the candidates for the Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies (MAHG) were getting their Master’s velvet hood placed over their heads to celebrate their graduation.

MAHG graduate John Bates toiled semester after semester after semester and waited a long time to earn his graduate degree. He had to wait even longer than expected to have the Master’s white hood placed over his head by Dean of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Dr. Deborah M. Figart. That is because half-way through the Hooding Ceremony in the Performing Arts Center as John Bates was called to the hooding platform, the fire alarm sounded and we had to evacuate the premises. After a 22-minute delay, the staff of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies ushered every student back onto the stage with the utmost efficiency and the ceremony picked up right where it left off.

The student address was delivered by Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) graduate Kathleen Boyle. Kathleen did a marvelous job, trying to speak clearly over the loud cries of one baby in the audience, only to have the crying matched by the baby’s twin and then—not to be outdone—by another child across the aisle. Dean Figart decided to welcome these vocal children as active members of Stockton’s future Class of 2030.

As always, the accompanying harp music during the Hooding Ceremony was skillfully played by Susan Allen. Susan has played the processional, the Canon and Gigue in D by Pachabel, and background music for the Hooding Ceremony for six years, first when she was a high school student and then while she was a Stockton undergraduate student. Immediately after putting away her harp, Susan herself donned her own robe and marched as a graduating senior in the main commencement ceremony; she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

Congratulations to all 87 (another graduate school record!) of the Spring 2009 doctoral and Master’s degree recipients. We thank you for your patience and for a most memorable Hooding Ceremony. If you can get your hands on a copy of the video for this both delightful and comical ceremony, it may prove to be priceless.

DPT Students Don their White Coats for the First Time

Each year, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program sends third-year students out to the first of their three clinical experiences off campus. Students prepare for their work with patients after two years of graduate course work and pre-clinical preparations. In the medical professions, graduate schools celebrate their students and recognize the beginning of their clinical training with a commitment ceremony. Students swear their professional practice oath and put on their new white lab coat for the first time.

The Commitment to the Profession Ceremony occurred on April 2, 2009, in the Townsend Residential Life Center. The graduating Class of 2010 with 23 students was recognized. The ceremony began with best wishes and remarks by President Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. and Provost David L. Carr. The Dean of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Deborah M. Figart, and the Interim Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Reva Curry, also addressed the students and guests, followed by the Director of the Physical Therapy Program, Bess Kathrins.

Students had the pleasure of hearing a keynote address from a Stockton alumna of the Physical Therapy program, LaVonne Couch, PT, a 1996 graduate. Dr. Couch has a Master of Science degree in management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a doctorate in education from Wilmington University. She is currently Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Mercer County Community College and practices at Fox Rehabilitation in Cherry Hill, NJ, where she provides physical therapy for people in their homes. Stockton employs her talents as an adjunct faculty member for our post-professional DPT program.

Following the keynote address, each student, with the assistance of a Physical Therapy program faculty member, donned a white lab coat, symbolizing their entry into the health care profession of physical therapy. The class representative, Michele Barile, led the students in a recitation of an oath of commitment to the profession of physical therapy.

After the recitation of the oath, students and their guests enjoyed refreshments and socialized with the faculty, administrators, and Dr. Couch.

The Commitment to the Profession Ceremony celebrated its third year with the Class of 2010, an event that is ably organized and overseen by Dr. Thomas Nolan, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy. As Dean Figart said at the podium, it is perhaps the second most exciting day in the education of a physical therapist, with #1 being the receipt of a student’s doctoral hood as well as the doctoral degree conferred at commencement. We will salute this DPT Class of 2010 at commencement on Sunday, May 9, 2010.

The School of Graduate and Continuing Studies would like to congratulate the students selected for the Spring 2009 Board of Trustees Distinguished Graduate Student Research Fellowships. Listed below are the students, project titles and faculty advisors.

Board of Trustees Distinguished Graduate Student Research Fellowship
Spring 2009 Awardees

Katherine Maunz, MSOT, “Perceived Training Needs in Assistive Technology of Occupational Therapists in New Jersey”
Anastasia Furmato, DPT, and Leslie Lykes, DPT, “Self Concept in Preadolescent Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Approach”
Barbara Kutch, DPT, “Reviewing Therapeutic Exercises of the Knee following Reconstruction Surgery for the Physical Therapy Community”

Cliick see a complete list of all recipients and their research projects, both current and past, To learn more about the Distinguished Graduate Student Research Fellowships, please visit the Current Student tab at www.stockton.edu/grad.

Announcements and Deadlines:

Any matriculated graduate student interested in obtaining a Spring 2010 Graduate Assistantship should complete an assistantship application, found on the graduate Web site under Current Students and Graduate Assistantships. Completed applications should be sent to your Program Director no later than October 31, 2009. If you are selected for an assistantship, you will be sent a letter from the Dean of the School of Graduate and Contiuing Studies just prior to the end of the Fall 2009 semester. If you have questions regarding assistantships, please contact our office at 609-652-4298.

Important Dates to Remember

September 9	Deadline to Drop with 100% Refund
October 1	Fall 2009 Commencement Applications due
October 28	Pre-Registration for matriculated graduate students
October 31	Graduate Assistantship Applications due to Directors
	Distinguished Research Fellowship Applications for Fall Cycle due
December 13	Commencement- (Sunday)

Beyond the Classroom

Last spring we started a section of Headway called “Beyond the Classroom” to showcase how Stockton’s graduate students are becoming active in scholarly research and practice, including presentations at conferences and defense of Master’s theses. We highlight below accomplishments by program.

DPT:

Mora Jimenez, Anna Mastrangeli, and Stefanie Resnick along with Professors Lee Ann Guenther and Bess Kathrins presented “The Effects of Block Scheduling of Physical Education Classes on a New Jersey Vocational High School Population,” Combined Section Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Las Vegas, Nevada, and also the annual APTA conference in Baltimore, Maryland, June 2009. They were also published in the Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, Volume 19 (No. 4, 139), 2008.
Jacqui Adamson, Laura Andrews, Katherine Sorin, Travis King, and Evelyn Speiser along with Professors Lee Ann Guenther and Bess Kathrins presented “A Pilot Study on the Effect of a 14 Week Modified Physical Education Program on Fitness and Quality of Life of NJ High School Students Participating in a Four Year Vocational Program,” APTA NJ Annual Conference, Somers Point, NJ, 2008, and also at a Combined Section Meeting of APTA in Nashville, Tennessee, fall 2008.
Ryan Buccafurni, Justin DiTheodore, Matt Smith, and Bridget Snow assisted Professor Tom Nolan present a research poster entitled “The Effect of Monophasic Pulsed Current Electrical Stimulation on Acute Ankle Sprains in Athletes,” New Jersey Chapter, APTA conference in Eatontown, NJ, April 4, 2009.
Nicole Aubin, Kathleen Brooks, and Jeremy Kastner presented their research along with Professor Elaine Bukowski at the APTA of New Jersey Annual Spring Conference, April 2009. This was a spin-off of the research poster they presented at Stockton’s Day of Scholarship. The title of their poster presentation was “Preliminary Investigation of the Correlation Between Exercise/Activity Levels and Gait Parameters in Individuals with Osteoarthritis of the Knee.”

MACJ:

Shannon Treney and Professor Mark Anarumo, “Predictive Variables of Human Trafficking,” Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) conference, March 2009, Boston, MA.
Gabe DeIudicubus and Professor Mark Anarumo, “Incarcerated Muslims’ Perceptions of the War on Terror,” ACJS conference, March 2009, Boston, MA.
Chad Lago and Professor Mark Anarumo, “Terrorism in Africa: The Opening of a New ‘Theater’?” ACJS conference, March 2009, Boston, MA.
Kathleen Boyle, MA Thesis defense: “Head Injuries in Serial Killers, Mass Murderers, and Spree Killers,” March 23, 2009. Kathleen sought to learn more about the role of neurological dysfunction in criminal behavior. Utilizing a dataset of 436 serial killers, mass murders, and spree killers, she finds that 10% of the subjects had a history of head injuries; further, three variables were statistically significant explanatory factors: frequent alcohol use, physical abuse, and a mental disorder diagnosis prior to committing murder.
Brandi Wheeler, MA Thesis defense: “Typology of Criminal Cannibalism,” March 23, 2009. Brandi’s research aimed to assist the public in gaining a better understanding of criminal cannibals. She identified three distinct groups based on the offenders’ motivations to commit their crimes. They are: lustfulness, revenge, and delusional. Definitions for these three typologies were developed and analyzed. Brandi also presented this research at Stockton’s 8th Annual Day of Scholarship in March of 2008.
Joe Haber, MA Thesis defense: “Understanding Autoerotic Asphyxiation and the Complexity Behind the Fatality Scene,” April 1, 2009. This research provides significant findings into the dangerous lifestyle choices of autoerotic asphyxiation. Joe hopes his study can assist law enforcement personnel in crime scene investigations. Learning how autoerotic fatality victims die can help others gain new prospective and can be used as part of a preventative measure in future crimes.

MSOT:

Allison Boris and Patricia Henk received a Distinguished Student Research Fellowship that enabled them to present an informative and well-received poster session titled “Implementing an Effective and Fun Play-Based Social Skills Group for Children Diagnosed with Autism” at the Florida Occupational Therapy Association conference held in Orlando, Florida on February 7, 2009.

Graduate Student Research Showcased at Stockton’s Day of Scholarship

Stockton’s 9th Annual Day of Scholarship was held this past spring semester on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. The well-organized, eagerly anticipated showcase provides a wonderful forum for demonstrating the depth and breadth of faculty scholarship along with some student scholarship under the direction of Stockton faculty. There were 48 classroom presentations and 14 poster presentations. The presenters included 67 faculty, 17 graduate students, and 7 undergraduate students.

Christopher DeSantis, MACJ student, presented his superb research paper “Police Suicide: An Evolutionary Perspective,” to a packed audience. Christopher's knowledge of the subject matter was evident and he did a wonderful job answering the many questions asked by the participants.

Graduate student research projects also filled the first floor hallways of the West Quad building by way of scholarly posters that summarize research results, including:

Patricia Repici, tDPT alumna, “Hippotherapy”
Courtney Dagan, Stasia Botis, Sheila Mai Leonard, and Anthony Milos, DPT, “Longitudinal Benefits of Wellness Coaching Intervention for Cancer Survivors”
Sheena MacFarlane and Kristen Woodrow, DPT, “Effects of Circuit Training on Menopausal Symptoms and QOL”
Ryan Buccafurni, Justin DiTheodore, Matt Smith, and Bridget Snow, DPT, “The Effects of Monophasic Pulsed Current Electrical Stimulation on Acute Ankle Sprains in Athletes”
Nicole Aubin, Kathleen Brooks, and Jeremy Kastner, DPT, “Is There a Correlation Between Exercising and Maintaining Normal Gait Parameters in Individuals with Osteoarthritis of the Knee?”
Allison Boris and Patricia Henk, MSOT, “Development of a Community-based Social Skills Group for Preschoolers Diagnosed with Autism”

The late afternoon/early evening commenced with a reception sponsored by the Graduate School and Graduate Student Council in the West Quad Rotunda. This social event provided networking opportunities and spurred camaraderie among Stockton graduate students, faculty, and staff. Look for more events like this to better build a graduate community in the very near future.

Congratulations to all who participated and a special thanks go out to the Stockton Grants Office for another great showcase of faculty and student research and engagement.

F-Wing and Beyond: Graduate Student Council Update

The Graduate Student Council (GSC) has embarked on many projects this past semester. President Lauren Schellinger, along with a dedicated team of representatives, reviewed a variety of student issues related to tuition, housing, and other College services. This group met monthly to review current student issues and approve over $17,000 in expenditures for graduate student engagement—sending graduate students to local and national conferences, purchasing a new computer and printer for the Graduate Student Lounge, GSC T-shirts, and such. The Council also teamed up with the Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies program to bring Jean Michele Habineza to campus to discuss the Rwandan genocide.

In March, the Council encouraged constituents to attend and participate in the first-ever focus groups conducted by the Library regarding library services. The GSC also hosted a meeting with President Saatkamp to discuss graduate student issues. The executive board assisted the Graduate School with the New Graduate Student Orientation event in August and also voted on and adopted a logo representing the Council.

The Council is always looking for new members and encourages all graduate students to get involved. One of the most important goals for 2009-10 school year is to increase the amount of social events across disciplines to foster camaraderie among all of Stockton graduate students.

2009-2010 Executive Board Membership:
President - Lauren Schellinger (DPT)
Vice President - Leslie-Anne Carassale (DPT)
Secretary-Treasurer - vacant)
Program Members:
Barbara Kutch (DPT)
Padmaja Eluri (t-DPT)
Mike McManus (MACJ)
MAED - vacant
Debbie Morrison (MAHG)
Chris Connors (MAIT)
MBA - vacant
MSN - vacant
Tamara Bargiel (MSOT)
MSW- vacant
PSM - vacant
Ex-Officio AmyBeth Glass, Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies

The next Graduate Student Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday September 15th at 4:30 in the Graduate School Conference Room in E-226. All are invited to attend. GSC meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month (except January). For a list of future meetings check out the Beyond the Classroom Web site.

Alumni Corner

This section of Headway profiles our graduate alumni. Please contact us with news about your education, job/career, interesting travels, etc.

Laura Andrews, MPT Class of 2006, is currently licensed and living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Laura is employed by Health Motion Physical Therapy Services, a clinic that focuses on manual therapy. Laura misses New Jersey (and visits about once a year), but loves Michigan.

Melissa Baumgartner, DPT Class of 2011 was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Softball Third Team. She batted .270 in 37 games and maintained a 4.0 GPA. She was selected to ESPN The Magazine's All-District II team 3 teams, including first-team honors twice. Melissa was also the Salutatorian Speaker at the afternoon program for The 2009 Spring Commencement ceremonies.

Jill Burke, DPT Class of 2008. Jill completed her final clinic in Rhode Island and is now a physical therapist practicing in Rhode Island. She is currently working toward becoming a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. This will permit her to treat dogs, a specialty area for physical therapists.

Doug Cervi, MAHG Class of 2002. Doug recently received one of the Teacher Recognition Awards from the Metropolitan Business & Citizen’s Association at a luncheon in Atlantic City, NJ. He received a grant for his genocide studies program and will use the funds to bring Rwandan filmmaker J.B. Rutagarama into his classroom to speak to his students after a screening of the film “Back Home”. The film is a documentary of Rutagarama’s flight from Rwanda when the Hutu militias starting massacring Tutsi people. This guest speaker is one of the many live speakers that Cervi has introduced to his students in his 36 years of teaching history. "Teaching doesn't get any better," Cervi said. "The kids want to come to class, and they'll never forget."

Emily Diamond-Falk, MAHG Class of 2005 is leaving her job at EDF to assume the position of Media Relations Manager at the organization Save Darfur. In this new capacity, she encourages everyone to sign up for the Save Darfur email action lists.

Oranit Dror-Kaplan, MAHG Class of 2003 gave birth to a baby girl, Oriellah, on January 20, 2009.

Will Kahane, MAHG Class of 2004 reports that the Foundation of the Righteous will reunite the son of the family that rescued his mother and uncle in wartime Poland with his uncle, Joseph Bonder in a fundraising ceremony this coming winter. They are also producing a documentary based on the story of this rescue, which has been recognized by Yad Vashem. Proceeds of the fundraiser and documentary will be used to support the needs of aging rescuers.

Lisa Ferraro (Coia), MAHG Class of 2003 gave birth to a baby girl, Leila Marie Ferraro, on March 4, 2009 and will be taking maternity leave for the coming year. She has also returned to graduate school, and is pursuing her Masters in School Counseling at Rowan University.

Matthew Gentile, MACJ Class of 2008. Matthew successfully defended his thesis and graduated in the forensic psychology track of the MACJ program. He was able to turn his graduate assistantship experience into an immediate career opportunity after graduation. He is currently working at John H. White Ph.D. and Associates in Forensic Psychology as a consultant and research analyst. (www.johnwhitephd.com)

Peggy Gentile-Van Meter, MAHG Class of 2003 teaches social studies at Cumberland Regional High School. As advisor for the Education Careers Club at Cumberland Regional, she started a pen-pal program between club members and an orphanage in Kenya. She has been active with the Coalition for Holocaust Studies, and was recently elected President of the Cumberland County Soroptimist International. Peggy teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Cumberland County College, where she also has become the advisor for the Circle K.

Joseph Haber, MACJ Class of 2009. Joe successfully defended his thesis in spring 2009. He recently accepted a job with ICU Investigations Inc. doing investigative work on cases involving insurance fraud. His respnsibilities cover surveillance work and interviewing claimants/witnesses. The company is based out of Berlin, NJ.

Megan Haas, MAHG Class of 2007 gave birth to a baby girl, Sophia in December 2008.

Michael Holmgren, MPT 2005; DPT 2008, is working as a physical therapist at Twin Boro Physical Therapy in NJ where he works with members of the NY/NJ Giants.

Ehrl Macasadia, DPT (was in the Class of 2010). He will join the Class of 2011 upon his return from deployment in Iraq. He is serving with the Army as team leader of his company and was deployed in June 2008. We are relieved and proud to report his recent safe return to New Jersey. Thanks to Ehrl for his service to our country and welcome back to the DPT Class of 2011!

Bridget Park, MAHG Class of 2007 has been given the responsibility of writing and implementing the curriculum for two classes entitled "Modern Genocide I" (Trail of Tears, Irish Potato Famine, Armenia, and a music curriculum based on the Vietnam War and the Mai Lay Massacre) for the Galloway Community Charter School. A Second semester curriculum will implement the "Modern Genocide II" curriculum (Germany, the Holocaust, Rwanda and Darfur).

Andrea Szkil, MAHG Class of 2008 is making substantial progress in the doctoral program at the University of Sussex in England.