AKRONews
The University of Akron
Department of Sociology
Akron, OH 44325-1905
Fall 2007 Issue
Editors: Baffour Takyi, Phd
& Cynthia Saylor
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
DR. JOHN F. ZIPP
Greetings and welcome to the
Fall 2007 edition of AKRONews, the
annual newsletter of the
Department of Sociology at the
University of Akron.
This is the start of my tenth
year as Department Chair, and as
you might imagine, I’ve written a
fair number of these sorts of
columns over this period. The ones I’ve penned are
pretty similar to the ones I’ve read from others – a
focus on last year’s accomplishments, especially in
research, of faculty and students. It certainly is great
to read about how many books and articles were
written, how many grants were funded, and who won
this or that award. Indeed, much of this is in the rest
of the newsletter – one indication of how very worthy
these achievements are. This year’s column is going
to be a bit different, as I’m going to focus a bit on the
impact that our Department has had on the lives and
careers of our undergraduate students.
Although the substance of sociology plays
an important part in their narratives –
especially in terms of learning about
different groups of people, almost to a
person our alums have repeatedly
mentioned two key factors as critical to
their success: research methods and
writing. The former is not unexpected, as
our methods courses provide important
skills in collecting, evaluating and
analyzing data, skills that come in handy
in a fair number of careers. Surely this is part of why
virtually every sociology department requires one or
more courses in methods.
The importance of writing should also be obvious,
but wasn’t so clear to us is the degree to which we
emphasized it in our curriculum, especially as
compared to what other majors in cognate fields
require (recall that the old axiom that the last thing a
fish notices is water). For some time, our department
has required that at least one-third of the grade in all
sociology courses except intro has to come from
writing (many courses, of course, require even more).
One of the questions that sociology faculty
Although most of our undergrads going through the
typically get from prospective and current majors is:
program may not realize it at the time, writing this
“What Can I do with a Sociology Degree?” (Parents
much in 10 or more courses typically has a pretty
often ask us the same question!). This is part of the
positive impact on one’s writing skills. One recent
reason that we created our “Collage of
grad’s story was particularly illustrative: he was one of
Success” (http://www3.uakron.edu/sociology/
100 applicants for his first job, and was told that,
collage/index.htm) last year. We wanted to provide a after the initial interview, which included a writing
clear visual indication of all the places that our
test, they would narrow the field to 30 applicants who
sociology degree has taken students across the years. would be brought in for a second interview. A week
This question, however, also prompted into another
later he was offered the job – without a second
venture. Shortly after I became chair, we began a
interview – because his writing was that much better
yearly event, targeted at our undergrads, called (you
than everyone else’s, an ability he traced directly to
guessed it): “What Can You do with a Sociology
his courses in sociology. A story to warm the heart of
Degree?” Once a year we invite 4-6 grads back to
a department chair…
campus to talk to our students about their careers and
how sociology has helped them. When we asked our
Enjoy reading the rest of the newsletter – thanks
alums to speak on this, we mainly thought that they
again to Dr. Baffour Takyi and Cindy Saylor for putting
would focus on the impact that sociology as an
this together.
academic and intellectual enterprise had on their
careers.
MEET THE NEW DIRECTOR OF
GRADUATE STUDIES
MEET OUR NEW ASSOCIATE CHAIR
Dr. Kathy Feltey
Dr. Rebecca Erickson
This is my first semester serving as Associate
Chair of the Sociology Department. So far, I am
learning a lot about the challenges of class
scheduling and short deadlines. It is always a
juggling act for faculty to conduct research,
prepare and teach classes, mentor students,
contribute to the larger discipline (through our
professional associations, such as the American
Sociological Association or Sociologists for Women
in Society), and participate in the service work
that keeps an academic department moving
forward. Balance is ever elusive in our profession!
I’ve been trying to practice more yoga and
meditation this semester and I have the poem
below taped over my desk as a reminder. Wish me
luck!
This, too, is my first semester as Director of
Graduate Studies, though I’ve benefitted from serving
on the Graduate Committee under several very capable
previous Directors: Drs. Gay Kitson, Cheryl Elman, and
Rudy Fenwick. I thank them all for their fine work in
establishing a smooth-running graduate program.
This is a busy year for the Graduate Committee, as
we have to prepare for an external program review (it
is our turn at bat) and also to work with our partner
department at Kent State on a proposal to formally
join our M.A. programs. In addition, the entire faculty
is hard at work preparing as many as 10 doctoral
candidates for the job market in the next two years –
quite a lot for a program of our size. As you might
imagine, with this many students about to leave us, the
Grad Committee is busy expanding our recruiting
efforts to continue to attract a diverse and quality
cohort of our new students.
Poem about Meditation ~ Thich Nhat Hahn
To meditate does not mean to fight with a problem.
To meditate means to observe.
Your smile proves it.
It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,
that the sun of awareness is shining in you,
that you have control of your situation.
You are yourself,
and you have acquired some peace.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
AKRONews Wishes you both
the best in your stewardship
2
of the qualitative and quantitative data collection
instruments. This group will also publish books and
articles to provide a foundation for a new
interdisciplinary field of study: the science of Godly
Love. This project has the potential to be as important
for the next century as William James’ The Varieties of
Religious Experience was for the last one.
FEATURED ARTICLES
FLAME OF LOVE GRANT: An
Overview
ON THE RESEARCH FRONT:
Faculty Publications, Grants, and Offices
We take this opportunity to congratulate our faculty
and students who won grants and awards, published or
presented at professional meetings during the past
year. Below are some selected achievements during
the past year.
New Grant to Promote Interdisciplinary Study
of Godly Love
VALERIE CALLANAN
Callanan, Valerie J. “Suicides as Responses to
Relationship Inequity and Violations in the Norm of
Reciprocity.” The University of Akron Faculty
Development Grant. $8,000. (Principal
Investigator). Funded for Summer 2007.
UA Emeritus Professor of Sociology Margaret Poloma,
Stephen Post, President of the Institute for Research on
Unlimited Love, and UA Associate Professor of
Sociology Matthew Lee, were recently awarded a $2.3
million grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
The title of their project is, “The Flame of Love:
Scientific Research on the Experience and Expression of
Godly Love in the Pentecostal Tradition.” Godly Love
is defined as the dynamic interaction between divine
and human love that enlivens benevolence. This
interaction provides the conceptual frame for a
scholarly investigation of the Great Commandment:
love for God and love for neighbor as self. Although
this command finds expression in many religious
traditions, The Flame of Love project limits its
investigation to the broadly-defined pentecostal
tradition. This tradition includes historic Pentecostal
denominations, neo-pentecostalisms found in mainline
and independent congregations, as well as others who
adhere to a pentecostal worldview in which the Holy
Spirit is deemed an active force in daily life. This
three-year study is a joint venture of the University of
Akron and the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love
(www.unlimitedloveinstitute.org).
CHERYL ELMAN
Hildreth, Kristen and Cheryl
Elman. 2007. Alternative
Worldviews and Utilization of
Conventional and Alternative
Medicine.” 2007. Sociological
Inquiry. 77:76-103. (Feb.
2007).
Cheryl Elman and Angela O’
Rand. 2007. The Effects of Social Origins and
Educational Timing on Adult Educational Careers.”
Social Science Research.
Nichols, Laura, Cheryl Elman and Kathryn M. Feltey.
“The Myths of Self-Sufficiency: The Economic Resource
Receipt of New Mothers.” Journal of Family Issues.
27:1305-1330.
The grant will fund interdisciplinary projects such as
in-depth interviews of exemplars of Godly Love, a
national survey conducted by UA’s Bliss Institute (under
the direction of Distinguished Professor of Political
Science John Green), six additional sub-projects at
$150,000 each to address specific issues within the
broader topic, two Summer Institutes that will provide
mentoring to young scholars, and support for scholarly
publications of the highest quality. A group of twelve
prominent scholars drawn from theology, religious
studies, and social science – referred to as the Institute
Core Research Group – will collaborate in the creation
Editorial Boards-Research on Aging
REBECCA ERICKSON
Rebecca J. Erickson and Wendy J. C. Grove.
Forthcoming. “Emotional Labor and Health Care.”
Sociology Compass.
André Christie-Mizell and Rebecca J. Erickson.
Forthcoming. “Mothers and Mastery: The
Consequences of coming Perceived Neighborhood
Disorder.” Social Psychology Quarterly.
3
Erickson, Rebecca J. and Wendy J. C. Grove.
Wrongdoing in Organizational Settings.” Sociological
Forthcoming. “Why Emotion Matters: Age, Agitation, Focus 41:1.
and coming Burnout Among Registered Nurses.” Online
Journal of Issues in Nursing.
Editorial Boards - Sociological Focus, Journal of Social
and Economical Boundaries
Editorial Boards - Social Psychology Quarterly
STACEY NOFZIGER
Nofziger, Stacey and Keith
KATHY FELTEY
Nichols, Laura, Cheryl Elman and Kathryn M. Feltey. Farrington. 2006. “Presumed
“The Myths of Self-Sufficiency: The Economic Resource Guilty: An Examination of the
Criminal Activity of Inmate
Receipt of New Mothers.” Journal of Family Issues.
Visitors.” International Journal
27:1305-1330.
of Crime, Criminal Justice, and
Law. 1(1): 93-104.
RUDY FENWICK
Murphy, Lawrence, Steve
Nofziger, Stacey and Hye-ryeon
Sauter, Mark Tausig, and Rudy
Lee. 2006. “Differential Associations and Daily Smoking
Fenwick. Forthcoming.
of Adolescents: The Importance of Same Sex Models.”
“Changes in the Quality of
Youth & Society. 37(4): 453-478.
Work Life: 1972-2002.”
Journal of Occupational and
Nofziger, Stacey and Rachel Stein. 2006. “To Tell or Not
Environmental Medicine.
to Tell: Lifestyle Impacts on Whether Adolescents Tell
About Violent Victimization.” Violence and Victims. 21
Fenwick, Rudy, and Mark
(3): 375-386.
Tausig. 2007 “A Political
Economy of Stress: Recontextualizing the Study of
2007 Faculty Mentoring Award—Graduate Student
Mental Health/Illness in Sociology.” Pp. 143-167 in
nominated award
Mental Health, Social Mirror. Edited by William Avison,
Jane McLeod and Bernice Pescosolido. Kluwer
BRIAN PENDLETON
Academic.
Pendleton, Brian. 6-22-06. Drug Free Communities
Support Program. Substance Abuse
Fenwick, Rudy, and John F. Zipp. 2007. “Faculty
and Mental Health Services
Liberalism and University Corporatiztion,” Pp. 91Administration, Washington, D.C.
107 in Steve Aby (ed.), The Academic Bill Of Rights
(received through the Summit
Debate: A Handbook. (Praeger).
County Community Partnership,
Inc.). $27,449. (Principal
Zipp, John and Fenwick, Rudy: “A letter to the
Investigator).
Editor: A Reply to Klein and Stern Public Opinion
Quarterly. 71: 482-484.
Pendleton, Brian. 7-1506. “Alcohol Abuse Reduction
MATTHEW LEE
Initiative.” ODADAS (Ohio Dept. of
Lee, Matthew T. and Jeannine Gailey. 2007. “Attributing Alcohol and Drug Abuse). $25,000. (Principal
Responsibility for Organizational Wrongdoing.” Pp. 50-77 Investigator).
in Henry Pontell and Gilbert Geis (eds.) International
Handbook of White-Collar and Corporate Crime. NY:
National award-Patient Care Award for Excellence in
Springer.
Patient Education Innovation. Organization: Society
for Teachers of Family Medicine and the American
Lee, Matthew T. 2006. “Experiential Learning Exercise
Academy of Family Physicians, November 2006.
for Sociology of Law.” Pp. 135-144 in Lloyd Klein (ed.).
rd
Sociology of Law: A Resource Guide (3 Edition).
Pendleton, B.F., S.L. Schrop, L. Stockton. 2006.
Washington, DC: American Sociological Association
Profiles of medically underserved patients who use
Teaching Resources Center.
computer kiosks to learn about preventive health
(poster). Society of Teachers of Family Medicine &
In Press Matthew T. Lee and Jeannine Gailey. “Who is
American Academy of Family Physicians Conference on
to Blame for Deviance in Organizations? The Role of
Practice Improvement: Health Information and Patient
Scholarly Worldviews.” Sociology Compass 1:2.
Education. Denver (Nov.)
In Press Jeannine Gailey and Matthew T. Lee. “Media
Influences and the Assignment of Responsibility for
4
Weiss, L., S.L. Schrop, B.F. Pendleton, L. Stockton.
2006. Patient perceptions of physician use of a PDA
during a primary care encounter (poster). Society of
Teachers of Family Medicine & American Academy of
Family Physicians Conference on Practice
Improvement: Health Information and Patient
Education. Denver (Nov.)
BRENT TEASDALE
Teasdale, Brent, Eric Silver and
John Monahan. 2006. “Gender,
Threat/Control-Override
Delusions and Violence.” Law and
Human Behavior. 30(6): 649-658.
Hammond, Augustine, Zili
Sloboda, Peggy Tonkin, Richard
C. Stephens, Brent Teasdale, Scott F. Grey, and
Joseph E. Williams. (2007). “Do Adolescents Perceive
Police Officers as Credible Instructors of Substance
Abuse Prevention Programs?” Health Education
Research. 22(6).
ROBERT L. PERALTA
Robert L. Peralta. “Alcohol
Allows You to Not be Yourself:”
Toward a Structured
Understanding of Alcohol Use
and Gender Difference among
Gay, Lesbian and Heterosexual
Youth. Journal of Drug Issues.
Felson, Richard B., Keri B. Burchfield, and Brent E.
Teasdale. (2007). “The Role of Alcohol in Different
Robert L. Peralta, 2007. “College Alcohol Use and the Types of Offenses.” Criminal Justice and Behavior. 34
Embodiment of Hegemonic Masculinity among White
(8): 1057-1068.
Males.” Sex Roles 56: 741-756.
MARK TAUSIG
BAFFOUR K. TAKYI
Mark Tausig, Janaradan Subedi
Takyi, Baffour K. and Stephen Obeng Gyimah. 2007.
and Shree Subedi. 2008.
“Matrilineal Family Ties and Marital Dissolution in
Sociological Contributions to
Ghana.” Journal of Family Issues 28:682-705.
Developing Bioethical Standards
for Medical Research in Very
Takyi, Baffour K. and Chris Broughton. 2006. “Family Poor Countries. Advances in
and Marital
Medical Sociology. 9:301-321.
Stability in SubSaharan Africa:
Mark Tausig, Michael J.
Does Women’s
Selgelid, Sree Subedi and Janardan Subedi. 2007,
Economic
Taking Sociology Seriously: A New approach to the
Independence and
Bioethical Problems of Infectious Disease. Pp. 167-178.
Autonomy Matter?”
In The View From Here: Bioethics and the Social
Journal of Family
Sciences. Edited by Raymond G. De Vries, Kristina
and Economic
Orfali, Leigh Turner and Charles Bosk. Blackwell:
Issues 27:113-132
Oxford, UK.
Gyimah, Stephen
Obeng, Baffour K. Takyi, and Isaac Addai (2006).
Challenges to the Reproductive Health Needs of African
Women: On Religion and Maternal Health Utilization in
Ghana.” Social Science and Medicine 62:2930-2944
(Summer, June).
Tausig, Mark, Sree Subedi and Janardan Subedi. 2007.
“The Bioethics of Medical Research in Very Poor
Countries. “ Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for
the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine.
11:145-161.
Tausig, Mark, Michael J. Selgelid, Sree Subedi and
Janardan Subedi. 2006, “Taking sociology seriously: A
new approach to the bioethical problems of infectious
disease.” Sociology of Health and Illness. 28: 838-849.
Konadu-Agyeman, Kwadwo, Baffour K. Takyi & John
Arthur (editors). 2006. The New African Diaspora in
North America: Community Building, and Adaptation.
Lanham, MD: Lexington, 307 pages.
Fenwick, Rudy, and Mark Tausig. 2007 “A Political
Economy of Stress: Recontextualizing the
Study of Mental Health/Illness in Sociology.” Pp. 143167 in Mental Health, Social Mirror. Edited by William
Avison, Jane McLeod and Bernice Pescosolido. Kluwer
Academic.
OFFICES
Board Member, Ohio Council on Family Relations
(OCFR), affiliate of National Council on Family
Relations NCFR (2003+)
5
AKD NEWS Update
VIRGINIA SMERGLIA
Smerglia, Virginia L.,
Miller, Nancy B.,
Sotnak, Diane L., and
Geiss, Carrie A. 2007.
Social support and
adjustment to caring
for elder family
members: A multistudy analysis. Journal of Aging and Mental Health
(International) 11 (2): 205-217.
AKD would like to thank everyone who attended the
banquet for making it a successful event. The 20072008 representatives are:
JOHN ZIPP
Zipp, John F. 2007. “Learning by Exams: The Impact of
Two-Stage Cooperative Tests.” Teaching Sociology 35
(January): 62-76.
Fenwick, Rudy, and John F. Zipp. 2007. “Faculty
Liberalism and University Corporatization.” Pp. 91-107
in The Academic Bill of Rights Debate. Edited by
Stephen H. Aby. Preager.
The new AKD officers were elected late last spring.
They are: David Skubby, president; Mary Laske, vice
president; Teresa Huzyak, secretary/treasurer; Lynn
Clark, service chair; Marie Bozin, social chair; and
Brittany Buffington, photographer.
Zipp, John and Fenwick, Rudy: “A letter to the
Editor: A Reply to Klein and Stern Public Opinion
Quarterly. 71: 482-484.
Officer: Past Chair, Section on Teaching and Learning
in Sociology, American Sociological Association
Since summer, AKD has been successful at securing a
speaker for the spring banquet. Robin Simon, Ph.D.,
has accepted our invitation to present her research and
to attend the banquet on April 11, 2008. Dr. Simon is
currently a faculty member in the sociology
department at Florida State University. Her research
interests include social psychology, mental health, and
marriage and family.
GRADUATE STUDENTS:
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
FALL 2007 GRADUATE STUDENTS
Angela Adkins, Jonathan Butler, Daniela Jauk, Marquita
Mitchell, Daysha Lawrence, Valiant Logan, Jelena
The first faculty-student mixer was held in September
Pokimica, Michael Rickles, Suzanne Stachel, Jennifer
at the Barley House in downtown Akron. The event
Steele
was a great success, with a large turn-out!
Angela Adkins-I graduated from the University of Akron
in the summer of 2007 with a BA in Sociology and
Anthropology, and I began graduate studies in the
Sociology Department this fall. My research interests
are primarily in social psychology and the impact of
technology on society. Making the transition from
undergraduate to graduate student has certainly been
a big change. I discovered quickly that setting
priorities, good time management, and a different
approach to studying are extremely important. The
faculty, staff, and other graduate students in the
department have been exceptionally welcoming and
helpful to all of us in the cohort of new students, and I
am excited to be part of such a supportive and dynamic
program. There is much to learn on the road ahead,
but I am looking forward to a great experience!
AKD has also finalized plans for the annual silent
auction, which will be held on March 7, 2008, at the
Barley House in downtown Akron. AKD is currently
accepting donations! As always a portion of the
proceeds will be donated to ACCESS, a local emergency
shelter that helps homeless women and their children.
Last year, AKD was able to donate $500 to ACCESS. We
hope to match, if not exceed, that amount this year!
In an effort to promote cultural development,
camaraderie, and acknowledgment of graduate student
and faculty achievements, AKD has also been
distributing a bi-weekly newsletter to the department.
Additionally, to help to develop a stronger association
with the sociology department at Kent State University
and to encourage the growth of a joint culture, Kent’s
and Akron’s AKD newsletters are jointly published in
6
both departments. Both sections of AKD hope this
newsletter will become a tradition.
Americans as Sports Nicknames, Logos, and Mascots".
Anarchist Studies. 15 (1), Spring: 31-54.
WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION—2007 Graduate
Honorees:
Dana M. Williams. 2007. "Where’s the Honor? Attitudes
on the “Fighting Sioux” Nickname and Logo". Sociology
of Sport Journal, 24 (4), December.
Aya Kimura
Rachel Stein
Jodi Ross
Nofziger, Stacey and
Rachel E. Stein. 2006.
“To Tell or Not to Tell:
GRADUATE STUDENT ALUMNI
Lifestyle Impacts on
Congratulations to Ariane Prohaska: she successfully
Whether Adolescents Tell
completed and defended her dissertation.
About Violent
Dr. Ariane Prohaska– Her dissertation, ”The Gendered Victimization.” Violence
and Victims. 21(3):371Division of Leave Taking,” looked at the complex
decisions men and women have to make whether or not 382.
to take time off of work
GRADUATE STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
after the arrival of a
Dana Williams. "'We Are Everywhere': A Meso-Level
child. Her other research
Analysis of the Anarchist Yellow Pages". North Central
and teaching interests
Sociological Association/Midwest Sociological Society.
include social inequality,
Chicago, Illinois.
sociology of gender,
masculinities, marriage and
Dana Williams and Suzanne Slusser. "Americans and
family, social policy,
Iraq, Twelve Years Later: Comparing Support for the
research methods, and
Bush Wars in Iraq". North Central Sociological
statistics. Ariane is an
Association/Midwest Sociological Society. Chicago,
instructor of Sociology in
the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Illinois.
Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. She is in charge of the
Dana Williams. "Indymedia as Anarchist Organization:
Introduction to Sociology course, which is a hybrid
Reflections of Ideology in the Words and Design of
course (mostly online with class meetings for
Activist-Journalists". North Central Sociological
discussion), which is taken by 700+ students.
Association/Midwest Sociological Society. Chicago,
Illinois.
Congratulations to our recent MA recipients:
Martina Grier-Sharp—Summer ‘07
Aya Kimura, Marianne S. Noh, and Suzanne R.
Derek Hughes—Summer ‘07
Slusser. “Graduate Student Teaching Experiences: A
Shawna Rohrman—Spring ‘07
Comparison of International and Native Born Graduate
Lori Tuttle—Fall ‘07
Students.” 6th Annual Celebration of Excellence in
Jessica Oranski—Fall ’07
Learning & Teaching, April 2007.
GRADUATE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Aya Kimura. “Perceived Discrimination and SelfEsteem Among African American Adults: Variations in
the Role of Racial Identity.” American Sociological
Association, August 2007.
C. Andre Christie-Mizell, Jaqueline M. Keil, Aya
Kimura, and Stacye Blount. 2007. "Gender Ideology
and Motherhood: The Consequences of Race on
Earnings." Sex Roles 57:689-702.
Aya Kimura, Marianne S. Noh, Suzanne R. Slusser,
John Zipp. “Uncovering the Voices of Teaching
Assistants.” American Sociological Association, August
2007.
Dana M. Williams. 2006.
"Patriarchy and ‘The Fighting
Sioux’: A Gendered Look at Racial
College Sports Nicknames". Race,
Ethnicity and Education. 9 (4),
December: 325-340.
GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS AND ACTIVITIES
Aya Kimura, Marianne S. Noh, Suzanne R. Slusser,
and John Zipp. 2006. “An Investigation of the Teaching
Experiences of Graduate Students.” Institute of
Teaching and Learning, the Office of International
Program, and Department of Sociology, University of
Dana M. Williams. 2007. "No
Past, No Respect, and No Power:
An Anarchist Evaluation of Native
7
Akron. $1,600
Committee for Research on Women (GradCROW), the
American Sociological Association (ASA), and the North
Aya Kimura. 2007. CSAGE and Pine Forge Teaching
Central Sociological Association (NCSA).
Innovations & Professional Development Award, Section
While a student at the University of Akron,
on Teaching and Learning, American Sociological
Marie has received various awards and scholarships.
Association
She was a recipient of Honors Recognition Scholarships,
the AmeriCorps Education Award, the Junior Fellow of
2007 AWARD BANQUET
the American Academy of Political and Social Science,
Outstanding Graduate Studentand the Outstanding Woman Student Award. As an
Shawna Rohrman
undergraduate Marie presented her research at several
Outstanding Student Paper Awardnational conferences, including the 2005 Sigma Xi
Shawna Rohrman
Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference and
Outstanding Graduate Teaching
the 2006 Annual American Psychological Association
Award-Stacye Blount
Conference in New Orleans. She made her first
Pat Conley Peer Mentoring Awardpresentation as a graduate student at the 2007 Joint
Liza Grossman
NCSA-MSS Meeting in Chicago.
Faculty Mentoring Award-Stacey
Marie’s specialty areas as a PhD student are
Nofziger
criminology and gender. She is currently finishing her
Service Award: Jodi Ross
Master’s Thesis which investigates the role that type of
placement may have in juvenile delinquency in foster
Lynn Clark. Since September, I have been
children.
participating on a Strategic Planning Committee
working on creating a county-wide Reentry Network for
offenders being released from prison. The purpose is to UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT NEWS
try and achieve a level of coordination and cooperation
"DO SOMETHING” IN CLASS
amongst and between the different organizations and
Many of the courses you'll take as a sociology
agencies that provide services specifically to released
offenders or may offer services that ex-offenders may major challenge you in ways you never imagined. At
the end of the course, some may be thinking "if only I
find useful. All of the major criminal justice agencies
could do something to change society." The
are involved and diverse others who do not focus on
Department of Sociology's course, Social Inequalities, is
that population but do provide needed services.
precisely one of the courses that leave students
wanting for a solution to the world's disparities. When
My Reflections: Marie Bozin
Dr. Robert Peralta taught the course early in his career
at the University of Akron, he saw students feeling
Marie Bozin is a first year PhD student in the
helpless and wanting to do more to help make a
Sociology Department. She completed her bachelor’s
degree in psychology, with a double major in Sociology, difference. One student in particular, Peggy Phillips,
in 2005. As an undergraduate, Marie was in the Ronald took it upon herself
to actually DO
E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program,
the University of Akron Honors Program, the University SOMETHING. She
planned and
of Akron Psychology Honors
implemented a book
Program, the National Honor Society
drive to help a school
in Psychology (Psi Chi), the Mortar
in New Orleans that
Board National College Senior Honor
was devastated by
Society, and the Golden Key
Hurricane Katrina
International Honor Society.
(Peggy is pictured
Marie has continued her
here with the high
involvement in campus organizations
school's principal).
as a graduate student. She
Because of
currently holds the positions of
Peggy's success, Dr. Peralta decided to create a project
Social Chair and Student
for students to "do something" in the course. Students
Representative for Faculty
were divided into small groups and each group had to
Recruitment for the International
decide on a "do something" project. Each student
Sociological Honor Society (Alpha Kappa Delta/AKD).
Marie is a member of the national Sociology for Women needed to log at least 10 hours of volunteer work for a
social equality promoting cause. Dr. Peralta said that
in Society (SWS), and serves as treasurer for the local
students were intimidated by the project at first due to
chapter. Marie is also a member of the Graduate
8
the time it would require of them and the group aspect
of the project. However, once students completed the
project, Dr. Peralta said students found the project
rewarding and many planned to continue volunteering
at their chosen sites.
Dr. Peralta described some of the outstanding
projects that developed out of the assignment. Some of
those were done with agencies such as Haven of Rest
homeless shelter, a Social Outreach Trip that helped
the homeless at Chicago area soup kitchens, and
education services such as Strive Towards Excellence
(STEP), and Tutoring Nurtures Talent (TNT). When
reflecting on the assignment, Dr Peralta said "It was
gratifying as an instructor to see students take part in
the community and the rewards they felt they received
from giving."
Institution a couple of weeks ago. I work in their new
Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, which is led
by one of the most renowned minds in the field, Dr.
Mark McClellan.
In what ways did your experiences at UA help prepare
you for graduate studies and your current job?
The most important experience in my undergrad
degree was the opportunity to do an advanced research
project in the Sociology Department's undergraduate
research program. It was an amazing and challenging
opportunity that culminated in a co-authored paper
entitled “’Project Truth’ Versus the ‘Nanny State’:
Tobacco Industry Front Groups and the Ongoing
Struggle for Ownership of the Social Definition of
Crime,” which was presented at the international
meetings of the Law and Society Association in 2003.
That project was an extremely demanding experience
that definitely jump-started my interest in doing
research and writing. It also helped me in obtain the
PAC/Grassroots position right after graduating from
Akron because of the credibility that came from having
my work presented on an international level. It also
helped further develop my research and analytical
skills on a much more demanding level than is
expected traditional undergrad level courses.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Jenny Liljeberg (BA in
Sociology, UA-2003)
Jenny Liljeberg (formerly Pszonowsky) recently
accepted a position at the prestigious Brookings
Institution (http://www.brookings.edu). Based in
Washington DC, this independent, nonprofit research
organization has been
influencing public policy
for over 90 years. Ms.
Liljeberg applied for an
entry-level job, but
because they were so
impressed by her abilities
and previous experience, a
new job was created
specifically for her. She
was gracious enough to
take time out of her busy
schedule to answer a few
questions for the Sociology
Department newsletter.
What advice would you give to current sociology
students at UA?
The best advice is to always try to exceed your own
potential, and make sure you have a good network of
friends, family, and mentors to motivate you. Also,
work harder than what is expected of you. It may not
always seem worthwhile, but it will pay dividends in
the future. Everyone reaches a point in their
collegiate career when life gets overwhelming, but if
you stay focused on your goals and work hard you can
achieve more than you might initially expect. In my
case, the job offer from Brookings was an amazing
reward for what I had worked so hard to accomplish
over the years.
What have you been doing since graduating from the
University of Akron?
Since graduating from the University of Akron in 2003, I
moved to Washington DC, where I worked as a Political
Action Committee/Grassroots Coordinator for the
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, a
non-profit, medical sub-specialty organization. It was
during this time that I became involved with legislative
and regulatory issues in the health care field. These
experiences inspired me to pursue a graduate degree in
Public Policy with a focus in global health and medical
policy. I have become particularly interested in health
information technology and provider quality assurance
issues. This past Spring, I graduated with a Master’s
Degree from the George Mason University School of
Public Policy and I began my job with the Brookings
What are your future plans/goals?
In the next year or two, once I have definitively
narrowed down a subject of interest, I will pursue a
doctorate in Public Health, or Public Policy. When I
started the Master’s Program in the fall of 2005, I set
myself the goal of having my Ph.D. by age 30. I plan on
continuing my employment with Brookings while I work
on my doctorate. Once I have accomplished that goal,
I plan on obtaining my EMT-I, and then my EMT-P. I
would like to work/volunteer part time as a Paramedic.
I have always enjoyed the challenge and the "think on
your feet" intensity of being an Emergency Medical
Technician and I hope to pursue that in a part-time
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career in the field of emergency medicine. Overall,
my goal is to help with the development and
implementation effective policy on a federal, state,
and/or local level, while continuing my involvement in
my local community as an EMT.
Dick Stephens, Professor Emeritus and Peggy Tonkin
(PhD ‘99), were married at the High Street Christian
Church on October 26th 2007. After the wedding, the
new couple hosted family and friends to a sumptuous
banquet at the Occasions Banquet Place in Manchester,
OH.
SOCIOLOGY MAJORS: PROFILE & HIGHLIGHTS
Rogler Scholarship winners for ‘07-’08
Audrey Bower
Anazette Hudson
Brian Kuchta
Judi Gill
Nicole Martin
Lauren Mostardi
Fisher Scholarship winner for ‘07-’08
Lindsay Matousek
Women in Higher Education—2007 Undergraduate
Honorees
Peggy Phillips
Theresa Yost
Some Faculty members and their spouses at the
annual Victim’s Assistance banquet. Seated: Dick
Stephens, Peggy Tonkin, Marcie Pendleton, Becky
Erickson, Neal Garland, Momoe Garland. Standing:
Brian Pendleton, Betty Groner, Marion Denton, Bob
Denton, Mark Tausig, Chris Ritter, Larry Smerglia and
Outstanding Undergraduate Award recipient
Kaitlyn Brye
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS NEWS
ELEANOR KATE GROVE was born 7/14/07 to Alums
Wendy (Wehage) & Geoff grove.
SCHOLARSHIPS CHANGE LIVES
MILES ROBERT TURNEY was born 11/18/07 to Alumni
Brooke Turney & her husband Tom.
Many students today cannot afford the cost of a
college education and rely on the availability of
scholarships to pursue their dream of achieving a
college degree in their field of interest. The University
of Akron is proud of its top-notch Department of
Sociology, whose alumni and friends are especially
mindful of students’ needs.
A scholarship in your name can be established for
as little as $10,000. For information on contributing
your support or for making a donation of any
denomination, please contact:
Social Forces-Marathon Relay Race Team
Rob Peralta, Mark Tausig, Steve Aby, Robert Mallik, and
Martha McNamara.
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Emily McGee
Department of Development
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2603
330/972-8255
Email: [email protected]
ALUMNI BRIEFS
University of Akron, and has has joined FEMA where he
will be developing climate threat maps for them.
Gregory Andrews (MA ‘85) — Since 1995, Gregg has
been the Dean at Kent State University, Tuscarawas
campus in New Philadelphia, OH.
Nicole Malyj (BA ‘03) — Nicole is currently an
Advocate/Forensic Interviewer for a Safe Passage, A
Children’s Advocacy Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
Stephen Ayidiya (PHD ‘91) — Stephen is the Chair of
the Department of Social Work at the University of
Ghana, Legon.
Scott R. Mergenthaler (BA ‘78) — Scott is an Attorney
with Carlile, Patchen & Murphy, LLP, in Columbus, OH.
Amanda Barna (BA ‘00), MA ‘04 UA Urban Studies —
Amanda is V.P. and Owner of Center for Marketing and
Opinion Research in Canton, OH.
Faith Pritchard (BA ‘07) — Faith is currently an
instructor at the Polk County Community College High
School program in Lakeland, Florida.
Jeffrey Breese (PHD ‘93) — Jeff is Associate Dean of
the School of Education and Human Services at
Marymount University in Arlington, VA.
William Swartz (BA ‘72) — Bill is a Counselor for
Workforce New York, Division of Employment Services
in Williamsville, NY.
James Collins (MA ‘90) — Jim is President of the
Collins Groups, in Poland, OH. Providing Employee
development, retention and behavioral training
services.
George Thomas, Jr. (BA ‘76) — George retired after 25
years as a VP for Transamerica. He is now volunteering
as a therapeutic riding instructor for STRIDES, a nonprofit organization located in the San Fernando Valley
of CA, teaching disabled riders the therapeutic benefit
of horsemanship.
Keary Crim (BA ‘73) — Keary is a Social Worker for
Mature Services, serving older adults, in Akron, OH.
Tiffani Everett (BA ‘05) — Tiffani is a graduate student
at the University of Georgia. She recently defended her
thesis, titled "Accounting for Emotion: Emotion Displays
and Collaborative Identity Management". She is
currently the laboratory manager for the Study of
Social Interaction at UGA.
Darryl Sekou Tukufu (PHD ‘84) — Darryl was recently
named as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
at Crichton College in Memphis, TN.
Carlena Hart (BA ‘05) — Carlena is an investigator for
the Civil Rights Commission in Akron, OH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
DONATIONS
William Hauser (MA ‘74, PHD ‘79) — Bill is an Assistant
Professor at The University of Akron, Marketing
department. Bill was profiled in a Feb 19, 2007 story
in Crain’s Business Cleveland Magazine-”Experienced
educators-Many faculty members make jump from
corporate professional to college professor”
Lynette Hoelter (MA ‘95) — Dr. Hoelter is a Research
Investigator for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor,
MI.
David Huskins (MA ‘92) — David worked as a program
evaluator in the private sector and in 1997 became the
Manager of Data Services at the (then) Institute for
Policy Studies, and later the Manager of Data Services
at the Institute for Health and Social Policy at the
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Dr. Gregg L. Andrews
Dr. Surendra Bir Adhikari
Drs. Mark S. & Sandy K. Auburn
Mr. & Mrs. George Bachmann III
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas S. Beattie
Ms. Florence A. Berlin
Mr. & Mrs. Curtis R. Brown
Ms. Thelma R. Bowen
Mr. & Mrs. James D. Craver
Mr. & Mrs. Keary W. Crim
Ms. Tiffani J. Everett
Dr. G. Kathleen Grant
Mr. & Mrs. George M. Haddad
Dr. Kelly J. Hall
Drs. William Hauser &
Annemarie Scarisbrick-Hauser
Mr. David B. Heintz
Mrs. Deanie F. Johnson
Ms. Maryann T. Kelly
Dr. Michelle R. Marks
Mr. & Mrs. Scott R.
Mergenthaler
Ms. Jane M. Miller
Dr. Linda Mooney
Ms. Mary P. Noetzel
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Rafn
Mr. Robert G. Shirilla
Mr. & Mrs. Walter S. Stashkiw
Dr. Janardan Subedi
Ms. Dorothy Suther
Mr. & Mrs. Charles A Suther
Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Wepler
CALLING ALL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
ALUMNI
DEPARTMENTAL STAFF
Mary Ann Breslin, Administrative Secretary
(Email: [email protected])
We want to hear from you! Please visit our alumni
website and join our Alumni Society for Sociology
Graduates. Please fill out the questionnaire online to
help us gain information on your activities and
accomplishments, and the information you provide
might be included in the next annual AKRONews. We
look forward to hearing from you and sharing your news
with faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends. You
may also choose to use the form below or drop us a
line. Thanks for your continued interest.
Jean Garcia, Administrative Assistant
(Email: [email protected])
Cindy Saylor, Computer Support
(Email: [email protected])
Mary-Ann is the new part-time
Administrative Secretary for
the department. She has 25
years of campus experience,
including the computer center,
math and engineering
departments. We are happy to
have her as an addition to our
department.
Sociology Newsletter is a publication of the
Department of Sociology, University of Akron, Akron OH
44325-1905. Its purpose is to provide news concerning
the activities of the Department, including teaching,
research, scholarship, and service.
Contributions and comments are welcomed.
Please direct all correspondence to Dr. Baffour K. Takyi
[Editor] at [email protected] or 330-972-6887.
SOCIOLOGY ALUMNI INFORMATION
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Degree(s)/Year:
Current and Past Occupations:
University of Akron
Department of Sociology
Olin Hall 247
Akron, OH 44325-1905
(330) 972-8082
Professional News Item:
www.uakron.edu/sociology
Personal News Item:
12/10/07
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