Dr. Matthew Kushin
Dr. Matthew Kushin, associate professor of mass communications, has been named the Stukent November Professor of the Month.
Stukent is a digital courseware provider focused on improved education through up-to-date textbooks, real-world simulations, and other instructional resources. Kushin uses Stukent’s Mimic Intro software to introduce pay-per-click ads to students.
“I integrated the software into my Writing Across Platforms class because I wanted my students, many of whom are interested in working in social media and public relations, to get more experience learning about paid online ads broadly, and search engine marketing and keyword research specifically,” Kushin said. “It was a lot of fun to introduce students to the Mimic simulator last semester.”
Dr. Chiquita Howard-Bostic (r.), chair of the Department of Sociology and Geography, accepts the 2018 Distinguished Alumna Excellence in Advocacy award for the State University of New York at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) award from Denise Hare, EOP academic advisor.
Dr. Chiquita Howard-Bostic, chair of the Department of Sociology and Geography, was honored as the 2018 Distinguished Alumna for the State University of New York at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Howard-Bostic received the Excellence in Advocacy award and gave the keynote address at the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program 44th Annual Honors Convocation in Buffalo, New York, on October 25.
Each year at the convocation, the EOP honors graduating students and one member of the alumni body. The alumni award recipient is recognized for his or her distinguished contributions in the areas of community affairs at local, state, or national levels; exceptional accomplishment in their chosen field; and/or support of the advancement and continued excellence of EOP. Howard-Bostic was chosen for the 2018 award because of her academic research and community service in the area of social justice. Howard-Bostic was also an EOP undergraduate student award recipient in 1999.
Tracy Seffers
A poem titled “Trillium” written by Tracy Seffers, registrar, is the 2018 HeartWood Broadside Series winner.
HeartWood Literary Magazine and West Virginia Wesleyan’s M.F.A. program sponsor the contest and accepted submissions of 200 words or less. Seffers received a $500 cash prize and 25 copies of a limited-edition letterpress broadside.
“The poem grew out of an annual Shenandoah River clean-up that my family and I support, along with the local kayaking community and Team River Runner (TRR),” said Seffers, who serves as coordinator of Shepherd’s TRR chapter. “My assigned section of the road, to which I returned year after year, often left me angry at the casual carelessness of picnickers who, I imagined, would come to the river and then leave their considerable trash behind. Last spring, the nature of the items I picked up had changed in ways that grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go, then pricked my imagination, and then broke my heart. This poem was the result.”
Seffers said she especially likes the original artwork on the poster, which was inspired by the poem and designed by Emily and Betsy Sokolowsky of Base Camp Printing, Letterpress, and Design in Charleston.
Her poetry has been featured in reading events through the Jefferson County West Virginia Arts Council and in West Virginia Writers podcasts, published in regional literary journals such as “Bluestone Review,” “Backbone Mountain Review,” “Pine Mountain Sand & Gravel Literary Journal,” and “Anthology of Appalachian Writers,” and in online journals including “Still: The Journal” and “Assisi: an Online Journal of Arts and Letters.”
Suzy Munnis, a personal trainer at the Wellness Center, received a community service award from Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL) group. Her award was “presented to Shepherd University’s Wellness Center and Suzy Munnis in appreciation for strongly supporting the mission of SAIL by helping its members remain active, connected, independent, and in their own homes and community as long as possible.” Pictured with Suzy Munnis (c.) are Interim Vice President for Campus Services Jack Shaw and Carolyn Rodis, president of SAIL.