Purna Das to professor of physics. Das has been a faculty member since 1991. He is noted as an accomplished teacher, respected researcher and contributes his time and energies to the benefit of the community. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utkal University in India and his Ph.D. from City University of New York.

According to PNC Chancellor James. B. Dworkin, candidates promoted to the rank of professor are recognized as authorities in their fields of specialization at the national and/or international level and are valued for their intramural contributions as faculty members.

Jason Curtis to associate professor of biological sciences. A faculty member since 2000, he is known for his research in parasitology and his work has been published in scholarly journals. He has been active in campus governance and in the development of the biology curriculum. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif, and his Ph.D. from Purdue University in West Lafayette.

K. Chris Holford to associate professor of biological sciences. He has been with PNC since 2000. He has earned a reputation on campus as an engaging biology instructor, teaching in many areas of the biological sciences. He established a lab on campus to continue his study of endocrines pathways controlling crustacean molting and his studies have been published in a number of journals. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., and his Ph.D. from Illinois State University in Normal, Ill.

Edward Vavrek to associate professor of mechanical engineering technology. A PNC faculty member since 1997, he combines a strong academic background with a successful industrial career. This combination allows him to demonstrate applications for the theoretical concepts he presents in class. He has represented the campus and his profession at a number of major professional meetings and is sponsor of the PNC student team in the regional American Society of Mechanical Engineering Design Competition. He was awarded his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University Calumet; his master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University Northwest and his master’s of science in mechanical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Donna Whitten to associate professor of business. A full-time faculty member since 1999, Whitten is considered to be an excellent accounting teacher who consistently receives outstanding student and peer evaluations. She leads the campus Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) effort on campus, providing free income tax assistance to elderly and needys individuals. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University Calumet and her master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University Northwest and is a certified public accountant.

According to Dworkin, academic tenure is acquired on promotion to the rank of associate Professor. Candidates promoted to this rank have a significant record of accomplishment as a faculty member and show promise of continued professional growth and recognition.

In addition, Daniel Rutledge was granted tenure and will now serve as associate professor of business with tenure. He came to PNC in 2001 and since then developed a capstone business strategy course for the business program. He is considered a key member of his department’s faculty. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
 

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