Date: April 14, 2009
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director,
Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu
PNC Promotes Faculty Members
WESTVILLE - Purdue University North Central announces that the Purdue University Board of Trustees approved the promotion of three faculty members. These promotions become effective with the 2009 -2010 academic year. Those promoted are:
Dr. David Feikes, to professor of Mathematics. Feikes has been with PNC since 1993. He earned his bachelor's degree from Ball State University . He holds a master's degree from Purdue North Central and earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University . Feikes has long been interested in understanding how elementary students learn math, so that he could develop more effective methods for teaching math to elementary students. In turn, he has shared this knowledge with PNC Elementary Education students studying to become teachers, so that they could be more effective in their professions. Feikes also developed the Purdue Math Project, problem-solving activities for children in second through fifth grade. As a PNC professor, he has earned a number of grants to further his work in this area.
Dr. Gayla Domke, to associate professor of Mathematics . Domke has been with PNC since 2005. She earned her bachelor's degree from Manchester College and her master's degree and Ph.D. from Clemson University . She teaches both developmental mathematics courses and upper-level courses. An internationally known graph theorist, Domke has authored more than 30 research publications and given more than 50 presentations on this subject. She serves on campus committees, has initiated a departmental speaker series and has organized and taught a faculty seminar. Off-campus she works with a gifted elementary school student and she teaches German to a kindergarten class and other young students.
Dr. Mario Ortiz, to associate professor of Nursing . Ortiz has been with PNC since 2005 He earned a bachelor's of arts degree, a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, a master's degree and a post-master's degree from Valparaiso University . He holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from Loyola University . He coordinates the Nursing Department's community health and family health nursing courses and he plays a vital role in course and curriculum development. Ortiz has helped to improve student learning by developing web-based instruction, increasing service learning course components, attending professional conferences and obtaining a variety of grants. Likewise, he is a member of many of campus committees and community organizations.
Academic tenure is acquired on promotion to 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.
“These promotions recognize the achievements of Dr. Feikes, Dr. Domke and Dr. Ortiz,” said Dr. James B. Dworkin, Chancellor of Purdue North Central. “These faculty members consistently promote excellence in the classroom. They challenge their students to learn and explore and they are willing to pass their knowledge and experience along to their students. All three are engaged on our campus and in our communities. We are proud to have these outstanding professionals as members of our PNC faculty.”
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