Ten Faculty Join EMU Roster

EMU will have 10 new full-time teaching faculty members when fall semester of the 2008-09 academic year begins Aug. 26.

The new faculty, announced by Dr. Marie S. Morris, undergraduate academic dean, are:

Aaron M. Kauffman

Kauffman, instructor of English as a Second Language (TESL), is a 2001 EMU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in culture, religion and mission. He also holds a master of arts in teaching in TESOL/bilingual education from Georgetown University. Kauffman spent the past three years in Colombia in church work and teaching. He will teach in EMU’s Intensive English Program (IEP).

B. Scott Keen

Keen, assistant professor of visual and communication arts, holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from James Madison University and a master of fine arts from the University of Tennessee.

He brings experience in teaching art and digital media from a variety of settings and will join the EMU faculty for one year.

Leah M. Kratz

Kratz, assistant professor of business, graduated from EMU in 2000 with a BS in accounting and a minor in economics. She went on to earn an MBA degree from James Madison University in 2006.

Since that time, she has served as the assistant fiscal director at Woodrow Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, Va. She taught part time at EMU during 2007-2008.

Lynne A. Mackey

Mackey, associate professor of music (piano), holds a BS degree in piano from the University of Michigan, a master of music in piano from The Julliard School and a doctor of musical arts in piano from Eastman School of Music. She is an accomplished musician with numerous solo and chamber music performances along with prior teaching and academic administrative experience. She continues to serve on the Virginia Commission for the Arts touring roster.

Jennifer L. Miller

Miller, instructor of history, received a BA in history and social science from EMU in 2004 and recently completed a master’s degree in history at North Carolina State University.

Miller will join the EMU faculty for the 2008-2009 year, filling in for a departmental sabbatical.

James K. Richardson

Richardson, assistant professor of music (voice), is a Shenandoah Valley native and a graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School. He went on to earn a bachelor of music in vocal performance from Covenant College and a master of music in vocal performance from Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University. Most recently he was music teacher at Chapelgate Christian Academy in Marriottsville, Md., and before that dean of music at The Christian Academy in Brookhaven, Pa. Richardson, a baritone, has given many oratorio and operatic performances.

Kevin S. Seidel

Seidel, assistant professor of English, is completing a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Virginia this year. He holds a bachelor of arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley, an MA in interdisciplinary Christian studies from Regent College in Vancover, B.C., and a PhD in English language and literature from UVa. Seidel has contributed to numerous publications, given conference papers and served as senior copy editor of the New Literary History.

Cynthia C. Veenis

Veenis, assistant professor of nursing, holds a BS degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University and an MS in nursing from James Madison University.

She brings many years of clinical experience in hospital, tertiary and primary care settings.

JoAnne M. Wallis

Wallis, associate professor of nursing, comes to EMU from many years of advanced nursing practice in Alaska. She earned a diploma in nursing from Chester County School of Nursing, a BS in nursing from EMU and an MS in nursing from the University of Alaska at Anchorage. In addition, she received a women’s health nurse practitioner certificate from Harbor UCLA Medical Center and is a certified family nurse practitioner.

Andrew P. White

White, associate professor of English, comes to EMU from a teaching and administrative stint at the American University in Bulgaria. He holds a BA in biblical literature (theology) from Multnomah Bible College, a BA in English from Warner Pacific College, an MA in English from Oregon State University and a PhD in English from Washington State University. He has many years experience teaching early British literature and writing courses. White has appeared in numerous publications and presented conference papers. He will help to further strengthen EMU’s writing emphasis.

Language Assistants

In addition, the language and literature department at EMU will have two language assistants through a program sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee:

• Violeta Lisbeht Castro Lopez from Nicaragua
• Graciela Alba Chavez from Bolivia.

Click here for a slideshow of all new employees, both faculty and staff.