Appointments
Penn State Intercom......August 8, 2002

Liszka named director of
Applied Research Laboratory

Edward G. Liszka, former associate director of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), has been appointed director.

Liszka succeeds L. Raymond Hettche, ARL director since 1981 and a professor of research engineering, who was named special assistant to the vice president for research. Hettche previously announced his intention to retire in 2003.

An associate director at ARL since 1984, Liskza has been on assignment from ARL for the last year and a half as chief scientist/research and technology director, at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Washington, D.C., under the terms of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). The IPA program provides for the assignment of university faculty members to the federal government to facilitate federal, state and local cooperation and to strengthen the management capabilities of government organizations. Before leaving ONR on July 1 to return to Penn State, Liszka received the Superior Public Service Award for his work there.

As associate director of ARL, Liszka was head of the Laboratory's Undersea Systems Office. In that post, he directed major technology and development programs in undersea vehicles and defense systems. He also founded and was the first director of ARL's Institute for Non-Lethal Defense Technologies, now known as the Institute for Emerging Defense Technologies, and worked closely with ARL's sponsors in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense as well as Congressional offices. A Penn State alumnus, Liszka earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering and a master of science in engineering acoustics at the University. He earned his doctorate in applied physics (acoustics) in 1977 at the Catholic University of America.

From 1965 to 1984, Liszka also served in Washington, D.C., at the Naval Sea Systems Command in leadership positions responsible for science and technology of undersea systems and as technical director of the Navy's advanced undersea weapons development before returning to Penn State as ARL associate director.

The U.S. Navy established the ARL at Penn State in 1945. In the last fiscal year the laboratory's total awards from the Navy, Marine Corps and other sponsors was $116 million. ARL is internationally recognized as a research center of excellence in undersea science and technology. In addition, the laboratory contributes to the educational objectives and research goals of the University through graduate and undergraduate thesis supervision and teaching and through support of collaboration research and sharing research facilities. For more information about ARL, check the Web at http://www.arl.psu.edu/.

Director of Center for
Dirt, Gravel Roads named

Kevin Abbey has been named director of the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies on the University Park campus.

In his new role, Abbey will be responsible for managing the educational programs, outreach activities, research initiatives and technology applications at the center.

Abbey is the former general manager of the Centre Area Transportation Authority in State College and executive director of the Transportation Committee in the state Senate.

Abbey earned a bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of Michigan in 1968 and a master's degree in language and literature from Central Michigan University in 1976. Recently, he completed a field of study in applied river morphology with an emphasis on the assessment and restoration of rivers/streams using natural channel design principles.

Abbey currently holds an appointment on the research faculty of the Materials Research Institute.

The center was established in 1999 to function as a permanent clearinghouse for technical information, educational outreach and research studies on the "environmentally sensitive maintenance of unpaved and low volume roadways. Since that time, the center has worked with local, state and federal agencies, agricultural and forestry interests, private property owners and local conservation and environmental groups to prevent the damaging effects of sediment and dust pollution on Pennsylvania's drinking supplies, waterways and fisheries, through education, research and new materials technology.

Biochemist Cameron appointed
Louis Martarano professor

Craig Cameron, a member of the faculty since 1994, has been named the Louis Martarano professor of biochemistry and molecular biology.

The professorship, supported by a gift from Louis Martarano, was created to provide financial support and encouragement for faculty starting their careers in the Eberly College of Science. In addition to providing recognition of the recipient’s current achievements, the professorship demonstrates belief in the person’s potential to achieve eminence in his or her field.

Research in Cameron’s laboratory focuses on positive-strand RNA viruses, which cause diseases ranging from the common cold to chronic hepatitis. While infection by some of those viruses can be stopped by the immune system alone or with the help of vaccinations, other similar viruses change so quickly that neither approach works.

“Currently, there is no effective therapy for viruses that change so rapidly” Cameron said. “The long-term goal of our laboratory is to define the molecular mechanism of RNA-virus genome replication with the hope of using this information to design strategies to treat diseases caused by this class of viruses.”

Cameron completed his postdoctoral work at the University after earning his doctoral degree in biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University in 1993. He earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude in chemistry, at Howard University in 1987.

Physician appointed
director for clinical affairs

Dr. Chris DeFlitch has been promoted to director and vice chair for clinical affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

As director and vice chair, DeFlitch will oversee the day-to-day clinical operations of the emergency department under the direction of Dr. Kym A. Salness, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine.

A medical center physician since 1998, DeFlitch has also served as assistant director and clinical director for the Department of Emergency Medicine. He also is an assistant professor of emergency medicine and a graduate of Penn State College of Medicine.

Francl to head Department
of Plant Pathology

Leonard Francl, professor of plant pathology at North Dakota State University, has been named head of the Department of Plant Pathology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, effective Aug. 26.

Francl joined North Dakota State University as an assistant professor in 1990, rising to the rank of full professor in 2001. His research has focused on plant disease epidemiology, disease forecasting, nematology and diseases of wheat.

Francl developed and implemented the NDSU Small Grains Disease Forecasting System for growers in North Dakota and Minnesota. In addition, he has studied plant diseases and consulted on research projects in Pakistan, Uruguay and Mexico.

Previously, as a plant pathologist with U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Md., he studied population dynamics of the soybean cyst nematode. He also served as a postdoctoral researcher in plant pathology at The Ohio State University, as a research associate in the plant pathology department at the University of Missouri, and as an instructor and assistant professor in the agriculture department at Southeast Missouri State University.

He has authored or co-authored more than 45 articles in refereed scientific journals, served as senior or associate editor for three scientific journals, written eight book chapters and edited two books. He has been active in several professional associations. He received his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and his master’s degree in plant sciences, both from the University of Arizona, and earned his doctorate in plant pathology at the University of Missouri.

Gallagher accepts position
as senior associate registrar

Barbara Garrison, distinguished professor of chemistry, has been named the first Shapiro professor of chemistry at the University.

The professorship was established by alumnus Edward Shapiro, a 1937 graduate with a degree in chemistry, and his wife, Antoinette Post-Shapiro, a 1937 graduate with a degree in liberal arts.

A physical chemist, Garrison is recognized as a pioneer in the use of computer modeling to simulate and understand chemical reactions on the surfaces of materials. Garrison uses computer models to study the effects of fast energy deposition and the resulting chemical reactions at solid surfaces. Her studies of laser ablation are applicable to the optimization of lasers for surgery, the mass spectrometry of biological molecules and the process of thin-film deposition. Her models of energetic particle bombardment of solids have built a theoretical understanding of the complex events that lead to the ejection of molecules from surfaces. This understanding has contributed to advances in the interpretation of mass-spectrometry data for organic compounds and biological molecules, and to the development of better techniques for doping and depth profiling of semiconductors.

After joining the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor in 1979, Garrison was promoted to professor in 1986 and served as head of the department from 1989 to 1994. She earned her doctoral degree in chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley in 1975 and her bachelor’s degree in physics at Arizona State University in 1971.

Hannah Kliger has been named associate dean of academic affairs and professor of communication and Jewish studies at Penn State Abington.

A graduate of Barnard College and the University of Pennsylvania, Kliger was most recently associate dean for graduate studies and senior research investigator at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. She also served as associate dean for educational affairs at MCP Hahnemann’s School of Public Health. From 1985 until 1997, she was a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Kliger’s research and publications focus on the ways that ethnic culture is communicated, maintained and modified. In addition to her book on the ethnic voluntary associations of Jewish immigrants, she has authored numerous articles on communication and culture in immigrant communities.

A senior research associate with the Transcending Trauma Project at Penn Council for Relationships, she is studying the intergenerational legacy of trauma and coping for Holocaust survivors’ families.

The National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies recognized Kliger for her scholarly and curricular initiatives. She participated in the Higher Education Resource Services Summer Institute of Women in Higher Education Administration.

Women in Engineering Program
names assistant director

Susan M. McHale, professor of human development, has been appointed to serve as the interim head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

McHale joined the University faculty in 1980 after receiving her doctoral degree in developmental psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She and Ann C. Crouter, professor of human development, direct the Family Relationships Project, an ongoing set of studies funded by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development since 1994 that seeks to understand family socialization processes in middle childhood and adolescence. Throughout her career, McHale has authored or co-authored nearly 80 publications, made more than 60 presentations and received nearly $8 million in funding in support of her research on issues pertaining to siblings in families.

McHale also sits on the editorial boards of Child Development, Developmental Psychology and the Journal of Applied Developmental Science.

Pennypacker named
assistant dean

Barbara W. Pennypacker has been appointed assistant dean of The Graduate School. She is responsible for managing graduate student concerns and grievances and for all Graduate School programming directly related to graduate students, including enrichment and professional development activities.

Over a period of more than 25 years, Pennypacker served in various research positions at Penn State and published 26 refereed journal articles, six book chapters and 56 research abstracts. In 1998, she was granted the dual title of senior research associate and associate professor of agronomy to reflect her teaching commitment.

Her research interests include plant resistance mechanisms, the impact of abiotic stress on plant resistance and the effect of changing agronomic practices on crop health. In addition to teaching plant anatomy and a beginning seminar in plant pathology, she developed and still teaches “Effective Scientific Communication,” which became a permanent graduate course in 2000. Before joining The Graduate School, she was senior scientist and professor of agronomy in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, and a member of the graduate faculty.

Pennypacker is a member of numerous professional societies, an invited reviewer for several journals and has been an invited proposal reviewer for the USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program and the U.S.-Israel Binational Agriculture Research and Development Fund.

Pennypacker holds doctoral and master's degrees in plant pathology and a bachelor's degree in botany from Penn State.

Reddy has developed a national and an international reputation in the field of molecular enzymology, particularly the enzymes associated with the prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis. In 1992, Reddy was elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Rhodes named director
of planned giving, endowments

Elaine F. Rhodes has been named director of planned giving and endowments in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, effective Sept. 1. She has served as director of University development since 1996.

In her new post, Rhodes will manage the Office of Planned Giving and Endowments, which is responsible for securing long-range gifts from benefactors during their lifetime and as part of their estate planning. She will report to Peter Weiler, associate vice president for development and alumni relations.

Rhodes has been with Penn State since 1980, when she became a writer/editor at the Applied Research Laboratory. She has been a member of the development staff since 1984, serving successively as a development assistant in The Smeal College of Business Administration, senior development officer for the University Libraries, and director of development and University relations, supervising programs and activities at 18 of Penn State’s 24 campuses.

She holds an associate’s degree from Penn State and a bachelor’s degree from Point Park College, and has completed courses toward a master’s degree at Penn State. She also is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive.

Charles Strauss, professor of forest economics, has been named director of the School of Forest Resources for a three-year term that began May 1.

Strauss served for 10 months as the school's interim director.

The School of Forest Resources currently enrolls about 380 undergraduate and 130 graduate students. As director, Strauss oversees more than 70 faculty and staff, including two endowed positions, the Maurice K. Goddard Chair in Forestry and Environmental Resource Conservation and the Joseph E. Ibberson Chair in Forest Resources Management.

The school's teaching, research and cooperative extension and outreach programs focus on wood science; forest biology and management; wood products marketing, management and manufacturing; fisheries and wildlife science and management; urban and community forestry; watershed science and management; wetlands ecology; and genetics and systematics.

Strauss has served the University for more than 40 years. His academic interests include recreation economics, energy economics and investment analysis of resource systems. His research on the economic impact of travel and tourism has included an evaluation of heritage tourism in southwestern Pennsylvania and a study of eco-tourism surrounding the elk herd in northcentral Pennsylvania.

Strauss has taught several undergraduate and graduate courses and served on many University and statewide boards and committees.

Strauss began his professional career as a technical design representative for the California Redwood Association in 1960. In 1961, he came to the University as a forest products extension specialist. He joined the resident faculty as an instructor in 1966, attaining the rank of full professor in 1990.

Strauss holds three Penn State degrees: a bachelor's in forest management, a master's in economics and a doctorate in agricultural economics. He also earned a master's degree in forest products marketing from Michigan State University.

Pennsylvania College of Technology has appointed an interim dean of student affairs and named interim directors of residence life and student activities.

J. Elliott Strickland Jr., who had been director of student activities at Penn College since 1997, became interim dean of student affairs on July 17. He succeeds James E. Fitzpatrick, who recently accepted the position of vice president for student development at Ohio Dominican College, Columbus, Ohio.

Strickland, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration and student personnel services from the University of South Carolina, joined Penn College in July 1997 as coordinator of student life. He became director of student activities in September 1997. His appointment is for one year.

Succeeding Strickland as interim director of student activities is Stephanie D. Haney. Haney had been assistant director of student activities at Penn College since 2001. Previously, Haney had been residence hall director at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, and director of residence life at Goucher College, Baltimore. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in student affairs administration from The Ohio State University.

Timothy J. Mallery has been named Penn College’s interim director of residence life. Mallery, who had been coordinator of residence life, succeeds Steven P. Jacobson, who has accepted the position of director of housing at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, Calif. Mallery earned a bachelor’s degree in education from State University of New York Cortland and a master’s degree in counseling/higher education from SUNY Oneonta. He joined Penn College in 1997. Previously, he was employed as a resident director at SUNY Delhi and a complex manager at Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colo.

Several people recently joined the staff at Penn State Berks.

John J. Walker III has joined the Berks campus staff as director of housing and food services. He is a 1993 graduate of Penn State, earning an associate degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management. Before his appointment, he was employed by Compass Group, one of the largest food service companies in the nation.

Teri Sabatelli has been hired as an admissions counselor at Penn State Berks. Sabatelli received a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in educational administration from West Virginia University. Sabatelli has more than 10 years of administrative/counseling experience in higher education and most recently served as the admissions officer at Penn State Fayette.

Terry Avila has accepted a position as chemistry research support technician at Penn State Berks. Previously, he was employed by St. Joseph Medical Center as a medical technologist. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Penn State in 1990 and his A.S.C.P. certification in medical technology from St. Joseph School of Medical Technology in 1992.

Harry V. Wiant Jr. has been named the first recipient of the newly endowed Joseph E. Ibberson Chair in forest resources management in the School of Forest Resources. The chair’s purpose is to educate students and to continue leadership in the professional management of private forest resources.

Wiant has been professor of forestry for 24 years at West Virginia University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in forest management. He earned a master’s degree in silviculture from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in forest ecology from Yale University.
His research, published in more than 200 professional publications, deals mostly with forest ecology and timber inventory. He has wide experience as a forestry consultant and expert witness.

Wiant will fill the Ibberson chair for a three-year term, with subsequent five-year terms possible. He will teach three courses per year emphasizing consulting forestry and the principles of integrated forest resources management.

Back