Please provide a brief bio, your educational background, research interests, and your favorite courses to teach:
I am an Assistant Professor of Geology and Environmental Science at Wittenberg University. My mission is to research and promote earth resource sustainability through active learning classrooms and by conducting transdisciplinary (biology-geology-chemistry) research focused on understanding the earth's ability to sustain life. Presently, my research focuses on investigating soil-water sustainability in agricultural and urban environments. My students work with community experts on issues of food security, soil & water health. Environmental Science Research Methods (ESCI 250) is my favorite course to teach. In this class, my students map soil lead distribution and create public health outreach materials for our partners. This experience allows students to bring their perspective into the community decision making process. They choose many of the project elements and have built new audiences for this work through their energy and effort.
How have you seen participation in athletics help a student be successful in your courses and as a learner in your discipline?
Participation in athletics helps students perform well in teams and also helps them to better organize their time. I’m impressed with the task management strategies that athletes employ and also how many teams dedicate time for study. This shows a team commitment to academics. Athletes really illustrate that the Wittenberg experience extends beyond our classrooms to the other skills and values that define us.
What are your perceptions on the role athletics plays in our Wittenberg community and how does it help fulfill Wittenberg’s mission?
Athletic teams are an integral part of the Wittenberg community and contribute to the wholeness of person emphasized in our mission. Athletic experiences are central to how students learn how to strategize, build successful relationships, and find balance that rewards them. This is pretty helpful to learn early on when professional challenges arise. Satisfaction can come out of valuing diverse realms of life (career, family, athletics, and hobbies) rather than letting one realm dominate.
What is special about Wittenberg that makes it such an ideal University for our students to be a successful Geology or Environmental Science major and athlete?
Both experiences go hand in hand. The Geology and Environmental Science Programs feature a high degree of team project work. Students directly work to understand the earth and environmental challenges present locally and then identify opportunities to improve them. They do this by learning new ways to measure and analyze the environment and by identifying solutions that will fit our community. Strategic thinking and valuing diverse perspective of team members are key to Geology, Environmental Science, and athletics.
Please share a personal success story of one of your former or current students that participated in athletics that you are most proud of?
Victoria (Tori) Simek, a softball player, did fantastic work on her Environmental Science project. She created an urban lead pollution brochure for community gardeners that will be used by the Clark County Combined Health District. She will also present her work to other health professionals in collaboration with the Environmental Director for CCCHD. Tori is focused and dedicated to doing her best work, which is of professional quality. I truly admire her energy for wildlife, and building meaningful connections to other people. She will go on to be a steward of our environment. She has already monitored migratory birds as part of a summer research experience and energetically describes the wonder of an intense field experience while clearly articulating the scientific progress made. Tori will come back to class next semester and serve as a mentor and my hope is that her enthusiasm and solid work ethic inspires the next cohort.
Compiled By: Patrick Rittenhouse '17