Nathan Guerra, an EMU Physics major and Astronomy minor, presented a poster at the 2024 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the most influential event in the world dedicated to the advancement of Earth and Space Science. The meeting was held in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9 - 13. Nathan started working with Physics and Astronomy faculty member Dr. David Pawlowski to study storm vortices in the atmosphere of Jupiter by analyzing data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft. This work was done in collaboration with Dr. Cheng Li of the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan.

Juno’s Microwave Radiometer, which can detect the brightness of microwaves of different frequencies, made measurements that show the structure of a storm vortex. Nathan analyzed these measurements to quantify deviations from the average brightness for different locations within the Jovian atmosphere. These experimentally obtained deviations can be used as input to computational atmospheric models to predict how ammonia and water are distributed and thereby better understand the conditions under which the vortex forms.

Nathan tells us that “Having the opportunity to explore, and present NASA Juno's findings at the Fall 2024 AGU conference was an experience that I will never forget. From meeting people from all around the world and talking about frontier geophysics and space science, to the amazing history in its location in Washington, D.C."

Dr. Pawlowski tell us that “Nathan's research will allow us to better understand the vertical structure of Jupiter's vortices and the role that the atmospheric composition plays in their dynamics.” Students interested in physics and astronomy research are encouraged to talk with faculty about research opportunities both within and outside the Department.

Presidential Scholar Priya Ghotane, who is pursuing a double major in philosophy and psychology with a minor in public administration, received a $3500 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. Priya will spend the winter 2025 semester at Oxford University through the EMU University of Oxford Outgoing Program (OPUS). Priya plans to study South Asian philosophy, philosophy of self and identity, and educational philosophy -- among other topics -- through her tutorials at Oxford.

The paper published by Interim Department Head & Professor of Economics, James Saunoris, and Economics Graduate, Zarina Nurmanova, is titled "The Role of Tax Competitiveness and Neutrality in Shaping the Size of the Shadow Economy: Cross-Country Empirical Evidence" and was published in the Journal of Economics and Finance. Zarina graduated from the combined BS-MS degree program last year. She had an interest in Saunoris's field of research, particularly focusing on the shadow economy, and they began working on this paper as part of her research requirement for the program. They then worked together to prepare the paper for publication, and it was eventually published in the Journal of Economics and Finance.

View the full publication.

Venus Joy Brown, of Detroit, is the vice president of human resources, organizational effectiveness, and employee experience for Assembly Global. Brown is also an adjunct instructor of business at Henry Ford Community College and previously worked in human resources and talent development at General Motors and Trinity Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in communications from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Education in instructional technology from Wayne State University. Venus Joy Brown is appointed for a term commencing January 1, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2032. Brown succeeds Alexis Hart, whose term is expiring.

Read the full Upper Michigan Source article.

Jenita Moore, of Lansing, is currently the director of the office of community engagement for the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She will be taking on a new leadership position in state government in the near future. She has previously served as chief of staff for State Senator Sarah Anthony; legislative liaison for the Michigan Department of State; and the senior advisor for policy and legislation for the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Moore holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Law and Government from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Public Administration in public management and agency administration from Western Michigan University. Moore will succeed Alexander Simpson, whose term is expiring at the end of the year. 

Read the full EMU Today story.

This Winter, the College of Arts & Sciences has launched “career passports” for all undergraduate students! These passport booklets guide EMU students on a career readiness checklist in the months of January, February, March, April.  Following along the passport journey, students are encouraged to engage in a range of career activities, whether it is updating their Handshake and LinkedIn profiles to making an appointment with UACD and attending job and internship fairs. Each time they complete an activity, “travel agents” will stamp their passport.  If students receive 10 stamps for any of the 16 activities listed in the passport, they are entered in a raffle to win big prizes. The raffle will be drawn in April. Not only do students have an opportunity to win prizes but completing the passport this semester will prepare them for their professional life after EMU. They will have connected with mentors to discuss their career aspirations, updated their resumes, broadened their networks on LinkedIn, explored job and internship opportunities, and feel more confident about their professional path after graduation.

Career exploration is a vital part of the college experience. As students broaden their knowledge and develop skills in their college classes, they are preparing for their future careers. Classes in the College of Arts & Sciences equip EMU students with important skills, such as critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, teamwork and collaboration, and written and verbal communication. These are all skills that employers value. This career passport is a structured, yet accessible, way for students to embark on a path of career exploration while tapping all the rich career resources on EMU’s campus.

If any faculty member would like to feature the passport in any of their classes, visit the Women’s & Gender Studies Department, 714 Pray Harrold. Bon Voyage to career exploration in Winter 2025!

Eastern Michigan University’s Brickley Endowment award recipients are helping to develop solutions to real-world issues, such as enhancing teaching practices for students with disabilities, examining how poetic narratives influence ethical practices and cultural norms in engineering and addressing the complexities of religious conflicts.

Tony and Lois Evans established the James H. Brickley Endowment for Faculty Professional Development and Innovation awards in 2016. The purpose is to facilitate faculty professional development and innovation through various activities, including research and scholarly/creative work, curriculum development, community service, professional travel and training. 

Lois Evans is a retired mathematics teacher. Tony Evans served in several administrative positions at Eastern from 1975 to 1982, including executive vice president, interim president, provost, and vice president for academic affairs. He worked with former President James H. Brickley from 1974 to 1978, for whom the endowment is named. 

The 2024 award cycle funded 15 projects totaling $80,399. The awards support 21 faculty members from four colleges: eight from the College of Education, 10 from the College of Arts and Sciences, one from the College of Health and Human Services, and two from the College of Engineering and Technology.

College of Arts & Sciences recipients:

Ashley Bavery, History and Philosophy

“A New Archival Investigation into Islam and Race in the Twentieth-Century Midwest”

In her current research project for her second book, Bavery aims to investigate the history of Arab and South Asian Muslim communities in the Midwest in the early twentieth century, focusing on their interactions with African American Muslims and the Nation of Islam, particularly through Malcolm Xʼs journey to Orthodox Islam. The findings will enhance undergraduate courses at Eastern by providing new primary sources that offer fresh insights into race and religion in America. This research will foster a deeper understanding of immigration, race, and cultural identities, highlighting diverse experiences in U.S. history.

Meg Dobbins, English Language and Literature

“Wrenches and Rhymes: Literature, Engineering, and the 100th Anniversary of the “Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer”

The award will support Dobbins’ archival research for the 100th anniversary of the “Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer,” which will result in a scholarly article examining how poetic narratives influence ethical practices and cultural norms in engineering. The article will analyze the ceremony’s historical significance, originally tied to Rudyard Kipling, and address its outdated values. This initiative will position EMU as a hub for discussing literature’s role in engineering, allowing students to connect with community stakeholders and industry professionals.

Bradley Ensor, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

“Filling the Gaps in Nobility in Pre-Columbian Sociopolitical Organization: Archaeological Investigations at Salinas, Veracruz, Mexico”

Ensorʼs project aims to validate findings from Light Detection and Ranging imaging while conducting detailed site surveys and excavations to gather data on the residences and social structures of the nobility. It focuses on two primary objectives: surveying the site to document and collect artifacts and performing excavations to analyze residential contexts and social status. This initiative offers hands-on learning opportunities for local university students from Universidad Veracruzana. The findings will enrich multiple courses at Eastern, enhancing the educational experience for students in anthropology and archaeology. 

Jeromy Hopgood, Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts 

“Moby Dick at The Met: a Collaborative Project in Projection Design and Arts Management”

This award offers Hopgood an opportunity to collaborate with renowned projection designer Elaine McCarthy on the premiere production of Moby Dick at the Metropolitan Opera in the winter of 2025. This partnership will enhance Hopgoodʼs expertise in contemporary opera and help create a professional network that will benefit EMU students through internships and job placements.

Siyuan Jiang, Computer Science 

Sarah Quinn, Special Education (College of Education)

“Systematic Review of Teaching Practices for Students with Disabilities in Computer Science”

Jiang and Quinn’s research will address a critical gap in computer science education by conducting a systematic literature review on teaching practices for students with disabilities. This initiative aims to ensure that education in this field is accessible to all students. The review will provide valuable insights into effective teaching methods, highlight existing research gaps, and propose best practices to enhance inclusive education in computer science classrooms. The findings will promote greater accessibility by identifying effective teaching strategies tailored to the needs of students with disabilities directly benefiting this population.

You Li, Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts 

“Funding Impact: Raising Public Recognition of Women Journalistsʼ Contributions to Pandemic Journalism”

Li will present her research about the contributions of 33 women journalists who reported on the COVID-19 pandemic at the National Womenʼs Studies Association conference. 

The funding will enable Li to share her findings on a national stage, enhancing EMUʼs recognition as a leader in gender studies and journalism. This presentation will significantly increase the visibility of her work and the associated digital archive, which includes over 30 hours of interviews and extensive transcripts. By providing access to these resources, Li’s digital archive will enrich students’ academic experiences and foster critical thinking about gender and media.

Fredrick Walter Lorenz, History and Philosophy

“The Sultanʼs Colony: Transforming Migrants, Refugees, and Exiles into Settler Colonists in Late Ottoman Libya”

Lorenz’s research focuses on Ottoman settler colonialism in late 19th-century Libya. His project examines the experiences of migrants, refugees, and marginalized populations, providing a transregional perspective that connects the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. This funding will facilitate Lorenz’s archival research in Illinois, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., enabling him to complete three critical chapters of his manuscript by September 2025. His forthcoming book project aims to elevate Eastern’s research profile in Middle Eastern and Ottoman history, attracting scholarly attention and benefiting students with access to innovative research.

Chirasree Mukherjee, Political Science 

“Intractable Conflicts over the Sacred: A Study of the Hindu-Muslim Conflict in India”

Based on her dissertation, Mukherjee's research aims to analyze the dynamics of intractable conflicts, particularly those rooted in religion.

Her book will disaggregate religious conflicts into four distinct types, offering critical insights into the unique factors that contribute to their intensity and persistence. By addressing the complexities of religious conflicts, this work has significant policy implications for conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies. The publication of this book will enhance Eastern’s research profile, particularly in conflict studies and religious studies, attracting scholarly attention and elevating the university’s academic standing. Students will benefit directly as the findings will inform courses such as Political Conflict and Religious Studies, enriching the curriculum with contemporary insights into the dynamics of conflict and fostering critical thinking skills.

Joel Schoenhals, Music and Dance 

“16 Etudes for Piano by Navajo Composer Connor Chee”

Schoenhals’ project will significantly enrich Eastern Michigan University and its students by expanding the classical piano repertoire and integrating Indigenous cultural themes into the music curriculum, fostering greater cultural awareness. Incorporating Cheeʼs etudes into the 2025–2026 curriculum will deepen students’ engagement with diverse narratives in classical music. This initiative will also elevate EMU’s reputation as a leader in promoting diverse musical contributions, encouraging discussions on cultural representation at national conferences, and strengthening connections with other institutions. The high-quality recordings will serve as vital resources for future performances and scholarship, enhancing the visibility of Chee’s work and inspiring further exploration of varied cultural narratives.

Ourania Spantidi, Computer Science 

“Establishing the Embedded Systems Artificial Intelligence Lab at EMU”

Spantidi’s research facility aims to integrate Embedded Systems and Artificial Intelligence, fostering innovation and tackling pressing technological challenges.

The lab will provide structured support for research, enabling students to engage deeply with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. By hiring research assistants and incorporating hands-on projects, the lab will enhance their technical skills and practical experience, preparing them for careers in a rapidly evolving field. Additionally, the initiative will facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations, allowing students from various departments to collaborate on projects that bridge diverse knowledge domains. At the university level, establishing this lab will position EMU as a leader in Embedded Systems and AI research.

Read the full EMU Today article.

Eastern Michigan University alum Kevin Allen spent more than 30 years covering sports, mainly hockey, for USA Today. He started his journalism career at The Eastern Echo and returned to Eastern as a lecturer to share his talents with a new generation of journalists.

Allen was a student at EMU when he published his first paid story in The Eastern Echo. He was still a student when he published his first NHL story, and he became the managing editor of The Eastern Echo before his time at the school had come to an end. 

His former titles include being the national hockey writer for USA Today and president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. But right now, most journalism students who see him on campus probably just call him professor when he walks by in a pair of slacks and a golf shirt.

Read the full Eastern Echo story.

Dr. James Calvin Waltz, 89, died on January 5, 2025. He grew up in Grape, MI where his parents owned and operated a small grocery store. He attended Dundee High School, graduating in 1952. He attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1956, before attending and graduating from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1958 and being ordained as a pastor. He returned to Michigan State where he completed his master’s and then a doctorate in History in 1963. He held teaching positions at Albion College in Albion, MI, Inter-American University in Puerto Rico, and also pursued postgraduate studies at Princeton University and Harvard University before settling in Ypsilanti, MI with his wife and three children. He joined the faculty at Eastern Michigan University and served for 32 years in various roles such as Professor of History & Religion, Acting Head of the History Department, and eventually Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also completed an NEH Fellowship at University of Chicago. He served for a year as editor of Michigan Academician, and authored two books and numerous academic articles. He was active in the community as a Cub Scout Cubmaster and youth baseball league coach, and volunteered extensively at local charity Friends in Deed. 

See the full obituary.