When Dr. Don Snyder retires in April, he will have served as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry for 28 years, having joined in the Fall of 1993. Dr. Snyder earned his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Purdue University, and he worked for several years in industry (teaching on the side) before joining our department. He, therefore, brought with him unique perspectives, having worked outside of academia. A well-respected professor specializing in Organic Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry, he also taught courses in Industrial Chemistry and served as the department’s faculty coordinator for internships. Of course, Dr. Snyder served on a number of departmental, college, and university committees throughout the years, has been a regular attendee at commencement, and has willingly performed numerous other service roles. In addition, he maintained an active research program and mentored students in research, and he has been a “go-to” expert in several areas and collaborated with faculty in the College of Technology. Dr. Snyder's expertise, flexibility, and professionalism have been valued and appreciated. His colleagues will miss him and are privileged to have worked with him, and we thank him for his service to our students and to EMU.

Dr. Pamela Stewart presented a paper at the Renaissance Society of America annual meeting, held virtually April 13-22. Her paper, “Linear Perspective and Spiritual Vision: Framing the Eucharist in 16th Century Milan” contributed to a session on "Art, Spirituality, and the Sacred."

Professor Rita Shah (Departement of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminiology) has been honored with the best 2020 article, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Architectures of Community Corrections as Public Secret,” by editors of Probation Journal. The publisher will offer the article as open access and record a podcast interview next month. Congratulations, Professor Shah!

Alum Tania Purnomo (2020 CB MS Program graduate) spearheaded Indonesia's first ever Behavior Analysis Conference as Program Chair. Dr. Adam Brigg (Department of Psychology) stated, Tania's diligence, commitment and "leadership is incredibly impressive given where she is at in her career and the level of impact [the conference] will have given it serves as a formal introduction to behavior analysis in this country and region." Dr. Briggs notes that in less than one year from graduation, Tania was able to recruit "the who's who in behavior analysis" as speakers for the conference in her home country of Indonesia.

“One Year Later: The Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. Communities”:

Webinar Panel of EMU Professors on May 18 at 5:00

A little more than a year after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic became publicly recognized, five professors from the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology will take a step back to analyze the ways the pandemic has affected different communities in the United States. The on-going global pandemic has exacerbated inequalities that affect the health and quality of life of immigrant and ethnic minority communities as well as those with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The panel will discuss the rise of hate crimes and discrimination and the relevant incendiary political rhetoric and unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. These experts will share insights on the issues, their evolving concerns, and recommendations and strategies to address how to create meaningful social change.

Dr. Grigoris Argeros will examine macro-level structural concerns, barriers, and their various effects related to racial and ethnic disparities, as well as income-based inequalities magnified by the pandemic. Next, Dr. Rachel Schroeder will explore effects the pandemic has on persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Dr. Xianghong Feng will explain historical intergroup conflicts and anti-Asian hate in the U.S. In her discussion she will elaborate on the re-emergent issues of racism, xenophobia, and the role intersectionality plays in recent prejudicial and discriminatory discourses and acts directed at Asian communities. Finally, Dr. María Luz García will speak on the issues and concerns indigenous immigrants from Latin America are facing in the U.S. during the pandemic. Dr. Brian Sellers will moderate.

On March 16-17, the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies virtually hosted over 240 registrants across the United States for the 4^th Annual Women of Color Feminisms and Leadership Symposium. Since 2018, the symposium has been a collaborative initiative coordinated by the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, Women’s Resource Center, The Center of Race and Ethnicity (CORE), faculty, students, and staff.

This year’s theme, “Reimagining, Rebuilding, and Recreating Ourselves as Women of Color,” set the stage for the symposium to provide a breathable space for Women of Color to:

· envision a world without limitations,

· unlearn false narratives of who THEY told us we should be; and

· to prioritize healing so that we can create new versions of ourselves without fear.

Participants listened to activist Tarana Burke, the featured keynote speaker, and engaged with each other in sessions that provided attendees with safe spaces to receive motivation, resources, advice, and strategies from other local and national activists, self-care advocates, entrepreneurs, and performers. Attendees actively engaged with speakers and attendees during the lively Q & A and Chat discussions throughout the event, and more so during the musical break provided by DJ Lixxer.

Congratulations to the Leadership Symposium Committee and to students, faculty and staff for their contributions to this collaborative and much-needed, powerful initiative.