February 6, 2006

To: PLU Faculty

RE: Leadership in the First-year Program

Dear Colleagues:

At the end of this academic year, Lisa Marcus, Associate Professor of English, will step down as Director of the First-year Experience Program. In her two years in the post, Lisa has provided strong leadership for the program. The Writing 101 courses are again being taught by full-time, tenure track faculty from across the campus. With topics ranging from "Stem-Cell Research" to "Reinventing the American High School," "Terrorism" to "The Beauty Myth," "Banned Books" to "Chatting with Chimps," the 101 courses are now enjoying high evaluations to match the quality instruction of our cross-disciplinary faculty. Dr. Marcus has also collaborated with the Wild Hope Project to enhance the pedagogy and coherence of the 190 Inquiry Seminar through workshops and faculty development opportunities. In addition, Lisa has partnered with Student Life on Fall Orientation and J-term Explore programs, expanding the reach of the First Year Experience into the co-curricular realm. Please join me in thanking Lisa for her hard work and dedication to the program and first-year students.

Based upon consultation with Lisa and many faculty and staff connected with the FYEP, I have asked Steve Woolworth, Assistant Professor of Education, to assume the position of Director, effective this summer. For those of you who do not know him, Steve is in his third year at PLU. He teaches in the areas of educational and social policy studies, multicultural education, learning theory, school-community relations, and qualitative inquiry. He is a popular and effective teacher of first-year students. Dr. Woolworth has published articles in the areas of teacher community, education and public health history, and community studies. Outside of PLU, Steve is the Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition for Homeless Youth and a board member of the Greater Pierce County Community Network where he is part of an interdisciplinary team undertaking a study of youth aging out of the foster care system. Please welcome Steve to his new position.

Rona Kaufman will continue in her role as Director of Faculty Development for
the First-Year Program. Dr. Kaufman provides valuable assistance to the program faculty by supporting them and to students by administering the Writing Center, located on the second floor of the Mortvedt Library. She also deserves much credit for the growth and development of our program for first-year students.

Jim