Robert Marks, the Richard and Billie Deihl Professor of History, will continue work in the area of Chinese ecological history.

Professor of English language and literature Tony Barnstone will publish two poetry volumes in 2007 - The Golem of Los Angeles and Chinese Erotic Poems. Barnstone will also use grant monies received from the National Endowment for the Arts to work on another collection of poetry. He is also at work on a screenplay and a novel.

Fall 2007

Teresa LeVelle, professor of music, will further explore musical interests. LeVelle recently released a CD of her own compositions.

Joyce Kaufman, professor of political science, continue her research related to women and politics.

Spring 2008

Jeffrey Lutgen, associate professor of mathematics

Sean Morris, associate professor of English language and literature

Charles Reeg, professor of chemistry

Academic Year 2006-2007

Associate professor Doreen O’Connor-Gomez' work will encompass an analysis of current trends in European immigration and an exploration of Spanish literature. O'Connor-Gomez teaches in the Modern Languages and Literature Department.

Fall 2006

Professor William Geiger, Jr. is doing research for two papers on Charles K. Ogden’s theories of language acquisition as explained in Basic English, published in 1930. Ogden pioneered a simplified approach to learning English which focused on using 850 core words. Geiger will study the links between current cognitive studies and the theories presented in Basic English. He also expects to complete another study that will highlight Ogden’s use of Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticonic concepts in his work. A third paper will apply the religious and ethical ideas of Idealist philosopher F.H. Bradley to T.S. Eliot’s literature. Geiger teaches in the English Language and Literature Department.

Associate professor Glenn Piner’s work focuses on quasar astrophysics. With monies from the National Science Foundation and the Research Corporation, Piner will engage in ongoing analysis and publication of radio telescope observations from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Long Baseline Array. Quasars are intense lights that surround black holes and may outshine collections of stars. They were discovered by astronomers in the 60s. Piner teaches in the Physics and Astronomy Department.

Associate professor Anne Sebanc continues her work on friendship, which she received a National Science Foundation grant for in 2004. The research investigates the role friendship and peers play in Latino students’ transition to college as well as the constancy of friendship in the lives of middle school students in Pico Rivera, a mostly Latino city east of Los Angeles. Latino students have the highest dropout rates and lowest college attendance of any ethnic group in the United States. Sebanc expects to determine the factors that negatively and positively influence Latino academic performance. Sebanc teaches in the Education and Child Development Department.

Spring 2007

Associate professor Don Bremme will prepare articles focused on learning, student teaching and activity theory. Bremme will use data collected from research done at the Whittier Fifth Dimension as a basis for his work. The Whittier Fifth Dimension is a partnership between Whittier College and the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier. The project promotes children’s intellectual and social development. The principles of the program are based on “activity theory.” Bremme teaches in the Department of Education and Child Development.

Associate professor Claudia Dorrington has three projects focusing on homelessness and HIV/AIDS. Dorrington will evaluate the effectiveness of an 18-month transitional living program for homeless women and children run by the Hollywood YMCA. Another project will study the policies, impact of budget cuts and delivery of services by organizations in the east Los Angeles County that primarily assist the homeless. Dorrington also plans to assist Prototype, an organization that helps women with AIDS, in a study. Dorrington works in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work.

Associate professor Jeffrey Decker will prepare a paper dealing with managing as a liberal art. Decker hopes to eventually publish a book on the subject. He teaches in the Department of Business Administration.

Associate professor David Iyam will work at the University of Calabar in Nigeria, where he will teach and do research on how and why important cultural institutions in indigenous communities disappear despite the absence of external pressure. Iyam’s work will focus on the Biase ethnic group in southeastern Nigeria. Iyam has received a Fulbright award for the project. He teaches in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work.

Associate professor Deborah Norden’s area of study investigates the influence of nongovernmental organizations on democracies and democratic institutions in Latin America. Norden will explore whether or not nongovernmental organizations are a destabilizing influence that promote foreign voices over native ones. Her work focuses on South America, particularly Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Norden teaches in the Political Science Department.

Associate professor Ria O’Foghludha’s research deals with the artistic patronage of 15th century cardinal Branda Castiglione in northwestern Italy. Other projects include an exploration of Rome after the Avignon papacy and the Black Death. O’Foghludha teaches in the Art and Art History Department.

Associate professor Elizabeth Sage plans two projects. Using France’s national archives, Sage will explore representations and attitudes towards streets in 19th century Paris. The other project will focus on the challenges of maintaining a commitment to producing artisanal foods like cheese and wine in the face of governmental policies that would standardize foodstuffs. Sage teaches in the History Department.