Dr. Thomas J. Shields, director of the Center for Leadership in Education (a collaborative effort of the School of Continuing Studies and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies) will participate in a panel discussion titled “A Conversation about Race and Politics” on July 19, 2008. The panel discussion, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, will start the conversation by asking “Is America Ready to Elect a Black Man as President?” Visit leadershipk12.richmond.edu to learn more about the Center for Leadership in Education, and visit 200plusmen.org to learn more about the Hampton Roads Committe of 200+ Men.

Dr. Patricia Strait, chair of the Human Resource Management program, presented a research paper titled “Emerging Ethical Dilemmas in Immigration: Implications for Spain and the USA” at the Eighth Annual International Conference on Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations in Montreal, Canada, on June 20, 2008. You can read an abstract of Dr. Strait’s paper and learn more about the conference on the conference Web site.

Professor James M. “Jim” Helms, III, adjunct professor and president of Telecom Management Group, addressed graduates and guests as commencement speaker at Farmville’s Fuqua School on May 23, 2008. Helms has taught for the School of Continuing Studies since 1976. You can read more about the commencement on the Fuqua School Website, www.fuquaschool.com.

One of the University’s summer travel/study programs, The Civil Rights Movement in the South, was featured in a June 17, 2008, article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The article, titled “Trip Across the South Opens UR Students’ Eyes,” features the discoveries students and faculty made about past and current conditions in the U.S. South during the special “course in motion.” Learn more about the course at summer.richmond.edu/civilrights.

Major David McCoy, graduate of the School’s Public Safety University (now part of the Human Resource Management department) has been named interim chief of the Richmond Police Department following the departure of Chief Rodney Monroe. Read more about the appointment, made by Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Dr. Christopher Lee, adjunct professor in the Human Resource Management program, recently demonstrated his “faith in UR” by eagerly hiring one of his former students, Ruth Tilley. Tilley, who will complete her coursework for her degree in August 2008, now works for Dr. Lee as Compensation and Employment Manager. Dr. Lee is Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resource Services in the Virginia Community College System.

David Weaver, a 2007 graduate of the Teacher Licensure Program, was recently named New Teacher of the Year for Hanover County Public Schools. Weaver completed his teacher licensure preparation coursework last year after “switching careers” from his position at Grace Street Residential Designs, where he did architectural drafting and design work. He teaches eighth grade civics at Chickahominy Middle School in Mechanicsville.

Below is an excerpt from a longer Q&A session with Weaver. The full interview will be published in the Fall 2008 Schedule of Evening School classes (print version).

Where and when did you earn your bachelor’s degree?
I started my bachelor’s degree at JMU many years ago, but it wasn’t a priority for me at that point in my life.  As I progressed in my professional career I came to realize I needed a degree, so I took classes here and there over the next several years.  My wife, Terri, and I moved to Richmond about 5 years ago, and with our kids out of college and on their own, I finally ran out of excuses.  I enrolled in U of R’s Continuing Studies program and I received by Bachelor of Liberal Arts in 2007.

How would you describe your experience at University of Richmond?
Stimulating and Engaging.  The program at U of R allowed me to articulate ideas and principles that I have held for a long time but never had a forum to voice.  The instructors introduced me to areas of literature, history, and the arts that truly expanded my world view.

You were just named the Beginning Teacher of the Year for Hanover County. How does that make you feel?
Incredibly lucky.  I feel very fortunate to have landed where I did, surrounded by supportive administrators, seasoned professional educators, and dedicated staff.

Professor Porcher Taylor, Chair of the Paralegal Studies Program, and Professor David Kitchen, Associate Dean, recently published an opinion piece in the May 2008 issue of Pharmaceutical Executive. The opinion, titled “Bringing in the Green,” discusses the option pharmaceutical executives have in creating and launching a consortium to establish best practices to improve the environment. Read the opinion piece online at http://pharmexec.findpharma.com.

Kathy Powers, director of the School of Continuing Studies Institute on Philanthropy, has been elected to the board of directors of the Virginia Association of Fund Raising Executives (VAFRE). Powers will serve as Vice Chair of the Programs Committee, Member Programs/Brown Bags. Her term of office extends to 2009. View the full board slate at vafre.org.

Dr. Deborah Hanson, adjunct professor, has received a fellowship from the United States Capitol Historical Society for Fall 2008. Her research topic is “Westward Expansion and National Identity: A Comparative Study of Three Sets of Images in the U.S. Capitol.” Professor Hanson will be comparing Westward Expansion images from the 1820s, 1860s and 1990s, considering them in the context of related legislation passed in those time periods. She will work out of the office of the Architect of the Capitol as she completes her research.