Member News

Phi Kappa Phi Forum, Winter 2006

Rhodes Scholars

Paul J. Angelo and Jacquelyn R. Hanna, both members initiated at the U.S. Naval Academy, have each been named 2006 Rhodes Scholars. The Rhodes Scholarships provide for two to three years of study at the University of Oxford in England.

Inaugural Wuerffel Award

Rudy Niswanger (Louisiana State University), a three-year starter at center for the Louisiana State University football team, was named the inaugural recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy, named for 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel of the University of Florida; the award goes to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement. Mr. Niswanger was also a finalist for the Draddy Award, which is presented to college football's top student-athlete. He has been accepted into the LSU Medical School in Shreveport when he completes his athletic career.

James Barksdale (University of Mississippi) headed a privately funded commission appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to make recommendations to guide the Mississippi Gulf Coast's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Barksdale is the former CEO of Netscape.

David A. Frye, PhD (Indiana State University), who retired in July 2003 as associate superintendent from Monroe County Community School Corporation (Bloomington, Indiana), is owner of Professional Services for Educators, an educational consulting firm currently providing professional training services for Northwest Evaluation Association, Portland, Oregon.

Kendall M. Hurst (Oklahoma State University) graduated in July 2005 from Oklahoma State University with an MS in Chemical Engineering. His thesis was entitled "Effects of Carbon Monoxide and Yeast Extract on Growth, Hydrogenase Activity, and Product Formation of Clostridium Carboxidivorans P7T." He is currently enrolled in the PhD program at Auburn University.

Sandra Maya Joss, PhD (American University), graduated in May 2004 with a PhD in Anthropology. Her dissertation was titled "Beyond the Dreamings: Identity and Representation in Australian Aboriginal Urban Art." She continues to promote life-long learning at San Diego State University and San Diego Independent Scholars.

Nancy McBride, PhD (University of Nevada-Reno), was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling and Educational Psychology in December 2005. She is a school psychologist with the Lyon County School District, Silver Springs, Nevada, as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada-Reno.

Cheryl Mahaffey, EdD (University of Georgia), was honored with the 2005 Shackleford Distinguished Alumnus Award by LaGrange College (LaGrange, Georgia). Mahaffey has taught in the public school system in Georgia for twenty-five years and is currently principal of Barksdale Elementary School in Conyers, Georgia.

Fred H. Rodriguez, MD (University of New Orleans), was installed as president of the American Society for Clinical Pathology at its Seattle meeting in October 2005. A graduate of the ESU School of Medicine, Dr. Rodriguez is the National Director of Pathology and Eaboratory Medicine for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., and a professor of pathology and medical technology at the ESU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

Claudine SchWeber, PhD (University of Maryland University College,) received a Fulbright to the Polytechnic of Namibia. Her work focused on integrating technology, especially online/e-learning into the teaching process, and discussing organizational change. She gave presentations, developed a faculty-training program, consulted with varied departments, and trained faculty from many departments at the Polytechnic. She also met with USAID and the U.S. Cultural Center to discuss U.S. education developments and ideas for Namibia.

Craig Spencer (University of South Florida) was awarded a Juris Doctor from the Florida State University Law School in 2004.

Linda Speranza, PhD (University of South Florida), a professor of nursing at Valencia Community College, was awarded the Associate Administrator Achievement Award by the Bureau of Health Professions, a division of the Health Resources and Services Administration. She was honored for her work with Valencia's Pathways into Nursing program, a unique course of study created for ethnically diverse and disadvantaged students, particularly Hispanic students. The program takes them from high school through the Associate in Nursing degree and RN licensure.

Ramses Toma, PhD (California State University, Long Beach), was selected as recipient of the 2004-2005 Outstanding Professor Award at California State University, Long Beach. Toma, a professor of nutrition and food science whose research focuses on anti-oxidants and their cancer-fighting potential, was nominated by his students, which is not the norm. The Outstanding Professor Award recognizes excellence in instruction and instructionally related activities, scholarly and creative activities, and professional service.