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Clarion University recognizes outstanding graduate students

Outstanding graduate students from left: Joshua Tabor, Jeremy Criswell, Donna Snyder, Amy Kaltenbach, Tiffany Fenstermaker, Saurava Pradhan, Joseph Fiedor, and Joseph Thomas.

Clarion University named its 11 outstanding graduate students during the seventh annual Graduate Student Research and Professional Activities Conference in the Carlson Library.

Those participating in the conference have completed independent research or a project from a graduate course or thesis. Participants had the option of participating in an oral or poster session.

The Conference was part of Academic Excellence Week at Clarion University, which included Faculty and Staff Scholarship recognition, Senior Honors presentations, the Undergraduate Research Conference, and Academic Convocation.

Recognized as outstanding graduate students were:

Biology – Joseph Thomas, a son of John Thomas of Venus. Dr. Doug Smith, professor of biology, introduced Thomas.

Business Administration – Joseph Fiedor, a son of James Fiedor of Penfield. Dr. James Pesek, interim dean of College of Business Administration, introduced Fiedor.

Mass Media Arts, Journalism and Communication Studies – Saurava Pradhan of Clarion. Dr. Michael Torres, professor of mass media, arts, journalism and communication studies introduced Pradhan.

Speech Language Pathology – Candace Pipino, a daughter of Joseph Pipino of Poland, Ohio and a graduate of Poland Seminary High School. Dr. Janis Jarecki-Liu, professor of communications sciences and disorders, introduced Pipino.

Education – Joshua Tabor, a son of Dorey Tabor of Clarion. Dr. Greg Goodman, assistant professor of education, introduced Tabor.

English – Tiffani Fenstermaker of New Bethlehem and a graduate of Redbank Valley High School. Dr. Richard Lane, associate professor of English, introduced Fenstermaker.

Library Science – Donna Snyder of Mayport. Dr. Andrea Miller, professor of library science, introduced Snyder.

Nursing – Sandra Bright, who resides in Butler with her husband, Eric. Dr. Debbie Ciesielka, associate professor of nursing, introduced Bright.

Reading – Ashleigh Rieger, a daughter of Doug and Crendia Rieger of Natrona Heights and a graduate of Highlands High School. Dr. Greg Goodman, assistant professor of education, introduced Rieger.

Rehabilitative Sciences – Amy Kaltenbach, who resides in Clarion with her husband, Henry, and is a graduate of Clarion-Limestone High School. Dr. Mark Kilwein, associate professor of special education and rehabilitative sciences, introduced Kaltenbach.

Science Education – Jeremy Criswell, a son of Carol Bishop of Greensburg. Dr. Bruce Smith, associate professor of education, introduced Criswell.

The seventh annual Clarion University Graduate Student Research and Professional Activities Conference, “Crossing Disciplines and Establishing New Frontiers,” followed. Presenters included:

Biology – Gregory Heberlein, “The ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Transport Protein MsbA: Cloning and Preliminary Analysis.” Heberlein, a son of Aubrey Heberlein of Erie is a graduate of Northwest PA Collegiate Academy. The study focused on the MsbA gene, a prokaryotic mdr1 homolog, which has been identified in several prokaryotic species and confers resistance to a variety of drugs.

Biology – Joseph Thomas, “Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma on Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.” Thomas is a son of John Thomas of Venus. The project examined autologous adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their ability to develop tissues, such as bone, cartilage, fat and muscle with no threat of rejection.

Biology/Environmental Science – Michele Singer, “A survey of the Odonata of Clarion County.” Singer, a daughter of Joye Singer of Kersey is a graduate of St. Marys High School. The project sought to determine dragonfly and damselfly diversity in Clarion County in relation to environmental peturbation.

Biology/Environmental Science – Brianna Reed, “Pyrrharctia Isabella and Dormancy: Quiescence or Diapause?” Reed is a daughter of Caitlin Reed of Limestone. The project studied insect metabolic rates over time during the two types of dormancy.

Business Administration – Trevor McCance, “The Effectiveness of Advertising Used by ‘XYZ Agency’.” McCance is a son of Gail McCance of Butler and is a graduate of Butler High School. The purpose of the study was to measure any significant correlation between the advertising methods used by XYZ Agency and the type of insurance policies that are sold by the agency. English – Tiffani Fenstermaker, “The Nature of Jewett’s A County Doctor.” Fenstermaker is from New Bethlehem and is a graduate of Redbank Valley High School. She used a blend of New Criticism and feminism theories in an approach to examine Sarah Orne Jewett’s A Country Doctor. She analyzed the word “nature” with its multiple connotations as they are perceived in the novel.

Library Science – Donna Snyder, “A Survey of New Technologies for Educators.” Snyder is from Mayport. She administered a survey to Pennsylvania’s SLMSs, which would provide professional insight to remodel the New Technology for Educators course.

Library Science – Terrie Swanson, “Condition Survey Methodology Applied to a Small Historical Society Library.” Swanson is a son of Laurie Swanson of North Warren. The project demonstrated how survey techniques developed for larger libraries may be successfully applied to smaller specialized libraries as the groundwork for more extensive preservation efforts.

Library Science – Joseph Petta, “Enhancement of Adult Literacy Outreach Services in Clarion County.” Petta is a son of Janice Petta of Emerson, N.J. The project was a community service effort to increase the visibility and outreach potential of the Clarion County Literacy Council through the creation of an organization web site.

Library Science – Bonnie Fong, “Cultural Enrichment in the Clarion County Community.” Fong is a daughter of Pak Fong of Bronx, N.Y. The goals of this project were to fill gaps in the Clarion Free Library’s multicultural resources collection and to bring awareness of these recourses to the community through a planned event, “Cultural Awareness Day.”

Nursing – Donna Barretta and Bridget Foust, “Barriers to Primary Care: A Study of Northwest Pennsylvania County.”

Barretta is from Meadville and is a graduate of Venango Catholic High School.

Foust resides with her husband, Kyle, in Erie.

The study was a secondary analysis of a 2007 access to primary care study conducted by Northwest Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. Responses to three questions addressing cost, structural and personal constraints to primary care were examined to determine if barriers exist.

Speech Language Pathology – Robin Eiler, Darl Dressler and Emily Swanson, “Frontotemporal Dementia.”

Eiler, a daughter of David Eiler of New Brighton, is a graduate of Freedom High School.

Dressler, a daughter of Kenneth Dressler of Stillwater, is a graduate of Columbia County Christian School.

Swanson, a daughter of Dave Swanson of Clarion, is a graduate of Clarion High School.

The purpose of the project was to identify the prevalence/incidence of Frontotemporal Dementia, show causes of the disease, and propose assessment and treatment options from the research to show how the disease is treated.

Speech Language Pathology – Carissa Teeters, Kelli Kunselman, Rebecca McKinney and Suzanne Robinson, “Traumatic Brain Injury and the Effects on Memory, Swallowing and Self-Monitoring.”

Teeters, a daughter of Ramona Teeters of Huntingdon, is a graduate of Juniata Valley High School.

Kunselman, a daughter of Barbara Kunselman of Greenville, is a graduate of Greenville High School.

McKinney, a daughter of Tim McKinney of Tionesta, is a graduate of West Forest High School.

Robinson is from Kittanning.

The purpose of the project was to inform the general public about what traumatic brain injury is and its effects on the individual and the family and/or caregiver.

Speech Language Pathology – Maggie Pisarcik, Justine Lewis, Ashley Gradl and Julie Frank, “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.”

Pisarcik, a daughter of Barbara Pisarcik of Sharpsville, is a graduate of Sharpsville High School.

Lewis, a daughter of Glennon McBride of Hermitage, is a graduate of Hickory High School.

Gradl, a daughter of James Gradl of St. Marys, is a graduate of Elk County Catholic High School.

Frank, a daughter of Donna Frank of Osceola Mills, is a graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola High School.

The aim of their project was to educate the public about the etiology, effects and outcomes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, focusing on statistics, risk factors and stages of the disease.

Speech Language Pathology – Marcie Sexton, Danielle Newman, Kandace Lesher and Jamie Flaherty, “Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.”

Sexton, a daughter of Gayle Sexton of Meadville, is a graduate of Meadville High School.

Newman, a daughter of Mary Newman of Allison Park, is a graduate of Shaler High School.

Lesher, a daughter of Beth Lesher of Meadville, is a graduate of Meadville High School.

Flaherty is a daughter of Joyce Flaherty of Sharpsville.

The purpose of the research project was to determine the causes, characteristics, assessment, SLP’s role and efficacy of treatment tools of pediatric traumatic brain injury. The group also did an additional project entitled “Parkinson’s Disease,” discussing the characteristics and various treatments of Parkinson’s as well as the SLP’s role.

Speech Language Pathology – Julie Frank, Justine Link, Stephanie Morris and Rebecca Sarvey, “Differentiating Progressive Supranuclear Palsy from Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease.”

Link is from Dysart and is a graduate of Cambria Heights High School.

Morris, a daughter of Linda Morris of Corsica, is a graduate of Clarion-Limestone High School.

Sarvey, a daughter of Catherine Sarvey of Butler, is a graduate of Slippery Rock High School.

The project differentiated progressive supranuclear palsy from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, discusses the prevalence and incidence rates regarding these disorders, and considered possible therapy techniques.

Speech Language Pathology – Anna Fernan, Denielle Huffman, Dubravka Spera and Melissa Dale, “Treatment for Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage.”

Fernan resides in Clarion with her husband, Mike.

Huffman is daughter of Duane Huffman of Liberty and is a graduate of Liberty High School.

Spera resides in North Wales with her husband, Alfred.

Dale is a daughter of Jean Dale of Lucinda and is a graduate of North Clarion High School.

The purpose of this research was to investigate treatment methods for patients with right hemisphere damage.

Speech Language Pathology – Jenna, Jolley, Jim Huston, Laurie Crist and Robin Eiler, “Treatment of Spasmodic Dysphonia.”

Jolley is a daughter of Ted Jolley of Polk and is a graduate of Franklin High School.

Huston, resides in Carlton with his wife, Jody, and is a graduate of Melbourne High School.

Crist is a daughter of John Crist of Shippenville and is a graduate of Clarion High School.

Eiler is a daughter of David Eiler of New Brighton and is a graduate of Freedom High School.

The group analyzed three types of Spasmodic Dysphonia: addictor, abductor and mixed. They researched how Spasmodic Dysphonia is diagnosed, its probable causes and treatment techniques.

Speech Language Pathology – Suzanne Robinson, Kelly Hafer, Erin Smith and Amy Shellhammer, “Speech Deficits Associated with Multiple Sclerosis.”

Hafer is a daughter of Susan Kifer of Rimersburg and is a graduate of Union High School.

Smith is a daughter of Monica Smith of Bolivar and is a graduate of Bolivar-Richburg Central High School.

Shellhammer is a daughter of Jerry Shellhammer of Vandergrift and is a graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School.

The project examined speech deficits of Multiple Sclerosis. The main areas analyzed were language problems, dysphagia, coarticulation and phonation.

Speech Language Pathology – Morgan Ost, Lindsay Scalise, Mila Heineman and Jacquelyn Herbstritt, “Role of the Speech Language Pathologist in Multiple Sclerosis.”

Ost, a daughter of Debra Stehara of Prospect, is a graduate of Slippery Rock High School.

Scalise, a daughter of Nancy Scalise of Pittsburgh, is a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School.

Heineman, a daughter of Karl and Linda Heineman of Seneca, is a graduate of Cranberry High School.

Herbstritt, a daughter of Peggy Herstritt of St. Marys, is a graduate of Elk County Catholic High School.

The group performed an analysis of literature on Multiple Sclerosis. Their aim was to strengthen the awareness of the role of the speech language pathologist and the physician in treating patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Speech Language Pathology – Elyse Ebersole, Kelle DeLoia, Erin Shaffer and Kristin Larson, “Brain Damage: The Ongoing Internal War.”

Ebersole resides in Berlin with her husband, Russ, and is a graduate of Berlin Brothers Valley High School.

Deloia is a daughter of Thomas Deloia of Ellwood City and is a graduate of Riverside High School.

Schaffer is a daughter of Nancy Schaffer of DuBois and is a graduate of Central Catholic High School.

Larson is a son of Paul Larson of Transfer and is a graduate of Reynolds High School.

The project revolved around blast injuries causing TBI in soldiers returning from the Iraq war. The group stressed that it is not possible to provide preventative services, but it is imperative to be educated about the situations affecting clients to provide appropriate therapeutic services.

Speech Language Pathology – Gloria Frantz, Jackie Sager, Angie Allgeier and Rebecca McKinney, “Huntington’s Chorea.”

Frantz, a daughter of Germaine Geiser of St. Marys, is a graduate of St. Marys High School.

Sager, a daughter of David Sager of Punxsutawney, is a graduate of Redbank Valley High School.

Allgeier, a daughter of Michael Allgeier of Erie, is a graduate of Mercyhurst Preparatory School.

McKinney, a daughter of Tim McKinney of Tionesta, is a graduate of West Forest High School.

The purpose of the project was to understand hyperkinetic dysarthria characteristics and treatments. They analyzed nutrition, long term care communication and cognition problems, genetic links, and incidence and prevalence of the disease, and explore the theory of detection and quantification of quick respiratory hyperkinesias.

Speech Language Pathology – Ashley Ballentine, Ashley Doutt, Jessica Hogue, Nicole Nedley and Roslyn Piccirilli, “Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Disease vs. Frontotemporal Dementia.”

Ballentine is from Drums and is a graduate of Lewisburg Area High School.

Doutt is a daughter of Thomas and Carol Doutt of Hermitage and is a graduate of Hickory High School.

Hogue is a daughter of Cindy Hogue of Hermitage and is a graduate of Hickory High School.

Nedley is a daughter of Richard and Susan Nedley of Harrison City and is a graduate of Hempfield High School.

Piccirilli is a daughter of Duane Piccirilli of Hermitage and is a graduate of Hickory High School.

The purpose of the project was to describe the differences between Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia.

The group also did an additional project, “Tourette’s Syndrome.” The purpose of the project was to describe the etiology, onset, course, characteristics and treatment of Tourette’s Syndrome.

Officials from three universities are involved in the graduate student program. They include:

Clarion University – President Joseph Grunenwald; Dr. Brenda Dede, assistant vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Rachelle Prioleau, dean of college arts and sciences; Dr. James Pesek, interim dean of college of business administration; Dr. John Groves, dean of college education and human services; Dr. Christopher Reber, executive dean of Venango campu; Dr. Kathleen Patterson, MSN program coordinator of school of nursing and allied health; and Joyce Keenan, chair of nursing department.

Edinboro University – President Jeremy Brown; Dr. Pearl Bartell, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. R. Scott Baldwin, dean of graduate studies and research; Dr. Eric Randall, dean of science, management and technology; and Patricia Nosel, chair of nursing department.

Slippery Rock University – President Robert Smith; Dr. William Williams, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Susan Hannam, dean of college of health, environment and sciences; Cliff McCormick, director of graduate admissions and recruitment; and Dr. Joyce Penrose, chair of nursing department.

The purpose of the Conference is to provide an opportunity for Clarion University graduate students from all disciplines to present their work to the University and the greater Clarion area community; to generate broader recognition of the variety of graduate programs of Clarion University; and to foster an appreciation for the high level of expertise and variety of research methodologies and professional activities of graduate students in their respective fields.

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