University Honors Faculty For Contributions

 Twelve University of Scranton faculty members were honored for their contributions toward enhancing the University community at a ceremony held during the spring semester.

George J. Aulisio received the Excellence in Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum Award. Aulisio joined The University of Scranton in 2009. He is an assistant professor in the Weinberg Memorial Library. Aulisio earned master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University and his bachelor’s from Bloomsburg University. Allusio orchestrated the university’s Green Team, which includes faculty staff and students and promotes sustainability by coordinating with building maintenance and others to maximize recycling effectiveness and even extends to care for a portion of the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Trail.

Will T. Cohen, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Learning Award. Cohen joined The University of Scranton in 2009. He is an assistant professor of Theology and Religious Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America, his master’s from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and his bachelor’s from Brown University. Dr. Cohen has contributed to the interdisciplinary nature of the institution by offering an honors course that examines the relationship between science and faith.

Riaz Hussain, Ph.D., received the Excellence for University Service and Leadership Award. Dr. Hussain joined The University of Scranton in 1967. He is an associate professor of finance. He earned doctorates from John Hopkins University and Lehigh University. He earned his MBA from The University of Scranton, his master’s from the University of Punjab, Pakistan, and his bachelor’s from Forman College, Pakistan. Dr. Hussain served as director of The University of Scranton’s MBA program, has been named an Alperin Teaching Fellow and is the imam of the campus mosque.

Jordan Petsas, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Advancing Global Learning Award. Dr. Petsas joined The University of Scranton in 2002. He is an associate professor of economics and finance as well as the chairperson for the department. Petsas earned his Ph.D. in economics and master’s from the University of Florida and his bachelor’s from the University of Thessaloniki. In 2012, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Dr. Petsas to participate in the U.S. Young Scholars and Experts Delegation Program where he served as a team leader for the initiative designed to broaden Taiwanese perspectives on global issues.

James C. Roberts, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Scholarly Publication Award. Roberts joined The University of Scranton in 2005. He is an associate professor of sociology and criminal justice. He earned his Ph.D. and master’s from the Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice and his bachelor’s degree from Richard Stockton College. Dr. Roberts has published a number of scholarly works including referenced articles, a book chapter, encyclopedia entries and two full-length instructor’s manuals. He has also presented at more than a dozen national and international conferences.

Nabil A. Tamimi, Ph.D., received the Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. Dr. Tamimi joined The University of Scranton in 1993 and became a full professor in 2003. He has served as chairperson of the Operations Management Department since 2007.  He earned his Ph.D. in operations management-management science from Temple University, his MBA from The University of Scranton and his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University.  In the past, Dr. Tamimi earned the Alperin Teaching Fellowship, the Student’s Choice Award and the Professor of the Year Award in The University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management. He has worked to design on-line courses with high intensity student engagement.

Gretchen J. Van Dyke, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum Award. Dr. Van Dyke joined The University of Scranton in 2000. She is an associate professor of political science. She earned her Ph.D. in foreign affairs and her master’s from the University of Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s from Trinity College. Dr. Van Dyke has taught and developed courses that address contemporary issues of justice. She serves as a member of the National Network Board to the Lilly Fellows Program in the Humanities and the Arts.

Thomas Leong received a Provost Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Leong began teaching mathematics at The University of Scranton in 2007. He has worked full-time as a math specialist in the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence since 2006.

Melissa Bevacqua received a Provost Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Bevacqua joined The University of Scranton in 2004. She is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources, as well as the associate director for outreach and admissions at the University.

John McGrath received a Provost Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. McGrath joined The University of Scranton in 2006. He is an adjunct professor of education in the Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Also honored were the University’s CASE Professor of the Year for 2012,

Anthony Ferzola, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Mathematics Department, and the University’s CASE Professor of the Year for 2013, Rose Sebastianelli, Ph.D., professor of operations and information management and the Alperin chair in business administration.