Graduate school news briefs

Graduate school moves to Rogers Hall

Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education moved into Rogers Hall in August. The College will dedicate the renovated south-campus building on Thursday, Nov. 15.

“This is a dream come true. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that allows us to achieve and maintain high standards,” says Valerie White, associate dean of the graduate school. “We value the talent and professionalism of everyone involved. The completion of this project, on schedule and within budget, is a testament to the extraordinary competence of Anderson Construction; Larry Atchison, building/projects supervisor; and the Facilities Services team.”

A portion of the $4.5-million gift received from the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation last year funded renovation of the four-story, 27,000-square-foot building and the Conference Center. The project includes significant site improvements, 10 classrooms, offices for the entire graduate school faculty and staff, a lounge, a place for light food service and an elevator that serves each of the building’s four floors.

“The graduate school has a beautiful home in Rogers Hall and will have a wonderful opportunity to continue to sharpen its programmatic emphasis in education and psychology,” says Jay Casbon, dean of the graduate school.

Teacher education receives Eisenhower grant

Kelly Gaddis, assistant professor of education, received a $38,273 grant from the Eisenhower Higher Education Professional Development Program to establish the Portland High School Math Collaborative. The program pairs Portland public high-school teachers with Lewis & Clark teacher education faculty members. Together, they will address the diverse learning needs of Portland’s high school mathematics students in urban schools.

The program will focus on three areas that are crucial to improving instruction and student achievement in mathematics: standards-based curriculum models, student-centered instructional approaches that are successful in diverse high school classrooms, and flexible assessment strategies that are integrated into class activities.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with Portland high school mathematics teachers in this professional-development program,” says Gaddis.

For more details, call (503) 768-7720.

Witherell to serve as interim chair of teacher education

Carol Witherell, professor of education, will serve as interim chair of the graduate school’s teacher education department this fall. She chaired the department from 1987 to 1994.

“I look forward to working with wonderful colleagues both at the College and in the schools in our region,” says Witherell.

Andra Makler, associate professor of education and department chair from 1994 to 2001, is on a yearlong sabbatical. Nancy Nagel, associate professor of education, was interim chair during the summer. The search for a new chair with administrative experience and a strong vision for the future of teacher education will proceed during the coming year.

Graduate school welcomes new faculty members

The Graduate School of Education welcomes nine new faculty members. Janet Bixby, Karen Gwaltney and Maria Timmons Flores have joined the teacher education department. Amy Rees and Barbra Fletcher-Stephens have joined the counseling psychology department. Marcia Silver will direct the graduate school’s new writing studio. Sonya Groves, William Layton and Richard White joined the school counseling department.