As a member of the Massachusetts Mascot Coalition Steering Committee, Laurel R. Davis-Delano, PhD, professor of sociology, helped plan two panels of nine Native American spokespersons for a bill currently before the Massachusetts legislature called “An Act Prohibiting the Use of Native American Mascots by Public Schools in the Commonwealth” (H.443 and S.2593). The panel presentations were before the Massachusetts House Progressive Caucus and in front of the Massachusetts Senate, both in March 2021. She also worked with the steering committee to plan a similar panel that was held before for the Wakefield (Mass.) School Committee in March 2021.
Martin Dobrow, MA, professor of communications, and Student Trustee Kristian Rhim, Class of 2021, had their Springfield College podcast on the intersection of basketball and social justice, called “Liberty, Justice, and Ball,” picked up by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Since then, it has morphed into a focus on social justice conversations with Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees that will air twice a month for two years. The first episode featured Grant Hill on April 1, 2021. Upcoming guests include hall of famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Cousy, Cynthia Cooper, Teresa Weatherspoon, Jerry West, Robert Parrish, and Spencer Haywood.
Erin E. Futrell, PhD, assistant professor of physical therapy, was re-certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy in October 2020.
Kris Rhim and Marty Dobrow
Andrew B. Perry, PhD, professor of mathematics and computer science, served as a faculty judge for the Student Content in Undergraduate Differential Equation Modeling in a virtual competition in November 2020. Perry rendered scores and provided constructive feedback to high school and undergraduate students from around the world. Students were judged on their creation of a mathematics model using differential equations and preparation of a 10-minute video presentation on their work.
Tessa Rickart, social media and web specialist, graduated with a Master of Arts in communications with a focus in new media (4.0 GPA) from Southern New Hampshire University in March 2021.
Wayne Rodrigues, MEd, assistant professor of exercise science and athletic training, completed the Quality Matters Teaching Online Certification Course, which includes participation in seven workshops over 11 weeks. He is currently using the skills learned to develop online course modules for the Springfield College Master of Athletic Training program as a part of his sabbatical project.
Joseph M. Wronka, PhD, professor of social work, produced and directed a show for Amherst Media on “Poetry and Human Rights” with the Amherst-Pelham (Mass.) Regional Middle School as part of Human Rights Day in December 2020.
Tessa Rickart
Wayne Rodrigues
