Dr. Noel Hubler, professor of philosophy and political science, published his first book, Overcoming Uncertainty in Ancient Greek Political Philosophy. The book, published by Palgrave MacMillan, breaks new historical ground by investigating the conflicting notions of opinion and uncertainty in Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics and exploring the resulting implications for their political theories. At the same time, the book makes a theoretical contribution by arguing that only Aristotle’s recognition of opinion as subjectively and objectively uncertain can ground a deliberative republic.

The Black Student Union and members of the Celebration LVC Taskforce hosted a 2021 Kwanzaa celebration at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery in the Zimmerman Recital Hall in early December. Dr. Nate Gadsden, a minister, motivational speaker, and life coach, gave a resounding historical overview of the context for Kwanzaa, which African American scholar Maulana Karenga created in the 1960s. LVC President James MacLaren welcomed the guests to the celebration before Chris Luzon ’25 performed When We Were Young by Adele. 

Johña Wetzel ’24, Jolly Abouseif ’24, Yonaira Velazquez Seguinot ’24, Taylor Mazanek ’24, Margaret Mailey ’24, Ethan Tirado ’22, and Raynae Bosley ’22—led the lighting of the candles to recognize the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Shellann Worthen ’22, Asma Badaway ’25, and Darrell Duri ’22 shared self-narratives on what they bring to the LVC community. Bosley then delivered a final musical performance. Wetzel, Kayla Spiller ’22, and several other students helped plan and run the event.

During the celebration, the inaugural Nguzu Saba Award was introduced to recognize individuals who embodies all seven principles of Kwanzaa. Evelyn Colón, advancement coordinator, and Dr. Terrence Alladin, assistant professor of criminal justice, are this year’s staff and faculty recipients. The award will be presented annually during the Kwanzaa celebration based on student votes.

Dr. Kimberlee Josephson, associate dean of the Breen Center for Graduate Success and associate professor of business administration, was invited to be a contributor to the Golden Key Academy article section. Dr. Josephson was inducted into Golden Key, an international honor society, when she was a graduate student in Australia. Her first article for the academy, Don’t let your competitive advantage turn into competitive inertia, can only be accessed by Golden Key members.

Dr. Chris J. Dolan, professor of political science and director of the Master of Science in Intelligence and Security Studies Program, published “From the cold war to a hard freeze” on The Hill recently. Dr. Dolan, an opinion contributor for The Hill, discussed the rising conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, and the recent “Cold War-style summit” with President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin.

A short story by Dr. Holly M. Wendt, director of creative writing and associate professor of English, “The Bolton Strid,” which appeared in Shenandoah 70.2, was nominated for Best Small Fictions. Dr. Wendt’s latest short fiction, “Lepidoptery,” appears in the most recent issue of VIDA Review.

PennLive published an op-ed, “Pennsylvania needs to double the Pell grant to help more students stay out of debt,’ by President James M. MacLaren, Ph.D., on Dec. 5. President MacLaren joined fellow presidents to call “on elected officials to double the size of the Pell Grant,” noting that Pennsylvania “had the highest rate of federal Direct Loan borrowing” in his guest editorial. 

Dr. Keith Veenhuizen, assistant professor of physics and director of cooperative engineering, Olivia Magneson ’23, and Jacob Franklin ’23 presented results of their research at the virtual Glass and Optical Materials Division (GOMD) 2021 Annual Meeting in December. Veenhuizen presented the talk, “Effect of glass composition on the laser-induced nucleation and growth of lithium niobate crystals in lithium niobosilicate glass.” Magneson gave a poster presentation titled, “Phase-selective laser-induced crystallization of lead bismuth gallate glass,” and Franklin gave a poster presentation titled, “Formation of continuous lithium niobate single crystals in lithium niobosilicate glass via femtosecond laser irradiation.” GOMD 2021 brings together researchers in industry and academia to share findings about glass science and technology.

Dr. Joerg Meindl, associate professor of German and global studies, presented “The German Language in South Tyrol,” during the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language virtual convention in mid-November.