New Ph.D. program approved by CCU trustees, the second doctoral program in school history
"The basic premise of this Ph.D. program is that contemporary educational methods are multifaceted and require practitioners to apply knowledge from a variety of disciplines," said Edward Jadallah, dean of CCU's Spadoni College of Education.
The program is designed to build upon the master's level education programs currently offered by the Spadoni College. A total of 477 students are enrolled in graduate education programs at CCU, and approximately 90 percent of these students are teachers or administrators in school districts that partner with the Spadoni College (Horry, Georgetown, Dillon, Marion and Florence School Districts 1-5).
At present, CCU offers one Ph.D. program, in marine science, which was established in 2014. Degree programs must be approved by the South Carolina Higher Education Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) before being officially added to the University curriculum. Pending these approvals, the new Ph.D. program will be offered in the fall of 2019.
The board also approved a proposal to establish an honors college at CCU, significantly reorganizing the University's current honors program by making it more competitive and distinctive. Plans for the new honors college were initiated a year ago by CCU Provost Ralph Byington, who charged CCU's Honors Council with developing a proposal for a well-defined and innovative program consistent with the University's commitment to excellence and its vision for student achievement and success.
The Honors College, which will feature many new initiatives, a revised curriculum, and increased financial support, is expected to begin in the fall of 2019.
In addition, the board approved a proposal to establish the University Archives and Special Collections, a permanent archival and research facility that will preserve documents and other materials relating to CCU and its history. Based on a charter established in 2006 and building on the work spearheaded by Emeritus Librarian Charmaine Tomczyk, the University Archives and Special Collections will be operated as a unit of CCU's Kimbel Library.
Nineteen faculty members received board approval for promotion from assistant professor to associate professor with tenure: Johnson Agbo, James Arendt, Ariana Baker, Miranda Brenneman, Kimberly Carroll, Jason Cholewa, Eric Crawford, Andrew Czekanski, Diane Fribance, Amy Fyn, Erin Hackett, Daniel Hasty, Richard Kilroy, Miket Norris, Richard Peterson, Catherine Scott, Jason Smith, Bryan Wakefield and Daniel Williams. Two faculty members, Ariana Baker and Amy Fyn, were promoted to associate librarian with tenure.
Ten faculty members were promoted from associate professor to full professor: Melissa Clark, Carolyn Dillian, Dennis Earl, Jean French, Suheir Daoud, Vladislav Gulis, Julinna Oxley, Louis Rubbo, Jose Sanjines and Amy Tully.
Two faculty members were approved for tenure: Roi Gurka and Till J.J. Hanebuth.
The board approved distinguished professor emeritus status for retiring professor Maura Kenny and emeritus status for retiring associate professor Gregory C. Geer.
The board approved a motion naming CCU Head Football Coach Joe Moglia as the University's May 2018 commencement speaker.
Seven property renewal leases were approved by the board, as well as a land transfer from the Coastal Educational Foundation to CCU that will facilitate planning for a future Academic Enrichment Center building between Kearns Hall and Wheelwright Auditorium.