School News
Austin College names new members of faculty
By Austin College
Aug 29, 2008

SHERMAN, TEXAS — As the start of classes quickly approaches at Austin College, Mike Imhoff, vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the faculty, announces several individuals joining the faculty in the 2008-2009 academic year. The new faculty met with President Oscar C. Page and various campus leaders Monday to begin their preparation for the first day of classes September 2.  

Eight tenure-track faculty members were hired in the departments of political science, psychology, German, chemistry, music, sociology, and English. 

Philip Barker, assistant professor of political science, earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University, and master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Colorado. 

Renee Countryman, assistant professor of psychology, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Western Illinois University and completed a doctorate at Tulane University.

Kai Diers, assistant professor of German, earned a bachelor’s degree at Oldenburg University, master’s degrees at Pottsdam University and the University of Arizona, and a doctorate at Rutgers University

Stephanie L. Gould, assistant professor of chemistry, earned a bachelor’s degree at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and master’s and doctoral degrees at Arizona State University.

John M. Richardson, III, assistant professor of chemistry, earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University and a doctorate at Penn State College of Medicine.

John R. McGinn, assistant professor of music, earned a bachelor’s degree at Harvard University and a doctorate at Stanford University.

Mary Beth Slusar, assistant professor of sociology, earned a bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University and master’s and doctoral degrees at The Ohio State University.

Randi Lynn Tanglen, assistant professor of English, earned a bachelor’s degree at Rocky Mountain College, a master’s degree at the University of Montana, and a doctorate at the University of Arizona. 

Three individuals were assigned to visiting appointments, filling in for faculty sabbaticals or other temporary department vacancies.

Marina Mihaljevic, visiting instructor in art history, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Belgrade and is a doctoral degree candidate at Princeton University.

Osman Umurhan, visiting assistant professor of classics, earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of California at Los Angeles and master’s and doctoral degrees at New York University.

Wayne Zimmermann, visiting professor of mathematics, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at St. Mary’s University and a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin. 

New to the adjunct faculty, those teaching on a part-time basis, are J. Seth Wright, adjunct assistant professor of philosophy, and three adjunct assistant professors of exercise and sport science: David Gage, Brian Wright, and Timothy Yourison. Katherine Taylor, adjunct assistant professor of art, and Pedro Vargas, adjunct assistant professor of Spanish, return to the faculty for the fall term. Several adjunct faculty members continue assignments in various academic departments.                                    

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located just north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges that Change Lives.