Mary English receives The 2006 Phoenix Award
for The Classical Outlook journal
The award is given to journals that have launched an overall effort of revitalization or transformation within the previous three years. English was presented with the honor at a Modern Language Association meeting in Philadelphia.
Classical Outlook, a journal published for classroom teachers specializing in Latin, Greek and Classical Humanities, keeps readers up-to-date on developments within the profession as well as generating discussion about the educational aspects of teaching classical languages.
“Since my inception as editor in 2003, I have tried to broaden the scope of articles as well as update the printing process," said English, who was appointed executive director of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States in January 2007. “In addition to traditional articles about teaching strategies, we now include a section about classics and pop culture."
In today’s day and age, English acknowledged that many journals are “now being turned over to scholarly presses who do not allow the editor to oversee all the facets of operation." Despite the intense workload, English wants to supervise production and believes that this may have contributed to her winning the award.
English is now looking forward to producing upcoming issues of Classical Outlook. “With the infrastructure of the journal now established, I am excited to move on to the next stage," she said. English plans to increase the variety of submissions by including new authors from different universities and schools.
Professor Michael Jones publishes article on formulating fair divisions
Michael Jones, an associate professor of mathematics, recently co-authored "Better Ways to Cut a Cake," which was featured in the December issue of Notices of the American Mathematical Society.
Along with professor Steven Bram, of New York University, and Professor Christian Klamler, of Austria’s University of Graz, the trio devised mathematical algorithms that can be used in determining the fair division of land and other resources.
"Mathematicians have been very supportive of this idea and our results have been well received at conferences," said Jones.
The professors’ work reveals a new strategy that calculates exactly how much each person values the cake and precisely where and how the surplus will be divided.
"For two people dividing a cake, which is used to represent a heterogeneous, divisible good, we want a procedure to divide cake that satisfies efficiency and envy-freeness," said Jones.
Café Diem offers high-tech dining for students
Café Diem, a new state-of-the-art, interactive dining facility, allows students to engage in collaborative work while socializing with their peers.
The building, which is attached to Sprague Library, recently opened in January and is a play on the University’s motto, Carpe Diem. It offers staff and students, beverages, including a Starbucks café, as well as wraps, muffins and desserts. Café Diem also provides access to high-tech resources including wireless high-speed Internet and on-site librarians to help find information.
"Historically, café’s have always served as places of intellectual excitement and group learning, and so will Café Diem," said Judith Lin Hunt, dean of the Sprague Library. "Now the students have an array of information at their fingertips."
Students are enjoying spending time in the café’s lounge and utilizing the facility’s latest technology. "It’s a place for students to relax while bringing the campus community together," said Anthony DiNicolo, a senior, majoring in English.
Café Diem, open seven days a week, adds another dimension to the growing number of resources in the Sprague Library. A dozen years ago, the Library subscribed to 3,000 journals and magazines in hard copy form. Today, its users have electronic access to 30,000 magazines and journals.
With 22,000 registered users, Montclair State’s network is among the fastest and most robust in the Northeast, capable of accommodating thousands of users and large quantities of data simultaneously. The University’s network currently allows staff and students to work wirelessly in all academic buildings and most student gathering spaces.
Joan Ficke inducted into Montclair State University’s Athletics Hall of Fame
Joan Ficke ’71, associate vice president for academic affairs for personnel and resource planning, was inducted into the Montclair State University Athletics Hall of Fame in November of 2006, along with Jennifer Flinn ’97, John Rubinetti ’92, John Walker ’72 and Ralph Yezza ’97.
Ficke, a talented member of the women’s basketball team, is honored by this recognition. "It’s a reflection of what I learned as an athlete combined with my life-long professional association with the University," she said.
As a freshman in 1967, Ficke first earned a spot as a member of Montclair State College’s junior varsity team. The next year she joined the varsity squad, pushing Montclair to a 10-3 record.
Named team captain in 1969, Ficke led the team in rebounding as Montclair went on to a 9-3 record. During her last season, she ushered the team to a 12-1 mark, the only loss coming to national power, West Chester State, in the championship game of the Middle Atlantic Women’s Intercollegiate Regional Tournament.
"This was a special time in my life," said Ficke. "It was filled with camaraderie, energy, focus, challenges and just enjoying the pure fun of basketball."
Upon completion of her senior year in 1971, Ficke continued her affiliation with the basketball team as an assistant coach, and later served as interim head coach in 1974. That year, she mentored a young player, named Carol Blazejowski, who became one of the greatest scorers in the history of women’s basketball. Blazejowski is now the general manager of the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
Ficke earned her doctorate from New York University in 1975 and has had a distinguished career at Montclair State University as a member of the faculty and administration.
