Westminster College Adds Nine New Full-Time Faculty
Posted on Monday, September 1, 2008
Westminster College recently added nine new full-time faculty members.
Krista A. Birnbaum, assistant professor of art, earned her undergraduate degree in ceramics from Miami (Ohio) University's School of Fine Arts and her master's in art video from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, where she was an instructor and teaching assistant. She can be reached at (724) 946-7237 or e-mail birnbaka@westminster.edu.
Paula R. Ferguson, visiting lecturer of theatre, earned her undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University. She has experience at Carousel Dinner Theater as assistant to the master electrician and at The Youngstown Playhouse as assistant to the technical director and assistant to the master carpenter. She can be reached at (724) 946-7233 or e-mail ferguspr@westminster.edu.
Jesse R. Ligo, associate professor of accounting, earned his undergraduate degree from Westminster College, his M.B.A. from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University, and is a licensed certified public accountant. He returns to Westminster after 23 years at Thiel College and has teaching experience at Grove City College and as a graduate teaching assistant at Bowling Green. He is the owner/operator of Drove Pasture Farm in Mercer, a 300-acre crop and beef farm that hosts student and adult groups for agricultural education and awareness programs. He can be reached at (724) 946-7167 or e-mail ligojr@westminster.edu.
Dr. Larry S. Miller, visiting assistant professor of chemistry, earned undergraduate degrees in chemistry and music theory from Case Western Reserve University, and his doctorate in chemistry and a graduate certificate in applied statistics from Purdue University, where he was an instructor and course supervisor. He comes to Westminster from Ivy Tech Community College and has teaching experience at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He can be reached at (724) 946-7294 or e-mail millerls@westminster.edu.
Thomas E. Oberst, instructor of physics, earned undergraduate degrees in physics and mathematics from Duquesne University, where he was an instructor and tutor, and his master's at Cornell University, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. and has experience as a teaching assistant. He can be reached at (724) 946-7204 or e-mail oberstte@westminster.edu.
Dr. Susan W. Parker, assistant professor of education, earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. She comes to Westminster from Point Park University, where she was an assistant visiting professor of special education. She can be reached at (724) 946-6039 or e-mail parkersw@westminster.edu.
Dr. Daniel E. H. Perttu, assistant professor of music, earned undergraduate degrees in music and English from Williams College, where he was a teaching, research, and technical assistant; master's degrees in composition, bassoon, and orchestral conducting from Kent State University; and doctorate in composition from The Ohio State University. He comes to Westminster from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and has teaching experience at The Ohio State University, Kenyon College, Brevard Music Center, and in a private bassoon studio. He can be reached at (724) 946-7024 or e-mail perttude@westminster.edu.
Kristianne Kalata Vaccaro, visiting lecturer of English, earned undergraduate degrees in English and secondary education from Westminster College and her master's from Duquesne University, where she is a doctoral candidate and was a writing and literature instructor. Her teaching experience includes Community College of Allegheny County and ITT Technical Institute. She can be reached at (724) 946-7350 or e-mail vaccarkk@westminster.edu.
Dr. Pertti J. Viskari, visiting assistant professor of chemistry, earned his undergraduate degree from Averett University and Ph.D. from Wake Forest University, where he was a research and teaching assistant. He comes to Westminster from LCM Technologies, Inc., where he was a research scientist. He has experience as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Virginia and as a chemical analyst in the quality control laboratory of Rautaruukki Steel in Hameenlinna, Finland. He can be reached at (724) 946-7294 or e-mail viskarpj@westminster.edu.
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