Union Alumni in the News

Congratulations to Union Institute & University’s alumni in the news. Do you have a story to share? Tell us about your recent accomplishments here: http://bit.ly/UXgOBD.  

Dr. J. Owen Allen III (Ph.D. 1991) recently published Preactive Leadership, a guide to becoming a results-oriented, conflict-free leader. The book’s content was drawn from Dr. Allen’s extensive consulting experience with clients including General Electric, General Motors, Hilton Hotels, John Deere, Kraft Foods/Sealtest, and Westinghouse Electric. Dr. Allen currently serves as executive vice president and dean of the school of management, and professor of management at Laurel University in High Point, North Carolina.

Dr. James L. Besier (Ph.D. 2004) co-authored “A Solution to an Unmet Need: Pharmacy Specialists in Medication-Use Systems and Technology,” which was published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy and designated as a white paper. Dr. Besier serves as the director of pharmacy at Owensboro, Kentucky Medical Health System and currently holds faculty appointments at the College of Pharmacy and the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati and the College of Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky.

In October, Dr. Don Brady (Ph.D. 2004) appeared on Dr. Robert Weil's Chicago-based radio show The Sports Doctor. Dr. Brady works in a variety of specialties including clinical psychology, school psychology, marriage and family therapy, and substance abuse counseling. Listen to Dr. Brady’s interview about sport-related concussions here: http://bit.ly/UOG3Z3.

Amy Christey (B.S. 2011, Criminal Justice Management) has been named the first female police chief of Morro Bay, CA, earning the top post over 65 other applicants. Chief Christy previously served as sheriff's lieutenant for Santa Cruz County and has completed her first year of law school at the Monterrey College of Law. Read about Amy’s new position here: http://bit.ly/SlPPD3.

The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center recently exhibited the work of artist Maria Jutasi Coleman (Ph.D. 1996). “A Child Survivor’s Legacy” featured a powerful, thought-provoking collection of her sculptures and tiles. Dr. Coleman, a Holocaust survivor born in Budapest, Hungary, immigrated to the United States in 1962.

Randy Danielsen (Ph.D. 2003) earned the prestigious Patron of the Profession award from the University of Utah Physician Assistant Studies program. Dr. Danielsen was honored for his outstanding dedication and service to the physician assistant profession. He currently serves as dean and professor emeritus at A.T. Still University's Arizona School of Health Sciences.

Winifred Hamilton (Ph.D. 1995) was recently named superintendent of Stamford, Connecticut Public Schools. Dr. Hamilton has worked in the Stamford Public School district for over four decades, serving as a physical education teacher, middle school assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University and the University of Connecticut.

  

Dr. Gary Helmer (Ph.D. 2008) recently began his new position with the National Transportation Safety Board, serving as Chief of the Safety Division. Ensuring safe working conditions is Dr. Helmer’s specialty. He previously served as Safety and Occupational Health Director for the U.S. Forest Service and as Safety and as Occupational Health Director for the U.S. Army.

On May 5, 2012 Amy Millios (B.A. 2002, Liberal Studies) was awarded the Gown Award from Colby-Sawyer College for her extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of issues critical to woman. Amy is a technology specialist in information resources at Colby-Sawyer College and serves as a member of the New Hampshire Women’s Caucus Steering Committee. Her experience includes direct care in developmental services, residential drug addiction treatment for women, and community mental health programs. Amy has also served as a coordinator for children with chronic health conditions in foster care for the State of New Hampshire. 

Recent graduate Steven Morgan (Ph.D. 2012) celebrated the North American premiere of his musical composition In Pace: A Requiem of Peace. On November 3, 2012 the Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado hosted a concert in honor of All Saints Sunday in which Chancel Choir and members of Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra performed Dr. Morgan’s requiem. Dr. Morgan is a composer and professor at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan. His new a Cruz County and has completed her first year of law school at the Monterrey College of Law. And, she’s a surfer, looking forward to the waves in Morro Bay! Her new position begins in November.Hishhwork was inspired by texts from the Book of Common Prayer, the New Testament, and the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, Thich Nhat Hanh, Black Elk, and John Henry Newman.

Union alumnus, Professor Emeritus of Union’s Ph.D. program, Director of Caring to Change and Huffington Post blogger Mark Rosenman (Ph.D. 1977) was quoted in “Getting Back More Than a Warm Feeling” in the November 8, 2012 edition of The New York Times. Read the article about philanthropy and social impact bonds here: http://nyti.ms/Tjnyde. In August, Dr. Rosenman was interviewed on “The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen” WNHN 94.7 FM in Concord, New Hampshire. Hear Dr. Rosenman’s discussion about the presidential race and non-profit issues here: http://bit.ly/QlZNVd.

Neal Sarahan (Ph.D. 2001) was recently named executive director of the Monarch Institute for Neurological Differences in Houston, Texas. Dr. Sarahan’s specialty is designing educational programs for children who have difficulty in traditional school settings. He has served as a faculty member of Antioch University, an early childhood teacher, playground designer and special education instructor. Dr. Sarahan currently serves on the executive board of the Houston affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and he volunteers at the Houston chapter of Heifer International.