Dr. Amy MacArthur, faculty co-coordinator, is pictured at the far front left with philosophy majors Will Tepper, Sofie Smith and Ava Mae Gangemi, and faculty co-coordinator Thaddeus Ostrowski in the front row. Pictured in the back left are Thilo von Windheim, a political science major; Thomas Osman, a philosophy and mathematical economics major; and Autumn Bryan, an anthropology major.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 5, 2023 – High Point University faculty and students recently received the following academic and professional awards and recognitions.
Students Compete in Statewide Ethics Bowl
Six HPU students competed in the annual North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Ethics Bowl, held Feb. 10-11 at the North Carolina Legislative Complex in Raleigh.
The HPU team included philosophy majors Will Tepper, Sofie Smith and Ava Mae Gangemi along with Thomas Osman, who is majoring in philosophy and mathematical economics; Thilo von Windheim, a political science major; and Autumn Bryan, an anthropology major. Faculty co-coordinators were Dr. Amy L. MacArthur and Thaddeus Ostrowski, both instructors in the Department of Religion and Philosophy.
The event is designed to provide an academic experience that increases awareness among students, business and community leaders about applying ethics in leadership, decision-making, relationships and various current issues.
“All the participants demonstrated a high level of understanding of and insight about the complex issues presented,” said NCICU President Hope Williams. “Judges and moderators of the event said the students’ commitment to the integrity of the event and the issues in the case studies presented instills them with great faith in these future leaders.”
This year’s theme at the 12th annual event was Ethics in Contemporary Society, covering a range of issues from artificial intelligence to removing Russia from United Nations’ Security Council.
Exercise Science Professor Elected President of SEACSM
Dr. Kimberly Reich, associate professor of exercise science, was recently elected president of the Southeast Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (SEACSM) at its annual conference.
She will serve a three-year term on the executive board, first as president-elect, then as president and then serving as the past president. The mission of SEACSM is to promote and integrate scientific research, education and practical application of sport medicine and exercise science.
“I am honored and humbled to begin my term as SEACSM president-elect and to serve this organization that has been instrumental in my professional growth and that of HPU students,” said Reich. “The collegial culture of SEACSM has provided priceless opportunities for HPU students to connect with faculty and peers from other institutions within the region. Many of our students have presented research or competed in the quiz bowl competition at the annual conference. Some have even returned to SEACSM as graduate students, where our relationships have continued as colleagues within the chapter.”The regional chapter includes members from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Sophomore History Major Hosts Podcast Show
Sophomore Mac Mollins, a history and political science major, can now be heard as the host of the podcast titled “Dialogues With the Past.” His podcast aims to interview HPU history professors and other professionals to unveil fascinating stories on historical figures, events and organizations.
His first episode aired on January 26, featuring HPU instructor of history Dr. Shannon Lalor discussing la Doña Guiomar de Guzman, who was one of the earliest female settlers of Cuba. Mollins has also interviewed Dr. Paul Ringel, professor of history, on the legacy of the show “Schoolhouse Rock” and the potential future of children’s edutainment.
“I was inspired to start this podcast from my love for studying history and by listening to other podcasts that interview historians such as the “In Our Time” podcast,” said Mollins, from Clayton, North Carolina. “Listening to these podcasts, reading fascinating books and listening to lectures from my professors here at HPU made me want to partake in this project. When I brought my idea up to Dr. Lalor and Dr. Allen, I was met with enthusiasm and an immense amount of support. They actively encouraged the production of the podcast and even became the first professors to be interviewed on the show.”
There are more than three episodes available to listen to for free on Spotify, Amazon and on the Apple Podcasts app.
HPU Faculty Lead Sessions During Home Furnishings Leadership Institute
Several faculty members in the Phillips School of Business led lectures and discussions during the American Home Furnishings Leadership Institute in February, which hosted 25 participants on HPU’s campus. The institute attracted emerging industry leaders for the four-day event which was designed to nurture and accelerate the growth of leadership in the home furnishings industry.
Lectures and discussions were on the topics of defining, building and protecting a productive culture during the event. Institute participants also engaged with nearly 500 HPU business students in seven discipline-targeted Executive Education Career Panels. Andy Bills, senior vice president of the Office of Career and Professional Development, led this portion of the event.
“It was an honor for the Phillips School of Business Faculty to write the case studies and have deep discussions with emerging leaders of the home furnishings industry about the importance and nuances of culture in leadership,” said Dr. Daniel Hall, dean of the Phillips School of Business. “We are also grateful for the participants to share their company’s culture and professional experiences with our business and interior design students in panels grouped by professional responsibilities. It is simply extraordinary to watch the new leadership of a $150 billion industry emerge and to share those opportunities with our students.”
Senior Special Education Major Hosts Podcast
Peter Fontanella, a senior special education major from Pelham, New York, hosts a podcast titled “The Iglu” that airs on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. He named his podcast The Iglu because an igloo it is a safe place to come in from the cold, and to warm up and converse with friends. He says the goal of his podcast is to create a safe place to have interesting conversations with interesting people.
“In an igloo, you may not have any entertainment besides the people you are with, and it is a safe place to discuss deeper topics and bond on a new level,” said Fontanella. “I also have dyslexia, so the incorrect spelling of igloo incorporates that aspect of my life. I started my podcast because my favorite pastime is meaningful conversation. I thought podcasting would be a fun skill to learn, and my continued goal is to interview people that I admire and have unique perspectives and stories.”
On the podcast, Fontanella has interviewed a variety of people at HPU, including Dr. Tina Johnson, associate professor of leadership studies. New episodes from The Iglu are out every week.