SUNY-Oneonta
Philosophy Department
1995 - 1996 Annual Report
SUNY-Oneonta
Philosophy Department
1995 - 1996 Annual Report
Dr. Green worked with the Hartwick Humanities in Management Institute to develop leadership case studies using films, wrote an article for a forthcoming book by Timothy Youngs (Race and Representation), and revised the manuscript of his own forthcoming textbook, The Cross-Rhythms of African Philosophy (under review by Jones and Bartlett Publishers). Additionally, Dr. Green assisted with Open Houses and served on the Curriculum Committee and the Humanities and Fine Arts Advisory Council. He continues to develop computer-assisted instruction for Logic and Introduction to Philosophy.
Dr. Köddermann continues to win the admiration of faculty and students throughout the college. In 1995/6 he received the inaugural Richard Siegfried Junior Faculty Prize for Academic Excellence, presented papers in Italy as well as the United States, and published book reviews in Daimon and the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy. He also signed a contract for a book on human rights, authored two articles which were accepted for publication, and served as an external reviewer for Cornell University Press and Wadsworth Publishing Company. Locally, Dr. Köddermann served as advisor to the Philosophy Club, assisted with the Thai Teacher exchange program, organized the international dinner at Morris Hall, and conducted a workshop in Thai culture at Norwich High School.
Dr. Malhotra presented papers at four conferences and published two books: Jean Paul Sartre's Existentialism in Literature and Philosophy (Oneonta Philosophy Studies) and Pathways to Philosophy (Prentice Hall, co-authored with Douglas Shrader). His translation of the Bhagavad Gita is still under review by Prentice Hall. A fourth manuscript, Culture and Self, will be sent to Westview Publishing Company this summer. Locally, Dr. Malhotra conducted a series of yoga workshops and gave presentations at Hartwick College and Schenevus High School. He is currently preparing for the SUNY Semester in India Program (Fall 1996).
Dr. Roda helped organize the New York State Foundations of Education Association conference and edited the Spring 1996 issue of Educational Change. He served as departmental liaison to the library and member of the Library Committee. Additionally, Dr. Roda continued development of a new course titled Petrarch: Poetry and Passion (to be offered Fall 1996).
Dr. Shrader presented papers at two conferences and published two books: Pathways to Philosophy (Prentice Hall, co-authored with Ashok Malhotra) and Philosophy and Religion (McGraw-Hill Primis). He served on the editorial boards of Educational Change and Eidos: Studies in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy -- and as editor-in-chief of Oneonta Philosophy Studies (below). Additionally, Dr. Shrader authored an article on Emile and contributed an invited review to Philosophy East and West. He served as Department Chair, conducted the Humanities Commencement Ceremony, and served on the Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council, the Provost's Advisory Council, and the Faculty Advisory Council of the Center for Social Responsibility. Recognition and opportunity for continued development came from many quarters: Who's Who in American Education, appointment to a Regents College ethics committee, participation in an NEH Summer Institute on Japanese Culture and Civilization, and a W.B. Ford Foundation Grant to study Japanese Philosophy and Religion.
The number of majors continues to increase dramatically. We started the year with 19 returning majors, then gained another 25 for a total of 44 (a 132% increase). Of these, 2 graduated in December, 5 graduated in May, 2 took leaves of absence, 1 changed her major to Psychology, and 2 transferred to other institutions (to be near family). Additionally there are about 10 minors and 4 Elementary Education majors with Philosophy concentrations.
We continue to be pleased with the quality and dedication of our majors. Gabrielle Levin and Tara Mattarazzo presented papers at the annual conference of the Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy (Binghamton University, October 1995). Tara received a Provost's Award for Academic Excellence (December 1995) and served as one of the two student organizers of the 1995-1996 Undergraduate Women's Conference. Luke Mahoney and Kerri Nicholas were honored at the Annual Awards Breakfast (Susan Sutton Smith Prize, April 1996). In May, Luke was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma (a national college and scholastic honor society for freshmen).
The award for Academic Achievement in Philosophy went to Michael Joseph. The Ninash Foundation East-West Award (for demonstrated excellence in the study of both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions) was presented to Gabrielle Levin. Both students have been accepted into prestigious graduate schools. Mike will be studying Law at Tulane. Gabi will pursue a Masters of Social Work at Columbia University.
Students were so impressed with the conference that they decided to hold one of their own. Alex and Kerri began meeting several times each week with Drs. Köddermann and Shrader to plan the event. Together they crafted the conference's format, selected a date, reserved facilities, and sent flyers to institutions throughout the northeast.
On March 16, their dream became a reality. Twenty students from seven institutions presented papers. The keynote address, "Imaginative Cosmology from Plato to Einstein", was provided by Dr. Thomas M. Robinson (University of Toronto, President of the International Plato Society).
Prizes for the best papers were presented to Jennifer Burke (Temple University), Michael Joseph (Oneonta), and Gabrielle Levin (Oneonta). Alex and Kerri received special Ninash Foundation Awards for the commitment and dedication they showed in organizing and hosting the conference.
Dr. Shrader is currently editing a volume of the top ten papers, titled Seeds of Wisdom: Proceedings of the 1996 Undergraduate Philosophy Conference.
At the Student Association Leadership Banquet on April 30, 1996, the Philosophy Club officers were presented the Most Improved Club Award for 1995-1996. It is a coveted award which is richly deserved. We are justifiably proud of our students.
Ms. Holling balances the competing needs of these diverse individuals with remarkable social dexterity and professional skill. Moreover, she wears a smile in her heart to match the one on her face. Students are treated with kindness and compassion. No matter what their need, she takes time from her busy day to make sure they receive the attention they deserve. In recognition of her exemplary performance and value to the institution, the Human Resources Enhancement Committee presented Marjorie Holling with a certificate for Sustained Excellence in Performance (March 1996).
Working with surplus equipment and furnishings, we reconfigured Fitzelle 101 as a Philosophy Commons and Computer Lab. While less than ideal, it is nonetheless a vast improvement over the past. The department office and those of two faculty are now connected to the campus computer network. Two additional offices should be connected sometime this summer.
Response from the philosophical community has been extremely encouraging. We are currently reviewing manuscripts concerning the thought of Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Aquinas, and Neoplatonism. Equally important, we are slowly building an international distribution network.
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Douglas Shrader / Department Chair / Shradedw@Oneonta.edu
