January 23, 2015 Page 5

The office walls are barren, except for three framed diplomas hanging above the desk: a bachelor’s degree from Truman State, a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctorate from Ohio State.

The bookshelves line the opposite wall, stuffed with books stacked horizontally and a silhouette of a man playing the cello sits framed on top. A glossy postcard photo of Rosie the Riveter is tacked to a leaning corkboard.

Amy Mecklenburg-Faenger is adjusting to her new office, new life in Parkville and role as the newest associate English professor at Park University.

O r i g i n a l l y from the Kansas City area, Mecklenburg-Faenger is returning to the Midwest after 12 years. After receiving her master’s degree, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, and earned her Ph.D. This led her to her first faculty position in Charleston, S.C.

“I grew up in the Northland so people are familiar with Park and their reputation for working with students,” she said. “I feel like Park is part of

the landscape of living in the Northland and I think it has a reputation of being very student-friendly and student-centered, which is something I really like about it.”

Bringing a wealth of expertise and experience to Park University, M e c k l e n b u rg - F a e n g e r focused on the history of rhetoric during her time at Ohio State. Specializing in American rhetoric of the progressive era, particularly that used by women, she wrote her dissertation on scrapbooks used by women’s organizations to enact change.

Pulling out a stack of papers from her desk, she thumbed through copies of news reports, playbills, newspaper clippings and

photos collected in suffrage scrapbooks that women used as a storehouse of material to make use of in the suffrage movement.

Mecklenburg-Faenger has also published articles about scrapbooks and is currently working with a colleague to write an article about women’s Shakespeare

Sadie Mohr has a love of napping and binge-watching Netflix. She is a fan of cheesy jokes and avid listener of the The Mamas & the Papas.

If this sounds like the lifestyle of a college student – you would be right but with a twist.

Mohr, who graduate from Park last May, was selected to be a Resident Assistant this spring semester to assist the residents of the fifth floor of Chesnut Hall.

Sitting in the common areas of Thompson as students rush by on their way to class, Mohr paused before she describes what her friends would say about her.

“I think they would say I am a pretty quirky person,” said Mohr, “maybe loyal and a good a friend.”

Ayla Parham, junior double-majoring in biology and secondary education, echoed Mohr’s description.

“It is really hard to describe (Sadie),” said Parham, “She is a sweet person and selfless…she isn’t fake. If I needed anything she would help me.”

These qualities in Mohr may be

the reason she was selected for the position. Mohr, who is originally from Northeast Missouri, became interested in Park University after finishing her associate’s degree at another college.

Desiring to move closer to the city, her sister recommended she attend Park.

“I remember I was so worried about coming here,” said Mohr, “even though my grades were fine, I thought the school was so prestigious and the campus was so beautiful. Then I got to campus and I thought, ‘Oh it’s Park, it’s home.’ I like it, it’s a good fit for me.”

Mohr said she had difficulty finding her path in college, changing her major on three different occasions before Walter Kisthardt, professor of social work, guided her into social work and, more specifically, towards the path of family therapy.

Looking back she could define her experiences through her

undergraduate in one word: “Wow,” said Mohr. Reaching out for opportunities

to travel at Park, Mohr has been to a handful of locations including Poland and Germany for her semesters to study.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to visit Auschwitz to get a grasp of what they had gone through,” said Mohr. “If I had to pick which was a better experience it would be Poland over Germany.”

Now that she is finished traveling for the moment and graduated with her bachelor’s degree, Mohr spends some of her time working as a graduate assistant for the Global Education and Study Abroad program located in Herr House.

The other portion of her time will be divided between master’s classes and being a residential leader.

“I remember [R.A.’s] were respected and were good leaders, I could take something from them,” said Mohr.

“I want residents to be able to build a bond so they have someone to come to.”

Mohr’s experience with others was fostered by her time as the leader of the International Book Club, which brought Mohr in contact with students from various types of diverse backgrounds who

New English professor brings fresh insightsElizabeth Orosco

Features editor societies and their effect on literacy during this period.

Her desire to teach is the result of her time at New Mark Middle School as instructional assistant.

“I really liked the teaching aspect of my job,” she said, “and that’s what sent me back to graduate school at UMKC to get a master’s which is what led me to my field. In my field, people actually study teaching, finding out what works, what doesn’t work, what kind of writing works in particular ways, and what works for students.”

Mecklenburg-Faenger said that her experience thus far on campus has been fantastic.

“The students are very gregarious,” she said. “They have lots to say and one

of my classes barely let me sign into the computer before they started asking me questions. They are ready to talk right away, very curious and have ton of questions. It’s been really fun.”

She is also involved in Writing Across the

Curriculum, an educational movement that advocates the teaching of writing in all disciplines and the value of learning writing in all disciplines. She is undergoing a long-standing project on mathematical writing with a mathematics professor at UMC Asheville, working on a second

article about revision in mathematics.

“Mecklenburg-Faenger brings a wealth of teaching and administrative experience to Park,” said Glenn Lester, English professor and program coordinator. “She will help us update our first year writing classes, help us coordinate our upper-division professional writing classes and will teach some of our upper-division rhetoric and writing theory courses. I look forward to working with her on designing creative, innovative, and effective

assignments and activities for our writing students. Our English majors stand to learn much from her expertise and experience.

“I think all Park students are going to learn from her down-to-earth but rigorous teaching style.”

Brian Shawver, associate professor of English and chair of the English and Modern Language department, said Mecklenburg-Faenger will benefit the department by offering fresh insights and new insights. She’s had a good deal of experience at other universities, so she’ll

be able to give suggestions and affirmations vis-à-vis how things work elsewhere,” Shawver said. “More specifically, she’ll augment our department in the area of rhetoric, which is her academic specialty. I think the students will benefit from her expertise, but also from her congenial and open-minded manner in the classroom.

“I think they’ll find that she’s an instructor they feel very comfortable with, and that she’ll make complex ideas interesting and accessible to them,” Shawver said.

PHOTO/Max Mohr

Bringing years of experience and expertise, Amy Mecklenburg-Faenger prepares for her first semes-ter as Park University’s newest associate professor of English.

New years often bring new faces and during this spring semester Park’s Information Technology department made a new addition to the team in Edward Austin, who is a new help desk coordinator.

In order to make your way to Austin’s office you first have to find the IT department. Located deep in the underground past the library, but before the Smart market, are doors. Next to these doors, marked in black lettering, is reads IT Department. Stepping through the doors, the first room on the right contains Austin and his seemingly revolving work study students.

Austin, who is a rather tall man with three holes for earrings in his left ear and he has fashioned his greying facial hair into a goatee, is a native of Kansas City.

Austin earned his associates degree in applied science in 1990 and began his IT career in tech support in Kansas City. He transitioned from small businesses to fortune 500 companies working in Des Moines, Iowa; and Ann Arbor, and Detroit, Mich. He said his two favorite cities are Kansas City and Des Moines.

After spending seven years in tech support for various companies, Austin found his way to KCNET, a company owned and operated by Park’s own James Nelson, assistant director of software development.

During his 10 years with KCNET, Austin had contributed to the workplace with his experience, dealing with various types of issues that would arise.

“Ed is a really good guy,” said Nelson, “(He is) great with customers on the phone and perfect for help with technical skills. He is

definitely a big asset.” Life though isn’t only about

work and Austin said first and foremost he is a father of a son and a daughter. He is also a self-proclaimed “geek” and loves investigating the inner parts of computers, equipment and software. He previously used to create mods for video games but has found he is far too busy now.

What he does have time for is the building of a solar-powered grid in his backyard to accommodate his desire to move off the grid. Austin said having hobbies, working and being a father are time consuming.

“(I don’t get) much sleep but I like to get up early,” he said.

Austin said he hopes to continue his education. Fascinated by forensic and computer tech, Austin’s goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and information technology within the next 10 years.

IT department welcomes new help desk staffAirik Leon

staFF reporter

PHOTO/Airik LeonPark University welcomes Edward Austin, the IT department’s new help desk coordinator who joins the staff this spring semester.

Chesnut Hall gains new Resident Assistant this spring

‘I remember [R.A.’s] were respected and were good leaders, I could take something from them. I want residents to be able to build a bond so they have someone to come to.’

Sadie Mohr, Resident Assistant

interpret things differently.“The hardest thing is

communicating,” said Mohr. “So, I try to find the one thing we have in common to build the bond between myself and the residents.”

Mohr’s desire to help others coupled with her knack for gaining the trust of students and people around campus has led to

a respectable reputation, according to Nora Gedei, student program specialist and MBA candidate.

“I know students like to go to her,” said Gedei. “She would often let us know a problem a student was having but wouldn’t disclose it with others. She is engrained in the community and can help when needed.”

PHOTO/Airik LeonSadie Mohr, graduate student, is all smiles after being selected to be the Resident Assistant of Chesnut Hall this spring semester.

‘I think [Park] has a reputation of being very student-friendly and student-centered, which is some-thing I really like about it.”

Amy Mecklenburg-Faenger, Associate Professor

Airik LeonstaFF reporter