Faculty and Staff Edition  / / / / July 12, 2021

History Major Investigates the Convenience of Conspiracy Throughout the Pandemic

Ryan Mulligan ’22 recently embarked on Summer Scholars research into how coronavirus conspiracy theories are affecting the political relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.

Cracking the Code on Corn Smut

Research on Ustilago maydis, a biotrophic pathogen that infects corn, could have implications for understanding and preventing other plant and human disease, a new study finds.

5 Questions with Professor Joe Ragan, the Accounting Department’s New Sutula Chair

Professor Joe Ragan, M.A., MBA, CPA, the accounting department’s newly appointed Edward G. Sutula Chair of Accounting, provided insights regarding his new role and how he plans to make his mark.

How SJU All-Star Jordan Olenginski ’21 Got it All Done

Recent biology alumna Jordan Olenginski ’21 is on her way to medical school after commencing from Hawk Hill. In June, Olenginski sat down with SJU News to reflect on how she managed to balance charity work, her all-star field hockey status and a 4.0 GPA for the past four years.

Honorable Mentions

Rao Named Distinguished Lecturer by AWG

Usha Rao, Ph.D., has been named a distinguished lecturer by the Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), an international professional organization that supports the advancement of women in the geosciences. As part of their mission to promote the research of well-known female geoscientists, the Speakers Bureau of the Association for Women Geoscientists will subsidize the cost of Rao's invited research talks on environmental geochemistry.

Top 100 Marketing and Advertising Leaders Honored in Las Vegas, Nevada

Haub Professor of Marketing Michael Solomon, Ph.D., was the only academic named to the Top 100 Marketing and Advertising Leaders list at the Marketing, Advertising and Retail Summit (MARSUM) in Las Vegas, Nevada, this summer.

Cunningham Named Honorary President of ICCJ

Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations Philip Cunningham, Ph.D., was named an honorary president of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ). Read more about Cunningham’s appointment in this letter issued by the ICCJ’s executive board.

Hawk Hill Ahead

Saint Joseph's Vaccination Disclosure and Exemptions

As announced on June 10, Saint Joseph’s will require all students, faculty and staff, including those who have recovered from COVID-19, to provide verification of COVID-19 vaccination by August 16 in preparation for the fall 2021 semester. You may submit a medical or religious exemption. If you were vaccinated outside the U.S., the disclosure form will list approved vaccines.

Announcements

Saint Joseph’s Announces Name, Image and Likeness Policy for Student-Athletes

Effective July 1, 2021, NCAA college student-athletes are allowed to receive compensation from third parties (but not from a student-athlete’s institution) for business activities, endorsements and other uses of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Saint Joseph’s University Athletics introduced an NIL policy for all student-athletes. There are some limitations on the ability of student-athletes to receive compensation, the most important of which are: 1) compensation cannot be paid as an inducement to attend an institution; 2) compensation cannot be based on specific athletic achievement or performance (“pay for play”); and 3) compensation must be in exchange for something actually provided by the student-athlete. Notably, under state law, Saint Joseph’s employees may mentor and educate student-athletes, but may not receive compensation for providing professional representation to a student-athlete. Resources for Saint Joseph's student-athletes, coaches, parents and community members in regards to NIL legislation, policies and opportunities can be found here.

Coming Soon: Bridge Performance Management System

To increase networking, collaboration and professional development, the Office of Human Resources is excited to launch Bridge — a new, user-friendly performance management system. Bridge will launch on August 9 to provide employees with a variety of different modules for training and record-keeping to streamline the performance evaluation process throughout the year. More information will be provided on the launch and use of this new system in the coming weeks.  

Strategic Plan Benchmarking

The Strategic Plan Benchmarking process simplifies annual reporting by moving reporting to the University Leadership Council level to focus on achievements made and link them explicitly to the 16 objectives outlined in Saint Joseph’s strategic plan. This revised process serves to provide data for prioritizing strategic plan objectives in the midst of institutional integration and will also serve to generate evidence for our institutional accreditation.

Kristin Imhoff, assistant director of institutional assessment, will be available for 50-minute sessions on July 13 at 10 a.m. or July 15 at 2 p.m. to guide employees in the creation of items for submission in support of the Strategic Plan Benchmarking process.

Reminder: HERI Administrative Staff Climate Survey

All University staff and administrative employees (full and part time) are invited to confidentially tell us about their experience on campus through the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) Staff Climate Survey (SCS). The Staff Climate survey will display in University systems and remain open until Friday, August 27, 2021. Results from the survey will impact future work on campus on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. Take the survey.

Events

The Art and Science of Making Sauerkraut and Kombucha

July 15, 6:30 p.m.

Join Alumni Relations for this interactive workshop featuring Amanda Feifer of phickle.com and author of the cookbook “Ferment Your Vegetables.” Feifer will guide you as you make your own batch of sauerkraut and a jar of kombucha while host Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., ’87 provides information about the organisms and processes involved in fermentation. A list of ingredients, tools and step-by-step instructions will be provided in advance. Space is limited. Registration is required.

The Art and Science of Making Artisan Cheese

July 22, 6 p.m.

Join Alumni Relations for this interactive workshop featuring Rynn Caputo, president and co-founder for Caputo Brothers Creamery. During this workshop, guests will make a pound of mozzarella cheese using a Caputo Brother's kit as guided by Caputo! Host Michael P. McCann, Ph.D. ’87 will provide information about the organisms and processes involved in these fermentations. Space is limited. Registration is required.

The Art and Science of Beer Brewing

July 29, 6:30 p.m.

Join Alumni Relations for an interactive workshop featuring host John Remington ’03, co-founder and president of Conshohocken Brewery Co. and SJU’s own Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., ‘87 as they walk guests through the process of homebrewing with a Mr. Beer Kit. Attendees will have their choice of brewing IPAs or lagers using this kit and ingredients are included! Space is limited. Registration is required.

In the News

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