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News Notes About Faculty, Staff, and Students

Payton MacDonald, music, was recently awarded an ASCAPLUS award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). ASCAP Plus is an award given out to composers in the earlier part of their career who have had significant exposure in the last year. MacDonald performed a percussion concerto Cowboy Tabla/Cowboy Raga with Alarm Will Sound at the Denver Friends of Chamber Music Series and then again with the L.A. Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A., and then again this September with Alarm Will Sound at Musickfest in Bremen, Germany. He’s also given dozens of marimba recitals at colleges and universities all over the U.S., performing his own marimba music. Finally, Classical Jam and the Maryland Youth Symphony performed my Concerto for Quintet, Orchestra, and Audience at the Strathmore Hall in May 2010.

Edward Burns, English, is prominently featured on the audio guide which accompanies “Paul Thek Diver, A Retrospective” which opened in October at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and runs until January 9, 2011. Thek (1933-1988) was a painter, sculptor, and environmental artist. The audio guide features excerpts from interviews with Burns who also reads from Thek’s journals, interviews, and letters to help visitors learn more about the artist’s life. Thek’s Untitled, a painting from Burns’ private collection, is included in the exhibition, and appears on a flyer about the event.

Vince Parrillo, sociology, delivered the keynote address at the Interfaith Dialogue Center’s (IDC) Dialogue and Unity Dinner on November 14. The IDC is a non-profit, organization founded by Turkish-Americans of North Jersey. It endeavors to promote respect and mutual understanding among all faiths and cultures. Parrillo’s speech focused on the theme “Diversity is Our Strength.”

Thomas Lyons, a freshman majoring in music and secondary education, has been accepted into the American Choral Directors Association National Men’s Honor Choir for 2011. Lyons, a tenor, was one of 300 high school, collegiate, and adult men selected for the choir, which will sing during the Association’s annual conference in Chicago, Illinois in March 2011.

Three members of the campus community were honored with 2010 Recognition Awards from the University’s Directors Council.

Librada Sanchez, Women’s Center, received the Collaboration Award for her outstanding contributions to the U.S. Department of Justice/Violence Against Women Grant received by the University.

Cindy Gennarelli, Child Development Center, received the Consideration Award for her exemplary efforts on behalf of the Center, including the receipt of a number of national awards and grants.

Nancy Norris-Bauer, Field Experiences, received the Innovation Award, presented for work with the Professional Development School Network, an international partnership with Windesheim University in the Netherlands, and New Jersey History Day.