Provost's Column

Fall 2009

Hofstra University is a nationally recognized institution whose faculty have played a lead role in its ever-increasing prominence. Faculty research and intellectual endeavors demonstrate a dedication to their disciplines and to their teaching, as well as to the University. As provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, I am proud to introduce another issue of Hofstra Horizons, which highlights the excellent scholarly work of our faculty.

This issue is particularly fascinating and timely. Dr. Keith Shafritz and his collaborators examine the executive functioning of the brain and its patterns. His research aims to find ways to better diagnose and treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as identify the brain regions associated with autism. The second article by Benjamin Wolff invites us into the creative thinking process of physicist Galileo with his multidisciplinary music performance project, Galileo’s Muse. Professor Wolff does this by combining theater, music and a science demonstration in a performance that interprets Galileo’s thoughts and discoveries focused around the formulation of his “Law of Falling Bodies.”

Professor of Political Science and Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies Meena Bose expands on her recent Define ’09 lecture, “Looking for Change: Evaluating the First Hundred Days of the Obama Administration.” She gives an insightful comparison of the first 100 days of the administrations of Barack Obama and Franklin D. Roosevelt. And in an interesting article by Dr. Ann Feuerbach, she discusses her vision of a “classroom of the future,” where students, professors, and professionals discuss and research how cultural diversity can influence technology to improve our quality of life.

The penultimate article by Dr. Blidi Stemn, who recently received the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Award from the National Science Foundation, details his most recent education projects, which include the goal of building a model K-9 school that focuses on math, science and technology. The last article by Dr. Phyllis Zagano updates us on her 2009 Fulbright Fellowship, which allowed her to teach a course in Ireland on the history of women in Christianity, as well as expand her research on the fervent debate about Catholic women deacons.

The pieces in this issue of Horizons symbolize the vitality and excellence evident in our faculty. I know you will enjoy reading this latest issue of Hofstra Horizons as much as I have.

Sincerely,
Herman A. Berliner, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs