Saint Joseph College Announces Promotions

Saint Joseph College’s has promoted seven faculty members, effective in the 2011 - 2012 academic year, and granted sabbatical leaves to two others for the pursuit of academic study and scholarly research.

Nancy Billias, Ph.D.,  of West Hartford, associate professor of philosophy, will be on sabbatical during the spring 2012 semester. She will create a textbook: The Future of Nihilism: Love, Hope and Faith in Post-Modern Conversation. Billias earned her Ph.D. from Union Institute and Graduate School (Cincinnati, Ohio); an M.S.Sc. from New School University; an M.Th. from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland); an M.A. from Claremont Graduate School; and a B.A. from Clark University.      

Kenneth Long, Ph.D., of West Hartford, professor of history/political science, will be on sabbatical during the spring 2012 semester. He will be serving as a Fulbright Visiting Professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria). Dr. Long earned his Ph.D. at the University at Albany, State University of New York; an M.P.A. from Syracuse University; and a B.A. from University at Albany, State University of New York.      

Rev.  Joseph Cheah, OSM, Ph.D., of Avon, has been promoted to associate professor of religious studies with tenure. Cheah earned his Ph.D. and M.A. from Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, CA); an M.Div. from the Franciscan School of Theology (Berkeley, CA); and a B.S. from the University of Southern California. 

Eric Chen, M.B.A., J.D., of South Windsor, has been promoted to associate professor of business administration with tenure. Chen earned his J.D. at the University of Connecticut School of Law; an M.S. from the University of Hartford; an M.B.A. and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and an A.B. from Harvard College. He is a resident of South Windsor, Conn.

Raymie Wayne, M.S.W., J.D., Ph.D., of Avon, has been promoted to associate professor of social work / Latino community practice with tenure. Wayne earned her Ph.D. at the University at Albany, State University of New York; a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law; an M.S.W. from Fordham University; and a B.S.W. from Saint Joseph College.

Billye Auclair, Ph.D., of West Simsbury, has been promoted to full professor of biology. Auclair earned her Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; an M.S. and B.S. from the University of New Hampshire. 

Kathleen A. Butler, Ph.D., of Columbia, CT, acting dean  of the School of Education, has been promoted to full professor of education. Butler earned her Ph.D., M.A. and B.A. at the University of Connecticut.

Joan Hofmann, Ph.D., of Collinsville, has been promoted to full professor of special education. Hofmann earned her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut; an M.A. from Saint Joseph College; an M.A. from Trinity College; an M.S.T. from the University of New Hampshire; and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina. 

Mary Alice Wolf, Ed.D., of Suffield, has been recognized as professor emerita of gerontology. Wolf earned her Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts; an M.A. from Columbia University; Certificat. Ecole Superieure, Sorbonne, Universite de Paris; and a B.A. from Boston University. 

“These accomplishments reflect the strength of the Saint Joseph College faculty and its commitment to teaching, scholarship and service. They bring honor to the College, the Schools and the entire campus,” Interim Provost Anne Lippert, Ph.D., said in a press release. “The College community is proud to celebrate the achievements of these faculty members and extends warm congratulations to them!”