Faculty Senate Members

Faculty Senate Chair

• Kevin Johnson

• College of Optometry – three Senators
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• James Kundart (Spring 2012) O.D. Pacific University, 1999
  M.Ed. Pacific University, 1999. Residency in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation, State University of New York, 2000.  Dr. Kundart has been an assistant professor since 2005. He serves as the instructor for the Visual Perception course and is the co-instructor for the physiological optics courses. In addition, he teaches an elective course on nutritional optometry. Dr. Kundart was in private practice for five years in Easton, Pennsylvania where he specialized in primary care and low vision for the working poor and special needs children. Dr. Kundart is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry.  Dr. Kundart is a member of the Vision Ergonomics Research group where he has been investigating visual response to handheld electronic devices. He serves as the editor of the College's on-line continuing education. His interest in food and nutrition is on display with his vegan menu.   Born in McAdoo, PA, Dr. Kundart enjoys cycling and karaoke.
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• Carole Timpone (Spring 2010)
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  Lorne Yudcovitch, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O. (Spring 2011), is an Associate Professor at the College of Optometry, and has served at Pacific University since 1998.  A past Clinic Director of the College's Northeast and Southeast Eye Centers, Dr. Yudcovitch instructs in Ocular Disease, Therapeutics, Pediatrics, and Patient Care courses, as well as several clinic areas.  Dr. Yudcovitch recently served as a member of the University's Budget Advisory Committee, and currently also serves as a member of the University Personnel Committee.  “I appreciate the emphasis on teaching that Pacific University Provides, and the personal approach that faculty, staff, and administrators have with our students.  The humanistic approach to learning is an important aspect of Pacific University - one that I valued as a past Pacific University student, and continue to value as a faculty member.”

• Library – one Senator
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• Lynda Irons A.A.S, B.B.A.,MLIS, Electronic/Information Services Coordinator (Spring 2010), has been with Pacific University since 1996.  She is a native Idahoan.  She received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.  Irons has experienced many technological changes to her position since her arrival at Pacific University.  CD-ROM technology was the latest marvel at that time, and now she oversees the management of nearly 202 web-based research databases.  This involves budgeting, purchasing, licensing, and access management.  Irons presently serves as a Reference Librarian and Library Liaison with the Humanities Division, the Natural Sciences Division, and the Art and Theatre/Dance Departments.  She teaches numerous Information Literacy sessions across all disciplines, including the First-Year Seminar course.  As a member of the Librarian’s Council, she is working to strategically implement Information Literacy concepts into the curriculum.  As a Team Leader for the Library’s Web Team, she is overseeing the redesign of the Library’s website to incorporate emerging Web 2.0 concepts. 
• College of Health Professions – six Senators
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  James Lane (Spring 2009) joined the faculty of Pacific’s School of Professional Psychology in 1987 and served as it Program Director 1993-97. In addition to classroom teaching, research, and committee work within the School, he supervises students at its Psychological Service Center in Portland. He has served on and chaired both the College of Health Professions and University Personnel Committees. He believes that Pacific will thrive will other institutions struggle because of the commitment of faculty, staff, and administration to excellence in education and service.

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• James Ferguson (Spring 2012)
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  Gail Aamodt (Spring 2010) graduated in dental hygiene from University of Oregon Health Sciences Center and holds a Masters of Science degree in adult education from Portland State University. She has held positions as faculty at OHSU, Northern Arizona University and now Pacific University. She joined Pacific in 2006 as Faculty/Clinical Education Coordinator.  She is currently active on the following committees: Faculty Senate, Graduation committee, Safety, Tobacco Free, Diversity and multiple search committees.  She enjoys working at Pacific because of the focus on student success and Interprofessional collaboration.

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• Mike Millard (Spring 2010)
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  Linda Hunt, Ph.D., OTR/L (Spring 2011) started working at Pacific’s School of Occupational Therapy fall, 2006 as an associate professor.   Her primary practice is with older adults, specifically in wellness programs, low vision, and driving rehabilitation and community mobility.  Hunt finds that Pacific provides an environment that fosters creativity in teaching.  Hunt received a Pacific faculty development grant, which allowed her to examine the effects of a wellness program for certified nursing assistants (CNA).  Hunt believes nursing home residents will receive optimal care if CNAs work in an environment that supports the valuable work CNAs do including caring for individuals during end of life.  Hunt has published numerous book chapters and manuscripts on the effects of dementia on driving ability, educating healthcare professionals and the public about the problems of driving with cognitive impairment.  She seeks opportunities for Pacific students to engage in her research and publication efforts as well.  Hunt enjoys long walks, hiking/biking, and great food with her husband and daughter. 

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• John Medeiros PT, PhD (Spring 2011) received his B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University. He went on to earn a M.A. and PhD. in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. Five times during his career Dr. Medeiros has been honored as an outstanding professor. He received the Lucille Daniels Recognition Award of Outstanding Contribution to Physical Therapy at Stanford University (1983 and 1985); Outstanding Professor, School of Physical Therapy, Pacific University (1991); Professional Programs Distinguished Educator, Pacific University (1997); and, Distinguished University Professor, Pacific University (2004). He is a board member of the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy and the Institute for the Advancement of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, a member of the Oregon Physical Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists and the Orthopedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. As Executive Editor of JMMT, he is responsible for the management of the publication. Dr. Medeiros has over 80 publications and regularly presents at educational conferences. His areas of interest are manual therapy, clinical biomechanics, and ethics.
• Education – two Senators
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  Mark Bailey (Spring 2010) is a professor in the College of Education and has worked on the Forest Grove Campus for 14 years.  Mark serves as the director of the Child Learning and Development Center and worked to establish the Early Learning Community in Berglund Hall. While he is the early childhood specialist, he has also dabbled in the dark arts of technology and has researched the manner in which technology can support the learning of young children.  As such, Mark is the campus coordinator for the Oregon Technology in Education Network.

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  Mark Szymanski (Spring 2011) is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at the Eugene Campus. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Educational Psychology with a focus on Cognitive Science and Learning and was a high school teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He currently teaches Advanced Human Development and Psychology, Technology Across the Curriculum, and Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments. His research focuses on designing learning environments informed by psychology and facilitated with technology. He is on the Editorial Board of Interface:  The Journal of Education, Community, and Values and a member of Berglund Center for Internet Studies.

• College of Arts and Sciences – nine Senators
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• Kevin Johnson (Spring 2012) received his B.S. in chemistry from Stanford University and his Ph.D. from The University of Washington in physical chemistry. Johnson first came to Pacific University as a high school junior to play trumpet in the 30th Music in May festival orchestra. He returned in the fall of 1994 to join the chemistry department of the college of Arts and Sciences. He is now a professor of chemistry, past chair of the chemistry department, and past co-chair of the university faculty. Johnson teaches general chemistry and upper division physical chemistry. His research involves the study of molecular behavior and reactivity at solid interfaces using microscopy and spectroscopy, and the investigation of molecular electronic structure using computational methods. Dr. Johnson is the recipient of three grants from the National Science Foundation and has published research in among other journals, Analytical Chemistry, Surface Science, and Physical Review Letters. Johnson continues his musical involvement at Pacific and is a member of the trumpet section of the Pacific University Jazz Band.
  
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• Martha Rampton (Spring 2012)
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• Tal Sanders (Spring 2012) holds an M.F.A. in Design from California Institute of the Arts. An Assistant Professor of Theatre, he serves as Faculty Scenic and Lighting Designer as well as Technical Director for Theatre and Dance at Pacific University. In fall 2009 he relocated from Santa Barbara, California where he held the position of Faculty Scene Designer & Lecturer at UCSB, He previously served as Assistant Professor and Technical Director for Marymount Manhattan College in N.Y.C. He served on the Academic Senate of both institutions.  He is an award-winning designer with numerous national credits, a seven-time winner of the Santa Barbara critics’ Independent Theatre Award, and a winner of the Garland award given by the Los Angeles Critic’s Association. He is a member of the United Scenic Artists, and has designed lighting and scenery for many aspects of entertainment including: theatre, film, television, theme parks, concert stages, cruise ships, mall décor, and zoos. As Art Director and Technical Director for Universal Studios Hollywood, he designed shows and events and also served as Entertainment Technical Director for the implementation of the T2/3D attraction. He also served as Lead Designer for Gothic Moon Productions, an Orange County based design firm where he designed multiple events and a variety of television commercials.
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• Nancy Neudauer (Spring 2010)
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  Lori Rynd (Spring 2010) is a professor of Biology and Co-Chair of the Biology Department (2007-2009).  She is a member of the Administrative Restructuring Committee in College of Arts & Science and member of the Dept. Chairs Committee in the Natural Sciences Division.  She was a member of the University Governance Task force that developed the Faculty Senate proposal.  Dr. Rynd has worked at Pacific since 1981.

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• Victor Rodriguez (Spring 2010)
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  David Boersema (Spring 2011) is Professor of Philosophy and the Douglas Strain Chair of Natural Philosophy and Distinguished University Professor. He has been at Pacific since 1985. This year he is also on the University Honors & Awards Committee.

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  Jeff Seward (Spring 2011) is Chair of the Department of Politics and Government in the College of Arts and Sciences.  He has a B.A. from the University of Texas, an M.A. from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.  He is a Latin American specialist with a particular focus on Brazil.  His teaching and research interests range across comparative politics, political philosophy, and political economy. He has been at Pacific since 1990 and previously taught at the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

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  Rick Whiteley (Spring 2011) is Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Chemistry Department (‘08-’09).  He started at Pacific in 1986.  He is currently serving on the Honors and Awards Committee.  Rick also holds a position as Senior Staff Engineer with Lockheed Martin Space Systems.

Faculty Senate Staff

Karla Staihar

Administrative Aide to University Governance

karlas@pacificu.edu

Phone: 503-532-1478

UC Box: A133

Location:  Berglund 217