February 26, 2007

Based on recommendations from Lyon President Dr. Walter Roettger, eight Lyon College faculty members were promoted from assistant professors to the associate level at the Board of Trustees meeting held in Little Rock last week. The promotions will become effective at the beginning of the 2007-08 academic year.

Dr. Floyd Beckford, assistant professor of chemistry, earned his Ph.D., and his B. Sc., at the University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. He joined the Lyon faculty in 2001 and has served as faculty advisor of the student chapter of the American Chemical Society, vice president of the faculty assembly, and as chair of the curriculum committee. Floyd also serves as a soccer referee for both high school and the Independence County Youth Athletic Association

Dr. Gloria Everson, assistant professor of anthropology, earned her Ph.D., from Tulane University and her B.A., from Augustana College. She joined the Lyon faculty in 2001. Her area of research is Mesoamerican archaeology. Everson has served as a freshman mentor and chaired the curriculum committee. She currently serves as faculty advisor to the Young Democrats, and has been a member of the Batesville chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens since 2001.

Dr. Stuart Hutton, assistant professor of physics, earned his Ph.D., and M.S., from Montana State University and his B.S., from the University of Richmond. He joined the Lyon faculty in 2001, and currently serves as a freshman mentor, a faculty representative to the student assembly, and on the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee. Stuart also serves as faculty advisor to Chi Beta Phi.

Dr. Md. Mahbubul Kabir, assistant professor of economics, earned his Ph.D., from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, his M.A., from Williams College, an M.B.A., from Dhaka University, Bangladesh, and his B.Sc., from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology. He joined the Lyon faculty in 1999, and has served on the college Institutional Assessment Committee and on the Student Creative Arts and Research Forum advisory committee.

Dr. Tim Lindblom, assistant professor of biology, earned his Ph.D., from the University of Georgia and his B.S., from Auburn University. He joined the Lyon faculty in 2002, and has served as the chair of the Student and Creative Arts, Forum Committee. He currently serves as faculty co-sponsor for the Lyon chapter of Alpha Chi and the Lyon Episcopal Society. He is a Webelos Den Leader for Pack 220, Boy Scouts of America

Dr. David Pace, assistant professor of chemistry, earned his Ph.D., and his B.S., from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He joined the Lyon faculty in 2001. Prior to his appointment at Lyon, Pace spent seven years in the chemical industry as a developmental chemist at a manufacturing facility in Arkansas. He has served as a freshman mentor and as faculty assembly secretary at Lyon.

Dr. Monica Rodriguez, assistant professor of Spanish, earned her Ph.D., and an M.A., from the University of Kentucky, a B.A., from Berea College, and a B.S., from the University of San Martin de Porres, Lima, Peru. She joined the Lyon faculty in 2001. Rodriquez has served as a freshman mentor and currently serves as faculty advisor to Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society. Monica also has served as an ESL/Spanish teacher and translator at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville.

David Sonnier, assistant professor of computer science, earned his M.S., from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a B.S., from the United States Military Academy. He joined the Lyon faculty in 2001. David is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He currently serves as faculty advisor to Catholic Campus Ministries. He is also a member of the Batesville Symphony League and vice president of the Batesville Swimming Association.