Areas of Responsibility

• Reference
• Ask a Librarian!
• Bibliographic Instruction
• Electronic Resources
• Collection Development

Professional Education

• Master of Library Science, Syracuse University
• Bachelor of Science, Horticultural Science, The Pennsylvania State University

Departmental Liasions

• Math & Physics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Forensic Science
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Athletic Training

Alvernia Committees

• Multicultural Committee
• Organic Garden
• Recycling

Bio

I joined the Franco Library staff in February 2001 after completing my Master of Library Science degree as a distance education student at Syracuse University.

Prior to joining the Alvernia College community, my wife Louisa and I joined the Peace Corps and were assigned to a rural area of the Andean highlands of Ecuador. We worked with local communities on community development, and food and nutrition education projects.

I returned to Berks County, where I grew up, to work for the Rodale Institute on the development of grain amaranth, an ancient high protein Amerindian food. In collaboration with researchers in Mexico and the Andean countries we collected seed from indigenous farmers, selected improved varieties and worked with food scientists to develop foods with amaranth grain. I also worked on projects with a focus on environmentally-friendly food production systems. We launched a green-labeled milk product to explore consumer interest in supporting the efforts of dairy farmers to protect water quality. In collaboration with Shinji Shumeikai, a Japanese organization concerned with protecting the environment, I participated in workshops in Japan and hosted Japanese groups in the United States to exchange ideas on food production models that protect the environment.

Updated: July 12, 2007

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