WMU News

April 2002 doctoral recipients announced

June 7, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- Thirteen students received doctoral degrees from Western Michigan University at the end of winter session in April. Please see list below.

Ten students received doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, two earned doctor of education (Ed.D.) degrees, and one earned a doctor of public administration (D.P.A.) degree. Degrees were awarded in eight fields: counselor education and counseling psychology; educational leadership; English; geology; history; mechanical engineering; psychology; and public administration.

Doctoral degree recipients
April 2002

Pamela Sue Berryman of Kalamazoo earned a Ed.D. degree in counselor education and counseling psychology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "The Impact of Congenitally Blind Children Upon Family Functioning and Interaction."

Sharon L. Carlson of Kalamazoo earned a Ph.D. in history from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "Ladies' Library Associations in Michigan: Women, Reform, and Use of Public Space." Some of her dissertation research involved the Kalamazoo Ladies' Library Association, which celebrates its 150-year anniversary this year. According to Carlson, the Kalamazoo group was the first women's organization in the nation to construct a clubhouse, which still stands at 333 S. Park St. Carlson is director of WMU's Archives and Regional History Collections, which houses the records of the Kalamazoo Ladies' Library Association. She also holds a master's degree from Wayne State University. She is the daughter of Andrew and Linda Carlson of Kalamazoo.

Patricia A. Collins of Holt, Mich., received her D.P.A. degree in public administration from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "Organizational Alignment: A Tool for Obtaining Greater Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness in a State Government Agency." The daughter of Dorothy Hayes of Detroit, she earned her bachelor's degree in retailing from Michigan State University and a master's degree in management from Aquinas College. She is an administrator with the state of Michigan.

Jay R. Cooper of Saginaw, Mich., earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of his dissertation was "Social Responsibility and Types of Service Learning: A Comparison of Curricular Service Learning, Co-Curricular Service Learning, and Traditional Community Service." The son of Fred and Sally Cooper of Sarasota, Fla., he earned his bachelor's degree from Oakland University and a master's degree from Southern Illinois University. He is associate director of student life at Grand Valley State University.

Douglas Engebretsen of Kalamazoo earned a Ph.D. in English from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of his dissertation was "Four One Acts: Quaddies, Static, Pluto, Dis Associates, and Woody Woodpecker's Dream Cafe."

Katherine M. Holverstott-Cockrell of Coldwater, Mich., earned a Ph.D. degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "Using Measures of Intervention Integrity, Intervention Acceptability and Intervention Effectiveness to Evaluate a Toilet Training Program in a Preschool Classroom For Children with Special Needs." The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Holverstott of Zeeland, Mich., she earned her bachelor's degree from WMU in 1995 and a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1997. Holverstott-Cockrell is a school psychologist with the Van Buren Intermediate School District.

Dale Kennedy Howe of Grand Rapids, Mich., received a Ph.D. degree in public administration from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of his dissertation was "Demographic Factors Predictive of Medicaid Enrollment in Michigan Counties."

Megan Michelle Kwak of Schaumburg, Ill., earned a Ph.D. degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "Using Bibliometric Journal Citation Analysis as a Technique to Assess Trends in School Psychology Journal Publications Between 1995-1999." The daughter of Ray and Christine Kwak of West Sayville, N.Y., she earned her bachelor's degree at Allegheny College and both a master's degree and an education specialist degree at WMU. Kwak is a psychologist at Streamwood Behavioral Health Center, a children's psychiatric hospital in Streamwood, Ill.

Victoria Mary Pellettiere of Kalamazoo earned her Ph.D. degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "An Examination of the Effects of Fluency Training on Retention, Distractibility and Generativity." The daughter of Anita and Frank Pellettiere of Olympia Fields, Ill., she earned her bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a master's degree from WMU. Pellettiere is program director at Livings Ways Inc. in Kalamazoo.

Pamela Marie Radford of Riverview, Mich., received a Ph.D. degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "Documenting Lines of Communication Between School Personnel and Physicians for Medication Evaluation Purposes for Students with ADHD." She is the daughter of Barbara Radford of Riverview and Dennis Radford of Flatwoods, Ky. This is Radford's fourth degree from WMU, as she has previously earned bachelor's, master's and education specialist degrees from the University. She is currently a school psychologist at a therapeutic day school for children with severe emotional and behavior disorders in Highland Park, Ill.

Susan Marie Snycerski of Portage, Mich., earned a Ph.D. degree in psychology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of her dissertation was "Lever-Press Acquisition by Rats: Effects of Some Historical Variables."

Gerald A. Unterreiner of Plainfield, Ind., received his Ph.D. degree in geology from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of his dissertation was "Chemical, Isotopic, and Hydrogeologic Investigations of an Agriculturally Impacted Area, Nottawa Creek Watershed, Calhoun County, Michigan."

Saad Yaser Yasin of Kalamazoo received a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Western Michigan University in April 2002. The title of his dissertation was "Systematic Methods for the Design of a Class of Fuzzy Logic Controllers."

Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu


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