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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2009
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:
724.738.4854
gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
Tsuquiashi-Daddesio becomes interim humanities dean
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –Eva Tsuquiashi-Daddesio, Slippery Rock University professor of modern languages and cultures, has been named interim dean of the College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts. She has taught French and Spanish at SRU since 1988 and served as chairperson of the department of modern languages and cultures since 2005.
Tsuquiashi-Daddesio, an award-winning educator who has published in three languages and has written more than 20 papers, starts her new position May 26.
Tsuquiashi-Daddesio said she plans to build on SRU's tradition for excellence in the humanities. SRU has the only dance department in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. It offers top-notch education in all of the college's programs, which includes the teaching of eight languages - French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian and
Arabic.
“What I bring is the awareness of the need to manage radically different types of programs within the college,” she said. “The administration of the fine and performing arts area – art, theatre, dance and music – present challenges unlike the traditional humanities fields represented by philosophy, history, English and modern languages and cultures. I am looking forward to working with very talented faculty members who will help me to accurately understand the needs of each department. I believe that the main role of a dean is advocacy for projects that advance the goals of each department and a rational, just distribution of resources.”
She strongly supports the University's plans for the construction of a much-needed new performing arts center.
“I cannot conceive of a university without a liberal arts program,” she said. “At SRU this program helps students learn to read and write in effective and creative ways as well as to achieve full, enjoyable and responsible lives in harmony with an increasingly global society. I look forward to contributing to the improvement of our college and its integration as part of the common effort to support the University's strategic planning.”
Even in a bad economy, Tsuquiashi-Daddesio sees job opportunities in the humanities. “Aside from the fact that the humanities are many times a springboard to a variety of careers, experts say that there are going to be more jobs in education,” she said. “Our college provides specializations for a variety of education programs."
A strong believer in technology education, she has obtained several grants for technology equipment purchases, including a $53,000 grant to purchase interactive television equipment for classes shared between Edinboro, Clarion and Slippery Rock universities.
Tsuquiashi-Daddesio received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in letters and comparative literature from the Université de la Sorbonne-Nouvelle in Paris and a doctorate in French from the University of Minnesota.
Robert Smith, SRU president, appointed Tsuquishi-Daddesio based on the recommendation of William Williams, SRU provost. She was chosen because of her leadership in modern languages and strong academic credentials and accomplishments.
She replaces Diana Dreyer, a professor of English who came out of retirement to serve as interim dean for a year.
“She [Dreyer] did a wonderful job as interim dean,” Williams said. “She provided stability and strong leadership for the college.”
Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.
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