Meet the Course Leaders
Robert (Todd) Becker is a retired US Diplomat and International Peace Keeper with over 40 years’ experience, primarily in Europe. His academic background is in German Studies (History, Language, Literature) and European History and International Affairs. He has taught in the Conflict Resolution, Political Science and Honors programs at SU since 2008 and offered ALL courses over the same period of time.
Peggy Bradford (M.S.,R.N.): CEO of MAC for 37 years. She oversaw its progression from a couple of programs and a few employees to a major contributing force in our community and state, housed in a state-of-the-art facility. She is well-respected in the community for her wisdom, and is often seen with a dog by her side. Dr. Ron Dotterer holds a B.A. with honors in English from Bucknell University, M.A., M. Phil, and Ph.D. with highest honors degrees in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. He was a professor for 21 years at Susquehanna University (where he founded the honors program, was assistant to the president, and chair of the Department of English) and for 24 years at Salisbury University, where he was professor of English and Dean of the Fulton School of Liberal Arts, and is Professor and Dean Emeritus. He has published over 40 articles and six books on Shakespeare, Irish literature, poetry, women and the arts, film, and undergraduate research. Dale Godfrey graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree. Since 1974 he has been employed in the communications industry, adult education, IT, and elections with the State of Maryland. Nancy Hesser Ph.D., has taught literature in the US, DR Congo, and Mali. With her husband and canine companions, she has recently moved from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier. Her ALL short story courses have focused on American regionalism, the Roaring 20s, African voices, Central America, the Caribbean, foodies, pub crawlers, identities, ghost stories, travel, work, houses, dress codes, and flash fiction, among other subjects. Phillip Hesser has taught in the US and Africa and served with the UNHCR and the Academy for Educational Development. Most recently, he has taught at Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College. He now spends his time delving into the deep history of Delmarva and the Chesapeake Bay watershed and running the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with his pint-sized retriever Marshall and hound Bayly. Indulging his interests at the intersection of landscape, life & livelihood, he wrote What a River Says: Exploring the Blackwater River and Refuge (Cambridge, MD: Friends of Blackwater, 2014) and co-wrote (with Charlie Ewers) Harriet Tubman’s Eastern Shore: The Old Home Is Not There (Columbia, SC: History Press, 2021). Adrianne Kadushin M.A. is a retired psychotherapist who has worked extensively with couples and families. She has been a childbirth and parent educator and has been a co-leader with her husband in conducting workshops and seminars. Dr. G. Ray Thompson’s PhD is in Greek and Roman history and archaeology. During his nearly 50 years at SU he regularly taught courses on Roman Archaeology, including Rome’s far-flung provinces. He also frequently taught on-site courses in the various western Roman provinces. |
Lewis Kadushin Ph.D is a retired psychologist with fifty five years working in the health care industry. He taught psychology as an adjunct faculty at Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore for over 35 years.
Dr. Bob McBrien, now retired, is a former public school classroom teacher, an SU Emeritus professor, a retired Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and in instructor of Chinese healing exercise programs (Tai Chi & Qigong). He is a Cold-War veteran (Army), his 3 years of service includes a tour of duty in Korea. Poet Laureate of Salisbury, Maryland, Nancy Mitchell is a 2012 recipient of the Pushcart Prize, and the author of The Near Surround, Grief Hut, and The Out-of-Body Shop. She has published in journals such as Green Mountains Review, Ploughshares and Washington Square Review, and has been awarded numerous artist residency fellowships. She has taught Creative Writing classes for The English Department and ECO-Art Installations for the Environmental Studies Department, for which she produced exhibitions of student work. For several years, she produced the annual fine arts festival, WORDSTOCK at Salisbury University. She has worked for Maryland Summer Center for the Arts, Girls Innovative Academy, Worcester County Libraries, and 1 Year to Empowerment. She produces the Poets on the Plaza Reading Series and is Associate Editor for Plume Poetry Journal. Kel Nagel, also known as William J. Nagel, M.D., is an actor and director with Community Payers of Salisbury. In a long running prior role, he practiced Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at PRMC, Now Tidal health. He served as Medical Director of the Critical Care and Respiratory Departments from 1978 to 2014. He was one of the founders of the Respiratory Care Program at Salisbury University, where he was Co-Medical Director and Adjunct Clinical Professor until his retirement. It is possible, but unlikely, that he now knows more about musical theater than health care. Mike Roberts holds a B.A. in history from Duke University and a J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American University, where he was Editor-In-Chief of the Law Review. He was an officer in the U.S. Navy, with extensive sea duty in the Mediterranean, plus service with the Naval Security Group in Washington. For over 30 years, he practiced law in Washington, specializing in aviation and international law. Sophia Sonen is a retired teacher/counselor of 37 years, from the state of Maryland. She earned a MLA and an MS from Johns Hopkins University. Definitely a life-long learner, with a strong interest in creativity, she completed 4 semesters of the Artist’s Way classes with Diane Thomas Mitchell where she became more creative, which was quite complementary to her spiritual practice, and expanded consciousness. Carolyn Stegman (Ed.D.,R.N.): Taught Psychology of Aging at Salisbury University, was chair of the MAC Board of Directors, president of Wicomico’s Commission on Aging, served as a consultant to MAC for many years, and has authored two novels on aging, both written with a cat next to her computer screen. Her new book, The Sages of Oak Place, will be published in January 2024. Carol Zimmerman served as MAC’s Director of Aging and Dementia Programs prior to taking on the role as director of Community Relations and Development. She oversaw the development of the Life Bridges dementias programs including the social-model day program located at MAC. Prior to joining MAC, she was the Community Relations and Development Coordinator for the Eastern Lower Shore of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Maryland chapter. She is trained as an Alzheimer’s community educator, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arizona. |