PSA Faculty
Robert Anderson - President of The R. Anderson
Company, Inc., in Sarasota, he has created private
and public gardens for 30 years. Having grown up
in Manatee/Sarasota Counties, he graduated from
the University of Florida and has hiked, sailed and
paddled throughout the State.
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John Beckner - A Florida botanist/horticulturist
with a lifetime of practical and scientific
experience with native plants, orchids, tropical
ornamental and warm climate foods. A researcher
and teacher, with over 100 publications, he has
been involved in field explorations, botanical
illustrations and landscape design/consultation.
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Marlin Birkley - A Mennonite Pastor for eighteen
years, he is a native of northwestern Iowa and
found his way to Florida in 1999. He and his wife,
Cherie, are proud parents of three adult children
and the happy grandparents of four.
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Len Blanchard - B.A. Washington & Lee
University, M.A.,Ph.D. Emory University. Teaches in
the Department of Language and Literature at the
State College of Florida: Manatee and Sarasota
Counties. He is a published poet and has presented
courses on the Southern Literary Renaissance and
on notable Southern women writers.
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Jorge Blanco - An internationally known sculptor
who has lived in Sarasota since 1999, having
trained at the Neumann Institute of Design of
Caracas and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome.
His work graces public places in Sarasota and
other cities throughout the world. It is precisely
conceptualized, vibrant and abounds
with optimism.
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Sue Blue - Graduate of American Academy of
Dramatic Arts, former Drama Dept. Director for
a St. Louis preparatory school. Now focuses on
the preservation of her home town’s landmarks
and Sarasota history and education. She is on the
Board of County Historical Commission and guides
the Downtown Historic Trolley Tours.
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Rosemary F. Bowler - B.A. Wilson College,
M.A. Columbia University, Ph.D. Boston College.
Massachusetts teacher and school administrator.
Executive Director of the International Dyslexia
Society. Co-author of an award-winning book on
learning. Governance consultant to non-profit
organizations. Aficionado of the detective story.
Founder and leader of the Boca Grande Sleuths.
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James Brown - B.S. Political Science, Florida
A&M University. M.A. Guidance Counseling,
University of South Florida. Completed doctoral
coursework at Nova University. Taught social
sciences for 9 years in public schools; 28 years as
a counselor and college administrator at Manatee
Community College.
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Harold Bubil - A humorous and engaging public
speaker and 50-year resident of Sarasota. A
graduate of the University of Florida. Real estate
editor of the Herald-Tribune Media Group since
1994. Has covered architecture, green building
and sustainable design in addition to residential
real estate.
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Phillip Buck - B.A. and M.A. English and
Literature, California University. Completed doctoral
course work Colorado State University. Taught
literature at the University of Colorado. Currently
teaching English and Literature at the State College
of Florida: Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
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Robert V. (Bob) Carlson - Ed.D. University of
Rochester. Executive Director of Pierian Spring
Academy, Professor Emeritus University of
Vermont. Actively researching implications of
recent brain and psychological studies focused on
older adults, with particular interest in exploring
these new insights and their meaning for active
and informed lifestyles.
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Anne Castellina - Born in Massachusetts and
educated throughout the country, graduate of
Huntingdon College. Retired from the National
Park Service after 33 years as a ranger, historian,
instructor, and superintendent. Worked in parks in
Florida, New York, West Virginia, Washington D.C.,
and Alaska.
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Owen Comora - An avid amateur birder for over
50 years, he originated the popular Bird Naturalists
program and the Nature-Adventure Series at
Myakka River State Park. Currently the President of
Friends of Myakka River, a volunteer organization
created to protect and preserve Florida’s first “Wild
and Scenic River.”
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Kevin Costello - Graduate of Chelsea School of
Art and Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Taught at the San Francisco Museum of Art, San
Francisco Art Academy, Stetson University and
Eckerd College; now teaches at Ringling College
of Art and Design. He has worked as an art
correspondent for Siesta Key Pelican, Bradenton
Herald, Sarasota Herald Tribune and Sarasota
Art Review.
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Mary Jane De Genaro - B.A. Sarah Lawrence
College; M.A. Columbia Teachers College. Eight
years lecturing about opera in Sarasota. Designer
and implementer of various innovative approaches
to music education. Kensington published novel,
1995; numerous newspaper essays..
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Robert J. Dinkin - Taught American history
for thirty-three years in the California university
system. Author of five books on American political
history, including Campaigning in America (1989)
and most recently, Election Day: A Documentary
History (2002).
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Jeanne Dubi - Before moving to Florida in 1997,
lived in New York City and was Vice-President/
General Manager of Harper’s Magazine. As
president of the Sarasota Audubon Society, devotes
much of her time to birding and conservation of
bird habitat in Sarasota County.
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David Eisner - M.A. Antioch Graduate School,
Psy.D. International University. Certified as a
Psychoanalyst by the National Association for the
Advancement of Psychoanalysis. Teaches at State
College of Florida: Manatee and Sarasota Counties
and serves on the Program Committee of the C.G.
Jung Society of Sarasota.
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Henry Ettman - M.A. and Ph.D. in social
psychology from University of Nevada, 40
years teaching experience, and 50 years as a
professional jazz drummer and music presenter.
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John Goodman - Boston University Professor
Emeritus of Music Theory and Composition.
Currently President of the Sarasota Concert
Association; Director of “Second Sunday at Selby”
series; lecturer for Selby Library’s “Masters and
Masterpieces of Music;” and Sarasota Music
Archive board member and volunteer.
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Alan Grindal - B.A. Northwestern University,
M.D. University of Illinois. Neurology training at
Medical College of Virginia, where he served as
a faculty member. Private practice of neurology
in Sarasota since 1978. Currently a neurological
consultant to the Memory Disorder Clinic at
Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Clinical Assistant
Professor at Florida State University.
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Eileen Hampshire - Born and educated in
Lancashire, England, she emigrated to Montreal,
Canada where she earned a B.F.A. in Art History.
Her studies focused on the art history of carpet
weaving of the ancient Near East.
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Margaret Hartzler - B.S. Ohio Wesleyan, M.A.
Northwestern University, Math Education; Ph.D.
University of Florida, Educational Counseling. As
owner and CEO of Type Resources, Inc., she has
been training psychological type educators for over
25 years.
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Goody Hirshfeld - A founding member of the
Living Arts Seminars, an arts-in-education
enterprise of which the New York Times wrote: “I
never knew art could be so much fun.” Co-author
of the five books that comprise the “Meet the
Masterpiece” series published by Scholastic, Inc.
Lectures at various Sarasota venues.
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Judy Jordan Hoerr - B.A. Beloit College. M.S.W.
University of Illinois. Attended the C.G. Jung
Institute, had a private practice in Peoria, IL in
Individual, Marriage and Family Counseling.
Served as President and Program Chairman of the
CG Jung Society in Sarasota and has conducted
workshops in Peoria and Sarasota.
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Si Isenberg - B.A. Syracuse University;
graduate studies Syracuse and Columbia. Edited
Shakespeare Bulletin. Publications: Fancies and
Goodnights, A Shakespearean Journey. Secretary
Drama Desk, Editor of Stages, the national theatre
magazine.
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Phyllis Jaffe - M.A. New York University.
Elderhostel lecturer, hospice volunteer, lecturer at
Ventfort Hall and at Shakespeare and Company in
Lenox, MA. Continuing Education program lecturer
at Heritage Hills, Somers, NY; facilitator of UNIFEM
Book Club. New York City Teacher of the Year 1984.
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Willard R. Johnson - B.A. U.C.L.A., M.A. Johns
Hopkins, Ph.D. Harvard University. Emeritus
Professor at M.I.T (1964-1996). Specializes in
comparative politics and international political
economy of African and less-developed countries.
Founder and President of the Kansas Institute
for African-American and Native-American
Family History.
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Vivian R. Johnson - B.A. U.C.L.A, CAS and
Ed.D. Harvard University. Over 40 years of
investigating and collecting textiles and how they
depict relationships among families, schools and
communities in the U.S. and other countries. She
continues her examination of textiles as teaching
elements in society and social connections
revealed in archaeological sites.
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James W. Johnson - B.A. Philosophy, Cardinal
Newman College, S.T.B. (Master of Divinity) from
the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in
Rome, completed his education for the Roman
Catholic priesthood in 1987. Taught courses in
religion at Broward Community College for 13
years, and English as a Second Language (ESL)
for 15 years.
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Robert J. Kelly - Ph.D. Math Statistics, M.S. Math,
University of Maryland, M.S. Physics, B.S.E.E.
Johns Hopkins, M.S.E.E. George Washington
University; 49 years in Physics and Engineering; 25
years technical advisor for the U.S. Federal Aviation
Agency. President of Kelly Systems Engineering for
15 years.
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Arthur S. Kesten - Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering,
University of Pittsburgh. Currently President
of Nanocap Technologies. Led the United
Technologies Research Center where, in 1997, was
named its Distinguished Engineer of the Year.
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Peter Koenig - A painter, curator, and art writer
with degrees from Harvard University, Cranbrook
Academy of Art, and Massachusetts College of Art.
Honors include a Fulbright Fellowship and U.S.
Bicentennial Grant.
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Bert Kummel - M.D. University of Pennsylvania;
Residency and Fellowship completed at Columbia-
Presbyterian Medical Center. Chief of Orthopedic
Service at Morristown (NJ) Memorial Hospital.
Author of 13 peer-reviewed publications.
Orthopedic consultant and member of numerous
orthopedic associations.
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June LeBell - Won numerous awards in 30 years
of announcing at New York City’s WQXR. She
continues presenting her “Sound of Broadway”
series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Published in NY Times, Gourmet Magazine, Opera
News, and The Observer. Currently the Executive
Director (and a soprano) with Gloria Musicae.
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Eleanor Merritt - B.A. and M.A. in Fine Arts
and Education, Brooklyn College. Artist and
educator. Retired as chair of the art department in
Westbury, New York. She has exhibited extensively
throughout the United States and Florida for the
past 50 years.
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Baila Miller - B.A. and M.A. Memphis State
University. Completed 40 hours of course work
towards a doctorate. The founder of Miller Music
and Fine Arts Programs, LLC, she lectures on all
aspects of art: architecture, music, sculpting,
painting and literature.
John Mellon B.A. from Clarion University and an M.Litt. and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Over the years, he has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels, lectured and led discussion groups on poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction.
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Eleanor Merritt Is an artist and educator from Brooklyn College CUNY with a B.A. and M.A. in Fine Arts and Education and retired as chair of the art department in Westbury, New York. She has exhibited
extensively throughout the United States and Florida for the past 50 years.
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Marvin Mills - Advanced degrees from Columbia
University in philosophy, architecture and history
of architecture. An architect, architectural historian
and professor of history of architecture, he has
recently taught at the University of South Florida in
Tampa and New College in Sarasota.
Jeff Moates - M.A. History/Historical Archaeology
from University of West Florida. Has worked
professionally in Florida since 2002. Currently
serving as director of the West Central Regional
Center of the Florida Public Archaeology Network.
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Stan Nikkel - B.A. University of Colorado, M.A.
University of North Carolina, Ph.D. University of
Maryland. Taught at the universities of George
Washington, Maryland and Massachusetts at
Boston. The author of two books, he has personally
explored many of the historical settings associated
with his course’s subjects.
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Neil O'Neill - B.A. English and History, Ole Miss,
M.A. History Northwestern University, Ph.D. British
History, University of Virginia. Studied in England
and Mexico. Taught at various schools before
retiring to concentrate on his first love
- Roman history.
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Mike Pheneger - A retired U.S. Army Colonel
and intelligence officer. Served as Director of
Intelligence for U.S. Special Operations Command
and Deputy Director of Intelligence for U.S. Central
Command. Had assignments in Germany, Vietnam,
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Jeff Rodgers - Director of Education for the
S. Florida Museum and Director of the Bishop
Planetarium. Joined the Museum in 2004 after
nine years at the American Museum of Natural
History and Hayden Planetarium in New York City.
A science communicator, he spends the bulk of
his time trying to de-mystify the universe and our
place in it.
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Elinor Rogosin - Author of The Dance Makers,
her love of contemporary dance can be traced to
her own classes with Martha Graham and Merce
Cunningham. Recently commented on dance for
both The Longboat Observer and Dancer Magazine.
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Lauren Rudd - B.S. University of Maryland,
graduate work at Wharton. Senior Partner-Day
Hagan Asset Management, 38 years on Wall
Street, newspaper columnist writing about Wall
Street and the economy for over 22 years. A
recognized public speaker, television commentator
and publisher of The Rudd Report, he is currently
writing two books for McGraw-Hill.
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Paul Sarno - A University of Pennsylvania and
Columbia Law School graduate. Through
wide-ranging readings, seven visits, membership
in the Asia Society and the Burma Studies Group,
he has an intrinsic understanding of Southeast
Asia. Recent author of “The War on Drugs in
Myanmar” in Southeast Asian Affairs 2009
published in Singapore.
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Nancy K. Schlossberg - Professor Emeritus
of counseling psychology from University of
Maryland, College Park, she has written eight
books on mid-life, aging, transitions and coping.
Her most recent books include: Overwhelmed:
Coping with Life’s Ups and Downs; Retire Smart,
Retire Happy: Finding Your True Path; and
Revitalizing Retirement: Reshaping Your Identity,
Relationships, and Purpose.
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Joseph M. Segars - Retired U.S. Foreign Service
Officer. Graduate of Cheyney University. Served as
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cape Verde.
Since retiring, he has worked with the Sudan
Program Group, managed a U.S.AID funded IT
project in Nigeria, and served as Acting Office
Director in the Department’s Africa Bureau.
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John (Steve) Smith - A retired U.S. Navy Captain,
served 24 years as line officer, nuclear power
engineer and ship design manager. Senior V.P. of
CDI Marine Company, a leading naval architecture
firm. President of ROH, Inc., which provided Navy
ship design and acquisition support.
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Dick Smolens - B.A., M.S., Ed.D. Thirty seven
years of teaching, elementary through graduate
school. Retired from Hunter College (NYC) to
combine loves of teaching and music. Focus
of singing and lecturing is “The Golden Age of
American Popular Song”, that unique period when
music and lyrics were wed in perfect harmony.
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Joyce Stith - Taught English at Kent State
University and California State University at
Hayward. Published on Milton, Plato, Van Gogh and
numerous travel destinations. Directed the film
program at the Biblioteca Publica in San Miguel de
Allende, Mexico. Spends winters in Sarasota and
summers visiting great art museums of the world.
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Pete Tannen - President of the American Civil
Liberties Union of Sarasota/Manatee/DeSoto
and Chair of the ACLU State Public Education
Committee. He is also head of a new non-profit
organization, the Clear Language Institute,
Inc., which is involved with citizens’ rights to
understand what they are voting on.
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Brenda Terris - Named Executive Director of
the Sarasota Season of Sculpture in February
2007. More than 27 years of marketing and
communications experience.y, where he spoke about civil liberties at the Royal Institute of Management.
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Mark Tlachac - Recognized Frank Lloyd Wright
historian and lecturer. His lifelong passion for
Wright’s architecture has evolved into extensive
work at Florida Southern College where he lectures
and conducts tours of the campus. He has written
and produced a DVD of Wright’s work in Lakeland.
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Allison Tracy - A journalist/dance critic, she is based in Massachusetts, covering the internationally renowned Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, which has for 75 years, promoted the full diversity of dance. She has critiqued that fantastic parade for some 20 years.
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Noreen Wald - AKA Nora Charles, published ten
novels for Berkley Prime Crime. In addition, she
has two published nonfiction books - Contestant:
Success Secrets of a Game Show Veteran,
Avon; Foxy Forever, St. Martin’s Press; and 27
“published” students.
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Ruthmary Williams - M.S. American History,
University of South Florida. Teaches American
History as an adjunct professor for State College
of Florida: Manatee and Sarasota Counties. A
volunteer at Historic Spanish Point and serves on
the Sarasota County Historical Commission.
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Jay Wilson - B.A. and Ph.D. Yale University. Taught
English literature at the University of Rochester for
many years and held fellowships at Cambridge
University and the Folger Shakespeare Library.
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William Wittig - Graduate of the Oberlin
Conservatory of Music. Studied in France as a
Fulbright Scholar. Served as Principal Flutist with
the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and is a
member of the London Chamber Players. Recently
retired as Professor of Music at Smith College
where he served for 37 years.
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Ed Yellin - Ph.D. University of Illinois; postdoctoral
studies in Cardiovascular Physiology, University
of Washington. Currently, Professor Emeritus of
Physiology and Cardiac Surgery at the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, where he taught and
conducted research on cardiac function for
38 years.
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J. David Yoder - B.A. Elementary Education, Eastern Mennonite University; M.Ed. School Administration, James Madison University; Ed.D. Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University. Worked in higher education administration, PreK-12 administration, and served as an educational resource consultant for the Pre-12, higher education and seminary programs of Mennonite Church USA. Currently, serving at the Executive Director of Sunnyside Village, a retirement community sponsored by Sarasota area Mennonite churches.
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Greg Zaritsky - Born in Kiev, Ukraine
(then USSR). After receiving his B.A. and M.A.
from Kiev Tchaikovsky Conservatory, moved to
the United States. Among his musical activities
were: American Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn
Philharmonic Orchestra, New Russian Orchestra,
Soviet Émigré Orchestra, and Springfield
Symphony Orchestra.
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Enquiries please call: 941-716-2471 or e-mail: info@pierianspringacademy.org
