New faculty, staff welcomed to Lehigh community

New faculty and staff members were formally welcomed into the Lehigh community Thursday at a two-hour reception filled with food, music and conversation inside the Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) at the Zoellner Arts Center.

Hosted by the Faculty and Staff of Color Network, the reception provided new hires with an opportunity to network and to meet other faculty, staff, and administrators.  Guests enjoyed spring rolls, meatballs, desserts and drinks as Victoria Liu ’17 played the harp.

“To us the Lehigh community is a really important concept,” said Provost Pat Farrell. “We’re thrilled to have newcomers. That’s a great thing. That enlivens us, helps us build diversity. ...We’re really anxious for what you can add to what’s already here.”

Interim President Kevin Clayton greeted the new hires with a handshake as each one was announced and presented with a gift. New to his position but not new to the university, Clayton thanked those in attendance for being so hospitable to him. “It’s really nice to be back home,” said Clayton ’84 ‘13P. “Lehigh’s a special place.”  

New faculty also participated in a two-day New Faculty Orientation, organized by the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, with participation by 11 offices across campus.     

New faculty members include:

•    Jonas Baltrusaitis, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering
•    Ricki Bliss, assistant professor of philosophy
•    Angela Brown, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering
•    Javier Buceta Fernandez, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering
•    Hugo Ceron-Anaya, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology
•    Mark Chen, assistant professor of chemistry
•    Dinissa Duvanova, assistant professor of international relations
•    Yinan He, associate professor of international relations
•    Hartley Lachter, associate professor and Philip and Muriel Berman Chair in Jewish Studies
•    Michael Layden, assistant professor of biological sciences
•    Wenxin Liu, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
•    Lucy Napper, assistant professor of psychology
•    Miguel Pillado, assistant professor of modern languages and literatures
•    Marina Puzakova, assistant professor of marketing
•    Brooke Rollins, assistant professor of English
•    Alexander Stolyar, professor and Timothy J. Wilmott ’80 endowed faculty, industrial and systems engineering
•    Martin Takac, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering
•    Terrance Wiley, assistant professor of religion studies and Africana studies
•    Xiaoji Xu, assistant professor of chemistry
•    Yue Yu, assistant professor of mathematics
•    Paola Cereghetti Biaggio, professor of practice, physics
•    Imaani El-Burki, professor of practice, journalism and communication and African studies
•    Joshua Ehrig, professor of practice, management and Baker Institute
•    James Femister, professor of practice, computer science and engineering
•    Krystle McLaughlin, professor of practice, biological sciences
•    Paul Myerson, professor of practice, management
•    Matt Veto, professor of practice, journalism and communication and Africana studies