College Faculty Profiles
Dr. Kathleen Anderson
Interim President, Valley Forge Military College
Dr. Anderson has an outstanding background as an award-winning educator, teacher and administrator at both the college and high school levels. Since 2006, her roles at VFMA&C have included Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim Dean of the College. Other experiences include Executive Assistant to the President and VP for Student Affairs at the Community College of Philadelphia. Prior to that assignment, she was VP for Enrollment Management and Dean of the School of Continuing Studies at Chestnut Hill College. She has taught both management and communications at Penn State University and Chestnut Hill College.
At the academy level, she was a senior administrator at Agnes Irwin School and taught history at The Rosemont School of the Holy Child, The International School in London and Cheltenham Township Schools. Dr. Anderson is both a certified Principal and School Superintendent.
Dr. Anderson is an acknowledged leader in her profession having been selected and honored as Educator of the Year by the Association for Continuing Higher Education Region IV. Dr. Anderson holds the following degrees: B.A. from Chestnut Hill College; M.A. from Villanova University, History; M.A. from Villanova University, Educational Administration; Ed.D. from Widener University and Certificate from Harvard University School of Education.
Diane M. Amlin
Assistant Professor
Mathematics Department
Basic Math, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra
Third Year with vFMC, 15 years in profession
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the College of Mount Saint Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio
Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from the University of Cincinnati
Professor Amlin teaches Introductory Algebra, Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra at VFMC. Originally from Piqua, Ohio, Mrs. Amlin earned her Bachelor’s degree from the College of Mt. St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio and her Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics at the University of Cincinnati. She has seven years of teaching experience at the high school level in both Ohio and Tennessee. After previously teaching mathematics at Montgomery County Community College, she joins VFMC with great passion and dedication to educating our cadets. Mrs. Amlin received the Excellence in Teaching Award for the 2009-2010 Academic year. Mrs. Amlin currently resides in Spring City with her husband and two children.
Dr. Sukalpa Basu
Assistant Professor of Physics and Mathematics, College
Physics I, Physics II, Calculus
B.Sc.(Honors), M.Sc., Ph.D., Temple University
Dr. Sukalpa Basu joined the college faculty at Valley Forge Military College in Fall 2010. Prior to this, she had been teaching at the Valley Forge Military Academy since September 2008. In May 2009, she completed her PhD in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics from Temple University. Born in Calcutta, India, Dr. Basu received her undergraduate degree from St. Xavier’s College in 2000 and her masters from Calcutta University in 2002. Dr. Basu is a member of the American Physical Society (APS), Computer Science Teachers’ Association (CSTA) and IBM Academic Initiative. Her research interests include Heavy Fermion Systems, highly correlated electrons and Monte Carlo Simulations. She had been awarded the “Peter Haavas Scholarship for best Physics Graduate student” by Temple University in 2008 and the “Excellence in Teaching Award” by VFMAC in 2009. Dr. Basu loves cooking, knitting and listening to music. She lives in campus with her husband and daughter.
Dr. Frederick R. Chandler, Chair
Mathematics Department
Dr. Chandler brings to VFMC a passion for education. He has served two (2) terms on the Board of Education in Monroe County where he held the offices of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Chair of Finance, and Chair of Negotiations. He has 12 years of teaching at the college level – 5 years here at VFMC.
He holds a BS from King’s College, an MS from Marywood University, an MBA from Xavier University, and an Ed.D from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His research interests include efficiencies in education, workforce automation, and statistics.
He is the recipient of the Rose I Kelly Award from University of Scranton for Outstanding Teaching and the recipient of Significant Achievement Awards from NCR Corporation for his Virtual Workplace Project and the creation of a Global Systems Development Process. In addition, he has received the Significant Achievement Award For Demonstrating Diversity Awareness and named an “Ambassador of Learning” at Kutztown University recognizing his valuable contributions to learning for students with disabilities.
Kevin R. Collins
Associate Professor, Calculus/Physics/Pre-Engineering
Calculus I, II, III; Trigonometry; Physics I, II; Engineering Statics
3 years at VFMC/ 15 years of college teaching
PhD Civil Engineering University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
MS Civil Engineering Virginia Tech
BCE Civil Engineering University of Delaware
Dr. Collins joined the faculty at Valley Forge in August 2009. Prior to Valley Forge, he taught for 2 years at Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, Michigan), 3½ years at the US Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut), and 7 years at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan). His area of specialization is structural engineering. He received his BCE degree from the University of Delaware in 1988, his MS degree from Virginia Tech in 1989, and his PhD degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1995. Between his MS and PhD degrees, he worked for 2½ years at a consulting engineering firm in Washington, DC. His research interests include earthquake engineering and structural reliability. He is a member of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Chi Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Kappa Phi.
Vincent P. Daley
Assistant Professor, Business
Business Department
First Year with VFMC, Five years in profession
Fordham University (B.S. in Economics)
Fordham University (MBA)
Vincent Daley, a new professor in Business has taught Economics at Temple University, Immaculata University and Delaware County Community College. He has also taught Economics on the undergraduate and graduate level and Business courses at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Mr. Daley spent 30 + years in Business rising to the level of CFO. After retiring, he practiced as a consultant for several years and served as the Director of Financial Services for the American International School – Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for two years before pursuing a career in teaching. Mr. Daley resides in Wayne with his wife, Carmela.
Tom Durwood
Assistant Professor, English
Harvard University (B.S. Social Psychology)
National University (MA English)
Second year with VFMC, fourth year in the profession
Tom ran his own small press (Ariel Books) for fifteen years and edited over 100 books, including the Ariel Classics series and young adult biographies Solutions and Americans, edited with Henry Steele Commager. His work-in-progress on Theodore Roosevelt and the 25th Infantry has received favorable comments from historians Dennis Showalter and John Milton Cooper and is currently under review at Westholme Press. Tom is editing a new online journal, The Journal of Empire Studies, sponsored by The School for Global Studies at Arizona State University and The Orfalea Center for Global Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara.
Tom is extremely proud of his two grown children. He would like to begin work on his doctorate but finds that the Valley Forge cadets keep asking him for help with their papers for Dr. Rabbi and Prof. Ray.
He works hard to keep up with Prof. Tolbert whenever they play tennis.
CPT Edward J Harris
Criminal Justice and Social Science
VFMC
Adjunct Faculty since 2001
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice since 2005
Taught at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy since 1985
B.S., West Chester University; M.S., West Chester University
Certified by Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission to
teach under Act 120 – Municipal Police Officers; Act 235 – Private Security
CPT Harris teaches Criminal Justice and Social Science to VF College cadets. He has been with the Forge since 2001 as an adjunct instructor prior to his appointment as an Assistant Professor in 2005. He attended West Chester University for a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and continued at West Chester for a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Education. He is a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. CPT Harris was a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, retiring with 30 years of service. He is involved in Domestic Violence Education and was the Chair of the Domestic Violence Legal Network in Montgomery County, PA. He is an avid dog fancier, breeding and showing Great Danes. He shares a home with his wife of 42 years, Phyllis, in Montgomery County, PA.
Joie de Vivre:
Favorite Book: The Evil Men Do by Roy Hazelwood
Favorite Movie: North by Northwest
Motto: Courage is rightly considered the foremost of the virtues, for upon it, all others depend.
Goal: Number 1 Great Dane in the Country
Rob Hull
Asst. Prof., Mathematics
Teaches Ma101, Ma102, Ma104
First year full-time with VFMC, previously 5 years part-time at VFMC,
14 years in profession.
S.B., Humanities and Science, MIT
M.E., Engineering Science, Penn State University/Great Valley
M.A., Mathematics, West Chester University
In his “spare” time, Rob coaches his son’s baseball & soccer teams, and is an adult leader with his Boy Scout Troop. He is a Deacon in his church, he serves on several committees, sings in the choir, and occasionally sings solos in church. He has been an actor for most of his life, and from time to time will participate in a local community theater show.
Additional professional experience includes working as a Programmer/Analyst and Software Engineer for eight years of combined experience. His last position involved developing educational software.
Daniel T. Kirsch
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Teaches American Government, Comparative Politics, and International Relations
First Year at Valley Forge, a decade of experience in higher education
University of Massachusetts Amherst, ABD (Doctoral Candidate)
Brandeis University, MA
Union College, BA
Professor Kirsch was born and raised in Albany, NY, and has been interested in politics his entire life. He has been involved in educating undergraduate college students for nearly a decade. He has taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Trinity College (CT), Berkshire Community College (MA), and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Professor Kirsch also spent two years working for a major higher education publishing company, leading a team of experts in developing an online product for the American Government curriculum, where he also completed courses in Project Management and Conflict Management. Kirsch has delivered scholarly research papers to both the New England Political Science Association and Northeastern Political Science Association conferences, and has attended both the Midwest Political Science Association and American Political Science Association conferences. He has published work in the Encyclopedia of American Political Parties and Elections (FactsOnFile, 2006), and has done opposition research, communications work, and debate preparation for political candidates and their campaigns. During his undergraduate college experience, he served as an intern in the United States Congress, and also studied in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Professor Kirsch is eager to work with students and faculty to further develop the transfer and career opportunities for cadets at Valley Forge that are interested in government, global affairs, and politics.
Dr. Serena Kurumety
Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Nutrition and Human Anatomy & Physiology
Science Division
First year with VFMC, 7 years in academic & private practice experience
Education:
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, OH (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine)
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY (BS Biotechnology)
Professional Experience:
Goodwin College, CT (Assistant Professor)
Foot & Ankle of Cincinnati, OH (Private practice)
University of Cincinnati, OH (Clinician)
Sloan - Kettering Cancer Center, NY (Immunology research)
Dr. Serena Kurumety is an assistant professor of Science at VFMC. She has extensive academic, research and clinical experience in the health & science fields. Her publications in scientific journals include “Binding Patterns of the Monoclonal Antibodies”, “Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture” and “Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy”. She has an innate ability to show students the connection between theory and application. Her interests include tennis, fitness, yoga and reading.
G. E. Patrick Murray, Ph. D.
Professor Emeritus, Valley Forge Military College
World Civilization, American history, World War II, the Vietnam War
Professor of History
35 years at VFMC, 37 years in profession
Villanova University, (B.A., 1969)
Kansas State University, (M.A., 1972)
Temple University, (Ph. D, 1991)
Patrick Murray began teaching at Valley Forge Military College in 1977 and received his Ph. D. from Temple University in 1991. An expert on the Second World War, Murray is on the editorial board of Global War Studies. The author of several books: Eisenhower Versus Montgomery: The Continuing Debate; The World War II Chronicles: Victory in Western Europe; Bomber Missions: Aviation Art of World War II.
Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of World War II, Murray helped coordinate two World War II Symposiums at Valley Forge in 1994 and 1995. Murray has delivered papers at the University of Calgary, the Organization of Army Historians, the World War II Studies Association, Siena College World War II Conferences, the Cabrini College World War II Symposium, and the University of Tennessee-Martin World War II symposium. Professor Murray appeared on Arts and Entertainment’s Biography of Field Marshal Montgomery. Murray has visited World War II historical sites in Europe four times with out Cadets. He is a member of the Society for Military History and the Organization of American Historians.
Dr. Arlene Noble
Professor of Foreign Languages, College
Introduction to French I & II, Intermediate French I & II, French Literature in Translation, Contemporary French Civilization and Culture, Introduction to Spanish I & II, and Intermediate Spanish I & II
19 years with VFMC, 34 years in profession
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Teaching Certification
Dr. Arlene Noble is a Professor of Foreign Languages at Valley Forge Military College. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D., Dr. Noble teaches courses in introductory and intermediate French and Spanish, French Literature in Translation, and Contemporary French Civilization and Culture to VFMC freshmen and sophomores. She also serves as advisor to the College World Languages Club.
A full-time College faculty member since 1993, Dr. Noble has been honored with the Order of Anthony Wayne and has been a multiple-year recipient of both the VFMA&C Excellence in Teaching Award and the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers award. Dr. Noble holds Pennsylvania State Teaching Certification and is a member of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), and the Modern Language Association (MLA). She regularly attends professional development conferences, and has delivered a presentation on an area of interest, the value and the uses of music in foreign language instruction ("Making Memories through Music"). In her spare time, Dr. Noble enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing the piano.
Claire R. Satlof
Assistant Professor of English
Second year at VFMAC; 30 years teaching, most of which were at the University of Pennsylvania.
At VFMC, she teaches Composition and Rhetoric, Analytical Writing, American Literature, and Introduction to Literature. Professor Satlof is also fortunate to teach with Professor Tolbert in the Bridge program.
Professor Satlof received a BA, with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania; MA from the University of Texas at Austin; and completed all coursework for a PhD in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
She was the recipient of Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching at Penn.
During her academic career, she delivered papers at the Modern Language Association, American Literature Association, NE Women’s Studies Association, Northeast Modern Language Association, South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Conference on Jewish Studies, and the Pennsylvania Association of Developmental Education. She has also published several papers and reviews on American Jewish fiction.
In her spare time, she and her husband show and race their Afghan hounds.
Christine E. Tolbert
Assistant Professor, English
4th year teaching at VFMC, 2nd year as a full-time professor
This is Professor Tolbert’s fourth year at VFMC, the second as a full-time professor.
Professor Tolbert teaches in and runs the Bridge Program, an innovative pilot program for Developmental English. In addition to teaching Composition and Rhetoric and the Writing Lab, Professor Tolbert also teaches Analytical Writing, Argument, and Research (EN102).
Professor Tolbert is currently working on a doctorate in Developmental Education at Grambling State University (LA) and has also taught at Montgomery County Community College, The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Post University, and The Agnes Irwin School. She is a member of the National Council of the Teachers of English, the Pennsylvania Association for Developmental Educators, the National Association for Developmental Educators, and College Composition and Communication.
Professor Tolbert lives on campus and loves to play tennis and spend time with her daughter, Grace, and two dogs.