Four new members join Huntington University faculty
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-In the fall of 2008, four new members joined the Huntington University faculty. Lee Shortridge
Lee Shortridge accepted a position as assistant professor of art. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979 from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and his Master of Arts degree in 1981 as well as a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1982 from Rosary College Graduate School of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. While in Italy from 1980-1983, Shortridge was influenced by the Italian painter Pietro Annigioni from whom he received critiques and art instruction. His master's degree programs focused on drawing and painting. From 1986-1992, he received a five-year scholarship to study French 19th century art at the R.H. Ives Gammell Atelier in Boston, Mass. In 1990, Shortridge was presented with the John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Award for Western Art. Shortridge has taught courses for Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Oral Roberts University, Bradley University and Northeastern University. His areas of expertise include graphic design and fine arts. In addition to teaching, Shortridge has served as the senior graphic designer for Fire Protection Publications and Y-Tex Corporation.
Michael Slane
Michael Slane began as assistant professor of theatre. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Otterbein College in 1984, his Master of Arts in theatre from the University of Kentucky in 2001 and his Master of Fine Arts in theatre from Ohio University in 2008. Slane's areas of expertise include theatre design and technology. As part of his M.F.A. program, he studied under professional scene designer Ursula Belden. Slane has taught courses at Westminster College and Ohio University. In addition to his teaching load at Westminster College, he served as the scenic, lighting and costume designer/supervisor for three main stages shows per year as well as the technical director for all of the college's theatre productions. His numerous theatre credits include designs for the Ohio Valley Summer Theatre and the Contemporary American Theatre Company.
Jonathan Krull
Jonathan Krull accepted a one-year appointment as visiting professor of philosophy. He earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of South Carolina. Krull has served as an instructor at the University of South Carolina and Bethel University, teaching Introduction to Philosophy, Inductive Logic, Deductive Logic, Contemporary Moral Issues, Christianity and Western Culture, Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, the American Mind and Business Ethics. From 2004 to 2006, he was a member of the editorial board for News from the Bottom, an online undergraduate journal focusing on the implications of nanotechnology.
Jay Duffer
Jay Duffer accepted a one-year appointment as visiting professor of theatre. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is a professional actor, director and playwright. He has performed in venues ranging from Off-Broadway and New York theatre to regional houses as well as working in industrials and productions overseas. He is an active member of Actor's Equity Association.
For the past few years, he has directed the popular New York-based sketch comedy troupe, Freedumb. The troupe played to sold-out crowds at the 2006 and 2007 Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, the 2005 and 2006 Toronto International Sketch Comedy Festival and the 2007 DC Comedy Festival.
As a playwright, Duffer's original dark comedy "Big Girl, Little World" had its world premiere at the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival. His newest play, "Asleep in the Arms of God," was developed by Threads Theatre Company and most recently was accepted to be part of Algonquin Production's 2008 Reading Series.
From 2004-2007, he served as the executive director of New Works for Threads Theatre Company, a faith-based arts company that promotes and supports Christian writers in the secular marketplace.
His past educational experience includes guest-artist-in-residence for Cumberland County Playhouse's Summer Arts Program as well as teaching positions at the University of Nevada, Community College of Southern Nevada and the Nevada School for the Performing Arts. Duffer served as guest-artist-in-residence and director for Huntington University's 2007 production of "The Glass Menagerie."
