[stylist] Books & Beyond presents Professor Thomas Behler 4-10-13

[NJ Lynn]

Books And Beyond Welcomes Professor Thomas Behler, Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Newswire:
During the Month of April, our focus will be the subject of work. First, we will    meet  Professor Tom Behler whose work experience is in the fields of sociology, disability, and emergency preparedness. What helped him most in reaching his present position? Is getting ahead a matter of education alone?  How does an employee not only build trust but move forward in obtaining jobs with greater opportunities and responsibilities? What can blind professionals do in order to reach even more   fulfillment in their lives of work? Should we be thinking about our present job alone or planning for the next opportunity? How long should one stay in their  present field or position  they hold? What have been Tom’s most difficult challenges?  Are there signs that indicate it may be time to move on? In an academic setting, are opportunities to work on committees or with other faculty something which should be considered.
Tom Behler has had a rich and varied work experience. His biography below displays a wide range of knowledge encompassing many aspects of sociology. How does Tom view work for blind people in particular? How should we prepare  educationally or  socially for a future career? What is it like and how does one help those who survive disasters such as Three Mile Island?  A tenured professor with experience in disability, emergency preparedness and sociology, Dr. Behler is a professional with much to say about work which will be of value to all who listen. I hope you will join us on our next show  for a discussion of a most timely and important topic. 
?As always, biographical information from Tom is followed by details which explain how you can attend and participate in this upcoming show.  
     Dr. Thomas  Behler is a Tenured Full Professor with merit, and has taught in the Department Of Social Sciences Sociology Program since his arrival at Ferris in September of 1990.  He received his Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1975, his Masters Degree from Rutgers University in 1980, and his Ph D in Sociology from the University of Delaware in 1987.
     Dr. Behler has taught a variety of courses in the Sociology curriculum, including a recently-developed course entitled The Sociology Of Disasters And Emergency Preparedness.  He also has played an active leadership role in the Sociology program by serving two terms  as Sociology program coordinator, and as the advisor for the Sociology minor.
     Throughout his 22 years with Ferris State, Dr. Behler has served on numerous committees at the Department, College, and University levels.  He was a two-term member, and then Chair, of the Department’s Tenure Executive Committee.  He served as a member, and long-term Chair of the Department’s Faculty Development Committee from 1990 to May of 2009, and returned to  the committee as a voting member in August of 2010.  Dr.  Behler also has served on a variety of personal tenure committees for new tenure-track faculty members in the Department.  His college and university-level committee involvements have included serving as a member and Chair of the College of Arts And Sciences Faculty Support And Development Committee;  playing an active role on Ferris State University’s Emergency Response Team; and being an active faculty representative  on the University’s Liaison Committee For Students With Disabilities.
     Dr.  Behler has also been active professionally outside of Ferris State University.  During the 2009-2010 academic year, he took a one-year leave of absence from Ferris to take a Visiting Scientist position at  The National Center For Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.  In this position, he  served as the main coordinator for the Weather And Society Integrated Studies (WAS*IS) program, which aims to  integrate Meteorology and the Social Sciences.  Dr.  Behler has published a number of articles pertaining to various aspects of the  WAS*IS initiative, and continues to do work in this area.
     Dr.  Behler is also a community sociologist.  He is deeply interested in how communities respond to emergencies, and what affects those responses. For example, his Doctoral Dissertation focused on the response of a community near the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant to the 1979 accident at that facility. 
In addition, Dr.  Behler is very actively involved in emergency preparedness and response-related concerns both  at Ferris State University, and in Mecosta County. This involvement is evident in his role as County Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Coordinator; his appointment as Mecosta and Osceola County Amateur Radio SKYWARN Weather Spotter Network Coordinator;  his active participation in several Local Emergency Response organizations; and his afore-mentioned role as a member of Ferris State University's Emergency Response Team. He also has completed a wide array of training courses in emergency communications, emergency response, emergency field operations, exercise design, and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
     Finally, Dr.  Behler has expertise in the Sociology Of Disability, and current adaptive computer technology for the visually impaired.  He has published several papers in this area; has presented his work at relevant professional conferences; and has assisted the University in its efforts to maintain its adaptive technology compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
e-Mail: bonnie at accessibleworld.org
Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2013  
Time: 5:00 PM PST,                                        ,   6:00 PM MST,
7 PM CSt
8 PM EST, , 
and elsewhere in the world Thursday,   12:00 GMT.

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