Four Saint Vincent College faculty were recently granted tenure including: Dr. Veronica I. Ent, associate professor of education, Dr. Jennifer L. Koehl, associate professor of biology, Dr. Mark G. Rivardo, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Eugene V. Torisky Jr., associate professor of philosophy.

Dr. Veronica Ent

Dr. Ent graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Findlay in Ohio in 1991 and was awarded two master’s degrees in art education and curriculum and instruction from Ohio University in 1992 and 1993, respectively. In 2001, she earned an Ed.D. in instruction and learning from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Ent joined the Saint Vincent faculty in 2002 and was named Education Department Chairperson in 2005. Prior to 2002, she served as an adjunct professor at La Roche College and Duquesne University and as a visiting professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. She also worked in the Greensburg Salem School District as the senior high school librarian and media specialist for eight years.

In 2004, Dr. Ent was the recipient of the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award, which recognized her leadership in the design of the education master’s degree programs, and in 2005 she was named a Faculty Fellow by the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. Dr. Ent has served on several committees at Saint Vincent including: Educational Policies, Graduate Studies, Teacher Education and Instruction Technology. She is currently the Graduate Director and Chairperson for the Master’s Degrees in Education. In addition, she is the Equestrian Team Faculty Advisor.

Dr. Jennifer Koehl

Dr. Koehl earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Lycoming College in 1995 and graduated with a master’s degree in biology from Clarion University in 1997. She was awarded a Ph.D. in biological sciences, microbiology and genetics discipline from Illinois State University in 2002. She joined the biology department in 2002 and carries a substantial advising load, including students conducting their senior research.

The Greensburg resident has been an active member of the Pre-Professional Health Sciences Committee and the Science Building Steering Committee. Dr. Koehl has received Saint Vincent College Faculty Research Grants to continue her research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals several times. In 2005, Dr. Koehl was awarded the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award. In addition, she is an active participant of the Saint Vincent College Relay for Life team.

Dr. Mark Rivardo

Dr. Rivardo is a 1993 graduate of Saint Vincent College. He earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1993 and 2000, respectively. He joined the Saint Vincent College faculty in 1999 and has conducted much research with students during that time, including his work with six students during the current academic year.

Dr. Rivardo has received several Saint Vincent College Faculty Research Grants and most recently studied the effects of cell phone use on drivers in collaboration with two students, which was accepted for publication in the North American Journal of Psychology. He has also collaborated with Dr. Doreen Blandino, professor of modern and classical languages, on an interdisciplinary study on the acquisition and retention of job-specific Spanish vocabulary for the Pennsylvania State Police. In addition, the College Student Journal accepted a paper he co-authored with colleague Dr. Michael Rhodes, assistant professor of biology, and former student Brandi Klein, C’07. Dr. Rivardo currently serves as the faculty advisor for Psi Chi Honor Society and has served as chair of the Institutional Review Board since 2000.

Dr. Eugene Torisky

Dr. Torisky graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1986 and was awarded a master’s degree in applied philosophy in 1993 from Bowling Green State University. In 2001, Dr. Torisky earned his Ph.D. in applied philosophy from Bowling Green State University. Prior to joining the Saint Vincent faculty in 2002, Dr. Torisky was a visiting assistant professor at Ithaca College in New York and Stetson University in Florida. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at both Bowling Green State University and the University of Findlay in Ohio.

Dr. Torisky has served on various committees at Saint Vincent including: the Educational Policies Committee, serving as chair for the academic years 2006-2008, Institutional Research Board, the Instructional Technology Committee, and the Pre-Law Committee. He is also a member of the Honors Program faculty and a member of the Common Texts and Interdisciplinary Writing programs. Dr. Torisky received Saint Vincent College Faculty Research Grants in 2005 and 2007 to analyze the works of philosopher Martin Buber. A portion of that research was published in the journal Contemporary Philosophy. Starting in Fall 2008, Dr. Torisky will chair the Philosophy Department.

Return to News Releases