Dr. Gordon Rowland, professor in the communication management and design program, reports having had a productive sabbatical for the 2006-2007 academic year. He served as guest editor of a special issue of Performance Improvement Quarterly on the topic Implications of Complexity. Two of his own contributions to the issue included, “The Challenge of New Science: A Primer on Complexity,” and “Performance Improvement Assuming Complexity.”

Rowland also authored an article titled, "Educational Inquiry in Transition: Research and Design," published in Educational Technology Magazine, and three works that have been submitted for publication. The first is an essay on liberal professional education. The second is a report on the results of a study of powerful learning experiences, co-authored with graduate student Barbara Rivera. And the third is a book about becoming a high school teacher late in one’s career, co-authored with his brother, Charles.

Rowland also indulged the Muses by writing many songs for his new band, the Common Railers, writing a book of poems—just for the pleasure of writing—and living out a childhood dream of underwater exploration through a week of snorkeling in the Caribbean.  He returned to his teaching and responsibilities as graduate chair on June 1.