Engineering Faculty
Dr. John Harris, Department Chair Person
Professor of Chemistry and Physical Sciences
jharris@francis.edu
B.A., Mathematics and Chemistry, Saint Francis College
M.S., Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D, Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Harris joined the Saint Francis faculty in 1988. He is a member of the Association for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the American Association of Physics teachers within the Western Pennsylvania region, Alpha Nu Sigma, and Kappa Mu Epsilon. He was awarded a National Science Foundation grant for developing a computer workstation laboratory, collaborates with the Renewable Energy Center on campus in several research projects for Wind Energy, mentors researchers in the Information Assurance area and additionally in renewable energy research. Dr. Harris also is a principal participant in the TEAMS Learning Project, Teaming Educators for Applied Math and Science Learning, and is currently developing multimedia applications for the classroom and laboratory involving network data acquisition activities, podcasts and vodcasts for the physics laboratory. He is also a former research fellow with CERMUSA developing an online Physics course.
Dr. Peter Skoner
Professor of Physical Sciences
pskoner@francis.edu
B.S., Pennsylvania State University
M.B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.Ed., Saint Francis College
Ed.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Registered Professional Engineering, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Skoner joined the faculty in 1983. He is a member of the executive board of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics, president of the Laurel Highlands Mathematics Alliance, and director for the Great Lakes Region of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Honorary Mathematics Society. Dr. Skoner has published several articles and his research has focused on the retention of 3-2 engineering students, the use of computer technology in the teaching of science and mathematics, and the effects of studying calculus in high school. He was awarded the Swatsworth Outstanding Faculty Award in 1993 and 2003, and the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award in 2002. He also serves as the Associate Vice President for the University.