From changing how Amnesty International responds to countries in crisis to creating new choral works and textbooks, McDaniel College professors on fall sabbatical made a difference in the classroom, their communities, and the world.

Music Professor Margie Boudreaux (above) juggled several projects during her sabbatical. In addition to starting up a publishing company, Boudreaux is working on an experiment with Psychology Lecturer Paul Mazeroff for the class, “Music, Mind, and the Brain,” in which they will explore what happens inside the brain as people learn music in different ways.

Additionally, Boudreaux is working on a new choral work based on Alan Lightman’s novel, “Einstein’s Dreams,” premiering in September. As a build up to the musical event, she is teaching an interdisciplinary course on the topic this spring.

Ten years ago, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies Christianna Nichols Leahy (right) watched the fighting in Bosnia and the genocide in Rwanda and wondered why Amnesty International did not call for military intervention. It turns out the premier human rights group could not take a stand because it had no policy on the issue. Leahy, who is also a delegate for Amnesty’s largest decision-making body, made it her goal to change that.

This fall, Leahy argued that Amnesty should be able to call for military intervention in the face of a human rights crisis and condemn intervention in cases where intervening could lead to human rights abuses. The majority of 140 voting countries supported the groundbreaking measure that will now become the organization’s policy.

While on sabbatical, Associate Biology Professor Ralene Mitschler (left) believes she found four new species of parasites that infect insects. On a grant from the National Science Foundation, Mitschler worked with colleagues at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, documenting parasites that infect insects in the Big Thicket Refuge.

She collected, dissected, and documented insects and parasites that live around lakes and streams in the wildlife area. Ultimately, Mitschler hopes conservationists can use her data as a tool to see if their management techniques are working. Additionally, because the parasites she is documenting are in the same group that causes malaria, her research could contribute to the study of human diseases.

Education Professor Tom Zirpoli (right) wrote the fifth edition of his educational textbook “Behavior Management: Applications for Teachers.” The book, which is used in more than 100 colleges and universities, addresses issues about managing student behavior through positive reinforcement. New to this edition, Zirpoli included chapters focusing on adolescent and diversity issues in the classroom. Associate Professor of Education Julia Orza, Assistant Education Professor Janet Medina, and Assistant Psychology Professor Stephanie Madsen provided some of the new material. The textbook will be available next January.