SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University is pleased to announce the following new faculty members who have joined the BCU community.

Wendy Brame, chairperson and assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice, holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, and a master’s degree in sociology from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Brame also has a juris doctorate law degree from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She is completing her doctorate in sociology at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Prior to BCU, Brame taught sociology, including criminology, at Oklahoma State University.

Kelly Eder, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. Dr. Eder holds a doctorate degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. In addition, Dr. Eder was an adjunct professor of anatomy and physiology at Dyersburg State Community College, Dyersburg, Tenn.

Chris Fuller, assistant professor of accounting and business, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a juris doctorate degree from the Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich. Previously, Fuller was an adjunct professor at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich., and at Baker College in Jackson, Miss. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Regan Murray, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Mich. Dr. Murray holds master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant. Prior to Briar Cliff, she taught psychology at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and was a research fellow at the University of Michigan's Addiction Research Center.

Jeremy Owens, DMA, assistant professor of music, holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. He also holds master’s and doctorate degrees in piano performance from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Previously, Dr. Owens was an assistant professor of music at Blue Mountain College, Blue Mountain, Miss.

Sara Thompson, reference and instruction librarian, holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Eastern Oregon University at La Grande. Thompson has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Previously, she was a training coordinator at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University of Illinois.

Susan Udey, Ph.D., professor of accounting, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Wayne State College, Wayne, Neb. Dr. Udey also has a master’s degree in professional accountancy and a doctorate in administration, curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Prior to coming to BCU, she was a professor of business and department chairperson at Dana College in Blair, Neb.

Gretchen Wheelock, assistant instructor of nursing, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and a Master of Science in adult and geriatric nursing from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She also is a licensed adult and geriatric nurse practitioner. Prior to BCU, Wheelock was a registered nurse at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

David Wiltse, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Montana State University, Bozeman, and a master's degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Wiltse holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  Previously, he was a doctor lecturer at Hacettepe University in Turkey and at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 28 states. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.

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