Bonita L. Timins, PhD

Throughout her career, Dr. Bonita Timins has melded her passions of art, education and design to create a successful and noteworthy body of work. Possessing more than 45 years of experience in visual communication, her love for art began when she was a child. Her kindergartner teacher, Sister Mary Ann Kaporch of the Sisters of Jesus Crucified, recognized her burgeoning talent in drawing and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. In this respect, Dr. Timins has lead an exemplary career that has aided in the academic development of students, provided introspection through various art mediums, and created memorable spaces with her work in interior design.

Dr. Timins first pursued the education field by earning a Bachelor of Science in art education at Kutztown University in 1973. She continued studying at Marywood University, receiving a Master of Arts in art education, magna cum laude, in 1976. She later explored other interests in her academic pursuits by earning a Master of Arts in psychology at Marywood University, magna cum laude in 1990, and a PhD in metaphysics at American International University in 1994. Early in her career, Dr. Timins worked as an art teacher for the Scranton School District before accepting a production assistant position at Garan, Incorporated. Garan, Inc. is a well-known company for manufacturing Garanimals, a children’s clothing line with matching tops and bottoms. The company was located in the Empire State Building and Dr. Timins notes that her oil paintings still remain as artwork in the famous location.

After three years with Garan, Inc., Dr. Timins was called to join Marty Gutmacher, Incorporated and later R.R.J. Industries as a production assistant. In 1982, she joined Double Dutch Sportswear as a production manager and remained in this role for two years. She returned to Scranton, Pennsylvania to provide her skills and services as an MR/CLA supervisor with Allied Services.  From 1986 to 1995, she worked as a home health care coordinator and became self-employed as a research writer. Furthermore, Dr. Timins has worked as an interior decorator for Kurlancheek Furniture Gallery. In addition, she has contributed her vast wealth of knowledge as a chemistry tutor for the University of Scranton and as a research data analysis.

Throughout her career, Dr. Timins has been recognized with a number of accolades. In 2001, she was the recipient of the Catherine T. Grant Award for Outstanding Educational Research Achievement. She received the Outstanding Associate Member Community Service Award from the Lackawanna County Young Democrats in 1996 and the Nightingale Award from the Pennsylvania Hospital Association in 1995. That same year, Dr. Timins received an Excellence Award from the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society. Earlier in her career, she was inducted into Psi Chi, Alpha Zeta Omicron and the Art Student’s League. In 2019, she was recognized with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.