Several faculty or campus organizations offered opportunities for
learning through film throughout the fall term. The
Center for Southwestern and Mexican Studies presented a Texas
Heritage Film Festival, offered in connection with Professor of
History Light Cummins’ Communication/Inquiry class “The Texas
Heritage.” Featured films included Pigskin Parade (1936), the movie
that created the Cotton Bowl Football Classic; Boomtown (1940), in
which Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy strike it rich at Burkburnett;.
Giant (1956), the great ranching classic based on the King Ranch
and Shamrock Oil; The Alamo (1960), with John Wayne as Davy Crockett;
and Lone Star (1996), in which immigration problems on the Rio
Grande/Bravo border take center stage. Classics faculty and the
Classics Club co-sponsored a classics film series, featuring the films
300 (2006), The Name of the Rose (1986), Electra (1962), Indiana Jones
and the Last Crusade (1989), Alexander (2004), and Monty Python and
the Holy Grail (1975). Anne Xu, assistant professor of Chinese,
invited the campus community to a viewing of The Goddess (1934), a
black-and-white Wu Yonggang film about a woman’s struggle to survive
as a mother plying her livelihood as a prostitute.
Amnesty International Hosts Colombian Humanitarian
Educational psychologist and 2006 International Peacemaker Vilma
Yanez-Ogaza of Colombia spoke on campus Sept. 23 about youth activism
in the pursuit of justice and reconciliation for displaced landowners
and victims of armed violence in Colombia. She has been an active
supporter of students in Colombia who have willingly placed themselves
in danger for the sake of educating displaced victims of their rights.
The visit was sponsored by the campus chapter of Amnesty
International.
Faculty Members Discuss The World is Flat
Robert Cape, professor of classics; Janet Lowry, associate
professor of sociology; David Griffith, associate professor of
business administration; and Karen Nelson, professor of psychology,
held a panel discussion in September about the controversial book The
World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. The group addressed aspects of the
book from perspectives of business, sociology, psychology, and the
liberal arts. Friedman’s book has been on the New York Times
Bestseller List almost continually since 2005 and was issued in a
third, expanded edition (“3.0”) in August. Friedman, a triple Pulitzer
Prize-winning columnist for the New York Times, argues that a
convergence of new technologies has produced a new, global work
environment that will change the way governments, businesses, and
individuals operate and compete. The World is Flat has been hailed as
a roadmap and suggestion guide to the new world order, and it has been
vilified as empty rhetoric, neoliberal, dangerous, and skewed, Cape
said.
Students Promote One-on-One Diplomacy
Understanding and respect were the apparent results of a day of
interaction between Austin College students, faculty, and staff and a
group of visitors from around the world, on campus Sept. 6 through the
International Visitor Leadership Program, a program of the U.S.
Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The international guests included 13 university students and young
professionals from Bahrain, Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya,
Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, the West Bank, and Yemen, plus four
interpreters. The day at Austin College is just one stop on the
three-week trip that included visits in Washington, D.C., Seattle, and
Dallas. Interactions on the trip allow individuals to help shape
foreign relations one-on-one, or through ‘citizen diplomacy.’
“Each student brought something different and each seemed to have a
wonderful leadership experience they were able to share,” said Justin
Light ’09 of Fort Worth, who visited with the group. “I think the
guests enjoyed seeing each of the organizations the college offers
because they are unable to have as many clubs at their schools.”
Melanie Oge ’09 of Slidell, La., helped coordinate the visit. “My
favorite part of the experience was simply being able to have
conversations with our visitors,” she said. “Although there were many
differences among us, there were many similarities as well.”
The visitors met with various student leaders throughout the day
and participated in a session with
Posey Leadership Institute students. Peter DeLisle, director of
the Posey Leadership Institute, presented models of leadership
effectiveness and interpersonal relationships. The international
students, all of whom had an understanding of American culture through
U.S. films and music, offered a different, but interesting and
insightful perspective to the dialogue, DeLisle said. Examples of
effective leaders from their home countries were used as positive
images to model, as well as leaders who are recognized as influential
by all cultures. “Much common ground was found as the conversation
focused on positively influencing others in whatever role the person
plays,” DeLisle said.
In Washington, D.C. visitors received an introduction to the
structure of the U.S. government and the decentralized education
system. Briefings there illustrated the American political process and
citizen participation as a civic responsibility.
Exhibit Explores Small-Town Places
The Department of Art and Art History hosted the exhibit “Dead Guy
in the Bluebonnets: Exploring Contemporary Regional Trends in the
Arts”in early fall, presented by the Ghost Town Arts Collective of
Grayson County. The collective was founded in September 2006 by
several Austin College alumni. Many of the artists whose work was
included in the Austin College exhibit are alumni as well.
In gathering art for the exhibit, Ghost Town Arts Collective staff
wrote, “The mysteries, details, and events of rural and small-town
places are not things that are felt on a large scale — they don’t
often translate into mainstream culture. Each region is a world
outside of the world, where the intricacies of its relationships, the
tangling of its traditions with new developments, its choices about
what makes something valuable or loathsome, make for a unique culture
in every sense of the word.. ... What will this gathering of art tell
us about ourselves? About the world? We’re eager to find out.”
Troncalli Discusses Extreme Physics
Austin College’s Humanities Colloquia lecture series, “Tuesday
Afternoon With …,” continued this fall with Andra Troncalli, assistant
professor of physics, presenting “Extreme Physics — Superconductors, Nanotubes, and Beyond” in September.
Superconductors need extremely cold temperatures and can carry
currents without any loss for an extremely long time. Carbon nanotubes
are extremely small and have other extreme properties. The discovery
of these materials led to the development of applications, Troncalli
said. Her presentation highlighted some of the exciting current and
future applications, such as magnetically levitated trains, space
elevators, and strong fibers to be used in body and vehicle armor.
Students Test Knowledge of U.S. Constitution
Noted television host Alex Trebeck wasn’t on hand, but the
competition was still fierce during Austin College’s “Constitution
Jeopardy” in September. Students used the popular game show format to
test their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution as part of the campus
commemoration of Constitution Day, celebrated each Sept. 17, the
anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in 1787.
From May through mid-September 1787, the members of the
Constitutional Convention met to review the Articles of Confederation,
but found a new document would be needed to better define the issues.
By Sept. 17, the only item of business was to sign the Constitution
and send copies to state legislatures for ratification
Theatre Students Perform Three Tall Women
Vanessa Linn ’08 directed Austin College’s September production of
Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women. Vanessa summarized the play as the
story of “A,” a very old, autocratic and proud woman, who in Act One
is living out her days at home with a middle-aged caretaker, “B.”
Their routine is interrupted when “C,” a young lawyer’s assistant,
comes to settle some of A’s financial affairs. The disruption and A’s
deteriorating mind, spur her into telling dramatic and sometimes funny
stories from her past.
“Later,” Vanessa said, “in a surreal twist of A’s mind, A is able
to re-experience her memories using B and C as character from her
past. These women then portray three stages of A’s life. Through their
arguments, diatribes, and humor, there emerges a view of the full
evolution of the strong and tall woman’s life.”
Principal actors were Christine Cunningham ’08 as A; Jackie Purdy
’08 as B; and Averie Bell ’09 as C.
Symposium Explores “Empowerment” in Africa
“Empowerment, an Austin College Symposium on Africa held Oct.15-18
included an art exhibit, films, a panel discussion, and a presentation
on Austin College micro-credit projects in Africa.
An exhibition of 40 African paintings, “Tales from a Kijiji: The
Zanzibar Collection,” completed by five of Tanzania’s most prominent
artists, symbolized those artists’ struggles and hopes. The exhibit
was organized by Zuri Watu, created by David Leonard ’02 to provide
East African artists with promotion and exposure on the global market
and expand the world’s interest in original fine art from the area.
During the symposium, Leonard led a discussion of the film Recalling
the Future: Art in Contemporary Africa.
A panel discussion, “What Is Community Empowerment,” included
Leonard, Kirk Everist, assistant professor of communication studies,
Peter Anderson, assistant professor of English, and representations of ACCares and Tostan. ACCares is an Austin College organization that,
among other activities, helps support the Simbaradenga AIDS Orphanage
in Zimbabwe. Tostan was founded in 1974 with a mission “to empower
African communities to bring about sustainable development and
positive social transformation based on respect for human rights.”
Will Radke ’08, founder of Austin College’s GO Change Project to
empower community-led development through micro-credit, introduced a
presentation by Austin College President Oscar C. Page and Tostan
partnership facilitator Cody Donahue that highlighted the three
communities in Senegal aided by the donations of Austin College
students. This spring the GO Change Project raised approximately
$1,700 by encouraging students to donate their pocket change for micro
loans in Africa.
Students Perform in Honors Recital
The Austin College
Department of Music presented the second Annual Honors Recital
in September, showcasing the talents of performers chosen by
department faculty from among more than 125 students who participate
in ensembles, lessons, and solo performances. Instrumental performers
were Katy Hampton ’08, viola; Nida Iqbal ’09, violin; Katelyn Peterson
’09, flute; Sarah Powell ’09, clarinet; and Allen Wang ’10, piano.
Vocal performers were Heather Williams ’09, Justin Duncan
’08, Adam Cluchey ’08, and Michael Brahce ’08.
Lessons in Etiquette Can Aid in Job Search
Knowing the right answers to a potential employer’s questions is
not always enough. Sometimes it also is necessary to know which fork
to use, when to stand, and how to respond to an offer of alcohol.
Business etiquette is a necessary tool for success in today’s world.
To prepare students for the eventuality of job interviews held
during a meal, business conducted during dinner meetings, and formal
professional functions, Austin College’s Career Services offers an
Etiquette Dinner each fall where just such issues are discussed. In
addition to the opportunity to gain comfort with the formal table
setting, students were given information by Margie Norman ’82,
director of Career Services, about how to eat difficult foods, what to
order when given the option, and other dinner etiquette. Students also
were instructed in making introductions, shaking hands, accepting
business cards, and networking.
Alumna Discusses Gender and Abu Ghraib Prison
Sociologist Ryan Ashley Caldwell ’99 presented a lecture, “The
Women of Abu Ghraib and Expressive Torture,” in October, sharing her
recent doctoral research at Texas A&M University on the Abu Ghraib
prison scandal in Iraq. Austin College’s Gender Studies Program
invited Caldwell to share her work, which has been published in
Talcott Parsons: Theories, Developments, and Applications and will be
included in the fall 2007 issue of Cultural Sociology.
In Caldwell’s presentation, the concept of gender entered into the
events surrounding the courts martial of the seven soldiers found
guilty of aggravated assault and battery and the abuse of detainees at
the hands of American military soldiers. Caldwell also considered
how gender is conceived of in the U.S. military and how this is
connected to power. Within this analysis, an application and expansion
of Talcott Parsons’ idea of “instrumental and expressive gender roles”
leads to new concepts such as expressive torture, expressive power,
instrumental torture, and instrumental chaos.
High School Counselors Experience ‘Magic’ of Texas Colleges
High school admission counselors from around the United States
visited Austin College in early October as part of a three-day tour,
Magic in the Metroplex, that included stops at SMU, TCU, the
University of Dallas, and Austin College.
The admission staffs at the four colleges arrange the tour to
acquaint counselors with the colleges’ programs and campuses. While at
Austin College, the guests visited with members of the faculty and
administration, heard from a panel of students about their experiences
at Austin College, toured the campus and Jordan Family Language House,
and were hosted at a reception at the home of Nan Davis, vice
president for Institutional Advancement.
One of the visitors wrote the next week on an education consulting
blogsite: “I recently spent a half day in Sherman, Texas, visiting
Austin College. I was very impressed with the campus, the students,
the administration, and the faculty. What’s not to like about it? Very
little. The students are academically serious. The faculty members I
met were dedicated, intelligent, involved in their discipline, and
devoted to their students. If my kids, nieces, or nephews expressed an
interest in Austin College, I’d nurture that interest. It’s a warm,
welcoming place that would undoubtedly foster intellectual, social,
and emotional growth. Isn’t that what it’s all about?”
Nan Davis, vice president for Institutional Enrollment, said the
area colleges began Magic in the Metroplex in 2001, and another tour
will be held in March 2008, including counselors from the western
region of the United States. “These joint tours are a significant part
of our recruitment program, given our goal to increase overall
applications as well as out-of-state enrollments over the next several
years,” Davis said. The four schools have agreed to host the programs
through 2011.
College Enters 10-Year Electric Contract
Austin College has entered into a 10-year contract for electric
power that includes renewable energy components. This is the first
agreement of its kind in Texas for a small liberal arts college. “The
campus leadership believes that the price of electric power in our new
agreement is very attractive in today’s market and that the pricing
will only become more valuable over time,” said President Oscar C.
Page. “Even more important, we feel strongly that our consumption of
electricity should include a substantial portion of green energy in
order for our campus to be an effective steward of the environment.”
The agreement was brokered by Bennett Rowe, president and managing
partner of Choice Energy Services, and Champion Energy Services
supplies the energy. Rowe said he was “impressed with Austin College’s
thoroughness in describing the right energy product for its needs as
well as the long-term environmental commitment of the College.”
Williams Executive-in-Residence Program
Todd Maclin, chief executive officer of the Commercial Bank at J.P.
Morgan Case & Co., delivered the first lecture in Austin College’s new
Williams Executive-in-Residence Series this fall.. The series brings
leading business executives to speak about their practical life
experiences in business, their paths to success, and lessons learned
along the way. A panel presentation by Dallas and Fort Worth business
leaders J. Curtis Henderson ’84, Dick Lentz ’76, Mary McKee
’84,
Rodney Moore ’84, Bill Warren ’74, Todd Williams ’82, and trustee
Sharon King provided additional insights.
Tennis Courts Under Construction
Work is underway on new tennis courts, to be located north of
Richards Street at the northwest edge of campus. Russell Tennis
Stadium has been located near Hughey Gymnasium since 1974 — on the
site of what is now the College’s proposed science building. The new
location on Richards Street integrates the tennis complex with other
sports fields.
The tennis complex will include eight regulation courts with NCAA
standard lighting for competitive match play. The lighting will entail
128 light fixtures on thirty 50-foot poles with an average of 120
candle foot of light on any square foot of the courts. The complex
will include spectator seating areas as well as men’s and women’s
restroom areas and dressing and shower facilities. Tentative
completion date for the tennis facility is mid-December and the first
season of play on the courts will be in spring 2008.