Campus Connections

Issue Date: October 24, 2005

News and Notices

Charitable giving campaign

Lewis & Clark kicks off its 2005 charitable giving campaign today. This annual fund-raising effort, which runs through November 23, provides staff and faculty with a collective opportunity to make a commitment to the well-being of others and to the environment. The campaign theme this year is “Giving Brings Hope.”

This annual fund-raising effort provides College staff and faculty with the collective opportunity to make contributions to the Black United Fund of Oregon, Earth Share of Oregon, and the United Way. “This is our chance to demonstrate as a community that generous giving can indeed bring hope through the more than 200 health, human service, and environmental agencies our contributions support” says campaign coordinator Mark Duntley, dean of the chapel.

Last year 159 staff and faculty contributed over $30,000, helping Lewis & Clark again lead the way in total charitable giving among colleges in the Portland area. Contribution forms and information will be distributed this week in the campus mail. For more information, contact Duntley at ext. 7082 or duntley@lclark.edu.

Every building tells a story: Evans Music Center

Lewis & Clark’s beautiful campus has developed through the generous gifts of many individuals. It’s helpful to pause and remember friends of the College whose contributions have enriched the campus community. Just strolling around campus is a reminder of why we can tout location, location, location!

Evans Music Center was built with funds from Herbert Templeton, for whom Templeton Student Center was named. At his suggestion, the music building was named for John Stark Evans, director of music at the College from 1944 to 1957. The Rae Seitz Lounge and Browsing Room was named in honor of the Portland musician and composer. The Glenn and Cora Townsend Foyer honors the generosity of the couple.

Also in Evans, the C.C. Bechtold Studio was given in tribute to C.C. Bechtold, founder of the National Hospital Association. Anna B. Swindells Classroom was donated by William Swindells Sr. in tribute to his mother. The Maud Bohlman Practice Studio was named for a Portland voice teacher who was a member of the Lewis & Clark music faculty. Margaret N. Steinmetz Studio, used for small ensemble work, is named in honor of Margaret Steinmetz, a member of the music faculty until her death in 1955.

Change in seasons brings reminder of emergency information resources

There are several ways in which Lewis & Clark notifies the campus community and the public about class or event cancellations due to inclement weather conditions. The College also communicates quickly with constituents if emergency situations arise.

Lewis & Clark’s Snow Line—503-768-SNOW (7669)—carries a recorded message that is updated, as needed, during an emergency. Local and other appropriate media outlets are informed about emergency situations at the College. Local TV and radio stations are included in our notification process.

The school closure policy is available online. Other emergency information is available online. The front page of the College’s Web site will also contain school closure notifications.

College invests in lifesaving devices

Lewis & Clark’s commitment to institutional safety has been enhanced through the recent purchase of automated external defibrillators, known as AEDs. The College now has 13 of the devices strategically located throughout the campus.

“Our overriding concern is for the safety of individuals who are on campus,” says Bill Curtin, director of campus safety. “We have placed the defibrillators where large groups of people tend to gather.”

The computerized device can check a person’s heart rhythm. The device uses voice prompts, lights, and text messages to instruct an on-site responder about steps to take in an emergency.

The Office of Campus Safety can schedule training through the vendor on use of the automated external defibrillator.

The devices are housed in the following locations:

• South Campus, Rogers Hall
• Templeton Student Center, second floor, Information Desk
• Templeton Student Center, third floor, outside of Fields
• Frank Manor House
• Watzek Library
• Agnes Flanagan Chapel
• Fir Acres Theatre
• Campus Safety vehicles (two)
• Pamplin Sports Center, gymnasium hallway
• Pamplin Sports Center, athletic trainer’s office
• Legal Research Center, lobby
• Boley Law Library

For more information, call ext. 7855.

Law school study is for the birds

The law school is taking the first steps to solve an often unrecognized but serious environmental problem: bird strikes.

Experts estimate that at least 100 million birds—perhaps as many as one billion birds—die from striking windows each year in the United States. Researchers have found that birds are unable to recognize glass as a barrier. Upon seeing trees and sky reflected in windows, birds often fly right into them, leaving the bird stunned or dead.

“Window strikes are a significant—though often overlooked—source of avian mortality,” says Dan Rohlf, professor of law and director of the law school’s Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center. “For many years, I have heard birds hit the law school’s windows and have observed the deadly results of these collisions. Our efforts to do something about this problem can help local birds and, through example, encourage others do likewise.”

Bob Sallinger, second-year law student and urban conservation director at the Portland Audubon Society, also recognizes the seriousness of the issue. “Window strikes take a huge toll on native bird populations,” he says. “At the Audubon Wildlife Care Center, 4 to 6 percent of the injured birds that we see each year are the victims of window strikes.”

The law school’s Student Animal Legal Defense Fund has been working with David Kelley, assistant dean for administrative affairs, to take this first step in determining the scope of the problem. “As the leading environmental law school in the country, and home of the National Center for Animal Law, we are concerned about the issue of birds flying into the windows of our buildings,” says Kelley. “We want to explore all options to find the best possible way to reduce the number of bird strikes.”

After an initial survey, the student group and the law school will work to implement feasible, effective solutions in areas of the campus that prove to be most problematic for birds. More information and bird strike reporting forms are available on the Web. Reports can also be e-mailed to birdsave@lclark.edu.

Graduate school receives grant for tribal initiative

The graduate school and its Oregon Center for Inquiry and Social Innovation have received a $175,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. The planning grant will enable the graduate school to create a breakthrough and innovative program for Native American studies titled Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Coprincipal investigators for the grant are Peter Cookson, dean of the graduate school, and Mary Clare, professor of counseling psychology.

“This program will draw its dynamic authority from the indigenous people of this region and the world,” says Clare. “While we will survey other Native American studies programs, and supplement our curriculum with recognized scholarship, the core of the graduate school’s program will be the identified interests, concerns, and ancestral knowledge and practice of indigenous people.”

Initial funding from the Ford Foundation enables the graduate school to develop curricula and logistical and staffing plans to establish a new area of specialization for students preparing to be counselors, teachers, and educational administrators.

“The graduate school and tribal leaders in the Pacific Northwest have worked to develop a partnership that affirms our mutual commitment to strong schools and communities,” says Cookson. “When the program is fully realized, we will have the capability to better prepare Native and non-Native counseling and teaching students for work with tribal communities.”

According to Clare, the program will tap into ways of tribal knowing, or learning, “that are most relevant to successful learning and community health within indigenous populations.”

IT offers fall classes

Information Technology offers ongoing computer training courses. During the next two weeks, these classes are available: FileMaker Scripts, FileMaker Calculations, WebDisk Basics, and Beginning PowerPoint (two-part). For more information, contact IT at ext. 7020.

Historical snapshot

In 2002, Lewis & Clark is one of only four colleges in the nation to receive a Truman Foundation Honor Institution Award, recognizing the College’s commitment to encouraging outstanding young people to pursue careers in public service. View more College milestones online.

People News

Published, presented, honors and achievements

Faculty and staff serve as ambassadors for the College through their publications, presentations, awards, grants, and other accomplishments. Recent highlights include:

In June, Eleonora Beck, professor of music, published a book about the philosophical and cultural intersection of musicians, artists, and intellectuals in early 14th-century Padua. “Giotto’s Harmony: Music and Art in Padua at the Crossroads of the Renaissance” (European Press Academic Publishing, 2005) makes the case that the musical Renaissance has its roots in Padua's prehumanist tradition.

Martin Hart-Landsberg, professor of economics, published two books coauthored with a colleague: “The Political Economy of Japanese Capitalism” (Meeto Press, 2005) and “China and Socialism: Market Reform and Class Struggle” (Monthly Review Press, 2005). The latter is being translated into Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Turkish, and Norwegian.

Matthieu Raillard, assistant professor of Spanish, published an article in the fall 2005 issue of the journal Dieciocho (Volume 28, Issue 2). The article, titled “El jardín de Venus: Samaniego’s Arcadia of the Senses,” deals with 18th-century Spanish erotic poetry.

View more listings of faculty and staff achievements online.

L&C in the news

College faculty and staff are in the news on a regular basis. Recent mentions include:

The Oregonian: Commentary piece by Steve Kanter, professor of law, examines Oregon’s future with new Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. The opinion piece focuses on Oregon’s assisted suicide case that is before the high court. October 17, 2005.

The Oregonian: Article about college relationships with residential neighbors profiles Lewis & Clark’s relationship with the Collins View Neighborhood Association. David Ellis, vice president, secretary, and general counsel, is identified as the College’s regular liaison to the association. October 13, 2005.

The Oregonian/Associated Press: Article about National Book Award nominees discusses finalist Vern Rutsala, poet and professor emeritus of English. October 13, 2005.

The Oregonian/Associated Press: Eban Goodstein, professor of economics, discusses the economic impact of global warming, saying “higher temperatures, reduced snowpack, declining stream flows are already hurting the bottom line of farmers and business people in other industries.” October 11, 2005.

Oregonian:Article about parent-teacher relationships includes comments from Laura Pederson, assistant professor and director of school counseling. Pederson offers five guidelines for establishing the best relationship between parents and teachers. September 28, 2005.

Statesman Journal (Salem): Article details a mock trial in which Susan Mandiberg, professor of law, took on the role of one of the U.S. Supreme Court justices. The mock trial served as a rehearsal session for the Oregon assistant attorney general who was preparing for his argument before Supreme Court on the issue of Oregon’s assisted suicide law. September 27, 2005.

Portland Tribune: Brian Blum, professor of law, describes the impact of new federal bankruptcy rules. September 23, 2005

Indian Country Today: Article focuses on the graduate school’s grant to train American Indian teachers to teach on reservations or in urban areas with high Native concentrations. Peter Cookson, dean, and Mary Clare, professor of counseling psychology, discuss the school’s vision for the new program. September 14, 2005.

For a sampling of how and where Lewis & Clark is mentioned by media outlets across the nation and around the globe, visit the online newsroom.

Events

Exhibition features nature-focused works by Kirkpatrick and Mace

Innovation in glass and sculpture is a hallmark of Seattle-based artists Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora C. Mace. Add a passion for birds to the duo’s artistic genius and the result is a series of stunning works that have brought acclaim to the pair, including their recent designation as fellows of the American Craft Council. An exhibit of works by Kirkpatrick and Mace, titled Woodland Drawings, is on view in the Ronna and Eric Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art. The exhibit runs November 3 through December 18.

“There is a symbiosis between Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora Mace that yields a seamless artistic voice,” says Linda Tesner, gallery director. “If you sit with them in their studio, Joey will drive the conversation, spirited, bursting with ideas; Flora will weigh in with the most pertinent summary. In practical terms, Kirkpatrick leads with initial conceptual developments; Mace, who is supremely gifted with a toolbox, invents the methodology appropriate to their themes.”

The exhibition includes a range of works and media, including a series of life-size figurative wood and glass sculptures and glass-dust drawings depicting birds.

Mace and Kirkpatrick formed their partnership in 1979 when they met at the Pilchuck Glass School, north of Seattle. They have lectured and taught extensively throughout the world. Kirkpatrick is currently a trustee of the Pilchuck Glass School. The duo’s work is included in collections and museums around the world including the Corning Museum of Glass and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Detroit Institute of Art; Hokkaido Museum, Japan; Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Lausanne, Switzerland; Seattle Art Museum; and Portland Art Museum.

The artists will give a gallery talk on Thursday, November 3, at 5 p.m. An opening reception continues until 7 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Series focuses on civility in politics

Political scientists and public political figures examine public involvement in and understanding of American politics during a lecture series on civility in politics. The lectures in Templeton Student Center, Council Chamber, are free and open to the public.

Coming up in the next two weeks:

Tuesday, October 25, 6:30 p.m.
Former U.S. Representative Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) discusses “Partisanship and Camaraderie in American Politics.”

Thursday, November 3, 6:30 p.m.
David D. Laitin, James T. Watkins IV and Elise V. Watkins Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, discusses “Hard Targets: Evidence on the Tactical Use of Suicide Attacks.” Laitin’s research focuses on ethnicity, language and nationalism.

For more information, call ext. 7640.

Patter, Chatter, Clatter: Gilbert and Sullivan at annual Rogers concert

Delightful and familiar tunes by William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan grace the annual James W. Rogers concert on Thursday, October 27, at 8 p.m. The free concert, titled “Patter, Chatter, Clatter,” is in Evans Auditorium.

“This concert’s inspiration starts with the music of Gilbert and Sullivan,” says David Becker, senior lecturer in music and director of bands. “Our theme is meant to reflect the aspects of their music that are appealing and fun, even today: the clever patter songs, the beautiful melodies, and the unexpected topsy-turvy world they create.”

Cappella Nova, the College’s mixed-voice concert choir directed by Susan McBerry, instructor in music, performs the largest portion of the concert, singing choruses from “Pirates of Penzance,” “Iolanthe,” and “The Gondoliers,” with student soloists.

Becker directs the Wind Symphony in a ballet suite of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s music and in one of four “Dances of Crete” by English composer Adam Gorb. George Skipworth, assistant professor of music, conducts the Chamber Orchestra in Gilbert and Sullivan’s overture to “Iolanthe.”

Percussionist Brett Paschal, adjunct faculty member, performs “Crash” for cymbals by composer Terry Longshore of Southern Oregon University. Lewis & Clark’s electronic music studio, under the direction of Jeff Leonard, also performs.

Gil Seeley, James W. Rogers Professor of Music, conducts a chamber choir from the Oregon Repertory Singers in a rock etude by Bill Douglas and a composition titled “I’m a Train.”

Theatre of the absurd: Genet’s “The Balcony” comes to Main Stage

Playwright Jean Genet pioneered 20th-century theatre of the absurd. His 1950s play “The Balcony,” which examines the power of images, is the Main Stage production November 4–5 and November 10–12. The production is adapted and directed by Stepan Simek.

Born in 1910 and abandoned by his parents, Genet encountered difficult times during his formative years. Sentenced to life in prison for theft, Genet began writing and let his life experiences shape his development as a writer. He spent nearly 30 years in the French penal system and was later pardoned through the efforts of prominent French writers including Gide, Sartre, and Cocteau. Genet died in 1986.

“Genet uses the theatre as a hall of mirrors, in which he reveals the underlying perversity of political power with its use of symbols and rituals for achieving political goals,” says Stepan Simek, assistant professor of theatre.

“The Balcony,” considered to be one of Genet’s masterpieces, was his first commercial success. The play is set in the midst of a violent revolution in a majestically appointed brothel that caters to the elaborate fantasies of men of all walks of life. The brothel—called The House of Illusions—is a place where, according to Simek, “frustrated little men reenact their fantasies of sex and power.” In a series of ritualistic masquerades, the images of power mirror each other and soon the line between illusion and reality becomes blurred. “It soon becomes apparent that in the brothel and in the political struggle outside, the symbols and rituals of power assume even more importance than power itself,” said Simek. “His parable is as timely today as it was in 1956, when the play was originally produced.”

Because of its adult-oriented themes, “The Balcony” may not be suitable for all audience members.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5, and Thursday through Saturday, November 10 through 12, on the Main Stage, Fir Acres Theatre. Tickets are $8 for general admission; $5 for Lewis & Clark faculty, staff, alumni, senior citizens, and non–Lewis & Clark students; and $3 for Lewis & Clark students. The box office is open 1–5 p.m. weekdays and one hour prior to each performance beginning Monday, October 31. For ticket information or reservations, call the theatre department at ext. 7495.

Upcoming

Visit the campus Web calendar for events coming up in October and November.