Campus Connections

Issue Date: April 11, 2005

News and Notices

College signs international sustainability pledge

Lewis & Clark takes another step in environmental leadership when it becomes the first Oregon college to sign the international Talloires Declaration of the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future. Tom Hochstettler, president, will sign the document on Friday, April 22, at 3:30 p.m. in John R. Howard Hall. The signing coincides with the 35th anniversary of Earth Day.

“Lewis & Clark has modeled a growing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship for more than three decades,” says Hochstettler. “Our support of the Talloires Declaration is another way in which we formally demonstrate how the actions of a small but dedicated community can have a positive impact on the whole world.”

The declaration was created in October 1990 when 22 presidents, rectors, and vice chancellors of colleges and universities from all over the world convened in Talloires, France, to voice their concerns about the state of the world and to create a document that spelled out key actions institutions of higher learning must take to create a sustainable future. Since then, more than 310 institutions around the globe have signed the declaration.

Ninety-three percent of respondents to a fall 2004 poll by Lewis & Clark’s student government favored signing the declaration. The undergraduate organization Students Engaged in Eco-Defense (SEED) then brought the declaration to Hochstettler, who agreed that the plan fit well with the institution’s vision.

Environmental law program tops in the nation

The law school’s environmental law program is ranked first in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual survey of graduate programs.

“We’re pleased that our environmental law program continues to be a leader,” says Janice Weis, director of the environmental and natural resources law program. “The law school’s environmental law program is the oldest program of its kind in the nation. This ranking acknowledges 35 years of pioneering work in environmental law education.”

Weis noted that the program’s success is due to a combination of factors, including a diverse and engaging environmental faculty; one of the most extensive environmental law curricula in the country; the first environmental law journal in the country; and clinics that serve public interest clients worldwide.

The school’s environmental law program has received the top ranking six times in the past decade. Overall, Lewis & Clark Law School placed 77th among the 179 accredited law schools in the nation.

Film and survivor’s talk mark anniversary of Auschwitz liberation

Renée Firestone survived Auschwitz. For 60 years, she has remembered the final words of those who did not. “The last words when someone was taken away were always ‘Remember us if you survive,’” she says. Firestone will discuss her experiences in a talk that marks the 60th anniversary of the camp’s liberation. Her talk on Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m., is titled “Where Have All These Faces Gone? A Holocaust Survivor’s Perspective on Racism, Resistance, and Tolerance.” Firestone will also lead a discussion following the screening of “The Last Days,” an Academy Award-winning film that features her story, on Wednesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

During the end of World War II, at age 19, Firestone was imprisoned in Auschwitz for 13 months. Three decades ago, she was the founding lecturer for the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Education Outreach Program in Los Angeles. Since then she has been telling her story to schoolchildren, church groups, and other organizations around the country.

“Years ago, people considered it a Jewish problem and couldn’t understand why we’d want to teach about the Holocaust to non-Jewish children,” says Firestone. “Today there is much greater awareness, and people realize what a human problem this was.”

Firestone is a presenter in the Tools for Tolerance Program, which educates teachers and various local law enforcement agencies on issues relating to cultural diversity and sensitivity.

“The Last Days” will be shown on Wednesday in Miller 105, and Firestone’s talk on Thursday will be in Agnes Flanagan Chapel. Following Firestone’s Thursday talk, she will take part in a Holocaust Remembrance Day candle-lighting ceremony in the Frank Manor House.

Boley Library celebrates a half-million milestone

What a difference a few years makes. In 1965, the law school’s law library boasted 7,000 volumes; this spring, the Paul L. Boley Law Library will welcome its 500,000th volume.

“The acquisition of our half-millionth volume is a testament to the strategic way in which the law school library has evolved to become a first-class legal research facility,” says Peter Nycum, professor of law and associate dean for library and computer services. “The role of a law library today isn’t just to support law curriculum, but to be a comprehensive and exhaustive information center for legal scholars, practitioners, and students.”

The Boley Law Library—considered not only the best legal research center in Oregon, but also one of the best in the Northwest—houses the U.S. Patent Law Depository, U.S. congressional documents since 1789, U.S. Supreme Court briefs, and Oregon appellate briefs. It also boasts a comprehensive collection of Anglo-American law materials, a fast-growing collection of Native American law resources, and an unsurpassed collection of environmental and natural resources law and policy materials.

A celebration in honor of the half-millionth volume takes place on Sunday, April 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. Authors Ron Lansing, professor of law, and Jewel Lansing will speak about early Oregon trials at 4 p.m. in the student lounge of the school’s Legal Research Center, followed by a reception in the law library.

Unique parking solution opens on South Campus

South Campus now has a unique, environmentally friendly parking lot.

“The design allowed us to protect and keep all of the significant trees in the unimproved wooded area selected for development,” says David Lageson, facilities manager.

The project’s feasibility came from key design elements, which included maintaining the site’s “forest feel” and not developing storm sewer systems, according to Lageson. More than 50 percent of the total paved surface is permeable, with a subsurface comprised of aeration blankets and a blend of rock and compaction materials. “The subsurface design allows the tree roots to have the same exposure to elements as they had through the natural forest floor,” Lageson explains. “This allows all the rainwater to percolate through the forest soils as it has always done.”

The parking-stall surfaces are paved with Eco-Pavers, a bricklike product engineered to lock together and create a bridge to the open subsurface design.

Crime victim law institute opens national clinics

The law school’s National Crime Victim Law Institute has expanded its national system of victims’ rights legal clinics from five clinics just one year ago to nine clinics today with the help of federal funding. The announcement comes during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10 through April 16.

“With the launch of these new clinics, we are one step closer to fulfilling the promise of justice due to crime victims,” says Doug Beloof, institute executive director. “The silver anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week gives us the opportunity to reflect on the incredible progress made since the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 25 years ago.”

In coordination with other victims’ rights organizations, the National Crime Victim Law Institute is launching new legal clinics in Moscow, Idaho; Sparta, New Jersey; and Salt Lake City, Utah. “These new locations were chosen because the they are in jurisdictions with strong victims’ rights laws and will complement the existing system of clinics, and the victims’ rights organization that applied is dedicated to advancing crime victims’ rights,” says Beloof.

Currently, 33 states have state constitutional amendments and all states have statutes guaranteeing rights to victims of crime in the criminal justice process. In fall 2004, President Bush signed into law the Justice for All Act, which provides comprehensive rights to victims in federal courts.

The law clinics established by this project will provide pro bono legal services to crime victims as they proceed through the criminal courts. “The clinics we are launching will start to fill the gap in the criminal justice system—the gap that has let crime victims go unserved and their rights to go unenforced,” says Beloof.

Funding for the project is made possible through a grant of $1.15 million from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, and U.S. Department of Justice. The victims of crime office was established to oversee diverse programs that benefit victims of crime.

Talking about a national Department of Peace

Political activist Lynn McMullen and political sociologist Harry Anastasiou will lead a panel discussion titled “Peace Culture: We Probe.” The event on Monday, April 18, at 7 p.m., is in Templeton Student Center, Council Chamber. The program, hosted by Lewis & Clark’s International Affairs Association, is free and open to the public.

The panel will focus its discussion on House Resolution 1673, introduced in 2003 by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), which seeks to establish a national Department of Peace. The proposed department would monitor and analyze the causes of conflict and make policy recommendations for developing and maintaining peaceful conduct in the United States and abroad.

For more information about the panel discussion, call 503-234-3539.

Web calendar, admissions, and other updates slated for staff brown bag

Learn more about the College’s Web calendar, get updates from admissions offices, hear about the stationery redesign, and receive other College news during a staff brown bag luncheon. Tom Hochstettler will host the gathering on Wednesday, April 20, at 11:30 a.m. in Stamm.

Meet author Phillip Margolin

The law school’s Meet the Author series on Wednesday, April 20, at noon, welcomes mystery writer and Portland attorney Phillip Margolin. He is the author of “The Last Innocent Man,” and “Ties That Bind.” His latest book is “Lost Lake.” Margolin’s talk is titled “How to Write Legal Thrillers in Your Spare Time for Fun and Profit.” The event is in Wood Hall, Room 7.

Middle East conversation series continues

The graduate school’s Middle East/South Asian Conversation Series continues on Friday, April 22, at noon, with Mohammed Abu Zayed, a cultural and diversity teacher, trainer, and facilitator. Abu Zayed has taught courses at several institutions, including Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University.

The event takes place in the South Campus Conference Center commons and is sponsored by the Oregon Center for Inquiry and Social Innovation. For more information, contact the center at orcenter@lclark.edu or ext. 6099.

Experience traditional Korean arts

From tranquil bamboo flute court music to the farmer’s improvised music on the double-headed drum, the Art Troupe of Yong-In University brings the music and dance of traditional Korean culture alive. The troupe will perform on Saturday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Agnes Flanagan Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

Each part of the program emphasizes the variety present within Korea’s heritage. Tranquil tones and subtle melodies of bamboo flute music, once performed in court settings, can transport audiences into an enlightened sense of calm. Finesse and boundless joy best describe Hotunchum, an impromptu dance that attempts to express the beauty of inner spirit through the audience’s spontaneous participation.

South Korea’s Yong-In University specializes in traditional Korean arts and includes faculty members designated as National Treasures. The 10-member troupe performs around the world. The troupe’s current west coast tour includes performances in Oregon and California.

Historical snapshot

In 1962, the College begins an overseas and off-campus program, which sends students abroad, immerses them in foreign cultures, and introduces them to contemporary world issues.

View more College milestones online.

People News

New faces on campus

Kelli Williams is an administrative specialist with the Oregon Law Institute. Reach her at ext. 6582.

Stefanie Thiel is a budget specialist in the law school’s Business Services Office. Reach her at ext. 6617 or sthiel@lclark.edu.

Scott Pierce is assistant football coach. Pierce most recently served as defensive coordinator at Trinity International University. At Lewis & Clark he will focus on working with Pioneer linebackers. Reach Pierce at ext. 7064 or spierce@lclark.edu.

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:

Lisa LeSage J.D. ’85, assistant dean for business law programs, has been elected to serve on the board of the Oregon Law Foundation.

In February and March, Richard Rohrbaugh, Paul S. Wright Professor Emeritus of Christian Studies, gave a six-part series of talks titled “Making Sense of Biblical Texts” at Portland’s Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Danielle Torres, assistant professor of school counseling, presented a session at the 2005 National Multicultural Summit and Conference in Hollywood. Her talk was titled “An Outcome Study of a Career and Educational Intervention for Mexican American High School Students: An Investigation of Academic Resiliency.”

More listings of faculty and staff achievements can be found in our online pressroom.

L&C in the news

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

The Oregonian: Article titled “A new generation finds its conscience” notes Lewis & Clark’s inclusion in the new Princeton Review book “Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools With Outstanding Community Involvement.” April 7, 2005.

The Business Journal (Portland, Ore.): Libby Davis, assistant dean for career services at the law school, comments on the demand for niche attorneys. April 1, 2005.

KPAM Radio (Portland, Ore.): Robert Eisinger, associate professor and chair of political science, comments on the impact of the Terri Schiavo case. March 31, 2005.

The Oregonian: John Kroger, assistant professor of law, comments on an Oregon Court of Appeals ruling that requires police to have a search warrant before searching through curbside garbage. March 31, 2005.

Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.): Article profiles Bob Gaillard, head men’s basketball coach, on his transition from large school, high-profile athletics to his work at Lewis & Clark. March 29, 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 pressroom.

Events

Scottish tunes on tap for concert

Anne Martin and Ingrid Henderson, Scottish musicians from the Isle of Skye, will perform a concert of Gaelic music on Wednesday, April 20, at 8 p.m. in Agnes Flanagan Chapel.

Including music from their album, “Nighean nan Geug,” Martin and Henderson’s work is based firmly in the Gaelic tradition but performed with a fresh approach.

Free advance tickets are available at the Lewis & Clark Bookstore for the College community.

Ukrainian chamber choir performs range of works

Cantus Chamber Choir will include Ukrainian liturgical and folk music during a concert at Lewis & Clark. The 22-voice a cappella choir will perform in Agnes Flanagan Chapel on Thursday, April 21, at 8 p.m. The program is part of the Corvallis-Uzhgorod Sister Cities Association cultural exchange.

The choir traces its roots to 1986, when a group of singers in the Transcarpathia region of Ukraine formed to revive and perform folk and sacred music. By 1990, the Cantus Chamber Choir began receiving invitations to perform at major choral festivals in Europe.

The choir’s Pacific Northwest tour repertoire includes liturgical music of the Orthodox Russian and Ukrainian churches, including songs by Bortniansky, Tchaikovsky, as well as works by Palestrina, Monteverdi, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, Poulenc, and Stravinsky. Emil Sokach directs the singers.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for senior citizens and students and are available through TicketsWest (800-992-8499). Service charges may apply. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Corvallis-Uzhgorod Sister Cities Association. For more information, call the sister cities association at 541-754-1745.

Honoring John R. Howard: new building dedication slated on Earth Day

Lewis & Clark hopes to turn green into gold with John R. Howard Hall. The new 50,000-square-foot academic building is the latest example of the College’s commitment to sustainable building practices. It follows other “green” construction on campus, including Wood Hall at Lewis & Clark Law School and three apartment-style residence halls on the undergraduate campus. The U.S. Green Building Council is considering Howard Hall for Gold compliance certification.

Howard Hall will be dedicated in a ceremony on Earth Day—Friday, April 22—at 4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Students will lead tours of the building to highlight various sustainable features.

“Lewis & Clark’s commitment to sustainability is not just talk; we model our sustainable efforts to the community at large,” says Tom Hochstettler, president. “We are proud to put our ‘green’ face forward.”

The new hall is named for John R. Howard, who served as College president from 1960 to 1981. He will be the guest of honor when the building bearing his name is dedicated.

Traveling exhibit stops off in Tacoma

The College’s traveling exhibition, The Literature of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, opens Saturday, April 16, at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. The exhibit remains on view through June 12.

The exhibition features 60 items in 11 display cases and a number of framed wall pieces with items drawn from the College’s unmatched library of expedition-related literature acquired over the past 20 years.

Upcoming

Visit the campus Web calendar for events coming up in April.