Thank you, 91ֱ��</h1> <article> <h1>Thank you, 91ֱ��</h1> <p>hhempste — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 15:34:35 +0000</p> <span>Thank you, 91ֱ��</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-06-22T11:34:35-04:00" title="Thursday, June 22, 2017 - 11:34">Thu, 06/22/2017 - 11:34</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It is hard to believe this will be my final "President’s Desk" column. But in August, I will become president of Pace University in New York. While I am excited by that challenge, leaving this incredible place is hard. 91ֱ�� will always be part of my heart.</p> <p>It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president. Getting to know and become friends with so many of you in this amazing community has been deeply meaningful to me. I will cherish those friendships for as long as I live.</p> <p>The extraordinary education 91ֱ�� offers is produced by the combined efforts, ideas, and generosity of thousands of individuals—faculty, staff, alumni, students, parents, and the people of this town. All of you contribute to advancing 91ֱ��’s distinctive educational mission. I wish I could personally thank every one of you.</p> <p>Working together, we have accomplished much over the past decade. 91ֱ��, like other liberal arts colleges, faces significant challenges. But we should be proud of our many achievements. I know you and generations of 91ֱ��ians to come will continue to build on them.</p> <p>91ֱ��’s greatest asset is its people. I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many of you. I am deeply grateful for all your support, advice, counsel, and generosity. We have advanced 91ֱ��’s mission in profound ways. I leave knowing that 91ֱ�� will continue to grow and flourish under the leadership of your new president, Carmen Twillie Ambar. And I know you will help her every way you can.</p> <p>Again, it has been an honor and a privilege to have been your president these past ten years. I look forward to watching 91ֱ�� progress, to staying in touch, and to seeing you when next our paths meet. From the bottom of my heart, thank you one and all.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-06-22T12:00:00Z">Thu, 06/22/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2380">Marvin Krislov</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2577">Office of the President</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Remembering Jonathan Demme</h1> <p>hhempste — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 19:48:29 +0000</p> <span>Remembering Jonathan Demme</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-06-06T15:48:29-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - 15:48">Tue, 06/06/2017 - 15:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It has been an honor and privilege during my time at 91ֱ�� to teach and to get to know so many students from the College and Conservatory. And unlike most 91ֱ�� presidents past, I’ve also come to know many of our students’ parents and families.</p> <p>Just a few decades ago, it was unusual for an 91ֱ�� president to know students’ parents and families. Now parents and families are increasingly involved. Parents often stay for a day or two when they drop off their first-year student. Some return for our parents and families weekend. Others make the trip to attend their child’s recitals or concerts or performances, or to see them compete in athletics. And thanks to communications technology, students and parents routinely talk and text. And I can attest that many parents don’t hesitate to contact me about a range of issues relating to their child’s 91ֱ�� experience.</p> <p>While too much parental involvement can be a problem, colleges must acknowledge that parents and families play a crucial role in helping their child succeed. So I want to take this opportunity to say how much I appreciate parents and families for entrusting us with their loved ones. A healthy relationship between parents, students, and 91ֱ�� can really enhance a student’s chances for success here and in life.</p> <p>I’ve been thinking a lot about 91ֱ�� parents and families since I received the sad news last week that Jonathan Demme, the brilliant film director, had passed away. Jonathan’s daughter Ramona and son Brooklyn are 91ֱ�� graduates. I got to know Jonathan when he visited and, over the years, we became quite friendly. He was not just a great artist. He was a great person, and I’m deeply saddened by his passing.</p> <p>Although 91ֱ�� isn’t his alma mater, Jonathan really came to appreciate the College, Conservatory, and our community. His visits always seemed to energize him, and he became a stalwart supporter of our cinema studies program and the Apollo Outreach Initiative, which offers filmmaking classes to local school kids. He even premiered his documentary <em>I’m Carolyn Parker</em> here in 2011.</p> <p>Jonathan did those things because he, like thousands of other parents, believed in and supported his kids and believed in and supported 91ֱ��’s mission.</p> <p>In my time at 91ֱ��, parents such as Jonathan have done so much not just for their child but to further the mission of the College and the Conservatory and to help us build a bright future for the institution and for this community.</p> <p>Some of those parents are, of course, 91ֱ�� alumni. We have a long tradition of multi-generation 91ֱ�� families. Many member of our Board of Trustees, for example, have children who graduated from 91ֱ�� or are current students.</p> <p>But what is especially heartening is how parents who had no prior connection to this place embrace our mission and support 91ֱ��. One such parent is currently serving on our board.</p> <p>91ֱ�� parents do so many things. They help create internship and job opportunities for our students. They provide winter term and summer housing. They serve as a sounding board, giving us valuable feedback on our programs and initiatives. They provide financial support for programs and scholarships. And their generosity has helped us revitalize our athletics and health and wellness facilities, build the Gateway Center, and rescue and renovate the Apollo Theatre.</p> <p>I could go on. But the most important thing I want to say is—thank you. Thank you to the Demme family and to all 91ֱ�� parents for everything they do. You and your children have made 91ֱ�� a better place. I am deeply grateful.</p> <p>Parents and families are also on my mind because Commencement is fast approaching. Witnessing the enormous pride of parents and families is the part of Commencement that I find most moving. So as we head to finals, remember that we are all part of an extended family, including our friends, at 91ֱ��.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-05-05T12:00:00Z">Fri, 05/05/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2544">In Memoriam</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Response to Proposed Federal Budget Cuts</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:53:18 +0000</p> <span>Response to Proposed Federal Budget Cuts</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-05-01T10:53:18-04:00" title="Monday, May 1, 2017 - 10:53">Mon, 05/01/2017 - 10:53</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The budget proposals being put forward by the Trump administration are deeply troubling in many ways for our society and for American higher education, especially for liberal arts institutions such as 91ֱ��. The proposed cuts in discretionary spending are contrary to our values of access and inclusion, and our commitment to scientific research, the arts, and the humanities.</p> <p>If these proposals are enacted as written—an open question at this point—we would see funding for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants eliminated. The Pell Grant program’s current surplus of $10.6 billion would be reduced by $1.7 billion this fiscal year and an additional $3.9 billion in fiscal 2018, putting the long-term viability of the Pell program in question. Federal work-study and other programs which help students from lower-income families prepare to enter and succeed in postsecondary education would also be cut.</p> <p>Those cuts alone would be devastating. But there are many more in the proposed budget. The National Institutes of Health budget would be cut by $5.8 billion. That could reduce funding for scientific research conducted on college and university campuses. Proposed cuts as well as the rule changes being enacted at the Environmental Protection Agency may affect 91ֱ��’s efforts to combat climate change. And the proposal to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service, which runs the AmeriCorps program, and the proposals to end the Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) would have a deleterious effect on millions of Americans and their communities.</p> <p>In the interest of full disclosure, I am a member of the National Council on the Humanities which oversees the NEH, and I am a passionate supporter of the arts and humanities at the local, state, and national levels.</p> <p>I am opposed to these proposed cuts. If you share that view, I encourage you to contact your elected representatives and make your views known. Along with my fellow presidents from the Five Colleges of Ohio consortium—the College of Wooster, Denison University, Kenyon College, 91ֱ�� and Ohio Wesleyan University—I signed a letter of support for the NEA and NEH which was sent to President Donald Trump, Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and our respective representatives in Congress.</p> <p><strong>Here is the text of our letter:</strong></p> <p><em>Dear Mr. President,</em></p> <p><em>At this critical time, continued Federal funding for the important work being done at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is essential.</em></p> <p><em>As the presidents of Ohio’s leading liberal arts colleges, we have seen how the NEA and NEH provide vital resources for local initiatives at our colleges, in our communities, in our state, and across the nation. That support helps the arts and humanities drive innovation and generate economic uplift in thousands of American communities.</em></p> <p><em>Pioneering exhibitions at the Cleveland Museum of Art, free “Concerts in the Park” by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and after-school art instruction for elementary school children in Appalachia through the Dairy Barn Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center in Athens are just three of the many arts and humanities programs in Ohio made possible by the NEA and NEH.</em></p> <p><em>On the national level, the NEH has funded groundbreaking scholarly research, aided libraries and museums across the country in preserving their humanities collections and essential cultural and educational resources, cataloged more than 63 million pages of our nation’s historic newspapers, and helped millions of young people grapple with the lessons of history. Additionally, both the NEH and NEA offer healing programs for wounded military personnel, as well as veterans and their families, and veterans reintegrating into civilian life.</em></p> <p><em>The NEA supports art and education programs in every Congressional District in the United States. Access to the arts for all Americans is a core principle of the Endowment. The majority of NEA grants go to small and medium-sized organizations and schools, and a significant percentage of grants fund programs in high-poverty communities. Both agencies extend their influence through states’ arts agencies and humanities councils, ensuring that programs reach even the smallest communities in remote rural areas.</em></p> <p><em>As educators, we have seen how NEH and NEA programs benefit America’s young people by breaking down ethnic and socio-economic barriers between student populations that might not otherwise meet. Playing in an orchestra, being in a theater production or working on a history project can provide structure, a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging that have a powerful, positive effect on the lives of young people, especially those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and areas.</em></p> <p><em>As President Lyndon Johnson said when he signed the bill creating the NEH and NEA agencies, “The arts and humanities belong to the people, for it is, after all, the people who create them.” Federal funding for the arts and humanities is essential to our education system, our economy, and our greatness as a nation. We ask you to join us in honoring the spirit of creativity and challenge you to strengthen these outstanding American institutions.</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-03-31T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/31/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2380">Marvin Krislov</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"> John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>President’s Desk Q&A: Kimberly Jackson Davidson Discusses YBCD and the Office of the Ombudsperson</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:53:18 +0000</p> <span>President’s Desk Q&A: Kimberly Jackson Davidson Discusses YBCD and the Office of the Ombudsperson</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-05-01T10:53:18-04:00" title="Monday, May 1, 2017 - 10:53">Mon, 05/01/2017 - 10:53</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Kimberly Jackson Davidson (KJD)</strong>: Congratulations on your appointment as president of Pace University!</p> <p><strong>Marvin Krislov (MK)</strong>: Thank you.</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: What things do you think you will miss most when you leave 91ֱ�� and move into your new role?</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: One of the things I’ve talked with folks at Pace about is building community. It’s quite different there – Pace has multiple campuses, and a student body that includes some commuters and non-traditional students, so it’s just a different environment than 91ֱ�� where there’s a 24/7 residential learning community. So the thing I’d say that I’m going to miss the most about 91ֱ�� is the sense of community. Even though sometimes it can be challenging, I think it is something 91ֱ�� does well.</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: I wish you well!</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: Thank you! So, you’ve been in your job how long now?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: Seven months.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: How are things going and what types of things are you working on?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: I love what I’m doing. Even in the challenging moments, I really love the opportunity that I have. I feel like it is the best of the work that I did as a class dean, to be able to take the time to listen to people and help with problem solving. It’s absent of some of the helplessness that I felt in dealing with judicial cases, where I would look at a situation and say to myself, “there are so many better things that could be happening here rather than somebody just getting in trouble. For the parties involved in disciplinary processes, there is a temptation to focus on the cost of ‘being written up,’ without embracing the value of the process for reflecting on the impact of personal behavior on self and others. The people who reach out to the Office of the Ombudsperson and YBCD are generally seeking ways to transform a difficult situation into an opportunity for something more positive.”</p> <p>I feel like I’m being paid to do things that are meaningful to me. People have been coming to me with a range of issues, but I think the top one would be people coming to consult on decision making and dealing with a situation they are facing. We talk about the situation and brainstorm options, which doesn’t involve mediation. It’s not me advising as much as helping people figure out what options feel comfortable to them and which to start with.</p> <p>Other individuals might come in thinking they need mediation and after a consultation they have the capacity to resolve their situation on their own. In other instances, I might see roommates, or coworkers, or friends who are looking for formal mediation, and I would engage them with the help of a third party to ease the dialogue and come to a resolution. Now that we have people trained and in place, there’s been an uptick in organizations and offices contacting us to conduct facilitations. We anticipate that there may be an opportunity for a more public facilitation event later this semester. So, there have been a variety of things.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: That’s great. What question do people ask that surprises you the most?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: Maybe it shouldn’t, but it is “what’s an ombudsperson?”</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: And what is the answer you give them?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: That’s a fun moment to let them know the history of the word and the practice. In Swedish, “umbuds” means representative and “mand” is the people. The concept is about giving help and support, providing someone to turn to for people who are having difficulty problem solving within an organization or structure. It’s also interesting to consider that our move to add “person” to the end of ombuds hides a part of the rich meaning of the word, but I prefer to be called a person rather than a man, so it works for me. So when that question is asked, it gives me an opportunity to be able to help people focus on the fact that it really is about the people.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: That’s great. What is YBCD and what’s the relationship between that and the office of the ombudsperson?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: The Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue, formerly known as 91ֱ�� College Dialogue Center, is named for the first ombudsperson on campus, who is a dear friend and an amazing mentor. YB was looking for ways to reach a greater percentage of the campus than she could as one person, so she organized a team of students, faculty, and staff who could help people on campus build community and work through conflict. Things have changed a lot because of the political culture that we’re living in, but I want to keep the core principles and strategies in place as we find ways to adapt to what’s happening on campus now and figure out how to be proactive. I feel like almost every person that I encounter is talking about the need for people to interact well across differences so we’ll be developing more workshops on giving people skills directly around communication. We’re going to start building a core format that will allow us to adapt to different needs on campus and to help people better communicate with us. Last week, we began holding drop-in dialogue hours from 7:00-10:00 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 1:00-4:00 PM on Sundays. The drop-in hours were conceived of to offer people space for dialogue that may involve differences that are not centered around a heated conflict. YBCD provides snacks and may suggest a topic or conversation starter to support informal dialogue. It is our hope that out of this we might grow some new program opportunities.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: Some people say that the best way to promote understanding is to have a shared work, something we see in music and theater performances or athletic teams or Bonner Center groups. I wonder if there is some value in having more dialogue that isn’t around a particular controversy.</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: The center in its conception was about community building and helping people to solve conflict and communicate better. We’re working at finding ways for that to strengthen and evolve. One of the joys of having the social justice mediation training recently is that it has created a community, and I think the people who are drawn to do this kind of work are people who want to listen and who recognize that they need to be stretched. It has been really powerful to see the energy of people coming together. They’re meeting on a monthly basis to practice their skills, and there is a kind of built-in camaraderie.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: Talk more about the social justice training. What does it look like?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: This past January, we spent six days training 30 people on campus. The first five days were focused on training mediators and the final day concentrated on facilitating larger group dialogues. Half of the time we spent together was centered on practicing mediation skills through role-playing, which provides a context where people get to know each other pretty deeply. They may be role-playing with people who have different identities than they have, and so no matter what seat they are in, they have to think about the ways that they generally engage with other people. I think it can be a life-changing experience, and I watched that dynamic happen one more time with this group of people.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: That’s great. How is the work you do different from counseling or therapy?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: I think counseling oftentimes helps people repair harm that’s happened in the past. Dealing with emotions in that context frequently involves diagnosis and you want people doing that who are licensed. In mediation, in conflict coaching, and even group dialogue, people talk about their emotions, but it’s usually connected to the problem or conflict is that they are there to resolve. They may tell a story about the past to help give insight about how to deal with the situation that’s at hand. An individual and therapist might have a continuing relationship, while we try to help people resolve a situation and move on.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: Are there any specific challenges that you face this academic year?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: The biggest challenge for me has been trying to figure out what is my niche. Knowing what the center has done in the past and seeing where things have changed, has helped me think outside of the box to find a way that my work can complement things that are going on around dialogue. It can be a slow process but I believe it is important that I continue to take the time to build relationships in different quarters.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: Related to that, what is your vision for the next five years. What do you hope to see?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: Initially, I would like to work in shoring up what has been at the core of the center and the office. I think that it’s always been a desire to see this work play a part in the retention of students, and I think that there are ways to expand mentorship for people who work with this office. I would like to identify ways to bring more value to the work students and faculty and staff are doing in the office, and I’m trying to develop some structure to accomplish that. It is important to me, given what happened over the last couple of years, to make the office and the services sustainable so the next person who steps into the role can keep moving forward. I want to make sure that the program is strong enough and clear enough that it can last beyond me.</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: Great. Anything you want to ask me?</p> <p><strong>KJD</strong>: I’ll ask you one more question. I know you won’t be here much longer, but I’m wondering if there are things you desire to see happen before you leave the office?</p> <p><strong>MK</strong>: I think the ombudsperson office and YBCD are really extraordinary. I don’t think that there are a lot of places in America that have such a well-developed program. But I think because of the transitions within the office, not everyone on campus realizes what a valuable resource it is. I would like to build on that. There are a lot of people who want to make things better, or change things, and sometimes it’s hard for them. Sometimes it doesn’t seem easy to have the most constructive dialogue and understanding.</p> <p>I think we all share in that, but I think the ombudsperson can be very powerful in helping to facilitate that and doing it in a way that people feel comfortable and secure. I know that your predecessor, whom I treasured dearly for her work, really was very, very significant in doing that and it’s a wonderful legacy. I hope that as more people rediscover the ombudsperson and some of the initiatives you’re taking, we’ll see even more of that taking place.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-03-06T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/06/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Happy Valentine's Day to Residents of Kendal</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:53:18 +0000</p> <span>Happy Valentine's Day to Residents of Kendal</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-05-01T10:53:18-04:00" title="Monday, May 1, 2017 - 10:53">Mon, 05/01/2017 - 10:53</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>On this Valentine’s Day, I’m thinking of all the wonderful people in the 91ֱ�� community. There are so many inspiring students, faculty, staff, and community members. In particular, I want to recognize the older members of our community who add so much energy and wisdom.</p> <p>I recently had the honor of speaking and dining at Kendal at 91ֱ��. The evening reminded me of how much Kendal’s 335 residents and outstanding staff contribute to the City of 91ֱ��, the 91ֱ�� City Schools, and to the College and Conservatory, through their participation in events, through their civic and religious engagement, through their many hours of volunteer work, through the work they do teaching and mentoring students from the College, the Conservatory, and from 91ֱ��’s schools, and through their philanthropy.</p> <p>In 2012, 91ֱ�� was named as one of five inaugural America’s Best Intergenerational Communities by MetLife Foundation/Generations United. Kendal is the driving force and the intergenerational engagement distinguishes 91ֱ�� and makes this one of the best small towns in the State of Ohio. So on behalf of everyone at the College and the Conservatory, Happy Valentine’s Day, and lots of love to all our friends at Kendal!</p> <p>CAREER ADVICE</p> <p>As second semester kicks into higher gear, I want to extend my annual offer to meet with any graduating senior to brainstorm job opportunities, careers, and/or graduate schools. The process is simple: meet with the staff at the Career Center, get your resume together, and prepare a brief description of your career goals. Then make an appointment with me by contacting my assistant, Jennifer Bradfield, at <a href="mailto:Jennifer.Bradfield@oberlin.edu">Jennifer.Bradfield@oberlin.edu</a>. I will do all I can to help you think about life after 91ֱ�� and connect you with people who can offer career and job-specific advice, counsel, and, in some cases, opportunities.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-02-14T12:00:00Z">Tue, 02/14/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Celebrating Black History Month; Russian-American Journalist Masha Gessen to Give Talk</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:53:18 +0000</p> <span>Celebrating Black History Month; Russian-American Journalist Masha Gessen to Give Talk</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-05-01T10:53:18-04:00" title="Monday, May 1, 2017 - 10:53">Mon, 05/01/2017 - 10:53</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Black History Month</h2> <p>91ֱ��’s celebration of Black History Month is presenting an array of terrific events during February exploring black history and experience in America and the world. Given the current political climate in our country, those events are even more timely and topical. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to learn and grow.</p> <p>The national kick-off of Black History Month put the spotlight on Frederick Douglass, one of the towering historical figures in the fight to abolish slavery. That prompted me to wonder whether Douglass ever visited 91ֱ��, such a hotbed of abolitionism that it was dubbed “the town that started the Civil War.”</p> <p>A quick Google search provided the answer: yes, he did.</p> <p>Thanks to a fascinating blog post by Ron Gorman, 91ֱ�� Heritage Center volunteer docent, researcher and trustee, I learned that Douglass spoke in First Church during Commencement weekend which has held in August 1847. <a href="http://www.oberlinheritagecenter.org/blog/2013/06/william-lloyd-garrison-and-frederick-douglass-debate-in-oberlin/">Here’s a link to Gorman’s post</a>.</p> <p>A number of things struck me when I read this well-researched, carefully foot-noted piece. First and foremost was how so many of the issues and themes which Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and 91ֱ��’s leaders and residents grappled with in 1847 are still very relevant today: the role of the Federal government; competing interpretations of the U.S. Constitution; gender equality; non-violent resistance; student activism; and the role of religion in American society.</p> <p>Many of those themes are being explored in 91ֱ��’s Black History Month events. Some highlights include: Associate Professor of Theater Justin Emeka's (OC ’95) production of Tennessee Williams' American classic, <em>The Glass Menagerie</em>; and “African Art in Allen Memorial Art Museum Collection,” a student-curated installation looking at the diversity of African visual expression and material culture, challenging Western conceptions of the continent as a homogenous cultural sphere. <a href="/events/series/black-history-month">You can see the full calendar of events here</a>.</p> <h2>Masha Gessen</h2> <p>Russian-American relations have been a hot topic in the news before and after the U.S. presidential election. Anyone interested in the current state of that relationship should attend the lecture next week by Masha Gessen, who is teaching here at 91ֱ�� during the first module of this semester.</p> <p>Her talk which is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, at 4:30 p.m., in the Science Center’s Dye Lecture Hall, is titled, “Uncertain Correspondence: What We Can and Cannot Learn about Donald Trump by Looking at Vladimir Putin.”</p> <p>Gessen is a prominent Russian-American journalist renowned for her critical biography of Vladimir Putin. She is also a leading voice in Russia for LGBT rights. She is currently scholar-in-residence at the 91ֱ�� Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies.</p> <p>Gessen is the author of numerous books including <em>The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin</em>, <em>Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot</em>, and <em>Where the Jews Aren't: The Sad and Absurd Story of Birobidzhan, Russia's Jewish Autonomous Region</em>. She is a regular contributor to <em>The New York Times</em> and her work has also appeared in <em>Vanity Fair</em>, <em>Newsweek</em>, <em>Slate</em>, and many other publications. She has received numerous awards, most recently the University of Michigan's 2015 Wallenberg Medal.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-02-10T12:00:00Z">Fri, 02/10/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>A message from President Krislov</h1> <p>Anonymous — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:44:47 +0000</p> <span>A message from President Krislov</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-02-12T11:44:47-05:00" title="Sunday, February 12, 2017 - 11:44">Sun, 02/12/2017 - 11:44</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,</p> <p>As we begin the second semester, our country, our community, and 91ֱ��’s campus are facing unprecedented and disturbing developments in national politics and international relations. Like so many of you, I am deeply concerned by the President’s executive order banning or freezing immigration from seven predominantly Muslim nations. 91ֱ�� has a long and proud history of embracing diversity, inclusion, freedom of religion, and internationalism. The ban is antithetical to those enduring core values which are embodied in our mission statement: </p> <p>“The mission of 91ֱ�� is to educate students for lives of intellectual, musical and artistic rigor and breadth, sustained inquiry, creativity and innovation, and leadership. 91ֱ�� aims to prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives essential to confront complex issues and to create change and value in the world. 91ֱ�� is committed to educational access and opportunity. It seeks to offer a diverse and inclusive residential learning environment encouraging a free and respectful exchange of ideas and shares an enduring commitment to a sustainable and just society.”</p> <p>Focusing on 91ֱ��’s mission in these turbulent times will be challenging. That is why it is more important than ever that we remain true to our shared values as a college, a community, and a nation. In response to the ban, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community regardless of immigration status or national origin. We are in communication with students, faculty, and staff who may be affected by the executive order and we are continuing to monitor this issue closely. In addition to our campus-wide systems for responding to emergent matters, we have instituted mechanisms to monitor legal and policy developments at the national, state, and local levels via our professional associations, peer cohorts, and national advocacy organizations. <a href="http://www.aau.edu/news/article.aspx?id=18366">Here is a useful link</a> providing some insight into the situation facing institutions of higher education. </p> <p>We are vigilantly scrutinizing how these legal and policy changes might affect our campus community members, including and especially our international and undocumented students.</p> <p>Because of the fluid legal situation and the tremendous uncertainty surrounding the precise direction of national policy relating to immigration, we are pursuing the following strategies:</p> <ul> <li> <p>We are actively considering possible responses to scenarios involving potentially targeted campus community members.</p> </li> <li> <p>We are reinforcing clear communications among campus offices to ensure a consistent institutional approach.</p> </li> <li> <p>We are seeking guidance from national organizations that are closely tracking legal and policy developments and will ensure that institutional decisions are informed by that input.</p> </li> <li> <p>We are monitoring policy and regulatory developments that could affect institutional or individual access to federal funds, as this has already been raised by the new administration in relation to sanctuary cities and DACA.</p> </li> </ul> <p>We will write again with updates as this situation unfolds. </p> <p>Marvin Krislov<br> President</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-01-29T12:00:00Z">Sun, 01/29/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Wishing Everyone all the Best in 2017!</h1> <p>Anonymous — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:44:47 +0000</p> <span>Wishing Everyone all the Best in 2017!</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-02-12T11:44:47-05:00" title="Sunday, February 12, 2017 - 11:44">Sun, 02/12/2017 - 11:44</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Freezing temperatures, gray skies, snowflakes falling. On this December day, the start of the academic year in late August seems like a light year ago.</p> <p>So as classes end, finals loom, and everyone is rushing to finish the semester strong and prepare for the holidays, I offer my annual end-of-the calendar-year reminder to one and all: please take care of yourselves.</p> <p>This has been an even more stressful semester than usual because of the national elections. All of us have to make a conscious effort to cope with stress. Students, I urge you to take advantage of the pop-up study breaks organized by the Dean of Students office and other campus offices and organizations. “Koffee with Krislov” is on Monday, December 12 at Azariah’s Café at 8:30 p.m. I hope to see you there. Eat right, sleep when you can, and exercise. Even small amounts of exercise have been shown to reduce stress.</p> <p>If you have some free time, I encourage you to get out and hear some music. The end of the semester and the year is always a time when there are so many wonderful concerts here. Check out the Organ Pump on Friday at midnight in Finney Chapel. Access to incredible performances are one of the great benefits of having our world class conservatory. If you’re looking for a quieter, more contemplative aesthetic and intellectual study break, I suggest a visit to our amazing Allen Memorial Art Museum. We are so fortunate to have such treasures on our campus.</p> <p>Speaking of our beautiful campus, this past Tuesday marked the 153rd birthday of an 91ֱ�� graduate who changed the face of our campus and town for the better: Charles Martin Hall. Hall was a great scientist, a great lover of art and music, and 91ֱ��’s first great environmentalist. His bequest cleared Tappan Square of buildings and transformed it into the lovely park we enjoy today, and he gave us the Arboretum and so much more. He remains 91ֱ��’s single greatest benefactor.</p> <p>As the semester comes to a close, I want to thank all our benefactors—our faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and our fellow residents of this town—for all they do for 91ֱ��. I wish our students good luck with their exams, papers and projects. And I wish everyone safe travels, happy holidays, and all the best in 2017!</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-12-09T12:00:00Z">Fri, 12/09/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"> John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Happy Election Day!</h1> <p>Anonymous — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:16:03 +0000</p> <span>Happy Election Day!</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-02-12T12:16:03-05:00" title="Sunday, February 12, 2017 - 12:16">Sun, 02/12/2017 - 12:16</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Please go to the polls and vote for the candidates of your choice!</p> <p>Voting is the right, and duty, of every American citizen. It is a duty to oneself, to one’s family, and to our society, country and world. To make progress on any issue—whether it’s inequality, race, justice, climate change, immigration or education—there must be action. And voting is an action every citizen take.</p> <p>People in countries around the world have fought and died just to have the right to vote. Scores of 91ֱ��ians have given their lives defending what President Abraham Lincoln described in the Gettysburg Address as government of the people, by the people, for the people.</p> <p>This year, 91ֱ�� students, faculty and staff worked on political campaigns and helped ensure voting rights for college students and other citizens in Ohio. You may never run for office. But by voting every chance you get, you can make a difference in where your city, state, and country are heading.</p> <p>Whether it’s for your local school board or for president of the United States, we urgently need you to vote.</p> <p>As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”</p> <p>Exercising your right to vote is vigorous and positive action you can take today. I urge you all to let your voices be heard.</p> <p>UNDOCUWEEK 2016</p> <p>I am proud that we are currently celebrating <a href="http://new.oberlin.edu/office/multicultural-resource-center/resources/dacaundocumented-resources/undocuweek-2016">UndocuWeek 2016</a> at 91ֱ�� College. Undocuweek is sponsored by Obies for Undocumented Inclusion and the Multicultural Resource Center.</p> <p>This series of events recognizes the importance of addressing the needs of undocumented students and raising awareness and vital, active support for those students. UndocuWeek is meant to engage our campus community in collective efforts to create a supportive and thriving environment for undocumented students.</p> <p>You can demonstrate your support by donating to the Undocumented Student Scholarship Fund. You can also make a commitment to support and advocate on behalf of undocumented people on Saturday, November 12 by posting online.</p> <p>UndocuWeek 2016 is also the formal launch of the Undocumented Student Initiatives program and serves as a catalyst for future directions, including the UndocuAlly trainings program for students, faculty, and staff.</p> <p>In addition to the events listed on the link, there will be a workshop titled "Undocu-Ally Training: Liberating Campus Climate" on Friday, November 11 for, faculty and staff, facilitated by Julio Reyes, the MRC’s Latinx Student Life Coordinator, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Success, and Program Director for Undocumented Student Initiatives.</p> <p>The training, adapted from United We Dream, will provide an overview of education and immigration policy that impacts undocumented youth, insight into the experiences of undocumented students at 91ֱ�� College, and an opportunity to engage in planning to support undocumented students as an informed educator activist. Participants will leave the training with a certificate of completion, an Undocu-Ally sticker for their office, and an Educator Activist Commitment decal.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-11-08T12:00:00Z">Tue, 11/08/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Sharing the 91ֱ�� Experience</h1> <p>Anonymous — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:16:03 +0000</p> <span>Sharing the 91ֱ�� Experience</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-02-12T12:16:03-05:00" title="Sunday, February 12, 2017 - 12:16">Sun, 02/12/2017 - 12:16</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>I’ve been traveling quite a bit in recent weeks, meeting with a wide range of 91ֱ�� alumni on various initiatives including raising more money for scholarships and financial aid. As always when I meet with our alumni, I hear how their 91ֱ�� experiences have served them well in living lives of purpose and meaning.</p> <p>Since I became 91ֱ��’s president in 2007, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many 91ֱ�� alums. Whether the person is a recent graduate getting their theology degree at Harvard Divinity School, a high school English teacher in Portland, Oregon, who graduated 25 years ago, or a mid-70s graduate who majored in religion and now runs major investment funds, I’m always struck by how their 91ֱ�� experiences have shaped and continue to shape their lives.</p> <p>Sometimes the effect of what a person learned at 91ֱ�� isn’t immediately evident. I’ve always loved the story that Jad Abumrad ’95 tells about how things he was exposed to in his 91ֱ�� classes—he majored in composition at the Conservatory but took a wide range of classes in the College of Arts & Sciences—just didn’t make much sense to him when he was here. But as he pursued a career, which eventually led to him being the co-producer and host of National Public Radio’s “Radiolab” program with Robert Krulwich ’69, he continually found himself having minor epiphanies. He would see, hear or do something, the light would go on and he’d realize “oh, that’s what professor so-and-so was talking about at 91ֱ��.” Jad calls these his “91ֱ�� moments.”</p> <p>From the stories I’ve heard from generations of alumni, I suspect thousands of 91ֱ�� graduates have such moments frequently.</p> <p>Another common denominator among our alumni is their determination to be engaged citizens and active members of their communities. This willingness to help make the world a better place for all takes many forms: volunteering to register voters; serving on a city council; running a non-profit social service agency; being active in environmental causes; or helping organize their church’s relief outreach to Haiti; and so much more.</p> <p>Living in this small town in northeast Ohio, we sometimes forget what a tremendous effect our College, Conservatory, and community have had on tens of thousands of students over the years. Students who graduate and go on to share their 91ֱ�� moments with countless others.</p> <p>NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REUNION AND SYMPOSIUM</p> <p>I am very much looking forward to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Reunion and <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/national_association_of_sciences_symposium_7679#.WBNb0DLMxZ0">Symposium</a> which we are hosting this weekend. Titled “91ֱ�� and the National Academy of Sciences: Celebrating the Impact and Promise of the Science at Liberal Arts Colleges,” the event will feature 12 of the 22 91ֱ�� alumni who are NAS members. That is an astonishing and unrivaled number for a small liberal arts college.</p> <p>It speaks directly to 91ֱ��’s long and dynamic tradition of student-faculty collaboration on research.</p> <p>Perhaps the most famous example of that tradition is the close mentoring relationship between Charles Martin Hall, who graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1885, and Frank Fanning Jewett, his professor.</p> <p>Inspired by a remark Jewett made in class to the effect that whoever discovered a practical way to refine aluminum from bauxite ore would become wealthy, Hall launched his quest to do just that. After much trial and error, and with advice and assistance from his professor and his sister, Hall discovered, the process for electrochemical aluminum refining here in 91ֱ�� on February 23, 1886.</p> <p>Since then, 91ֱ�� alumni have made tremendous contributions to advancing scientific knowledge. Three science alums—Robert Millikan 1891, physics; Roger Sperry ’35, medicine; and Stanley Cohen ’45, medicine—are Nobel laureates.</p> <p>So if you get a chance to attend the symposium, please do. And many, many thanks to these outstanding scientists for taking the time to come to 91ֱ�� to share their thoughts with our faculty, students, staff, and their fellow alums.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-10-28T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/28/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marvin Krislov</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2555">President's Desk</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>