Bearing Witness</h1> <article> <h1>Bearing Witness</h1> <p>azaleski — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:54:18 +0000</p> <span>Bearing Witness</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-09-26T12:54:18-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 12:54">Tue, 09/26/2023 - 12:54</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In the mid-2000s, she curated and produced content for the memorial exhibition at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. For the last eight years, she’s been the curator of Kennesaw State University’s Museum of History and Holocaust Education. Founded in 2006, the Georgia museum has produced more than 18 traveling exhibitions that visit schools, libraries, community centers, and houses of worship. </p> <p>Langer says her time at 91ֱ�� nurtured her intellectual curiosity. It also connected her with Sheena Ramirez ’06, a soprano who studied <a href="/voice" target="_blank">voice performance</a>. In fact, the pair met when both were first-years living in Dascomb Hall. </p> <p>“Some of what we did at 91ֱ�� collaboratively involved engaging deeply with poetry that Sheena would be performing as art songs,” Langer explains. “As a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" target="_blank">creative writing</a> major, that was a love of mine, and it related to my concentration in poetry. We always enjoyed doing that and have kept it up over the years.” </p> <p>In 2020, Langer and Ramirez started working on a large-scale project that resulted in a museum exhibition, <em>Words, Music, Memory: (Re)presenting Voices of the Holocaust</em>, that will be on display at 91ֱ�� starting September 29. The 10-panel traveling exhibition memorializes the poetry and diary excerpts of people who experienced the Holocaust—some who survived and others who perished—through music, composition, and performance. </p> <p>"It highlights the idea of witness and then of translating that experience into art," Langer says. "It connects the past and the present, and it connects the people who are trying to interpret and understand the past to really bring it to life."</p> <p><em>Words, Music, Memory</em> features eight witnesses to the Holocaust whose written works are interpreted in varying ways. <em>[see below, "The Exhibition's Voices"]</em> Each panel showcases a different witness and explains how their words were preserved, archived, or translated and then ultimately adapted into some form of performance art, including music, film, and plays. A digital gallery guide that accompanies the exhibition delves deeper into the biography of each writer, plus interviews with the modern-day composers, lyricists, performers, and commissioners who interpreted their words. </p> <p>“The goal is to highlight the entire commemorative process,” says Langer. “We wanted to show how you first engage with poetry, then select a piece of work to focus on, and then turn it into something that can then be accessed by an artist who wants to adapt it and perform it.” </p> <p><em>Words, Music, Memory</em> reflects the combined expertise of Langer and Ramirez. After 91ֱ��, Ramirez earned a master’s in music at the New England Conservatory of Music and a DMA in vocal performance, pedagogy, and literature from James Madison University. For the latter, she wrote her dissertation on four soprano song cycles based on Holocaust poetry, pairing this research with a lecture recital that accompanies <em>Words, Music, Memory</em>.</p> <p>Langer says she “caught the research bug” during her sophomore year at 91ֱ��, when she and two friends took a road trip to Georgia. They stopped in Cades Cove, an abandoned town in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where Langer became immediately fascinated by the history of the area. A year later, she returned to pore through scrapbooks, oral history transcripts, and other documents that both provided answers and served as the basis of her honors thesis on National Parks. </p> <p>After earning a bachelor’s degree in history and creative writing, Langer earned a master’s in archives and public history at New York University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in public history from Georgia State University.</p> <p>In spring 2023, Langer had the opportunity to work closely with students in professor Renee Romano’s Intro to Public Humanities course, a cornerstone of the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/public-humanities" target="_blank">Public Humanities integrative concentration</a>. The students identified potential promotional avenues for the <em>Words, Music, Memory</em> exhibition at 91ֱ��, even creating a supplemental zine on the topic of memory.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Sheena Ramirez '06 (left) and Adina Langer '06</figcaption> </figure> <p>“The students learned that so much of public humanities work is about making connections, building relationships, and trying to forge collaborations,” Romano says. “They saw what needs to be done to actually execute a project to go from A to Z.”</p> <p>For Langer, though, this time wasn’t just about practicalities and marketing. Working with students gave her an opportunity to pass on knowledge and experience in the same ways alumni once did for her. </p> <p>"As a student, I remember how powerful it was to have conversations with people who had been in my shoes only a few years before. I could see these students making connections about what it means to be out in the world, carrying forward your intellectual passions and interests."</p> <p>After its time at 91ֱ��, <em>Words, Music, Memory</em> will be on display at Wake Forest University’s Lam Museum of Anthropology starting in December, followed by Elon University in March 2024. However, Langer and Ramirez say they feel particularly honored to bring their shared project to their alma mater, where both their friendship and their career paths began. </p> <p>“This is something we’ve been doing for more than 20 years, where I’ve been coming to Adina and saying, ‘Let’s talk about poetry and how music enhances it,” Ramirez says. “This project looks at how music and other forms of commemoration can honor the words of people who have experienced the darkest chapters of our history.”</p> <p><a href="/events/words_music_memory_representing_voices_of_the_holocaust_exhibit" target="_blank">Words, Music, Memory: (Re)presenting Voices of the Holocaust</a> <em>opens September 29 in the first floor gallery of the Mary Church Terrell Main Library, and is open daily through Saturday, November 18. The exhibition culminates with a <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/words_music_memory_representing_voices_from_the_holocaust" target="_blank">lecture performance on November 16</a>, featuring soprano Sheena Ramirez, oboist Courtney Miller, and pianist Daniel Michalak. Curator Adina Langer will provide commentary during the performance and discuss Holocaust commemoration and curating traumatic histories. Langer will also be <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/curating_histories_of_violence_and_resilience_a_conversation_with_adina_langer06" target="_blank">in conversation with Professor Renee Romano</a> on November 16. </em></p> <p><strong>The Exhibition's Voices </strong><br> The individuals whose words are featured in <em>Words, Music, Memory</em> were carefully selected to represent a diversity of Jewish witnesses to the Holocaust, including (but not limited to) recognizable voices like Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel.</p> <p>“We really wanted to bring both lesser-known and very well-known people into this space,” says Langer. “The exhibit is presented from younger to older and from those who perished to those who survived.” </p> <ul> <li><strong>Franta Bass </strong>wrote poems in the Theresienstadt Ghetto before dying at Auschwitz at age 14. His poems were included in the Czech children’s anthology<em> I Never Saw Another Butterfly</em>, which inspired commemorative works by composers and playwrights alike.</li> <li><strong>Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger</strong> was a teenager who died at Michailowka labor camp, though her boyfriend managed to keep her poetry notebook throughout his own incarceration. Her poetry inspired a soprano song cycle titled “In Sleep, the World Is Yours" by composer Lori Laitman.</li> <li><strong>Anne Frank</strong>, a German-Jewish teenager who died at Bergen-Belsen, became posthumously famous after the publication of her diary. Her story has been adapted many times, as in the play <em>The Diary of Anne Frank</em> and the 1995 Japanese animated film <em>Anne No Nikki</em>, both featured in the exhibition.</li> <li><strong>Éva Heyman</strong> died in Auschwitz at age 13, but her mother published her<em> Diary of Éva Heyman</em> in 1947. In 2018, the Instagram account @Eva.Stories won a prestigious Webby Award for its poignant presentation of the late teen’s words. </li> <li><strong>Krystyna Żywulska</strong> was a Polish-Jewish political prisoner who penned the memoir <em>I Survived Auschwitz</em>, which, along with openly gay German-Jewish survivor Gad Beck’s memoir, inspired two short operas. </li> <li><strong>Shmerke Kaczerginski</strong> was a radical activist and Yiddish poet whose “Yid Du Partizaner” was turned into a sonata for cello and piano, composed by Laurence Sherr.</li> <li><strong>Nelly Sachs</strong>, a poet who escaped Berlin for Sweden, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Many of her poems have been turned into choral and instrumental arrangements.</li> <li><strong>Elie Wiese</strong>l, who spent time in both Auschwitz and the labor camp Buna, became a renowned speaker and writer on the topic of memory. His memoir <em>Night </em>is the basis of performances featuring the music of composer Leib Glantz. </li> </ul> <ul></ul></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Two alums collaborate on a powerful museum exhibition.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-09-28T12:00:00Z">Thu, 09/28/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kate Kaput</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>As a public historian, Adina Langer ’06 knows a thing or two about commemoration.</p></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=2390">Events</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3449">91ֱ�� College Libraries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25326">Creative Writing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35596">Voice</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/public-humanities" hreflang="und">Public Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/vocal-studies" hreflang="und">Vocal Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The Words, Music, Memory: (Re)presenting Voices of the Holocaust exhibition is on display from September 29-November 18.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</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">Courtesy of Adina Langer</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Stitches to Startup</h1> <p>tapplega — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:48:40 +0000</p> <span>Stitches to Startup</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-09-26T12:48:40-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 12:48">Tue, 09/26/2023 - 12:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In the midst of a pandemic, while many were seeking solace in newfound hobbies, Andrea Muliawan ’26 was weaving her passion into a burgeoning online business: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/andreasfiberarts?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1524180661">Andrea's Fiber Arts</a>. The initiative began with a crochet needle, thread, and a profound sense of creativity.</p> <p>As Muliawan’s designs took shape, so did her entrepreneurial spirit. With the support of a <a href="https://www.bdmorganfdn.org/oberlin-college">Burton D. Morgan Microgrant</a>, Muliawan realized how this small business could turn into a lifelong side gig. On September 27, the second-year <a href="/node/3346">biology</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history">history</a> student will share insights from her entrepreneurial voyage in a talk in Moffett Auditorium (lower level of Mudd Center) hosted by the Office of Entrepreneurship. Intrigued by her journey and keen to know more about how she manages her business aspirations alongside her dream of attending medical school, we caught up with Muliawan for a quick Q&A.</p> <p><strong>What sparked your journey into crocheting, and how did that transition into the inception of Andrea’s Fiber Arts on Etsy?</strong></p> <p>I began crocheting during the early days of the pandemic, with my mom’s knitting tools. Initially, I followed online patterns, but soon I felt the urge to freehand my designs, allowing for more creative expression. A few months after I initiated my Instagram account, I was propelled to start my Etsy shop. The platform seemed an apt space to showcase and sell my creations.</p> <p><strong>Managing a growing online store while balancing college studies must have been quite the challenge. How did you adapt your business model to fit your academic commitments?</strong></p> <p>My primary challenge was advertising my products while keeping up with my studies. I also participated in on-campus markets, which meant some of my Etsy-listed items were sold in person. This made fulfilling online orders on the fly quite challenging. I pivoted to making items to order for Etsy and later transitioned to selling digital downloads of my Hera Top pattern. This shift allowed me to focus more on school without compromising the business.</p> <p><strong>The Burton D. Morgan Microgrant was a game-changer for you. What made you apply, and how has it reshaped your outlook towards Andrea’s Fiber Arts and your future goals?</strong></p> <p>I initially applied for the microgrant after seeing it advertised in the Campus Digest. I had already made some pieces that I was excited about selling, so that spurred me on. Receiving the grant was an eye-opener. Before it, my professional goals were centered on attending medical school and embarking on a physician’s journey. That’s still a dream I’m ardently pursuing. However, the microgrant made me realize I could juggle a side gig that did not have to be a primary source of income but could serve as a creative outlet. It’s all about having fun, experimenting, and picking up interpersonal skills that can be applied anywhere—including in a medical profession!</p> <p><em>For those inspired by Andrea’s journey and wish to witness her creativity firsthand, you can explore her unique crochet designs on her Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/andreasfiberarts?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1524180661">Andrea's Fiber Arts.</a> To stay updated with her latest creations and entrepreneurial ventures, give her a follow on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andreasfiberarts/">@andreasfiberarts</a>.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Andrea Muliawan recieved a grant that helped her turn a hobby into a budding business.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-09-27T12:00:00Z">Wed, 09/27/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</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=2395">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2563">Grants</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2390">Events</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business" hreflang="und">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</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">courtesy of Andrea Muliawan</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>South-of-the-Border Second Home</h1> <p>eburnett — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:37:28 +0000</p> <span>South-of-the-Border Second Home</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-06-16T11:37:28-04:00" title="Friday, June 16, 2023 - 11:37">Fri, 06/16/2023 - 11:37</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Anna Sheik makes no secret of her love of languages, teaching, and culture.</p> <p>Born in Philadelphia, she spent a transformative year in Cuernavaca, Mexico, prior to beginning studies at 91ֱ��. The gap year presented immense challenges: After all, she had studied German—not Spanish—throughout middle school and high school. Yet Sheik immersed herself in the culture: enrolling in a local school, living with a host family, and forging enduring bonds. </p> <p>“When I first arrived in Mexico, I didn’t speak any Spanish,” she says. “But by the end of the year, I had gained a new language and formed lifelong friendships. I also developed a deep appreciation for Mexican culture and realized that I love traveling and exploring new places and communities. I’ve wanted to return to Mexico ever since.”</p> <p>In May, Sheik graduated from 91ֱ�� with majors in <a href="/node/70776">history</a> and <a href="/node/3406">Latin American studies</a> and a minor in <a href="/node/3206">Hispanic studies</a>. A former resident advisor in 91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/4086">Spanish House</a> residence hall, she’s now set to return to the country that originally sparked her fascination for Latin American culture and teaching: This summer, she embarks on a year-long adventure as an English Teaching Assistant in Mexico, an opportunity made possible through the <a href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-us-student-program">U.S. Fulbright Program</a>.</p> <p>Throughout her four years at 91ֱ��, Sheik worked with <a href="/node/55496">America Reads</a>, serving as a literacy tutor at the local elementary school. The experience allowed her to witness the transformational power of education: From guiding young minds as a tutor to her tenure as a student-leader, she found that teaching became a rewarding facet of her college experience.</p> <p>It’s a feeling she also sensed during her gap year, when she volunteered to teach the string section of an elementary school orchestra. With her own limited Spanish proficiency at the time and her students knowing little English, she used a combination of languages, hand gestures, sounds—and above all, music—to fashion an effective means of teaching. The experience cemented her belief in the value of music as a language-teaching tool, a skill she looks forward to utilizing once again in the year ahead.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Anna Sheik returns to Mexico to follow her love of language, history, and teaching.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-06-16T12:00:00Z">Fri, 06/16/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</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=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3501">Teaching & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25276">Latin American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4796">Hispanic Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25226">Education Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=245971">International Affairs</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/yorki-encalada" hreflang="und">Yorki J. Encalada Egúsquiza</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/pablo-mitchell" hreflang="und">Pablo Mitchell</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/latin-american-studies" hreflang="und">Latin American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies" hreflang="und">Hispanic Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</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">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32092" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-large data-text-size-giant> <p>I’ve had so many incredible professors at 91ֱ��, but I’m especially grateful to these two for believing in me from the beginning.”</p> <p style="text-align: right;"><em>—Anna Sheik, on professors Encalada and Mitchell</em></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27736" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Sheik returned to Mexico in 2022 for research made possible through an Artz Grant earned through 91ֱ��’s History Department. “My honors project, on representations of La Malinche—the infamous Mexican translator for Cortés—in Mexico and the Borderlands from 1960-1980, led me deep into histories of Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations that I hope to observe further in my year abroad,” she says. She credits a longtime 91ֱ�� mentor, Professor of History and Comparative American Studies <a href="/node/5906">Pablo Mitchell</a>, for guiding her development in research throughout her time at 91ֱ��. “This past year, he advised my honors project, which I could not have completed without his wisdom and encouragement,” she says.</p> <p>Sheik also credits Hispanic studies professor <a href="/node/122501">Yorki Encalada Egúsquiza</a> for nurturing her interests in Spanish language and teaching. By her senior year, she served as his teaching assistant for two intermediate Spanish courses—an experience she calls “instrumental in my role as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant."</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Professor Pablo Mitchell (left) was instrumental in guiding Sheik's research on Mexican history and U.S.-Mexico relations. (photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97) </figcaption> </figure> <p>“I’ve had so many incredible professors at 91ֱ��,” she says, “but I’m especially grateful to these two for believing in me from the beginning.”</p> <p>As she steps into the next chapter of her life as a Fulbrighter, Sheik is filled with anticipation to return to a part of the world she loves so deeply.</p> <p>“I’m hoping my upcoming year will shed some light onto what I want to pursue next, whether that is teaching and education, foreign relations or immigration work, or going back to school for history or Latin American studies.</p> <p>“I’m really excited to explore more of Mexico,” she says: “See old friends, make new ones, and to soak up more Mexican history wherever I go.”</p> <hr> <p><em>The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries by sponsoring students and scholars to study, teach English, and conduct research overseas. The U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program, Fulbright supports exchanges between the U.S. and more than 150 countries around the world. In February, 91ֱ�� was named a <a href="/news/oberlin-top-producer-fulbright-students-2022-23">top producer of Fulbright students</a> for the 14th consecutive year. It ranks third among U.S. colleges and universities on the all-time list, with more than 260 Fulbright recipients.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Renee Romano Earns Excellence in Teaching Award</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 18 May 2023 15:03:04 +0000</p> <span>Renee Romano Earns Excellence in Teaching Award</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-05-18T11:03:04-04:00" title="Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 11:03">Thu, 05/18/2023 - 11:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> 91ֱ�� has recognized six faculty members with <a href="/news/six-faculty-receive-2021-2022-excellence-teaching-honors">Excellence in Teaching Awards</a> for the 2021-22 academic year. The annual Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes faculty in the college and conservatory who have demonstrated sustained and distinctive excellence in their teaching at the college and conservatory.</p> <p><a href="/renee-romano">Renee C. Romano</a> is the Robert S. Danforth Professor of History and Professor of Comparative American Studies and Africana Studies. A specialist in 20th- and 21st-century American cultural and political history and in the field of historical memory, she is the author of <em>Racial Reckoning: Reopening America’s Civil Rights Trials</em> (Harvard University Press, 2014) and <em>Race Mixing: Black-White Marriage in Postwar America</em> (Harvard University Press, 2003.) She has also co-edited three collections: <em>Historians on Hamilton: How a Blockbuster Musical Is Restaging America’s Past</em> (Rutgers University Press, 2018); <em>Doing Recent History: On Privacy, Copyright, Video Games, Institutional Review Boards, Activist Scholarship, and History that Talks Back</em> (University of Georgia Press, 2012); and <em>The Civil Rights Movement in American Memory</em> (University of Georgia Press, 2006).</p> <p>“Professor Renee Romano has been at the forefront of deeply important curricular, pedagogical, and mentoring initiatives in undergraduate education, including the formal establishment of curricular pathways in Public Humanites at 91ֱ��,” says David Kamitsuka, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Renee trains her students not only how to grapple with the most challenging social, political, and institutional issues in American history, but also to share their learning for the benefit of the broader public.”</p> <p>Romano teaches courses on a variety of topics related to political, cultural, and racial history in the modern United States, including the History of Museums, Race and Sexuality in U.S. History, and Deconstructing Disney. She is also committed to the practice of public history. She is a founder and co-director of the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/public-humanities">Public Humanities Integrative Concentration</a> at 91ֱ��, and she has been involved in numerous public humanities projects, including consulting for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, directing the 91ֱ�� visit of “Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience,” and serving as a scholarly advisor for the Kent State May 4th Walking Tour and Visitor's Center, the Brooklyn Historical Society, Eyes on the Prize Revisited, and Radio Diaries. From 2016 to 2019, Romano was a member of the Executive Board of the Organization of American Historians, and she is currently on the board of National History Day. She has also served as an 91ֱ�� campus mentor for the Posse Leadership Program.</p> <p>“I am humbled and gratified to be recognized with this award, especially given how many wonderful and dedicated teachers there are at 91ֱ��,” says Romano. “I feel extraordinarily lucky to have the opportunity to work with 91ֱ�� students, whose energy, intellect, and curiosity constantly push me to experiment with new pedagogies, to create new courses, and to keep working to improve my teaching.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A specialist in 20th- and 21st-century American cultural and political history, Romano is instrumental in establishing a public humanities concentration.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-05-18T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/18/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</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=2414">Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2576">Excellence in Teaching Award</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3501">Teaching & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25311">Comparative American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4821">Africana Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/comparative-american-studies" hreflang="und">Comparative American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies" hreflang="und">Africana Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/public-humanities" hreflang="und">Public Humanities</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">Jennifer Manna</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Taking Passion to the Pavement</h1> <p>tapplega — Fri, 05 May 2023 17:14:08 +0000</p> <span>Taking Passion to the Pavement</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-05-05T13:14:08-04:00" title="Friday, May 5, 2023 - 13:14">Fri, 05/05/2023 - 13:14</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/55501">Bonner Scholars</a> program has been connecting classrooms to communities for more than 30 years. Operated by the <a href="/node/4416">Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research</a> and supported by the national <a href="http://www.bonner.org/">Bonner Foundation</a>, the scholars program provides four-year community service scholarships to approximately 60 91ֱ�� students who are the first in their families to attend college or come from underrepresented populations. Bonner Scholars participate in intensive, developmental community-engagement experiences throughout their time at 91ֱ��.</p> <p>Each year, approximately 15 incoming first-year students are selected as Bonner Scholars. Their experience is guided by designated student leaders, who lead community projects and engage with the entire campus community about service opportunities. Fourth-year Bonner leader Ari Leandry majors in <a href="/node/3216">comparative American studies</a> with minors in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history">history</a> and <a href="/node/3426">gender, sexuality, and feminist studies</a>, and an integrative concentration in <a href="/node/322091">journalism</a>. Her previous Bonner work has revolved around <a href="https://prochoiceohio.org/">NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio</a>—a reflection of her deep passion for reproductive justice and mutual aid. A native of nearby Lorain, Ohio, Leandry finds herself serving the very community in which she was raised.</p> <p>We asked Leandry about her life as a Bonner Scholar.</p> <p><strong>Can you describe the Bonner Scholar Program to someone who is unfamiliar?</strong></p> <p>The Bonner Scholar Program provides an outlet for students passionate about social justice and service to further engage with their greater college community. Bonner enables these students to build connections that will help them personally and professionally. </p> <p><strong>How has your service corresponded to social issues you care about?</strong></p> <p>I was always interested in engaging with reproductive justice efforts, but I did not know how to pursue this interest. Through Bonner, I had support to seek out opportunities to work with reproductive justice organizations in Ohio and understand how I can turn this passion into an actual career. I was able to explore my interest in reproductive justice and grassroots activism. I built connections in my field that I otherwise would not have found if it weren't for Bonner's encouragement of exploring academic and personal interests through service. I appreciate the diversity of service opportunities that Bonner provides, and I feel fortunate to have been able to connect with reproductive justice advocates in Ohio and build a greater personal network in this issue area.</p> <p><strong>How has your Bonner experience influenced your time at 91ֱ��?</strong></p> <p>Bonner allowed me to build strong relationships and connections with other students who shared my passion for community service and social justice. Through Bonner, I was able to participate in meaningful and impactful service projects, which not only contributed to the community but also allowed me to develop my skills in leadership and teamwork.</p> <p><strong>What have you learned about the 91ֱ�� community through your service?</strong></p> <p>One of the things that I have learned is the extent to which social justice and equity are at the forefront of people's minds. I have also learned about the importance of collaboration and partnership in addressing community needs.</p> <p><strong>What is unique to you about the Bonner Scholar Program?</strong></p> <p>What makes Bonner unique is the tight-knit community that accompanies it. The support and guidance of the Bonner staff and my fellow Bonner Scholars helped me navigate the challenges of college life and find a sense of belonging on campus. They provided me with resources, advice, and encouragement that allowed me to thrive academically and personally.</p> <p><strong>Share a fond Bonner memory!</strong></p> <p>I loved getting to connect more deeply with my fellow Bonner Scholars at our Fall Bonner Retreat in 2021!</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Dedication to reproductive rights fuels the service of Bonner Leader Ari Leandry.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-05-05T12:00:00Z">Fri, 05/05/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</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=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2382">Community Service</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25311">Comparative American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25361">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=181496">Journalism</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/comparative-american-studies" hreflang="und">Comparative American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/gsfs" hreflang="und">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/journalism" hreflang="und">Journalism</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">courtesy of Ari Leandry</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>A Voice for the Voiceless</h1> <p>anagy — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:19:26 +0000</p> <span>A Voice for the Voiceless</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-04-07T15:19:26-04:00" title="Friday, April 7, 2023 - 15:19">Fri, 04/07/2023 - 15:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Sydney Allen graduated from 91ֱ�� in 2019 with a major in English and minors in rhetoric and history. She worked at the <em>91ֱ�� Review</em> for four years, serving as editor-in-chief her senior year. A student-athlete, Allen was a member of the varsity women’s lacrosse team. She was also a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/pal">Peer Advising Leader</a> (PAL), Peer Listener in the Peer Support Center, <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/soar">Sophomore Opportunities and Resources Program</a> Facilitator, and worked with the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/wap">Writing Associates Program</a>. </p> <p>A native of Indianapolis, Allen has held internships with <em>Indianapolis Monthly</em>, the <em>Chronicle-Telegram</em> in Northeast Ohio, and her hometown congressional representative in Washington, D.C. In 2019, she was selected as a two-year <a href="https://www.shansi.org">91ֱ�� Shansi Fellow</a>, which took her to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to teach writing and introductory journalism courses at Universitas Gadjah Mada. In June 2021, she began a position as an associate editor and Green Voices coordinator at Global Voices Online. </p> <p>We caught up with Allen to learn more about her path in journalism.</p> <p><strong>What was it like traveling across the world after graduation and immersing yourself in Indonesian culture as a Shansi Fellow?</strong></p> <p>Shansi does a great job at preparing the fellows, letting people know what to expect, and sharing tips on how to get acclimated. It was definitely a challenge, but I clearly loved it because I’m still in Asia now. When I first moved to Indonesia, I studied Bahasa (a language in Indonesia) for two months, which was excellent. That really gave me the foundation I needed to continue learning Bahasa. </p> <p><strong>How did working in leadership and mentorship roles at 91ֱ�� prepare you for teaching students at an Indonesian university?</strong></p> <p>The Writing Associates Program helped me communicate more effectively and give feedback in ways that are kind and compassionate. There’s a pretty clear trajectory between my roles at 91ֱ�� and how my career has progressed so far. I see a very direct link between the skills I learned as a writing associate and the work I’ve done. Also, PAL was helpful in establishing connections with students who are interested in different subject areas, as well as learning how to mentor younger students. The Writing Associate program and PAL gives students a different side of 91ֱ�� and provides a lot of value. </p> <p><strong>Tell us about how you found work as an associate editor and Green Voices coordinator at Global Voices Online in Indonesia.</strong></p> <p>Shansi Executive Director <a href="https://www.shansi.org/executive-director">Gavin Tritt</a> informed me of this remote position that matched my interest in advocacy-related journalism. It’s turned out to be incredibly fulfilling and an endless supply of perspectives. Green Voices is a collective of journalists and researchers who mainly write about the Global South—a region that’s been overlooked by mainstream media. Most writers are volunteers, citizen journalists, and people who have been overlooked by larger outlets. We have 40 languages that we translate to bridge linguistic silos, so many people have accessible information. </p> <p><strong>What kinds of stories have you worked on at Global Voices Online?</strong> </p> <p>I’m editing and writing news stories about Indonesia, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Central Asia. I’m also coordinating Green Voices, which is a group of environmental journalists around the world. This is a support mechanism to meet once a month and discuss the heavy topic of environmental issues while also forging connections. Mutual understanding and support between journalists can be really uplifting.</p> <p><strong>Can you provide some advice for 91ֱ�� students interested in journalism after graduation?</strong></p> <p>Get involved in as many things as you possibly can. It’s worth it to take advantage of many opportunities and go outside your comfort zone. See what appeals to you and push yourself to try new things. Getting into college is only a quarter of the battle. Finding out what’s important to you is a major part of your career journey. Find out what you like, and learn how to talk about it. I got this job through Shansi because I have always been vocal about what I’m interested in. Getting people to know about your interests and being able to talk about what you want in a way that is clear, concise, and confident is important.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Advocacy journalist Sydney Allen shines a spotlight on underrepresented regions.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-04-07T12:00:00Z">Fri, 04/07/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Ava Miller '25</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Since graduating, Sydney Allen has worked remotely for a global news outlet while traveling around Southeast Asia. Read more about Allen in this After 91ֱ�� Q&A.</p></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=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2397">Shansi</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3887">SOAR</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2418">Student-Athlete</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25451">Writing and Communication</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Sydney Allen '19 is an associate editor and Green Voices coordinator at Global Voices Online.</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">courtesy of Sydney Allen</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Abijah Ahern '22 Receives Fulbright to Serbia</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 19 May 2022 19:11:16 +0000</p> <span>Abijah Ahern '22 Receives Fulbright to Serbia</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-05-19T15:11:16-04:00" title="Thursday, May 19, 2022 - 15:11">Thu, 05/19/2022 - 15:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Spring graduate Abijah Ahern will explore the culture of the western Balkans through a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Serbia. </p> <p>The placement in Serbia is an extension of Ahern’s interests and experience in the Balkans region. In spring 2020, he spent a semester studying at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, where he took Croatian language classes and courses taught in English at the university in the politics department. He also completed a winter term project on the European Capital of Culture ceremony in Rijeka, Croatia. A <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history">history</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics</a> major, his goal is to become fluent in the Serbian language and to gain a better understanding of Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin languages. </p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Ahern meets with faculty mentor Steve Crowley, professor of politics (left). </figcaption> </figure> <p>A resident of Laramie, Wyoming, Ahern says he is looking forward to working with students and developing connections with colleagues at his host institution, and taking in the food and culture—by eating a lot of Čevapi (Balkan minced meat sausage) and watching "the eternal derby" between soccer teams Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade. “It has a reputation for being one of the most intense stadium atmospheres in all of sports, and it would be really exciting to experience.”</p> <p>As he prepares for the teaching aspect of the Fulbright, Ahern says he will have his favorite classes and professors from 91ֱ�� in mind. “In addition to providing me with theoretical and historical schema that will be extremely valuable when I go to Serbia, 91ֱ�� has also shown me what high quality and engaged teaching looks like.”</p> <p>Outside of academics, Ahern has hosted multiple radio shows and served as a past director of the news work group for 91ֱ�� College and Community radio station WOBC-FM.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A history and politics major, Ahern hopes to become fluent in the languages of the western Balkans.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-05-19T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/19/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</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=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Spring 2022 graduate Abijah Ahern will be placed in Serbia with a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.</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">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>The Lives of African American Women are Shared in a History Design Lab Project</h1> <p>ygay — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 15:48:18 +0000</p> <span>The Lives of African American Women are Shared in a History Design Lab Project</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-12-02T10:48:18-05:00" title="Thursday, December 2, 2021 - 10:48">Thu, 12/02/2021 - 10:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After graduating from 91ֱ�� College in 1957, Sylvia Hill Williams played a key role in moving the presentation of African art away from stereotypical displays to scholarly nuanced exhibits at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. In her role as an archivist, Ruth Anna Fisher, a 1906 91ֱ�� graduate, produced knowledge about Black history within a space traditionally dominated by white men. </p> <p>Their stories, and those of other women, are explored in the History Design Lab project’s <a href="https://afamwomen.historydesignlab.org/" target="_blank">African American Women Intellectuals</a> (AAWI).</p> <p>The <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history/history-design-lab" target="_blank">History Design Lab</a>, an initiative of the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" target="_blank">Department of History</a>, is a collaborative community of students, faculty, and staff who work on original research-based history projects. Lab members discuss new ideas and explore how resources and methods can be used to reimagine the way history is engaged by the viewer. The lab currently oversees three projects: <a href="https://oberlinost.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">On Second Thought</a>, a student historical blog and journal; 91ֱ�� History as American History; and the AAWI project.</p> <p>The AAWI project arose from a spring 2020 Research Methods in Black Women’s Intellectual History course. The final project of the course evolved into a digital web page which then gave rise to a History Design Lab project.</p> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Visit https://afamwomen.historydesignlab.org to view the African American Women Intellectual website.</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>Currently, AAWI features 12 Black women in 12 separate exhibits. An “item” tab provides detailed information about archival material presented, and all of the exhibits are categorized by centuries. </p> <p>“Rather than just focus on the women themselves as a typical biography would, AAWI’s scholarly biographies center more on the scholarly and intellectual work of these Black women, such as their theses, operas, and speeches,” says Meredith Warden ’23, a biography contributor and associate editor of both AAWI and On Second Thought projects. </p> <p>For instance, the <a href="https://afamwomen.historydesignlab.org/exhibits/show/rhiannon_giddens" target="_blank">AAWI biography on Rhiannon Giddens ’00</a> centers largely around the musician’s own research of the banjo. “The history of the banjo [brought to America by enslaved African people but commercialized by white minstrel musicians] is complex, painful, and necessary to uncover and share,” writes biography author, Ella Causer ’21. “Giddens currently sees uncovering the banjo’s history as her life purpose.” As Causer continues, Giddens’s biography is told through sections that delve into her opera studies and MacArthur Award. </p> <p>“As with any history-based project, the primary sources only tell so much about the person and their motivations, thoughts, and feelings,” explains Warden. “This was definitely a challenge while I was reading primary sources written by the person my biography focused on and deciding what narrative I was going to tell about her intellectual work. But that’s what I love about historical research—there are so many different ways to interpret these primary sources. The possible narrative I see in this woman’s work would probably not be the same as what someone else would see. Ultimately, [collaborating with] other people can help determine whether the narrative of a scholarly biography is compelling.” </p> <p>Emily Spezia-Shwiff ’21, who graduated from 91ֱ�� with majors in history and musical studies and a minor in gender, sexuality, and feminist studies, welcomed the space the History Design Lab and AAWI provided. As a former senior editor of the AAWI project and biography contributor, Spezia-Shwiff credits the AAWI project with allowing her to develop research, writing, and pedagogical skills, while teaching her how to disseminate information on complicated historiography, narrow wide ideas into compelling research topics, and work within someone else’s writing style to provide constructive feedback and edits. </p> <p>“One of my favorite parts of studying history is uncovering and telling narratives that have been ignored and neglected,” says Spezia-Shwiff. “ I decided to take on this project because I wanted to continue highlighting these stories and create a large database of Black women intellectuals.”</p> <p>Spezia-Shwiff hopes visitors to the site will be encouraged and inspired as well.</p> <p>“I hope viewers will ponder what it means to be a Black women intellectual,” says Spezia-Shwiff. “I hope these narratives will inspire viewers and encourage them in their own avenues. I encourage potential viewers to think critically about their view of history, [and ask]: Who is being left out of popular narratives? What stories may be lost or hidden throughout history?” </p> <p>In January, the History Design Lab will offer a Winter Term component, where participants will learn the basics of digital humanities tools, perform research in 91ֱ��’s archives, and produce a piece of work as part of one of HDL’s current projects.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-12-02T12:00:00Z">Thu, 12/02/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A history project moves from the classroom to an ongoing digital platform that focuses on the lives of extraordinary African American women closely associated with the college.</p></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=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25281">Musical Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25361">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/musical-studies" hreflang="und">Musical Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/gsfs" hreflang="und">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">During the 2020 Winter Term History Design Lab Institute, Brooke Blackmon Bryan, associate professor of writing, aesthetics and digital studies at Antioch College, held a Supporting and Sustaining Oral History-Powered Projects workshop.</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">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Community Mural Project Highlights Aspects of 91ֱ��</h1> <p>ygay — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 15:01:35 +0000</p> <span>Community Mural Project Highlights Aspects of 91ֱ��</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-14T11:01:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 11:01">Tue, 09/14/2021 - 11:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>More than 100 town and college members picked up artists' brushes and applied their painting skills to a 32-foot mural in Carpenter Court late last month during Community Paint Day. The result is an expressive collage that the organizer of the project hopes will fill passersby with 91ֱ�� pride.</p> <p>“I hope [people] feel joy when they see the vibrant colors,'' says organizer Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97. “I hope they feel pride in what a special place 91ֱ�� is. I hope they realize there is a strong arts, sports, and music culture in this town.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>We Are 91ֱ�� organizer Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97. Photo credit: Courtesy of Rosen-Jones</figcaption> </figure> <p>The idea of a vivid community mural appealed to Rosen-Jones’ artistic side and small-town appreciation. After graduating from 91ֱ�� College with a major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" target="_blank">history</a> and concentration in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/latin-american-studies" target="_blank">Latin American Studies</a>, she turned a passion for photography into a professional career in 1999. She returned to 91ֱ�� in 2008 and opened a portrait studio in the downtown area. </p> <p>With artists and community members lending a hand, and donated lemonade and water from local churches nearby, the August installation was completed in just two weeks. However, groundwork for the We Are 91ֱ�� Mural Project was two years in the making.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>The mural design is added to the wall. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</figcaption> </figure> <p>Location of the new mural was inspired by an existing installation that had been on the back of the 91ֱ�� Bookstore since 1996. It depicted a sitting figure whose hands steadied a ball of light on top of its head. “I wondered about its origins,” says Rosen-Jones. “It was almost 25 years old and there was no graffiti on it. I wondered how it was still respected after so much time.”</p> <p>Her inquiries led to former associate dean Brenda Grier-Miller, who held a Summer in the City camp in the 1990s that connected middle school students to local artists for hands-on learning experiences. During a 1996 mural painting class, students came up with the concept and installed the work with the help of <a href="/nanette-yannuzzi" target="_blank">Nanette Yannuzzi</a>, professor of studio art, installation, sculpture, and book arts; and Imani Miller-Annibel ’03. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>The 1996 mural design is added to the We Are 91ֱ�� mural. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</figcaption> </figure> <p>“I spoke with Brenda and her daughter, Imani. They were sad to see the mural go, but were excited about a new generation getting the opportunity to create something beautiful and inspirational in the space,” explains Rosen-Jones. “We compromised that any new design would include an homage to the original mural."</p> <p>Rosen-Jones also received an education on the process of grant writing and discretionary funding by Darren Hamm, former director of the 91ֱ�� Center for the Arts, which served as the project’s fiscal sponsor. She consulted with middle school art teachers about the artistic process. And a mural committee (made up of representatives from the college, conservatory, local artists, and community members) assisted with making edits and decisions about designs before they were submitted to the public. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Community members paint sections of the We are 91ֱ�� mural. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</figcaption> </figure> <p>“I wanted the mural to feel community-owned, so it involved three important steps,” explains Rosen-Jones. That included 91ֱ�� High School student participation, a community-wide vote, and a Community Paint Day.</p> <p>After receiving a grant from the 91ֱ�� Schools Endowment Fund in 2019, 91ֱ�� High School students were asked to express, “What Makes 91ֱ�� Special?” during a three-day workshop and all-school assembly. </p> <p>Although planning was halted because of the pandemic, community support grew once it was determined that the project could safely continue. Local groups and churches helped spread the word about Community Paint Day, and nearly 700 votes were cast to choose the design during an in-person vote at the 91ֱ�� Public Library.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Professional mural artists work near the roofline in Carpenter Court. Photo credit: John Seyfried</figcaption> </figure> <p>By early August a platform lift that stretched nearly 32 feet high was placed behind the 91ֱ�� Bookstore on Carpenter Court. A sketch of the winning mural design that spans 27 feet was added to the building by professional mural artists Martha Ferrazza, Isaiah Williams, and Jared Mitchell. Days later, the artists, chosen by Rosen-Jones, filled in the shapes closest to the roofline with vibrant pops of color. The lower portions of the wall were brought to life with a Community Paint Day. </p> <p>“91ֱ�� truly is a special place,” says Rosen-Jones, reflecting on the project after its completion. “[91ֱ��] is small enough so that we celebrate our victories together and we suffer our losses together. It is the kind of place where you can make a positive difference in people’s lives.”</p> <p>Visit the 91ֱ�� College Flickr page to see more <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWxGdXY" target="_blank">Community Paint Day photos</a>.</p> <p><br> </p> <p> </p> <p><br> </p> <p><br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-09-14T12:00:00Z">Tue, 09/14/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</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=2572">Downtown 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2385">Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25436">Studio Art</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25276">Latin American Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/art" hreflang="und">Studio Art</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/latin-american-studies" hreflang="und">Latin American Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">We Are 91ֱ�� mural is located on the back of the 91ֱ�� Bookstore.</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">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Critical Language Scholarship Recipient Boosts His Sense of Identity</h1> <p>ygay — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:32:26 +0000</p> <span>Critical Language Scholarship Recipient Boosts His Sense of Identity</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-07-28T13:32:26-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 13:32">Wed, 07/28/2021 - 13:32</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Raavi Asdar’s Critical Language Scholarship not only helped him explore his own sense of self but exposed him to other cultures, all of which play a key factor as he ponders a career abroad after graduation. </p> <p>The <a href="https://clscholarship.org" target="_blank">Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program</a> grants students the opportunity to spend eight to ten weeks studying one of 15 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. CLS winners traditionally study abroad in the summer, however, because of the pandemic, the program will take place online. CLS, a U.S. Department of State program is part of an initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering world languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. </p> <p>Asdar, a third year <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" target="_blank">history</a> major with minors in <a href="/russian-and-east-european-studies" target="_blank">Russian and Eastern European Studies</a> and <a href="/middle-east-and-north-africa-studies" target="_blank">Middle East and North African Studies</a>, is fluent in Urdu. </p> <p>Although Urdu was spoken in Asdar’s home in Austin, Texas, he and his brother would respond to their parents in English. </p> <p>However, as Asdar grew older, he began to feel as if he was denied a part of his identity and "resented not being taught how to speak, read, or write Urdu. [After leaving home], that resentment transformed into a sense of responsibility to learn Urdu for myself,” he says. “I sought out the CLS Urdu program as a way to learn my parents' mother tongue and gain a firmer sense of my own identity.” </p> <p>Asdar was awarded the CLS to Lucknow, the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, last year and engaged in a virtual experience this past fall. Although the pandemic prevented travel, Asdar says his language skills grew during the program, thanks to CLS professors and staff who worked hard to create an intensive language environment.</p> <p>“I felt like I got to know my professors and peers pretty well. There was a certain intimacy gained by using Zoom—sometimes we would see our professor's children in the background or the pets of some of our peers,” he says. “In addition, we were each paired with a language partner who was from Lucknow and usually closer to us in age. We would spend at least a couple hours a week having one-on-one conversations with our partners.”</p> <p>Language partners also presented aspects of Lucknow’s culture, major monuments, food, or history. In exchange, Asdar says, he taught his partner about Texas barbeque, Tex-Mex cuisine, and tourist attractions in his hometown. The group’s weekly cultural activities included guest speakers from the Lucknow community. </p> <p>As Asdar concludes his junior year at 91ֱ�� College, he is confident that the language skills he built will continue to serve him in a variety of ways.</p> <p>“I hope wherever I end up [after 91ֱ��], I can work towards creating a more equitable world in my community,” he says. “I also want to add as a final note, if anyone is thinking of applying for CLS please feel free to reach out and use me as a resource.”</p> <p>Asdar is the recipient of a 2020 Humanity in Action Fellowship to Amsterdam and a member of several clubs and organizations on campus, including the Muslim Student Association, the 91ֱ�� Student Cooperative Association, Bike Coop, Pottery Coop, and Barefoot Dialogues. He cofounded the Maple Syrup Ecological Learning Center.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-07-28T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/28/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</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=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25446">Middle East and North Africa Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25426">Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Raavi Asdar ’22</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">Courtesy of Asdar</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>