Chihuly glass installation wows at Cordiner

The Whitman community gathered at Cordiner Hall last Friday to celebrate the installation of “Sunfire Persian” by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly. In the crowded foyer, attendees marveled at the 17 individual pieces of glass spaced throughout the large vertical windows above the main entrance doors.

“Imagine turning sand, the cheapest substance in the world, into that!” said Mark Anderson ’78, local artist and president of the Walla Walla Foundry, quoting Chihuly himself. “If that’s not alchemy, what is it?”

“Sunfire Persian” is part of Chihuly’s multi-decade Persian series, which is inspired by Middle Eastern glassworks and the rich aesthetic of ancient Persia. It is the first of two major gifts to the college from Chihuly and Anderson. The second gift, a 16-foot tall bronze Ikebana flower sculpture, will be produced by the Walla Walla Foundry in cooperation with Chihuly this spring.

In his remarks, President George Bridges thanked the artist and Anderson, and also expressed his gratitude for the hard work of the physical plant staff and Chihuly’s installation team, as well as the Whitman Art Advisory Committee. “Without their personal efforts to secure and place ‘Sunfire Persian,’ we would not be standing here today,” he said.

Michelle Acuff, assistant professor of art, spoke about the role of the arts in a liberal arts education, noting how discussions of works like Chihuly’s could be refracted through a prism of many different disciplines. “On this campus the simple question ‘what is glass?’ could literally generate many hours of conversation,” she said. “I can think of no better place from which to look at, experience and interpret art than from where we stand now.”

Kurt Hoffman, professor of physics, appreciated both the art itself and its connection to the field of physics. His students create colored glass to study the functional aspect of the material. “It reminds me of seashells, natural objects somehow modified in the process of making glass,” he said. “In class we look at applications as opposed to visually what gets absorbed or reflected. We engineer specific optical properties.”

Kynde Kiefel, exhibitions and collections manager for Sheehan Gallery, admired the work from the perspective of an individual whose job includes populating the campus with art: “You can’t not look at the building now,” she said “I do feel like it really adds a light and a blooming aspect. There’s a new growth to the building itself.”

“Sunfire Persian” shines brilliantly in different ways, at night and during the daylight. Photographer Greg Lehman returned to campus to capture what event-goers did not see at the unveiling. Click for full size.

Printed Campus Directory available for order; check your People Search listing

The 2011-12 Campus Directory is available for ordering. In an effort to support sustainability and conservation, as well as provide the directory in a timely and efficient way, the new edition of the directory is scaled down. Specifically, it contains listings by academic departments and by administrative offices, etc. Each department/office/program listed includes the names and phone numbers of staff/faculty in those areas. Unlike past editions, the directory does not include individual listings of staff and faculty members, as that information is readily available on People Search. The exception to this is that the directory will preserve and include the listings of local emeriti and retired faculty and staff. Note that People Search also can be used to search by department/office/program in many (but not all) cases.

A printed copy of the directory costs $1. To order, send an email to pubprint@whitman.edu. Please indicate how many copies, campus budget number to be charged and requested delivery name/location. Orders will be filled within one week.

A PDF version of the directory will be available online at this password-protected web page: https://netfiles.whitman.edu/Misc/directory/campus-directory.pdf.

Also: Staff and faculty are urged to check your listing in People Search, to make sure it is current. If not, please email your changes/corrections to Mary Luckstead in the Human Resources Office, at luckstd@whitman.edu.

PAC hosts campus tour for staff

The Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC) invites all staff members to join them for a tour of the campus Wednesday, Oct. 26. Although the event is targeted at new employees, all staff members are welcome to take this opportunity to learn more about the Whitman campus.

“The benefit of attending is to step away from your everyday surroundings and take a look at the bigger picture of our campus,” says Serena Aufderhar, receptionist for admission and current committee member. “We hope that those who have been at Whitman for a while will also enjoy the chance to see the campus through fresh eyes.”

This event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and pastries in Memorial 328, followed by an hour-long tour starting at 9 a.m. and led by student tour guides from the Admission Office.

With questions or to RSVP, contact Aufderhar at aufdersj@whitman.edu by Friday, Oct. 21, or call her at x5176.

Faculty news briefs

Charly Bloomquist

Mare Blocker

Mare Blocker, lecturer of art, and Charly Bloomquist, adjunct assistant professor of art, collaborated on a piece currently on display at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts and History in Lewiston, Idaho. The exhibition, titled Bookworks, is part of the gallery’s invitational book arts and letterpress show, which includes the work of book artists from across the Pacific Northwest and will run through Dec. 23. Blocker, who also co-curated the exhibit, asked book artists to submit slides of work which would juxtapose with themes in Maya Lin’s Confluence project, also on display at the museum. Her collaborative work with Bloomquist, “Archive: threshold,” illustrates a conversation between his non-traditional photographic process prints and Blocker’s sewn, pierced or cut marks. The exhibit also features the work of local artist Squire Broel and alumnae Margaret Jamison ’74, Elena Mitchel ’10 and Lara Mehling ’11.

Chetna Chopra

Kari Tupper

Chetna Chopra, adjunct instructor of general studies, and Kari Tupper, adjunct assistant professor, are among the Whitman faculty and staff helping to organize Walla Walla’s participation in this year’s national “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event, which takes place Wednesday, Oct. 19. The event includes a noon walk from Heritage Park to the county courthouse, followed by a 6 p.m. candlelight vigil at Land Title Plaza for victims of domestic and sexualized violence. This is the second year Walla Walla has participated in this nationwide event, which is celebrating its tenth year of advocating against gender violence. “The Walk a Mile March is uniquely significant because it provides an opportunity for men to stand up publicly, in visible and unequivocal solidarity with women,” Tupper says. “I think it takes courage for men – not to dress in heels, but to do something about gender-based violence. Sexual assault and domestic violence are typically construed as ‘women’s issues,’ and yet paradoxically, violence against women is quite substantially a men’s issue. Men perpetrate it. Walk a Mile puts this reality front and center. When men show up, they show that they are willing to act – symbolically and otherwise – to create a more equal, safe environment for women.” Visit the Walla Walla YWCA web site for more information.

Helen Knowles, visiting assistant professor of politics, recently presented her research at the annual meeting of the American Journalism Historians Association in Kansas City, Mo. She is in the process of writing an article about a 1937 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of Washington state minimum wage law for women. Titled “A landmark left un-covered? State and local newspaper coverage of West Coast Hotel v. Parrish,” her article focuses on local newspaper coverage of the case. Also: last month, Knowles participated in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, a walking marathon covering the official 26.2-mile Boston Marathon course. The walk supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, one of the country’s leading cancer facilities. This year marked her eleventh consecutive year of participation. She raised about $3,000, and says she walks in the marathon to honor the memory of family and friends lost to cancer.

Staff changes, transitions

Effective Oct. 11 – Bob Biles has been promoted to landscape supervisor, responsible for all aspects of landscape/grounds maintenance tasks and staff. Biles has worked on the Whitman grounds crew for 16 years and is a past Janice Abraham Award winner. He has been active with the conservation and trees and landscaping committees, led our recycling efforts and helped to create the community neighborhood garden. A little trivia: Biles attended Whitman for a year and played quarterback on one of Whitman’s last football teams.

“Life Skills” links staff with students in non-work learning moments

Jamie Kennedy ’96 instructs students on the finer points of meal preparation

The Student Activities Office has launched a creative way for staff to interact with students – and pass on some important life skills to a younger generation. The Life Skills series is a weekly program in which interested staff members share with students their hobbies and areas of expertise – from changing engine oil to tailoring a pair of pants.

“This series is aimed at teaching students skills they may not necessarily gain in the classroom or through the other opportunities Whitman offers,” says Katharine Curles ’07, student activities and orientation program adviser.

The idea evolved from two popular workshops offered last year, one on mending and another on baking. The series allows for staff who don’t normally get the chance to spend time with students to do so in a casual, engaged environment. First up was Jamie Kennedy ’96, director of planned giving, swim coach and chef extraordinaire. He hosted eight students in his kitchen on Sunday for a crash course on how to turn a chicken into a delicious meal.

Curles says she has already received many replies from staff members hoping to participate, and the fall semester docket is full. “The wealth of responses has been really exciting,” she says.

Other staff on the fall semester schedule include:

• Dona LaFran, administrative assistant for Penrose Library – “More Than Mending”
• Chanel Finnie, administrative assistant in the Development Office – cross-stitching
• Sonja Aikens, administrative assistant for the intercultural center – meditation
• Dag D’Agostino, boiler technician/plumber, joined by other physical plant staff – diagnosing and treating common household problems.

There are still spots available for staff members interested in teaching a course in the spring. Contact Curles at curleske@whitman.edu or x4436 with questions or to sign up.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month – Week 3: Password Safety

Now in our third week of participating in National Cyber Security Awareness Month, WCTS and The Fountain have landed on a topic that applies to everyone: passwords. Passwords unlock everything from our personal emails to banking accounts and much more. But if your password is too easy to guess, it’s not secure – and neither is your information.

“In the wrong hands, your password can do serious damage – to you, your finances, your reputation, the college and more,” says Mike Osterman ’96, IT security officer/deputy director of enterprise technology.

To help promote password safety and prevent a hacking nightmare, here’s a simple list of password-related tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a strong password – longer is better, and using phrases like a line from a favorite poem or song is a good way to make them unique yet memorable.
• Don’t share your passwords – remember, WCTS staff will NEVER ask for your password via unsolicited e-mail or phone call (unless you are getting a new computer). If you are unsure, look up the staff member in People Search and call him or her back at the listed number for verification.
• Use different passwords in different places – in particular, never use your Whitman password anywhere else, as criminals could link it back to the college.
• Don’t write your password down – or if you do, keep it in a very secure place away from where you use it (e.g. in a locked location at home).
• Change your password when you think someone else may have seen or intercepted it. You can use and bookmark this link: Online Password Changer

WCTS also recommends using a password safe tool called KeePass. It’s like a lock-box that stores your passwords; you’ll only have one password/passphrase to remember. Make sure to use a strong passphrase to protect it, however. To learn how, either sign up for a KeePass workshop or do it at your own pace with the new series of screencasts.

The week 3 quiz focuses on good habits you can use every day to keep yourself and the community safe. Remember, if you complete all four quizzes, you’re automatically entered into the grand prize drawing for an iPod Touch!

Take the Week 3 quiz!

Coming Events
All free unless otherwise noted

Monday, 10/17
Women in Leadership Symposium: Noted Seattle philanthropist and former Whitman trustee Colleen Willoughby ’55 hosts this event highlighting women in leadership positions. Panelists include Megan Clubb ’79, president and CEO of Baker Boyer Bank; Katya Matanovic, managing director of the Pomegranate Center; and molecular biologist Janis Wignall. 4 p.m. in Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom.

Monday, 10/17
Lecture: “What is the Point of a Love Poem? Emotional Display in Propertius, and Why it Matters.” Meghan Reedy ’96, assistant professor of classical studies at Dickinson College, will discuss the Roman poet Propertius, author of four books of erotic elegy. 7 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Monday, 10/17
Music: Tatsuya Nakatani. The music and art departments present Tatsuya Nakatani, contemporary percussion. 7:30 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

Tuesday, 10/18
Lecture: “Speaking Civilly and Free Speech.” James C. Foster, Oregon State University at Cascades political science professor, will discuss the challenges of striking a balance between speaking freely and speaking civilly. 7 p.m. in Olin 130.

Thursday, 10/20
Visiting Writers Reading Series: Essayist, poet and editor Carmen Giménez Smith is the winner of the 2010 American Book Award. She is the author of the poetry collections “Odalisque in Pieces,” “The City She Was” and “Goodbye, Flicker,” and a memoir called “Bring Down the Little Birds.” 7 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Thursday, 10/20 to Sunday, 10/23
Theatre: “The Skin of Our Teeth.” Harper Joy Theatre presents the comedy by Thornton Wilder about the fate and foibles of the Antrobus family. Tickets available Oct. 7. Performed on the Alexander Stage; for more information click here.

Friday, 10/21
Music: “New Music Faculty at Fridays at 4.” New music faculty perform a potpourri of works by Mozart, Puccini, Dizzy Gillespie, and more. Performers will include Rachel Chacko, assistant professor of music, Diane Gray-Chamberlain, music assistant, Doug Scarborough, assistant professor of music, Monica Griffin-Hunter, lecturer of music and visiting assistant professors of music Jeremy Mims and Melissa Loehnig. 4 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

Friday, 10/21
Art: “Curiously Aligned: Contemporary Drawing Practices.” Featured artist, Scott Kolbo gives an artist talk, followed by an Opening Celebration in the Sheehan Gallery. Exhibition will also feature Kris Hargis, Angela Katona-Batchelor, MaLynda Poulsen, Cheryl Shurtleff, and Charles Timm-Ballard. 5:30 p.m. in Olin 130.

Friday, 10/21
Music: Sampler Concert. This event features the Whitman Chorale and Chamber Singers, the Whitman Wind Ensemble, the Whitman Orchestra and the Whitman Jazz Ensemble. 7 p.m. in Cordiner Hall.

Monday, 10/24
Summer Read: Author’s Presentation. Anne Fadiman, author of “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down,” will present a lecture as part of the 2011 Summer Read. In the book, Fadiman chronicles the struggles of a Hmong refugee family and their interactions with the American health care system. 7:30 p.m. in Cordiner Hall.

Tuesday, 10/25
Summer Read: May Ying Ly, cultural broker and interpreter for Anne Fadiman during her writing of “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” will present her side of the story. 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Wednesday, 10/26
Reading: “The Hills are Alive and Other Essays on Film, Environment, Whisky, and Flying Ants.” Michael P. Branch is Professor of English at the University of Nevada, Reno. He has published five books and more than 150 articles and reviews on environmental literature. 7 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Wednesday, 10/26
Music: A violin master class with international soloist Rachel Barton Pine. The music department, Intercultural Center and Provost Dean of the Faculty present this master class, also featuring Whitman violin students. 7:30 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

Thursday, 10/27
Music: “Sankusem: An Evening of African-Classical Fusion!” The African Festival makes its Northwest tour, featuring Margaret Ferguson, George Francois, Rachel Barton Pine and Sally Singer Tuttle. 7:30 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

Thursday, 10/27
Classical Liberalism Lecture: “The Tragedy of the Commons Revisited.” Professor Gary Libecap of the University of California, Santa Barbara, visits campus as this year’s Classical Liberalism Speaker. 7:30 p.m. in Olin 130.

Thursday, 10/27
Lecture: Interdisciplinary media artist Hasan Elahi presents his work surrounding the issue of surveillance. Elahi has presented at the Tate Modern, Einstein Forum and the American Association of Artificial Intelligence and is currently an associate professor at the University of Maryland. 7:30 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium.

Saturday, 10/29
Lecture: “Deng Xiaoping, the Man Who Changed China.” Harvard Professor Emeritus Ezra Vogel presents the inaugural lecture in the new David Deal Lecture in Asian Studies series. 4 p.m. in Olin 130.

Monday, 10/31
Film: Screening of the film “Human Terrain” followed by a discussion led by visiting anthropologist and U.S. military expert Brian Selmeski of Air University. 7 p.m. in Olin 130.

Athletic Events – Home Games

Women’s Soccer
Saturday, Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. vs. Pacific University (Athletic Fields)
Sunday, Oct. 23 at 12 p.m. vs. George Fox University (Athletic Fields)

Men’s Soccer
Saturday, Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m. vs. Pacific University (Athletic Fields)
Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m. vs. George Fox University (Athletic Fields)

Women’s Volleyball
Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. vs. Willamette University (Sherwood Center)
Saturday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. vs. Linfield College (Sherwood Center)

Parting Shot
By Greg Lehman, photographer/communications officer

Captured from the catwalk in the Freimann Studio Theatre at HJT, Assistant Professor of Theatre Greg Mitchell gives a lesson on lighting theory. Full size.

The Fountain is published by the Office of Communications. Send news to thefountain@whitman.edu. Photos are accepted. Submissions are due by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the following week’s issue. Editor: Gillian Frew. Managing Editor: Ruth Wardwell Online: www.whitman.edu/fountain