Hallie Ford Museum to Exhibit Two Willamette Faculty Members and Senior Art Majors Works

Each spring the Hallie Ford Museum of Art features the work of Willamette University senior art majors and recent work from selected art faculty. The Senior Art Majors Exhibition, which represents the culmination of their four years at Willamette, and the Bruce Black/Tracy MacEwan: Recent Work Exhibition will open on Saturday, April 7 and continue through Saturday, May 12 in the Melvin Henderson-Rubio and Atrium galleries.

Characterized by a variety of styles and approaches, the Senior Art Majors Exhibit features work in a variety of media, including painting, printmaking, drawing, ceramics and mixed media. In addition, the exhibition will feature a section devoted to senior theses in art history.

Bruce Black and Tracy MacEwan are part-time faculty at Willamette. Black holds an MFA degree from the University of Delaware and teaches painting and drawing. MacEwan holds an MFA degree from the University of Oregon and teaches photography.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at 700 State Street in Salem. The galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and students over 13 years old. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Tuesday is a free day for all admissions. For further information or directions, call 503-370-6855, or visit the Hallie Ford Museum on the web.

The Senior Art Majors exhibition has been supported, in part, by a grant from The Wyss Foundation.

[ email this story ]

Willamette Student Receives National Science Foundation Research Fellowship

Willamette University senior biology major Briana Gross, a native of Boise, Idaho, has won a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Gross is only one of eight students attending Oregon universities who were awarded 2001 fellowships.

This fellowship provides three years of support with an approximate value of $27,000 per year. Over 900 fellowships in the sciences, mathematics and engineering are awarded nationwide each year.

Last year, she received a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship awarded to students with potential to make significant contributions to research in the sciences, mathematics and engineering. After graduation, Gross will attend graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington and work towards a doctorate in plant evolutionary genetics.

While at Willamette University, Gross has participated in many research projects. She initiated a research project investigating the interspecific hybridization between two species of camas lily. The summer following her sophomore year, she entered Willamette's Science Collaborative Research Program, developing a protocol for testing gossypol analogs, most widely known as a male contraceptive which could lead to a "male pill."

Even with Gross' strong background in science, she is a talented musician. She plays the oboe for several performing ensembles and was responsible for organizing Willamette's Holiday Concert during her sophomore year.

[ email this story ]

Wulapalooza Art And Music Festival To Be Held On Willamette Campus

Willamette students will hold the 4th annual Wulapalooza music, art and Earth festival on Brown Field, located next to the Putnam University Center, from 11 a.m. to mid-night on Saturday, April 28.

Wulapalooza is an annual art, music and Earth festival that provides a venue for student artists and musicians to demonstrate their talents as well as celebrate planet Earth. The festival is organized and produced entirely by students.

Two stages will provide live music throughout the day, with Native American dancers kicking-off the festivities at 11 a.m. Four headlining bands are scheduled to appear throughout the day:

• Rubberneck – a Latin-funk band from Portland, Ore.
• Hanuman – an eclectic blend of bluegrass, funk, roots/rock and old jazz standards from Seattle, Wash.
• West Coast Rhythm Section – psychedelic acid jazz funk from Sacramento, Calif.
• Herschel Patch and the Gleakers – homegrown, acoustic-groove storytelling from Salem, Ore.

There will be an array of international food booths and a "student art village" where Willamette students will have artwork on display and for sale. An activity tent will feature several fun projects for children including face painting, tie-dyeing, paper-mache, jewelry making and pottery making.

This festival is free and open to the Salem community, giving the artists and musicians of Willamette University valuable exposure beyond the campus community. For further questions, please contact Tricia Durgin, coordinator for residential life and auxiliary services, 503-370-6212.

[ email this story ]

Willamette to Host Jazz Evening

The Willamette University Music Department is offering an exciting evening of Jazz on Friday, April 27, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. in Smith Auditorium on Willamette's campus. Admission is free.

The program will feature Willamette University's Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Martin Behnke, and the Willamette Singers, under the direction of Dr. Wallace H. Long Jr. The program will also include student jazz combos.

The featured piece to be performed by the Jazz Ensemble is "Towednack," an extended work by Robert Curnow. This piece is described as having a "quasi Celtic" feel to it because of the Celtic-like melodies played throughout. Their performance will also include featured performances of the six senior students who are graduating from the group. These students include Luke Sales, Collin Conway, Jennifer Harding, Joleah Jung, Casey Whelan and Miles Ward.

The Willamette Singers will be featuring an arrangement of "Them There Eyes" as recorded by Diane Schuur on her In Tribute album. "Them There Eyes" was originally recorded in 1939 by Billie Holiday and has since then been recorded by master rhythm-guitarist Freddie Green, and Jazz great Duke Ellington. Other songs to be performed by the Willamette Singers will include "That Old Black Magic" arranged by Kirby Shaw and "Farmer"s Market" arranged by Dave Cazier. Graduating seniors performing in their last Singer"s concert are Jeffrey Baker and Katie Ray.

For more information, contact the Music Office in the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center, Willamette University at 503-370-6255.

[ email this story ]

Willamette University Theatre Presents: “Art In Action”

Willamette University Theatre will present its annual spring dance concert - "Art in Action." Combining performances in modern dance with humorous interpretations of classical ballet, "Art in Action" explores themes of the human condition sometimes going a little over the edge.

Running for only one weekend, "Art in Action" previews on March 8 at 8:00 p.m. Evening performances are on March 9 and 10 at 8:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on March 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for evening shows and $8 for matinees. Student and senior tickets are $6 for all shows. The preview show is half price. For ticket reservations, please contact the box office at 503-370-6221. For additional information, contact Jen Druback, Willamette University Theatre publicity manager, at 503-370-6222.

Kimberly Christensen, artistic director for the concert, has been the dance instructor at Willamette University for five years. She also teaches at the University of Oregon and danced with the Van Ummersen Dance Company. This year's guest choreographer, Walter Kennedy, was a principal dancer and master teacher for nearly 20 years with the internationally acclaimed Lewitzky Dance Company. Prof. Clay Everett and Willamette student Lindsay Linx Alexanderson '02 will be creating the lighting design.

[ email this story ]

Willamette Student Receives Udall Scholarship

Willamette University student Evan Larson, a junior majoring in environmental sciences, has been awarded a Morris K. Udall Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 to 75 undergraduates each year to study the environment and related fields.

A founding member of the Willamette chapter of Roots and Shoots, and a member of the Outdoors Club, Larson, of Milaca, Minn., plans to earn a master's degree in environmental education from the Audubon Expedition Institute. Last fall he volunteered with the Twenty-first Century Community Schoolhouse, a Salem charter school, teaching greater awareness of environmental issues. He is currently with the School for Field Studies in the British West Indies, researching sustainable harvest techniques for local fishermen.

A graduate of Milaca Public High School, Evan was captain of the football team and junior varsity wrestling captain. His home borders the 29,000 acre Rum River State Forest. With his family, Evan has worked with the Minnesota Forestry Service documenting poorly executed clear-cuts and helping create better environments for new forest growth.

This summer Evan will be co-teaching a forestry care-taking course with a Maine master guide, teaching loggers, foresters, and private landowners about environmentally friendly logging methods. He will also participate in the Science Collaborative Research Program, under the direction of Willamette Professor Karen Arabas, researching dendroecology and island biogeography.

[ email this story ]

Hallie Ford Museum Presents Southwestern Basketry

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art will present an exhibition of Southwestern basketry in the Study Gallery through May 19, 2001.

Organized by Anthropology Professor Rebecca Dobkins, the exhibition will explore the role of baskets in Southwestern myth, legend and life. Included in the exhibition will be rarely seen selections from the permanent collection, including outstanding works of Apache, Hopi, Tohono O'odham (Papago), Akimel O'odham (Pima) and Southern California basketweavers.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a wide variety of lectures and films will be presented. On Wednesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Roger Hull Lecture Hall, Dobkins will present an illustrated slide lecture on the historical development of Southwest basketry, with an emphasis on indigenous understanding of baskets and the creative adaptations weavers made in response to the expansion of the collector market in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Roger Hull Lecture Hall, several films will be shown: "Hopi: Songs of the Fourth World" (color, 30 minutes) and "The Return of the Navajo Boy" (color, 60 minutes). Admission to the lecture and films is complimentary.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at 700 State Street in Salem. The galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and students over 13 years old. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Tuesday is a free day for all admissions. For further information or directions, call 503-370-6855, or visit the on the web.

[ email this story ]

Willamette University Announces Its Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients

Willamette University announces its commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients for the commencement celebration on Sunday, May 13, 2001, at 3 p.m. in the Willamette University Quad.

This year's commencement speaker will be the Rev. William Sloane Coffin, former chaplain of Yale University. Willamette's two honorary degree recipients are Lillian Cingo, a highly recognized South African nurse, and Grace Paley, an award-winning author. Coffin will receive an honorary doctorate of divinity. Cingo will receive an honorary doctorate of public service, and Paley will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Coffin, an advocate for peace, civil rights and other social justice movements, has actively campaigned against racial segregation and America's military involvement in Vietnam. He was one of seven "freedom riders" arrested for protesting segregation laws in Montgomery, Ala. Coffin was also arrested for protesting the Vietnam War.

Coffin served as chaplain of Yale University for 18 years, as minister of Riverside Church in New York City and as president of SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security (Peace Action), the largest U.S. peace and justice organization. As president of SANE/FREEZE, he was widely acknowledged as a leading proponent of a new political thinking that recognizes the fundamental connections among peace, the environment and social justice. Coffin is also the author of four books, including a Passion for the Possible and his autobiography, Once to Every Man.

Cingo, a black South African who grew up on the Eastern Cape of South Africa, has won gold medals for being the best nurse in South Africa in 1956 and 1961. Cingo left South Africa 15 years after government sponsored apartheid regulations, a source of civil unrest, were imposed on its black citizens. She continued her nursing career in London where she was twice nominated as British Nurse of the Year in the 1970s and was presented to the queen as the best neurosurgical nurse in London. Upon Nelson Mandela's release from prison, Cingo returned to her homeland after 30 years living abroad. In 1994, she helped to begin the Phelophepa ("Good, Clean Health") Health Care Train in rural Africa. Today the train, which treats more than 40,000 patients annually, consists of 16 coaches with highly sophisticated health care equipment. Cingo transformed one of the coaches on the train into an apartment where she lives, manages the health care services and educates people on the importance of health care.

Willamette University Commencement Poetry and short fiction author, Paley has taught at Columbia and Syracuse Universities. She currently teaches at City College of New York, where she is writer-in-residence, and at Sarah Lawrence College, where she has taught creative writing and literature for 18 years. Paley has won several awards including the Edith Wharton Citation of Merit, a Guggenheim fellowship, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and an award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. In 1987, Paley was awarded a Senior Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, in recognition of her lifetime contribution to literature. In addition to Paley's numerous accolades, three of her short stories were made into a feature film released in the early 1980s titled "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute."

"Willamette's commencement speaker and honorary degree candidates embody a lifelong commitment to service, philanthropic leadership and distinguished reputations in international academics and education," said Willamette President M. Lee Pelton. "Our graduating students should be inspired with these exceptional leaders and their extraordinary accomplishments and contributions to the world."

[ email this story ]

Willamette to Host Annual Hawaiian Luau

The Hawaii Club of Willamette University will host the annual Hawaiian luau on Saturday, April 21, 2001, in Willamette University's Cone Field House in the Sparks Center. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. with entertainment to follow.

This event sells out every year. Tickets will be available starting Monday, April 2 through the University Center and Office of Multicultural Affairs. Ticket prices are $12 advance purchase ($15 at the door) for Willamette University students, faculty and staff, seniors, students and children 7-12; $15 advanced purchase ($17 at the door) for general admission; free for children 6 and under.

This year's theme is "Livin' Aloha." The menu will include: Kalua pig, teriyaki meatballs, Yakisoba noodles, chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon, poi, coconut cake and punch. The dinner will be followed by a Polynesian show, which will include Polynesian dancing performed by the Willamette Hawaiian Club.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 503-370-6265.

[ email this story ]

Willamette Creates Its Most Academically Competitive Scholarship

Willamette University has created the Willamette Trustee Scholarship Fund, the most academically competitive scholarship that Willamette offers. The fund, recognizing both academic achievement and community involvement, was established through the generous endowment of $2 million from a lifetime trustee who has requested to remain anonymous. It will have additional ongoing support from other members of the Willamette Board of Trustees.

The fund will help ensure that Willamette continues to attract some of the country's most outstanding students. The Willamette Trustee Scholarship Fund will provide five members of the 2001 incoming freshman class with scholarships of $18,000 per year. The scholarships are renewable annually for a maximum of four years.

As with other Willamette scholarships, recipients will be chosen by the University's internal admissions committee. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Must have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.85
• Must have a minimum SAT combined math and verbal score of 1,400 or an ACT composite score of at least 31
• Must demonstrate active and substantive engagement in extracurricular or community activities and/or leadership positions

"We are using this scholarship to bring in the best and the brightest students from around the country," said Robin Brown, vice president for enrollment.

"This is one of the most prestigious merit-based awards offered by Willamette." "This scholarship strengthens the University's commitment to academic excellence," said President M. Lee Pelton. "We are delighted that our board of trustees has put their generous support behind such an important scholarship."

[ email this story ]

Willamette University Theatre Presents: “Tartuffe”

Willamette University Theatre will perform its final production of this season, Tartuffe, by Molire, directed by guest artist Leslie Brott.

The production will open Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. with a preview on Thursday, April 19, also at 8 p.m. The show will run April 20-21 and 26-28 at 8 p.m., with matinees on April 22 and 29 at 2 p.m., and April 26 at 11 a.m. The April 29 performance will be signed for the hearing impaired. A post-show discussion with the cast and crew will be held at the April 26 performance.

Tickets are $10 for evening shows and $8 for matinees. Student and senior tickets are $6 for all shows. Preview is half price. For ticket reservations, please contact the box office at 503-370-6221. For additional information, contact Jen Druback, Willamette University Theatres publicity manager, at 503-370-6222.

"Tartuffe" is among the greatest literary reflections of religious hypocrisy ever written. A hilariously witty satire, Molire shatters social conventions that continually ring in the ears of present day audiences. Set in 17th century Paris, Orgon, a wealthy aristocrat, adopts the religious zealot, Tartuffe, into his household. Orgon is so taken with the seemingly pious man, that he offers Tartuffe everything in his grasp - money, luxury, even his daughter. However, Tartuffe is not as pious and pure as he lets on. The other members of the household are not as eager as Orgon to accept Tartuffe as their proverbial savior and try to help Orgon realize his folly in his philanthropic misadventures.

Tartuffe is Leslie Brott's directorial debut at Willamette University. She appeared as a guest artist in Willamette Theatre's 1996 production of The Sea, by Edward Bond. Brott is a member of Actors Equity Association, and has extensive acting and directing experience throughout the country at prestigious theaters such as the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Shakespeare Company and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.

[ email this story ]

Two Willamette Students Named 2001 Truman Scholarship Recipients

The Truman Foundation has announced that Willamette University juniors Anna Carpenter and Russell Bither-Terry have been selected as a 2001 Truman Scholar, two of 75 juniors nationwide.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards $30,000 merit-based scholarships to college juniors who intend to pursue careers in government or public service and plan to attend graduate or professional school to help prepare for their careers.

Anna Carpenter, a native of Mesquite, Nev., has been involved in the Willamette University Women's Center, in Students for Choice, in Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, as a domestic violence hotline worker for the Mid Valley Women's Crisis Services and as an abortion clinic escort.

Carpenter wants to address the unequal status of women in society, especially low-income women. She will apply for the 2002 Washington Summer Institute, offered to 40 Truman Scholars each year, where she would like to work in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Administration to Children and Families. Upon graduation, she plans to attend New York University School of Law. After working for a public interest law organization such as the National Organization for Women Legal Defense and Education Fund, she hopes to run for elected office and work toward legislation that promotes gender equity. Ultimately, Carpenter would like to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Russell Bither-Terry, a junior majoring in politics, attended high school in Whitefish, Mont., and currently hails from Eagle River, Alaska.

Bither-Terry is co-chair of the Willamette Socialist Union (WSU) and a member of Willamette Students for Peace and Justice. He helped to organize voter registration activities and a campaign to encourage Willamette to adopt a "code of conduct" for manufacturers of University apparel. He encouraged the WSU to become involved in local politics, contributing to a policy document "An Agenda for a Livable Salem" now under review by the Salem City Council.

He has also taught citizenship classes for Mexican immigrants and served as an Oregon delegate to the National Green Party Convention in Denver last June. He contributes to the Collegian and the Willamette Community Press, and can be seen regularly playing his guitar during "open mic" night at the Willamette Bistro.

Bither-Terry intends to earn a doctorate in International Relations and Public Policy from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He hopes to work with Oxfam to advocate for impoverished peoples and facilitate third-world economic development

In the past three years, five Willamette students have received Truman scholarships. Willamette University was the only private institution named as a 2000 Truman Honor Institution.

[ email this story ]

Willamette to Hold Forum On Measure 7

Willamette University's Public Policy Research Center will sponsor a policy forum entitled "Initiatives and Mandates: The Status of Measure 7 and "Takings' in Oregon" on Wednesday, April 18, 2001, from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Hatfield Room, 2nd Floor - Hatfield Library. The forum will feature two panel discussions: "The Rationale for "Takings' Policies" at 1:30 p.m. and the "The Future of Measure 7" at 3:00 p.m.

The passage of Measure 7 has become a catalyst for debate about land use regulation, property rights, environmental protection and quality of life issues for all Oregonians. The purpose of this forum is to engage the general public, the capitol community and the campus community in a dialogue beyond the pros and cons of the measure.

The forum aims to place the passage of Measure 7 in context with "takings' policies within and beyond Oregon, to explore the rationale behind "takings' policies and to look at alternative policy options. The forum will also provide up-to-date information on the status of Measure 7 and legal and legislative responses to the measure and offer differing perspectives on the future impact of the measure for local and municipal governments, individual property owners and for Oregon as a whole. The panelists will include representatives of grassroots land use, property rights and environmental advocacy groups, legal and legislative experts, researchers, and urban and rural policy makers.

This forum is free and open to the public. For a tentative schedule, visit the Public Policy Research Center web site or contact Carol Freedman.

[ email this story ]

Willamette to Graduate First Class in State of Oregon Certificate of Public Management

Willamette University Atkinson Graduate School of Management's first State of Oregon Certificate of Public Management graduating class of 39 students will celebrate the completion of the program on Thursday, April 12 at 3 p.m. in the Cone Chapel, 2nd floor Waller Hall. The graduation is open to the public.

This innovative program is offered to enhance the decision-making, stewardship and leadership skills of Oregon management personnel and to promote career opportunities for current state employees. The primary objective of the program is to foster a successful management team in Oregon's state government.

Successful completion of eight courses over a two-year period will lead to receipt of the Certificate of Public Management and will result in creation of a student transcript at Willamette, reflecting 12 credit hours toward a Master of Management degree.

The curriculum for this program is composed of portions of courses taught at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. This program was created as a partnership between the state of Oregon and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

Courses offered in the Certificate of Public Management program have included:

• Strategic Marketing for Public & Non-Profits
• Quantitative Analysis
• Organizational Design & Change
• Markets & Government
• Management Control
• Human Resources, Leadership & Negotiation
• Information Technology Strategic Management
• Team Building
• Public Finance

Students were required to take eight of the 10 courses offered.

For more information on the graduation, contact the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at 503-370-6440.

[ email this story ]