MLK keynote speaker delivers powerful message
Resembling more of a sermon than a traditional speech, Eddie Glaude Jr.’s keynote lecture for Colgate’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was a masterful reflection of King’s own style of oration. With dynamism, Glaude prompted his audience to “talk back,” a method of interaction between the speaker and the listeners.  
    Glaude, the professor of religion and chair of the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University, pointed out that a common mistake is to laud King as an example of true democracy achieved. Rather, we should continue his legacy and strive for better: “Dr. King’s dream reveals that we are still sleepwalking,” he said. Glaude reminded the audience that the civil rights movement did not pertain only to the African-American population, but to the American population as a whole because it challenged the very fabric of our “democratic” freedom. Calling for change and leadership, Glaude urged students, staff, and faculty to aspire to genuine democratic transformation and to “challenge what we are committed to fundamentally.”
    At the end of the lecture, the audience was given the chance to ask questions. Andrea Finley ’12 asked whether Glaude saw a place for academia in this movement for change. Glaude used his own position in higher education as an example in his response. He affirmed that we need to ask ourselves, as he did, these difficult questions: “What am I doing, and what are my skill sets contributing? We have to figure out how to [rise up] in light of our own unique skill sets.”
    Colgate’s weeklong celebration opened with a dinner at Syracuse University and continued with a variety of workshops, speakers, events, and brown bag lunches on campus. Each event touched on not only King’s legacy, but also the civil rights issues that continue to exist today. The National Abolition Hall of Fame also was represented at Colgate in the form of traveling panels that were displayed at on campus.
— Marilyn Hernandez-Stopp ’14

Terica Adams ’12 performed during Colgate’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.  Photo by Andrew Daddio

Two top Colgate appointments
At the end of January, President Jeffrey Herbst announced the selection of Douglas A. Hicks as Colgate’s next provost and dean of the faculty — as well as a professor of religion — effective July 1. Then, in March, Suzy M. Nelson was named dean of the college, effective in June.

Photo by Mike Topham

    Hicks will join Colgate after 13 years at the University of Richmond, where he currently serves as a professor of leadership studies and religion in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. Also at the University of Richmond, Hicks was the founding leader for the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement. His research focuses on religion in public life and the ethical dimensions of economic issues. Having authored four books, he has been published widely by both academic presses and in the popular media. He is also an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church.
    In 2006, Hicks was selected for the Distinguished Educator Award at the University of Richmond, and he is a 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia, the highest faculty recognition given by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
    Nelson, who has served more than 20 years as a university leader, administrator, and instructor, will join Colgate after seven years at Harvard University, where she most recently held the post of dean of student life.
    Nelson supervised five senior managers and 13 academic deans in an organization of 100 staff members responsible for residential and student life, including the residential house system for 6,500 undergraduates, one non-residential house for off-campus students, housing operations, student activities, the Harvard College Women’s Center, the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, BGLTQ Programs, Public Service, and other programs. She led a review of Harvard’s residential system, partnered with the faculty to improve advising and support services for students, addressed high-risk drinking, and clarified crisis protocols.
    Before joining Harvard, Nelson was the Robert G. Engel Associate Dean of students at Cornell University (1998–2005), responsible for advising and evaluating 67 Greek-letter organizations. During that time, Cornell created a plan for new residential colleges that would function as parallel living-learning environments. She also co-taught a leadership seminar for undergraduates. From 1993 to 1998, Nelson served as assistant director for leadership and student organizations, and director of Greek life, at Syracuse University. She has published and presented widely on the complex issues and practices related to student life on college campuses.

Cornel West returns to campus to inspire, provoke
A lecture in Memorial Chapel on February 23 marked the return of a man whose impact has persisted in classrooms throughout campus since his last visit. Cornel West first appeared at Colgate in 1996, and his expertise was solicited once again by members of Brothers — a student group focused on fostering multicultural awareness — who wanted to offer a provocative speaker and figure for the celebration of Black History Month.

Cornel West speaks at Memorial Chapel.  Photo by Janna Minehart ’13

    Jennifer Rivera ’14 recalled listening to a recording of West’s 1996 campus lecture last year for her Challenges of Modernity course taught by Professor Jeff Spires. “It was really interesting, [so] when he came back this year, I wanted to see him again,” Rivera said.
    West’s talk this time around combined comedic retort, poetic verse, and political and history lessons. “Do you have the courage to analyze yourself?” West asked. “We live in a society where we live in a cultural, superficial spectacle. Where is the substance?” He prompted his audience to give up individual prejudices, and to search for truth and knowledge.
    A Princeton University professor and author of 19 books, West was able to engage students with pop culture references — something he’s familiar with as guest commentator on the Colbert Report and through his roles in two of the Matrix movies. Yet, his speech proved relevant to people of all ages, affiliations, and beliefs. He encouraged the audience not to rely on superficial forms of pleasure and expedience. He called each person a “brother” and “sister,” fostering a sense of camaraderie throughout his speech.
     “I think there are some questions that people are going to be asking that they never had to confront before,” said Ibrahim Shah ’14, chief of Brothers.
    At the end of the night, West imparted one important piece of advice: “Greatness has to do with your quality of service to others.”
— Marilyn Hernandez-Stopp ’14

Table of Babel
On any given day, one would expect to hear a great deal of chatter when entering Frank Dining Hall during the lunch rush. But thanks to the Table of Babel, every Tuesday you can find a very different kind of conversation.
    Run by the Colgate language departments, these weekly lunchtime alternatives let students practice speaking in different vernaculars during their meals.
    German professor Dierk Hoffmann started this regular gathering in 1995 based on the belief that the key to success in learning a foreign language is “getting as much exposure as possible, not just in the classroom but also in a relaxed conversational setting,” as he explained in the March 1996 Scene.
    The German, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and French tables welcome students of all class levels to practice the language with their peers. As a student sits down to eat, English is left behind, and from that point on, the table’s designated language is the tongue of choice.  
    Individuals who are new to the language have no need to fear — students in 100-level courses are the most frequent attendees. Beginners find help from teaching assistants and professors, as well as from students with more experience speaking the language.
    Even after students have attended the required number of times for individual courses, they often return, saying that they enjoyed the people and conversation.
    Chelsea Wei ’15, a student from China, said of the Table of Babel, “I feel comfortable sinking back into my Chinese while sitting at the Chinese table, and I feel like I’m learning more by being in the presence of others who love the language as much as I do.”
    As for myself, I am considering minoring in Spanish, so I try to attend the Spanish table every Tuesday for lunch. ¡A mi me gusta mucho!
— Natalie Sportelli ’15

Faculty tenure and promotions
Five professors have been approved for tenure and promotion to associate professor. Here are some highlights on each.
    Anthony Chianese, in the Department of Chemistry, studies transition-metal homogenous catalysis. His current work focuses on developing new chemical reactions, to make more efficient use of dwindling petroleum reserves.
    Noor-Aiman Khan, Department of History, has been called upon by the media recently to talk about the unrest in Egypt. Last year, after Khan posted a primer on her Facebook page, explaining why Egyptians were protesting, it went viral and was referenced by popular bloggers.
    Chad Sparber, Department of Economics, focuses his research on the macroeconomic consequences of racial diversity and immigration. Last summer, he co-wrote a paper with his colleague Professor Takao Kato on the effect of H-1B Visa restrictions on international prospective students.
    William Stull, Department of the Classics, was recently given the 2011 Award for Excellence in Teaching by The American Philological Association (APA) — the principal learned society in North America for the study of ancient Greek and Roman languages, literatures, and civilizations. In announcing the award, the APA highlighted Stull’s innovative classroom assignments in a field that is often dominated by straightforward translation exercise. In one such assignment, he asked students to translate Samuel Johnson’s letter to the Earl of Chesterfield into Ciceronian Latin.
    April Sweeney, Department of English/University Theater, has taught, performed, and directed both nationwide and internationally. Sweeney’s latest creative scholarship includes the off-Broadway production of The Rover as well as works that were performed at The Kitchen, Performing Space 122, The Public Theater, and the National Theater of Hungary. Recent projects with Colgate students have included an upstate New York tour of a divised theater piece titled They Say My Name is Alice.
    In addition, two professors have been promoted to full professor: Raymond Douglas, Department of History, and Barry Shain, Department of Political Science. Douglas, who studies modern Britain and Ireland as well as 20th-century Europe, is on the verge of publishing his fifth book, on June 26. Orderly and Humane: The Expulsion of the Germans After the Second World War is about the forced relocation of more than 12,000,000 German civilians, of whom at least a half-million died, by the Allies after World War II.
    Over the past 25 years, Shain has “attempted to uncover the often-lost meaning of the most basic political concepts used in late 18th–century America — most importantly, liberty, rights, and religious freedom — in an effort to make sense of founding American political documents.” This spring, he will finish The Declaration in Historical Context: American State Papers, Petitions, Proclamations, and Letters of the Delegates to the First National Congresses (Yale University Press), and this summer, he will begin work on a companion volume.

Village Green “Stories of Upstate New York” is the theme of the current season of the Hamilton Book and Movie Club, a collaborative program between the Colgate Bookstore and the Hamilton Movie Theater, now in its seventh year. For each of the club’s four, three-month “seasons” per year, Heather Elia, marketing coordinator for the bookstore, selects three books and accompanying movies. The “New York” season (April-June) is featuring The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, Ironweed by William Kennedy, and Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo. Members read the featured book in advance, then meet on the third Thursday of each month to see the film, followed by discussion and a light dinner.     Emotional dysfunction reigned at Hamilton’s Palace Theater as the Palace Players community theater group put on Neil Simon’s play The Odd Couple in March. Art major Andrada Danila ’15 designed the set, which transported the audience back to mid-1960s Manhattan — the backdrop for the three-act tale of perennial slob Oscar Madison and his neurotic, newly divorced roommate, Felix Unger. Under the direction of Dominick Pangallo, The Odd Couple was one of four plays presented by the Palace Players this year. You can see photos from the show at www.palacetheater.org/theoddcouple.     Two new businesses have filled open niches in Hamilton.     Sheridonna’s Salon got rolling in December, with the help of Thomas Cruz-Soto, assistant dean for multicultural affairs. Cruz-Soto has been advocating for the creation of an ethnic salon in downtown Hamilton, and his vision fell into place when he met Sheridonna Wilson-Bedell, a Syracuse University junior who is a fashion design major with a minor in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprise. Wilson-Bedell, who earned her cosmetology license five years ago, is both a stylist and a barber. Her services include braids, twists, dreadlocks, and cuts, starting at $15. “I love to make people look beautiful and give them that extra boost of confidence,” Wilson-Bedell said. Located at 2 Broad Street, Sheridonna’s Salon is open Friday through Sunday, 12–5 p.m. Photo by Andrew Daddio)     Carrie Blackmore ’08 and Matt Whalen are the founders of Good Nature Brewing, Inc., a nano-brewing company specializing in hand-crafted, all-natural ales. The two came up with the business idea over a pint at the Colgate Inn when they realized there was a dearth of local beers on tap. The brewery opened its doors just off of Lebanon Street on January 12. All of the hops are grown by farmers in nearby Munnsville, N.Y. Currently, 90 percent of their beer is sold in the tasting room, but Blackmore and Whalen are hoping to have their brews available in bars and restaurants across central New York. For now, they’ve found success with the Colgate Inn as their exclusive wholesale account: at the “Tap Takeover” event on January 27, the first keg was kicked in 17 minutes. — Contributors: Chuck Fox ’70, manager of the Hamilton Theater; Elizabeth Stein ’12; and Mark Walden

JoAnn Pagano retires
Longtime professor of educational studies JoAnn Pagano retired in December 2011. Specializing in curriculum theory, philosophy of education, women and education, and English and social studies curriculum, Pagano has been a faculty member since 1981.
Over the years, she taught in the Elderhostel Program, piloted two core courses, and served on several committees. Pagano’s strong interest in women’s studies led her to revise the Women and Education course, serve on the Women’s Studies Advisory Committee, and help develop the course Gender and Film. In addition, she was chair of the Department of Educational Studies (1990–1996, 2002–2005) and led General Education 102 (1990–1993).
    Among her numerous published works, Pagano’s books include Exiles and Communities: Teaching in the Patriarchal Wilderness (SUNY Press, 1990) and co-authorship of Preparing Teachers as Professionals: The Role of Education and Other Liberal Disciplines (Teachers College Press, 1989). Pagano was both vice president and president of the American Educational Studies Association from 1996 to 1998.
    “Jo Anne’s quiet intelligence and genuine kindness made her a mentor for not only her students but also her colleagues,” said Kay Johnston, chair of educational studies.

Recognized for number of Peace Corps volunteers
Colgate ranks No. 15 on the 2012 top Peace Corps volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the small schools category. Currently, 18 alumni serve overseas, as volunteers in Benin, Bulgaria, Gambia, Guatemala, Liberia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Tonga, Ukraine, and Zambia. They work in areas including agriculture, education, environment, health and HIV/AIDS, and business development. Since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961, 335 Colgate alumni have served.
    The rankings were calculated based on fiscal year 2011 data as of September 30, 2011, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.

Canoeing the Everglades
Twelve Colgate students and staff members ventured into alligator territory during winter break as part of a trip organized by the Outdoor Education Program. The group spent seven days and six nights canoeing through Everglades National Park, exploring mangrove forests, the Gulf of Mexico, and everything in between.

Michael Savage, assistant director of outdoor education, prepares for a fourth day of paddling through the Everglades by looking at satellite images. The group was preparing to navigate through Charley Creek, which starts as shallow marsh before turning into winding mangrove tunnels, and is listed as impassable on official park maps. Photo by Sam Ward

    “It was like going through a maze,” said Christine Heffernan ’12 of paddling through the mangrove tunnels — thin channels of water meandering through forest. Branches arched out over the water, blocking out much of the sunlight that burned brightly above the canopy of trees. At times, the adventurers had to put their paddles in their boats and use their hands to push off of branches; sometimes they had to lie down to duck underneath them. “It was pretty much like a scene out of a movie,” Heffernan added.
    Paddling 10 to 13 miles per day, the group saw a different part of the park each day. They camped on beaches with views looking west over the gulf, as well as on land sites and chickees, which are 12-foot-square wooden platforms raised about 3 feet out of the water. They spent two nights on Pavilion Key, a small island on the western edge of the park.
    While there were a number of alligator sightings, water birds were the ever-present wildlife. Michael and Courtney Savage, the two staff leaders on the trip, guided the group each day, pointing out egrets, herons, osprey, spoonbills, bald eagles, and myriad other birds flying overhead or skittering along the shore.
    To see a video of the excursion, visit www.youtube.com/cuatchannel13.
— Sam Ward