Table of Contents
Wellesleyweek
news
noted
aids researcher luc montagnier visits
wellesley
professor
martin brody named guggenheim fellow
green
hall buzz
susan
vogt is new v p for finance and
treasurer
professor
mary m allen cited for research
programs
u
s news rankings released
colleagues
in the news
calendar
of on-campus events
special
saturday event: cantonese opera performance and
workshops
highlight
of the week
information about wellesleyweek
noted
aids researcher luc montagnier visits
wellesley
Dr. Luc Montagnier, one of the co-discoverers of HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS, will visit the college on September
19 and 20. On Tuesday, September 19, he will give an
informal talk at the French House, entitled “Quelles
leçons tirer de la recherche sur le SIDA?”
(“What Lessons can be Drawn from AIDS Research?”)
Montagnier will give a public lecture at 8:00 pm, Wednesday
evening in Alumnae Hall; the topic is “AIDS and Beyond:
The Challenge of the Emerging Chronic Diseases.” The
event is free and open to the public. Montagnier’s
visit is sponsored by the French and Biological Sciences
Departments, and by the Committee on Lectures and Special
Events.
In 1983, Montagnier, a virologist, and his colleagues at the
Pasteur Institute in Paris discovered the human retrovirus
now known as HIV-1. He has continued to research HIV and
AIDS, including efforts to find a vaccine, and is now a
professor at the City University of New York and the
director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology
there. In July, at the international AIDS conference in
South Africa, Montagnier was one of the most prominent
critics of president Thabo Mbeki and several dissident
scientists who claim that HIV is not the cause of AIDS.
In recent years, Montagnier has begun to focus on other
emerging, and re-emerging, chronic diseases, such as
tuberculosis and cholera. He has been pointing out how
population growth, urban poverty, rapid travel,
globalization, viral adaptability, the overuse of
antibiotics, and various environmental factors influence the
emergence of new epidemics.
“Montagnier takes a very interdisciplinary approach to
the study of these devastating illnesses,” noted
Professor of French Barry Lydgate, who is organizing
Montagnier’s visit to campus. “His ideas and
remarks will be of interest to anyone who seeks a greater
understanding of the environmental, scientific, and social
factors in the emergence of new diseases.”
professor
martin brody named guggenheim fellow
Martin Brody, Catherine Mills Davis Professor of Music, was
awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for music composition
earlier this year. He was one of 182 scholars and artists
selected from a field of nearly three thousand and cited
“on the basis of unusually impressive achievement in
the past and exceptional promise for future
accomplishment.”
The Guggenheim Foundation awarded cash prizes totaling $6.3
million “to further the development of scholars and
artists by assisting them to engage in research in any field
of knowledge and creation in any of the arts, under the
freest possible conditions.” Former famous Guggenheim
Fellows include Ansel Adams, Aaron Copeland, Langston Hughes
and Vladimir Nabokov (who taught at Wellesley from
194148).
An accomplished pianist, Brody teaches composition,
electronic music and music theory. He has composed in many
genres and media. Focusing recently on musical theater, he
has produced an opera, “Heart of a Dog,” and a
work combining aspects of opera and modern dance entitled
“Earth Studies.” His work has been commissioned by
Boston Musica Viva, the National Endowment for the Arts, the
Massachusetts Arts and Humanities Council and other
agencies. Brody has also composed extensively for film and
television and he often writes about contemporary music. He
has been on the faculty at Wellesley since 1979.
green
hall buzz
If you’ve noticed that the folks in Green Hall seem to
be moving with a bit more energy these days, it’s not
just your imagination. It’s not something in the water;
it’s a new coffee machine in the third floor
kitchenette. Thanks to the Dean of the College’s
Office, employees and visitors to Green Hall can have their
choice of 11 kinds of Green Mountain coffee (including three
kinds of decaf), each cup brewed individually and in only 30
seconds--all for a mere 50 cents. The Keurig brand machine
doesn’t make cappuccino or latte, but from the
overwhelmingly positive feedback from Green Hall java fans
during the first week of operation, no one seems to
mind.
susan
vogt is new v p for finance and
treasurer
President Diana Chapman Walsh has named Susan Vogt to be
Wellesley’s new vice president for finance and
treasurer. This new position was created as the result of an
administrative reorganization earlier this year of the
Division of Finance and Administration.
Vogt comes to Wellesley from the Stevens Institute of
Technology in New Jersey where she has been vice president
for administration and finance and treasurer since 1995.
Before her tenure at Stevens, Vogt was associate dean for
administration and planning at the Dartmouth Medical School
from 1981 until 1995.
“Susan brings a wealth of exactly the kind of
experience we need, as well as a fascinating life story, and
an engaging style,” said Walsh. “I look forward to
working with her as a key member of my senior staff
team.”
A Wellesley alumna from the class of 1963, Vogt holds an MBA
from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business
Administration and a M.A. in East Asian Studies from
Yale.
Vogt will arrive on campus on October 4 and will spend the
month learning about the division and her new role while
Vice President Will Reed continues in the position of vice
president of finance. In early November, Vogt will fully
assume the position of chief financial officer and
treasurer.
professor
mary m allen cited for research
programs
Professor Mary M. Allen was honored in June by the Council
on Undergraduate Research (CUR) for her nationally-respected
research program at Wellesley in which students participate
and also co-author resulting publications with her. Allen,
who holds the Jean Glasscock Chair in Biological Sciences,
was one of only two U.S. faculty to be named the first CUR
Fellows.
Allen’s study of the biochemical and environmental
physiology of cyanobacteria is nationally recognized and has
resulted in more than 35 scholarly publicationsmore than
half of which have been co-authored by her undergraduate
students. The Council also cited her for incorporating
research activities into her courses and for having an
impact on the careers of countless students. More than 70
undergraduates have done senior honors thesis research in
Allen’s lab since she joined the Wellesley faculty in
1968. She has recently extended her research model outside
her own field as co-principal investigator of a National
Science Foundation grant for the Integration of Research and
Education, a collaboration of 15 students and 14 professors
in the social sciences.
u
s news rankings released
As it has for the past two years, US
News & World Report
ranked Wellesley fourth among national liberal arts
colleges. This is the ninth consecutive year that Wellesley
has been among the top five colleges in the annual listing.
US News also ranked Wellesley third in the “campus
diversity” category, the highest ranking of any East
Coast college. “These rankings are no surprise to
anyone who knows Wellesley College,” commented Lee
Cuba, Dean of the College. “Although some have concerns
about the methodology of the rankings, it is still nice to
be near the top.”
pamela
baker-webber
from the Wellesley
Centers for Women
recently earned her MBA, summa cum laude, from Babson.
elizabeth
b (betty) febo,
IS-Library, earned her MS in Library Science from
Simmons.
julie
norem,
psychology, has conducted research on the positive effects
of pessimism that received considerable media attention last
month. A New York Times story on the subject featured
Norem’s research on “defensive pessimism,” a
coping strategy which she presented at the recent annual
meeting of the American Psychological Association. The story
was picked up by about a dozen major regional
newspapers.
lorraine
roses,
Spanish, was interviewed recently by the regional television
news magazine “Chronicle” for a segment on the
golden era of Black music and theatre in Boston. Roses is
writing a book on Black culture in Boston between the two
World Wars.
susan
silbey,
sociology, received special recognition in August by the
American Sociology Association, Section on the Sociology of
Law, for her latest book, The Common Place of Law: Stories
from Everyday Life. Written with Patricia Ewick of Clark
University, the book was published by the University of
Chicago Press in 1998.
voncile
white,
first year office, is accustomed to offering tips to parents
of first year college students. In August, the Christian
Science Monitor interviewed White and highlighted her tips
in an article on the transition from high school to
college.
monday
september 18
element
k demo
Introducing Wellesley’s new online training resource:
Element K. This Internet-based solution delivers training
right to your desktopand offers you courses that are
convenient, easy to access, and easy to use. Element K can
help you learn a few new skills or whole new applications.
You can even pick up some tips and shortcuts. There will be
a presentation and a question-and-answer period. 10 - 11am,
Clapp Library PC Classroom. Info: x3594.
catholic
mass
12:30 pm, Newman Conference Room, Chapel basement. Info:
x2688.
buddhist
community gatherings
for meditation and discussion. 8-9 pm, in the Meditation
Room under Houghton Chapel. Beginners welcome. All invited
to midday nirvana (silent sitting) weekdays from 12:30 1
pm. Info: x2793.
tuesday
september 19
lecture
“Quelles leçons tirer de la recherche sur le
SIDA.” Dr. Luc Montagnier gives a talk on AIDS (see
article page 1). 4:30 pm, French House. Sponsor: French
House. Info: x2196.
tennis vs. WPI. 3:30 pm. Keohane Sports Center. Info:
x2900.
workshop
“Gain Clarity and Direction Workshop.” 4:30 pm,
Green Hall 330. Sponsor: Center
for Work and Service.
Info: x2489.
volleyball
vs.
WPI. 7 pm, Keohane Sports Center. Info: x2900.
wednesday
september 20
administrative
council
11 am, Academic Council Room, Green Hall. Info: x3279.
russian
table
Come for tea, cookies, and Russian conversation. 12:30 pm,
Founders 416. Info: x2418.
beach
party
Groove to the music of the Boston band, Dispatch, whose
sound is a fresh combination of rock, reggae, and pop,
similar to those of Sublime, Dave Matthews, and Bob Marley.
Witness this high-energy performance against the backdrop of
Lake Waban. 12:30 - 2 pm, Severance Green Beach. Sponsor:
SBOG.
Info: x2678.
study
abroad informational meeting
1:15 - 2:15 pm, Slater International Center. Info:
x2320.
soccer
vs. Brandeis. 4 pm, Keohane Sports Center. Info: x2900.
graduate school panel 4:30 pm, Science Center 377. Sponsor:
Center for Work and Service. Info: x2356.
bible
study
6:30 pm, Little Chapel. Sponsor: Protestant Christian
Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.
discussion
of new alcohol policy
Members of the Alcohol Advisory Committee and Marta
Lachetta, Alcohol and Other Drug Educator, will present and
explain the College’s newly approved alcohol policy.
Open to all students. Please read the new policy before the
meeting. 7:00 pm, Claflin Living Room. x2929
lecture
“AIDS and Beyond: The Challenge of Emerging Chronic
Diseases.” Speaker: Dr. Luc Montagnier (see article
page 1). 8 pm, Alumnae Hall. Sponsor: French House. Info:
x2196.
sustaining prayer 8 pm, Little Chapel. Sponsor: Protestant
Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.
thursday
september 21
element
k demo
Introducing new online training resource. (See listing under
Monday, Sept 18), 12:30 -1:20 pm, 277 Science Center. Info
x3594.
sustaining
prayer
1:15pm - 1:45pm Little Chapel. Sponsor: Protestant Christian
Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.
catholic
mass
4 pm, Newman Conference Room, Chapel basement. Info:
x2688.
film “An Autumn Afternoon” (Ozu). 4:30 and 7:30
pm, Founders 120. Sponsor: Japanese. Info: x3226.
wellesley-in-aix
informational meeting
Faculty and former Aix students will describe the 4-week
pre-session in Paris and the academic year at the University
of Provence in Aix. 4:45 pm, Clapp Library Lecture Room.
Sponsor: Wellesley-in-Aix Program. Info: x2733
unitarian universalist service and gathering All are
welcome. 6:15 pm, Little Houghton Chapel. Info: x3484.
film
series
in conjunction with “Cold War Modern” exhibit.
Four short films: “Nixon Meets Kruschev: Plain Talk in
Moscow (The Kitchen Debate),” a CBS news special
narrated by Walter Cronkite, “Duck and Cover,”
“In the Suburbs” and “Survival Under Bomb
Attack.” 7 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: Wellesley
College Film Society and Davis
Museum.
Info: x2051.
saturday
september 23
medieval
festival
Daylong event includes: an armored combat tournament,
fencing, dancing, a Commedia del Arte performance, a
medieval feast, a period gaming table, merchants, and much
more. 10 am 10 pm, Alumnae Hall Ball Room and Munger
Meadow. Event is free; nominal fee for buffet. Sponsor:
Felding Medieval Society. Info: x7737.
soccer
vs. Smith. 1 pm, Keohane Sports Center. Info: x2900
cantonese
opera performance and workshops
Workshop 1: Make-up/ Face Painting and Costume. 3-4 pm,
Jewett Auditorium. Workshop 2: Chinese Music Instruments.
4-5 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Performance: A scene from "Tale
of the Purple Hairpin." 5 - 6 pm, Jewett Auditorium.
Sponsor: Chinese. Info: x2188.
sunday
september 24
protestant
service
11:15 am, Little Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Religious Life.
Info: x2655.
poetry
reading
“Celebrating Wellesley’s 125th: An Afternoon of
Poetry with Robert Pinsky and David Ferry.” Discussion
and book signing with Ferry, Sophie Chantal Hart Professor
Emeritus, and Pinsky, 39th Poet Laureate of the United
States. Introduction by Frank Bidart, Professor of English
(see article page 4). Limited seating. Refreshments. 2:30
pm, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: Friends of the Library.
Info: x2096
catholic
mass
4 pm, Little Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Religious
Life.
Info: x2688.
monday september 25
study
abroad fair
Representatives from some 40 educational institutions in the
United States and around the world will be on campus to talk
about their programs to students interested in studying
abroad. 12 - 4 pm, Alumnae Hall Ball Room. Info: x2320.
don't
miss...
an
afternoon of poetry honoring two poets of
brilliance
Two renowned poets and former Wellesley professors, David
Ferry, the Sophie Chantal Hart Professor, Emeritus, and
Robert Pinsky, the 39th Poet Laureate of the United States,
will be honored in a special “Afternoon of Poetry”
on Sunday, September 24, in Jewett Auditorium as part of the
College’s 125th anniversary celebration. Refreshments
will be served from 2:30 to 3 pm; the program will open with
poetry readings and comments, from 3 to 4:15, followed by
book-signing from 4:15 to 4:45.
Acclaimed poet, translator, and Wellesley professor from
1952-1989, Ferry is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences. His most recent poetry collection, Of No
Country I Know: New and Selected Poems and Translations,
received the Bingham Poetry Prize and was a finalist for
both the New Yorker Book Award and the PEN New
England/Winship Award. Robert Pinsky, who has been hailed as
the most public of all U.S. poet laureates, created
“The Favorite Poem Project” during his 1997-2000
term. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the
Los Angeles Times Book Award in Poetry and the William
Carlos Williams Prize, and he has been nominated for the
Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Pinsky was a professor at
Wellesley from 1967-1981. His newest volume of poetry is
Jersey Rain.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Reservations are not necessary; however, seating is
limited.
WellesleyWeek is published each Monday by the Office for Public Information during the academic year. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Phone numbers are dialed (781) 283-xxxx.Campus-sponsored event listings are welcome via e-mail to calendar@wellesley.edu. Printed submissions can be sent to Calendar, Public Information, 354 Green Hall, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Deadline for submissions is the Monday prior to publication. For paid subscription information call 781 283 2373.