wellesleyweek news
knafel professorships support up-and-coming scholars
finding chaucer’s scribe: uncovering a mystery
susan vogt fellows tapped for leadership program
business lessons learned from whaling era
colleagues in the news
15 - 22
november
2004
information about wellesleyweek
knafel professorships support up-and-coming scholars
Sidney Knafel, a trustee and generous supporter of Wellesley, believes that an exceptional faculty, whose members are both scholars and teachers, is one of the College’s greatest strengths. “Wellesley must be equipped to continue to attract the very finest talent at the early stage of a career,” he explains. “I should like to enrich Wellesley’s ability to accomplish this.”
Knafel’s innovative $8 million gift will help Wellesley tackle this challenge by establishing four new assistant professorships: the Knafel Assistant Professorships in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences, as well as the Diana Chapman Walsh Assistant Professorship, filled at the discretion of the president. The chairs will provide salaries and supplemental funds for research, related equipment and travel.
“This is such an extraordinary gift,” says President Diana Chapman Walsh, “the kind of creative philanthropy that comes out of sophisticated and appreciative knowledge of the College’s strengths and long-term needs. It will further our academic excellence by helping us attract the very best junior faculty in the world, and it will be a self-renewing resource, with the chairs reopening as junior faculty move on in the ranks. Because the professorships are broadly defined, they will give us flexibility to respond quickly to changes in academic disciplines. I am deeply honored and touched to have my name linked to Sid Knafel’s in this very special way.”
“There’s no more essential element to maintain excellence at Wellesley than hiring the very best faculty,” notes Dean of the College Andrew Shennan. “Since we compete with the finest academic institutions for top-notch faculty, it can be a challenge to attract young scholars who also share Wellesley’s emphasis on teaching and mentoring undergraduate students.” The College hopes to hire one or two Knafel assistant professors this spring and make the remaining appointments in the near future.
“I believe this initiative will have a dramatic, permanent impact on the already high quality of the Wellesley faculty,” says Knafel, husband of the late Susan Rappaport Knafel ’52 and also a member of the Campaign Executive Committee and co-chair of the National Leadership Gift Committee. “I have immense delight in providing support for this task.”
finding chaucer’s scribe: uncovering a mystery
On Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 4:30 pm in the Library Lecture Room, an ancient mystery will be explained. Linne Mooney, a visiting professor at Cambridge University in England, will describe the work she has done to uncover the identity of Chaucer’s main scribe. “Mooney’s discovery, based on meticulous analysis of a large database of manuscripts that she has been compiling over many years, is one of the most important and field-changing discoveries in Chaucer scholarship in this generation,” said Kathryn Lynch, English.
In a Guardian newspaper article posted online, arts correspondent John Ezard notes that Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English literature, threatened his errant scribe over sloppy work, including cursing him with an outbreak of scabs.
“After more than 600 years, it was his handwriting that gave him away,” writes Ezard of the scribe, Adam Pinkhurst. Among the clues, Mooney compared a signature of Pinkhurst with other writing to identify him.
When Mooney announced the revelation of Pinkhurst’s name and some of his background, the news caused both excitement and admiration among specialists in the subject. “It indirectly helps to authenticate the two most authoritative texts of Chaucer’s great work, the Canterbury Tales, the first long poem written in an approximation to modern English,” noted Ezard.
For more information, call x2590.Wellesley College’s 2004 Charitable Giving Campaign has begun. Employees can make a one-time donation or have a payroll deduction to benefit one or all four charities: Community Works, Oxfam America, Rosie’s Place and United Way Massachusetts Bay. Forms have been distributed through campus mail with a deadline of Wednesday, Dec. 8.
A special highlight of the campaign is the raffle drawing for all who contribute, to be held Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 9:30 am in the Academic Council Room. If you have any questions, or to return your donations, pledge cards and raffle tickets, contact Lynne Payson, external events and summer programming, Billings 201, or call x2208.
susan vogt fellows tapped for leadership program
There was a near-magical feeling in the air as the inaugural Susan Vogt Fellows, their sponsors and coaches gathered at a reception hosted by President Diana Chapman Walsh at her home this fall.
“Susan would have loved every detail of this program,” said Walsh to the assembled guests. “There could not be a more fitting and suitable as a memorial to Susan Vogt. It is almost as though she is here with us. She loved learning new things, she loved connecting with new people, exploring new ideas, and she loved the Consortium.”
In its inaugural year, 14 fellows from nine Boston Consortium schools were selected to participate in the fellowship based on their leadership positions and their ability to affect meaningful change at their schools. The 2004-05 Vogt fellows include Wellesley’s Catherine Salop, executive assistant, President’s Office, sponsored by Walsh and Patricia Byrne, vice president, administration and planning.
During the year, Vogt Fellows will participate in a leadership development series facilitated by Joe Raelin, Asa Knowles Chair of Practice-Oriented-Education at Northeastern University. Fellows will sharpen their leadership skills with the support from their sponsors as each fellow works on a strategic project for his or her home institution. In addition, fellows will benefit from the support of the others through regular participation in facilitated learning teams. Each fellow has been assigned a “coach” from another institution to provide guidance, mentoring and leadership support throughout the fellowship year.
The program honors the remarkable work and spirit of the late Susan Vogt, vice president of finance and treasurer at Wellesley from 2000 through fall 2003, and continues her legacy by connecting, developing and supporting emerging leaders within the member schools of The Boston Consortium. “All of the components of this fellowship program are just perfect emblems of what Susan was all about and what she cared about,” said Walsh.
business lessons learned from whaling era
Eric Hilt, economics, will discuss the problems created by the introduction of corporations in the 19th-century whaling industry in his talk, “Management Incentives in Corporations: Evidence from the American Whaling Industry, 1830-1849,” a brown-bag seminar, on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 12:30 pm in Pendleton Atrium Lounge.“Whaling businesses would be managed by an ‘agent,’ a managing partner, who would purchase supplies and hire a captain and crew, and plan the voyage on behalf of the investors,” Hilt notes. “The agent’s role was critical to the success of the venture, and throughout the history of the industry, the agents were usually the largest investors in the voyages. This created ‘ownership incentives’ for them to perform their responsibilities well. But when whaling corporations were introduced, in the 1830s, the agents became employees and were no longer major investors. The result was poor performance.” Lessons from that era carry over to today’s investing market. “The American whaling industry presents an ideal setting in which to analyze the effects of organizational forms on managerial performance,” Hilt says. For more information, call x2156.
barbara beatty, education, has written an article, “Past, Present, and Future: What We Can Learn from the History of Preschool Education” for a special report, “Starting Young: The Case for Investment in America’s Kids,” in November’s The American Prospect magazine. Beatty wrote in support of universalizing preschool education, noting, “Americans have been attempting to get public support for educating our youngest children for more than 150 years. Why has it taken so long? What are the obstacles? And what do past successes suggest about promising strategies for the future?” She went on to outline an in-depth plan to garner public support for early childhood education based on an analysis of federal policy, key states and advocacy organizations.
christopher candland, political science, has been interviewed on GEO TV (Pakistan’s CNN) as part of the station’s U.S. election coverage. At the Oct. 29 Council on Foreign Relations, he also gave a talk on international labor standards.
marion just, political science, contributed to a Gannett News Service story, “10 Reasons To Vote.” The article examined a number of political issues, including the makeup of the Supreme Court. “I don’t think we can overemphasize the importance of the Supreme Court in this election,” Just said.
mary lefkowitz, classical studies, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of The American School of Classical Studies in Athens (ASCSA). Founded in 1881, the ASCSA provides graduate students and scholars from some 168 affiliated North American colleges and universities a base for research and study in the history and monuments of Hellenic civilization.
italian table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower Court private dining hall. Info: x2616.
lecture. “A Passion for Poetry.” Speaker: Edward Hirsch, poet. Refreshments: 4 pm, Collins Café; program: 4:30 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsors: Writing, DMCC and English. Info: x2576.
apt workshop. “Get Help, Make New Friends: Student-Professor Interaction.” 5:30 pm, Dower living room. Info: x2641.
cws workshop. “Navigating the CWS Library.” 6 pm, GRH 442. Info: x2352.
cws workshop. “Job Shadowing.” 6 pm, Tower Court living room. Info: x2352.
meeting. College Government Senate. 6 pm, Academic Council Room. Info: x1181.
esl tutoring. 6-8:30 pm, PLTC small conference room. Info: x2480.meditation. 7-8:15 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.
cws workshop. “Job Search Strategies.” 12:30 pm, FND 120. Info: x2352.
lecture. “Management Incentives in Corporations: Evidence from the American Whaling Industry, 1830-1849.” Speaker: Eric Hilt, economics. 12:30-1:20 pm, PNE 225A. (See story) Sponsor: Economics. Info: x2156.
walk with spirit. 4 pm, Chapel lawn. Sponsor: Religious and Spiritual Life. Info: x2687.
meeting. “Travel Talk in the Hoop: Africa and the Middle East.” 4:15 pm, Café Hoop. Sponsor: International Study. Info: x2320.
lecture. “Finding Chaucer’s Scribe.” Speaker: Linne Mooney, English, University of Maine. 4:30 pm, Library Lecture Room. (See story) Sponsor: Medieval Renaissance Studies. Info: x2575.
cws workshop. “Self-Assessment.” 5 pm, PNE 239. Info: x2352.
apt workshop. “Aha! I Remember: Strategies to Improve Memorization.” 7 pm, Tower Great Hall. Info: x2641.
sharing circle. 7-8 pm, Little Chapel. Sponsor: Unitarian Universalist. Info: x3484.
german table. 7:30-8:30 pm, Schneider loft. Info: x2584.meditation. 12:30-1 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.
spanish table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower Court small dining room. Info: x3571.
academic council meeting. 12:30-2 pm, Academic Council Room.
russian table. 1-2 pm, FND 416. Info: x3584.
lecture. “Helping Darfur’s Neediest: Caring for Severely Malnourished Children with Doctors Without Borders.” Speaker: Jonathan Spector, pediatrician, Doctors Without Borders. 5 pm, PNW 212. Sponsor: French House. Info: x2975.
applied arts workshop. “Suminagashi and Stab Binding, Part 2” 6-9 pm, JAC 254. Info: x2030.
meeting. “Good Book Club.” 6:30 pm, BIL 202. Sponsor: Protestant Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.
apt workshop. “Forget-Me-Not: Memorization Strategies.” 7 pm, Stone-Davis living room. Info: x2641.
lecture. “Gambling with the Planet: The New Moral and Spiritual Challenge for People of Faith.” Speaker: Father Frank Breen, Newman Catholic Ministry. 7-8 pm, PNE 225A. Sponsor: Newman Catholic Ministry. Info: x2688.
film session. “Words in Motion.” 7-9 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: DMCC. Info: x2051.
apt workshop. “Test Well, Feel Swell.” 8 pm, Munger living room. Info: x2641.
comedy. “Dead Serious Newbie Show.” 9 pm, Beebe Hall living room. Info: x1586.turkey ordering deadline. College Club. Info: x2700.
wcw seminar. “What Now? Theoretical and Practical Issues in Gender and Education Research.” Speaker: Gudny Gudbjörnsdóttir, education, University of Iceland. 12:30-1:30 pm, Cheever House. Info: x2500.
esl tutoring. 6-8:30 pm, PLTC small conference room. Info: x2480.
theatre. Macbeth. Director: Emily Henderson ’05. 7 pm, Shakespeare House. Cost: students, $5; others, $10. (See story) Sponsor: Shakespeare Society. Info: x3192.
apt workshop. “Got Procrastination? Learn How to Effectively Use Your Time.” 7 pm, McAfee. Info: x2641.
cws workshop. “BU College of Communication.” 7:30 pm, PNE 127. Info: x2352.
lecture. “The New German-American Relationship.” Speaker: Nico Fried, German journalist. 8-10 pm, PNE 225A. Sponsor: German Club. Info: Germanmail@wellesley.edu.
film. Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. 8:30 pm, PNE 125. Sponsor: Ethos. Admission: Non-perishable good or cash donation for Botswana orphanage. Info: Ethosmail@wellesley.edu.walk with spirit. 7:30 am, Chapel lawn. Sponsor: Religious and Spiritual Life. Info: x2687.
red cross blood drive. 10 am-3 pm, Alumnae Hall Ballroom. Info and appointments: x2352.
prayer/discussion. Muslim communal (Jummah). 12:45-1:30 pm, lower chapel. Info: x2025.
lecture/film. “Paintings of India.” Speaker: Benoy Behl, filmmaker. 6:30-9 pm, PNW 212. Sponsor: Darshana. Info: x2794.
bible study. 7 pm, lower chapel. Sponsor: Asian Baptist Student Koinonia. Info: x4692.
concert. “Chamber Music Society.” 7 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: Music. Info: x2028.
films. Tigerland and The Deer Hunter. 7-11 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: Film Society. Info: FilmSocietymail@wellesley.edu.
theatre. Macbeth. 8 pm. Director: Emily Henderson ’05. Shakespeare House. Cost: students, $5; others, $10. (See story) Sponsor: Shakespeare Society. Info: x3192.
theatre. Macbeth. 1 pm. Director: Emily Henderson ’05. Shakespeare House. Cost: students, $5; others, $10. (See story) Sponsor: Shakespeare Society. Info: x3192.
gala. “Celebrating Africa’s Beauty & Diversity.” 6:30 pm-midnight, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: African Students Association. Info: wasamail@wellesley.edu.
performance. Wellesley College Dancers. 7-9 pm, Alumnae Hall Auditorium. Cost: $5 off-campus. Info: WC-Dancers-mail@wellesley.edu.
films. Tigerland and The Deer Hunter. 7-11 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: Film Society. Info: FilmSocietymail@wellesley.edu.
concert. Wellesley Widows. 8-10:30 pm, Houghton Chapel. Info: Widowsmail@wellesley.edu.
sunday november 21worship service. 11:15 am, Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Protestant Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.
performance. Wellesley College Dancers. 3-5 pm, Alumnae Hall Auditorium. Cost: $5 off-campus. Info: WC-Dancers-mail@wellesley.edu.
catholic mass. 4 pm, Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Newman Catholic Ministry. Info: x2688.
meeting. Darshana. 5 pm, meditation room, Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Hindu Community. Info: x2794.
theatre. Macbeth. 7 pm. Director: Emily Henderson ’05. Shakespeare House. Cost: students, $5; others, $10. (See story) Sponsor: Shakespeare Society. Info: x3192.
concert. Pianist Charles Fisk. 7 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: Music. Info: x2028.monday november 22
administrative council meeting. 11 am-noon, Academic Council Room. Info: x2036.
italian table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower Court private dining hall. Info: x2616.
cws workshop. “Job Shadowing.” 5 pm, GRH 442. Info: x2352.
meeting. College Government Senate. 6 pm, Academic Council Room. Info: x1181.
esl tutoring. 6-8:30 pm, PLTC small conference room. Info: x2480.cws workshop. “Using the Wellesley Network.” 6:30 pm, GRH 442. Info: x2352.
cws workshop. “Job Shadowing.” 7 pm, Stone-Davis living room. Info: x2352.
meditation. 7-8:15 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.exhibit. Mayling and Emma: A Chinese-American Friendship. Clapp Reference Room, through Dec. 31. Info: x2128.
exhibit. Inspired by Flowers. Botanic Gardens Visitor Center, through Nov. 24. Info: x3094.
exhibit. Presidential Elections at Wellesley College. Archives, Clapp Library, through December. Info: x2127.
exhibit. Infinite Possibilities. Through Dec. 12. Sponsor: DMCC. Info: x2051.
exhibit. American Identities. Through Dec. 14. Sponsor: DMCC. Info: x2051.
exhibit. The Consequences of War: Poetry, Graphic Art, and Documents. Clapp Library Special Collections, through February. Info: x2129.
book sale. Clapp Library. Donations $.50 to $2. Info: x2894.
12/1/04. “The Experience of Translating.” Speaker: David Ferry, English professor emeritus. 5 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Wine and cheese followed by reading and commentary, with response by Lawrence Rosenwald, English. Celebrates establishment of Susan and Donald Newhouse Center for the Humanities. Sponsor: Resources. Info: x2225.
don't miss...shakespeare’s tragedy macbeth is on stage this week
The Shakespeare Society is in the midst of a presentation of Macbeth, a play about the tragic consequences that occur when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints. Directed by Emily Henderson ’05, the play will be on stage in Shakespeare House on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 pm, Friday, Nov. 19, at 8 pm, Saturday, Nov. 20, at 1 pm and Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7 pm. Tickets, $5 for students and $10 for others, will be sold in Schneider and can be reserved by calling x3192.
Click Here to View Previous Issues
Return to the Office for Public Information Homepage
WellesleyWeek is published each Monday during the academic year by the Office for Public Information. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Phone numbers are dialed 781-283-xxxx. For paid subscription information, call 781-283-2373.
WellesleyWeek Calendar submissions must include the event name and brief description, location, time, sponsoring organization/dept., and contact phone number. Our preferred mode of delivery is e-mail to wellesleyweekcalendar@wellesley.edu (WellesleyWeek Calendar on FirstClass) or via a convenient online form at www.wellesley.edu/PublicAffairs/WellesleyWeek/Forms/wellswkform.html. We will also accept submissions by mail to the Office for Public Information, 354 Green Hall. Deadline for calendar submissions is noon on the Monday prior to publication.
Please note that submitting news to WellesleyWeek is independent from the new online college calendar at https://calendar.wellesley.edu/wv3 on campus. Only events scheduled through designated scheduling offices will appear on the online calendar. See more details at www.wellesley.edu/Calendar/requests.html
Contact: Office for Public Information
Last Modified: November 11, 2004
