14 - 21

february

2005

renita weems ’76 will talk about what matters most

The Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems ’76 will speak at Wellesley on Wednesday, Feb. 16, from 7-8:30 pm in Houghton Memorial Chapel. A reception will be held at Harambee House from 8:30-9:30 pm. Weems is the author of What Matters Most: Ten Passionate Lessons from the Song of Solomon.

“In this text she brings a different perspective and exciting insight into the interpretation of the Song of Solomon,” said Patricia Walton, Protestant Christian chaplain.

Weems is passionate about her vocation as a teacher of spiritual insight. Whether through books and articles, sermons, classes, workshops or lectures, she sees her work as that of a midwife of inner wisdom, helping women and men tap into the spiritual intelligence they already possess.

A former contributing writer to Essence Magazine, she is the author of several widely acclaimed books on women’s spirituality and wholeness: Just A Sister Away (1987), I Asked for Intimacy (1995) and Showing Mary: How Women Can Share Prayers, Wisdom and the Blessings of God (2003). Her latest book, What Matters Most, was released in April 2004. She has spoken at national religious, civic and sorority gatherings, local churches, community-wide events and on radio and television programs. Her work as a scholar and religious thinker has led to invitations to serve as a panelist for Bill Moyers’ 1995 PBS award-winning “Genesis Project,” for various A&E and Hallmark cable programs on women in the Bible and on “FlashPoints USA” with Bryant Gumbel and Gwen Ifill, on the role of religion in politics, government and public life.

Her online question-and-answer column, “Whispering Hope,” in which she discusses relationships, self-esteem, careers, spirituality and opportunities for change, is available on beliefnet.com. She is also the author of an electronic newsletter, “Something Within,” at www.somethingwithin.com.

After graduating from Wellesley, she completed a master’s and Ph.D. at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the William and Camille Cosby Professor of Humanities at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, call x2655.

students to present sweatshop simulation

The Wellesley Association of Labor Rights Activists (WALRA) will hold its third annual Sweatshop Simulation on Wednesday, Feb. 16, from 7 am-7 pm in Billings 100.

Organizer Felice Espiritu ’06 calls it an eye-opening “12 hours of noise, sweat and mind-numbing work.”

The Sweatshop Simulation is an annual WALRA event that tries to replicate many of the conditions of a sweatshop to raise awareness about labor rights issues. Student volunteers perform a repetitive task that is one step in assembling a fabric bag. They take part in a 12-hour work day under fluorescent lighting, loud and constant factory noises and heat. They are allowed a few short bathroom breaks and a lunch break and will receive wages comparable to those of an overseas sweatshop worker. A supervisor ensures that quotas are met and can deduct wages for poor performance.

“The room is open to the public; workers can answer questions and more information can be found at an information table,” Espiritu said.

The product, messenger bags stamped “This bag was made in a sweatshop,” will be sold during and after the simulation for $5.

Volunteers are welcome to help with preparations or staff the information table. All are invited to stop by and see the sweatshop in production. To get involved or to find out more, e-mail Sweatshop Simulation on FirstClass or write to fespirit@wellesley.edu.

not-for-profit fair

At Wellesley’s Not-for-Profit Career Fair, Friday, Feb. 18, from 10 am-2 pm, in Keohane Sports Center, college students are encouraged to “follow your passion, find your niche, leave your mark.” Organizer Andrea Swartz ’07 and Christine Allen ’07 have invited more than 60 arts, cultural, environment, government and other organizations (listed at www.wellesley.edu/CWS/volunteer/wcnp.html) to connect with students.

More than 400 students attend each year since the event was opened to other colleges in 2001. “Wellesley students represent 200-250 of these attendees,” said Elizabeth O’Connell, Center for Work and Service. Students should bring a college photo I.D. and résumés. For more information, e-mail aswartz2@wellesley.edu or call x2345.

oakwoods renovation: a work in progress

The renovation of Oakwoods, soon to be the new home of the Office of Admission, is well underway. Oakwoods dates back to 1902 when it was built at the behest of President Caroline Hazard to serve as the College’s first president’s residence. Project manager Suzanne Rivitz of Genesis Planners Inc. describes the renovation:

The construction project combines a full renovation of the existing house with a new addition located at the east end (between the house and College Road). The three-story addition will be somewhat smaller than the existing house. The new and renovated rooms will include offices, a reception area, a conference room and an interview room. The main public spaces (reception, offices and conference room) of the building will be on the first and second floors above this ground floor; the upper floors may be accessed via a new elevator. The former drawing room with its wood parquet floor and fireplace will become the reception area, used for staging tours, information sessions and as a waiting area. Along with a sun porch, it offers views of Lake Waban.

The renovation will replace outdated plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems and make the building handicapped accessible. Windows will be reconfigured to make the building more energy efficient. The new addition will be clad in clapboards to blend with the wood shingles of the original construction. The addition has been designed to minimize disruption of the existing landscape and to complement the architectural character of the house. The project has been approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Construction has recently started at the site; this phase includes demolition of the garage and site grading to allow for the foundations for the new addition. Construction will proceed through the spring and summer, with occupancy by the admission office in early September.

lecture offers lessons from successful charter school

“Starting a Charter School and Urban Teaching,” by Ann Tolkoff ’70, co-founder of City on a Hill Charter School in Boston, will be offered Thursday, Feb. 17, from 4-5:30 pm in the Library Lecture Room.

Tolkoff taught in the Boston and Chelsea public schools, then with a colleague founded a teacher-run charter school in Boston that would offer high quality education to urban students. Founded in 1995, City on a Hill is one the best known charter schools in the country. For six years in a row, 100% of its graduates were accepted to college. “Written about in national magazines, Ann is an inspirational teacher and educational innovator,” said Barbara Beatty, education. “She will talk about how to found a charter school, urban education and urban teaching.” For more, call x3232.

upstage: a gritty tale of urban life

Breath, Boom, by Kia Corthron, will be on stage Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 pm, Friday, Feb. 18, at 8 pm, Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2 and 8 pm, and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 7 pm in the Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre in Alumnae Hall. The play is a gritty urban tale of 14 years in the life of Prix, the leader of a Bronx girl gang. Through her time in and out of jail from age 16 to 30, Prix must come to terms with her traumatizing childhood, gang-life present and bleak-looking future. Her only solace is in designing fireworks, an outlet that provides escape and beauty in her dreary life. Breath, Boom is directed by Caitlin Graham ’05 and is sponsored by Upstage. For reservations, call x2220.

colleagues in the news

p. takis metaxas, computer science, presented “Web Spam Detection” at Olin College in February. “In the last 10 years, we have seen an amazing growth in the availability on the Web,” he explained. “According to most estimates, the publicly accessible Web now contains between 2 and 8 billion pages and it is growing daily.” In his talk, Metaxas explained that “The so-called Web spam (not to be confused with e-mail spam) is a group of Web pages that have been manipulated so as to force search engines into giving them higher visibility than they would otherwise.” He talked about how search engines work and why they are the target of Web spammers.

robert paarlberg, political science, has been quoted in “Trade Pact Proposal Has U.S. Upside” in the Jan. 23 Arkansas Democrat Gazette. He noted that U.S. trade negotiators learned their lesson after the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada: “They underestimated Mexico’s ability to become a net exporter of sugar, and the NAFTA agreement is going to give Mexico duty-free access to the U.S. market after 2008.”

voncile white, dean of first-year students, has contributed prominently to an article, “Today’s Freshman Pursue ‘Safe and Tried Path’ to Success,” in the Feb. 1 Christian Science Monitor. White noted that students come to college worried about choosing the right major, saying, “We’re engaged in a struggle to try to get them to become educated individuals rather than just people who know a lot of stuff.” The article focused on the massive survey conducted each fall since 1965 by UCLA. The survey asks first-year students at more than 400 four-year colleges and universities, including Wellesley, everything from their intended majors to their political and spiritual values.

calendar

monday february 14

st. valentine’s day.

ticket pick-up. Alumnae Achievement Awards. Students, noon-3 pm, GRH 241. Info: x2392.

cws workshop. “Résumé Writing.” 12:30 pm, GRH 428. Info: x2352.

lecture. “A Woman’s Money, A Woman’s Future.” 12:30-1:30 pm, Academic Council Room. Wellesley College employees only. Sponsor: Human Resources, TIAA-CREF. Info: x2212.

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 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

cws info sessions. “Stipends.” 9:15 pm, Shafer living room; 10 pm, Cazenove living room. Info: x2352.

tuesday february 15

cws info session. “Stipends.” 12:30 pm, CE House. Info: x2352.

cws workshop. “Preparing for the Not-for-Profit Career Fair.” 5 pm, PNE 239. Info: x23252.

book signing/presentation. “Eating Well on Campus.” Speaker: Ann Litt, author. 6-7 pm, Beebe living room. Sponsor: Dining Services. Info: x3283.

cws workshop. “Alumnae/Student Mock Interviews.” 6:30-8:30 pm, GRH 441. Sign up through Monstertrak if registered for the Recruiting Program or contact egammons@wellesley.edu.

sharing circle. 7-8 pm, Little Chapel. Sponsor: Unitarian Universalists. Info: x3484.

lecture. “Liberal, Lesbian and Pro-Life.” Speaker: Cecilia Brown, Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians. 7-9 pm, SCI 277. Sponsor: WLBTF. Info: WLBTFmail@wellesley.edu.

german table. 7:30-8:30 pm, Schneider loft. Info: x2584.

cws info session. “Stipends.” 9 pm, Severance living room. Info: x2352.

wednesday february 16

sweatshop simulation. 7 am-7pm, BIL 100. Sponsor: WALRA. (See story) Info: sweatshop simulation@wellesley.edu.

ticket pick-up. Alumnae Achievement Awards. Students, 10 am-3 pm, GRH 241. Info: x2392.

cws workshop. “Job Search Strategies and Networking.” 12:30 pm, GRH 428. Info: x2352.

meditation. 12:30-1 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

lecture. “Algorithm Engineering: What Matters Most to Performance?” Speaker: Cathy McGeoch, computer science, Amherst. 12:30-1:30 pm, SCI E111. Sponsor: Computer Science. Info: x3147.

french table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Bates private dining hall. Info: x2403.

spanish table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower Court small dining room. Info: x3571.

lecture. “Disability Rights: U.S. and International Perspectives.” Speaker: Judith Heumann, disability issues expert. 12:30-2 pm, PNE 225A. Pizza lunch. Sponsors: Education; Political Science. Info: x2194.

opening ceremony. Circles of Healing, Circles of Peace: Creation of the Mandala. Speakers: Victor Kazanjian, religious life; James Kodera, religion; Heping Liu, art. 1 pm, DMCC. (See story) Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

russian table. 1-2 pm, FND 416. Info: x3584.

meeting. Good Book Club. 6:30 pm, BIL 202. Sponsor: Protestant Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.

lecture. “What Matters Most.” Speaker: Renita J. Weems ’76, author. 7-8:30 pm, Houghton Chapel; reception, 8:30-9:30 pm, Harambee House. (See story) Sponsors: Religious and Spiritual Life, Protestant Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.

cws info session. “Stipends.” 9 pm, Bates living room; 10 pm, Beebe, Claflin, Davis and Munger living rooms. Info: x2352.

thursday february 17

meditation. 12:30-1 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

lecture. “Starting a Charter School and Urban Teaching.” Speaker: Ann Tolkoff, co-founder, City on a Hill school. 4-5:30 pm, Library Lecture Room. (See story) Sponsors: Education, Political Science. Info: x3232.

panel discussion. “Circles of Compassion: Cultural and Social Interpretations of the Mandala.” Speakers: Heping Liu, art; James Kodera, art; Gordon Fellman, sociology, Brandeis. 4:30 pm, PNE 212. (See story) Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

multi-faith gathering. “Holding Hope and Compassion.” 4:30 pm, location TBA. Sponsor: Religious and Spiritual Life. Info: x2685.

lecture. “An Evening with Tom Perrotta.” Speaker: Tom Perrotta, author. 4:45 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: English. Info: x2591.

lecture. “Muslim Minorities in France and the U.S.” Speaker: Joselyn Cesari, author. 5 pm, French House. Sponsor: French. Info: x2975.

lecture. “Psychology and Interdisciplinarity: The Case of Music Cognition.” Speaker: Carol Krumhansl ’69, psychology, Cornell. 5:15-6:15 pm, SCI 277. Sponsor: Psychology. Info: x3010.

theatre. Breathe, Boom. 7 pm, Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre, Alumnae Hall. Cost: Free to Wellesley/MIT students with ID; staff/other students/seniors: $8; others: $10. Reservations: x2220. (See story) Sponsor: Upstage. Info: x7562.

performance. Tres Vidas: A One-Woman Performance–Three Lives, Three Stories, One Show. 7:30-9:30 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: Multicultural Programs and Services. Info: x2958.

friday february 18

cws career fair. “Not-for-Profit Careers.” 10 am-2 pm, Sports Center. (See story) Info: x2352.

prayer/discussion. Muslim communal (Jummah). 12:45-1:30 pm, lower chapel. Info: x2025.

performance. The Vagina Monologues. 7-10 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Cost: on-campus, $6; off-campus, $8; at the door, $10. Tickets on sale at Schneider 2/14-18. Reservations at V-Tickets@wellesley.edu. Benefits Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Info: v-day@wellesley.edu.

theatre. Breathe, Boom. 8 pm, Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre, Alumnae Hall. Cost: Free to Wellesley/MIT students with ID; staff/other students/seniors: $8; others: $10. Reservations: x2220. Sponsor: Upstage. Info: x7562.

saturday february 19

performance. Vagina Monologues. 2 pm and 7 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Cost: on-campus, $6; off-campus, $8; at the door, $10. Tickets on sale at Schneider 2/14-18. Reservations at V-Tickets@wellesley.edu. Benefits Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Info: v-day@wellesley.edu.

theatre. Breathe, Boom. 2 pm and 8 pm, Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre, Alumnae Hall. Cost: Free to Wellesley/MIT students with ID; staff/other students/seniors: $8; others: $10. Reservations: x2220. Sponsor: Upstage. Info: x7562.

24-hour theatre marathon. Begins 3 pm, Alumnae Hall auditorium. Sponsor: Theatre. Info: x2029.

sunday february 20

worship service. 11:15 am, Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Protestant Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.

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. Breathe, Boom. 7 pm, Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre, Alumnae Hall. Cost: Free to Wellesley/MIT students with ID; staff/other students/seniors: $8; others: $10. Reservations: x2220. Sponsor: Upstage. Info: x7562.

monday february 21

presidents’ day. administrative holiday.

meditation. 7 pm, meditation room, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

ongoing

exhibit. The Consequences of War: Poetry, Graphic Art and Documents. Clapp Library Special Collections, through February. Info: x2129.

exhibit. Dedicated to the Class of 2005: A Look at the Class of 1905. Archives, Clapp Library, through March. Info: x2127.

exhibit. Vegetables from the Garden: Watercolors by Nan Rumpf. Greenhouses Visitor Center, through March 14. Info: x3094.

exhibit. Circles of Healing, Circles of Peace: Creation of the Mandala. Feb. 16-March 1, DMCC. (See story) Info: x2793.

don't miss...tibetan art exhibit features opening ceremony

The opening ceremony for the Davis Museum and Cultural Center’s Circles of Healing, Circles of Peace: Sacred Sand Mandala Created by Tibetan Buddhist Nuns, will take place Wednesday, Feb. 16, from 1-2 pm in the Contemporary Gallery. The ceremony will be led by the Tibetan Buddhist nuns of the Keydong Nunnery, who will be introduced to the community by Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life Victor Kazanjian and T. James Kodera, religion. The nuns, among the first women trained in this sacred art practice, will offer an introductory lecture and go on to create a sacred sand mandala.

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning cosmogram or “world in harmony.” Sand mandalas are ancient, Buddhist, two-dimensional paintings created with colored sand, representing the perfected environment of an enlightened being. On Thursday, Feb. 17, at 4:30 pm in Pendleton West 212, a panel discussion, “Circles of Compassion: Cultural and Social Interpretations of the Mandala,” based upon the exhibit, will include Kodera, Heping Liu, art; and Gordon Fellman, sociology, Brandeis University. The exhibit will be on display through March 1. For more information, call x2793 or go to www.wellesley.edu/RelLife/rel/buddhism/visit.html.

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