Monday Memo December 2, 2019
Dean's Message
Dear Colleagues,
For anyone interested, I once again brought in Wyoming pine cones to share. (Special thanks to my husband, Charlie, who hauled them home in July without too much chuckling.) You’ll need to bring a bag. Copies of Juli’s recipe for scented pine cones is there too. They’re available outside my office door. Happy decorating!
I hope that you enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. I enjoyed a feast with some family and friends, but also had some difficulties. Unfortunately, as a result of serious health problems of siblings and a close friend and new difficulties my elderly parents are experiencing, I have decided that responsibilities as daughter and sister must take precedent over that of my being dean. I have asked the Provost to begin my leave a semester early. So, on this last day of classes and the first work day of December, I write to let you know that this will be my last month as your dean. We are so fortunate to have a good team of associate and assistant deans to lead the college until our next dean can begin this summer.
Although our time together has not been one of the growth we all anticipated back when there was much talk of “upward trajectories” and a “successful” capital campaign, together we have weathered cumulative budget cuts of nearly $20 million, four university leadership changes, and too many new procedural directives, all without diminishing our research or teaching missions. A&S research and creative achievements and engagements in the community are now more widely accorded the recognition they are deserved. Although we have not been able to replace several positions that have been vacated, we have added many great colleagues with the hiring we have been able to do. It has been a wild ride, but also one filled with great fun and opportunities for learning. Please do know that I am very proud of all that you do, and it has been my privilege to serve the College of Arts & Sciences for five and a half years.
I apologize for delivering this message en masse. Certainly, I would have preferred to meet individually with so many of you. I want to accomplish quite a lot in my remaining weeks, so back to it.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Kempf-Leonard, Ph.D.
Dean
Call for 2020 A&S Awards Nominations
Please take the time to nominate your faculty and staff colleagues for a 2020 A&S award. Awards will be given at the A&S Celebration of Excellence on April 21, 2020, in the SAC Multipurpose Room. Winners of the A&S Distinguished Faculty Awards and Outstanding Performance Awards for staff will be forwarded to the President's Office as the College's nominations for the University-wide awards of the same name.
Nominations are due February 26, 2020. For more info and to nominate
Kudos
Félicitations, Prof. Omer-Sherman!
Prof. Ranen Omer-Sherman presented "Nationalized Bodies of Mothers (and their sons) in David Grossman's 'To The End of the Land'" at the Maternal Sacrifice in Jewish Culture conference in Paris France, on November 21.
Vandenbroucke makes Holiday Memories
Prof. Russ Vandenbroucke (Theatre Arts) adapted Truman Capote's short stories "A Christmas Memory" and "A Thanksgiving Visitor" into the play Holiday Memories, which runs at Bunbury Theatre from 12/6-12/22. Vandenbroucke directs a cast that includes many UofL students and alumni.
Great Place to Learn
Biology establishes Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society chapter
The Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society has approved the Department of Biology's application to establish a chapter at the University of Louisville. The Installation Ceremony took place on November 14 with 40 inaugural student members. The chapter application was spearheaded by Professors Jeffrey Masters and Mark Running, along with Senior biology major Shanna Jenée Hardin and her leadership team (Calvin Pham, Nicole McGrath, Tulsi Menaria, and Sidimohamed Elmoustapha). Members of Tri-Beta earn recognition at graduation and can apply for research grants, present at Tri-Beta meetings, and publish in BIOS, the Tri-Beta research journal.
Sophomore Kim recognized as a Scholar of Kentucky
Eugena Kim, a sophomore graphic design major from Hancock County, Kentucky, has been recognized by the Community Foundation of Louisville as part of its Scholars of Kentucky program. She received both the Dunaway Scholarship and the Mason Family Foundation Scholarship from the foundation. Full article.
Poli Sci Major Crowned Homecoming Queen
Senior Reagan Miller was crowned 2019 Homecoming Queen. Miller, a Political Science major, serves as Greek Sing and Video/Photo Chaimember of Chi Omega sorority, Family Relations Co-Coordinator and Executive Board Member of raiseRED Dance Marathon, and Cardinal Ambassador. Full article.
Great Place to Work
NEW! Funding Opportunities Listings
Attention researchers: We've launched a new online hub for funding your work. There you'll find information on large grant opportunities, internal grants, limited submissions, and more. Check out our current listings here. New listings will also appear in our regular funding newsletter.
Great Place to Invest
Humphrey Philosophy Colloquium provides nationwide impact
The Steven Humphrey Undergraduate Philosophy Colloquium gives undergraduate students a venue to present research and engage in discussions with scholars from across North America. It also served as a model for attendee Nathan Pierce when imagining a similar conference at Arizona State University, which boasted Noam Chomsky as its keynote speaker. Read the full article on the Colloquium's impact and view the Voice-Tribune's photo galleryof the 2019 event.
Items of Note
First A&S Staff Association Meeting tomorrow
On December 3rd at 9 a.m. the UofL A&S Staff Association (ULASSA) will hold its first full meeting in Strickler 102. ULASSA is a staff-created and staff-led organization created in order to advocate and provide a voice for staff in the College of Arts & Sciences. The agenda for 12/3 will include an overview of the organization, electing officers (president, vice president, and secretary) and setting a course for staff advocacy for the Spring Semester.
You can find the mission and the bylaws at uofl.me/ulassa. The bylaws outline the duties of the elected officers. Nominations for officers will be accepted at the 12/3 meeting but nominations can be made in advance as well. Nominate someone for president, vice president, or secretary. Please be sure to indicate for which office you are nominating and provide up to three sentences as to why you think the person would be good for the job.
In the News
Kentucky Republicans who turned against Gov. Bevin say they’re still behind Trump (The Washington Post, 11/8/19) Prof. Dewey Clayton (Political Science) quoted.
Your Kid Trusts Humans More than the Internet (The New York Times, 11/11/19) - Prof. Judith Danovitch (Psychology) says preschoolers love talking to Siri and Alexa but don't take them seriously.
Beshear’s Transition Team Has Familiar Names, Longtime Donors To Family (WFPL, 11/20/19) - Prof. Dewey Clayton (Political Science) quoted.
We are divided and enraged. Are we really capable of being kinder to one another? (Courier-Journal, 11/27/19) Op-ed by Prof. Ricky Jones (Pan African Studies) questioning whether we are capable of being kinder.
