Monday Memo December 9, 2019
Dean's Message
Dear Faculty & Staff,
As final exams and grading come to a close, I know that faculty and staff are busy with the routine tasks of setting class schedules, course and program planning, recruiting, mentoring and hiring, fiscal oversight and operations, and preparations for spring 2020. I hope we can all continue to feel an appreciation for our students and the work they have put forth to achieve their goals this semester. Similarly, I hope that they feel gratitude for our faculty and staff, all of whom have facilitated our students’ progress.
Given the late Thanksgiving holiday and our academic calendar, it has been an especially quick semester. I haven’t accomplished my “to-do” list yet, and I am glad to have a few workweeks left on the calendar. Let’s try not to lose sight of the optimism and hopeful feelings that accompany a new academic year. If you need a reminder, please join me at commencement next Friday. I know our students would be overjoyed to see the faculty and staff who have helped them get to the stage, and I can promise you a renewed sense of “job well done” when you see their huge smiles at graduation!
Sincerely,
Kimberly Kempf-Leonard, Ph.D.
Dean
Kudos
Prof. Mast appointed to APA task force
The Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI) appointed Prof. Benjamin Mast (Chair, Psychology) to the American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force to Update the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive Change. Congratulations, Prof. Mast!
Great Place to Learn
Nominate Outstanding A&S Students to be Peer Advisors!
A&S Advising is now accepting nominations for our 2020-2021 group of Peer Advisors. These students serve as peer mentors to students throughout their first year at UofL. Please consider nominating someone to fill this important role.
Great Place to Work
Prof. Farrier publishes third book
Prof. Jasmine Farrier (Chair, Political Science) published her third book, Constitutional Dysfunction on Trial: Congressional Lawsuits and the Separation of Powers. Available through Cornell University Press, Constitutional Dysfunction on Trial offers an original assessment of all three branches, revealing a new way in which the American federal system is broken.
Prof. McLeod publishes Modern India
Professor John McLeod (History) just published Modern India, part of ABC-CLIO's Understanding Modern Nations series. The book is a one-volume thematic encyclopedia that examines life in contemporary India, with topical sections focusing on geography, history, government and politics, economy, social classes and ethnicity, religion, food, etiquette, literature and drama, and more.
Items of Note
Candy Kudos recipients
Who among your colleagues received candy kudos last week? Find out here!
Chromatic Homes gets the mural treatment
Chromatic Homes by Prof. John Gilderbloom (Urban & Public Affairs) has gone from book to coloring book to mural. The colorful reimagining of four West End homes can be seen at 15th and Lytle Streets in the Portland Neighborhood.
In the News
Scientist Who Studied Nature v. Nurture Wins Grawemeyer in Psychology (WFPL, 12/4/2019) - Dr. Robert Plomin of Kings College London wins 2020 Grawemeyer Award in Psychology.
Experts: Matt Bevin's 'harvesting votes' remarks were veiled reference to minorities (Courier-Journal, 12/5/2019) Prof. Dewey Clayton (Political Science) quoted.
UofL student stars in Actors Theatre of Louisville’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ (UofL News, 12/6/2019) MFA student Kala Ross (Theatre Arts) stars in Actors Theatre holiday production.
Why kids don’t trust Alexa (Technology Review, 12/6/2019) Prof. Judith Danovitch's (Psychology) research on children and technology explored.
