Dear A&S Faculty and Staff, 

With the growing impact of artificial intelligence in higher education, the College of Arts & Sciences has formed an Ad Hoc Committee on Generative AI. Faculty and staff who have agreed to serve on it include Bill Brantley, Robin Carroll, Karen Hadley, Tim Johnson, Andre Kezdy, John Kielkopf, Michael Losavio, Manual Medina, and Michael Perlin, with a few more invitations still pending. The A&S Ad Hoc Committee on AI will expand upon work from a university-wide committee on AI that convened last year and submitted its recommendations in spring 2024. In recognition of this initiative, the Monday Memo is introducing a new feature, "AI Practices," to regularly report on AI developments, beginning with Bailee Pulliam's story on Fine Arts faculty Tiffany Calvert's work in AI and painting, below. 

Another new feature of the Monday Memo is "Department Fact Sheet of the Week." Our tireless Communications and Marketing Director, Stephanie Godward, has made it a priority to create a two-pager fact sheet for each department geared towards students and in time for the A&S Open House taking place on Friday, August 16. Today's and each of the next 20 editions will feature one of these beautiful pieces, which are a terrific way for everyone to become better acquainted with our departments.

Also, a reminder that we have a new system for submitting news, events, and other content to A&S internal and external channels, which includes the Monday Memo, the A&S homepage, our alumni newsletter, and the College's social media (currently Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter). It consists of a simple webform located here, replacing the former system of emailing content to ascollege@louisville.edu or to yours truly.  

Regarding remote work, summer agreements will draw to a close in a couple weeks. We are designating Monday, August 12, as the first day of the fall semester for purposes of summer remote work agreements, because Aug. 12 is the Monday before classes begin, and that week is devoted to faculty orientation activities and is also known as "Welcome Week" for students, culminating in the A&S Open House. Soon we will distribute a survey requesting feedback on how summer work arrangements have performed, to help supervisors consider remote work best practices for the fall term.

Finally, we hope that every department and program will be represented at the A&S Open House on August 16: see "A&S Events" below for details and a sign-up link.

Sincerely,

Julie Wrinn, Chief of Staff

Reseach Agenda

Biology PhD Student Awarded 3-Year Predoctoral Fellowship to Study Fruit-Infesting Flies

Sophia Anner (above), a PhD student in Dr. Alycia Lackey's lab, has been awarded a predoctoral Fellowship through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to study "Contributions of Host Use and Geographic Distance to Phenotype and Genomic Variation in Commercially Relevant Fruit-Infesting Flies." This is the first time a UofL grad student has been awarded a predoctoral fellowship from NIFA, and even more impressive, Anner was awarded full support for three years!

Anner described her project as follows: "Understanding the specialized relationships between crops and their insect pests is a crucial component of successful agricultural systems. However, variation among insect populations in timing of breeding, mating behavior, and genetics can make it challenging to design effectively targeted pest management strategies. Two major causes of variation between populations are distance and adapting to a new host plant. The project will determine the relative importance of these sources of variation in multiple populations of several species of a fruit-infesting fly that use a variety host plants, are widespread across the United States, and target agriculturally important crops, including apples and walnuts. "

History Professor Awarded Summer Fellowship for Book Project on Vietnam

Theresa Keeley (above), Associate Professor of History, has been awarded a summer fellowship in Digital History from the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. The award supports research for Keeley's second book project, Confrontational Humanitarians: Doctors, Children’s Health, & U.S. Harm in Vietnam, which includes a focus on Vietnamese children injured in napalm attacks and the global response to those attacks. Dr. Keeley is a scholar of US Foreign Relations in the Cold War era. Congratulations to Terri and best of luck with what sounds like a fascinating and important project!

Snapshot of Recent Grant Awards

Congratulations to the following A&S faculty who earned grant funding, as announced by the UofL Office of Research and Innovation:  

AI Practices

Tiffany Calvert paints tulip blossoms in her Louisville studio.

pAInt: professor explores blurred lines between art and technology

By Baylee Pulliam

The impact of technology on how we experience the world creates both new possibilities and a host of practical and ethical questions. But Tiffany Calvert, an associate professor in UofL’s Hite Institute of Art + Design, is looking for answers — and to find them, she’s going straight to the source.

In her “Machine Vision Series,” Calvert partners with her own virtual apprentice, a bot trained to paint as her collaborator. “I often get asked, ‘is AI your collaborator or your antagonist?’ ” said Calvert. “The answer is that it’s complicated. I’m working with AI in a way that both criticizes its vulnerabilities and has a healthy appreciation of what it can do.”

Calvert trained her AI collaborator by feeding it more than 1,000 historical still life paintings of tulips in bloom. It’s a technique known as machine learning, where a computer is shown examples to learn what something looks like — be it cars, crosswalks, or frescos.  

After a while, the AI could recognize the tulips and begin to “paint” its own. But when the AI painted, it wasn’t perfect. The algorithm can only interpret based on what it’s seen before, and sometimes, it misinterpreted or made logical leaps. Some AI-generated tulips were distorted in interesting and unpredictable ways like confusing the bulb of a flower with, say, an oyster or halved peach.   

That’s why, Calvert said, it’s important to take a critical eye to technology and understand its implications. For example, with AI technology readily available and the content it creates surging across the internet, a recent Forbes survey shows some 75% of consumers worry AI will be used for misinformation. Read more.

Experiential Learning

Legislative student interns, left to right: Grant Avis, Madie Hall, Molly Spicer, and Sarah Baker

Spring Fever in the Capitol: students gain hands-on experience in state legislature internship program

By Caitlin Brooks

Every spring in Frankfort, the Kentucky General Assembly convenes for the spring legislative session, and if you peek inside the bustling halls of the Capitol building, you’ll find UofL student interns gaining experience in the behind-the-scenes work of policymaking and the legislative process.

For 25 years, UofL has provided students this opportunity to get up close and personal with members of the Kentucky Legislature through the Frankfort Internship Program. In 2023-24, 21 students – the most of any Kentucky university – were paired with a state senator or representative based on their ability to perform supportive tasks such as speech writing, researching bills as well as attending meetings and General Assembly sessions.

Madie Hall and Emmy Slaton are two student interns who took part this year and worked with Rep. Rachel Roarx and Rep. Tina Bojanowski, respectively. Hall, a senior who was in her second year of the program, also served as the internship coordinator, acting as a liaison between the interns and their professors during the program.

“It’s a little difficult managing 20 interns who are mostly freshmen who had never stepped foot on the State Capitol before,” Hall said. “I think I’ll definitely take the leadership skills that I got from that experience and transfer those skills over to any of my future jobs.”

As part of her internship tasks, Hall, who is double majoring in communication and political science, focused on expanding her speech writing skills for Roarx to complement her communication background. She also conducted floor amendments research, helped write grant proposals and corresponded with constituents over email. Read more.

Administrative Professionals Retreat

Last week, the A&S Business Center hosted 52 colleagues for a full-day retreat offering training and team building for A&S administrative professional staff. After an enthusiastic welcome from Dean Touron, which set a positive tone, the day including sessions on course scheduling, program changes and scholarships, travel and procurement, timekeeping, payroll inquiries, course cancellations, staff recruiting, and steering your professional path. 

Guest speakers included Jason Sievers, Mallory Newby, Susan Ryan, and Yolanda Demaree, as well as Business Center staff members Robin Carroll, Lori Cotter, Dawn Clements, MaryPat Chiavaroli, and Mary Elliott Stump. Craig Grapperhaus gave the closing remarks, and the day offered many opportunities for making personal connections with fellow team members. 

Many thanks to Robin Carroll, Sr. Manager, Business Unit Administration for Finance; and MaryPat Chiavaroli, Sr. Manager, Business Unit Administration for HR & Employee Relations; for organizing the event, and for the contributions from the Business Center staff.  The Business Center will continue to offer training to support this essential cohort, ensuring the smooth operation of our large and complex college.  The A&S Research Office is also eager to participate in future training sessions. 

To ensure that future trainings meet your professional needs and expectations, organizers are collecting feedback at this survey link: 

• https://forms.microsoft.com/r/Aq6x2BPHVk

Responses will remain confidential and only be used to improve and define future trainings and retreats. Thank you in advance for your feedback! 

Young Alumna

Leading with Legacy: Taylor Griffith's Path from Pan-African Studies to Law School

By Stephanie Godward

Taylor Griffith’s experience in a Pan-African Studies theatre course created a deep connection to her personal heritage in a way that she had never experienced before as a student, ultimately shaping her own path forward to pursuing a career in law. “We delved into a lot of Black literature, talking about enslaved Americans, and Black women in different eras, and it was the first time I had taken a course, read, and felt connected to the people that I was reading about,” she said.

Griffith, 21, of Louisville, graduated in May 2024 with a BA degree in Pan-African Studies, a minor in Atmospheric Physics, and a certificate in Peace, Justice and Conflict Transformation. In addition, she was an Honors Scholar, a Woodford R. Porter Scholar, a Muhammad Ali Scholar, president of the Black and Brown Honors Society, and a Diversity Student Ambassador for Admissions. This fall, she will attend the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at UofL and has also been accepted into UofL’s MBA program to pursue a JD/MBA dual degree.

"During my history course with Dr. Tyler Fleming, I got to learn about a piece of African history that is just not really taught in K-12, where usually we start with enslavement,” she said. “But with his course, we explored the cultures of different African peoples prior to enslavement. It gave me a lot of pride to learn about the different cultures and how vast it was.”

As a student and prior to the Black Lives Matter movement, Taylor had the opportunity to shadow Lonita Baker, the Louisville attorney who later went on to represent Breonna Taylor’s family in their landmark settlement with Louisville. Baker is now a professor of practice in the Brandeis School of Law. “I got to experience the behind-the-scenes of an attorney’s life and instantly fell in love with the field of law,” she said.

Griffith was also inspired to get involved in policy work after serving an internship with State Senator Reginald Thomas, another opportunity afforded by the Pan-African Studies Department. "Being an attorney, you work within the system that is already created,” she said. “In policy work, you get to rework the system.”

Dr. Michael Brandon McCormack, Chair and Professor of the Pan-African Studies Department, states that Taylor has been an absolute joy to work with over the years. “Taylor is a truly exceptional student, whose intellectual capacity is only surpassed by her impressive work ethic, fierce commitments to justice, and her unusually kind and generous spirit,” said McCormack. “There is no doubt that Taylor Griffith is among the best and brightest at the University of Louisville, and her decision to major in Pan-African Studies speaks to the vibrancy and viability of our degree program for high achieving students interested in making a significant impact in the world.” Read more.

Kudos

English Professor's New Book of Poetry, Past Lives

Congratulations to V. Joshua Adams, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of English, on the publication of his book of poetry, Past Lives (Jackleg Press, July 2024). Its subjects range from competitive knitting, to beer commercials, cabriolets, and mandolin players breaking ukulele players' fingers. Poet Simone Muench said of the collection, "These are poems of wit, inquiry, and sonic vigor that examine issues of being, textuality, and the imaginative act." See book cover below. 

Kudos to geography major Jayden Ulrich (below), who is competing in the Paris Olympics in the discus throw. Jayden has made history as the first track and field athlete from Louisville to represent the USA at the Olympic Games, an incredible achievement! We wish her well.

Undergrad Health Career Credential

Nelia Smithson, a neuroscience major (left), and Ashley Shuffler, a biology major (right), are earning the new Healthcare Professions Skills credential.

Healthcare Professions Skills Credential Equips Students to Thrive in Health Careers

By Stephanie Godward

As the healthcare industry continues to grow and evolve, the need for skilled professionals becomes increasingly critical. A&S is addressing this need with its innovative Healthcare Professions Skills credential through the Department of Biology.

The current credential and its courses give students an avenue to explore a myriad of healthcare careers through hands-on experience, comprehensive training, and two consecutive internship placements through established community partnerships—all preparing them for diverse careers in healthcare.

As the first cohort progresses, Dr. Samiyyah Sledge, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Director of the Healthcare Professions Skills Credential, is passionate about expanding students' awareness of healthcare careers.

"There's a critical need for trained healthcare professionals in Kentucky. This program helps students explore various healthcare professions, including but not limited to the more popular options like medicine and nursing,” Dr. Sledge states. “Students can also explore career paths such as audiology, medical laboratory technology, and healthcare management, as well as work with the houseless and other underserved populations.”

"This program opened my eyes to various career options," said Ashley Shuffer, a third-year biology major. “I was able to learn that I really like genetics and genetic counseling, because if someone has a genetic need or a genetic condition, then you work with the doctor to determine the best tests for them, or you help them to take steps to become healthier. I thought it was interesting to blend empathy work with healthcare.”

Nelia Smithson, a third-year neuroscience major, shared her desire to join the first cohort of this credential because of the resume-building experiences it provides. "It’s crucial to understand the dynamics of a clinic and how various roles collaborate to ensure a successful patient experience," said Nelia. She aspires to a career in speech pathology and appreciates the credential’s impact on her professional growth. Read more.

Department Fact Sheet of the Week

Although geared to students, department fact sheets are wonderful pieces that display the depth and breadth of each of our stellar departments. The Monday Memo will feature a different one in each upcoming edition. First up: Physics and Astronomy!

Survey & Opportunities

Research Computing Survey

UofL is making a major investment in research computing that will include both equipment and support staff specifically targeting acceleration of faculty opportunities to take advantage of computational methods in their respective fields. We will be investing $3.5M in new computational equipment and forming a new unit within ITS to provide support.

Your input is vital in planning these efforts. We anticipate that this investment will not only support current research, but also provide significant opportunities to engage in new research. We would like to maximize the value of the new equipment for our research community. To help us plan, please complete this initial survey of your computational resource needs, either for yourself as an individual researcher or on behalf of your laboratory.

2025 Kentucky Women's Book Festival Planning Committee seeks members

Do you have a passion for reading and support women writers from Kentucky? Do you have a diverse perspective on issues and topics of interest? If so, consider joining the 2025 Kentucky Women's Book Festival Planning Committee. See the webpage for the KWBF 2024 event for your reference. Faculty, staff, and community members may join by emailing your name and interests to womenctr@louisville.edu or call the Women’s Center, 852-8976 or 852-7715.

Call for Papers: LCLC52

The 52nd Annual Louisville Conference on Literature & Culture will take place on Feb. 17-18 (virtual) and Feb. 20-22 (in-person) with a thrilling new line-up of nationally and internationally renowned keynote speakers: Rachel Kushner, Ben Lerner, Jahan Ramazani, and Jorge Medina!

LCLC52 welcomes critical papers and full panel discussions about literature from the 20th and 21st centuries and its connections to other art forms and academic fields. The conference also welcomes creative submissions, such as literary compositions, videos, or hybrid genres. Additionally, critical-creative submissions exploring poetics, crafts, or writing practices are welcomed.

Deadline for submissions is 11:59 P.M. EST on September 16, 2024. Read more for submission guidelines or contact Emily Ravenscraft, Conference Coordinator, at lclc@louisville.edu to learn how you can be a part of LCLC52.

Human Resources

Don’t let your $40 Get Healthy Now monthly premium incentive slip away

If you haven’t completed your Personal Health Profile (PHP) to enroll in the Get Healthy Now program, now is the time to do so. Your health journey begins with the PHP as your guide to choosing how to earn your additional 280 wellness points. Don’t let your 2025 $40 monthly premium incentive slip away and miss out on the chance to nourish both your wallet and your well-being.
Trouble registering or logging in? Contact Health Advocate at 866-799-2731 for assistance with the registration process. 

A&S Events

Origin Stories: Peruvian Pre-Columbian Ceramics Exhibition

The Hite Institute of Art + Design is pleased to present Origin Stories, an exhibition of Peruvian pre-Columbian work from the archives of the Speed Art Museum curated by Dani Deeley. On view for the first time in nearly forty years, the objects in this exhibition provoke questions about the acquisition of objects, the circumstances of their arrival, and their current condition.

The collection of Peruvian art was donated by Elizabeth Crow Bullitt, of the well-known Bullitt family in Louisville, on behalf of her late husband, Charles William Buck in 1934. Buck acquired these objects during his time as U.S. ambassador to Peru from 1885 to 1889. Origin Stories presents a window into the lives of five Peruvian pre-Columbian ceramic objects that, up until 2024, had never been fully investigated. This exhibition will be on view until August 9 at the Cressman Center for Visual Arts. 

Staff Member in Criminal Justice Publishes Book on a Widow's Journey

Congratulations to Karen Thompson, Administrative Assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice, on the publication of her book, A Widow's Journey to Healing & Self-Discovery. Karen received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the department, where she has been a staff member for over 25 years. Thompson was featured in the September 25, 2023 edition of the Monday Memo for her acting talents, and now she is a published author too! Please come out to support our colleague at her booksigning on Sat., Aug 3, 6:30 pm, at the famed Seelbach Hotel. See flyer below. 

A&S Open House

This year's A&S Open House, part of Welcome Week, will be held on Friday, August 16, 10 am to 12 noon, in the Belknap Academic Building lobby and the surrounding lawn outdoors. Last year we had a huge student and department turnout, and we expect similar numbers this year. There will be information tables for each department or unit, as well as games and activities outside, and best of all: donuts! Use this link to sign up and share with your student organization members. Keep in mind that anyone from your department can attend. Many thanks to Sr. Coordinator Nuriya Raimberdieva for spearheading this fun and essential recruitment event!

UofL Events

Delphi Center's Instructor Trainings for Transitioning to Blackboard Ultra

With the start of the fall 2024 semester less than four weeks away, it is crucial to address the transition to the new “Ultra” interface of Blackboard. The fall 2024 course shells created in March 2024 are now exclusively available in Blackboard Ultra.

Instructors are urged to personally log in to your Blackboard Ultra courses as soon as possible. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the new interface and its functionalities. If you have heavily relied on Blackboard Original in the past, please note that adjusting to Ultra will require some time and effort.

Extensive support for the Ultra interface is available through the Delphi Center. To assist with this transition, we are offering both topic-specific training sessions and topic-neutral “pop-in” sessions every day, with a minimum of three hours of assistance available each day. We recommend registering for these sessions at least 24 hours in advance at the following URL: http://uofl.me/blackboard-ultra.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and your commitment to providing a seamless learning experience for our students.

Save the Date: Inclusive Excellence and Belonging Symposium

All are invited to the inaugural Inclusive Excellence and Belonging Symposium, an event dedicated to exploring and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our academic and local communities. This symposium aims to bring together scholars, practitioners, students, campus and community members to share research, best practices, and innovative ideas that foster an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all. August 26 – 30, 2024 which includes the President's Forum on Inclusive Excellence on August 28. Multiple locations: Belknap, Health Sciences Campus, virtual, and participating community locations. Participant registration information and session details will be shared early August.

Save the Date: Delphi Center's 2025 Celebration of Teaching and Learning

On Friday, February 7, 2025, the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning (Delphi) will host the next UofL Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference at the SAC on Belknap Campus. This annual event is a cornerstone of our shared commitment to educational excellence, bringing together educators from across the university to share insights, innovations, and best practices in teaching and learning. We look forward to your support and participation.