Monday Memo November 13, 2017

Dean's Message

Dear Colleagues,
 
This Wednesday is your last chance to spend an amazing 50 minutes walking with Prof. Tom Owen to discover the history, learn about the namesakes of our buildings, and uncover the many hidden treasures of Belknap campus. Prof. Owen is an incredible historian, and I encourage you to plan to take the tour. Those wishing to go should meet at 12pm outside the Quadrangle entrance to Ekstrom library.
 
Last week, many of us enjoyed several events related to social justice. To name a few: Dr. Rhonda Y. Williams, the John L. Seigenthaler Chair in American History at Vanderbilt University, delivered the annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture. With creative prose, music, and dancing, she reminded the audience of the many connections we all share, but also the hurtful divisions that remain. Dr. Williams and many A&S faculty and students participated in the inaugural Social Justice Symposium, “(RE) Imagining Social Justice at UofL,” sponsored by the Cooperative Consortium for Transdisciplinary Social Justice Research. The traits of “audacious women” were heralded by Nikki Jackson, Senior VP & Regional Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank, at the Women’s Empowerment Luncheon where awards were given to Mallory Cox, graduate student in Anthropology, and Dr. Mary Craik, psychologist, fiber artist, and longtime warrior against sexism and racism. (I am thankful that, over the years, Dr. Craik has generously provided scholarships to many female students at UofL.)
 
On a sobering note though, there is no doubt oppression is alive and well. In recent weeks, the news has been full of men and women telling their harrowing stories of sexual harassment or assault by those in positions of power. Although the courage these victims are demonstrating in telling their stories is inspiring, it is hard to not feel saddened by all the injustice. Here on campus, pamphlets espousing hate were recently found in some of our buildings. Additionally, we’ve also had a few troubling situations involving faculty who have grossly overstepped by belittling staff and students. A few A&S students behaved very disrespectfully toward staff and faculty as well. This is not okay.
 
Good and bad, it was definitely a week filled with reminders of the importance of our institutional commitment to inclusivity and diversity. When we fail to follow through on this commitment, we don’t only hurt those we oppress through our words and actions, but we stifle our ability to work collectively toward our goals.
 
On the horizon is graduation which is a great opportunity for faculty to show our support of our successful students. Please join me at the December Commencement to celebrate their accomplishments. It means more to them than many of us understand. Thanksgiving is soon too, and in that vein, I am grateful for the dedication we all have to making the College the jewel in UoL’s academic crown. I hope we will all take time to contemplate and demonstrate our appreciation of one another and our institution.
 
As always, thanks for all you do.
 
Kimberly Kempf-Leonard

Announcements

"Ask the Dean" on 11/21 at 3PM in SRB 139
Questions about the direction of or changes impacting the University or College? Feel free to attend a Q&A with Dean Kimberly Leonard. Open to all A&S faculty and staff. Light refreshments offered. If you wish to ask your question in advance and/or do so anonymously, you can do so here. 
 

Only $135 left for Miracle Monocle to reach $1200 crowdfunding goal
Miracle Monocle, UofL's online literary magazine, placed 7th during UofL's recent Day of Giving due to the number of donors who gave to it. However, they were just shy of their $1,200 monetary goal. In its history as a publisher of innovative and edgy literary and visual art, Miracle Monocle has produced nine groundbreaking issues. They've featured MacArthur “genius” award-winning writers alongside new and emerging talents, hosted headline-grabbing literary events at local venues, and served as a one-of-a-kind job training program for students with aspirations in publishing. If they reach their goal, Miracle Monocle will be able to make needed enhancements to its publishing platform, fund a large-scale literary competition in recognition of emerging talents, and dramatically expand the journal’s reach. Supporting Miracle Monocle is putting your faith in its ability to make an impact on the national stage and about helping student writers find a path to career realization. Learn more about Miracle Monocle and take their last issue for a spin: louisville.edu/miraclemonocle. In the next 3 days, they need only 14 more $10 donations to reach their goal. Make a contribution of $10 or more now!
 

A&S Promotional Products
If departments, centers, institutes, or programs are interested in purchasing promotional products (pens, notepads, etc.) with the A&S logo on it but would like to benefit from bulk pricing, please fill out this online form. Lindsey Ronay in the Dean's Office will get back to you with options and pricing. (Form submission doesn't require a commitment; it is only an expression of interest and a request for more information.) 

Research & Creative Activity

Prof. Deborah Lutz invited to speak at the Universities of Calgary & Alberta
Prof. Deborah Lutz (English), who has been conducting extensive archival research on Victorian women's marginalia, albums, scrapbooks, and paper crafts has been invited to speak on the topic at the University of Calgary, on November 15. She has also been invited by the University of Alberta, in Banff, to lead a seminar as part of the North American Victorian Studies Association conference, on November 18. She also gave a talk on the subject in Florence, Italy, in July. Her related article, "Emily Brontë's Paper Work," appeared last month in the journal Victorian Review.

Kudos

3 A&S faculty members of first cohort of CPE's Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI)
Kentucky's Council on Post-secondary Education’s new leadership institute for underrepresented minority faculty graduated its inaugural cohort last week. The purpose of the Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI) is to develop more campus leaders among early career, underrepresented minority faculty who aspire to leadership positions. Three of the 19 person state-wide cohort were from A&S - Prof. Dewey Clayton (Political Science),Prof. Baron Kelly (Theatre Arts), and Prof. Sherri Wallace (Political Science). “We are building a cadre of great higher education leaders who can take us well in the 21st century,” said Aaron Thompson, Council executive vice president and chief academic officer. Candidates were nominated for the year long initiative by their respective campus provosts based on the following criteria: fewer than seven years’ experience in the profession, demonstrated leadership ability, interest in advancement and dedication to their teaching craft.

In the News

Impact of SROs debated as arrests, assaults rise in schools (WHAS11, 11/8) - Prof. Ben Fischer (Criminal Justice) weighs in on the impact of embedding uniformed police officers or Student Resource Officers (SROs) in schools. 

Speaker Series With
 Dr. Ricky L. Jones (Leo, 11/8) – Prof. Ricky Jones (Pan-African Studies) is speaking on “Curriculum For Whom: Whose Lie Is It Anyway?”

Papa John's stand on NFL protests shows money doesn't make you a good person (Courier-Journal, 11/8) – Prof. Ricky Jones (Pan African Studies) The case of Papa is yet another in a long line that proves people’s ability to make money does not necessarily make them good people.

The Speed Art Museum welcomes exhibition BRUCE CONNER: FOREVER AND EVER  (Insider Louisville, 11/8) – Prof. Alan Golding (English) will present a gallery talk about Conner’s connection with the Beat poets. Prof. Kiki Petrosino (English) will lead a creative writing workshop inspired by Forever and Ever.  

Voices on the radio are a crucial part of life, but they’re being lost. Here’s how to fix that (Washington Post, 11/2) – Prof. Christine Ehrick (History) co-wrote this perspective on the race to preserve the voices of the past.

Bus Tour Explores Louisville’s German Immigrant Heritage (WFPL, 11/2) – Prof. Ingrid Tower (German) on Louisville's German heritage and cuisine.