Chapman University - Happenings: August 31, 2009

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Happenings: Chapman's Staff and Faculty Online Newsletter
— Week of Aug. 31, 2009 —

McGovern draws cheers (and long lines!) at Chapman

He’s still got it. The dry wit. The passion to persevere. The political insight that comes from experience. Former U.S. Sen. George McGovern, 87, discussed everything from his new book on Abraham Lincoln to health care. He even gave incoming Chapman students some advice at his public talk at Memorial Hall last week: “Don't forget to sign up for a few history courses.”

But some of his most poignant remarks throughout the day were about the death of his friend and former colleague, Sen. Ted Kennedy.

“He’s one of the most remarkable men I think I ever knew,” McGovern said at Opening Convocation. “He wanted to be a senator from Massachusetts in the best sense of the word. I think he became the greatest senator of the 20^th century.” (See our video clip for more of his remarks Sen. Kennedy HERE.)

At convocation, McGovern presented the Schweitzer Award to Dr. Anthony Garcia-Prats of the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS initiative for his achievements in bringing quality medical care to the children of Lesotho and Tanzania. Later, McGovern taped an interview with President Doti and Kristina Dodge for Dialogue With Doti and Dodge. He spent the rest of his visit at Chapman at Memorial Hall, where he spoke to an audience of 800 about his book Abraham Lincoln (The American Presidents Series, the 16^th President). McGovern said he admires Lincoln because he overcame so many barriers to get to the White House, including a lack of formal education and what today we would call clinical depression.

"He lost elections, which brought on depression," McGovern said, before joking how he knew “a little something about that.”

McGovern was the Democratic nominee for president in 1972. He lost the election to incumbent President Richard M. Nixon.

After the speech, McGovern stayed for about an hour, signing books. (The line ran up the auditorium aisle and out the door.)

What? He almost didn’t pursue physics?

Yakir Aharonov, Ph.D., professor of physics in Chapman’s Schmid College of Science, probably gave some science-challenged students a bit of hope when he told the crowd at Opening Convocation that there was a time in his life when he didn’t like physics. In his “Aims of Education’’ address, titled “Curiosity and Enthusiasm in Education – My Personal Experiences,” Dr. Aharonov explained that he was a very imaginative child. He loved puzzles and solving problems. But he nearly left science when he was young because his educators emphasized facts and memorization rather than understanding. Dr. Aharonov was interested in exploring deep questions, such as “do we have free will?” and realized that physics was a way to tackle those questions. Dr. Aharonov, winner of the prestigious Wolf Prize, told incoming students how he came up with his own approach for learning: Create your own project and use knowledge to get to the bottom of it. He told them to never give up the enthusiasm and curiosity. Keep nurturing it because it is the key to originality, success and happiness. CLICK HERE to hear Dr. Aharonov’s opening comments.

Cellist Ben Hong plays for Chapman students

Incoming freshmen at Chapman were required to read The Soloist, a novel based on Steve Lopez’s columns in the Los Angeles Times about Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. Ayers is a former Julliard student who ended up on the streets of Los Angeles homeless and schizophrenic – but still playing his cello.

Their guest speaker who would lead a discussion on the novel – which was made into a movie starring Academy Award winning actor Jamie Foxx – was Ben Hong, the LA Philharmonic cellist who coached Foxx on playing the cello. Hong spoke to students about the movie, the real Ayers – and about music.

Students from Chapman’s Conservatory of Music played for Hong. But they also got to hear him play. Click on the video below as he talks to students after the formal discussion and plays an excerpt from Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto.

Parking auctions: The saga continues!

We are in full swing with parking auctions. As of Friday, more than 50 bids have been placed in the Reserve auction. The online auction for Argyros lot permits – open to all faculty, staff and commuter Pete the Panther students – begins HERE at 10 a.m. on Thursday (Sept. 3.)

If you need help understanding the auction, you're invited to attend a live help session Wednesday (Sept. 2), the day before the Argyros auction, at Beckman 201 from 4-5 p.m.

Foor all other questions on parking, visit the new “C-Park” Web site.

Look, Ma! All of my stuff fits in my room! (Not!)

Parents and incoming students braved the heat, shopping carts and probably a few moments of separation anxiety as scores of Chapman freshmen moved into residence halls last week. There were loads of activities for parents and students, including special dinners and meetings about campus life/studies. We liked these tips culled from a Chapman Top 10 list of things parents should never do: Don’t call! Learn to text instead. Don’t chat with your son’s or daughter’s friends on Facebook. Don’t ever, under any circumstances, make any surprise visits. (You’ll wish you hadn’t!)

A look at this year’s freshman class:

Total freshmen: 1,030, (plus 300 transfers), (largest entering class in Chapman history)
Average GPA: 3.7
Average SAT: 1840 (highest SAT in Chapman history)
Most popular majors in order:
1. Film
2. Business
3. Undecided
Other: This is Chapman’s most geographically diverse class. More than 25 countries and 45 states are represented in the entering class. About 24 percent are from Orange County.

If you can't view the slideshow, you may not have the Flash plugin installed to view the file correctly. You can try downloading the plugin from here: <A href="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash">http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash</A>

Wanna check out the new residence hall?

Faculty and staff are invited to join the Chapman Alumni Association’s “Backstage’’ tour on Thursday (Sept. 10) at 6:30 p.m. Jerry Price, vice chancellor of student affairs and dean of students, will give you the scoop on all of the new amenities. See student rooms, the dining hall, the rock wall (hey – you want those Doti/Struppa climbing medals, no?) and more. Appetizers and beverages will be served. To reserve your spot, CLICK HERE to register. For more info, contact Nicole Sloane at the Office of Alumni Relations at x6681 or e-mail her at Sloane@chapman.edu

New director of community clinic

David Pincus, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, has been named the new director of the Frances L. Smith Community Clinic, in the Department of Psychology. Dr. Pincus has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Marquette University in Milwaukee and has been a full-time faculty member of the psychology department since 2003. He has worked in mental health since 1991, and has a variety of experience in the field, including administration, psychotherapy, clinical assessment, supervision and clinical research.

Dr. Pincus replaces Jeannie Walker, Ph.D., who is the full-time director of the Chapman University Student Psychological Counseling Services. Because of higher demands for that service and a move to a new location on Glassell Street, Dr. Walker wasn’t able to also be director of the community clinic, where she made many valuable contributions to that program’s development.

The community clinic has been providing low-cost mental health services for more than 40 years. It is a fully operating outpatient mental health clinic, open 6 days a week, and provides psychotherapy services for a variety of clinical concerns of families, couples, adults, adolescents and children.

Jim & Marla’s Black & White Film Festival

OK. Rewind a bit because we know that title is throwing you for a loop. Earlier this year, President Doti and Orange County Register reporter Marla Jo Fisher were talking movies. Marla Casablanca commented that no one appreciates the old black-and -white films, especially her kids. And of course, President Doti is a big fan of the classics. And then, voila! A film festival is born! Hence the name. Bottom line: Come see the classics!

Admission is free, and Chapman will provide free popcorn and other movie snacks. Screenings will be held on the Attallah Piazza in front of the Leatherby Libraries. Parking is free in the Lastinger Structure with a valid Chapman permit, or $3 for 4 hours for the general public.

All movies begin at 8 p.m. In case of inclement weather, screenings will be moved to the Irvine Lecture Hall.

Sept. 11: Casablanca (1942), Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman

Sept. 25: High Noon (1952), Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly

Oct. 2: A Raisin in the Sun (1961), Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee

Oct. 16: 12 Angry Men (1957), Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb and E.G. Marshall

Oct. 23: Them (1954), James Whitmore

Oct. 30: Psycho (1960), Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh

Nov. 20: Marty (1955), Ernest Borgnine

Ah, to be 5 years old again ….

On Aug. 30, 2004, the Leatherby Libraries opened its doors to students, faculty and staff for the first time. Since then the library has been a place for study, scholarly research, lectures and exhibits at the heart of campus. Today (Monday) stop by to wish a happy 5^th birthday to the Leatherby Libraries. Visit the Rotunda on the first floor of the library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for some cake, cookies and refreshments.

Want to travel and study overseas?

Learn more about interterm travel course and summer internship opportunities: Center for Global Education logo

International Internship Fair: The Center for Global Education and faculty members will host the semi-annual Travel Course and International Internship Fair on Sept. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2.p.m. in the Argyros Forum walkway.

Study Abroad Fair: The center will hold its annual fall Study Abroad Fair and photo contest in the Argyros Forum walkway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 21. Representatives from many of the study-abroad and exchange programs that Chapman works with, as well as students who have returned from study-abroad programs, will answer questions about the programs. (Don’t forget to vote for your favorite international photo during the photo contest.)

Applications to study abroad for the fall 2010 semester will be available from the Center for Global Education, beginning Sept. 22. For more information, call x6830. (See some of our travels in the slideshow below!)

Sure, you can “Give A Little Bit” …

We’re talking community service here! “Give A Little Bit” is the Department of Student & Campus Life’s two-year campaign to engage the Chapman community in 150,000 hours of service to Orange County by fall 2011 – just in time to celebrate Chapman University’s 150th anniversary! Chapman University students, faculty, staff, alumni and family members are encouraged to “give a little bit” to the Orange County community by engaging in individual or group service efforts.

The campaign officially launches Oct. 11 – at the Chapman Day of Service – but you can start to scout out the program now by visiting the Web site HERE. You’ll see that the campaign has already logged 200 hours of service (performed by one student!) toward its total goal of 150,000 hours. (Service hours performed on or after June 1, 2009 will count toward this campaign.)

Don’t miss these special lectures!

· What physics means to us: Yakir Aharonov, Ph.D., professor of physics and winner of the Wolf Prize, will explain science foundation vs. conscious experience on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall. This is part of the chancellor’s premier lecture series, “The Second Annual Lectio Magistralis.” It’s free and open to the public. Bring your friends and family to hear this distinguished scholar speak. (And you can ask him yourself about physics vs. reality!) For more information, call the Academic Events Office at 714-997-6565 or CLICK HERE for the Web site.

· Refugee Jews and their families: In the complex history of the Holocaust, the refugees’ story receives only peripheral attention. A new book, Flight from the Reich: Refugee Jews, 1933-1946, by Deborah Dwork and Robert Jan van Pelt, offers a different view. “Fleeing does not write the refugees out of the story, it simply takes the story elsewhere,” the authors explain. Dwork, Ph.D., director, Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University, will talk about refugee Jews and their families on Sept. 15 at Memorial Hall as part of The “1939” Club Lecture Series. This event is also free and open to the public. For more info: 714-628-7377.

Deadline? Doesn't Happenings just appear on the Web?

I wish. Sure, being on the Web is a wonderful thing. However, I Diana McCabe, Happenings Editor need to get copy in a somewhat timely manner so I can write/edit/link/get photos/video and pester you if I need more info! In general, the earlier you send me news items or ideas, the better. The deadline to be included in the upcoming week’s Happenings is Thursday at noon. Thanks for your help! (E-mail submissions to pr@chapman.edu) –Diana McCabe/Happenings Editor

This Week on TV

Dialogue With Doti and Dodge

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m.

“Comic Genius, Part I,” with Jerry Lewis, entertainer and comedian.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 8:30 a.m., on KOCE-TV

Howard Dorne, M.D., of St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, discusses the latest advancements in stroke treatment. Jolanta Lukawski, M.D., medical director of the Sue and Bill Gross Women’s Wellness Center at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, describes the application of integrative medicine alongside conventional treatment. Show host Larry Santora, M.D., explains why grapefruit can be dangerous when consumed with certain medications.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 8:30 a.m., on OC Channel

Carl Cotman, M.D., professor of neurology at University of California, Irvine, and director of the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, discusses Alzheimer’s disease and the latest research in fighting the disease; John West, M.D., co-founder of the Breast Care Center of Orange County, describes his one-hour breast exam and diagnosis procedure. Show host Larry Santora, M.D., explores the healthy aspects of olive oil.

The OC Channel, a partnership between KOCE and Chapman University, may be viewed on Channel 50.2 on digital television, Channel 235 on Time Warner, Channel 810 on Cox Communications Cable and Channel 470 on Verizon Fios.

Staff & Faculty Notes

Gordon A. Babst, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, is the lead editor of Moral Argument, Religion, and Same-sex Marriage: Advancing the Public Good. It was just published by Lexington Books, the scholarly division of Rowman & Littlefield. The book brings together experts from the fields of political theory and law on a topic of significant contemporary import, with relevance for the contentious debate over California’s Proposition 8. The book contains chapters by Dr. Babst and Ron Steiner, Ph.D., visiting professor of law.

Robert Buranello, Ph.D., Paul & Marybelle Musco Professor in Italian Studies, recently spent a month in Venice, Italy, conducting research and researching aspects of his January 2010 interterm course, “Literary Venice.” Dr. Buranello and Dodge Film School student William Walsh worked on short publicity films for the Venice course and the Italian Studies program that will be previewed on campus shortly. Also, Dr. Buranello’s article titled “Between Fact and Fiction: Italian Immigration to South Africa” will appear in issue No. 39 of the Turin-based academic journal Altreitalie.

Baron Kelly, Ph.D., assistant professor of theatre, spent the summer teaching and performing internationally. Dr. Kelly taught his course on psycho/physical acting at the National Theatre Academy of Finland in May and then went to Florence, Italy,for two months to perform in an international company of Italian, British and American actors in a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth at The Bargello. The performance won rave reviews and made history as the first English-language Shakespeare performed in a national museum in Italy. Dr. Kelly also has had three recent publications: "Breaking the Apartheid: Blocking Actors of Color in Globalized Multicultural Theatre" in Post National Enquiries: Essays and Ethnic and Racial Border Crossing from Cambridge Scholars Publishing; "Ira Aldridge: Prophet of Protest" in Ira Aldridge 1807-1867: The Great Shakespearian Tragedian on the Bicentennial Anniversary of his Birth from Peter Lang Publishing; and "Africans in Scandinavia" in Institute of African Studies: Research Review from the University of Ghana. Dr. Kelly is presently in negotiations with Focus Publishing to write a book on acting.

Tibor R. Machan, R.C. Hoiles Chair in Business Ethics and Free Enterprise at the Argyros School of Business and Economics, was a guest lecturer at the Paul Cezanne University Summer University, Aix-en-Provence, France, from Aug. 24-27.

Mike Madrid, Ph.D., education director of the College of Educational Studies, offered a workshop presentation, “The Latino Achievement Gap,” at the recent California Latino School Board Association’s annual conference in Sacramento.

Gregg A. Payne

Gregg A. Payne, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Communication Studies, has been invited to serve as associate editor of Continental Journal of Information Technology. The journal is one of several peer-reviewed publications of Wilolud Online Journals, which provide a forum for original theoretical and empirical work of scholars internationally. The journal is based at the University of Nigeria.

Is your faculty listing correct?

Have you updated your faculty profile lately in the Media Guide to the Experts? News organizations – reporters, editors, bloggers – as well as other staff and administration use the listings to help find experts. CLICK HERE to review your listing or add yourself to the guide.

What are you doing this summer?

We’d love to know what you’ve been up to this summer for Happenings. Great vacation? Pursuing a hobby? Have a new addition to the family? Please send to pr@chapman.edu. (We love photos and videos, so don’t be bashful!)

l’estate veneziana

Robert Buranello, Ph.D., Paul & Marybelle Musco Professor in Italian Studies: “When we have some free time in our ‘second home,’ Venice, my wife and I spend time with my mother, who lives on the Lido, and visit friends and family. We always find time for some of the fantastic exhibits the city offers, and this year we were lucky enough to be in Venice for the opening of the fabulous Biennale. We also always find time to visit our usual ‘haunts’ like Cantina do’ mori near the Rialto for an ombra, the risotto at da Romano and the bussolai on the island of Burano and, our favorite place, the osteria La perla - ai bisatei on Murano for the otherworldly pasta al nero. Many of these and other places are on the agenda for the interterm travel course to Venice in January 2010. We were lucky to spend June there this year. It is a wonderful time to visit. As they say in Venetian, “Nel mese de giugno la seresa xe in pugno.”

Ideas, suggestions?

We're still learning as we put out the online edition of Happenings. Please send feedback and ideas to pr@chapman.edu. Diana McCabe, new editor of Happenings, loves to meet people. Give her a call at Ext: 2813 and show her around your area of Chapman or just introduce yourself.

Happenings, Chapman University's faculty and staff newsletter,
is published by the Office of Communications and Media Relations.

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