Newsbriefs, AY 2008-2009

SUMMER 2009

 

Professor Gilbert GonzalezA SUMMER OF SHAKESPEARE FOR WHITTIER COLLEGE FACULTY
(07/09) Whittier College faculty members Professor Brian Reed and Assistant Professor Gil Gonzalez have been working this summer with two different Shakespeare Festivals in southern California. Professor Reed returned as scenic designer on two productions for the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company in Thousand Oaks, California. This summer he will design both a Shakespearean tragedy, MacBeth (June 26-July 12) and a comedy All's Well That Ends Well (July 17-August 2). He will be joined by Whittier College student and Theatre major, Caitlyn O'Connor. Caitlyn is working as an intern in the costume shop for Kingsmen Shakespeare Company this summer.

In Garden Grove, Assistant Professor Gil Gonzalez returns for his second season with Shakespeare Orange County. Previously, he performed with the company for their production of Henry V (2008). This summer, he can once again be seen onstage in productions of As You Like It (July 9-25) directed by Carl Reggardio and The Merchant of Venice (August 6-22) directed by Tom Bradac. David Palmer, theatre manager for the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts designs lights for As You Like It.

Professo Chuck Hill PROFESSOR CHUCK HILL SHARES HIS VIEW ON COUPLE SHARING
(07.14.09) Professor of psychology Chuck Hill appears in the Wall Street Journal disscussing the differences between men and women and how they may affect romantic relationships. Hill asserts that adhering to social expectations in terms of displaying emotions can be the root of many problems. "Women can go to their friends and talk and ask, 'Does he love me? What do you think?'" says Hill in the article. "If men went to their friends and said, 'Do you think she loves me?' they would say to get a grip." More

  • CULTURAL CENTER DIRECTOR EMBRACES KOREAN IDENTITY AFTER LONG STRUGGLE
    (07.13.09) Cultural Center Director Joy Hoffman, adopted as an infant from Korea, shares that she did not come to terms with her Korean identity until she became an adult and began working in higher education.
    "If I hadn't gotten into higher ed, I would never have realized this was an issue," said Hoffman to the Ventura County Star. "I never would have found my sense of self." Hoffman now conducts research on young Asian-Americans whose circumstances mirror her own. More

Professor Sylvia VetroneSCIENCE & COMMUNITY COLLIDE, OPPORTUNITY EMERGES
(06.09) Assistant Professor of Biology Sylvia Lopez Vetrone '99 has been recognized by two federal agencies, awarded a fellowship through the Department of Agriculture, and winning entry into a program sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The E. (Kika) De la Garza Fellowship, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is awarded each year to only a handful of highly-accomplished faculty. Fellows are selected for the compatibility of their research interests with USDA mission areas, and the value their experience with the Department would add to their institution's curriculum.

Vetrone has also been selected for the 2009 Professions Capacity Building Program, a joint-venture by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Now in its 11th year, the program is intended to train faculty and strengthen the capacity Hispanic Serving Institutions in the procurement of federal grants and contracts in the health sciences field—and, in particular, biomedical and health services research.

  • CHILDCARE RESEARCH EARNS FELLOWSHIP AWARD
    National Organization to Provide Sanders with Key Mentorship
    (06.09) Kay Sanders, assistant professor of education and child development, has been awarded a fellowship from the National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education (NCRECE). The NCRECE fellowship program will provide mentoring experiences in writing articles for publication employing large-scale, national samples data-sets on early childhood education.

    Sanders' research focuses on the practices in childcare programs that support growth and learning for racial and ethnic minority children. The fellowship will provide her access to national childcare data and allow her to examine the relationships between culturally-responsive practices and childcare quality, as well as the associations between culturally responsive classrooms and social-emotional aspects of children's school readiness.

PSYCHED.
(06.09) In April, psychology professors Ayesha Shaikh and Lori Camparo, and students Alex Holtz '10 and Joselynn Cruz '09, traveled to Portland, OR to give a joint presentation on "The Role of a Mentor in Undergraduate Research" at the Western Psychological Association Meeting. The symposium was sponsored by the Council of Undergraduate Psychology Programs and Psi Chi (the national honor society in psychology). Pictured, left to right: Shaikh, Holtz, Cruz, and Camparo.

  • BARNSTONE APPOINTED TO UPTON CHAIR
    (06.09) Professor Tony Barnstone has been appointed as the Albert Upton Chair in English Language and Literature. The Upton Chair is awarded to faculty members in English who are committed to the teaching of writing at the College. This five-year appointment recognizes Barnstone's outstanding accomplishments in teaching and scholarly excellence and is intended to support future scholarly growth.

    A celebrated writer, Barnstone has earned fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. Honors given for his work in poetry include the Pushcart Prize, the Benjamin Saltman Award, the John Ciardi Prize, and Ireland's Strokestown International Poetry Festival Grand Prize—an award he collected in 2008. In recent months, Barnstone has given conference talks in Beijing, Dallas, and Chicago, was a featured author in the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, and been invited to give numerous poetry readings. His forthcoming publication, Tongue of War, explores a collection of poetry on World War II.

    Barnstone succeeds Professor Bill Geiger'62, who retired this year and held the chair with distinction since 1987 .Established in 1983, as part of a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Upton Chair honors former Whittier College professor of English Albert Upton.

Rounding the Bases: Baseball and Religion in America, by Dr. Joseph L. PricePROFESSOR JOE PRICE DISCUSSES THE METS-YANKEE RIVALRY IN BIBLICAL TERMS
(06.26.09) Professor of religious studies Joe Price is featured in a recent Newsday article discussing the inter-city rivalry that divides New York into two fan camps - Mets or Yankees.

"It's sort of Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael," said Price, editor of From Season to Season: Sports As American Religion. "The older brother often is considered privileged and, in something like intra-city rivalries, the issue often is about privilege. As the younger child often feels the need to prove himself, likewise the team that sees itself less privileged feels the need to prove itself against the privileged other, to earn the city's embrace," added Price in Newsday. More

  • PROFESSOR JOE PRICE MAKES SENSE OF SPORT RIVALRIES
    (06.09.09) Religion professor Joe Price, editor of the book From Season to Season: Sports as American Religion, was recently quoted in Newsday explaining sports rivalries. Price described these clashes as "archetypes of good versus evil, us versus them, the pure versus the impure." More

  • CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS NATIONALLY CERTIFIED
    (06.09.09) Whittier College's Center for Academic Success (CAS) has received national certification by the College of Reading and Learning Association's (CRLA) International Tutoring Program Certification (ITPC). The ITPC ensures that CAS's tutor training program provides the highest quality teaching and preparation for peer tutors and allows CAS to issue CRLA certificates to individual tutors who meet various levels of certification requirements.CAS programs include individual academic guidance, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, a peer academic coaching program, and an academic success workshop series.

    "Our future plans include advancing our program certification to Level 2 and 3, which will continue to enhance the quality of our tutoring training program as well as enhance the quality of our tutoring services," said CAS Director Kristina Alvarado-Gonzalez.

  • ASSOCIATE DEAN LISA BORTMAN NAMED ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
    (06.09.09) Associate Dean Lisa Bortman, director of First Year Programs, has been named Advocate of the Year by the National Resource Center on First Year Experience and Student Engagement. Each year, presidents of American post-secondary institutions are invited to nominate one educator on their campus for this award. A national panel of distinguished educators review the nomination portfolios and select 10 individuals as the nation's Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates.

Spring 2009

  • PROFESSOR ISHII ON MATH WRITING
    (05/09) Assistant Professor of Education Drew K. Ishii co-authored an article published in the fall, "Procedural Explanations in Mathematics Writing." He also presented research conducted with Jeremy L. Gerson '98 at the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry held at the University of Illinois.

PROFESSOR LOZANO PERFORMS WITH THE KRUSH QUARTET
(05/08/09) Music professor Danilo Lozano performed with the Larry Karush Quartet, made up of world percussionists Randy Gloss and Brad Dutz and pianist/composer Larry Karush, at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, CA.


  • PROFESSORS TAKLE SENSITIVE ISSUE OF CHILD INTERVIWING
    (4/29/09) Associate Professor of Psychology Lori B. Camparo had two book chapters accepted for publication this year: "Contemporary Child Forensic Interviewing: Evolving Consensus and Innovations over 25 Years" and "Interviewing Children: A Primer." She had three articles published, one co-authored with education professor Judith Wagner for the European Journal of Educational Research; one co-authored with Ayesha Shaikh, assistant professor of psychology, for Eye on Psi Chi; and one authored with both Wagner and Shaikh for Applied Psychological Measurement.
  • ADRESSING HEALTH ON THE U.S. MEXICO BORDER
    (4/29/09) Assistant Professor of Sociology Julie Collins-Dogrul was invited by the Pan American Health Organization to take part in a binational planning committee to develop a action plan to address social issues related to health disparities on the U.S.-Mexico border, and to help influence public health policy towards eliminating those inequalities.
  • EDUCATION PROFESSOR PUBLISHES RESEARCH ON BILINGUAL STUDENTS
    (4/28/09) Ann Sebanc, associate professor of education and child development, authored an article with two alumnae (Maria D. Hernandez '03 and Maria Alvarado '03) that appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Research. The article shared results of Sebanc's study, which investigated whether bilingual college students had closer friendships with fellow bilinguals than with monolinguals.
  • PROFESSOR CHIRON EXPOUNDS ON FRENCH FILM
    (04/24/09) Professor of French Marie-Magdeleine Chirol spoke on a panel "Found in Translation: Expanding the Young Audience for Foreign Films," at the 12th edition of the City of Lights City of Angels Film Festival: A Week of French Film Premieres in Hollywood at the Directors Guild of America Complex. She also presented a paper at the 20th-21st Century French and Francophone Studies International Colloquium, "Séismes/Seismic Shifts," at the University of Minnesota.
  • MUSIC PROFESSOR STEPHEN COOK BUSY ON STAGE AND BEHIND THE SCENES
    (04/28/09) Music professor Stephen Cook served as president for the California Association of Professional Music Teachers through this past June. He gave several performances with Broadway singer Susan Egan and is currently reviewing music for The American Music Teacher magazine.

Professor Rafael ChabranPROFESSOR CHABRAN SPEAKS ON DARWIN IN MEXICO
(04/24/09) Spanish professor Rafael Chabran was an invited speaker at the International Conference on Charles Darwin held in Mexico City, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

  • PROFESSOR GEETHA RAJARAM SPEAKS ON WELFARE MYTHS
    (04/23/09) Assistant Professor of Economics Geetha Rajaram was invited to speak on "Preconceptions vs. Myths of Welfare Recipients" at the American EconomicAssociation Conference.
  • PROFESSOR O'CONNOR GOES TO THE THEATRE IN COLOMBIA
    (04/23/09) Spanish professor Doreen O'Connor Gomez presented a paper on Spanish theatre at the opening ceremonies of the Third International Theatre Festival in Baranquilla, Colombia.
  • PROFESSOR JASON CARBINE EDITS BURMA READER
    (4/23/09) Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Jason Carbine has been invited by Duke University Press to edit a Burma Reader for their series The World Readers.
  • DEVIN IMOTO RECEIVES NERHOOD AWARD
    (04.20.09) During the 2009 Spring Honors Convocation dozens of Whittier College students were bestowed with various honors from departments and college heads for their dedication to academics and service. Patricia Van Oosbree, assistant professor of kinesiology and leisure science and the 2008 Harry W. Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award recipient, delivered the keynote address, "If Not This?" Dean of Faculty Susan Gotsch presented the 2009 Nerhood Award to chemistry professor Devin Imoto. Read more here. More
  • PROFESSOR LAURA MCENANEY AWARDED HOWARD FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP
    (04.06.09) Professor Laura McEnaney, Nadine Austin Wood Chair in American History, has been awarded a George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation Fellowship for her post-World War II project entitled "Postwar: A Social and Policy History of Peace, 1944-1953." The Howard Foundation awards a limited number of fellowships each year for independent projects in selected fields. The Foundation targets its support specifically to early to mid-career individuals who have achieved recognition for at least one major project. More
  • PROFESSOR CHARLES ADAMS DISCUSSES AMERICAN POPULAR CULTURE
    (04/09) English professor Charles Adams published an essay in the catalog for the exhibition "George Pope Morris: Defining American Culture," which opened at The Putnam County Historical Society and Foundry School Museum — moving in the fall to the Boston Athenaeum. He also discussed "Can The Prisoner Escape the 60's?" at the Popular Culture/American Culture Associations annual meeting.
  • PROFESSOR BARSTONE TRANSLATES THE MYSTICAL-EROTIC
    (04/09) English professor Tony Barnstone is completing a book with Bilal Shaw '02 translating mystical-erotic ghazals of the Urdu poet Ghalib, with a contract to publish with White Pine Press.

  • WHITTIER COLLEGE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
    (03.17.09) Announced today, Dr. Charlotte G. Borst has been appointed Whittier College's next Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, effective July 1, 2009. Borst will succeed the current dean, Dr. Susan Gotsch, who has been at Whittier for seven years.

    "Charlotte is bringing to Whittier a wonderful breadth of interests and experience, devotion to our interdisciplinary tradition, and dedication to advancing students' aspirations and achievement," said President Sharon Herzberger. "We are fortunate to have such a strong colleague joining our leadership team. I know her particular talents and expertise will be instrumental in the strategic advancement of our academic programs.” More

  • PROFESSOR GEETHA RAJARAM COMMENTS ON NEW LABOR SECRETARY
    (03.16.09) According to an article in La Opinion, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will face challenges balancing her strong ties with labor unions and her new duties at Labor Secretary. Economics professor Geetha Rajaram commented in the Spanish-language daily that big businesses are already showing concern. She gave as an example the recent downgrade of Wal-Mart shares by Citibank that cited upcoming legislation to simplify the process of forming unions as a potential concern for the company. More

  • CHARLES EASTMAN LEADS PRESENTATION ON PEER MENTORING
    (03/12/09) Charles Eastman, director of the Writing Program, led students Sarah Miranda, Martina Miles, Katy Simonian, Wren Saito, and Mary Helen Truglia in a group presentation at the Annual Conference of the SoCal Writing Centers Association; their topic encompassed the technical differences between tutoring in a writing center and the sort of work they do as peer mentors. Eastman also spoke at the National Conference on College Composition and Communication.
  • WHITTIER COLLEGE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW DEAN FOR THE LAW SCHOOL
    (02.11.09) Following an extensive, national search, Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger announced Monday that Penelope Bryan has been appointed Dean of Whittier Law School, effective July 2009. Bryan will succeed the current dean, Neil H. Cogan, who has helmed the law school for the past eight years. Read more in the Orange County Register. More

  • PROFESSOR DAN DURAN OFFERS INSIGHT TO RECENT HISTORY
    (02.09.09) Business administration professor Dan Duran was in Washington D.C. during the 44th Presidential Inauguration this past January 20. In this blog he reflects on the election and how he and his family played a role in history. Click here to read his blog.

  • WHITTIER COLLEGE PROFESSORS COMMENT ON LOVE, RELIGION, AND FOOTBALL
    (02.02.09) As an avid football fan and expert in the intersection of sports and religion, Professor Joe Price was a sought after expert this week to give his take on the annual pigskin battle that took place on Sunday. Dr. Price is quoted in the Pittsburg Tribune-Review, National Post, and Kansas City Star comparing the event to a religious experience.

    For his part, relationship expert and psychology Professor Charles Hill gave some advice in Women's Health magazine to football-widows on how to best handle the big day.

  • PROFESSOR GEIGER SPEAKS ON HUMANITIES IN HAWAII
    (01/09) English professor and Albert Upton Chair William Geiger chaired a session and was an invited speaker at this Seventh International Hawaiian Conference on Art and Humanities.
  • WHITTIER MOURS LOSS OF EL JEFE MARTIN ORTIZ '48
    (01.13.09) Martin Ortiz '48, who served Whittier College for more than 40 years and who founded and directed Whittier College's Center of Mexican American Affairs, died yesterday afternoon. Ortiz' dedication to bettering the lives of students and to educational excellence has left a permanent mark on the College. A memorial service honoring the life of Martin Ortiz '48 took place on January 25 at Whittier College.

    "His commitment helped to transform Whittier College into one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country and created an environment that promotes our founders' mission to respect people of all backgrounds," said President Sharon Herzberger. "He will be missed, but his legacy is strong." Read more in the Los Angeles Times.
  • PROFESSOR FURMAN-ADAMS PUTS MILTON IN CONTEXT
    (01/09) English professor Wendy Furman-Adams completed an essay on the history of John Milton's illustrations for the forthcoming book Milton in Context and presented her work on artist Carlotta Petrina at the Renaissance Conference of Southern California.

Winter 2009

  • HONORABLE MASTER HSING YUN RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE
    (01.06.08) On December 20, the Venerable Grand Master Hsing Yun, head of one of the largest Buddhist sects in the world, became the latest recipient of a Whittier College honorary doctorate of humane letters (L.H.D.). Philosophy professor Paul Kjellberg spoke to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on the reasons behind this honor. "Venerable Master Yun is a great man and a wonderful teacher," said Kjellberg. "That's why I nominated him for the honorary degree." More

FAll 2008

  • PROFESSOR FRED BERGERSON COMMENTS ON CONTENT OF NEW NIXON RECORDINGS
    (12.03.08) In the Whittier Daily News, political science professor Fred Bergerson comments on the newly released Richard Nixon tapes that chronicle the late president's Vietnam strategy between 1972-73. Bergerson, a specialist in public policy and civil-military relations and a Vietnam Veteran, said in the article that "political pressure of the time likely influenced wartime decisions" that led to events during that period. More

  • DR. JOSEPH PRICE EXPANDS ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF WHITTIER COLLEGE STUDENTS
    (11.14.08) "Most students today report that they have keen spiritual concerns and expectations," writes Dr. Joseph Price, professor of religious studies in a recent Whittier Daily News editorial. The piece looks at the religious and spiritual practices of college-going youth. Price adds that while student may acknowledge a decline in traditional religious behavior, such as attending weekly services, they "actively pursue questions of truth and issues of justice in distinct biblical ways." More

Professor Eric Lindgren DR. ERIC LINDGREN COMMENTS ON REDISTRICTING REFERENDUM
(11.05.08) On election day, Californians voted in record numbers to choose a new president, but also decided the fate of numerous statewide propositions and elected congressional representatives. Political science professor Eric Lindgren spoke to the Christian Science Monitor on the effect of Proposition 11, which passed and will establish nonpartisan redistricting for state legislators. In a Whittier Daily News article, Lindgren also commented on on how gerrymandered districts affected outcomes of local congressional races. More

Professor Fred Bergerson PROFESSOR FRED BERGERSON STUDIES TERRORISM IN TEL-AVIV
(10.24.08) Political science professor Fred Bergerson received an Academic Fellowship on Terrorism from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a nonpartisan policy institute. As part of the fellowship, Dr. Bergerson participated in an intensive, 10-day course in Tel-Aviv this summer. In the following article, Dr. Bergerson shared some of his experiences on the trip that took him through various sites in Israel, including a terrorist prison. More

  • PROFESSOR JOHN NEU OFFERS INSIGHT ON PROPOSITION 8
    (10.22.08) Among the key election issues this year is the question of same-sex marriage. As California voters prepare to cast their ballots on this controversial issue, the outcome will be watched around the US and beyond. Political science professor John Neu is quoted in the Christian Science Monitor on the issue. More

Rounding the Bases: Baseball and Religion in America by Joseph L. Price SPORTS AS AN AMERICAN RELIGION
 (10.15.08) As we find ourselves in the midst of the hockey, football, basketball, and baseball seasons it can appear that the country has become a bit "sports obsessed." Professor of religious studies Joe Price, author of Rounding the Bases: Baseball and Religion in America, commented on this topic for the Chicago Tribune. "Just as the Roman Catholic church has its incredible array of saints, sports heroes get revered for a career of accomplishment," said Price. More

  • PROFESSOR JOE PRICE BREAKS DOWN THE CURSE OF CUBS
    (10.07.08) Professor of religious studies Joe Price speaks to The Current radio on CBC Canada on the curse of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

Professor Gilbert Gonzalez PROFESSOR GIL GONZALEZ TACKLES MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
(09.07.08) Look for theater Professor Gil Gonzalez in between football games this season. Professor Gonzalez stars in a light-hearted national commercial for ESPN promoting Monday Night Football. More

 

 

Dr. Joseph L. Price, Genevieve S. Connick Professor of Religious Studies at Whittier CollegePROFESSOR JOE PRICE SPEAKS ABOUT THE 2008 POLITICAL ARENA
(09.04.08) Both GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama have recently made big speeches in large sports arenas. "It's a place where there is always hope," says Professor Joseph Price speaking with NPR's Mike Pesca on the motivation behind using such a backdrop. More

Professor Gustavo Geirola PROFESSOR GUSTAVO GEIROLA PRESENTS THEATRE AND PSYCHOLANALYSIS
(09.01.08) Gustavo Geirola, professor of Spanish traveled to Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador) to present in various conferences and theatre festivals giving workshops and presentations on the topic of "Theater, Pedagogy, and Psychoanalysis." As part of his work, Geirola was interviewed by three national newspapers and a TV program in Ecuador. Geirola's half-hour interview was broadcast in Ecuador and cable stations all over the Hispanic world.

  • PROFESSOR WEIGHS IN ON CELL PHONE AND DRIVING ISSUE
    (08.22.08) Whittier College psychology professor Chuck Hill provides "sage answers" on why people continue to use hand-held phones while driving despite a new state law requiring the use of hands-free devices. Read more in the Pasadena Star-News.

Summer 2008

  • PROFESSOR CHUCK HILL EXPRLORES GERMANY
    Psychology professor Chuck Hill presented at two conferences in Germany: the International Congress of Psychology, held only once every four years, and the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology.
  • PROFESSOR CHERYL SWIFT NAMES SENCER LEADERSHIP FELLOW
    Biology Professor Cheryl Swift has been appointed as a Leadership Fellow for the Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Responsibilities (SENCER) program. SENCER is a faculty development and science education reform initiative that engages student in science and math by focusing on real world problems. The initiative is the signature program of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement. The selection committee gave special note to Swift's course, "Globalization and the Environment," that was co-developed with Professor Becky Overmeyer-Velasquez. As a fellow, Swift will coordinate Whittier's participation with the SENCER program, develop additional courses that teach science through issues of global consequences, and support regional collective efforts to limit carbon emissions.

  • PROFESSOR CHARLES ADAMS STUDIES POE THIS SUMMER
    English Professor this summer at the Huntington Library concerning a project connected with an exhibition to be held at the Boston Athenaeum celebrating the work and influence of the publisher George Pope Morris (an important figure in the 1830's). This has led to some work on Edgar Allan Poe, who worked for one of Morris' publications where he also published "The Raven." The talk listed above is partially a result of that work.

  • PROFESSOR TONY BARNSTONE AWARDED FOR TOUNGE OF WAR
    English Professor Tony Barnstone won the John Ciardi Prize in Poetry in 2008 for his manuscript of poems, Tongue of War, which will be published in 2009 by BKMK Press, and he won the grand prize in the Strokestown International Poetry Festival, in Strokestown, Ireland, in summer of 2008 for his poem "White Fear." He has been touring quite a bit to promote his new books: Chinese Erotic Poems and The Golem of Los Angeles.

  • PROFESSOR DAVID PADDY EXPLORES NEGATIVITY
    Assistant Professor of English dAvid pAddy Presented a paper “At Home in the Dark: R. S. Thomas and Samuel Beckett,” at the International Conference on Welsh Studies at the University of Toronto. The paper dealt with negativity and how the two authors offer models of national identity that gravitate around notions of nothing and nothingness.

Professor Joyce Kauffman PROFESSOR JOYCE KAUFFMAN ADDRESSES PEACE IN IRELAND
Dr. Joyce Kauffman, Director of Whittier Scholars Program attended a conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, entitled "Peace by Piece," which addressed women's peace activism with a special focus on the movement in Northern Ireland. In Belfast, Kauffman was given special access to the papers of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, the political party created by women specifically so that they could get a seat at the table when the Good Friday Agreement was negotiated. The papers have recently been donated to the Linen Hall Library's political collection, and she was allowed to review them before they were made available to the public.

Spanish Professor Doreen O'Connor-Gomez and adjunct lecturer Mariano Zaro in Costa Rica. SPANISH PROFESSORS CROSSING BORDERS
Spanish Professor Doreen O'Connor-Gomez and Adjunct Lecturer Mariano Zaro, gave a workshop at the 90th Annual American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in San Jose, Costa Rica in July. The workshop, entitled, "Thinking España: Borrando Fronteras/Thinking Spain: Erasing Frontiers" examined contemporary Spanish poets, born after the Franco regime, who address democracy in Spain, the rise of neo-fascism in an age of increased immigration, and the role of Spain in a global, multicultural world.