A Guide to Arts and Sciences' News, Events and People

June 2009

Upcoming Events:
The Shakespeare Theatre: " Women Beware Women"
June 24
6:00pm: Reception
7:30pm: Performance
Shakespeare Theatre Studios, Washington, D.C.

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"Small Scale - Large Scale" featuring art by Anne Banks, MFA '68
June 3 - 27
Gallery 10, Washington, D.C.

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"Dinosaurs Along the Silk Road" featuring Professor James Clark
June 24
11:30am
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

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CCAS Graduating Class Celebrated for Diversity of Experience
 

"Because of your education in the Columbian College, you can write effectively, read critically, think analytically, reason scientifically, argue politically, and see and hear aesthetically . . . and you can do all of this in a global context." —Peg Barratt, Dean

Who makes up the Class of 2009? They are students like archeology major Kyle Leonard who traveled with Professor Eric Cline to dig at Megiddo in Israel—the biblical Armageddon; or geography major Abdul Rahmin who, armed with a Shapiro Fellowship, is heading to Bangladesh to conduct field research on the effects of immigration; or Maureen Logan who helped map a 400-mile section of the Jefferson National Forest to study lava flows with Geology Professor Richard Tollo.

These individuals were among the 1,466 undergraduates and 585 graduate students receiving CCAS degrees during Commencement 2009. The weekend of festivities included a CCAS Celebration ceremony at the Charles E. Smith Center on May 16 in which Dean Barratt applauded CCAS’ newest alumni for their accomplishments and encouraged ongoing creativity, service, and leadership in future endeavors.

Dean Barratt's remarks
CCAS Celebration photo gallery

Matching Pledge by CCAS Alums Spurs Record Support for Class Gift

	With the nation’s economic recession in full throttle, members of GW’s 2009 Senior Class Gift Committee knew they would have a hard time asking fellow students to dig deep in their pockets to match last year’s giving total—let alone exceed it. But, that’s
Board of Trustees Vice Chair Nelson Carbonell, BS '85, left, and David Anderson, BA '09.
exactly what they did with the help of Alan Lafer, BA ’77, and Laurie Lowe, BA ’92, MTA ’96. The CCAS alums, chairs of GW’s Luther Rice Society, pledged $15,000 to match, dollar-for-dollar, donations in support of the senior class gift. “Even if seniors could only give a small amount, they knew their gift would have double the impact,” said David Anderson, BA ’09, gift committee coordinator.  By May, nearly 30 percent of the Class of 2009 had made contributions totaling more than $28,000, doubling the total of $14,000 donated during the 2008 Senior Class Gift Campaign. To date, $56,000 has been raised, which includes the matching gift and support from other donors.

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New Institute Explores the Past in Context of the Present

Inspired by GW’s surroundings in the heart of the nation’s capital, a new multi-disciplinary institute at CCAS provides a unique focus on the study of early Europe within an intercultural, transnational context. The Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies solidifies a rapidly growing scholarly community and strengthens existing partnerships between CCAS and other organizations, such as the Folger Shakespeare Library—where students have access to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials and other rare works for study and research. The institute brings together scholars and students in history, English, French, and Italian to explore history, literature, and theatre through innovative research and idea exchange, building upon the important role humanities research has in the world.

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Frank Sesno Named Director of School of Media and Public Affairs

	Emmy-award winning journalist Frank Sesno, a professor of media and public affairs at CCAS’ School of Media and Public Affairs, has been named the school’s new director, effective September 1. He succeeds Lee Huebner, who returns to the SMPA faculty on July 1. Professor Kim Gross will serve as director in the interim. Read more
Professor Sesno hosts "Planet Forward," an innovative multi-media program produced by GW’s Public Affairs Project.

Research Cracks Mystery of Resilient Teeth

After years of biting and chewing, how are human teeth able to remain intact and functional? A team of researchers from GW and other international scholars have discovered several features in enamel—the outermost layer of teeth—that contributes to their resiliency.

"This is the first time that enigmatic developmental features, such as enamel tufts, have been shown to have any significance in tooth function," said Paul Constantino, a research scientist in the Department of Anthropology.

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What do you want to read about? Have news to share? Let us know.  Submit your news at ccasnews@gwu.edu. Please include your name, year and contact information.