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

November 2009

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Kudos
The Interior Design program’s “Seeds of Hope” project in Haiti won a national healthcare design competition sponsored by the Center for Health Design and Contract magazine.

Ameer Al-Bayati, PhD ’86, was recently named dean of student affairs at Al Ghurair University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Alumnus Michael Arkin, AA ’62, wrote the mystery Out of Balance.

Senior Chris Avellaneda received the 2009 Thacher-Reynolds Memorial Fellow award from the Dept. of Philosophy.

Adrian Crook, BA ’97, MA ’99, wrote the novel Zeus Blinked, set on GW’s campus.

Chemistry doctoral candidates Anna Korovina, Jessica Stolee and Bennett Walker were recognized as “scholars” by the Achievement Rewards for College Students Foundation.

Hominid Paleobiology Professor Rick Potts and Anthropology Professor Brian Richmond appeared in PBS’ Nova TV series, “Becoming Human.”

Geography Professor Marie Price and alumna Cathy Cooper, MA ’99, won the 2008 Best Content Article Award for the Journal of Geography from the National Council for Geographic Education.

Chemistry Professor David Ramaker and History Professor Christopher Tudda were honored with Bender Teaching Awards from GW.

Allison Schultz, BA ’09, won the Parry Award for the highest GPA in the Department of Geography’s 2009 graduating class.

Hannah Sigur, BA ’75, wrote The Influence of Japanese Art on Design.

Junior Calder Stembel received the Student Staff Award at GW's Service Excellence awards ceremony.

Theatre and Dance Professor Maida Withers received a John Muir Award for her film, “TUK I,” at the Yosemite International Film Festival.

Working to Unmask Autism’s Mystery
When Richard Roy Grinker’s daughter was diagnosed with autism at age 2, he worked tirelessly to understand the mysteries surrounding this complex developmental disorder that occurs in about one out of 100 people. The Anthropology professor (right) became an authority on the subject and wrote a critically acclaimed book that has stirred both interest and controversy. His research is part of a larger effort in the Columbian College that includes work by Psychology Professor Lawrence Rothblat and Speech and Hearing Sciences Professor Francys Subiaul. Both are participating in grant-funded studies of causes and potential treatment.

Read more.

A Celebration of Scholarship: Recognizing Faculty Achievement
The quality and quantity of scholarly work say it all: Columbian College faculty are informed, engaged, and significantly contributing to the advancement of a broad spectrum of artistic, social, and scientific imperatives.

Last year, 23 faculty members received external fellowships and scholarships, including five Fulbrights and two NEH fellowships. In addition, 45 new externally funded research awards were received from such prestigious institutions as the National Science Foundation, NIH, NSA, NASA, National Archives, the Ford and Carnegie foundations, and the American Cancer Society. And, 50 new books spanning the breadth and depth of the arts and sciences were written and published by Columbian College faculty.

“This represents a significant part of what we are—the sum of the work of our faculty,” said Dean Peg Barratt at a recent reception recognizing Columbian College scholarship. “I celebrate what has been accomplished.”

For a full listing of faculty accomplishments, visit the following links:
Published Books 2008-2009
Faculty Fellowships and Scholarships 2008-2009
Externally Funded Research Awards 2008-2009

Environmental Resource Policy: An Integration of Interests, Disciplines to Formulate Policy
Individuals seeking to integrate their interests in science, economics, law, and policy with their concern for the environment are finding their niche in the Environmental Resource Policy (ENRP) graduate program. And, through an exciting new partnership with the Department of Energy, ENRP students will be traveling to the Southwest region of the United States next semester to gain hands-on experience and directly participate in policy solutions.

 Read more.

Alumni Journeys: Museums, Magazines, Music and Bourbon Street
The careers of Columbian College graduates reflect the variety and depth of their interdisciplinary studies at GW. For example, physics major Chris Anderson, BS ’81, is an award-winning author, an authority on technology and the editor of Wired magazine. Music major Jayna Morgan, BA ’04, (right) has jitterbugged her way to a dance career in New Orleans. Art History graduate Faye Gleisser, MA ’09, presents lectures on feminism in art at the National Gallery. And Ari Stern, BA ’09, Sawyer Carter Jacobs, BA ’09, and Evan Brody, BA ’09, are operating an independent record label on the Internet.

Dean’s Seminars Offer Freshmen Unique Opportunities
How about a course on pirates? Or Washington sex scandals? Or whether blogs and Twitter represent the last gasp for diary writing? These unique courses are just a few of the specialized learning experiences offered to Columbian College freshmen each semester through the Dean’s Seminars—each of which provides opportunities to explore significant academic issues with accomplished faculty in classes limited to 20 students.

Read more.

In Memoriam: George Stephens, Ruth Helm Osborn
We note with regret the recent passing of two members of the Columbian College family: George Stephens, professor of Geography and Geosciences; and Ruth Helm Osborn, professor emeritus and founder of the Department of Women’s Studies.

Dr. Stephens earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geology from Columbian College. He joined the GW faculty in 1978 and served in numerous administrative and committee capacities, including deputy director of the University Honors Program. Dr. Stephens was highly regarded as a caring and dedicated teacher and mentor. Students particularly admired his passion as they trekked with him over the terrain that formed the laboratory for his classes.

Dr. Osborn established a continuing education program, Developing New Horizons for Women, and went on to create GW’s Women’s Studies Department. A true pioneer in the field, she advised more than 400 colleges and universities on women’s programs. Dr. Osborn earned both her master’s degree and her doctorate in Counseling, Education and Psychology from GW. She retired from the University in 1979. A past president of The Columbian Women of GWU, she was the recipient of both the Distinguished Alumni Achievement and Service awards.

Luther Rice Fellowships: Imagine the Possibilities
Imagine traveling abroad to sift through historic documents, developing drugs in a laboratory to fight disease, excavating artifacts from world archaeological sites, or creating poetic performances to educate at-risk youth. The Luther Rice Collaborative Fellowships encourage eligible Columbian College sophomores and juniors to discover new worlds through independent research projects and mentorship by faculty. For more information, visit www.gwu.edu/~fellcent/rice.htm.

Writing Students Get Physical with “Dracula” Actor
Dan Istrate, who starred in “Dracula” at Arlington’s Synetic Theater, led a group of freshmen from a Columbian College writing class in a series of exercises to demonstrate how movement can convey drama and emotion. Istrate was invited by University Writing Professor Heather Schell to present a workshop on adapting texts to theater. Her students, who are currently exploring how Bram Stoker’s original story has evolved, also attended the play and participated in a roundtable discussion at the theater on adapting horror to stage.

Observing 60 Years of the People’s Republic
Dean Peg Barratt and other Columbian College representatives attended a special event at the Chinese Embassy to recognize the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Pictured with Dean Barratt is Counselor Song Ping.

www.columbian.gwu.edu

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