Vilas Voice 2009
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON FALL 2009 VilasVoice For Alumni and Friends of The Department of Communication Arts The Path Taken Neil Willenson and His Journey of Hope A chance encounter with a suffer- lenson observes, “After spending a full-time camp being estab- opportunity to travel to schools ing boy and a passing promise set more than a year with Nile and lished in Duluth, Minnesota. In and communities to raise aware- Neil Willenson’s (BA ’92) life on an his family, I realized that Nile’s addition, Willenson started an ness about the stigma of AIDS. unexpected course that took him pain did not come from the AIDS awareness tour called the The camp and the tour have from his long-standing plans of physical manifestations of HIV “Journey of Hope,” which gives gained national attention with becoming a movie director onto and AIDS, rather, it came from children who attend the camp an continued on page 3 an incredible journey of hope. The the isolation and cruelty he expe- young boy, Nile Sandeen, who rienced. Although he was living was living in Willenson’s home- with AIDS, Nile was healthy and town of Mequon, Wisconsin, was experienced very few medical infected with AIDS, and when issues. Yet, he suffered everyday Willenson, who was finishing his from the discrimination that degree in Communication Arts often surrounds this disease.” In at UW–Madison, became aware response, Willenson developed of the discrimination Nile was a plan to provide an opportunity experiencing at school, he was for children suffering with AIDS compelled to act. Willenson spent to have fun, meaningful camp the next year trying to overcome experiences, while allowing the often cruel prejudice that them to come to terms with the Nile was experiencing, mostly to discrimination they experienced. no avail. Among other things, “The main purpose for our the stigma and fear surrounding founding Camp Heartland was Nile’s condition prevented him to provide thousands of chil- from participating in many school dren affected by HIV/AIDS with programs that most kids take for unconditional love, acceptance granted. So, Willenson decided to and the opportunity — often for establish a summer camp where the first time — to openly discuss Nile and other children living with HIV/AIDS.” The first camp, held AIDS and experiencing similar in 1993, started with 72 kids, alienation could have a place of and since then has grown into a refuge from the stigma they were more substantial program that experiencing. This was the begin- has provided camp experiences ning of a whole new direction for to over 5,000 children from all Willenson’s life. over the U.S. All of these camp In explaining his motivation experiences were funded by for setting up the camp, Wil- generous donors, culminating in Neil Willenson 2 Chair’s Voice 7 Author’s/Artist’s Voice Inside 3 Vital Statistics 7 Award Recipients Vilas 5 Emeriti/ae News 9 Student Profile 6 Faculty Profile 11 In the Classroom his 34 years on the faculty, he in need of contributions to the Chair’sVoice taught countless numbers of Communication Arts Fund, students in courses large and a flexible fund that supports Securing Our Tradition of Excellence small. We wish him a happy and teaching, faculty and staff healthy retirement. retention, equipment updating, was honored with a Kellett Mid- In order to extend our recog- outreach and other efforts. Career Award. This prestigious nized tradition of excellence, de- On behalf of my colleagues prize given by the UW–Madison partment faculty, staff, alumni, and our students, I wish to Graduate School and funded by and students are engaged in express the Department’s the Wisconsin Alumni Research a strategic planning exercise. gratitude to our donors who Foundation provides Jacobs with Over Halloween weekend, CAPs have generously supported $60,000 to support her current (Communication Arts Partners), Communication Arts through research project, which chroni- a new advisory group composed the general fund, facilities cles changes in film style during of alumni and friends of the improvement, internships, and the transition to sound. Department, met to brainstorm scholarships. Your contributions Congratulations are also ideas about how to mobilize re- are crucial to sustaining our in order for Sabine Gruffat, sources to best meet the needs tradition of excellence. the Hamel Family Professor of of students studying to become On Wisconsin! Communication Arts, who this excellent communicators in the Professor Susan Zaeske with Susan Zaeske Jon Sorenson fall captured two top prizes at twenty-first century. The input Professor and Chair major film and video production from CAPs builds upon ideas (BA ’89, MA ’92, PhD ’97) Our faculty’s tradition of excel- competitions. Most recently she generated by faculty and staff lence in teaching, research, and won the 2009 Best Experimen- who this August participated artistic production is one of the tal Film Award at the Chicago in a strategic planning retreat. many reasons that Communica- Underground Film Festival for Strategic planning discussions al- VilasVoice tion Arts ranks as one of the “Jaws.” Earlier this fall, Gruffat ready have proved invaluable as is the alumni newsletter of the most highly-desirable under- won the 2009 University Film & Department of Communication Arts we seek to benefit from the re- at the University of Wisconsin– graduate majors on campus. Video Association Best Faculty sources afforded by the Madison Madison, 821 University Avenue, This tradition has been strength- Jury Award in the experimental Initiative for Undergraduates by Madison, Wisconsin 53706. ened over the past year with the film category for “Head Lines: demonstrating the extraordinary Email: [email protected] garnering of several prestigious Hybrid Film Trilogy.” student demand for communi- Web site: http://commarts.wisc.edu/ national awards. Stephen E. In this spirit of excellence, we cation courses and envisioning Lucas, who is best known to welcome to our faculty Jonathan Chair of the Department innovative curricula to address of Communication Arts alums as the eloquent profes- Gray, whose recent book Televi- those demands. Professor Susan Zaeske sor of Comm Arts 372, Rhetoric sion Entertainment was selected Crystallizing our mission also (BA ’89, MA ’92, PhD ‘97) of Campaigns and Revolutions, by Choice magazine as a Top enables department advocates Newsletter Editor has been named a Distinguished Academic Title of the Year for such as Jon Sorenson of the UW Mary Rossa (BS ’86, MA’90) Scholar by the National Commu- 2008. A highly prolific scholar, Foundation and me to clearly nication Association. This award Gray’s teaching and research Contributing Writer convey the goals and needs Ryan Solomon honors a lifetime of scholarly explore new media and how of Communication Arts. I am achievement in the study of hu- they converge with television delighted that Jon has joined Donor Contact man communication. and film. Jon Sorenson the Comm Arts development 608–262–7211 Last spring Professor Lea We also congratulate David team and enjoyed working with [email protected] Jacobs, a respected leader in Mortensen, who retired at the him on a recent event to honor the field of film history and the end of last year and was award- Online Giving Walter Mirisch. Likewise, I am http://commarts.wisc.edu/giving/ Director of UW Cinematheque, ed professor emeritus status. In thankful to Toni Drake, also of the UW Foundation, for all of Design, Earl J. Madden Production Editor, her work on our behalf. Jennifer Klaila (BA ’00) Communication Arts Priority Needs Discussions with faculty, University Communications staff, students, and alums have Greatest need of the department is the This newsletter was printed helped us clarify our needs as “Communication Arts Fund” through gift funds administered we struggle to maintain excel- by the UW Foundation. Fellowships for graduate students lence in teaching and research Endowed chairs to retain and attract excellent faculty Front page banner photos: All by at a time of budgetary duress iStock Photo, except third from left Funds to update facilities and equipment for the State of Wisconsin and by University Communications. the University. We are always 2 FALL 2009 continued from page 1 sad and lonely lives, often as a purpose,” he says. Willenson be- Willenson appearing on Oprah result of the cruelty and ignorance lieves such conviction and passion Vital and The Early Show. Also, Wil- of others. But just as significant reflect the UW–Madison education lenson has published a book about has been the realization that hope experience, and he continues to be Camp Heartland entitled A Jour- can come out of such tragedy. He grateful for all the support he has Statistics ney of Hope: Inspiring Stories of has seen that hope manifested in received from the UW–Madison For Communication Arts Courage and Unconditional Love. the way the children’s lives have community, including the educa- as of Fall 2009 And in recognition of his dedicated been transformed. Willenson tion he received as a student in the work, Willenson was awarded the continues to be enthusiastic about Communication Arts Department GQ Local Hero of the Year award the possibilities of education, and and the generous recognition of 1930 for 2008 and a 2009 Wisconsin he talks encouragingly about the the Wisconsin Alumni Association. Alumni Association Forward Under thousands of students, both high Willenson’s remarkable journey is Earliest degree 40 Award. school and college, who have giv- a reminder of the importance of year among living This career path has been an en time to the camp. They “have providing social support and that alumni educational experience for Willens- strong convictions, great compas- the privilege of education can pave on who notes that he has become sion and work for a number of the way to a journey of hope.