America and the World F e a t u r e s

Rogue Nation 22 Has America turned its back on the world? A review and excerpts from a new book that questions U.S. foreign policy. Departments By James Kurth and Clyde Prestowitz ’63 L e t t e r s 3 Readers’ feedback Images From 28 S w a r t h m o r e Collection 4 S c i e n c e Current developments The teaching of science is enhanced by on campus modern visualization techniques— P r o f i l e s and beautiful images often result. Connections 46 By David Cohen, Peter Collings, Paul Alumni Weekend photos Makingthe 60 Rablen, Scott Gilbert, Carl Grossman, and upcoming events W o r l d T u r n Kathleen Howard, Kathleen Siwicki, Fred “Crash” Blechman ’46: Elizabeth Vallen, and Amy Cheng ClassNotes 50 Call him “The Flying Hobo.” Vollmer Friends catching up By Elizabeth Redden ’05 WhatShall 34 D e a t h s 5 7 An Emphasis 74 W e C a l l t h e Classmates fondly remembered o n D o i n g P r o f e s s o r ? Phyllis Hasbrouck ’78 works to solve Swarthmore students have close Books&Arts 76 problems and build community. relationships with their professors, but T. Kaori Kitao reviews Beacon By Kathryn Kingsbury not everyone is on a first-name basis. Hill by Moying Li-Marcus M’82 By Ben Yagoda and edited by Richard Harley ’72 A G l a m o u r L i f e 8 0 Editor Cynthia Leive ’88 publishes “The Toughest 36 I n M y L i f e 7 2 articles that impact readers’ lives. Job You’ll Ever Sysiphus and Me By Audree Penner L o v e ” By Larry Sobel ’77 Peace Corps volunteers from InHarmony 86 Swarthmore have served around A Day in the Life 88 W i t h N a t u r e the world. Professor of Music and Bach While re-creating a Tang-Chinese By Andrea Hammer expert Michael Marissen garden, Liam O’Neill ’00 has By Carol Brévart-Demm found his niche. C r e a t i v e 4 4 By Carol Brévart-Demm A p p r o a c h e s t o P e a c e Sally Chin ’95 and Shamil Idriss ’94 are committed to the Search for ONTHECOVER:THEINTERNATIONALTHEMEOFTHISISSUEOFTHE BULLETIN ISCAPTUREDIN Common Ground. THISILLUSTRATIONBYSTEVEDININNO(CORBIS). By Elizabeth Redden ’05 CONTENTS: A SOARING COMMONS IS A CENTRAL FEATURE OF SWARTHMORE’S NEW SCIENCE CENTER, PART OF WHICH CAME INTO USE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FALL SEMESTER. PHOTOGRAPHBYJIMGRAHAM.

PARLORTALK

he wordless 30-second commercial opens with a view over the tiled roofs of Swarthmore an Asian village. At street level, traditionally dressed villagers bow as a cur- COLLEGEBULLETIN tained sedan chair passes in a procession. A religious figure, perhaps, is seat- T Editor: Jeffrey Lott ed behind its translucent white curtains. Then, a large SUV enters a crossroads ahead of the procession, and puzzled vil- Managing Editor: Andrea Hammer lagers turn to stare. Next, we see the religious figure parting the curtains for a bet- Class Notes Editor: Carol Brévart-Demm ter look at the gleaming white automobile. Staff Writer: Alisa Giardinelli A brocaded sleeve extends through the curtain, revealing a hand that gestures Desktop Publishing: Audree Penner quickly twice, signaling the unseen SUV driver to cross ahead. It’s a moment that Art Director: Suzanne DeMott Gaadt, any commuter can relate to—yielding to another vehicle out of courtesy. Gaadt Perspectives LLC The SUV crosses the unpaved street, raising a small cloud of dust. The sedan Administrative Assistant: Janice Merrill-Rossi chair—curtains closed, its occupant’s identity never revealed—starts to move. As Intern: Elizabeth Redden ’05 the screen fades to black, these words Editor Emerita: Can a small college appear in quick succession: Maralyn Orbison Gillespie ’49 “RESPECT”; “Range Rover”; and the that awards fewer than Land Rover slogan, “The most well- Contacting Swarthmore College traveled vehicles on Earth.” College Operator: (610) 328-8000 400 diplomas each year This commercial—brought to us www.swarthmore.edu by Ford, which purchased the Land Admissions: (610) 328-8300 Rover brand in 2000—is emblematic [email protected] change the world? Alumni Relations: (610) 328-8402 of the U.S. relationship with the [email protected] developing world, where respect is much desired by all but rarely earned or offered Publications: (610) 328-8568 by Americans. If we accept the premise of this TV ad—that societies across the [email protected] globe are eager to embrace America’s products and popular culture—we display Registrar: (610) 328-8297 both arrogance and blindness. [email protected] In fact, just the opposite seems to be true. In his new book (page 24), Clyde World Wide Web Prestowitz ’63 puts it this way: “Much as it may like and admire Americans … the www.swarthmore.edu

rest of the world has its own traditions, ways, and values for which it wants Changes of Address respect. Globalization does not change this fact.” In his charge to the Class of Send address label along 2003 (page 14), President Alfred H. Bloom said, “If you see America becoming so with new address to: certain of itself that it begins to believe itself better than the other nations and Alumni Records Office peoples with whom it shares this globe, I ask you to help America to apply its own Swarthmore College 500 College Avenue democratic ideals to the world stage—to see the world as a community of peoples Swarthmore PA 19081-1390 of equal worth and potential, each of whom demands our full respect.” Phone: (610) 328-8435. Or e-mail: Can a small college that awards fewer than 400 diplomas each year change the [email protected]. world? The evidence in this issue of the Bulletin suggests that it can. Swarthmore The Swarthmore College Bulletin (ISSN not only provides intellectual leadership such as that shown by Prestowitz, its 0888-2126), of which this is volume CI, graduates are using their minds—and hands—to achieve peace across the globe. number 2, is published in August, Sep- From the hundreds of Swarthmoreans who have joined the Peace Corps (page 36) tember, December, March, and June by Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, to the young activists at Search for Common Ground (page 44), to the DOERS of Swarthmore PA 19081-1390. Periodicals Madison, Wis. (page 74), the intelligence, energy, and commitment of Swarthmore postage paid at Swarthmore PA and additional mailing offices. Permit No. alumni have mitigated evil, alleviated suffering, promoted justice, and advanced 0530-620. Postmaster: Send address the cause of peace. The education here combines the highest intellectual standards changes to Swarthmore College Bulletin, with a commitment to serve humankind—and it cannot help but make a differ- 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore PA 19081-1390. ence. SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN —Jeffrey Lott © 2003 Swarthmore College 2 Printed in U.S.A. LE TT ER S

FRAT DEFEAT REPEAT? stereotypes seeks out racial diversity As a former member of Swarthmore’s because of its singular ability to catalyze Kappa Sigma chapter member, I was discussions of the differences in our expe- pleased to read the article on the new role riences and, ultimately, to highlight the of fraternities (“Brothers” June Bulletin) underlying aspects of our shared human and would like to add an interesting his- condition. A wealthy African American torical footnote. As president of the Inter- woman who walks onto a campus will fraternity Council during fall 1951, it was spark more dialogue than a white student my responsibility to lead the fight to retain whose invisible personal history can be the fraternities in a campuswide referen- revealed at his choosing. dum held by the Student Council. For these reasons, I am unmoved by As the article implied, the issue generat- Dolan’s arguments for affirmative action Thinking Big ed heated debate at several public meet- for conservatives. My sense is that his with astronomer Sandra Moore Faber ’66 ings. The most articulate advocate for abol- analysis has yet to distinguish the differ- ishing the fraternities was an extremely ence between being a member of a minori- bright, determined young freshman who ty group and being in the minority—espe- and its alleged ties to Al Qaeda and other vehemently expounded on the evils of fra- cially if his “hardship” at Swarthmore con- terrorist groups posed an imminent threat. ternities. In the end, the student body sisted solely of the horror of being forced Here, Wieseltier was quite right. As many voted two to one against his petition to to defend positions based on assertions of us said at the time—and others are now abolish them. The freshman’s name was like those in his letter. learning after the fact—this claim was Michael Dukakis ’55—who thus received a JOHN DOLAN ’01 bogus all along but was used to deceive resounding political defeat thirty-seven Hanover, N.H. and manipulate the public into supporting years before the 1988 presidential election. our leaders’ predetermined course. I would not venture to speculate on any THEBIGLIE In short, this Big Lie technique was a connection between these two events, The College is to be commended for hold- supremely effective application in the serv- especially because I served as his campaign ing a prewar forum (“Writers Debate Iraq ice of naked imperialism. One hopes that coordinator among the California high- War,” June “Collection”), but I would ven- few members of the critically minded tech constituency in 1988. ture to guess that for most alumni shaped Swarthmore community were duped by it. ELLIS MOTTUR ’52 by the Vietnam experience, there can be lit- JOHN KOPPEL ’78 North Bethesda, Md. tle doubt about which side got the better of Bethesda, Md. the argument about the war in Iraq. EMBRACINGDIVERSITY Leon Wieseltier stated that he was “not KUDOSTOCOMMITTEE I would like to congratulate Theodore Han- a supporter of the government’s justifica- Your otherwise fine article on the report of non ’74 for his attack on Dean Darryl tion for war,” but one wonders just which the Task Group on Consensual Decision Smaw’s work (“Letters,” June Bulletin)— of the administration’s numerous, shifting Making (“Collection,” June Bulletin) neg- not because I found his arguments to have rationales he was referring to. Curiously, he lected to identify the other members of the intellectual merit; more because his lack of nonetheless went on to embrace the 11th- group besides Rich Truitt ’66 and me, all of appreciation for the intellectually rigorous hour human rights argument, contend- whom gave nobly of their time and intelli- discourse that derives from living in a ing that the invasion was warranted “to gence in the preparation of the report. diverse, pluralistic campus was the most respond to crimes against humanity such They are Elizabeth “Lee” Smith Ingram compelling reason for me to write a check as genocide and the use of weapons of ’66, Lou Kislik ’52, Dawn Porter ’88, Jack to our alma mater. mass destruction” (WMD). Riggs ’64, and Martha Rice Sanders ’77. I was confused by his perception that It is difficult to see how Saddam Hus- Lisa Lee ’81, director of alumni relations, multiculturalists believe that race is “the sein’s undeniably atrocious use of chemical also provided invaluable service to the primary distinguishing characteristic of a weapons against Kurdish villagers and committee. human being.” Those who embrace diversi- Iranian forces in 1987 and 1988—and JED RAKOFF ’64 ty as an educational value believe that race other genocidal and inhuman acts commit- New York is the most salient attribute in American ted by his deplorable regime from the late society, from finding a taxi at night to 1980s to the mid-1990s—mandated going FORTHERECORD avoiding the implicit financial practice of to war against him in 2003. The student pictured on page 12 of the reverse redlining in mortgage loans. A clas- That leaves the justification that June Bulletin is not Susanna Volpe ’02— sic liberal arts tradition that relies on criti- Wieseltier presumably found unconvinc- who says she doesn’t wear flip-flops—but cal thinking and challenging preconceived ing: the charge that Iraq’s WMD programs is actually Laura Holzman ’06. SEPTEMBER 2003

3 COLLECTION F i r s t - y e a r seminars will replace PDCs

THE FACULTY HAS APPROVED A curriculum that the PLAN TO CHANGE THE CURRICULUM designation has FOR FIRST- AND SECOND-YEAR STU- become arbitrary,” DENTS by eliminating the pri- says Hungerford. “A mary distribution course (PDC) program of first-year requirement and implementing seminars will do a more extensive first-year semi- what many PDCs

nar program. Changes will be aren’t doing—pro- BOB KRIST instituted during the 2004– vide a small class for- 2005 school year; the Class of mat that allows stu- ANEWPROGRAMOFSEMINAR-STYLECLASSESFORFIRST-YEARSTUDENTSWILLREPLACETHE 2008 will be the first affected by dents from the outset PRIMARYDISTRIBUTIONCOURSESNOWREQUIREDOFSWARTHMORESTUDENTS.WITHAN the new set of requirements. of their Swarthmore EMPHASIS ON SMALL CLASSES SUCH AS THE ONE BEING TAUGHT IN THE COSBY COURTYARD IN Students are currently experience to take APRIL BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FRENCH JEAN-VINCENT BLANCHARD (CENTER),THESEMI- required to take a total of six greater responsibility NARS WILL “ALLOW STUDENTS ... TO TAKE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN LEARN- PDCs, two in each of the three for their own learn- academic divisions of the Col- ing.” ING,”ACCORDINGTOPROVOSTCONNIEHUNGERFORD. lege—Humanities, Social Sci- Associate Profes- ences, and Natural Sciences and sor of History Tim Burke, who regularly to the faculty during each student complete three Engineering—as well as one was a member of the curricu- the 2002–2003 academic year courses identified as writing- additional course in each divi- lum-monitoring Council on in order to refine the proposal intensive (“W” courses), two of sion. The plan to eliminate Educational Policy (CEP) for so that it addressed the needs of which must be in different divi- PDCs maintains the distribu- the past two years, says that the various departments. She hopes sions. A “W” course will focus tion requirement that each stu- freshman seminars should ide- that the implementation of a explicitly on expository writing dent take three courses in each ally offer “the type of class you more extensive seminar pro- and will require the completion of the three divisions but never got to take in high gram across the different disci- of multiple analytic writing removes the stipulation that two school—small, sophisticated, plines and divisions will “add to assignments totaling at least 20 of these three courses be desig- discussion oriented, and the- the already amazing educational pages. Additionally, the natural nated PDCs. matically challenging.” Burke’s experience offered at Swarth- science and engineering distri- PDCs were originally imple- department already has a system more.” bution requirement will now mented in the mid-1980s to of freshman seminars in place, The plan will begin with a stipulate that at least one of the provide classes of 25 students or ranging in topic from Burke’s program of optional 1-credit three courses taken in this divi- fewer that would develop own class History of the Future seminars during the 2004– sion includes a laboratory com- knowledge of modes of inquiry to Angels of Death: Russia 2005 academic year. Each will ponent. In a memo from the particular to a given discipline. Under Lenin and Stalin. Burke be offered exclusively to first- Division of Natural Sciences However, Provost Connie says these courses have proven year students and will be limited and Engineering to the CEP, Hungerford says that wide- popular because they allow stu- to an enrollment of 12. The sem- faculty members wrote that an spread dissatisfaction with dents to engage in seminar-style inars will be reviewed for a understanding of laboratory PDCs arises from a sense that learning from their first class at three-year period, at which techniques is key to understand- such a label is no longer neces- Swarthmore. Burke thinks that point a final decision will be ing the modes of inquiry sary as a mandate to encourage the seminars also “help to con- made as to whether to make employed by scientists: “Stu- this kind of discussion and nect first-year students to one these seminars mandatory for dents should understand how writing-focused intellectual another.” future classes. we know what we know about inquiry. “What PDCs were Erica Kaufman ’03, a former Other curriculum changes the natural world,” they said. meant to accomplish has been student representative on the approved for the Class of 2008 —Elizabeth Redden’05 so well implemented across the CEP, says the council reported include the requirement that SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 4 SCIENCE CENTER OPENS AS CAMPAIGN ADVANCES ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY ROBERT PALEY (AND HIS DOG CHAOS) moved into their new labora- tory in August as the first phase of the College’s new sci- ence center was completed. The project will continue until summer 2004 with a complete renovation of the 40-year-old DuPont Science Building and improvements to the Martin Biological Laboratory. The science center is the most conspicuous—and, at $78 million, the most expen- sive—component of The Mean- ing of Swarthmore, a six-year $230 million comprehensive campaign that includes new JIM GRAHAM funding for new academic ini- tiatives, financial aid, facilities, independent student research, and In addition to the ongoing science center construction, ground instructional technology. Since July 1, 1999, the campaign has gar- was broken in July for a 75-bed residence hall near the Swarthmore nered $136 million in gifts and pledges, including $13 million in train station that will make possible renovations of Parrish Hall, gifts to the Annual Fund. beginning in summer 2004. —Jeffrey Lott

ARROW WINS PEW FELLOWSHIP Associate Professor of Dance Kim Arrow has received a $50,000 Pew Fellowship in the Arts in choreography—one of just two awarded in that field this year. Arrow, shown (left) perform- ing “Quasimodo in the Outback,” with Aryani Manring ’01, will travel to Australia and Japan this year, returning to campus in January to begin choregraphing new work.For an interview with Arrow, go to www.swarthmore.edu/bul- letin/sept03/collection.html.

HUNGRY FOR MORE CAMPUS NEWS? The venerable weekly student newspaper The Phoenix publishes both a print and and on-line edition. Mail subscriptions are available for $25 a semester or $50 for an entire year, or check the paper out on the Web at http://phoenix.swarth- more.edu. The Weekly News, produced by the College’s Office of News and Information, is no longer printed on paper, but you can find it at http://weeklynews.swarthmore.edu/.If you think you need a daily dose of Swarthmore, subscribe to the Daily Gazette, a student e-mail paper that arrives in your in-box weekdays during the semester.Subscribe at www.sccs.swarth- more.edu/org/daily/subscribe.html. ELEFTHERIOS KOSTANS SEPTEMBER 2003 5 FILLING IN THE FOSSIL RECORD WHEN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF STATISTICS Steve Wang was a boy, he loved dinosaurs and read dinosaur books voraciously. His interest and engagement in the subject has never waned. Yet, he didn’t become a pale- ontologist. Rather, he approaches the sub- ject through mathematics and statistics, having developed statistical models designed to determine the causes of mass extinctions. Though statistical paleobiology is a sub- field that Harvard paleobotanist Andrew Knoll says has been around for about 40 years, he says Wang “exemplifies a new trend within the subfield—the attraction of

real statisticians to the field rather than just JIM GRAHAM paleontologists who can crunch a few num- bers.” Knoll, who has collaborated with Wang explains that clues to the causes of ceous Extinctions, which included the Wang in developing his models, says the use extinctions can be found in the time spans extinction of the dinosaurs approximately of statistics is entirely necessary in quantify- over which they occur. For instance, extinc- 66 million years ago. He further questions ing fossil data that otherwise resists overar- tions that occur over a short span are more whether there are any patterns to mass ching concepts: “The fossil record is a huge likely to be attributed to sudden, catastroph- extinctions, whether they’re generally maze of particulars. To extract generalities ic events, such as an asteroid impact—the caused by similar or differing phenomena, or trends from these data, one absolutely now generally accepted cause for the extinc- and what kinds of species are most affected. needs statistical analysis.” tion of the dinosaurs. An extinction that “These are events that have a profound “The fossil record is incomplete. There occurs over a longer period, on the other impact on the world today,” Wang says, cit- [are] a lot of missing data,” Wang explains, hand, would more likely be the result of a ing the extinction of the dinosaurs as a par- saying the record contains many biases, or gradual cause, such as climate change. ticularly key event that allowed mammals— gaps. “Statistics is useful in quantifying Working in collaboration with several Har- and ultimately humans—to flourish. “Yet some of these biases in the fossil record in vard scientists, including Knoll, Wang for many of them, we don’t know why they order to better understand the history of devoted the past summer to developing occur, or how they occur, or how often they life.” By analyzing the dates at which specif- models that he hopes will help answer ques- occur. It’s a mystery.” ic fossils are found and then creating statis- tions that have captivated the discipline. For Wang, statistics appear to be a useful tical models that take patterns of gaps in the “How is it that two-thirds of the species on tool through which any movement toward a fossil record into account, Wang hopes to earth could become extinct in one million solution to this mystery might be found. create a method through which time spans years, which is very short in geological —Elizabeth Redden ’05 of mass extinctions can be estimated. time?” he asks in reference to the Creta-

COLLEGE HAILS has given its endorsement to sider race as one of many fac- COURT RULING the holistic process, including tors when admitting students SWARTHMORE COLLEGE WILL consideration of race and other in order to achieve diversity CONTINUE TO CONSIDER RACE dimensions of diversity and select the most promising AMONG OTHER IMPORTANT FAC- through which Swarthmore students. TORS IN ITS ADMISSIONS, follow- admits and will continue to At the time of the brief’s fil- ing June’s U.S. Supreme Court admit extraordinary students.” ing, Bloom said: “We believe decision upholding affirmative In February, Swarthmore that diversity is essential to our action at the University of joined 27 other highly selective educational mission—essential Michigan Law School. liberal arts colleges in a “friend because we are committed to “The decision is a victory for of the court” brief filed with developing leaders from across

fine education and for using the court in support of affirma- the range of American society CORBIS that education as a means to tive action in college admis- and essential because we are create a more just and success- sions. The brief asked the court committed to offering all stu- build leadership skills for our ful society,” said President to preserve the freedom of col- dents the richly diverse educa- diverse society and world.” Alfred H. Bloom. “The Court leges and universities to con- tional environment required to —Alisa Giardinelli SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 6 Swarthmore Remembers Three Friends

ROBERT CROSS ELIZABETH FRIEND ROBERT CROSS, WHO TAUGHT HISTORY AT THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY WAS WALTER HOLT SWARTHMORE from 1952 to 1959 and was SADDENED by news of the death president from 1969 to 1972 died on May 31. He was age 79. on July 18 of Elizabeth Friend, Completing a B.A. and a Ph.D. in American civilization at Har- wife of former Swarthmore Col- vard, Cross interrupted his college career from 1943 to 1946 to serve lege President Theodore “Dorrie”

in World War II as a B-17 pilot. Friend, during whose nine-year KAREN MAUCH A specialist in American religious and social history, he joined tenure, from 1973 to 1982, the College “evolved from the disarray, the Swarthmore faculty in 1952 and taught for seven years, during dissension, and distrust of the late ’60s and ’70s to a Swarthmore which time he also served for a year as the College’s first director of that stood … as high as it had ever stood.” During this time, Eliza- admissions and wrote his most important book, The Emergence of beth distinguished herself as a hostess of parties and organizer of Liberal Catholicism in America, published in 1958. faculty and alumni events. In an article in the Swarthmorean (July From 1959 to 1967,Cross taught at Columbia University, after 25), she is cited as having a “particular gift for intimate connection which he served as president of Hunter College. In 1969, he was with her family and with a vast network of friends in whom she was invited back by Swarthmore as its 10th president. ceaselessly and tenaciously interested.” Also a passionate cook and Admired by students for his integrity and open style, Cross guid- artist, she had recipes published in The New York Times and exhibit- ed Swarthmore through the challenges brought by the Vietnam ed her artworks in the Greater Philadelphia area under her maiden War, civil rights, and changing social mores. Nowhere were his skill name, Elizabeth Pierson. Her self-portrait, My Beasts and I, won The and character more evident than in his creation of the Black Cultur- Founders Prize at the Woodmere Art Exhibition of 2002. A memo- al Center; his oversight of the reforms that led to the creation of the rial service will be held Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. at the Bryn Mawr Presbyte- position of provost; and his staunch defense of academic freedom, rian Church. free speech, and liberal education. Professor Emeritus of Political —Carol Brévart-Demm Science Charles “Chuck” Gilbert, who worked closely with Cross as the College's first provost, recalls, “In the end, Bob helped preserve what was best in the College.” MORE REGS THAN EVER since graduated did not go In 1972, Cross resigned from the presidency to become dean of INANERA OF INCREASED SCRUTINY home because they were worried the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia, where AND SECURITY,Swarthmore’s about being allowed back into he taught history until his retirement in 1994. international students face the country,” she says. “There more challenges than ever. are others who did go home and EDWARD FEHNEL “Changes brought about by the did not have any problem re- EDMUND ALLEN PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF P.A.T.R.I.O.T.Act were rammed turning. Once they’re here, it’s CHEMISTRY EDWARD FEHNEL died on May 6. through in a hurry, so it’s taking not so difficult to get renewed.” During a tenure of almost 40 years as a facul- a while for some people to get More time-consuming, ty member at Swarthmore, he contributed clearance,” says Gloria Evans, Evans says, is the documenta- extraordinary skill, energy, and care to main- Swarthmore’s adviser to foreign tion needed for each student, taining the College’s level of excellence in students. now more than ever before, par- undergraduate science education. The growing complexity of ticularly the registration of Fehnel joined the faculty in 1948, after the visa application process international students in the completing a B.A. and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Lehigh has not dampened interest in Student and Exchange Visitor University and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University Swarthmore from abroad. “We Information System (SEVIS), of Pennsylvania. He was named to the Edmund Allen Chair in have had fairly steady increases an Internet-based system devel- Chemistry in 1972 and retired in 1984. A member of the American in international applications oped by the Immigration and Chemical Society, he was the author of numerous articles in schol- over the last three years,” says Naturalization service. Swarth- arly publications, including the Journal of the American Chemical Soci- Jessica Bell, director of interna- more does not have to register ety and the Journal of Organic Chemistry. tional student recruitment in the number of students found Fehnel’s longtime colleague, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry the Admissions Office. at large research universities. James “Jim” Hammons, praising his commitment to teaching and Although some foreign stu- “It’s a lot of work to register his students, says: “Ed had an uncanny knack for leading discus- dents have expressed reluctance everyone,” she says, “but we sions in a class of 50 to 70 students, where others would have to go home, Evans says it has got it done before the deadline resorted to lecturing, and he was never satisfied unless every stu- not been a source of major con- of Aug. 1.” dent was learning.” Two of Fehnel’s students, Howard Temin ’55 cern.“Two students who have —Alisa Giardinelli and David Baltimore ’60 went on to win Nobel Prizes. SEPTEMBER 2003 7 8 SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN A T xeln n rvdn h eore tdnsne,w att do to athletics.” want for we same need, the they’re students sure resources make the to providing regularly and assessed excellent are libraries the as “Just es. says. Hertz opportunity,” that have at also everything should athletics does and institution best, “This its College. applied the excellence of of aspects standard other same to the to athletics the holding knowledgably of more goal pursue Program, to Athletics administration the the of allowing awareness thus increase suc- will the teams evaluating the reports of annual cesses of series a of explains establishment Hertz says. the he is excellence,” College athletics the to that committing the assurance indeed think of “I type College. a the provide of will rest assessment the by athletics serviced the better ensure are help teams will standards evaluation these on based be could it says. how Bayer forth—and improved,” so and anything, it, learned enjoyed they they whether themselves success—whether students a the was from participation hear their to whether wanted We us. tell can records Swarthmore. at athletics of in perceptions athletics nonathletes’ of and role lives the their on opinions student tangible as less such addressing characteristics, surveys admis- conducting and also records but win-loss statistics as sions such data collecting evaluation only of not Methods include admissions. and recruiting and support, culture and par- campus play, experiences, of and quality perceptions program: students’ the ticipating of aspects is four committee at The says. looking Bayer currently ways,” different many the so to in contributes College athletics intercollegiate because evaluating are we measured? quantifiably be aspects these evaluated, should be how should and aspects What programs: Swarthmore’s athletics to III applied Division be the should determining that is criteria faced evaluation has proper committee the Bayer year. challenge past main this the committee says the of chair Bayer, Eco- Amanda of nomics the Professor of Associate health says the programs,” evaluate sports regularly intercollegiate College the help will that ture in completed be to 2004. expected spring is report The fall. this feed- back for representation, alumni Man- includes of which Board agers, the of committee a Athletics Committee, the Review to submitted be will measures tion evalua- for The recommendations years. these future including in report successes their assess to use can cri- teams evaluation sports of intercollegiate Swarthmore’s set that a teria on data collect year and past formulate the to throughout met has students, and tors, g n i s s e s s A HE THLETICS W atteaheiseprec ob xeln, ae stress- Bayer excellent,” be to experience athletics the want “We reports annual of release the says Hertz Adam Director Athletics win-loss and standings conference that much so only “There’s that athletics intercollegiate of dimension one just isn’t “There struc- a design to been has year past this work “Our A DVISORY s c i t e l h t A omte opiigfcly administra- faculty, comprising committee a , C MITEON OMMITTEE P HYSICAL E UAINAND DUCATION EiaehRde ’05 Redden —Elizabeth OLG TLTC?ACMU OMTE SEAIIGTI N OTHER AND THIS IN SPORTS. EXAMINING IN SUCCESS IS OF SUCCESS OF COMMITTEE MEASURE CAMPUS MEASURES BEST A LAST THE TEAMS ATHLETICS? RECORDS MEN’S COLLEGE SUCCESSFUL WON-LOST RECORD, ARE MORE 8–7 BUT ECAC AN SWARTHMORE’S SPRING. OF THE WITH AT ONE MAY. WAS TEAM IN LACROSSE LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN’S REGIONAL THE BY SOUTHERN WON TROPHY ( ’03 SECOND-PLACE COURT THAN CO-CAPTAINS LEFT N ONMRH 0 HWOFTHE OFF SHOW ’03 MURPHY JOHN AND )

JIM GRAHAM GENE SWEENEY JR. RACISM IN UNLIKELY PLACES black institution, between 1967 and ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY SARAH 1989, examines the commonalities WILLIE was in for quite a surprise when she in individual experiences with began her undergraduate career at Haver- racism and the institutional struc- ford College more than 20 years ago. tures fostering their perpetuation. “When I got to college, I assumed that a Willie argues that intellectual- campus would be above any sort of racial ly elite colleges and universities oppression,” says Willie, who grew up in are haunted by long histories of the affluent, predominantly white suburb of social oppression and exclusion. Concord, Mass. “I say in the book that I did “Colleges began as social gate- indeed experience racism growing up, but it keepers,” she says. “They really was my expectations about college and my were places for the most privileged own identity development that made me people in the country to send their more vulnerable to it in college,” she says. children to be apprenticed into the pro- “It was only a handful of people who treat- fessions and, simultaneously, to meet ed me badly, but it was enough to pull the marriage partners from the same social rug out from under me.” class.” She says that elite colleges must In her book Acting Black: College, Identity, recognize this “legacy of privilege,” stress- and the Performance of Race, Willie argues ing that “the real challenge is to push these that experiences of subtle racism are not schools to open their doors even wider.” uncommon among black students attending In many cases, intellectually elite schools JEFFREY LOTT predominantly white colleges and universi- have, she says, made great efforts to ensure ties. “I learned that a lot of things I had that their minority representation is pro- cultures, subtle racism will continue to exist experienced were not just about me but due portional to that of American society. At the even in the most intellectual of spheres. to larger institutional structures,” she says. same time, though, she argues that not Making sure that racial minorities are pro- Her book, based on 55 interviews from enough has been done—that elite institu- portionally represented is one piece of the black alumni who attended Northwestern tions still look for minorities who have per- transformation. Willie sees affirmative University, a predominantly white institu- formed most strongly in high school, often action as a key mechanism for ensuring tion, and Howard University, a traditionally to the exclusion of minority applicants who greater diversity in institutions of higher have not had comparable opportunities. learning: “There’s no reason why we A strong proponent of affirmative shouldn’t be trying to be more representa- ALL IT’S CRACKED UPTOBE action, Willie argues that as long as colleges tive and diverse in every way.” ABOUT A DOZEN GIRLS FROM PHILADELPHIA’S and universities avoid examining their own —Elizabeth Redden ’05 NORRIS SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WEST KENSINGTON USED EGGS ASCRASH-TEST DUMMIES in Hicks Hall in August. In the process, they got their first lesson in engineering. The exercise involves sending carts bearing SMUGGEST uncooked eggs down a steep ramp that OF ends at a brick wall. “The idea is for each THEM ALL? team of girls to build a cart that will travel SWARTHMORE WON THE INAUGURAL “SUMMER TRIVIA OLYMPICS” held quickly down the ramp without breaking in July by TheSquare, an on-line network for students and alumni from 25 their egg,” says Carr Everbach, associate selective colleges and universities. Contestants competed by answering a ques- professor of engineering and coordinator of tion a day for four weeks in categories including “history,” “culture high and low,” the exercise. “Fast, short, lightweight carts “sports,” and “math and science.” The prize? The virtual “Smuggest Minds of Undisput- will get the best scores, although they are ed Glory”(SMUG) title. John Halbert ’90 led Swarthmore’s team to victory in the category more likely to produce broken eggs.”The for smaller schools over second-place Williams College and Georgetown University, which girls, ages 11 to 14, are part of Girls Action placed third. The team’s 29 members consisted mostly of alums from the 1990s, although Initiative, a supportive network where the classes represented ranged from 1973 to 2004.“We know now mighty contests rise young women can explore and express from trivial things—this victory to Swarthmore College is due!” Halpert wrote Team themselves through interactive projects. Swarthmore after their win. “We penetrated the riddles wrapped in mysteries inside Abena Mainoo ’06 works with the group’s enigmas and found truth within. At the end, this is all we need to know: a good Summer Mentoring Camp and, with Ever- time was had by all. Next time, we will be even better prepared!” Swarth- bach’s help, conceived of the project. more will get a chance to defend its title later this year, when —Alisa Giardinelli TheSquare plans to hold a winter version. —Alisa Giardinelli SEPTEMBER 2003 9 CO MM EN CE ME NT 2 0 0 3 An Exercise in Self-Affirmation

LL IS VERY DIGNIFIED ON THE MORNING OF almost tropical shade JUNE 1. Parents, friends, and relatives of green and, moist from around the world arrive at and glistening in the Swarthmore this rainy day dressed in rain, suggest a locale Atheir spring best—jackets and ties and flow- far more exotic than

ered skirts and pastel tops. Yet, as the Swarthmore. More ʼ 67 crowds tiptoe through the gathering mud exotic adventures and pull on the transparent plastic ponchos are for tomorrow, distributed at the entrance to the Scott though—today is the Amphitheater, they are, one by one, hit with last day of the four- an overwhelming sense of submission to a year exploration that force greater than themselves: not the wind, has taken place right not the rain, but Swarthmore College. It’s a here in Delaware force that’s been in the pit of the collective County, Pa. PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEVEN GOLDBLATT stomach of the Class of 2003 since the first day of freshman orientation. THE PROCESSIONAL STARTS EXACTLY AT 10 A.M. wonder, did I send my child to Swarthmore As Class Speaker Ranmal Samarasinghe The crowd hurries to claim their seats, then to dissect the meanings of ’80s dance ’03 recalled in his address, it was on that day stands again to honor the approaching tunes? they first realized just how challenging class. Though all wear black gowns, many Among other things, yes. Swarthmore would be. To comfort them, resist uniformity. Robyn Harshaw and Lind- Dean Robert Gross ’62 taught them the say VanSciver wear crowns of flowers on THE CEREMONY BECOMES MORE SERIOUS AS mantra that has since become a Swarthmore their caps, while John Fort sports a black PRESIDENT ALFRED H. BLOOM DELIVERS HIS cliché: “No matter what you say or do to me, cowboy hat instead of the traditional mor- COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS. He warns the I am still a worthwhile person.” tarboard. class of the dangers of becoming compla- Like the weather on Commencement The processional is followed by a wel- cent in their own viewpoints and challenges morning, Swarthmore doesn’t come easily. come from Board Chairman J. Lawrence them to accept the cultures and values of But if four years of McCabe Library, hours Shane ’56, who asks the graduates to turn other societies as equally valid as those of spent stressing about papers and exams, and honor their families and friends. Kisses their own: “If you see America becoming so and innumerable moments of personal are blown through the raindrops. John certain of itself that it begins to believe itself growth and challenge could not change the Goldman ’71 rises, quoting Martin Luther better than the other nations and peoples Class of 2003, neither can a little rain. They King Jr., “Where evil people will seek to per- with whom it shares this globe, I ask you to are still—and always will be—a group of petuate an unjust status quo, good people help America to apply its own democratic 360 worthwhile people. That is the Swarth- must seek to bring in a real order of justice.” ideals to the world stage.” (The text of Presi- more creed. A moment of silence follows, and Ranmal dent Bloom’s talk and those of honorary Samarasinghe steps to the microphone. degree recipients begins on page 14.) ARRIVING LATE TO THE WATERY PARTY, the grad- An honors economics major and premed Honorary degree recipients step forward. uates miss the scurry of those who are there student from Kensington, Md., Samara- Christopher Chyba ’82, an expert in plane- to watch them. Seats fill early. Even in the singhe was voted class speaker during audi- tary science and currently the co-director for rain, even with a live video feed in Lang Per- tions held in April. His references not only the Center for International Security and forming Arts Center that offers an alterna- to Dean Gross’ infamous welcoming speech Cooperation, warns students of a new bio- tive to the wet June morning, the seats still but also to the most overplayed song at logical arms race. “It is your task and the fill, and people are left looking for a few recent Swarthmore parties—Madonna’s task of your brothers and sisters to help us extra folding chairs here and there that have “Like a Prayer”—are hits with the crowd. navigate these coming decades honestly— not yet been claimed. Pinwheels of umbrel- “Perhaps Madonna said it best when she not naively—and to pursue a vision of the las float above the crowd, among them proclaimed, ‘Life is a mystery, everyone must future that is worthy of the best of humani- Monet’s Water Lilies and even a few Swarth- stand alone.’ Then again, maybe not,” ty,” he says. more logos. Samarasinghe says. Chyba is followed by Margaret Morgan Above it all, the tulip poplar leaves are an Most of the parents don’t get it. They Lawrence, the first African American to train SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 10 AFTERAYEAR’SABSENCE,THEBIGCHAIRCAME at Columbia’s Psychoanalytic Clinic for Near the end of the line, biology major BACKFORCOMMENCEMENT—ANDBECAMETHE Training and Research and at the New York Claire Weiss records the day’s events from FOCALPOINTOFMANYPHOTOS.ONARAINY State Psychiatric Institute. She is a distin- the back of the class with her camera (see DAY OF SPEECHES AND FAMILY CELEBRATIONS, guished child psychiatrist whose two daugh- scrapbook, page 12). She is sandwiched THEREWASLITTLETODAMPENTHESPIRITSOF ters are Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot ’66 and between Rebecca Weinberger and Rabi Paula Lawrence Wehmiller ’67.Lawrence Whitaker, and they have an hour to wait. THE CLASS OF 2003, INCLUDING SENIOR joins them this day, and, for her own chal- “Oh, my God!” Weiss says. “We’re done SPEAKERRANMALSAMARASINGHE(TOPRIGHT). lenge, asks the graduates to recognize their with the As, now the Bs. Ooh, the L line just WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE, WHAT RE- own personal gifts and contributions: “I left—only half the alphabet to go!” MAINED WAS TO PACK THE VAN AND MOVE ON therefore charge you with the responsibility The three Ws entertain themselves in the TOLIFE’SNEXTCHALLENGE. for the identification and the development meantime, eyeing the weather. “We got of your own gifts and for preparing to share rather a kick out of watching tree branches them in our troubled world.” fall on people and seeing what their reac- Jed Rakoff ’64, a U.S. district court judge tions were.” who gained national attention last year by “Tree branches were falling on people?” ruling the federal death penalty unconstitu- “Well, leafy ones,” Weiss clarifies. tional, tells the story of “Swarthmore’s most Those who walk ahead of Weiss hold her infamous graduate,” A. Mitchell Palmer, attention during the respites from falling Class of 1891 and attorney general under foliage. The names began with Sophia President Woodrow Wilson. Rakoff says the Acord, and from there, the Class of 2003 “Palmer Raids,” a series of arrests, deporta- stands row by row to hear their names tions, and incarcerations of thousands of called for the last time as Swarthmore stu- Americans orchestrated by Palmer in the dents. It’s easy to tell who knows who and absence of warrants and due judicial how: “Best RA ever!” Jake and Sam Berger process, were a gross injustice that went ’05 yell, as Ingrid Kaszas receives her diplo- unchallenged for far too long. Injustice, ma. It’s an ideal time to learn people’s mid- Rakoff worries, will persist so long as it is dle names, not to mention their nick- greeted by silence: “If freedom means any- names—“Cookie” (Christopher Morello), thing to you, please don’t be silent. After “Poop” (Sean Brandveen), and “Tender- you reach a considered judgment, please heart” (Jesse Taylor) all hear their aliases speak your mind, whatever the cost.” called as they cross the stage. With these empowering and intimidat- Applause, which has slacked here and ing challenges in mind, it is time for the there, picks up as the end of the alphabet most anticipated moment of the day—the approaches. Jayson Yost’s name is accompa- walk across the stage. nied by a blaring of air horns from some- where in the crowd, and Latika Young does IT IS TOO BAD, IN A WAY, THAT THE WALK TO GET a cartwheel across the stage en route to THE DIPLOMA CAN’T LAST LONGER—the canopy President Bloom. At last, with the awarding under which the diplomas and the faculty of Laura Zager’s engineering degree, it is sit is the driest place in the amphitheater. over. Instead, it’s a transitory joy, a quick reading of a name, a shake of a hand, and instant THE RECESSIONAL BEGINS—A JAZZY VERSION OF metamorphosis to the species alumni. By “LEAN ON ME,” which Associate Professor of nature, it’s difficult to digest—a singular, Music John Alston has arranged. Everyone ephemeral moment certifying the sweat of files out. The sun is shining now. four years. —Elizabeth Redden ’05 SEPTEMBER 2003 11 SCRAPBOOK

My Commencement

CAMERA IN HAND, ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER CLAIRE WEISS ’03 CAPTUREDCANDIDVIEWSOFCOMMENCEMENT.

By Elizabeth Redden ‘05 CLAIREWEISS(RIGHT) WAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVEN GOLDBLATT ’67.

TRADITION “You pick your rose, and then one of the arboretum staff asks what your major is and what you’re graduating with,” Weiss says of the ceremonial pre-Commencement rose pinning in the Dean Bond Rose Garden. “It’s all very nice and formal.” Reaching into the collection, one graduate selects her rose, which is cut from the garden few students would imagine taking a flower from at any other time. Today, there is no problem.

MOTHERANDDAUGHTER ASURREALFEELING Morghan Holt’s 6-year-old daughter, Alexxys, surveys the crowd, held “Before, during, and after the ceremony, I by her mother at eye level with graduates almost four times her age. couldn’t get over the feeling that the entire day Dressed in a white gown with her own mortar board and tassel, was incredibly surreal. I almost expected to Alexxys accompanies her mother to receive her diploma. wake up to my alarm and a class or a final “As we lined up to walk across the stage, she giggled excitedly exam,” says Mike Smith, watching a rose being and gripped my hand,” Holt says. “After we both shook Al's [Presi- pinned to his gown. dent Alfred H. Bloom’s] hand, she leaned over, giggled, squeezed my hand again, and whispered, ‘Mommy, you did it!’” SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 12 PRETENDIT’S APARASOL Shielded from the rain, Nori Heikkinen is all smiles as she peeks out from under her umbrella. “It was kind of fun, wading through the mud with umbrellas, graduating in the rain,” she says. “Though I wouldn't have chosen it.”

THECHEAPSEATS Weiss finds herself relegated to the back row by alphabetical order, facing a sea of almost 360 soon-to-be graduates. “Being in the last row was kind of unfortunate,” Weiss says. It was difficult to see once the umbrellas came out (top). Yet, when it is clear—oh, what a view. Weiss cap- tures slightly asymmetrical caps (above), ATLAST,ENGIN pointed in the directions of different The engineering students close futures, from among those who walk every Commencement with a before her. When the rain came back good-natured prank meant, as down, though, so too disappeared Weiss’ engineering graduate Laura Zager vantage point. “We were one of the few says, to provide “comic and visual hold-outs in not opening umbrellas,” relief at the end of a long ceremo- SCATTERINGLIKERAINDROPS Weiss says of the W trio—her, Rebecca ny.” This year, the engineers each After the ceremony, there’s one last chance to be together Weinberger, and Rabi Whitaker. place one letter on the stage as before classmates scatter like the morning’s raindrops. they receive their diploma, spell- Weiss says none of it has sunk in yet. She’s leaving the ing “SWARTHMORE ENGINEERING!” next morning for her hometown in San Antonio, then a in capitals and “All your diplomas summer of archeology in Italy. “I still think I have school in the fall,” Weiss says. “Right?”

are belong to us” below. SEPTEMBER 2003 13 CO MM EN CE ME NT SP EE CH ES

PRESIDENT ALFRED H. BLOOM Uncritical Certainty and American Power

lass of 2003, you are graduating at a historic moment in the relationship Cof this nation to the world—at a moment when, given the power and resources at this nation’s command, the form of international leadership that Ameri- ca adopts and the policies and actions it pursues will fundamentally influence, if not determine, both its own future and that of the world. I ask you, today, in addition to all else that you do and accomplish, to help shape that leadership, to ensure that America takes advantage of this unprecedented moment to make a positive difference for itself and for all the nations with whom we share this globe. Recent events make starkly clear that ʼ 67 defining effective international leadership is an awesomely complex task. But precisely because that task is so complex and at the

same time so singularly consequential, I feel STEVEN GOLDBLATT more confident entrusting it to you than to any other soon-to-be-graduates anywhere or well-being of a people; whether the I know that you will employ these habits use of force is warranted; whether Ameri- of mind because of who you are and of what • Because I know that you will continue ca should act alone, if others cannot be it means to have been educated here. And as to think hard about the world you would persuaded to join; and how much Ameri- you employ them, you will model a way to like to see and the role America must ca can afford to spend, or cannot afford think about these issues, which others will play in that world. not to spend for its own sake and for the come to prefer, just as you have, above less • Because I know that as international sake of building a more secure, healthy, complex approaches; and as citizens, opin- circumstances arise inviting American and inclusive world. ion leaders, and decision makers of this response, you will push yourselves to as nation or of another, you will influence clear and comprehensive a framing of the I feel confident entrusting the definition directly or indirectly the way America leads. issues, as imaginative a conception of of American leadership to you because I also But, before you go on to make your mark, alternative responses and as careful a know that you will maintain your conceptu- in your careers and on the world, I must ask weighing of the likely and possible con- al and ethical bearings in the face of mass you to accept responsibility for a further sequences of those responses, as anyone opinion, political rhetoric, moralistic dimension of American leadership, one that can. appeals, and instrumental pressures; and this moment in history invests with particu- • Because I know that as you make these that you will decide which courses of action lar urgency. assessments, you will bring your own to support or not to support, in the light of Whether you were born here or have independent judgment to bear on the what you think is good and just both for come to this country to take advantage of critical variables involved, such as whether your own society and for all of humanity— the education this College and America this nation’s—or another’s—security is and in the light of what you believe will offer, each of you has lived the experience of truly at stake; whether circumstances jus- most likely advance the world you hope to a nation that not only possesses extraordi- tify intervention to defend the freedom build. nary military, economic, technological, and SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 14 human strength but that has achieved remind America of how its public health of itself that it begins to believe itself better exceptional progress toward democratic and depends on international response to dis- than the other nations and peoples with societal ideals. For more than two centuries, ease, its economic well-being on global net- whom it shares this globe, I ask you to help it has sustained a working, though not yet works of trade and finance, its environment America to apply its own democratic ideals inclusive, democratic system, without expe- on global regulation and responsibility, its to the world stage—to see the world as a riencing an overthrow of the framing princi- internal security on the global effort to community of peoples of equal worth and ples of its republic. It has developed an eco- counter terrorism, and its external security potential, each of whom demands our full nomic system that offers remarkable, on collective success in containing the respect, each of whose lives and satisfaction though still far from universal, opportunity spread of violence wherever it erupts. matter, and each of whose trust in us would for economic and social mobility; and, for If you see this nation beginning to count as a measure of the effectiveness and that, has become the model emulated by underestimate the extent to which its own legitimacy of our own leadership. It would much of the world. Through immigration, it well-being is linked to that of others, I ask be more than a disappointing irony for a has enriched extraordinarily the diversity of you to help America focus more clearly on nation built on democratic aspirations and its population. It has made important, the risks entailed by not giving collaborative on the strengths of immigration to begin to though far from complete, progress toward approaches every chance—to remind it of disrespect its own international roots. creating equal welcome and treatment the vision underlying its own federal struc- In sum, if you see America failing to take across differences of gender, race, culture, ture, which sees the best protection of the adequate account of its dependency on and sexual orientation. And it has produced interests and security of each state in an others, or acting in ways that discount oth- a culture with pervasive impact across the overarching commitment to the well-being ers, or turning away from its responsibility world and hegemony over the very large and purpose of the whole. for the whole, I ask you to draw on the majority of intellectual fields. If you see America becoming so certain understanding you gained at Swarthmore of However, history repeatedly demon- of its own perceptions that it begins to mis- what it means to take leadership responsi- strates that success of this magnitude car- judge how others will interpret and respond bility for—and in—a community of respect- ries serious risks—among them the risk of to the initiatives it takes or so persuaded by ed equals. Draw on that experience here to becoming complacent about what more can the righteousness of its own moral vision lead America, to lead—in ways consistent be accomplished at home, and the risk, which is at the center of my concern this morning, of becoming uncritically certain “I feel confident entrusting the definition of American about the rightness of one’s own institu- leadership to you because I also know that you will tions, perspectives, and moral visions com- pared with those of others across the globe. maintain your conceptual and ethical bearings.” That unexamined certainty creates the con- viction that one’s own nation or people have that it fails to see the possible hurtful impli- with its own democratic tradition, in ways the corner on modes of political and eco- cations for human beings that its actions— consistent with the symbolism that the nomic behavior, on appropriate priorities however well intentioned—may exert, then world has associated and wants to associate among values, on what constitutes relevant I ask you to draw on your ever-deepening with America, in ways consistent with what experience, and on what societal and global global awareness—and I hope global experi- an increasingly educated and aware world accomplishment are truly about. And but- ence—to develop and share a more nuanced looks to in a leader, and in ways that will tressed by national, cultural, and religious understanding of how America’s actions are enable America to make that positive differ- pride, that unexamined certainty can be- likely to be perceived and of what their full ence for itself and for others that this come quite resistant to rational analysis and human consequences are likely to be. moment in history empowers it to make. quite impervious to alternative views. If you see America so persuaded by its Asking any other group of soon-to-be When the English sought to take up the own success that it begins to assume that graduates to provide the complex and vigi- “white man’s burden,” the French to enact only its political and economic practices and lant guidance required for this crucial task their mission civilisatrice, and the Chinese its chosen societal priorities are right for might seem a bit utopian. But to judge by defined themselves as zho¯ng gúo—the mid- everyone, or if you see it begin to assume, the alums who have preceded you in those dle kingdom—they did so with this very for example, that its preference for political very chairs, the respect you will earn across kind of certainty at the foundation of their freedoms over universal health care, equal the paths of life you take will allow you to worldview. educational opportunity, and economic exert influence far more extensive than you I ask you to take every opportunity that mobility—or for interpersonal fairness over now imagine. comes your way, or that you can reasonably building inclusive society—are the only Combining your potential with that of create, to keep America from succumbing to responsible choices for a free society, then I this nation creates a realistic way to over- a similar temptation. ask you to help America to listen more open- come for the good the cycles of history. If you see America becoming so certain ly to other views and particularly as they Class of 2003, I wish you continuing of its own strengths that it begins to under- relate to nations at stages of economic and success in this and in everything you under- estimate the extent to which its own well- political development different from our own. take, and I wish you ever-deepening satis- being is linked to that of others, I ask you to If you see America becoming so certain faction and happiness. SEPTEMBER 2003 15 JED RAKOFF ’64 Democratic Congressman from Pennsylva- nia. In 1912, he played a key role in securing Speak Out for Freedom the Democratic Party nomination for Woodrow Wilson, and, in return, he was Jed Rakoff ‘64 is a U.S. district judge in the rewarded with various posts in the Wilson Southern District of New York. He is widely administration, ultimately becoming attor- recognized for legal opinions in the areas of ney general in 1919. So far, so good. securities and copyright law and constitu- But with the dislocations that followed tional rights. World War I, 1919 was also a year of turmoil A graduate in English literature, he went and upheaval abroad and corresponding on to receive a master of philosophy degree insecurity at home. In summer 1919, a in history at Balliol College, Oxford, and to Marxist or an anarchist—no one was quite graduate cum laude from Harvard Law School sure which—blew himself up while in 1969. He served as a clerk to Judge Abra- attempting to detonate a bomb on Mr. ham Freedman of the U.S. Court of Appeals Palmer’s front lawn. Using his broad powers

in Philadelphia and, in 1973, was appointed ʼ 67 as attorney general, Palmer reacted with assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern Dis- what came to be known as the “Palmer trict of New York. He held partnerships in Raids.” several New York law firms before he was Beginning in fall 1919 and continuing named to the federal bench in 1996. through the following May, he directed gov- Rakoff is the author of three books and STEVEN GOLDBLATT ernment agents, led by a very young but co-author of two multivolume reference already zealous J. Edgar Hoover, to arrest— works on the law. The U.S. Supreme Court without warrants—literally thousands of has cited his decisions and opinions on sev- don’t know that I ever felt quite so hon- Americans, mostly immigrants with leftist eral occasions; he is broadly recognized as a ored as when I received the letter from leanings. All of them were held without bail, legal thinker, scholar, and judge who not Ithe College informing me that I was to and many were held incommunicado, with- only elucidates and enforces the law, but receive this degree. Getting a first degree out access either to counsel or to the judicial interprets, defends, and challenges it in light from Swarthmore was thrilling enough. But process. Those who were aliens were sum- of the principles of ethics and social justice this time, I don’t even have to take exams. marily deported; those who were not were that it is designed to serve. However, there is one catch: The letter frequently detained for prolonged periods In 2002, citing recent cases that had said I had to deliver to you, the graduating on the flimsiest of charges. been reversed on the basis of DNA evidence, seniors, a 5-minute “charge.” Now, I always At first, no one protested. The general Rakoff argued that innocent people are sen- thought a charge was something reserved public supported the raids with patriotic fer- tenced to death with materially greater fre- for dead batteries or light brigades, for vor, and most politicians were afraid to dis- quency than was previously supposed, ruling arrest warrants or credit cards. So I hope I sent. Because most charges were dropped the federal death penalty unconstitutional. can still qualify for this degree if, instead of before the cases could be brought before Laurence Tribe of Harvard Law School praised the decision, saying: “I’ve been thinking about this issue in a serious way for at least “If, in the name of combating terrorism, we so restrict 20 years, and this is the first fresh, new, and convincing argument that I’ve seen.” our own freedom, have we not thereby lost part Rakoff’s niece Hannah is a member of the Class of 2001; his daughter, Elana, is a mem- of the very battle we seek to win?” ber of the Class of 2005. Rakoff has served Swarthmore as a member of Alumni Council; as founder and chair of the College’s Extern a charge, I give you a bit of history. judges, few judges had any opportunity to Program; and, most recently, as chair of Specifically, I would like to tell you about register their disapproval. Indeed, the Alumni Council’s ad hoc committee on con- the worst of all Swarthmore graduates. I Palmer Raids might have continued for sensus decision making. know there are a number of candidates for years had not a group of prominent private Awarding an honorary doctor of laws, this position—your freshman roommate citizens, most of them leaders of the bar in President Alfred H. Bloom praised Rakoff’s perhaps? But in my book, the worst of all major U.S. cities, publicly denounced the “powerful and independent mind, remarkable Swarthmore graduates—because he most raids in a report issued in spring 1920 titled ability for comprehensive understanding, rig- betrayed what Swarthmore stands for—was “Illegal Practices of the United States De- orous impartiality, tireless commitment to A. Mitchell Palmer, Class of 1891. partment of Justice.” With the example of social justice, and record of placing those After graduating from Swarthmore, their courage on display, hundreds of other skills in the service of the public good.” Palmer launched a career as a progressive prominent citizens came forward to criticize SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 16 the raids, public opinion turned, the raids rorism is anything less than real and signifi- threats, the Palmer Raids were perhaps ceased, and Palmer was disgraced. cant. Nor do I suggest that, in combating it, unique in the way they so quickly collapsed Now, why today—this day of joy and cel- any measure has yet been taken that ap- once private citizens summoned enough ebration at your own graduation—do I proaches the sheer lawlessness of the courage to denounce them. It is one thing to bother you with this history of Swarth- Palmer Raids. speak one’s mind in the protected cocoon of more’s most infamous graduate? Because, as Nevertheless, it is difficult to understand a college campus. But those who protested George Santayana so famously said, “Those how combating the terrorist threat justifies the Palmer Raids ran the risk of personal vil- who cannot remember the past are con- deporting hundreds of aliens without mean- ification, social ostracism, economic retribu- demned to repeat it.” Ironically—and ingful judicial review, or sending govern- tion, career destruction, and even possible regretfully—no one today remembers ment agents to interrogate thousands of criminal prosecution. George Santayana. But it does not take a Americans on no better basis than that they Pretty soon, you’ll be part of that world Swarthmore education to figure out that the are of Middle Eastern descent, or holding of social pressures, and as those pressures same combination of insecurity and xeno- those Americans designated as “enemy com- mount, you will be able to find a hundred phobia that led to the Palmer Raids—and to batants” incommunicado and without good reasons to remain silent. But if free- the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, to the access to counsel before they have been con- dom means anything to you, please don’t be internment of Japanese Americans in World victed of anything, or jailing as so-called silent. After you reach a considered judg- War II, and to McCarthyism in the 1950s— material witnesses more than 50 persons ment, please speak your mind, whatever the is alive and well in certain corridors of against whom no charge whatever has been cost. In so doing, you will fulfill your alma power today. Now, as then, combating a real lodged. If, in the name of combating terror- mater’s ideals and win the gratitude of all of enemy also provides a convenient cover for ism, we so restrict our own freedom, have us who believe that liberty is this great limiting the rights of aliens and radicals— we not thereby lost part of the very battle we nation’s most precious—and most vulnera- and who knows how many others? seek to win? ble—treasure. Please do not misunderstand. I do not Among the periodic assaults on our free- for a moment suggest that the threat of ter- dom in the name of combating foreign

MARGARET MORGAN LAWRENCE MacArthur Foundation. Paula Lawrence Wehmiller ‘67 is an educator and educational Identification of Your Gifts administrator who is now an Episcopal priest. Margaret Morgan Lawrence was the first In awarding an honorary doctor of science African American psychoanalyst trained in degree, President Alfred H. Bloom said: “Mar- America and the first black female pediatri- garet Morgan Lawrence, the College is proud cian certified by the American Board of Pedi- to celebrate your extraordinary wisdom and atrics. Her decision to study medicine came courage, your important contributions to sci- early, inspired by a passion for healing and ence, and the model you set for uncovering by her family’s earlier loss of an infant child. the pathway through which each child, of Lawrence was the only black undergradu- every background, can reach his or her full ate in her class at Cornell University. Re- potential. We are delighted to welcome you fused a place in a dormitory because of her to join your daughters as a member of the color, she lived off campus and worked as a Swarthmore community.”

domestic to pay for educational expenses. ʼ 67 Following graduation, she received an M.D., a master’s in public health, and a certificate in t is a joy and privilege to join the gradu- psychoanalysis—all from the College of ates of the Class of 2003 in your Com- Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia Univer- mencement celebration. More than a STEVEN GOLDBLATT I sity. few years ago, I participated, from the audi- Lawrence was the first black trainee at clinical practice, she pioneered team ence, in two other such celebrations at the Columbia Psychoanalytic Clinic and the approaches, which bring together psychia- Swarthmore, in which my two daughters first black resident at the New York State trists, neurophysiologists, social workers, and were graduates. One of them loaned me the Psychiatric Institute. Through numerous arti- nurses in school settings. title of her book, A Gathering of Gifts. Per- cles and two important books, she estab- Both of her daughters came to Swarth- haps it was a permanent loan. lished a worldwide reputation in pediatric more. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot ‘66 is a pro- On April 22, 2002, the 66th anniversary psychiatry and markedly strengthened the fessor at the Harvard Graduate School of Edu- of my own graduation, I traveled to Cornell social and ethical awareness of the field. In cation and chair of the board of the to participate in its yearlong diversity pro- SEPTEMBER 2003 17 gram. I wondered, what would students and day forward. I refer to these gifts as ego work lives. There will be myriad opportuni- even faculty like to hear about me? strengths. ties to assist others in calling forth their Thinking of my train trip to Cornell in Anna Freud once called our attention to gifts. You can easily see how this process of September 1932, 70 years earlier, I recalled the fact that even our ego strengths can be identifying gifts builds on itself. not a few fearful thoughts about the student buried so deeply in “our level of unaware- Viola Bernard, Perry Ottenberg, and life I anticipated. In April 2002, with the ness,” more familiarly our unconscious, that Fritz Redl spoke of self-humanization and humanization of others as opposed to dehu- “I charge you with the responsibility for the manization. These authors, as long ago as 1964, wrote of the urgent need to develop identification and the development of your own gifts the “psychic antidotes of rehumanization.” By rehumanization, they meant “to counter- and for preparing to share them in our troubled world.” act the intensified callousness toward human worth and suffering, resulting from less fearful wisdom of some 87 years, I they—our ego strengths—may not be whol- the advances in modern technology and the mused, “what if I had asked myself in 1932, ly available to us. If this is true, getting push-button aspects of nuclear warfare.” ‘Are there gifts of my own which I bring to acquainted with our gifts will require some I therefore charge you with the responsi- this fine institution, Cornell?’” work. bility for the identification and the develop- I spoke to the 2002 Cornell audience of Identifying one’s own gifts means that ment of your own gifts and for preparing to the gifts brought by me to the Cornell cam- you are able to use them for your own share them in our troubled world. When pus in 1932, even generational gifts. At your growth and enhancement. In addition, you you came to this fine institution, Swarth- graduation, I now charge you to have a may use them in the world, in your relation- more, you brought them with you. major concern for your own gifts, from this ships with others in both your personal and

CHRISTOPHER CHYBA ‘82 the solar system, to the design and function- ing of spacecraft, to the possible role of Technology’s Challenges asteroids and comets in delivering organic molecules to earth, to the exploration of Christopher Chyba '82 is an astrobiologist alternative biological systems and of their and international security analyst with a potential for creating life elsewhere in the passion for understanding the origins of life universe, to nuclear proliferation. You draw on this planet and the possibility for life on on widely diverse disciplines, offering models others—and a determination to protect civi- of interdisciplinary clarity and innovation lization from self-destruction. that inform public policy as they expand the After graduating from Swarthmore with frontiers of science and of human imagina- honors in physics, he studied mathematical tion…. physics and the history and philosophy of “Chris Chyba, your cosmic vision and its science as a Marshall Scholar at Cambridge contributions to both scientific understand- University. He then earned a Ph.D. in ʼ 67 ing and to policies that will protect humani- astronomy and space sciences at Cornell ty and its environment inspire awe in this under the guidance of Carl Sagan. community, making us so terrifically proud He served in the Clinton administration that you are one of us.”

as a White House Fellow. He later taught in STEVEN GOLDBLATT the Department of Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona, also serving as a sci- geological and environmental sciences and resident Bloom, College faculty, stu- ence adviser to the White House on bioter- co-director of the Center for International dents and families, let me begin by rorism. Security and Cooperation at Stanford. He was Pthanking you for the honor of being Chyba currently holds the Carl Sagan Chair a 2001 winner of a MacArthur Fellowship. asked to be part of this day. Given my deep for the Study of Life in the Universe at the His Swarthmore honorary degree citation respect for Swarthmore’s faculty and stu- SETI Institute, while serving at the same reads: “Your extensive research and publica- dents, I can hardly imagine a greater com- time both as associate research professor of tions range across topics from the origin of pliment than to be asked to come here and SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 18 speak on this occasion. treaties for how we are going to live in a half his portfolio, including his office’s for- I have only a few minutes. I would like world where so much power resides in the mer National Security Division, simply to use them by suggesting what it is you’ve hands of small groups. I have a number of stripped away. So even as we confront a been doing here for the past few years and colleagues who believe that the only future whose scientific and technical chal- emphasizing how directly on point those approach to this future is a kind of defen- lenges are unprecedented, the U.S. govern- years have been for facing the challenges sive arms race in which biological tech- ment has rendered itself less capable of and opportunities of the coming decades— niques for protection—next-generation addressing them. that is, the decades of the Class of 2003. antibiotics, new antivirals, new vaccines— But you are going to be the new staffers What you’ve done here, it seems to me, is are developed faster than bad actors can in, then members of, the House and Senate; simply to try to understand the world and develop new means of destruction. They you are going to be the new Cabinet officers; how you are to live in it. You’ve come at this view our future as a kind of unending high- and, above all, you are going to continue to from many different perspectives, from stakes arms race against that tiny fraction of be voting and committed citizens of this or Plato’s forms to molecular reductionism, but society that has no conscience. your home country. As you’ve worked so I suggest that a common goal has been to Is this really the best vision of the hu- diligently to forge your own intellectual apprehend how the world actually is, so that man future that we can hope for? I don’t tools in your time here, I hope that you will your commitments may be grounded not in know the answer. I am confident that their also now help forge the tools that your soci- propaganda but in reality. The challenges of view is, in fact, part of what the future ety needs to address the challenges that we the decades to come are many and diverse, holds, but whatever the full answer will be, all must face. but they will be met with only that kind of respect for knowledge. I want to make this concrete with just “We are entering an era in which greater and greater one example, for which new thinking is badly needed. It will have to stand in for all power resides in the hands of smaller and smaller the rest. I am especially concerned by the chal- groups of the technically competent.” lenges posed by the worldwide explosion of certain technologies, biotechnology now it will, by necessity, be devised in the next I’ve dwelled so far this morning on just and others a bit farther on. We are entering few decades. You and your peers will be at one of those challenges. Perhaps you’ll grant an era in which greater and greater power the forefront of those decisions—and their me just a moment to conclude with a word resides in the hands of smaller and smaller consequences. about the opportunities and accomplish- groups of the technically competent. What tools do you and your society have ments to come. One of my favorite poems is Because it is so important to public to bring to this effort, or to the others that by Wallace Stevens; it’s called “Not Ideas health, food production, and the economy, you will face? Individually, you have your About the Thing but the Thing Itself.” We genetic engineering is spreading rapidly and perspective, conscience, and knowledge search for apprehension of how the universe is ever easier to implement. China, for grounded in respect for truth. I have no actually is, not how it merely appears. We example, already has 20,000 people work- fears in this regard. That’s why you’ve been strive to see the sunlit world beyond the ing in 200 biotechnology laboratories, here. But nationally and globally, your tools cave that we still inhabit. I’ve implied today many of them dedicated to genetically modi- are inadequate. that we may face our greatest challenges fied crops. Countries around the world are Again, just one example. It should amaze right at the cave’s threshold. following suit—or are farther ahead. But you that as we face the coming decades, the Nonetheless, we can glimpse beyond that genetic engineering techniques also appear U.S. government at its highest levels is threshold a future civilization that would to allow one, say, to engineer the smallpox remarkably poorly equipped to incorporate give scope to the best that human beings virus to subvert the human immune system scientific knowledge into its decision mak- can be. Personally, I find examples of this in so that the virus is impervious to existing ing. On Capitol Hill—in a breathtaking solar system exploration and the search for vaccines. Analogous experiments with the kind of self-lobotomy—Congress in 1995 extraterrestrial life, but we can just as well mousepox virus have already been done— eliminated its Office of Technology Assess- see it in advances in public health, or in the unintentionally, so to speak—by a small ment. What had been Congress’s internal pursuit of justice, or in any of myriad group of scientists in Australia, who then body for producing scientific and technical human achievements. Stevens glimpsed it in published their methods in the Journal of analyses of key issues was deemed no longer something as simple as a sunrise beyond his Virology in 2001. worth its $20 million annual cost. window, a sunrise that was, as he said, “like This biological challenge may not be At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, a new knowledge of reality.” It is your task, greater than the nuclear challenge we the president’s science adviser has, with and the task of your brothers and sisters, to already face, but it is very different. The some exceptions, played a decreasing role help us navigate these coming decades hon- important point is that we don’t have any ever since the Kennedy administration. estly—not naively—and to pursue a vision good models from cold war bilateral arms Under the current president, the science of the future that is worthy of the best of control or multilateral nonproliferation adviser has been demoted in rank and had humanity. SEPTEMBER 2003 19 HUGH LACEY the first principle of ethical intelligence. The Apt Word What does this mean? Keep in mind what we are: human beings, agents whose powers Scheuer Family Professor of Humanities and to act depend on the functioning of our Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Hugh Lacey bodies, and whose actions are interactions retired at the end of the 2002–2003 academ- with material objects, living organisms, and ic year (see June Bulletin). One of his last other human beings. All action is, on the acts as a member of the faculty was to deliv- one hand, intentional and, on the other er the Baccalaureate address to the Class of hand, both dependent on and generative of 2003. effects on the environment and on social In introducing him, Professor of Philoso- relations. phy Richard Eldridge said: “Throughout his These are elementary truths. They under- career, Hugh has focused on a number of lie another truth—one easier to ignore— interrelated problems: the roles of values that there is generally a gap between what (cognitive, moral, and social) in the natural we intend with our actions and what their and social sciences; values in popular politi- actual outcomes are. We may act with (to

cal practice; the social role of the university; ʼ 67 our own satisfaction) the best of intentions and agroecology. Broadly speaking, these but produce unhappy (unintended) out- topics all have to do with how social life comes. Ethical intelligence involves coming under natural constraints is reproduced and to grips with this gap between intention

with how values might more effectively STEVEN GOLDBLATT and actual outcome of actions without evad- inform that reproduction than they do cur- ing truthfulness. There is a kind of evasion rently. The idea of ethical intelligence serves to of truthfulness that mars political discourse “As a teacher and colleague, just as in his focus Al’s challenge to renew our education- today and renders related ethical judgments writing, Hugh has brought his intelligence, al values in a way that takes fully into merely self-serving, and that occurs when analytical skill, passion, and humor to bear account how Swarthmore relates to—and the ethical appraisal of actions does not on these questions. In doing this, he has may contribute to addressing—the morally adequately take into account, in proper bal- displayed for his students the best virtues of salient issues of our time. The phrase has ance, both intentions and outcomes. an intellectual life that is also a human life, not yet gained the currency or the articulat- I propose as a second principle of ethical devoted to understanding and to justice, and ed development that I’m sure Al hoped for, intelligence rejection of the naturalization of he has helped us … to become more thought- or even a settled meaning. I will offer an injustice—and thus the preparedness to ful, skilled, responsive, and responsible than interpretation of it, with the hope that my engage in the reflection, investigation, nego- we would have been without him.” reflections become part of a conversation in tiation, and activities from the perspective which other interpretations are brought into of which the possibilities for furthering critical interaction with it. My reflections social justice can be discerned and, when leven years ago, in his inaugural address as president of Swarthmore “Think of the term heard so often recently: ECollege, Al Bloom proposed that the cultivation of what he called “ethical intelli- collateral damage. This ‘numbing phrase’ deceives gence” should be considered one of the Col- lege’s core values—“an ethical intelligence not by outright negation of reality but by spraying appropriate to our time.” In doing so, he was clearly influenced not only by his own a verbal mist that anesthetizes.” earlier studies of ethical development but also by Swarthmore’s long-standing links concern the ways in which intelligence— the time is ripe, addressed. with the Quaker tradition, especially its reason, argument, investigation, evidence, Consider, for example, overemphasis on emphases on social responsibility and meaning, judgment—is brought to bear in intentions. If one’s intentions are “good,” speaking truth to power. With “ethical intel- deliberations of the “ethical,” that is, in the cause of the gap between intention and ligence”—if I may borrow from the passage deliberations about how to live and to act so outcome of action is likely to be assumed from Ecclesiastes that was read a few min- that human well-being is enhanced. To value (before any investigation) to be the actions utes ago—President Bloom coined an “apt reason, argument, investigation, evidence, of others, who are thus represented as coun- word,” an apt phrase, one that can help us meaning, and judgment—and thus truth- terpoised against “good” intentions. It’s a put into sharper light who we are and who fulness—should be the distinctive mark of quick step from this to dividing people into we aspire to be and inspire efforts aimed an institution of higher learning. Truthful- the “good” and the “bad,” replacing causal toward more fully realizing our proclaimed ness, pervading the whole of our lives, is the analysis with the discourse of praise and values…. indispensable condition, or what I will call blame. It replaces the quest to understand SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 20 events of ethical import with a moralistic environment, and resolution of disputes Cultivating ethical intelligence attunes presumption—a profound evasion of truth- within the framework of the United one better to discern the genuine possibili- fulness. In turn, those adopting this stance Nations. It all seems so overwhelming. ties for greater social justice, freedom, and tend to try to bridge the gap between inten- I am reminded of Hamlet’s words: peace; being intelligent ethically implies rec- tion and outcome by the use of power— ognizing that not every aspiration actually when deemed necessary, using military vio- The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, represents a genuine possibility. Our out-of- lence to punish the “wrongdoers,” hoping That ever I was born to set it right! joint time does put constraints on what is thus to prevent departures from the “right” genuinely possible. I repeat that it is within order. “The time is out of joint!” What our time this time that we must find the sources of Think of the term heard so often recent- needs is a response to this truth—not an alternative possibilities. We need “apt ly: collateral damage. The mark of this dis- evasion of it but also not a self-righteous, words” to mark them, and then these words course is to use what I will call the “numb- reluctant, nostalgic, or resentful response; can themselves assume causal roles in our ing phrase,” which deceives not by outright certainly not one, like Hamlet’s,that smacks time. If they don’t, they degenerate into self- negation of reality (though it may also be of self-pity, self-indulgence, an inflated congratulatory fluff—empty words hardly accompanied by overt lies) but by spraying a sense of self-importance, and neurotic distinguishable from “numbing phrases.” verbal mist that anesthetizes so that the hubris. Like it or not, this out-of-joint time Ethical intelligence recognizes that there pain of human suffering and devastation is our time, the time in which we must live, are no quick fixes. It can be exercised at all cannot be felt or even recognized. In con- the time that will continue to affect our lives the times of our lives and put richer sub- trast, “the apt phrase” enables clear recogni- profoundly, and the time on which we leave stance into all dimensions of life—career, tion, stimulates the ethical imagination, and our mark. family, and friendships—for it insists that impedes the evasion of truthfulness. I propose a third principle of ethical “Our time is redeemable. There are hitherto unrealized intelligence: Causal analysis of ethically salient phenomena cannot properly be possibilities ... for greater social justice, freedom, expressed in the language of praise and blame. And a fourth: Ethical appraisal and peace; for the enhanced well-being for which requires thorough investigation of the conditions and unintended consequences human beings in all places and cultures yearn.” of one’s actions, using the “apt phrase” and dispensing entirely with the “numbing Yet, our time is redeemable. There are social justice cannot coexist with personal phrase.” hitherto unrealized possibilities, some of diminishment. It does not draw us away My time at Swarthmore has been bound- which represent possibilities for greater from our fundamental personal and career ed by two wars that I opposed: Vietnam and social justice, freedom, and peace; for the commitments; it doesn’t pull us into quixot- Iraq. Whenever there is recourse to war, enhanced well-being for which human ic quests, the subordination of the personal there has been a breakdown of ethical intel- beings in all places and cultures yearn. I to the political; and it recognizes that differ- ligence, when power and violence displace believe that cultivating awareness of this ent people can make their contributions to reasoned discourse as the instruments of truth is the most fundamental task of the furthering justice in a great diversity of ways conflict resolution. Today, of course, we have ethically intelligent; and doing this will and at different times of their lives. not only wars and their shocking human require conducting the intellectual life in It also recognizes that we all lapse from consequences but also—among other much closer contact with the movements— our self-identified values (including truth- things—weakening of democracy and the at home and throughout the world—whose fulness) from time to time. But lapses are democratic spirit and its subordination to programs have promise of realizing more of not decisive rejections—provided that we special interests; escalating terrorism; these possibilities. The “ethically intelligent” remain open to the possibilities of repen- unchecked spread of terrible diseases that person needs also to be “intelligent ethical- tance and forgiveness. Ethical intelligence are devastating some of the poorest coun- ly.” Being intelligent ethically is not to stop rests easily with our humanity, its flaws and tries in the world; and deteriorating eco- at denunciation of our out-of-joint time. weaknesses as well as its extraordinary nomic conditions—especially for the most One of the conditions for bringing about achievements and potential, and its delights vulnerable worldwide—which are spreading fundamental social change is bold, commit- and foibles. I believe that cultivating ethical the seeds for perpetuating the spiral of vio- ted action, which stakes itself without the intelligence, highlighting its first princi- lence, stepping back from efforts to address certitude of success. My fifth principle of ple—commitment to truthfulness—is of problems of poverty and race in this coun- ethical intelligence: Ethically intelligent utmost urgency; it is, more than anything try, and weakening the thrust toward inter- action cannot be carried out with certitude else, what our out-of-joint time needs. T national cooperation on such matters as of being successful, for whether or not val- human rights, the rule of law, and effective ued possibilities are realizable depends The complete texts of all Commencement international mechanisms to deal with (causally), in part, on the committed actions remarks may be found at www.swarthmore.edu/- crimes against humanity, protection of the of those who value them. news/commencement/2003/index2.html. SEPTEMBER 2003 21 R OGUE N ATION A NEW BOOK BY CLYDE PRESTOWITZ ’63 CRITICIZES AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

Book review by James Kurth Book excerpts by Clyde Prestowitz Illustration by Richard Waldrep uring the past decade, the United States Washington, D.C. He has many years of professional experience in has inaugurated an entirely new era in the field of international business and economics, including official world politics, the era of the sole super- experience as a trade negotiator during the Reagan administration. power (or “hyperpower,” as we are now He travels extensively and has talked with numerous high officials in called by the French). The power of America other countries.This enables him to present the perspectives of other seems to tower over that of every other nations in a way that is comprehensive, coherent, and thoughtful. A nation. Indeed, the military spending of the great strength of this book is its lucid and accurate representation of DUnited States exceeds that of all of the other the opinions of foreign leaders about the United States. major nations combined.Yet the very moment Prestowitz enumerates the pervasive contradictions in U.S. poli- that America had ascended to its position of cies, and—because each of the contradictory positions so obviously unprecedented power, the attacks by Al Qaeda serves some American interest group—he describes how exasperated on Sept. 11, 2001, inaugurated a different kind other nations are with American hypocrisy. (A prime example is the of new era—the era of the global terrorist net- U.S.government giving massive subsidies to promote American agri- work. The terrorist attacks demonstrated that, cultural exports,while relentlessly pressuring foreign governments to at the pinnacle of its power,America had entered dismantle any kind of support programs of their own.) into a condition of unprecedented vulnerability. Prestowitz appears to think that his most important and most This conjunction of unprecedented power and controversial analysis is that of U.S. policy toward the Middle East, unprecedented vulnerability is at the core of the particularly the policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He foreign policy of the current Bush administration. gives an accurate and realistic account of the views of European and The “National Security Strategy of the United Middle Eastern elites,who are pro-American on many issues but who States” or “Bush doctrine,” which the administra- are appalled by the biased and massive U.S.support for Israel,and he tion promulgated in September 2002, identifies the urges a more balanced policy. Many Americans will disagree with greatest threat to America as weapons of mass Prestowitz’s conclusion, but any serious observer of U.S. policy destruction wielded either by terrorist networks such toward the Middle East must take into account the realities that he as Al Qaeda or by “rogue states,” such as Iraq, Iran, so astutely describes. and North Korea. The new doctrine states that in Prestowitz concludes his book with a series of recommendations order to deal with this threat, the for the U.S. role in the world. He would have the United States be Rogue Nation: American United States must use its unparal- more modest and more multilateral in its behavior; it should, so to Unilateralism and the leled power—and it must do so in speak, show a decent respect for the opinions of mankind. Above all, Failure of Good unprecedented ways. If necessary, America should return to its original calling of being “a city upon a Intentions by Clyde these will include preemptive action hill.” Prestowitz ’63 (New York: (more accurately, preventive war) Prestowitz’sapproach to American foreign policy is very similar to Basic Books, 2003) rather than the traditional U.S. that of traditional conservatives (often termed the “realist” school of strategy of containment and deter- international politics). Historically, this position was represented by rence, and unilateral action rather than more traditional such statesmen as George Kennan, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry multilateral action. The prime expression—indeed the Kissinger, and even the elder George Bush. During the past decade, exemplary execution—of this new “National Security however, the traditional conservatives or “realists” have been Strategy” was to be the 2003 war against Iraq, a country replaced in the American foreign-policy elite by representatives of that was seen as the very archetype of a rogue state. two new positions. One group is the neo-liberals, who have promot- In his powerful and persuasive new book,Clyde Prestowitz ed globalization, particularly the American version of free markets. ’63 shows that the real rogue state is the United States. The The neo-liberals largely dominated the foreign policy of the Clinton essence of rogue behavior in international affairs is unilater- administration. The other group is the neo-conservatives, who have al, preemptive actions, and these have increasingly come to promoted U.S. military intervention abroad and, in the past year or characterize U.S. behavior in the world since the end of the two, have even argued for the establishment of an “American Cold War, both during the Clinton administration as well as empire.” The neo-conservatives have largely dominated the foreign the current Bush administration. With well-informed analyses, policy of the current Bush administration. More broadly, however, Prestowitz shows how the United States has acted unilaterally the Bush administration represents a fusion of both neo-liberals and and preemptively in virtually every geographical area (he gives neo-conservatives,a sort of diplomatic and military critical mass that detailed accounts of U.S. policies in Europe, the Middle East, has given its foreign policy an explosive quality. East Asia, and Latin America) and in virtually every functional Within the American political and economic elite of today, and arena (he has chapters devoted specifically to trade policy, energy within either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, there is consumption, the global environment, and arms treaties). This no longer any center of power and influence that supports the for- behavior has generated increasing resentment of and resistance to eign-policy views of traditional conservatives—and the views America around the world. expressed by Prestowitz in this book. By itself, the internal dynamic Prestowitz is president of the Economic Strategy Institute in of the American elite propels the United States toward a global and SEPTEMBER 2003 25 imperial, a unilateral and a preemptive, foreign There is no incoming missiles, several frigates and destroyers, policy—that is, toward being a rogue nation. If one or two hunter killer submarines, and supply this new U.S. policy is to be changed, it most longer any vessels. The Kitty Hawk can steam at more than 30 likely will be because it will be forced to by some miles per hour; to support the U.S. attack on external dynamic or dramatic failure. center of power Afghanistan, it covered the 6,000 miles from Because the prime expression and exem- Yokosuka to the Indian Ocean in twelve days. This plary execution of the new U.S. policy was and influence is a truly awesome concentration of military might. the war against Iraq—a war between The United States has thirteen of these carrier America as the rogue nation and Iraq as a that supports battle groups. No other country has even one. And rogue state—this war may provide the real whether it is bombers, working ballistic missiles, test of the policy. The United States did the foreign-policy strategic submarines, laser-guided smart bombs, not find in Iraq those weapons of mass ground-hugging cruise missiles, pilotless drones, or destruction whose purported existence views of traditional gun ships, American dominance is more or less the had provided the justification for the same. Moreover, these forces are scattered at more war. It did find, however, a resentful conservatives. than seven hundred U.S. installations around the population and a guerrilla resistance globe, with 120,000 American troops in Europe; that has prevented a satisfactory con- 92,000 in East Asia and the Pacific; 30,000 in clusion to the war. And, having offended and insulted most of its tra- North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia; and 15,000 in the ditional allies in its drive toward war,the United States has not found Western Hemisphere outside the United States. The United States’ much help from other nations in its efforts to establish a satisfactory share of the total defense spending of all countries in the world is at peace. 40 percent and rising; it spends as much as the next nine countries If the war in Iraq becomes a costly and bloody quagmire for combined. In terms of sheer military dominance, the world has America,it may bring about a great debate about the American empire never seen anything like this. and its rogue policies—about America as a “rogue nation.” If so, it Economically, the United States looms nearly as large. At $10 tril- would be similar to what happened 30 years ago, when the Vietnam lion, the U.S. GDP [gross domestic product] accounts for more than quagmire brought about a great debate about “the imperial presiden- 30 percent of the combined GDP of all countries in the world and is cy” and “the arrogance of power.” These phrases also served as the twice that of the number-two country, Japan. While the GDP of the titles to two widely read books of that time. There is no better way to combined European Union [EU] is about $9 trillion, including the prepare for the next great debate than to read Prestowitz’sgreat book. newly joining countries, the EU is not yet a state and acts as a peer of the United States only in limited areas. Even so, the United James Kurth is the Claude C. Smith Professor of Political Science. His arti- States is bigger economically than all of Europe and is four times as cle “Migration and the Dynamics of Empire” appeared in the spring issue of big as Germany, Europe’s largest economy. At market prices, China’s The National Interest. economy is only a tenth the size of the U.S. economy and Russia’s is less than half that. Even after the loss of $7 trillion of U.S. market value as a result of the collapse of the recent technology bubble, the THE SHAPEOF EMPIRE capitalization of U.S. stock markets accounts for 36 percent of glob- al market value. More significantly, U.S. productivity growth is 50 American dominance is unprecedented. percent more rapid than that of other developed countries. More- over, the numbers are all moving in the United States’ favor. As its am sure [President George W.] Bush doesn’t think of himself as share of global GDP, asset valuation, and productivity growth con- an emperor. Empires are something Europeans or Chinese or tinues to rise, the United States economy will loom ever larger. One IJapanese have, but not Americans. Nevertheless, if it looks, consequence is that it will be able to increase the already over- walks, and quacks like a duck, chances are it’s a duck. Of course, whelming size and power of its military forces while spending a America has few direct colonies or territorial possessions in the clas- smaller percentage of GDP on defense. sic manner of the Britain and Japan of the past. But empires are also Nor can we ignore American leadership in key technologies or its measured by their ability to project power, to compel or entice others intellectual and cultural dominance. U.S. research and development to do their bidding, to set and enforce the rules, and to establish spending accounts for more than 40 percent of the global total, and social norms. If we look at how the United States stacks up in that in the area of medical and biotechnology research, the United States regard, the unmistakable visage of a duck begins to appear. spends more than the rest of the world combined. More than 85 The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, which usually patrols the percent of the world’s computers run on Microsoft Windows or western Pacific from its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan, is more like a Unix and are powered by Intel or Motorola microprocessors…. [T]he nuclear-powered floating city than a mere ship. It is more than 1,100 vast bulk of new drugs and medicines are developed in the United feet long, as tall as a 20-story building, and carries a flight deck 250 States. Close to 75 percent of all Internet communications globally feet across. This behemoth houses nearly 6,000 crew, pilots, and pass through the United States at some point in their transmission. mechanics along with its 70 state-of-the-art aircraft. Wherever it American films account for about 85 percent of box office revenue in goes it is accompanied by an Aegis cruiser outfitted to knock down Europe and more than 80 percent in the entire global market.... SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 26 Dominance like this is unprecedented. At the peak of its empire, with a second superpower? On the first, the response was over- in the late nineteenth century, Great Britain’s GDP was less than whelming that the United States does not solve problems; and that that of the United States, and its defense spending was less than with important exceptions such as Egypt, Pakistan, and most of that of both Russia and France. Nor did Britain dominate culturally Africa, it increases the rich-poor gap. On the second, … large majori- in nearly the same proportion. The French did not dine on fish and ties everywhere say that America doesn’t pay attention to the views chips or flock to British entertainment. Even the ancient Roman of others—except in the United States, where 75 percent of respon- empire pales by comparison. Great as it was, it was strictly a regional dents say that America pays significant attention to the concerns of operation. The Persian empire was a worthy competitor, and China’s others. This gap is in some ways to be expected, but its size and uni- GDP was probably larger and its technology arguably more versality are telling. At the same time, large majorities in most coun- advanced. tries say the world would be a more dangerous place if there were a second country equal to the United States in military power. While that is comforting, it should not obscure the significance of the dis- SENTIMENTINTHE EMPIRE affection. “We need a war on arrogance as well as a war on terror.” n the summer of 2002, I had dinner in New York with the ambas- Isadors to the UN from Mexico, Brazil, France, Switzerland, the n 2002, the Pew Research Center for The People and The Press EU, Singapore, Japan, Egypt, and Nigeria. They arrived well past the undertook a massive survey of global public opinion on the rendezvous hour of 8 P.M. because they had all been delayed in a IUnited States, interviewing more than 38,000 people in 44 Security Council debate over American demands for special treat- countries during the spring and summer of 2002. For an American, ment of U.S. citizens as a condition for U.S. agreement to creation the results are both positive and disquieting. On the one hand, they of an International Criminal Court, a body the United States had demonstrate a vast store of good will toward and admiration of the itself originally proposed. They were still seething when they United States from around the globe. At the same time, they reveal reached our host’s apartment on the Upper West Side. that these sentiments are declining, while mistrust and dislike of Having already agreed to what they considered elaborate safe- the United States are rising. Perhaps most significantly, in a number guards against politically motivated prosecution of Americans, they of areas the views of Americans are dramatically divergent from found further U.S. demands for exceptional treatment insulting and those of virtually all other peoples, and those who know us best are unconscionable. Said one Latin American ambassador, “The United showing the steepest declines in positive sentiment. States mistrusts the whole world. It relies only on military force and America and its neighbors differ widely in their views of the has no vision of itself working with others. Everything is always world’s gravest dangers. For Americans, number one is nuclear only about itself.” One of the European ambassadors captured the weapons. Except for, understandably, Japan, no other country has overall feeling when he said, “In the past the United States has been this at the top of its list. Pollution and the environment rank lowest a beacon to the world, but more and more it seems to be acting not among U.S. concerns but high everywhere else, particularly in Asia. only without regard for others, but also without regard for the very AIDS and infectious disease are also major concerns elsewhere but principles that made it a beacon. This is terribly depressing and dis- not so much in the United States. Religious and ethnic hatred is the appointing for all of us.” To a man they expressed personal opposi- leading candidate in Europe, the Middle East, and much of tion to and even disgust with the U.S. position. Yet most admitted Southeast Asia and Africa, but again not in the United States. that their governments would probably direct them to accommodate America is most admired for its technology and science, with the Americans. Why? Because the United States had many ways to large majorities in every country scoring a favorable impression make life unpleasant for these countries, and none wanted to offend here. With a few exceptions such as India, Bangladesh, and several the world’s greatest power over any but the most critical of matters. Middle Eastern countries, American pop culture is also a big winner, So when the American proposal for special treatment under the with two-thirds of Europeans and Latin Americans and more than treaty came up for a vote on the Security Council, they would all hold half of Asians saying they like it. In a seeming contradiction, howev- their noses and vote “aye.” But they wouldn’t forget the indignity. er, no one seems to approve of the spread of American customs and ideas. More than half of Canadians, two-thirds of Europeans and hat the world is longing for is what Michael Hirsh calls an Asians, and more than three-fourths of those in the Middle East WAmerican vision of “inclusive idealism,” a United States that, viewed these unfavorably. American ideas on democracy received a in Thomas Friedman’s words, is interested in what the real problems more mixed, but in some ways more disturbing reaction. In Africa are and in what it is doing wrong. Instead, as one Chinese diplomat and Asia outside of India, these ideas are received quite favorably, put it, “the United States imposes its way and does so without but opinion in Latin America and Europe is divided fairly evenly. In knowing what it is doing.” A vivid example is the New York Times Britain, for example, 43 percent like U.S. ideas on democracy while story of December 22, 2002, about the oil riches of Nigeria. The 42 percent dislike them. In Canada it is 50–40 against. story notes the contrast between the richness of the homes of the Three key questions were: Does the United States fail to solve Chevron/Texaco terminal managers in Ugborodo, Nigeria, and the problems and increase the gap between rich and poor? Does the shacks of the oil field workers on the other side of the creek who United States take the views of others into consideration when seized and occupied the rich houses as part of a peaceful protest. making international policies? And would the world be better off The situation is complex and has much to do with the corruption SEPTEMBER 2003 27 and ineffectiveness of the Nigerian government. But the sentiment CLYDE was best expressed by Victor Omunu, a local municipal official, who PRESTOWITZ ’63 said: “Yes, the Nigerian government has failed, but we know the “It has been a long Americans influence the policies of this government. If they have the interests of the community at heart why is it they can’t draw the journey of reading and attention of the Nigerian government? ... The Americans who claim experience that has to be freedom fighters, the Americans who claim to want to better brought me to this mankind—for us they are the devil. Can you tell me they are not point,” writes Clyde worse than Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden? They come, take, Prestowitz in the final and leave without putting back.” paragraph of Rogue A longtime State Department official and former ambassador to Nation. “I always want- Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman put it a bit more diplomatically, saying ed to believe that that “the United States is a City on a Hill, but it is increasingly America was purest fogged in.” He added, “We need a war on arrogance as well as a war and best in everything. on terror.” So I can imagine that you, the reader, may be

© JERRY BAUER struggling with some of this. But the only way CITYONA HILL “AN AMERICA THAT STRESSED ITS TOLERANCE for America to be what “The problem with American power is power itself.” RATHER THAN ITS MIGHT, ITS TRADITION OF I think is her ultimate, OPEN INQUIRY RATHER THAN ITS WAY OF true self is to know and rom the end of World War II until the end of the Cold War, LIFE, AND THAT ASKED FOR GOD’S BLESSING acknowledge the truth. the United States pursued two interlocking strategies—con- ONALLTHEWORLD’SPEOPLEANDNOTJUST And the truth will make tainment and economic globalization. The bargain America ITSOWN,WOULDBETHEAMERICATHE her free and what she F made with its allies was that they would get access to the huge WORLD DESPERATELY WANTS,” WRITES CLYDE ought to be. In other American market and advanced American technology as well as PRESTOWITZ. words, we need to re- American investment in return for embracing a system of geo-politi- think American excep- cal partnership in which the United States was the senior but not tionalism.” always the dominant partner. As John Ikenberry has explained, Prestowitz is founder and president of the Economic Strategy “U.S. power didn’t destabilize the world order because the United Institute (ESI), a Washington think tank that studies international States bound itself to an understood and accepted system of com- trade policy. Before founding ESI, Prestowitz was an international mon rules.” In other words, other countries identified their interests business executive who later served as counselor to the secretary of with U.S. interests because the United States “made its power safe.” commerce in the Reagan administration. There, he led many U.S. Writing in the Atlantic in October 2002, Benjamin Schwarz and trade and investment negotiations with Japan, China, Latin America, Christopher Layne called this the “reassurance strategy.” What has generated the foreign sense of alienation, fear, and betrayal and Europe. He also served as vice chairman of the President’s described in these pages is, first, a dramatic relative growth in U.S. Committee on Trade and Investment in the Pacific. power. The Oxford professor Timothy Garton Ash said it nicely He is an elder of the Presbyterian Church. At the close of Rogue when he wrote in the New York Times, “I love this country [the U.S.] Nation, he reminds his fellow Christians—and fellow Americans—of … contrary to what many Europeans think, the problem with Ameri- his paraphrase of the words of Oliver Cromwell: “In the bowels of can power is not that it is American. The problem is simply the Christ, please believe that you may be wrong.” power. It would be dangerous even for an archangel to wield so In the conclusion of the book, Prestowitz writes: “I want to much power ... even democracy brings its own temptations when it emphasize that Christ was not about nations and power, and did not exists in a hyperpower.” Garton Ash may be right, although the gap spread his gospel by force. When asked about taxes, he said, ‘render between the United States and the rest has not elicited his commen- unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.’ Christ tary in the past. It is noteworthy now, I believe, primarily because it saved the souls of individuals, one by one. The salvation of the has been accompanied by a fundamental shift in U.S. doctrine that churches of America has been the separation of Church and state. In increasingly makes American power “unsafe” in the eyes of the view of the demise of the churches of Europe in the bear hug of the world. state, we Christians should avoid, rather than embrace, closer con- The shift began at the end of the first Bush administration, when nections between Church and state here in America. Politicians who a study group under [then Secretary of Defense Dick] Cheney and headed by [his deputy Paul] Wolfowitz first developed the draft use God as a prop for their campaigns should remember that ‘God is paper (quickly leaked to the New York Times) that called for a strategy not mocked.’” of preventing the rise of any challenging power. Disavowed at the time as the unofficial musings of a few blue-sky thinkers, that doc- SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 28 trine has since become the official strategy of the United States as us from the September 11 hijackers’ boxcutters and suicidal fanati- enunciated [by President George W. Bush in a commencement cism? Are our sophisticated military capabilities cowing the North speech at the United States Military Academy in June 2002], and in Koreans into submission? Is the proliferation of our overseas bases the National Security Strategy (NSS) document [submitted to reducing our risks? The answer is no in every case, and the prolifera- Congress] in September 2002. The United States no longer believes tion of bases may even be increasing our risks. that containment works. The suicidal mentality of the adversary Second, even as nice as we Americans are, the rest of the world combined with the increasingly easy availability and transportability doesn’t necessarily see us as we see ourselves, doesn’t necessarily of weapons of mass destruction makes a no-first-strike strategy want to be like us even if it likes us, and is already moving to coun- untenable. Thus, the new doctrine says, “We will not wait while terbalance our power.… dangers gather” or until the “mushroom cloud” rises. Instead we Third, an American crusade won’t work because it will increas- will strike preemptively and preventively wherever and whenever we ingly involve us in the kinds of alliances of convenience and ruth- sense unacceptable dangers gathering. This doctrine is presented in less actions that only complicate our lives in the long run even as the guise and rhetoric of dealing with the instabilities caused by they corrupt our own character and institutions. failed states and “rogue nations,” and the NSS paper talks of coop- Fourth, economic globalization and American profligacy have eration among the major powers so as to allay their fears that it already undermined our economic sovereignty and made us more might also be aimed at them. dependent than we know on those we would dominate. But the second part of the doctrine undermines this reassuring tone by insisting that the United States will maintain such a power merica may do stupid and even bad things from time to time. gap between itself and the rest that no country would even consider ABut the American people don’t regard body bags as symbols of raising a challenge. This is the doctrine of absolute security through their glorious valor, nor do they hanker to send their second sons or overwhelming military superiority. It is in many ways an apt doc- daughters into the colonial service. Having begun life in rebellion trine for America. Only America has the human, institutional, natu- against empire, we never became really comfortable with the habit of ral, and technological resources to pull it off. It plays to the long- empire and simply are not good imperialists. For one thing, we are developed sense of American invulnerability as a birthright and to too eager for people to like us. the habitual American trust in superior arms. It also reflects the What then is to be done? It’s simple really, and something sense Americans have of being exceptional and apart from the rest George W. Bush should be able to embrace in a heartbeat. In fact, of humankind, a special, chosen people who can achieve immunity Bush had it right the first time when he said during the campaign, because they deserve immunity ... and from whom the rest of the “If we are a humble nation, they’ll see that and respect it.” What we world need have no fear because Americans have been vouchsafed need is a return to real conservatism. The imperial project of the so- the “truth.” And the truth has made them free and good. Thus the called neoconservatives is not conservatism at all but radicalism, solipsistic Manichaeism so palpable in the president’s rhetoric egotism, and adventurism articulated in the stirring rhetoric of tra- about “freedom’s triumph over all its age-old foes.” … ditional patriotism. Real conservatives have never been messianic or The logic of the new doctrine is one of infinite expansion. In the doctrinaire. The very essence of conservatism, which the neoconser- era of globalization, the number of possible threats is very large, and vatives constantly preach, is limited government. Yet the imperial the attempt to control one, such as Iraq, may only subject us to new project they are proposing will greatly increase the role of govern- dangers. We are already seeing this in Afghanistan. To counter the ment both at home and abroad. Already we have dramatically new threat it may thus be necessary to gain control over new territo- increased federal spending while beefing up our already overwhelm- ry or new entities. In the end, the only safety is in making every ing military machine and making the Department of Homeland place an extension of yourself. Security the biggest domestic bureaucracy we have ever had. This is This would seem to be a daunting task. Traditional international not conservatism. It is Big Government. Traditional conservatives relations theory holds that the rise of any imperial power will auto- have always been careful to balance the budget and to insist on each matically generate counteralliances and cooperation among the citizen’s responsibility to perform civic duties. But the new imperial- other powers to offset the influence of the dominant power. As a ists are calling for tax cuts even as they raise spending. There is to be result, the dominant power redoubles its efforts at countering the no draft and no sacrifice, and the president’s only nod to civic duty new alliance until eventually the empire becomes overstretched and came when he urged everyone to go shopping to help the economy. collapses. But the neo-imperialists again believe America is excep- This is neither conservatism nor liberalism but simple irrespon- tional—because it is a democracy and harbors no lust for territorial sibility. Recall the words of the great conservative philosopher gain, and its imperium is attractive and user friendly, one of soft, Edmund Burke, who said of Britain’s power in an earlier era, “I even seductive, power. There will be no counterbalancing activity dread our being too much dreaded.” Power is a magnet for threats, because all will welcome the American way. Who would not want to and the reaction to them can spur radical projects. Governor be American if they could? Thus American women and men are to Winthrop saw a “city on a hill” as being attractive by dint of its be sent to the far corners of the earth on a crusade to spread the virtue, not its power. And John Quincy Adams enjoined that we “not American creed to a world hungering and thirsting for it. go abroad in search of monsters to slay.” Those are all good conser- It won’t work. Let me count the reasons. vative guides to consult on America’s future strategy. T First, there is no such thing as absolute military security. Did our laser-guided bombs and nuclear missiles and satellite photos protect Reprinted with the permission of the author. © 2003 Clyde Prestowitz. SEPTEMBER 2003 29 I m a g e s F r o m

COMPUTERADVANCESADDACOLORFULTOUCH TOTHEWORKOFSWARTHMOREFACULTYANDSTUDENTS.

SCIENCE CENTER MICA Liquid crystals are birefringent, which means that light propagates at different velocities depending on its polarization direction. The min- eral muscovite (a mica) is also birefringent; so, in preparation for their studies of liquid crystals, Eric Levy ’04 and Viva Horowitz ’05 examined the mica taken from the rock (a shist) excavated for the new science center. In this polarized microphotograph, birefringence causes crystallites in the mica with different orientations and thick- nesses to have varying colors. —Peter Collings Morris L. Clothier Professor of Physics SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 28 Swarthmore Science

ONE WAY ADVANCES IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY HAVE AFFECTED SCIENCE is through the capability of making high-resolution, colored images quite easily. Not only has this allowed scientists to “image” objects in ways they could not before, but theoretical predictions and experimental data can now be presented in highly engaging and extremely informative formats. In 1993, the Kresge Foundation awarded Swarthmore a $162,000 challenge grant to ini- tiate a program to bring the latest advances in visualization to teaching and research in the sciences. The College was required by the Kresge grant to raise at least $326,000 toward an endowment to keep visualization in the sciences current. A total of 125 donors made 174 gifts to this endowment, with some giving more than once; of the 125 contributors, 112 were alumni, and 13 were nonalumni or foundations. These contributions have since grown to a market value of $737,000. Under the watchful eye of Professor of Physics John Boccio, annual proceeds from this endowment are used to maintain current software and purchase new software, with the goal of encouraging faculty to experiment with new visualization schemes. These funds supplement the resources available through the annual Information and Technology Serv- ices and various department budgets for the purchase and maintenance of visualization technology. The following pages contain recent images from some of the teaching and research ongoing in the sciences at the College. Professors involved in various projects have sup- plied captions to explain each image; in many cases, the images were captured or created by students. These images were selected because they can be appreciated from both scientific and aesthetic perspectives. —Peter Collings SEPTEMBER 2003 29 DOING THE TWIST Above: My students and I have studied bond rotation in a class of organic compounds known as amides. This image shows the simplest possible amide, formamide. On the left is its normal structure and on the right the twisted structure it must adopt during bond rotation. The red and blue volumes show where there is more (blue) or less (red) electron probability density in the molecule than in its con- stituent atoms. —Paul Rablen Associate Professor of Chemistry

RIBBONS AND STICKS YEAST MUTANTS ACTIN’ UP Above: This figure is a model of a portion of the M2 protein from the Right: Yeast mutants defective in cell division (cytokinesis) were iso- influenza A virus. The reddish ribbons depict protein helices that lated and characterized by Margaret Lippincott ’01 and Kirstin Bass come together to form a channel though a lipid membrane. The ’03. The cell shown has a mutation in its myosin gene. Most myosin green-stick structures are lipid molecules. My lab has been collabo- mutations affecting cytokinesis prevent the formation of an actin rating on a series of biophysical studies on this protein with William ring required for division. The first panel shows the cell visualized DeGrado and James Lear in the Department of Biochemistry and Bio- with DIC microscopy. Actin is stained in the second panel. Some physics at the University of Pennsylvania. concentrated actin is found at the bud neck, demonstrating that the —Kathleen Howard special mutant myosin protein in this cell can bind actin. The third Associate Professor of Chemistry panel shows the location of the DNA. The two separate foci indicate the cell has finished nuclear division. —Elizabeth Vallen Associate Professor of Biology SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 30 STRESSED? LIGHTEN UP! This photograph of a petri plate containing bioluminescent bacteria was taken with no light source other than that emitted by the bac- terial colonies. They are nonpathogenic Escherchia coli, into which genes from naturally bioluminescent bacteria have been introduced. These genetically engineered E. coli produce light in response to many types of stress. My students and I use these bacteria to meas- ure environmental stress experienced by bacteria in laboratory and natural settings. —Amy Cheng Vollmer Associate Professor and Chair of Biology SEPTEMBER 2003 31 CARAPACE MEETS PLASTRON Above: How does the turtle form its shell? Students in my laboratory found that the upper shell (carapace) and lower shell (plastron) form their bones in a manner reminiscent of skull development. Here, new bone (stained red) is seen to be formed around the ribs in the cara- pace and from nine separate centers in the plastron. —Scott Gilbert Professor of Biology

MODEL MOLECULES Right: Robin Smith ‘03, working in my laboratory and at the Ecole Normale Supérieure (Cachan, France), measured fluorescent light from single molecules of terrylene dye (model shown). The molecules were dispersed inside a thin polymer film and scanned, using a laser-based microscope technique called confocal microscopy. In her honors thesis, Robin investigated the relationship between the sin- gle molecule fluorescence and ultrafast timing experiments per- formed at Swarthmore College. —Carl Grossman Associate Professor of Physics SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 32 STELLAR WINDS Left: As part of his senior thesis project, Roban Kramer ’03 developed a method for modeling and visualizing the super- sonic outflow from stars, called stellar winds. This image color-codes the stellar wind according to its Doppler shift: blue for the portion of the wind moving toward the observer (assumed to be at the left of the image) and red for the por- tion of the wind moving away. The X-ray light we observe from such stars actually does have a blue- and a red-shifted component, allowing us to determine the velocity of the stellar wind. —David Cohen Assistant Professor of Astronomy

CAN YOU SAY “IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY?” Right: This image is of a ganglion from the nerv- ous system of a leech, obtained with fluores- cence microscopy by Tamika Songster ’04 and John Lillvis ’03, as part of the Leech Immunocy- tochemistry Lab in my neurobiology course last semester. They stained this ganglion with a procedure in which green fluorescent molecules bind specifically to neurons containing a type of neuropeptide called FMRFamide. The bright green spheres, ranging from about 0.02 to 0.2 mm in diameter, are the cell bodies of individual FMRFamide-containing neurons. —Kathleen Siwicki Professor of Biology SEPTEMBER 2003 33 w h a t S h a l l WE C a l l t h e P ROFESSOR ? NOTEVERYONEISONAFIRST-NAMEBASIS.

By Ben Yagoda

’m not ready to endorse with absolute for other people in other places. I checked dents. That seems a laid-back strategy, but certainty the statement that everything The Art and Craft of Teaching, The Chicago for Mark Kuperberg, an economist, it was Irelates to The Simpsons, but I haven’t Guide to Your Academic Career, McKeachie’s anything but. He wrote me: “I think you found any evidence to the contrary. Teaching Tips, and New Faculty: A Practical have touched on one of the great conun- Bolstering the proposition was a bit I Guide for Beginners out of the library and drums of life. I spent my entire student life recently saw in a rerun episode called “Lisa found exactly nothing. I Googled, of course, trying to create meetings with professors in the Tree Hugger.” Bart gets a job hanging and came up with just one interesting such a way that I would not have to commit menus on doorknobs for a Thai restaurant. nugget, from the University of Chicago’s to any particular salutation (sort of like, The owner explains the business strategy to Web site. A Q in an FAQ section is “What ‘Hello there’). I never discovered a greeting him: “I get more business. Send daughters should I call my professor?” The answer: I found comfortable. As a professor, I don’t to small liberal arts college. Swarthmore. “This is an intensely personal decision. recommend anything. I write M. Kuperberg Maybe Sarah Lawrence. Call professors by Within his or her hearing, Mr., Mrs., Ms., on my syllabus (perhaps subliminally, I still first name.” Because of one thing and or Miss is suggested, unless you are invited don’t want to commit myself). I do think another, Bart ends up throwing the menus to use the first name. By tradition … Mark is too informal, but I only correct stu- in a dumpster. The restaurant owner sees Chicago faculty members do not use dents if I know them well and in a joking him and wails, “Now, restaurant fail. ‘Doctor’ or ‘Professor.’ It was pronounced way. And even then, I don’t really ‘correct’ Children go to state college. Serious stu- publicly in the first issue of the campus them, since I don’t give them my preferred dents powerless against drunken jockocracy. newspaper, the University of Chicago Weekly, alternative.” Baseball hats everywhere.” which came out the summer before the uni- First-naming would seem to be especial- This sequence got my attention, possibly versity opened [in 1891]: ‘By mutual agree- ly appropriate to Swarthmore, given its because it so directly referenced my own ment between the faculty and offices of the Quaker identity, but Kenneth Gergen, the life. I wouldn’t exactly call the university University now on hand, the uniform appel- Gil and Frank Mustin Professor of where I teach a jockocracy, but there are a lation of “Mr.” has been adopted in mutual Psychology, said the practice didn’t begin till lot of baseball caps. What’s more, I live in intercourse, thus doing away with all doubts the late ’60s and ’70s: “When authority was the town of Swarthmore, spend a lot of time and mistakes as to the proper title of any thrown into question, all formalities in on the Swarthmore College campus, and man connected with the institution.’ This address virtually disappeared at Swarth- have twice taught seminars for the College. custom is also a form of, well, snobbery: more. As the society reverted into a more Especially interesting was the Simpson since everyone around has a doctoral conventional (and conservative) form of restaurateur’s fixation on how professors degree, it’s not worth making a fuss over.” life, the formalities began to emerge again are addressed. I came to teaching midcareer, Being a journalist, I am a longtime devo- but not in all cases. I now find that there is without a doctorate, and didn’t give much tee and practitioner of pseudo–social sci- no mainstream student culture. Rather, thought to what I wanted students to call ence, so I constructed an e-mail poll on this there seems to be a multiplicity of subcul- me. Somehow, “Ben” didn’t seem right. issue and sent it out to my English Depart- tures, each with its own norms. I have stu- What I wasn’t prepared for was being ad- ment colleagues at the University of Dela- dents who call me by my first name; others dressed as “Dr. Yagoda.” I corrected that a ware and to some professors I know at who use ‘Professor,’ ‘Doctor,’ or ‘Sir’; and couple dozen times, then stopped after it Swarthmore. The answers from Swarthmore many who are not quite sure what they became clear that my quip of choice—“I’m bore out The Simpsons, somewhat. Exactly should do.” not a doctor, but I play one on TV”—wasn’t half of the professors who responded said None of my respondents taught math or that funny. I realized, in any case, that I had they asked students to use their first name. science, which appears to be significant. to give students a clue to my preferences, so Professor of Linguistics Donna Jo Napoli After I had completed my survey, I found I started signing e-mails and syllabi “Profes- said, “I tell them that I want to call them by out that Mathematics Professor Steve sor Yagoda,” which seemed to work, both at their first names, and I won’t do that unless Maurer ’67 had conducted one of his own. Swarthmore and the University of Delaware. they call me by my first name.” Two years ago, a video for Swarthmore’s cur- Seeing the Simpsons episode got me The other half didn’t specify anything, rent capital campaign, The Meaning of interested in how this issue gets played out leaving the form of address up to the stu- Swarthmore, showed a recent alumna say- SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 34 Dco, ic a oesrosboundary serious some had I or since ‘Doctor,’ ‘Professor’ me call students my “I make said, One students. with relationship ful respect- a establish helped title formal a that indicated professors female Several male. are three all Significantly, to first-named. asked be respondents faculty 22 my Only of arts. three liberal the not business, engineer- and by ing driven is and seminars; than class- es lecture more offers school; graduate a and undergraduates 13,000-plus has Delaware, which of University the at are things basis. pre- last-name rest a the on of being most ferred and name, first a use to students invited habitually who he eight said the replied of one Only did. they what statistics and mathematics in colleagues asked his he troglodyte, of sort some wasn’t he sure make to and, Maurer,” “Professor call him to students his encouraged always himself had Maurer names. first their pro- by calling fessors of custom the about was liked College she the things the of one that ing hti itemr nln ihteway the with line in more little a is That

JENNY CAMPBELL n fiehust ics rewl rthe or will free discuss to dur- hours in office wander ing to happened higher I a if for and ask grade; to teacher a wouldn’t phone I to e-mail; think no was There all. at any- thing professors the call to having occasion not much to difficulty my attribute the I in ’70s. undergraduate an as Yale attended when I called were members faculty what ber deconstruct.” to more complicated much was “That said. one Mom,’” on ‘Dr. landed who mentored I whom young women few a been have “There honorific “Doc.” ironic the is solution their that independently me told women Two together closely. work to come professor stu- and when dent undo to difficult be can imposed formality The etc.).” friends, be to as tried age me, same the were they thought (i.e., students teaching started first I when issues i rs,Ise orcl,tepreferred the recall, to seem ever I need arise, the did if But address. direct for ment require- any without negotiated be could conversation the universe, the of nature aerce ybantyn oremem- to trying brain my racked have I n itr fTeSotArboretum. Scott The forthcom- of a history of ing author the is He Award. Literary Made It World the and children. book, two Yagoda’s their and College, the at sciences adviser health Simeone, Gigi wife, his Swarthmore with in lives He Delaware. the of at University journalism of professor is Yagoda Ben “Hi a Susie.” with her greeting class lecture in her student a to kindly take wouldn’t State Mississippi at engineering 62-year-old of a professor that bet safe fairly a it’s be sure, never can you although words, In other professor. the of maleness and and youth taught, subject the of humanities to the nearness Northeast, the or California location in size, class and college of be: smallness to appear professors first-naming to lead- ing factors significant farther, bit a it Totake situation. current the assessing in step the Simpsons but needed, clearly is research More T etuatgymd odfirst good a made guy restaurant bu on h e Yorker New The Town: About n utrlchange. cultural and prestige, gender, of issues and trends far-ranging with up tied are but sonal per- intensely only not are address academic of it. curry to way easy an seem would title exalted an contrast, by matic, auto- isn’t respect where institution an At bery. snob- reverse of gestion sug- a acknowledges, site Web Chicago’s as and, schools prep of aroma faint a with thing, lege elite-col- an is “Mr.” that impression my firmed con- respondents my of Several “Professor.” out beats “Doctor” Teutonic-sounding ly faint- the and used never almost is “Mr.” where Delaware, of University present-day with “Mrs.” or “Ms.,” “Miss,” “Mr.,” was Chicago— of University the at form—as htcnrssstarkly contrasts That ycnlso?Forms conclusion? My o h Athenaeum the won 35 SEPTEMBER 2003 “T h e TOUGHESTJOB Y o u ’ l l E v e r L o v e”

PEACECORPSVOLUNTEERS FROMSWARTHMOREHAVESERVED AROUNDTHEWORLD.

By Andrea Hammer

WHEN RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS TO WORK IN INTERNA- TIONAL COMMUNITIES, the Peace Corps (PC) uses a frank approach: “the toughest job you’ll ever love.” This direct appeal has convinced approximately 166,000 people to work in more than 70 countries, since President John F. Kennedy established the program in 1961. In mid-July, Kevin Quigley ’74 was named president of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). “I am honored and privi- leged to have the opportunity to work with the NPCA in its mission to lead the Peace Corps community to foster peace by working together in service, education, and advocacy,” said Quigley, who has worked in the not-for-profit community for more than 20 years. “Generally, PC service is two years,” said Quigley, a PC volunteer in Thailand from 1976 to 1979. “If I had left after two years, I would have been the only beneficiary.” As one of the top PC volunteer producers in the Northeast, Swarthmore has contributed a total of 209 volunteers to date. Currently, eight graduates are serving across the globe, including remote locations such as Mali, the Ukraine, and Panama. Three are working in the health sector; two in environment; and one each in education, agriculture, and business. The following Swarthmore PC volunteers, from the 1960s to the present, reflect on their international experiences and the impact of

SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN this period on their own—and others’—lives. 36 Elizabeth Derickson ’01 Sara Edmundson Wu ’63 CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, 2001–2003 KAZAKHSTAN, 1996–1998

John ’96 and Kenneth Leonard ’89 Katherine “Kari” Bachman ’88 Julia Stock Sarreal '94 GABON, 1989–1991 ZAIRE, 1988–1990 PARAGUAY, 1998–2000

Sara Edmundson Wu ’63 “Living so simply KAZAKHSTAN, 1996–1998 Retired physician emphasizes to me the

Work focus and Swarthmore influence: overextravagance of “I was in the Health and Environment Program, which did not have a particular American living and focus. I worked with a USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] contractor, the power we exert on which was trying to help change the health “FORCELEBRATIONS,THEKAZAKHSSETUPYURTS care system from being centered in poly- the world to maintain clinics to being private family practices. I IN THE TRADITIONAL MANNER AND EAT TRADITION- also worked on education about childbirth, our opulence.” ALMEALSALONGWITHSONGANDDANCEENTER- birth control, AIDS, and acute respiratory TAINMENT,” SAID WU (ABOVERIGHT;LEFTCENTER). infections and diarrheal diseases of chil- “IMETSOMEKINDREDSPIRITSBUTMOREESPE- dren. Although I was based for a while in CIALLY SHOWED YOUNGER the health department and studied their WOMEN THAT THERE WERE monitoring of diseases and environmental hazards, I never felt that I contributed sig- OTHERROLEMODELSFOR nificantly. I did help with an English club WHENTHEYWEREOLDER.” and an environment and health camp for children. “Swarthmore gave me an introduction to Russian, although I still did not do well in the language. It was a long time from the time that I graduated, so that the direct impact is hard to pin down. Most signifi- cantly, Swarthmore promoted my global orientation and gave me a broader under- standing of the diversity of American people.” SEPTEMBER 2003 37 Challenges and rewards: “My biggest chal- wished I could work with a program that lenge was finding ways to be helpful. There Katherine “Kari” Bachman ’88 engaged a wider range of community mem- was a lot of resistance to new ideas, so it ZAIRE, 1988–1990 bers. I got my first taste of working for a was difficult to develop real communication Nutrition Education Program coordinator/ bureaucracy, and I must say that I’ve gotten to promote problem solving. This frustra- Food and Society Policy fellow better at it over time! I almost majored in tion of not knowing what to do and having Extension Home Economics Department linguistics—I am that intrigued by lan- expertise that might have been helpful, if we New Mexico State University guage—and so perhaps the most satisfying could really discuss issues, made me feel useless and invasive much of the time. The Work focus and Swarthmore rewards were in a fantastic time of personal influence: “In Zaire—now the growth. Each day brought new challenges— Democratic Republic of the no ruts allowed!” Congo—I worked as an aqua- culture extension agent. I lived Impact of PC experience: “Living in anoth- in a remote village and rode a er country gave me more perspective on motorcycle around the region to America and our patterns of living. Living so provide technical assistance to simply emphasizes to me the overextrava- about 20 male farmers on all gance of American living and the power we aspects of raising tilapia [an exert on the world to maintain our opu- African fish often raised for lence. It does make it hard to relate to other food] in hand-dug freshwater people who have not had this dramatic an ponds. I told the Peace Corps experience. It has put me in a very question- recruiter I would go anywhere ing mode about how to be a useful global and do anything except teach citizen. I continue to try other volunteer English. I felt very strongly that opportunities but find that I question their I didn’t want to export our con- validity. This leads to a certain immobility. I sumption-crazed culture to quite happily live in a cabin in the [Port- other countries. As for my inter- land, Ore.] woods and commune with est in agriculture, that really nature!” only came out my senior year, when I took a class in food poli- PC choice for others: “I think that PC is a great experience. I believe that it has prima- rily done a great job in developing “For months, I would “A SUSTAINABLE, LOCALLY BASED FOOD SYSTEM IS Americans, much more than developing pro- MUCH MORE LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO grams abroad. Of course, there are many be out in the bush EAT HEALTHFULLY, INTERACT PEACEFULLY, AND good programs in PC, but many volunteers feel the frustration that I did, that our tal- speaking nothing but MAINTAIN THEIR CULTURAL TRADITIONS. PEACE ents are not appreciated and are often CORPSHELPEDMEDISCOVERTHESELINKS,” resented. I think that PC’s greatest contribu- Kikongo, and I never BACHMANSAID. tion is to the young people abroad. Many are inspired to set their sights higher than tired of its subtle personal reward was learning a Bantu lan- they could originally imagine. guage. For months, I would be out in the “Unfortunately, this often brings them to beauties.” bush speaking nothing but Kikongo, and I America rather than developing their own never tired of its subtle beauties. One day, countries. I recommend PC to those who an older woman responded to my ‘How are want a fantastic adventure and are not goal you?’ with the answer, ‘Mono ikele mwa directed either for themselves or others.” cy. It was so intriguing to make the connec- ndambu ya mbote fioti kaka,’ which, translat- tions between health, food, agriculture, and ed roughly, means, ‘I’m only just a little tiny my major in political science.” bit well.’ That was as close to complaining as most Zaireans would get. Their warmth Challenges and rewards: “It was challeng- and dignity in the face of overwhelming ing to promote a technology that, though challenges was awe inspiring.” low tech, required an extraordinary amount of hard work and long-term commitment on Impact of PC experience: “I had already the part of the farmers. This made it inac- lived and worked overseas when I became a cessible to most Zaireans, and I often volunteer, so I’m not sure PC had as great SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 38 an influence on me as it did on some of the Challenges and rewards: “I lived in a very other volunteers. To this day, I continue to Kenneth Leonard ’89 remote and isolated village, and not losing seek out other cultures, including those with- GABON, 1989–1991 my mind was probably the most important in the United States, and still feel an obliga- Assistant professor of economics thing. Although you are surrounded with tion to work for tolerance and social justice. Columbia University people, you are very much alone. The cultur- For the past five years, I’ve been a statewide al barriers are enormous. For example, in my nutrition education coordinator with the Work focus and Swarthmore influence: village, people were very concerned that I Cooperative Extension Service in New Mexi- “In Central Africa, I built primary schools not be alone—since this was not considered co. Our program helps limited-resource and teachers’ houses, using my experience a desirable thing—and for the first few adults and kids maintain their food tradi- as a carpenter and mason, which I had months, old men would come over to my tions, while also teaching them skills to im- gained outside of Swarthmore. However, in house and sit in my living room for hours prove their health and save money on food. all of these tasks, it was important to man- on end to keep me company. I communicat- One of my main goals now as a Food and age and understand the relations between ed with most of the people in French, but Society Policy fellow is to strengthen the project, volunteer, and community. I can’t these older men often did not speak French; linkages between all facets of the food sys- point to a class that taught me how to think so for three to four hours of my afternoon, I tem. For example, I’m involved with several about these issues, but I was very active in would have someone with whom I had no groups at the state and local levels that are the way I approached the issues that arose, way of communicating sitting idly in my liv- working to improve the nutrition environ- and I think my general Swarthmore experi- ing room. All I wanted was some time to ment in the schools. One way is to get more ence paid off. myself, but the village honestly thought this locally produced food served there.” “My relationship to my village and proj- was necessary to take care of me. We eventu- ect was very different from that of most ally reached an understanding on the fact PC choice for others: “My answer to this other volunteers, and I had the privilege of that I did not mind being alone, but I never question has evolved over the years. Peace training a young man from my first village fully bridged the cultural divide…. Corps offers an incredible window onto to replace me. I am one of the few volun- “Why I was there, why this village need- parts of the world that we otherwise can’t teers who can honestly say that when I left ed a school, and what the school would real- experience so intimately. But it’s also an arm the country, a citizen of that country took ly accomplish were the questions that I of the U.S. government, and that’sa real over my job and performed with distinc- could not—and still cannot—answer. When challenge for lots of Swarthmore grads, as it tion.” you come to a point where hard work doesn’t was for me. As time has gone by, I’ve become solve the problem, or getting through the more grateful for my Peace Corps experience. It taught me to have patience and to look for “WHERETOFINDSAND,HOWTOTURNITINTOBRICKS,HOWTOKEEPATRUCKANDACEMENTMIXER cracks within dominant systems where RUNNING,ANDHOWTOTEACHPEOPLETHINGSYOUBARELYUNDERSTOODYOURSELFWERETHEDAILY change can occur. I feel that the challenge is CHALLENGESTHATILIVEDFOR.THEYARETHECONVENTIONALCHALLENGESWHERESUCCESSAND to find and cultivate the good in all people. FAILURE ARE EASILY DEFINED, AND YOU LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES,” LEONARD SAID. Discovering common ground makes it possible to change many institu- tions from within. It’s been so interesting to get a mas- ter’s in extension educa- tion and then work here in the Agriculture College. On the surface, you’d think I wouldn’t have much in common with the ranching culture, but building on common values has brought our program some real suc- cesses that wouldn’t have been achieved if I’d clam- ored loudly for them as an outspoken liberal.... “Organic famers ... don’t always know what’s best.... We need everyone to come to the table!” SEPTEMBER 2003 39 help the world for two years before you strategic cost-savings activity. move on, forget the PC: You won’t get any- “I had two primary projects in PC,” Julia thing done. There are no jobs that allow you continued. “First, I worked with a group of to make a contribution in only two years…. eight subsistence farmers on an income gen- “When I discovered how hard it would eration project. After working in an office in be to change the world—or even make a New York City for two years, I was very small contribution—it was a painful and excited to be outside, learning about the disheartening experience. I managed to pick basics of life. It was an amazing and unfor- myself up from that and keep moving, and I gettable experience. The work was reward- am still going today. I don’t know if it was ing—we were able to build a facility for stor- Swarthmore that allowed me to get up and ing grains so that the community would keep moving, but most volunteers who come have sanitary corn and beans throughout “I am one of the few with idealism in their hearts don’t get up the year for their families to eat and sell. again when they first fall down. More important than the work were the per- volunteers who can “If you want to experience another cul- sonal relationships I made. John and I came ture and learn about the world, PC is a good to consider the closest of our friends as fam- honestly say that when way to do that. But realize before you start ily. Paraguayans always welcomed us into that it will be very different than you their homes and were incredibly generous. I left the country, expect.” Families that could not afford to put meat on their tables always shared meals of beans a citizen of that and mandioca with us and frequently sent us home with something harvested from country took over John ’96 and their fields. Some Paraguayans tried to take Julia Stock Sarreal ’94 advantage of us, but the small group with my job and CURUGUATY,PARAGUAY, 1998–2000 whom we established close relationships Senior associate,Zeborg Inc.(JS) were wonderful. We developed a great performed with Latin American history student at Harvard (JSS) respect for subsistence farmers—the diffi- culties and hard work they faced were distinction.” Work focus and Swarthmore influence: tremendous—men cultivating their fields by “Swarthmore was a wonderful experience. day is not enough, you learn a lot about The intellectual atmosphere on campus what you are made of. expanded my horizons and view of the “We learned that we “On the other hand, there are three world. An especially influential class was schools in the African jungle that I helped Catholic Social Thought, which Professors could live simply, build, and one that I built from the first Hugh Lacey and James Kurth taught. I shovel stuck in the ground to the last coat of remember being fascinated with liberation without amenities such paint. There is a village in Africa that I can theology and Latin America. This course walk into and spend two weeks properly awakened an interest in Latin America, as a car, telephone, greeting everyone I know. And you can only which has grown over the years,” Julia said. imagine the stories I will be able to enter- “We chose PC as a way to live and work and television—and tain my children and grandchildren with. in Latin America because of the opportunity I’ve pulled a 25-ton dump truck out of a to immerse ourselves in the culture and still be very happy.” river with three come-alongs. I’ve built a integrate ourselves into a rural community bridge with ropes and axes.” to which we would otherwise probably not have access,” she added. “An important part Impact of PC experience: “I have traveled of PC was the opportunity to give some- back three times since my PC experience. I thing back and help others, which is impor- don’t really know how it has changed my tant to us because of the various forms of life, but I also can’t imagine what it would assistance we have received, such as gener- be like if I hadn't done it.” ous financial aid to attend Swarthmore. We never thought that we would change the PC choice for others: “If you want to make world or make a major impact, but we want- the world a better place, make a 50-year ed to make a difference in the lives of a few commitment—your whole life. PC is a good people,” added John, who as a senior associ- opening act in such a career, but it is not a ate at Zeborg now helps companies save complete contribution. If you only want to money by transforming purchasing into a SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 40 JULIASARREALANDMELCHORVELÁZQUEZ (LEFT) IN SANTA ROSA CUÉ, CANINDEYÚ, SAVED SOIL BY PLANTINGWINTER ABONOSVERDES. “DURINGTHE PAST 30 YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DISTRIBUTED ALOTOFPLOTSOFLANDTO CAMPESINOS (SMALL FARMERS), WHICH HAS ATTRACTED PEOPLE FROM OTHER PARTS OF PARAGUAY. CURUGUATY HAS THUS GROWN TO BE AN IMPORTANT TRANSIT POINT,” SAID SARREAL,WHOVISITEDWITHOTHERMEMBERSOF THE VELÁZQUEZ FAMILY (OPPOSITEBOTTOM).

Peace Corps Recruiters on Campus

EARLY THIS YEAR, two regional Peace Corps (PC) recruiters were on I here?’ and it is helpful to have all those different reasons in the campus, offering information sessions and sharing their own experi- back of your head.” ences as PC volunteers. Cara Gearty served in Uzbekistan and Amy To succeed as a PC volunteer, “You need a strong will and view Nyman in the Dominican Republic, both from 1999 to 2001. Although of yourself as independent. You also have to be a self-motivator and PC volunteers do not sign contracts, they are asked to commit for your own best friend,” Nyman added. two years. A five-year limit is applied to PC administrative positions, “In the 1960s, PC evaluated potential volunteers through psy- promoting a constant influx of new ideas and energy. chological and physical tests. Today, the screening process is more Nyman, who wanted to become a PC volunteer since she was 10 personal and involves several steps, which can take between four to years old and also visited Swarthmore as a recruiter last fall, found nine months to finish,” Gearty said. “People interested must first fill talking with students “engaging and interactive,” she said. “They out an application and submit references. Then, the applicant meets showed up with lots of questions,” which is the most stimulating part with a recruiter for an interview, after which he or she has to pass of the process for both recruiters. medical exams and a legal clearance. This length of time can seem According to Gearty, one of the most frequently asked questions frustrating, but it is actually beneficial because it gives the applicant is: “‘Can I choose the region where I serve?’” In answer, she explained: enough time to seriously think about the commitment of service.” “You can state a preference for a region of the world. But programs She added: “In the ’60s, training was in the United States, but are based on the needs of the country, not on the needs of individual now, the whole three months is in the [site] country, so you really volunteers.” absorb everything. The classes and daily interactions with your neigh- Another misperception about PC is its “imperialistic goals of bors and host family help—and force—volunteers to learn so much spreading American values around the world,” Gearty said. more than they could anywhere else,” Gearty said. “Also, the image of But “PC volunteers are [just] so busy trying to become part of a PC volunteers building bridges and houses is not so true anymore. community,” Nyman added. “There is also a preconception of Most of our programs focus on education, whether that [is] English, Americans as rich and gluttonous. But we are spreading friendship science, health, agriculture, or construction. Now, we have a con- and peace.” struction and skilled trades education program, so that we can reach In addition, “People who join for the whole experience tend to out to more people and teach them to build their own bridges and be the most successful—those who join to learn a new culture and houses effectively.” language, to help others, for travel and adventure, for a challenge, Once accepted into the program, PC volunteers then “gain per- for personal growth, and to develop new skills. I think it is important spective on the world,” Nyman said, with some later becoming “poli- to think about these reasons seriously before you get on the plane cy makers at the World Bank.” This direct interaction, working with because you really think about them once you are at your site,” “people and their daily hopes and dreams, is not from a newspaper Gearty said. “When you have a tough day, you ask yourself, ‘Why am but [learning] what mothers and fathers want for their children.” —A.H. SEPTEMBER 2003 41 “We realized that we other ailments. Although we avoided dengue cannot feed their children.” fever and other serious illnesses, unlike “Two years after leaving Paraguay, John could never fully some of our friends and colleagues, Julia did and I returned for a visit. Seeing our friends have an interesting experience with a 10- was wonderful—we were welcomed home comprehend the inch tapeworm,” John continued. like family,” Julia continued. “We can happi- “Despite all of the difficulties, we en- ly report that the co-op still manages its experiences of many joyed our experience and got a lot out of it,” finances with John’s computer program, the Julia said. community uses the grain storage facility, of our less fortunate and many of our students are still pursuing Impact of PC experience: “Our time in their studies. Unfortunately, Paraguay’s eco- Paraguayan friends.” Paraguay further heightened my apprecia- nomic conditions have only gotten worse, tion for Latin America,” Julia said. “While in and there are still many problems,” Julia Paraguay, like most PC volunteers, I read a said. hand, without plows or tractors, and women lot. In addition to novels, I read a lot of his- cooking over fires and pulling all of the fam- tory, especially about Paraguay. The coun- PC choice for others: “A successful experi- ilies’ water out of a well.” try’s history, in particular, the Jesuit ence requires initiative, flexibility, and cre- Then, John said: “I worked with the staff Missions, fascinated me. I started to explore ativity. We both were glad that we worked of a small cooperative and taught them the idea of graduate school. Since I had only two years before joining the PC. The work accounting, business, and management taken one history course at Swarthmore, I experience gave us greater maturity and the principles. I developed a customized data- decided to write a research paper about the ability to work independently and without a base application for them to use on their Jesuit Missions to investigate the depth of lot of structure. We recommend PC, espe- international grant–funded computers, my interest in history. The project was not cially for someone curious about other cul- which helped them to apply the business easy because we lived eight hours from a tures and willing to live at the level of the skills I was teaching them. One computer good library and only went into the capital people. PC provides the extra advantage of was used as a cash register, tracking sales, once a month, but I still thoroughly enjoyed good language training, a security network, inventory, and cash balances. The secretary my research. Thus, I submitted applications and health coverage. We think about joining used the other computer for bookkeeping to graduate school upon returning to the PC again when we retire, in another 30 and financial management for the coopera- States. I have just completed my second year years,” Julia said. tive as a whole.” of graduate school at Harvard and will be “As a secondary project, John and I writing a dissertation on the Paraguayan taught English at the new local university, Jesuit missions. Academia enables me to Uninorte,” Julia said. “All PC volunteers in maintain a connection with Latin America Elizabeth Derickson ’01 Paraguay are asked to teach English. At first, through my studies and regular research CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, 2001–2003 John and I were very reluctant—English trips.” Preschool development/computer instructor would not be useful in a rural Paraguayan She added: “I am also excited about town. But we soon were convinced to help eventually becoming a professor because my Work focus and Swarthmore influence: the community in their project for the first experiences in Paraguay led me to believe “The focus of my work has been preschool university in the region. Teaching was chal- that teaching is the best way to impact oth- development and computer instruction. My lenging, especially because the educational ers and facilitate change. Teachers expose studies and activities at Swarthmore were a and motivational level of the students varied children and young adults to new ideas, direct precursor to my PC work. I spent my immensely. But, again, we valued the small concepts, and worldviews.” junior and senior years studying child care impact we made on a few students. This “PC gave us a good perspective about life and child development as a psychology/ gave me invaluable experience.” and what is important to us. We learned public policy major, and that directly trans- that we could live simply, without amenities lated into my interest in preschool develop- Challenges and rewards: “Being away from such as a car, telephone, and television— ment in Cape Verde.” our friends, family, and culture for over two and still be very happy,” John said. “Because years was incredibly difficult. During rainy we always knew that we could and would Challenges and rewards: “The most basic days, and especially holidays, we felt the dis- return to a privileged life in the United challenge initially was language. The Cape tance the most. The cultural differences States, we realized that we could never fully Verdean Creole, a Portuguese-based Creole, could be difficult, and frequently, we felt out comprehend the experiences of many of our is a relatively simple language, but it still of place. Fortunately, we served as a couple, less fortunate Paraguayan friends. Still, in took months to feel socially and profession- so we always were able to talk to each other the back of our minds, we always remember ally comfortable and competent. The vague- and share our successes and problems,” that most people in the world live with ness of my initial job assignment—‘commu- Julia said. much less than we do and that our problems nity development mobilizer’—was also “A secondary challenge was the medical are so trivial compared with those of people challenging, as I tried to carve out a profes- difficulties. We frequently had diarrhea and who do not have access to health care or sional role for myself using the language of SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 42 a 4 year old. The rewards of language mas- “My experiences here are also leaving. We threw a massive good- tery and eventual professional competence bye party, Cape Verdean style—everything were well worth the initial days of frustra- in Cape Verde have from preparing gargantuan pots of food tion. I have a wonderful circle of pseudo- cooked over fires to blasting Cape Verdean families and friends here, who fill my days completely affirmed pop music and dancing into the night. with lots of laughter and love. Although I Everyone we know—from the poorest of have had triumphant moments as a pre- both my commitment our friends to the mayor of the town—has school coordinator or a computer teacher, visited our home with kind farewell words my satisfaction here comes primarily from to social service— and bags loaded with presents for us to my relationships with students, colleagues, take. The generosity and openness that I and friends.” and the value I see in have encountered here is absolutely inspir- ing. I leave here with the same two suitcases Impact of PC experience: “I can already see cross-cultural of belongings that I arrived with two years how this experience will profoundly shape ago—and with a heart and mind full of the rest of my life. I was very lucky to have experience and unforgettable memories. I know that we many visitors from home during my PC have touched people through our work and service—Kait Hutchinson ’01, C.J. Riley ’01, exchange.” our play and our lives here, as they have also and my parents—which helped me begin to touched us. We have loved and been loved, process this whole experience in the context and that’s what life is all about.” of my home identity and my life as a whole. Living so far from my family and friends has PC choice for others: “I would recommend only served to strengthen the connections I PC to others—especially recent college feel with them and to give me a deeper graduates—without hesitation. If someone appreciation for the value of family and old out stuff with Peace Corps. I have said tear- is interested in an intensive intercultural liv- friends. I chose PC to test out my commit- ful good-byes with all of my loved ones in ing and working experience in a developing ment to social service and to experience life Assomada, my home of two years—my col- country, PC is the best ‘game’ in the busi- in another culture and environment. My leagues, students, neighbors, fellow PC vol- ness. As a PC volunteer, you are offered experiences here in Cape Verde have com- unteer, and adopted family members (young incredible freedom and flexibility personally pletely affirmed both my commitment to and old). Over the past week, my home in and professionally. PC is also extremely social service and the value I see in cross- Assomada was inundated with the presence committed to protecting the safety and cultural experience and exchange. and presents of those loved ones and those health of its volunteers, which is a major “[In July,] I just finished my final check- of my two PC volunteer housemates, who consideration.” T

“ISERVEDINTHECAPEVERDEISLANDS,OFFTHE COASTOFWESTAFRICA,”SAIDDERICKSON (LEFT).“MYSITEWASASSOMADA,THECOUNTRY’S THIRD LARGEST CITY, WITH A POPULATION OF 10,000. ASSOMADA IS PERCHED ATOP A PLATEAU INTHEMIDDLEOFTHEMOUNTAINSOFTHE

ISLAND OF SANTIAGO.” SEPTEMBER 2003 43 SALLY CHIN (LEFT)ISWORKINGONCONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO FOR THE ORGANIZATION SEARCH FORCOMMONGROUND,WHICHISLEDBY SHAMILIDRISS.IDRISSISSHOWN(BELOW RIGHT)INBURUNDI,WHEREHEHASWORKED TOREBUILDTRUSTAFTERACIVILWAR.

hesion,” says Idriss. These include creating multiethnic kindergartens in Macedonia; running programs for youths with histories embattled by ethnic violence in Burundi; and, more generally, using music, sports, and mass media as tools to bring people of different backgrounds and political posi- tions together. For instance, take the Iran-American wrestling tournament, a project Idriss worked on directly. U.S.-Iranian relations,

COURTESY SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND Idriss explains, have been relatively sparse since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. In he U.S. National Wrestling Team— 1998, some of his colleagues noticed a thaw those five words bring forth a variety in diplomatic tensions and sought a way to Tof images: sweaty men rolling around use that as an opportunity to foster greater CREATIVE on big blue mats, for one. Perhaps the famil- communication and understanding iar high school wrestling cheer: “Wrestle, between the two nations. They hit on the APPROACHES wrestle, twist ’em like a pretzel.” Red, white, idea of an American-Iranian wrestling tour- and blue spandex uniforms. But to imagine nament, explaining that in Iran, wrestling is TO the national wrestling team as a prime of great cultural significance. resource for seeking more open diplomatic “It’s sort of like baseball here,” says relations with Iran—that takes some cre- Idriss. The wrestling tournament was, Idriss ativity. explains, an ice-breaking exchange that he The Search for Common Ground and his colleagues expanded on by fostering peaceSALLY CHIN ’95 AND (SFCG), an international conflict-resolu- further exchanges among scientists, aca- SHAMIL IDRISS ’94 ARE tion organization with almost 400 staff demics, theologians, filmmakers, and oth- COMMITTEDTOTHESEARCH members and offices in 13 different nations, ers. Although Idriss says diplomatic FORCOMMONGROUND. seeks such creative and nontraditional solu- progress has been relatively slow in the tions to reconciling international and wake of recent events, he remains confident By Elizabeth Redden ’05 domestic conflicts all over the world. Shamil that, “If there were to be an opening again, Idriss, chief operating officer (COO) for the kind of work SFCG has been doing SFCG, explains that traditional methods of could open the door to new possibilities for conflict mediation compose only 5 percent understanding.” of the kind of work SFCG does; the other SFCG employs such nontraditional solu- 95 percent is devoted to finding more cre- tions from a political to a grassroots level. ative solutions to the world’s problems. “It’s Sally Chin, for instance, has been working not just mediation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and negotiation. (DRC) since April 2002. As program man- SFCG is almost like ager for SFCG’s newly opened branch office an entrepreneurial there, Chin has worked on a variety of business, except issues surrounding conflict resolution and instead of looking for the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, a fundamen- creative ways to make tal portion of that country’s peace process. money, we’re looking Chin and her SFCG co-workers have at- for creative ways to tempted to foster greater discussion of the enhance social co- dialogue by producing radio discussion pro- COURTESY SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 44 cethsnwpsto sCOo SFCG. of COO as position new his and accept Washington to back come October to in 2000 country the left He still hope.” yet have obstacles many so faced in, have believe who they what for lives their have risked who people with worked “I inspiring. simply says, Idriss was, Burundi tion.” coopera- and reconciliation pro- “ethnic to mote worked that studio radio a manage helped and conflict ethnic in after involvement lives their rebuild to young attempting for men program youth a up set helped also He workshops. capacity-building and meetings organizing by movements women’s local aided who women Burundi of group a Center, Women’s Peace a as organizations such support to worked Burundi, Idriss In there. spent he years one-and- one-half the of says Idriss world,” the Muslim and East Middle the beyond thinking there. program SFCG the to direct Burundi to moved he when 1999, until relations U.S.-Iran on and Program East Middle the with worked Idriss SFCG, ing join- After up.” growing conversations dinner- time of part always “was policy Middle Idriss, Eastern for so Syria; from is his father and Turkey, from is mother His policy. Eastern Middle surrounding issues to on opportunity work the by SFCG to drawn was Idriss policy, public in concentration a with philosophy, and economics in major A D.C. double Washington, in office one SFCG just time, had that At Swarthmore. at sen- year his ior before summer the 1993, an in as intern organization the to came first Idriss life- Chin. a says is line,” it ways, many in and, enter- tainment, and information of as source Africa main of the parts most in real radio a of is culture There literate. be to need no and there’s audience, dispersed widely a it reach inexpensive, can is It medium: important an is radio Africa, in “Particularly effective. cially workshops. and posters, tours, theater grams, TEEAENTMERELY NOT ARE “THESE Bigi uud elybodndmy broadened really Burundi in “Being since significantly grown has SFCG espe- be to proven has says, she Radio, THE peaceful TE R SOCIAL ARE “THEY N OPRTV OL NWIHWE WHICH IN WORLD COOPERATIVE AND idealists banda nenhpwt h World the with internship Chin an policy, obtained public in minor a with major science political A scene. international it,” doing Chin. am says I glad am I and important paradoxes, are they but hard, is paradoxes the in chaos.” life of a midst make and solutions find to are people persevering and creative, how resilient, at amazed constantly am I through, been have people [these] that everything “With time, same the and at Yet ubiquitous inescapable. is violence of taint the and says low depressingly all as rates expectancy life and survival, infant literacy, the DRC’s describes She itself. rebuild strug- to nation gling a of potential with and daily pain works the She DRC. the in time her one. easy not an but always process rewarding a is It strug- gles. country’s that of context the within sense most the make that strategies tion resolu- conflict develop to understanding cultur- al and immersion this use and local cultures in immersed become offices branch al internation- of members staff organization, site-based a Primarily peace. realizing to closer globe the across communities will bring that solutions of to kinds others” the of discover hopes the on build and ate lives.” people’s on impact direct a has innovative work Their live. to want we in which world cooperative and peaceful more to the closer us moving are who social entrepreneurs are “They Idriss. says fringes,” on the working idealists merely not are “These reconciliation. and peace for working are who individuals and creative another intelligent, after find country one to go to being able loves he says and frequently travels He projects. as domestic organization’s well the as offices branch has SFCG where nations 13 all in efforts peace-building hn ieIrs,i osrne othe to stranger no is Idriss, like Chin, these with daily and personally “Dealing during firsthand this learned has Chin “gener- to works explains, Idriss SFCG, oversee to gets now Idriss COO, As entrepreneurs OKN NTEFIGS”SY IDRISS. SAYS FRINGES,” THE ON WORKING H R OIGU LSRTO CLOSER US MOVING ARE WHO wrhoewiigatce o the for articles in writing summer Swarthmore the of some spent Redden Elizabeth world.” the around halfway that on conflicts go the to up relation grown no have bears I with what and life can my I that way say no is There interrelated. con- are and flicts problems our of all do that believe really I “But says. Chin problem,’” ‘not my are here experiencing are and people here what conflicts the if asked been have I “Sometimes boundaries. no knows peace though, colleagues, SFCG her and For Chin own. her as problems she DRC’s why the there, counts is she why wonder who ple the in DRC. peace lasting a of securing first toward the many only is step begun—this just has work SFCG’s however, dialogue, the With peace.” hopefully parties—and bel- ligerent all of up a made in government usher transitional “will says Chin that step opti- mistic an marks agreement The April. early in Dialogue Inter-Congolese the of signing the including the times, in historic lived through has DRC She SFCG. to reason coming her for of Chin says conflicts,” for solu- tion long-term logical the like seems just former to submission—the opposed into as beaten with, being live and into buy all can they solutions for together looking saries conflict—adver- in groups between ground’ 2000. in Washing- ton in team SFCG the joining before Genocide, Rwandan 1994 the of after- math the including Africa, in conflicts ious var- surrounding issues on in working years London few a spent next Chin politics. comparative in degree master’s a and received conflict ethnic and national studied she where Economics, of School London the attended then She magazine. arts English- language an with there internship complet- an and Paris, ed to moved off, year a took she graduating, After Swarthmore. at junior year her during Rome in Program Food tl,Ci asseotnrn nopeo- into runs often she says Chin Still, ‘common the for searching of idea “The att live to want Bulletin. T .” 45 SEPTEMBER 2003 AL UM NI WE EK EN D 2 0 0 3

Photographs by Steven Goldblatt ’67 and Jim Graham

rom March 8 to June 8, 2003, it rained 10 out of 14 weekends in Swarthmore. Alumni Weekend 2003 was no exception. Friday afternoon Fand evening were dry, and alumni enjoyed a party on Sharples patio followed by dinner in the dining hall. Kids played and alumni lounged on Parrish Beach. But on Saturday, the deluge began early and did not let up. The parade was canceled, and Alumni Collection was moved into the Lang Performing Arts Center, where William and Harriet Dana Carroll ’38 received the Joseph Shane Award for their volunteer service to the College. Charlotte Phillips ’63 received the Arabella Carter Award for service to her community. The rain did not, however, interfere with the spirit of reunion, which is all about reconnecting with classmates, catching up, sharing old times—and an umbrella—in a special place. Many more photos from Alumni Weekend can be seen by visiting http://www.swarthmore.edu/alumni/Swarthmore_reunion1/-index.html. Planning is already underway for the next Alumni Weekend on June 4 to 6, 2004. Plan to be there when reunion classes (the Class of 2002 plus those ending in “4” and “9”) line up for the parade. Who knows? Maybe the sun will shine!

ROBERT BARTLE ’47 (RIGHT) GREETS FRIENDS AT THE CLASS OF 1948 LUNCHEON ON SATURDAY. IT RAINED, BUT ALL WERE DRY INSIDE THE COLLEGE’S NEW SCIENCE CEN- TER(LEFT), WHERE VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION LARRY SCHALL ’75 (FORE- GROUND) LED ALUMNI THROUGH THE STRIKING NEW FACILITY.

THE LIST GALLERY FEATURED THE WORK OF AUS- TINE READ WOOD-COMARROW ’63 (ABOVELEFT) AND BARBARA SEYMOUR ’63 (ABOVERIGHT). A PANEL DISCUSSION “TONGUES UNTIED: A POLIT- ICALLY INCORRECT FORUM ON POLITICS, POP CUL- TURE,ANDMORE”(RIGHT) WAS SPONSORED BY THEBLACKALUMNIREUNIONCOMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY VINCENT JONES ’98 (STANDING). SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 46 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOHN ALSTON (BELOW) PERFORMERSOFALLAGESTOTHELANGCONCERT CONDUCTEDA“READING”OFTHEMOZART HALL.AHARDYJOGGER(RIGHT) BRAVED THE REQUIEM,DRAWINGCHORALANDORCHESTRAL CONSTANT RAIN TO GET IN A RUN ON CAMPUS.

REUNIONCHAIREUGENIEHARSHBARGERLEWIS ’33 (SEATED SECOND FROM RIGHT)ANDMEMBERS OF HER CLASS CELEBRATED 70 YEARS SINCE SWARTHMORE. MEMBERS OF THE 50TH REUNION CLASS(BELOW)MARCHEDINFULLRAINGEAR FROMTHEIRWILLETSDORMTOALUMNICOLLEC- TION,WHERETHEYWEREGREETEDBYAPHILA- DELPHIA STRING BAND. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE, THERE WAS ALWAYS TIME FOR A HUG (BOT- TOMRIGHT). SEPTEMBER 2003 47 CONNECTIONS

ues are welcome). You can contact Jodi at [email protected] or Lisa at lisagins- [email protected].

New York: Connection Chairs Jodi Furr ’97 Philadelphia: October will be a busy month and Lisa Ginsburg ’97 are planning several for the Philadelphia Connection. On Oct. exciting activities for New York alums. 16, the Connection will host a presentation Please watch your mail and e-mail for infor- on Afghanistan by Tom (Amherst ’59) and mation on the following events: In October, Beverly Eighmy (Mt. Holyoke ’60), who first you can help revitalize a city school with a went to Afghanistan in 1971, serving in key team of Swarthmore volunteers as a part of positions with the U.S. Cross Border New York Cares Day. On Oct. 7,Swarth- Humanitarian Assistance Program to more’s Gamelan Samara Santi will be per- Afghanistan, during the aftermath of the forming with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Soviet invasion. The program will be held at Carnegie Hall. Monthly happy hours are the Friends Meetinghouse, 4th and Arch being planned as well, so watch your e-mail streets in Philadelphia. Dinner will follow for dates and locations (suggestions of ven- the presentation, and the cost is $17 per per- son. For information, contact Eben Sales ’57 at (800) 992-4160 or [email protected]. ANNA ORGERA ’83 IS NEW On Oct. 21, the Connection will attend a COUNCIL PRESIDENT piano performance by Lang Lang at the Cur- t the meeting of the Alumni Council tis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. The Aduring Alumni Weekend, outgoing cost is $25 per ticket. Contact Bruce Gould Council President Rich Truitt ’66 passed ’54 at (215) 575-9320 or brucegould54@- the gavel to Anna Orgera. Truitt’s two- hotmail.com by Oct. 2. There are additional year term, focused on improving com- events being planned; watch your mail and PHILADELPHIA

munication with e-mail. ANDREW E CCLES alumni, includ- ing appointing E x t e r n P r o g r a m E x p a n d i n g — and participat- ing in the Task N e e d s N e w V o l uProgran tm least e Januarry swas great fun. Two Group on Con- lanning for the Extern Program to be Swarthmore students braved a cold January sensual Decision Pheld in January is already in motion on Cleveland’s not-so-balmy North Coast to Making. under the leadership of National Extern participate in the program,” said Sharon Orgera will Program Chair Nanine Meiklejohn ’68 and Seyfarth Garner ’89, who is the Cleveland ANNAORGERA take the helm of co-chair Vicki Bajefsky Fishman ’93. Work- coordinator. “As a host to both students, I the council at the fall meeting. She has ing with the Career Services Office and enjoyed hearing their stories, struggles, been a member of council since 2000 regional volunteer coordinators, they will questions, and current reflections on life at and most recently co-chaired the alum- organize the placement of students with the wild and wonderful place called Swarth- ni support working group. She has alumni volunteer sponsors for a weeklong more.” been instrumental in the development career-exploration experience. The College’s Career Services Office esti- of guidelines and procedures for this Externship cities for 2004 include New mates that one-quarter of all Swarthmore committee and furthering the work of York;Philadelphia; Cleveland; Boston; students will take part in this very popular Swarthmore Connection groups to reach Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco. Last program at least once during their four out to alumni wherever they live. She year, more than 151 Swarthmore students years.If you are interested in participating also organized a council review of the participated in the program—an increase of by offering an externship opportunity or College Web site and a task force on more than 50 students over the previous housing, please contact Tom Francis in communication planning. A resident of year. Fifty-five alumni volunteers worked Career Services at (610) 328-8352 or Manhattan, Anna is a principal of with 300 alumni hosts or sponsors to make [email protected], and you will be William M. Mercer Inc., a human this program a reality. provided with the contact information for resources consulting company. “Participating in the Cleveland Extern the externship coordinator in your area. Program last January was great fun. Two —Patricia Maloney SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 48 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ZONE C MEMBERS AT LARGE OFFICERS Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, T h e Vincent Jones ’981 President New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and A l u m n i Los Angeles, Calif. Anna Orgera ’83 Vermont David Vinjamuri ’861 Vice President Alice Clifford Blachly ’491 C o u n c i l New York, N.Y. Susan Rico Connolly ’78 Calais, Vt. YOUR OFFICIAL Vice President Scott W. Cowger ’821 LINK TOSWARTHMORE CONNECTION Scott Cowger ’82 Hallowell, Maine REPRESENTATIVES Boston Vice President Allen J. Dietrich ’693 TBA Daniel Mont ’83 Hanover, N.H. Chicago Secretary Panayiotis Andreou Ellinas ’871 Marilee Roberg ’73 Nick Jesdanun ’91 Boston, Mass. ʼ 67 London Meghan Kriegel ’972 Abby Honeywell ’85 ZONE A Lowell, Mass. Metro D.C./Baltimore Delaware, Pennsylvania Scott Rankin ’942 Joko Agunloye ’013 Sampriti Ganguli ’95

Cambridge, Mass. STEVEN GOLDBLATT Metro N.Y.C. Swarthmore, Pa. Martha Rice Sanders ’773 3 Lisa Ginsburg ’97 Carol Finneburgh Lorber ’63 Susan Schultz Tapscott ’722 Barrington, R.I. Jodi Furr ’97 Elkins Park, Pa. Susan Turner ’603 Houston, Texas 2 Philadelphia Colette Collins Mull ’84 Weston, Mass. Glen Mills, Pa. ZONE F Bruce Gould ’54 Jim Moskowitz ’88 Marcia Satterthwaite ’711 ZONE D Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Narberth, Pa. District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pittsburgh Mississippi, North Carolina, South Michelangelo Celli ’95 Debra Pinder Symonette ’784 and Virginia 3 Carolina, Tennessee, territories, Barbara Sieck Taylor ’75 Philadelphia, Pa. T. Alexander Aleinikoff ’74 dependencies, and foreign countries 2 Chevy Chase, Md. Los Angeles Jonathan Willis ’63 James Fligg ’502 Paul Booth ’643 David Lang ’54 Dover, Del. North Palm Beach, Fla. 3 Washington, D.C. San Francisco Milton Wohl ’46 Julia Knerr ’811 Committee Contacts David Goslin ’581 Schwenksville, Pa. Durham, N.C. Gustavo Alberelli ’00 2 Falls Church, Va. Kai Tai Xu ’03 David Lyon ’733 Ruth Lieu ’94 Daniel Mont ’832 Philadelphia, Pa. Suva, Fiji Seattle Rockville, Md. Gertrude Joch Robinson ’503 James Schembs ’01 ZONE B Minna Newman Nathanson ’571 Lorrin Nelson ’00 New Jersey, New York Westmount, Quebec, Canada Washington, D.C. 2 Deborah Schaaf ’95 Lisa Jenkins ’021 2 Ann Stuart ’65 Barbara Wolff Searle ’52 Chapel Hill, N.C. Twin Cities New York, N.Y. Washington, D.C. Committee Contact 3 Nick Jesdanun ’91 Maria Tikoff Vargas ’853 ZONE G Lia Theologides ’89 New York, N.Y. Arlington, Md. Alaska, Arizona, California, Col- Paris Jane Flax Lattes-Swislocki ’571 orado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Catherine Seeley Lowney ’82 Grand View, N.Y. ZONE E Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, National Chair Onuoha Odim ’852 Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Washington, and Wyoming Don Fujihira ’69 Brooklyn, N.Y. Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Janet Cooper Alexander ’683 Barbara Sieck Taylor ’75 Anna Orgera ’832 Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Palo Alto, Calif. Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Harrison, N.Y. Deborah Bond-Upson ’711 KEY 2 West Virginia, and Wisconsin Martha Spanninger ’76 3 Kentfield, Calif. 1 Term ends 2005 New York, N.Y. David Bamberger ’62 Seth Brenzel ’941 Lakewood, Ohio 2 Term ends 2003 Erika Teutsch ’443 San Francisco, Calif. 3 Term ends 2004 Sharon Seyfarth Garner ’891 New York, N.Y. Elizabeth Geiger ’962 4 Nominating Committee Lakewood, Ohio Douglas Thompson ’621 Upland, Calif. Benjamin Keys ’013 Marlboro, N.Y. Harold Kalkstein ’782 Ann Arbor, Mich. Ali Usman ’914 San Carlos, Calif. Jenneane Jansen ’883 Brooklyn, N.Y. Leonard Rorer ’543 Minneapolis, Minn. Santa Cruz, Calif. Stephen Lloyd ’572 Park Forest, Ill. SEPTEMBER 2003 49 50 SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN S E T O N S S A L C Collection G tl en etn u o eurdone. required a not but meeting a means still “Collection” word the whom body—for current student the of half than more just it accommodates seats, 730 With campus. on the auditorium is largest Center Arts Performing Lang the in Theatre Pearson-Hall the Today, Center. Student destroyed Tarble fire the after 1985, in center student a into converted was Hall Clothier concerts. enjoy Shows, and Hamburg watch speakers, to listen to seats NRTOSOF ENERATIONS S WARTHMOREANS a nthese in sat PROFILE

Making the World Turn

FRED“CRASH”BLECHMAN ’46: PEOPLE CALL HIM “THEFLYINGHOBO.”

he memory of a 5-year-old child taking a T$5 plane ride in the clouds above New York City is one that has yet to fade after 70 years. “When he [the pilot] turned the wheel, the whole world tilted,” remembers Fred Blechman. The idea of turning a wheel just slightly, so you “could control the world” is one that Blechman, also known as “The Flying Hobo,” has kept in his mind during more than a half-century as a pilot. “The feeling of speed and control made me keep going up, even though I crashed five times,” Blechman says of his career as a Navy fighter pilot. “I never got a scratch.” And all five of those planes he crashed were off the ground again in a matter of days. ROB HENDERSON These days, Blechman is retired from IN THIS CARICATURE, BLECHMAN IS FLYING AN F4U CORSAIR. three careers: the Navy, the aerospace indus- try, and his own private marketing business. The war ended while Blechman was still slightly lifted the Corsair’scanopy to create a He has written almost 900 articles and eight at Swarthmore, and most of his friends in vacuum that sucked the moth away. books on electronics, microcomputers, and the V-5 Program never actually went through He never saw combat and spent the Kore- flying and now writes a regular column, flight training. Yet Blechman hadn’t given up an War flying in the Sixth Fleet, which “True Tales From the Fred Baron,” for the on his lifelong dream, war or no war. “I was serviced the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Aviation and Business Journal. His two self- a skinny kid with no interest in sports, so I the Atlantic. published books on his flying experiences, wasn’t interested in macho-type activities. Blechman retired from active duty in Bent Wings—F4U Corsair Action and Acci- But I wanted to fly,” he says. So after two 1952, then worked in the aerospace industry dents: True Tales of Trial and Terror and Flying semesters at Swarthmore, Blechman report- for about 15 years before concentrating on With the Fred Baron, a collection of his ed to Dallas for Selective Flight Training— his private marketing business. He hasn’t columns, have enjoyed success. But Blech- despite the fact that he didn’t even have his worked for another person since 1969. man hasn’t forgotten his roots—or, rather, driver’slicense. He has two children and two grandchil- his wings. “The Flying Hobo” will still fly “I really was not the poster pilot,” Blech- dren but says no one else in his family shares with anyone, anytime, anywhere. man says of his former 135-pound self. “I the love of flying he’shad since that day over Beginning his career in the Navy as an was skinny. I was weak. But my motivation, New York as a 5 year old. He still doesn’t apprentice seaman with the V-5 Program, my desire, overwhelmed any lack of ability.” quite know where his fascination with flying through which potential fighter pilots were He succeeded in getting his wings in ever came from—but he knows why he loves sent to two years of college before beginning 1950 and from that point forward completed it now. flight training during World War II, Blech- a total of 263 Corsair flights as a Navy pilot. “Just a little effort,” he says, “and the man and his friends were thrilled to hear On only one of these flights—the very first whole world turns.” they were being sent to Swarthmore. “When one—did he ever wish he was on the ground. —Elizabeth Redden ’05 we heard we were going to Swarthmore, we Attacked by a giant moth within the canopy- were excited because we thought it was a enclosed cockpit, Blechman says he pan- Fred Blechman’s books are available at girls’ school,” he says. They would soon icked and seriously considered bailing out at www.booklocker.com/fredbaron and www.xlib- learn their mistake. 100 feet. Luckily his reason prevailed, and he ris.com/bentwings.html. SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 60 INMYLIFE S i s y p h u s a n d m e

ABRAININJURYCOSTME—LITERALLYAND FIGURATIVELY—ANARMANDALEG.

By Larry Sobel

y hat is off to Christopher Reeve, who has chosen to go on with his life as a paraplegic. But I put it back on as I con- Mtemplate my own personal struggle with a massive brain injury and left-side hemiplegia. The blood vessel that burst suddenly in my brain (the day after Thanksgiving 1988) was located deep within my thalamus. I was 35 years old and a staff physicist in the cryogenics department of Hughes Aircraft in Torrance, Calif. The cause of the rupture was a birth defect known as an arterial venous malformation (AVM). This defect left me without a small section of flexible venal structure in my brain capable of properly dilating in response to the normal CHRIS MOONEY sinusoidal variations in blood pressure. During the years, the mal- formed blood vessel structure weakened until a random momentary SOBELNOWLIVESINTUSCON,ARIZ. increase in blood pressure caused it to burst altogether. Emerging from a deep coma two weeks later, I was given the standard emergency room speech (it was Los Angeles, after all) that “I drive and go anywhere such events are fatal more often than not, I would never walk again, and I certainly would never again work as an engineer (the doctors without assistance. were unequivocal about this point). But some lucky breaks had coin- cided with the assault on my brain, helping to minimize the damage The challenge is not so much somewhat. The “accident” occurred in a gym across the street from a hospi- getting somewhere tal. Luckier still, doctors from that hospital were alongside me on the squat rack. One of them saw me collapse and promptly located a as it is remembering how device to defibrillate my heart. The bleed was so severe that the doc- tors called my parents in New Jersey and told them that I would to get back.” probably not be alive if and when they flew to California. But I did survive, and my parents did arrive; eventually, I emerged from the coma to face the world with half the body—and half the brain—I started out with two weeks before. I realized early in my rehabilitation that the paralysis of the left I have immodestly come to think of my life now as being some- side of my body would only be a nasty inconvenience, whereas the what parallel to that of the mythical Sisyphus, who was condemned irreversible brain damage would be my real challenge. Perhaps the (for evil deeds in life and betraying the secrets of the gods) to roll a fortunate side effect of a brain injury (if there is one) is that you boulder up a mountainside for eternity only to reach the top and have trouble holding on to the bad times and the many daily frus- then have it roll back down again. Having once felt as though I trations. When you finally come to understand how really screwed stood on the mountaintop, it is a myth I have adopted as my own up you are, you have forgotten why it occurred to you to ask. because the rolling boulder is a perfect metaphor for short-term As time goes by—it is now nearly 15 years later—I am still memory deficit. improving; I have recovered a great deal of my engineering skill and SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 72 acter for longer than a few sentences. Faced with new situations, I am gripped by a pan- icked anxiety that often leads me to do odd things—too many and too silly to be listed here. But, then again, I don’t mind reruns. Long ago, I ceased engaging consciously in that frustrating exercise of disaster one- upmanship. I don’t want to compare my dis- ability with that of Christopher Reeve. I want to express only the idea that a brain injury is different from a physical one. I am mobile. I drive and go anywhere I wish with- out assistance. The challenge is not so much getting somewhere as it is remembering how to get back. But the world I was once so comfortable in is often strange now. I learn new tasks by doing them repeatedly until they become familiar. But I was definitely lucky to have assembled a solid resume long before the injury and to have found an employer will- ing to take a risk on a Ph.D. with some phys- ical and cognitive baggage. In the meantime, I am incredibly grateful for my handicapped placard (I don’t have to feed parking meters in California) and for occasional assistance, which means that I have been noticed. My injury has cost me— literally and figuratively—an arm and a leg, but neurologists and doctors with a sense of humor charge me only half price when I am examined. Some even laugh when I put down 911 for the number to call in case of an emergency. I did, however, get severely chas- BEFOREABLOODVESSELBURSTINHIS tised once for printing up “Seizures’ THALAMUS,LARRYSOBELDANCED am working again on Greetings” cards for my brain-injured classmates in rehab. In my PROFESSIONALLY WITH A COMPANY IN cryogenic systems; I walk own defense, I was tasked to do something creative with a new color CAMBRIDGE,MASS. without the aid of pros- printer, and it was December. thetics or canes; I also I can type quickly with only one hand and talk quite easily about ski, bike, and swim laps my bad luck; so, in truth, I think I am far luckier than some. Acci- with only one arm and leg. I don’t exactly present a graceful image— dents happen, and—after being quickly disabused of the notion once, as I emerged from a movie theater in Santa Monica in 1992, a that being crippled means never having to say I’m sorry—I have homeless man pressed a dollar into my hand. But I will probably slowly gotten rolling again. never fully regain the mental skills that enabled me to waft through In a wonderful coda to this story, I sold my house in Los Angeles high school and Swarthmore and to breeze to a Ph.D. in mechanical and resettled in Tucson, Ariz. (hence the dry humor), where I mar- engineering, all the while studying ballet and dancing professionally ried a wonderful woman with two magnificent and accomplished with a company in Cambridge, Mass. adult daughters; I also am working again as a cryogenics engineer at My cognitive deficits are subtle but significant to me. A short- Raytheon. But I don’t kid myself that there won’t be an enormous term memory deficit is the salient feature, but even that is intermit- challenge in succeeding this time around. Although I have been here tent and unpredictable. Luckily, old knowledge is more or less intact for three years now and have two patents pending on cryogenic sys- and accessible. Because I can still talk (the bleed was in the right tems and two nominations for technical merit awards, I still have to side of the brain), it is difficult to convince people that I have trou- prove myself continually with everybody watching, and I also have ble organizing and understanding details. Simply put, it is now sig- to remember where I’ve left my boulder—and parked my car. T nificantly more difficult and most unpleasant for me to learn new information and to stay focused. Reading is no longer as pleasurable Larry Sobel ([email protected]) is a senior missile cryogenics engineer as it once was because it is challenging to hold on to plot and char- at Raytheon Missile Corp. SEPTEMBER 2003 73 PROFILE

An Emphasis on Doing

PHYLLIS HASBROUCK ’78 WORKSTOSOLVEPROBLEMS ANDBUILDCOMMUNITY. hen Phyllis Hasbrouck sees a problem, Wit’snot long before she tries to fix it. In October 2001, when she learned about Afghans suffering under years of war, drought, and oppression, she jumped into action. “I called up a friend of mine and said, ‘Let’sdo a blanket drive.’ And she said, ‘Sure, let’sdo it,’” recalls Hasbrouck, who lives in Madison, Wis. So she painted a sandwich board, print- ed out fliers telling people how to con- tribute, and darted downtown to Madison’s main shopping district. Thus was born DOERS—Doers Offering Emergency Relief STEVE ROFFLER Support (www.doerswi.homestead.com). HASBROUCK SPREADS THE WORD TO A PASSERBY ABOUT THE LATEST CAMPAIGN OF DOERS OFFERING Within four weeks, DOERS collected 725 EMERGENCY RELIEF SUPPORT AT THE WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKET IN MADISON, WIS. blankets and $5,500. At a second drive held five weeks later in a church fellowship hall, dent group to convince the College’sfood jected refugee crises, DOERS launched a 100 people assembled 456 kits of school service to boycott nonunion lettuce. The project this spring to help individuals make supplies, first aid, newborn supplies, relief boycott was part of a national campaign dramatic cuts in greenhouse emissions. The supplies, and sewing notions to be sent to highlighting the harsh conditions under kick-off was a festive, two-hour program fea- refugees around the world. By the following which farm workers labored. After Swarth- turing interactive demonstrations, a talk by a spring, DOERS had sent 927 blankets and more, Hasbrouck became a full-time organ- leading climatologist, and plenty of free tea $21,026 for relief services to Afghanistan. izer for United Farm Workers in Philadel- and homemade baklava. It attracted 275 par- “We emphasize doing—not talking— phia and California. She later moved to ticipants who, after learning about ways to and doing all together and creating a com- Chicago, where she worked for seven years reduce their energy consumption, pledged to munity,” Hasbrouck explains. with the Committee in Solidarity with the take actions in their daily lives that will col- Take that second relief drive, for example. People of El Salvador, then co-founded a lectively keep 198,000 pounds of carbon Donors who had expected simply to drop off group called Terra: Working With the Peo- dioxide out of the atmosphere over the next their items were invited to stay for a few ples of the Americas to Restore Our Envi- year. minutes to cut cloth, operate sewing ronment. Hasbrouck has taken her own advice. machines, count blankets, or pack boxes. Human and environmental welfare are Earlier this year, she and her husband had Most jumped in enthusiastically, and many intertwined, says Hasbrouck. She points to their home better insulated, replaced their had so much fun they stayed for hours. U.N. research, predicting that a warming cli- furnace and hot water heaters with more Girl Scouts worked alongside retirees, mate will raise sea levels over the next centu- efficient models, and purchased a hybrid Jews with Palestinians, military veterans ry, and that this, in turn, could drive coastal gas-electric car. next to lifelong pacifists. “When people who and island people from their homes. “We hope to set an example of not only otherwise might not meet work together If current trends continue, “There are educating and inspiring people but also of toward a common goal, barriers break going to be millions and millions of refugees doing the follow-up work to make sure that down,” Hasbrouck says. “It did bring people [because of] global warming,” Hasbrouck actions are taken,” Hasbrouck says. together. We want to do that as often as pos- says. “Seas could rise 1 meter in the next “It isn’t always easy to do what’sright,” sible.” century. In Bangladesh alone, that would Hasbrouck says. “But DOERS is trying to Hasbrouck’sactivism blossomed at displace 20 million people.” make it as easy as possible.” Swarthmore, where she worked with a stu- In hopes of preventing some of the pro- —Kathryn Kingsbury SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 74 BOOKS&ARTS

is not only a legacy but also an asset. But the A Living hard reality is that a neighborhood cannot survive without the infusion of new devel- Neighborhood opment and new inhabitants. The recurrent fight against the City of Boston to conserve BOSTON’SBEACONHILLIS the old brick sidewalks is emblematic of the MORETHANASTOPONTHE conservation efforts. The second chapter, TRAILOFHISTORY. which takes us to 1930, focuses on the work of the farsighted John Codman, a realtor Moying Li-Marcus M’82; Richard Harley ’72 who developed a revolving fund to realize (editor), Beacon Hill: The Life and Times of a profitable renovation of old houses. In 1922, Neighborhood, Northeastern University he founded the Beacon Hill Association, the Press, 2002 engine of the local preservation movement, to protect the hill from commercial inter- eacon Hill is a venerable, historic place ests. This group was the precursor of the Bin old Boston. Intriguingly, the author Beacon Hill Civic Association, for which the of this charming book is a recent Chinese book was written to commemorate its 75th immigrant. Moying Li-Marcus came from anniversary. Beijing on a scholarship from Swarthmore MOYING LI-MARCUS Codman also took the initiative in the College in 1980, as soon as it became possi- PRESERVINGHISTORICBEACONHILL(ACORN 1950s to have Beacon Hill designated a his- ble for her to leave China. After receiving an STREET, ABOVE)RAISEDTHEFAMILIARDILEMMA toric district. In the last two chapters, we are M.A. at Swarthmore, she went to Boston OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION: FIDELITY TO THE shown the kaleidoscope of social upheavals University, where she earned an M.B.A. and during and after World War II. The events a Ph.D. in American history and settled in PAST AND VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE. THE HARD recounted here accurately echo the social Beacon Hill as an analyst in investment REALITYISTHATANEIGHBORHOODCANNOTSUR- and political changes in the nation at large: management. She is, therefore, uniquely VIVEWITHOUTTHEINFUSIONOFNEWDEVELOP- the war economy, relocated Japanese qualified for her task. As an outsider, she is MENTANDNEWINHABITANTS. Americans, postwar housing shortage, rise free of jaundiced eyes that might hinder an of the automobile, civil rights movement, heirloom Bostonian. But she is also an 1630 to 1900, she gives the remaining three youth counterculture, invasive tourism, insider with an intimate knowledge of the chapters to the 20th century. racial integration, and whims of real-estate neighborhood because it is her own back- The early Republic rightly is the focus of booms and busts. We learn vividly of the yard. the first chapter. Charles Bulfinch's promi- continuing struggle of this historic neigh- Urban history might be architectural or nent State House is only briefly mentioned. borhood in an ever-changing urban envi- social, describing either the physical fact of The author draws us, instead, into the work ronment, the plight shared by other notable the city—its buildings and the spaces of the investment syndicate known as historic places in the country. between them—or recording the lives of the Mount Vernon Proprietors, who took on the Li-Marcus’ sources are predominantly people who inhabit them. This book is nei- project of lopping some 60 feet off of the newspaper articles, perhaps more by design ther, and yet it does both. I call it a real- hill, laying out the streets, building man- than by default. They give her writing a estate history, and that is one of the highest sions, and realizing Louisburg Square, the character of on-the-spot reportage—but a compliments. For real estate is where people enclave of Boston’s Brahmins. But Li- suggestion of further reading of more schol- and properties coexist, and its history Marcus also turns her attention to the shady arly nature might have been useful. She is records the rise and fall of a physical neigh- North Slope. This area housed the under- generous with street addresses, but the book borhood through social vicissitudes. As privileged—craftsmen, laborers, and later gives us just one map of Beacon Hill, which such, this urban history is under a magnify- Boston Bohemians—and also served as the is in the final chapter. If the book’s reader- ing glass. hotbed of the anti-slavery movement. ship was meant to go beyond the Beacon Li-Marcus writes like a good journalist, By the end of the 19th century, Beacon Hill residents, as it certainly should, an efficiently but charmingly. Her concise his- Hill was showing a decline as the elites took additional map or two should have been tory is essentially descriptive but also deliv- flight to the Back Bay. The story of the provided. The illustrations, old prints, and ers novel observations. Although the book is neighborhood’s revitalization, which fills the the author’s own lovingly lit photographs devoted to a revered historical place, the rest of the book, reiterates the familiar are beautiful and informative. author’s interest is in modern Beacon Hill; dilemma in historic preservation: fidelity to —T. Kaori Kitao, William R. Kenan Jr., following the first chapter, which leaps from the past and visions for the future. The past Professor Emerita of Art History SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 76 author of Responding to Globalization, David Sacks ’76, Language Visible: Unraveling Routledge, 2000; and Managing New the Mysteries of the Alphabet From A to Z, New Industry Creation: Global Knowledge Broadway Books, 2003. This history of our Formation, and Entrepreneurship in High alphabet presents a fact-filled “biography” Technology, Stanford University Press, 2001. of each letter, identifying its significance, development, and role in literature and In A Hundred Little Hitlers: The Death of a other media. Black Man, the Trial of a White Racist, and the Rise of the Neo-Nazi Movement in America, Alden Todd ’39 and Joseph Galloway, Henry Holt and Co., 2003, Elinor Langer Minding the Money: A Practical Guide for ’61 explores the 1988 beating death of Volunteer Treasurers, ASJA Press, 2003. This Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian living in clearly written book offers help to all kinds Portland, Ore., at the hands of a group of of organizations that need to handle money, skinheads. Langer, a journalist, uses the including charitable funds, sports clubs, killing and subsequent trial as an occasion political commitees, and investment clubs. to study the rise of the extreme right. Douglas Worth ’62, Echoes in Hemlock Jeffrey Olick ’86 (editor), States of Memory: Gorge: An American Sequence for the New Continuities, Conflicts, and Transformations in Millennium, Higganum Hill Books, 2003. National Retrospection, Duke University Inspired by early morning walks at the Press, 2003. This collection of essays dawn of the new millennium, this collection of poems explores day-to-day events in IN ROBERTTURNER [’36]:SHAPINGSILENCE—A emphasizes that memory has a history, illu- minating the construction of national mem- Hemlock Gorge and comments on modern LIFE IN CLAY (KODANSHA AMERICA, 2003), man’s technological assault on nature. AUTHORMARSHAMIROINTERSPERSESTELLING ory from a comparative perspective. COMMENTSFROMTURNERHIMSELFWITHHEROWN David Partland ’90 and Tony Donaldson, COMPACT DISK EXPLORATIONS OF THE ARTIST’S ACHIEVEMENTS. The World of BMX, MBI Publishing Co., Vaneese Thomas ’74, Vaneese Thomas: A AFTERWORLDWARII,TURNERGAINEDWIDE 2003. Partland’s first cycling experiences at Woman’s Love, Segue Records, 2003. This age 3 developed into a lifelong obsession. RECOGNITIONWHENHESETUPTHEFIRSTCERAM- CD features 12 love songs performed by “an Tony Donaldson’s photographs make the exciting and multitalented artist, who sings IC STUDIO AT THE RENOWNED BLACK MOUNTAIN reader part of the BMX adventure. it like she feels it, with heart, soul, and COLLEGEINNORTHCAROLINA,KNOWNFORITS effortless grace,” says Steven Goff, artist LEADERSHIP IN THE AVANT-GARDE ART MOVEMENT. In Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman and Joseph Campbell: In Search of Modern Myth, management for Vaneese Thomas/Segue Wildside Press, Records. OTHER BOOKS 2003, Stephen Vytenis Babrauskas ’68, Ignition Handbook, Rauch ’01 offers the Fire Science Publishers, 2003. Written for a first scholarly book- broad audience, this book presents funda- length examination mental science relating to combustion. of the work of comic legend In Engaging Minds: Motivation and Learning Gaiman. in America’s Schools, David Goslin ’58 explains why it has proven difficult to im- Neil Levi and prove America’s schools, why some school Michael Rothberg students don’t work hard, and what moti- ’88 (editors), The vates them to learn. Holocaust: Theoreti- cal Readings, Rutgers Gail Godwin and Frances Halsband ’65 University Press, (illustrator), Evenings at Five,Ballantine 2003. Bringing Books, 2003. This novel uses meditation, together both clas- humor, and Halsband’s drawings to capture sic and new writ- the cyclical nature of commitment. ings, this anthology Joan Spero and Jeffrey Hart ’69, The Politics shows how con- of International Economic Relations, Thom- cerns arising from son/Wadsworth, 2003. This book offers the Nazi genocide readers the depth and breadth of scholar- shaped contempo- THE ART QUILT “BEETLES ON CD” WAS CREATED BY MARTHA SIELMAN ’82. A ship needed to understand the politics of rary literary and cul- MASTERTEACHINGARTISTWITHTHECONNECTICUTCOMMISSIONONTHE the world economy. Hart is also the co- tural theory. ARTS, SHE HAS EXHIBITED HER QUILTS NATIONWIDE. SEPTEMBER 2003 77 PROFILE

A Glamour Life

EDITOR CINDI LEIVE ’88 LEADSAMAGAZINETHAT HELPSMODERNWOMENGO BEYONDAPPEARANCES.

popular feature of Glamour magazine is Aits “Dos and Don’ts” section, featuring snapshots of women’sfashion choices. As editor-in-chief of the venerable magazine, Cindi Leive ’88 is a definite “do”—not only for her fashion and business savvy but also for her commitment to better inform women through the pages of the lifestyle magazine. In a publication that seems to tout appear- ance over substance, Leive takes pride in Glamour’s rich history of advocacy for women. “Glamour was the first magazine to put LYNN SELDON an African American woman on its cover, to CINDI LEIVE SAYS “AGGRESSIVE SELF-ACCEPTANCE” IS A KEY COMPONENT BEHIND MANY OF THE write about abortion rights, and to address ARTICLESPUBLISHEDIN GLAMOUR. its female readers from the viewpoint of working outside the house,” says Leive, who also know they’re still interested in jobs, finally had the push they needed to quit. lives in Manhattan. And since 1990, the fashion, and beauty. Attending the fashion shows is probably magazine has sponsored the “Glamour “Every day, I hear women who have six- the most glamorous part of Leive’sjob. Women of the Year” awards, honoring figure incomes, great families, and jobs talk “That’swhen you trot out your designer women who have made significant contribu- about hating their thighs. I want the maga- clothing,” says Leive, who is wearing a Gucci tions to the worlds of entertainment, busi- zine to shake them. There are enough sexists suit but also has garments from Old Navy in ness, sports,science,politics,and philanthropy. and Neanderthals to get in our way. We her closet. “Sadly, it’sa big fat rumor that “I want women to have a 360-degree don’t need to do it to ourselves,” she says. designers send us their clothes to wear.” view of their own lives, not just the part “We’re telling readers that they can do what- Shaping the magazine and impacting involving guys and dating,” says Leive, who ever they want with their lives. women’slives is “a thrill” for Leive. assumed the top position at Glamour in May “We have a mission of aggressive self- “It’sa dream job to reach 12 to 13 million 2001, at the age of 35, making her the acceptance. When we showed full-figured women each month,” says Leive, referring to youngest editor-in-chief in the magazine’s models throughout our ‘body-love issue,’ we the standard industry research number of 64-year-old history. In 2002, she was got hundreds of letters from readers saying people who read the magazine. named by Crain’s New York Business as one of they literally wept as they saw their own Leive, who manages a staff of 80; a multi- the “Top 40 Under 40 Executives” in New body type for the first time in a magazine.” million-dollar budget; and an infant daugh- York. Before returning to Glamour, where The magazine shakes its readers by get- ter, Lucy, born last November to her and her she had previously worked for 11 years, she ting them to take charge of their health. husband Howard Bernstein, a film producer, was editor-in-chief of Self magazine. Leive cited a reader who had a suspicious says her favorite part of the job is reading With a circulation of 2.2 million (includ- mole checked out after reading a story on the mail. ing newsstand purchases), which concen- melanoma in Glamour. Turns out it was can- “We get 1,000 pieces of reader mail each trates among women 18 to 45 years old, the cerous but caught early enough to be treat- week. It ranges from the mundane to the magazine’sfocus, says Leive, is to help able. Another woman recognized the signs global. It makes me respect women even women in their quest for personal happiness. of pre-eclampsia in her pregnant sister after more. They’re funny, honest, and sometimes “Post–Sept. 11, it’smore important to reading about the symptoms in the maga- pissy. They make you respect their fierce women who might have previously only zine and got her the treatment she needed. intelligence,” she says, “and are a great defined themselves by their job or relation- In response to the many articles on quitting source for getting story ideas.” ship to get to a more soulful level. But we smoking, readers tell the magazine they —Audree Penner SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 80 PROFILE

In Harmony With Nature

WHILERE-CREATINGA TANG-CHINESEGARDEN, LIAM O’NEILL ’00 FOUNDHISNICHE wo hours’ drive from New York City, in a Tspectacular spot on the Shawangunk Ridge, a Tang Dynasty temple rises out of

the landscape. One of 10 buildings to be PHOTOS BY ERNST DEMM constructed on a 427-acre site, it is part of a project to re-create a fully operational, DRAGONSPRINGS’FIRSTANDSMALLESTTEMPLE—THETEMPLEOF authentic Tang monastery and gardens in TATHAGATA BUDDHAS—STANDS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING A LAKE. Deerpark, Orange County, one of New York state’spoorest regions. One hundred monks ple to come regardless of religion.” He and in local civic activities, such as town from around the world will live on the site, several of his co-volunteers at Dragon cleanups, and they sponsored this year’s offering guidance to visitors in meditation Springs practice Falun Gong, the widespread town festival. “They had fireworks,” says practices and spiritual growth. A small group meditation practice banned by the Chinese O’Neill, “and because we’re a mainly Chi- of architects, artists, and engineers formed a government. “Falun Gong gives me a better nese operation, we thought we’dhelp out nonprofit organization called Dragon kind of endurance than physical exercise—a with the fireworks.” Springs and initiated the project to share the kind of emotional endurance,” says O’Neill, O’Neill envisions the site as a tourist heritage of the largely forgotten Tang a former Wisconsin state track champion. attraction that will help the economically Dynasty with the modern world. In 2001, The temple buildings are built of only depressed region. “It’sunique in the world, Asian studies major Liam O’Neill heard natural materials, including Douglas fir and just stunning,” he says. “And it could be of about it and volunteered for one month. He Alaskan Yellow cedar, reeds for the roofs, rice huge benefit, especially as it’sonly two hours arrived on Sept. 11 and is still there. paper windows, and bamboo floors. Charac- from the city.” He thinks that some sections “In that month,” says O’Neill, “I grew to teristic architectural temple features include will open to the public within two years. want to see the project completed and to be roofs with wide eaves shading decks that are Because the undertaking is financially a part of it.” He had earlier received a Joel open to the outside. Low railings allow an dependent solely on grants and gifts from Dean Grant to spend three months living in unimpaired view for those seated in medita- wealthy donors and because manpower is Buddhist monasteries in China, where he tion. In addition to the temple, two other limited, the project is progressing piecemeal. had quickly become disillusioned by the fact structures have been completed: a bell tower, “The fund-raising is not very polished,” that the monks’ activities were completely from which daybreak is heralded, and a O’Neill says. “We’re all volunteers, not pro- controlled from Beijing. “At Dragon drum tower,from which sunset is announced. fessional fund-raisers.” He plans to develop Springs,” he continues, “we are creating a The landscaping of the area will represent a Web site for the project and hopes that this traditional Chinese monastery, an ideal of Tang ideals of harmony with nature and will attract additional donors. openness and harmony. From a larger per- highlight the existing natural features. To stay close to the project, O’Neill works spective, with the world in flux and facing Including pagodas, wooden footbridges, as a math teacher in nearby Port Jervis High new challenges, I saw great hope in a project paved walkways, waterfalls, and lakes, the School, as the site coordinator for an after- such as this because the gifts of tranquillity site will house the largest Tang-Chinese gar- school program, and as a volunteer fire and harmony it would bring to the world den in the world. “We have a lot of architects police officer. Now fully settled in Deerpark, were very timely.” and engineers who have studied these forms he recently married Canadian Emily Valdrez. O’Neill says that the settings and archi- extensively,” O’Neill says. “This is the culmi- “I’m really committed to this place,” he tecture of the monastery are conducive to nation of their careers.” says. To prove it, he has entered the Deer- contemplation and meditation. “The Tang O’Neill participates in some of the con- park supervisor’srace as an independent. Dynasty was a time of widespread medita- struction work on the site but serves mainly Working at Dragon Springs, he says, “I’ve tion and harmony with nature. Our temples as an assistant manager, communicating honed my worldly skills and discovered new aren’t the place for [organized] religious with engineers, lawyers, and town and coun- ones for the benefit of others.” worship, but they are sacred places for peo- ty planning boards. The group participates —Carol Brévart-Demm SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 86 AD AY IN TH EL IF E “I D i g B a c h.”

PROFESSOROFMUSICMICHAELMARISSEN COMBINESPASSIONSFORMUSICANDRELIGION.

By Carol Brévart-Demm

t about 8:20 a.m., a tall, lean figure strides along Harvard Avenue. Professor and Chair of Music Michael Marissen is Awalking to his campus office from the home he shares with his wife, Mary, and children Carl, 12, and Zoe, 9. Wearing head- phones, he is listening to a string quartet. Marissen’s second-floor office in the Lang Music Building is gently lit from windows facing Crum Woods. Photographs of his sen. The Boyd Barnard Music Awards, the Fetter Chamber Music family are displayed on his desk. Pointing out a hockey card show- Program, Renee Gaddie, Edwin B. Garrigues, and Music Special ing Carl in a Strath Haven team uniform, Marissen, a Canadian of awards fund this program. Dutch descent, says, “I never would have believed that my Canadi- Before this afternoon’s class on Mozart, Marissen eats lunch in an background would have the cachet that it has. Carl is very proud Essie Mae’s Snack Bar in Clothier Hall. to be a hockey player.” According to Carl, his father is no mean “I enjoy having lunch with colleagues not only from the Music goaltender himself, “especially at his glove hand.” and Dance Department but also from other academic and adminis- “It’s pretty quiet here first thing, before the students come in,” trative departments, library staff, or with students,” he says. He says Marissen, “so this is the time to do the things that can afford explains that Swarthmore faculty hiring procedure places tremen- no interruption, such as making tapes for classes, creating exams, dous emphasis on a candidate’s interaction with the larger commu- finessing drafts of my own publications, and answering phone nity. “Swarthmore is very thorough in the interview process,” he calls.” As an internationally acclaimed Bach scholar, he does a lot of says. “It’s not just that you have a good reputation, good articles, pro bono advising to people writing books or articles and to profes- and good letters of recommendation. They matter, too, but you also sors or graduate students at other colleges. “Occasionally,” says have to teach a class and meet the students and faculty members of Marissen, “I’ll get a call from an organization wanting to stage a your own department as well as those of other departments.” concert, and they’ll ask things like, ‘What Bach pieces use a bas- This thoroughness in hiring along with the College’s ample soon, two oboes, and one trumpet and aren’t too hard to sing?’ resources, Marissen believes, makes for an ideal working environ- Usually, I can come up with something, and if I don’t know, I know ment. Of his Music Program colleagues, he says: “Everyone really where to look.” enjoys going to lots of concerts; we all teach widely, not just in our Once the students drift in, the questions become more Swarth- own areas of expertise; and we all love the repertory. It’s not just a 9 more related. “Why don’t the locks work on the instrument lock- to 5 thing.” His wife, Mary, says, “Michael is one of those blessed ers?” “Where’s the harpsichord?” “Can I get departmental support people who has managed to totally combine what he most loves to hire a pianist to accompany me for a junior recital I’m doing?” with making a living.” Marissen tells of a group of students who put together a chamber At 1:15 p.m., Marissen’s introductory class on Mozart begins in ensemble to perform an unpublished, unrecorded piece by Austrian Room 407 of the Lang Music Building. Forty students have signed conductor and composer Bruno Walter. On a visit to Vienna, one of up for the class; a grand piano and stereo equipment almost fill the the students had heard a performance of the piece and found the front of the room. manuscript in a Viennese library. “She needed $75 to pay for a pho- Marissen, in jeans and white shirt under a black vest, begins by tocopy of the manuscript,” says Marissen. “The department paid, returning a test. Marks range from the 90s to the 40s. “I don’t and, from this messy score, the students figured out the notes, downgrade for [poor] attendance,” Marissen says. “I don’t need to. wrote the string quartet parts, and performed it.” Those who come to class do well; those who miss a lot, don’t.” As chair, Marissen also spends time helping to coordinate the David Mister ’04 says: “Music history and cultural analysis isn’t private music instruction for students, financed by restricted funds something that most students have had a lot of exposure to, so given to the department, with instructors located in New York City; Michael tries to make such an introduction as painless as possible.” Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; or Baltimore. “For the musically After having taught the structural forms of the classical sonata most talented students, within a reasonable distance, we’ll pay for and concerto, Marissen explains, step-by-step, how the 10-year-old their transportation back and forth and their lessons,” says Maris- Mozart transformed a Johann Christian Bach classical keyboard SWARTHMORECOLLEGEBULLETIN 88 rather the ability to improvise.” The 75-minute class draws to a close. “He is a really passionate lecturer, embedding the music within the cultural context of the Enlighten- ment,” says Rachel Dinetz ’03. Shiho Takai ’05 took the class because Assistant Professor of English Literature Carolyn Lesjak, her academic adviser, had recommended Marissen as a teacher. “He is a great teacher,” Takai says, “who was able to find links between ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,’ ‘Happy Birthday,’ and Mozart.” “The Mozart class was wonderful, and I’d recommend it for anyone, regardless of their level of expertise,” John Pottage ’03 adds. Afterward, some visiting high school seniors chat with Marissen. One, a young pianist and sax player, says she’s definitely decided to come PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM GRAHAM to Swarthmore. STUDENTSANDMARISSEN’SCHILDRENDELIGHTINHISHUMOR.ZOE After the class, Marissen holds office hours. He MARISSEN SAYS, “IF YOU’RE LOST AT A PARTY, YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS BY says students drop in a lot but rarely for help with work. “They HIS LAUGH.” YET MARISSEN IS SERIOUS ABOUT MUSIC—IN PARTICULAR know that I’m really interested in religion, for example. This comes out particularly in the Bach class I teach.” BACH, ABOUT WHOSE WORK HE IS A WORLD AUTHORITY. For several years, Marissen has been studying the question of sonata into a concerto. He says that Mozart’s genius lay in his abili- anti-Semitism in Bach’s work (see “Is the St. John Passion Anti- ty to alter the sonata less from a formal or quantitative aspect but Semitic?” May 1995 Bulletin) and has published articles and books rather from a qualitative viewpoint. on the subject, including Lutheranism, Anti-Judaism, and Bach’s St. He explains that the opening section, or exposition, of the John’s Passion (Oxford, 1998) and “The Character and Sources of sonata is divided into an aggressive opening theme; a linking pas- the Anti-Judaism in Bach’s Cantata 46” (Harvard Theological Review, sage, or modulation; and a more lyrical thematic area. “Serious 2003). brownie points for anyone who can hum me the modulation,” he “In order to understand Bach’s music,” he says, “you have to says. One brave soul volunteers, humming hesitantly. “Excellent,” take stock of its religious import. The way it’s put together musical- exclaims Marissen, sitting down at the piano and playing the mod- ly doesn’t make sense without bringing in culture and religion, and ulation expertly. Discussing the gradual move from classical to often, the religious aspect makes people nervous.” Rarely turning romantic music eras, he then compares Bach and Mozart with down any of his numerous invitations to speak on the topic, he Beethoven. “The basic skeleton is going to stay the same, but says: “It’s amazing how much good you can do with a one-hour lec- Beethoven is going to keep plugging more and more stuff into it.” ture to a large audience of Lutherans, Catholics, Calvinists, Protes- On the piano, he thumps out an example of Beethoven’s melodra- tants, Jews, and atheists and getting them talking and even laugh- matic style. ing together about something of common interest.” “What is it that makes the second theme lyrical and not aggres- Interested in both Judaism and Christianity, Marissen attends a sive?” Marissen asks. A student suggests that the aggressive first local synagogue and the Swarthmore Methodist church. He is theme contains many more staccato notes, and the lyrical theme learning biblical Hebrew and hopes to take a course on biblical has a more legato style. He agrees and adds that the aggressive Greek, so that he can read both the New Testament and the Hebrew theme is also more diatonic, sticking to the scale, whereas the lyri- scriptures in the original. On his office door, a sign is posted with cal theme includes chromatic pitches. “And if you don’t think that the Hebrew transliteration of “I Dig Bach.” sounds better, then you’re just wrong,” he says, straight-faced, then Throughout the day, Marissen is happy for “lots of listening breaking into a deeply resonant chuckle. Laughter fills the room. opportunities,” and he often turns on his CD player during office The class listens to the Mozart concerto on CDs brought from hours. “It’s not exactly like a drug, but the days I can’t listen to Marissen’s personal collection of 4,000 CDs and LPs. He moves music….” He pauses. “I don’t know why it’s so necessary, but it is.” across the room in rhythm with the music—as if his own internal Mary, a cellist, adds: “Music accounts for how we first met, and it switch has been flipped by turning on the stereo—pointing out the continues to enrich our lives together.” piece’s formal progression, “Theme, … theme, … and again.” At around 6 p.m., Marissen leaves his office, anticipating dinner Mozart’s concerto reaches its closing. “Now, what the hell is with his family and entertaining anecdotes from his children. Then, this?” Marissen exclaims, as the soloist bursts into a long, elabo- they all watch The Simpsons, the family’s favorite show. Later, he and rate cadenza, where the musician is “going berserk.” In the caden- Mary will do some reading and catch up together. But now, he’s za, he says, “the soloist takes the melodic ideas and improvises. Vir- walking back along Harvard Avenue, listening to another string tuosity in the 18th century was not principally playing fast but quartet. T SEPTEMBER 2003 the meaning of s war t hmor e BOB KRIST “I take profound pride in maintaining relationships with respected and beloved friends from Swarthmore—and eagerly forge new friendships with folks I didn’t know during my four short years on campus. I’ve been amazed that I almost always feel an intense kinship with Swarthmoreans from across the years.” —Sanda Balaban ’94