[)~9 \:)2JJ8 in AMERICAN HISTORY! - See Story, Pg
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Magazine ot Th e American University Spring 1987 [)~9 \:)2JJ8 IN AMERICAN HISTORY! - See story, pg. l 0. Cover Note AMERIQiNSpdngl9&7 e. All of the images on our cover stand out in the annals of AU's history. a. The Act of Congress by which AU was incorporated in 1893. b. An AU alum, class of '55, who has achieved national prominence. c. AU's founding father. d. Stone commemorating the completion of AU's first building. e. AU basketball star who made AP First Team All-American in 1973. Cover design: Bonnie Narduzzi and Kevin Grasty Vol. 38 No.2 1tlble of Contents American is the official alumni magazine of The American University. It is written and designed by the University Publications and Printing Office, Office of University Relations. Suggestions and comments concerning American should be sent to American Magazine, University Publications and Printing Office, The American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 Anita F. Gottlieb, Assistant Vice President for University Relations Martha N. Robinson, Director, University Publications and Printing Managing Editor: Anne Kelleher Editorial Staff: jill Bernstein, Mary j o Casciato, Terry Lowe-Edwards, Donna Perand Some of the more than 325 graduates who braved a winter storm to participate in AU's Designer: Bonnie arduzzi eighty-fourth commencement in Constitution Hall. For details, see page 18. American is published quarte rly by The American University. With a circulation of about 55,000, American is sent to alumni and othe r constitue nts of the university Features community. Copyright 1987, T he American University, an equal opportunity/affirmative What's "New" About the New Tax Law................................................................ 3 action university. A look at the fundamental philosophical change in the U.S. tax system. A Teacher First and Foremost ..................................................... ............................... 7 AU's Scholarrreacher of the Year, Edward Kessler, teaches students how to think for themselves. Pop Quiz in American History ................. ................................................................... l 0 American University's history is studded with famous faces and memorable moments. See how many you know. Farewell to Frailey .... .... ................................. .. .................... ........... ... .............................. 12 Athletics Director Bob Frailey's retirement marks the end of an era. Departments President's Message............. .... ........................................................................................ 2 Campus News ... ... .......................... .. ................................................................................... l5 Faculty.......... ... .... ...... .. .................................. .. ................................................................. ... .... l9 Students ............................ .............................................................................................. ......... 22 Alumni ........................................................................ .. ............. ... .................... ....................... 25 Class Notes ............................................................. ... .................. .. ..................................... ... 27 Sports ......................................... .......................... ..................................................................... 3l UP87.0Q4 SPRING 1987 President's Message f you're returning for this year's alumni I reunion-whether you've been away one year or twenty-you'll no doubt be struck by the physical changes on campus. The sports and convocation center, which required imagination to envision during the reunion weekend tour last year, now rises high in the heart of campus. Every day this long-awaited dream grows visibly, coming ever closer to reality. Another major campus addition is the nearly completed new dor mitory adjacent to Anderson Hall. As scheduled, it will be ready to house students next fall. At our Tenley Circle campus, renovations proceed apace on the facility that will be the new home to AU's Washington Semester program. As dramatic and important as these facility improvements are, they pale in comparison to renovation of a different sort on campus. Late last year, a faculty committee appointed by the provost completed an exhaustive review of our academic programs. Their task-to de velop a frank picture of our strengths and weaknesses and a plan for improvement-was daunting. The result is the elimination of some weak programs and the designation of "centers of excellence" to provide students with exceptional learning environments in areas where we are already strong: economics, finance, history, marketing, painting, and the Washington Semester Program. The faculty is now at work on another absolutely essential task that will complete the restructuring of our academic edifice: a revision of our general education program, the foundation on which the AU undergraduate education is built. Although we're writing new chapters in American's history, we're not losing sight of its proud past. You, its alums, are the most vital part of that past. 2 AME RICAN WHAT'S "NEW" ABOUT THE NEW TAX LAW Each year for the ficient way to allo past twenty-five cate resources, but years, Congress has he taxpayers are also introduced major Tax Reform Act of 1986 bound to think of it legislation aimed at aims to change not only as unfair. "tax reform." Last the way you pay Why the general year brought the perception of un Tax Reform Act of your taxes, but the way fairness? First, by 1986 (also known as you think about them necessity, tax in- the 1986TRA). Un as well. centives create like the other ef The director of AU's "loopholes" -tax forts at tax reform, Graduate Tax Program breaks that are not however, the 1986 equally available to TRA fundamen- tells why. all taxpayers. Sec- tally reverses the di- ond, incentives rection of U.S. tax policy. The way we make the tax structure very complex. pay our taxes-and the way we think The average taxpayer doesn't under about them-will never be the same. stand the complexities, and that only Ever since it began to tax citizens' aggravates the perception of unfairness. incomes, the government has used the A widespread perception of unfair income tax law to shape economic and ness is the death knell for a tax system social behavior. Politically, lawmakers that relies on voluntary compliance. have always found it easier to support Taxpayers who feel that they carry a an activity indirectly, by giving it special disproportionate share of supporting the benefits under the tax law, than to sup government question why they should port it with direct subsidies. Not only comply with the law, particularly when is this "tax subsidy" approach an inef- wealthy individuals or corporations pay SPRING 1987 3 little or nothing because of loopholes. Although the concept of phasing out Tax cheating, instead of being a social certain benefits makes the 1986 TRA disgrace, becomes a way to "even things s much fairer, it also meant sacrificing up." Meanwhile, the Treasury suffers, the legislation simplicity. The new tax law is very com and taxpayers demand reform. developed, it became plex, partly because not all incentives All this has happened during the past obvious that some tax were eliminated. As the legislation de decade. In response, Congress passed benefits are 'sacred veloped, it became obvious that some tax reform laws that were generally lim tax benefits are "sacred cows" and some ited to narrowing loopholes and enforc cows' and some are just are just "holy cows." Holy cows can be ing compliance through harsher penal 'holy cows.' Holy cows done in without fatal consequences, but ties and stricter requirements. can be done in without killing sacred cows would mean political The monumental 1986 TRA is com fatal consequences, but disaster. pletely different, however. Rather than killing sacred cows The 1986 TRA only slightly wounded tinkering with the existing system, it three long-standing sacred cows-home reverses the direction of tax policy. It would mean political mortgage interest, charitable contribu attempts to remove taxes as a motivation disaster. " tions, and tax-exempt interest. Even in fo r making economic decisions. the most heated debates about closing some income should be tax-free to meet tax loopholes, politicians continue to Faith through fairness personal living expenses. The problem protect homeowners. Although the is that these benefits are also available sanctity of these tax benefits has been T he primary purpose of the new law to high-income taxpayers, who reall y tarnished, they still retain most of their is to reestablish fairness. Lawmakers felt don't need the economic relief. For them, vigor. Other benefits are retained in that restoring fairness was important to lower rates on first amounts of income, greatly modified form, and taxpayers will restore fa ith in the tax system and the exemptions, and other low-income ben have to consider the new complexities legislative process. T hey hope that re efits are a windfall. and redirect their tax-planning strategy newed faith will bri ng renewed com accordingly. pliar.<:F. , which in turn wi ll bring more Taxes and surtaxes Thus, even though the tax system is federal revenues. still a factor for making economic de It is impossible to exaggerate the im Although a departure from progres cisions,