Washington University Record, April 7, 1977
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Washington University School of Medicine Digital Commons@Becker Washington University Record Washington University Publications 4-7-1977 Washington University Record, April 7, 1977 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record Recommended Citation "Washington University Record, April 7, 1977" (1977). Washington University Record. Book 69. http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record/69 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington University Publications at Digital Commons@Becker. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Record by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Becker. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ^WtatecorflPublished For The Washington University Community ^^ ^B April 7, 1977 Four Departments To Be Headed By New Chairmen Four new department chairmen have been appointed in WU's College of Arts and Sciences, Leon Gottfried, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences announced. They are: Sidney J. Friedman, Performing Arts Area; James Poag, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures; Norris K. Smith, Department of Art and Archaeology; Richard J. Walter, Department of History. The appointments are effec- tive July 1, 1977, with the exception of Professor Smith's. Smith, who had been acting chairman of the Depart- Richard /V. Levine ment of Art and Archaeology since Actress Mary Wickes (far right), artist-in-residence, gives pointers to students in the four-week comedy last semester, has already begun to acting class she is teaching at WU through mid-April. serve as chairman. Sidney J. Fried- Famed Comic Star Mary Wickes Shares man, associate professor of per- Laughter and Talent With Acting Class forming arts, has The students in the comedy acting she was the Performing Arts Area's been in charge of class finished a scene from the play, first artist-in-residence, playing programs in act- Mary, Mary. The teacher, a tall, hand- Amanda in The Glass Menagerie, and ing and directing some woman whose face is instantly in 1973, was Mistress of Ceremonies at since he joined recognizable, gave a critique. "That the dedication for Edison Theatre. the Performing was a good bit with the glasses, Miss Wickes did not intend to Arts faculty in Hi Sidney J. Friedman chums," she said, "but Mary's just become a professional actress, but 1966. He has also learned that her ex-husband is about wanted to enter law school. While at taught play-writing courses and to remarry. You've got to see the reac- the University, however, she acted in drama-related literature courses tion hit her, smack in the solar plexus. plays at the St. Louis Little Theatre. through the English Department. It's a moment an actress prays for." Sometimes, New York directors Friedman has directed over 20 The teacher's name is Mary Wickes, would work with the actors. Then productions at WU ranging from and the distinguished comic actress came summer stock at the noted Shakespeare's Measure for Measure to has known many such moments dur- Berkshire Playhouse in Stockbridge, Albee's Zoo Story. This March he ing a career that has included roles in Mass. directed the world premiere of David 18 Broadway shows, 35 movies, and Miss Wickes then went off to New Kranes's HORA Y at Edison Theatre. countless television appearances. She York, landing a job in three days He was appointed to the Theatre is on campus serving as a visiting understudying Margaret Hamilton in Advisory Committee of the Missouri artist, teaching a four-week course in the Farmer Takes A Wife. But she Council on the Arts in 1976. In 1975, comedy acting. grew homesick, and, after ten days, he served as a Miss Wickes is a native St. Louisan came back to WU. "Then I got a wire judge for the re- and a WU alumna, who speaks with from the director asking me if I were gional American pride about her home town and her returning to New York and the play. College Theatre alma mater. "I love St. Louis With the urging of my parents and Festival. He has audiences. They're amazingly loyal," Professor W. Roy Mackenzie, then been a board she said. Miss Wickes, who has head of the English Department, I member of Thea- appeared at many Municipal Opera went back." tre Alliance and productions, was awarded one of The rest is theatre history. Mary served as its WU's first Alumni Citations in 1955, Wickes has gone on to work with president for two and cherishes an honorary Doctor of some of the greatest creative talents of James Poag years. Friedman Arts degree awarded in 1969. In 1968, (continued on page 3) (continued on page 2) WU Math Wizards Tally 2nd Place Score Chairmen Over 262 Teams In Putnam Competition (continued from page I j received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1966. Language pedagogy and medieval German literature are the specialties of James Poag, professor of German. Poag, who joined the WU faculty in 1969, served as acting chairman of the German Department during the 1974- 75 academic year. He has written numerous articles and a book on medieval literature. His book, Wolfram von Esshenbach, published in 1970, is a critical study of the writings of 13th century author von Esshenbach, one of the most important medieval German writers. Poag received grants from the Fulbright and Alexander von Hum- boldt Foundations to study in both Germany and Austria. In 1968-69, he Herb Weitman was director of a program for the WU sophomores Philip Strenski (left), Tim Steger (center), and Philip Harrington out-scored 262 other training of German teachers in Ger- university teams to take 2nd place in the Putnam Math Competition. many, funded by the Volkswagen There's a classical photograph of them in the standings did not do as Foundation. He received his Ph.D. WU's second Chancellor, William well. California Institute of from the University of Illinois, Chauvenet, which shows him in Technology topped the WU squad. Urbana, in 1961. profile, bearded and beautifully The Steger-Strenski-Harrington trio A highly respected teacher, scholar coifed, peering into the distance with received $400, and $75 each for their and administrator, Norris K. Smith, his hand clutching his forehead— individual efforts. And their professor of art and archaeology, has looking either melancholy or as if he individual efforts are impressive. been a member of the WU faculty for has a terrific hangover. In a field of 2131 contestants from more than 20 years and served as Whatever the cause of his gloom, 344 institutions of higher learning, acting chairman of the Department of he, undoubtedly, would have been Harrington scored a stunning Art and Archaeology in the 1960's. cheered had he been around a few triumph—placing among the top six. He has written many books and weeks ago when WU learned that its (Contenders at this level are not articles on subjects ranging from student math team had placed second ranked in the order they finished, but medieval art to modern architecture. in the prestigious Putnam Mathe- alphabetically.) Harrington collected His work Frank matical Competition. For Chauvenet $225 and the distinction of now being Lloyd Wright: A was big on and in mathematics. A known as a Putnam Fellow. Study in Architec- child prodigy, he so impressed his Steger finished 13th, and Strenski tural Content, peers that they named a prestigious tied for 36th place, which put them in published in mathematics prize after him. the Honorable Mention Class—also 1966, is regarded WU's Professor Guido Weiss won an impressive achievement, according as a classic in its this coveted award a few years ago, to Edward N. Wilson, assistant field. but neither he nor the trio of students professor of mathematics and the Smith earned team's coach. Two other WU students all his degrees here on campus who just bested Har- Norris K. Smith vard and MIT's brightest in the Put- excelled. George Gilbert, placed 83rd, (A.B., M.A. and nam were interviewed by television and Richard Mattione, 61st. Ph.D.) from Columbia University in reporters, nor trailed by admiring In Mary Brooks Holmes Lounge New York. Before coming to WU, he throngs as is the lot of other heroes. the other day, Steger and Harrington was an instructor at Columbia and For, somehow, coming out on top discussed their triumph. Strenski was Hunter Colleges. in a competition which is to en route to Duncan, Oklahoma, for Professor of History Richard J. mathematics what the Wimbledon is reasons of his own. Steger spices his Walter joined the WU faculty in 1965 to tennis—just doesn't move people to conversation with irony and wit. as an assistant professor. He was cheers as does a sizzling backhand by Asked what he wanted to be after promoted to associate professor in Connors. Collectively and individual- graduation, he looked the interviewer 1968 and to professor this year. ly, the trio of sophomores, Tim Steger straight in the eye and said with mock Since 1965, he has participated in and the two Philips—Harrington and seriousness, "Well, until I discover the various university programs and com- Strenski—seem resigned to stroll secret of the universe, I guess I'll just mittees. From 1965 to 1968, he was a around campus unrecognized. be a mathematics professor." Faculty Fellow in the Forsyth House The team of Steger, Strenski, and Harrington, who blows the trom- Program and was involved in the Harrington deserves better, for what bone in the WU Band and is active in Freshman Advising Program in 1967 they did is something nobody else at a kind of King Arthur Society that and 1968.