Newspaper of Record

INSIDE Franklin Toker and the science of art history......... 3 Arts and Culture calendar.................... 5-8 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume XI • Number 2 • January 19, 2010 Newspaper of Record: The Pittsburgh Courier, 1907-1965 See page 2 2 • Pitt Chronicle • January 19, 2010 Pitt Black History Month Features World Premiere Screen- ing Of Newspaper of Record: The Pittsburgh Courier, 1907- 1965By Sharon S. Blake During critical periods in our nation’s history, The Pittsburgh Courier weekly newspaper, published between 1907 and 1965, served as an instrument of change in the fight against racial discrimination in housing, jobs, health, education, sports, and other areas. Printed locally but distributed throughout the United States in 14 national editions, The Pittsburgh Courier became the most influential Black newspaper in the nation, with a peak circulation of 400,000. It provided a lens through which Americans could see and read about the gross injustices targeting Blacks, from the Jim Crow era at the beginning of the 20th century through the turbulent years of the civil rights movement. Following the crusading newspaper’s financial collapse in 1965, it soon re-emerged as today’s New Pittsburgh Courier, which continues to serve the community. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEN LOVE A new documentary, The Pittsburgh Courier press room Newspaper of Record: The Pittsburgh Courier, 1907- can institution,” as a Pitt alumnus, to see the he was the newspaper’s counsel 1965, by filmmaker and s a y s L o v e , University take the lead in “cel- and soon became its owner, University of Pitts- who began work- ebrating and preserving The publisher, and editor. Under burgh alumnus Ken- ing on the film in Courier’s story.” Vann, the paper’s circulation neth Love (A&S ’71) 2001, acting upon a Central to the story of The rose steadily, reaching 174,000 by 1936. tells the story of the suggestion from late Courier is Robert L. Vann (1879- By then, it was the largest Black newspaper newspaper—how it Pitt alumnus Frank 1940), who received his bach- in circulation in the nation. Vann also was empowered Blacks Bolden, a legend- elor’s and law degrees from Pitt in a longtime assistant city solicitor in Pitts- across America and ary Courier reporter 1906 and 1909, respectively, was burgh and a former special U. S. assistant helped to reshape and editor. “The film elected editor of The Pitt Courant attorney general under President Franklin national policy. The chronicles a national student newspaper (now The Pitt D. Roosevelt. executive producer treasure,” adds Love, News), and played a major role in of the film, which who says he is proud, The Courier’s success. In 1910, Continued on page 10 wa s awa rde d a Robert L. Vann CINE Golden Eagle for excellence in the visual arts, is Pitt alumnus Barbara McNulty- Love (A&S ’71, MED ’75), who is married to Love. The world premiere screening of the Pitt Announces Provost Search Committee Members film will be cohosted by Pitt Chancellor By John Fedele Mark A. Nordenberg and Vice Chancel- lor for Public Affairs Robert Hill at 6 p.m. The University of Pittsburgh has Regional Campuses Feb. 1 at the Twentieth Century Club, 4201 announced the 21-member committee that Jerry Samples, professor of mechanical guished Service Professor of Pharmacy; Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. The by-invitation- will conduct the search for the successor to engineering technology, University of Pitts- vice chancellor for research conduct and only event is the University’s K. Leroy Irvis Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor James V. burgh at Johnstown compliance Black History Month Program for 2010. Maher, who announced in November that he John Lazo, Allegheny Foundation Some parts of the Twentieth Century was stepping down from that post to return Appointed by Staff and Student Professor of Pharmacology, School of Club will take on the look of a newspaper to the faculty. Organizations Medicine operation from a bygone era, complete with a The committee, chaired by Randy Juhl, Staff Association Council Evelyn Rawski, Distinguished Univer- vintage newspaper-delivery bicycle courtesy Distinguished Service Professor of Phar- Gwendolyn Watkins, president, Staff sity Professor of History of photographer Carmon Rinehart, bundled macy and the University’s vice chancellor Association Council newspapers and crates, and a life-size for research conduct and compliance, was photographic replica of a Courier delivery assembled through faculty elections and Student Government Board truck. To add to the ambience, “newsboys,” appointments by staff and student organiza- Charles Shull, president, Student Gov- reporters, and Rinehart in the guise of tions and by Chancellor Mark A. Norden- ernment Board legendary Courier photographer Charles berg. Assistant chancellor and secretary of “Teenie” Harris (1908-98) will be on hand, the Board of Trustees B. Jean Ferketish will College of General Studies Cabinet all dressed in vintage attire. Enlargements Rosemary Natale, president, College of PittChronicle provide senior staff support as the commit- Newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh of “Teenie” Harris photos, courtesy of the tee secretary. General Studies Cabinet Carnegie Museum of Art, will be placed Juhl says the committee will begin around the ballroom. meeting soon, and that the position has been Graduate and Professional Students PUBLISHER Robert Hill Newspaper of Record: The Pittsburgh announced in national publications, includ- Association ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER John Harvith Courier, 1907-1965 tells its story not only ing The Chronicle of Higher Education. He Daniel Jimenez, president, Graduate and EXECUTIVE EDITOR Linda K. Schmitmeyer through vintage images and narration, but said he hopes that the committee will be Professional Students Association EDITOR Jane-Ellen Robinet through interviews with a number of the able to present its recommendations to the ART DIRECTOR Gary Cravener newspapers’ former editors and reporters. chancellor to make the selection in time to Appointed by Chancellor Nordenberg STAFF WRITERS Sharon S. Blake The documentary focuses on the story of begin the Fall 2010 semester. Livingston Alexander, professor of psy- John Fedele how The Courier launched major national chology; president, University of Pittsburgh Morgan Kelly campaigns to combat racism, lynching, and Elected by the Faculty at Bradford Amanda Leff race discrimination in education, employ- Arts and Sciences Dennis Curran, Distinguished Service Anthony M. Moore ment, health, housing, the military, and Kathleen Dewalt, professor of anthro- Professor and Bayer Professor of Chem- Patricia Lomando White sports. One of its most famous causes, pology istry CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Franklin Toker the “Double V Campaign” of 1942-43, Dennis Looney, professor and chair, Larry Davis, Donald M. Henderson Pro- demanded that Blacks fighting for victory in Department of French and Italian Languages fessor and dean, School of Social Work HAPPENINGS EDITOR Baindu Saidu the war abroad win a victory against racism and Literatures Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, professor and at home as well—through full citizenship dean, School of Nursing rights. The film also includes segments on Schools of the Health Sciences B. Jean Ferketish, secretary to the com- The Pitt Chronicle is published throughout the year by celebrated Black entertainers, sports figures, Anna Roman, assistant professor, pathol- mittee; assistant chancellor and secretary of University News and Magazines, University of Pittsburgh, and musicians, who were seldom, if ever, the Board of Trustees 400 Craig Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, ogy; senior vice president, Administrative Phone: 412-624-1033, Fax: 412-624-4895, covered by the White media; advertising Services and Physician Relations, UPMC Jere Gallagher, professor/associate dean, E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.chronicle.pitt.edu geared specifically to a Black audience; Physician Services Division School of Education society, style, and fashion columns, which Roger Hendrix, Distinguished Professor The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal influenced the paper’s women readers; and Provost’s Area Professional Schools of Biological Sciences opportunity institution that does not discriminate upon any a range of cartoons, from educational and Kevin Ashley, professor of law Gerald Holder, professor and U. S. Steel basis prohibited by law. political to humorous. Carrie Leana, George H. Love Professor Dean, Swanson School of Engineering “The Courier was an important Ameri- of Organizations and Management Randy Juhl, committee chair, Distin- January 19, 2010 • University of Pittsburgh • 3 Franklin Toker On the Science Of Art History HEATHER MULL Periodically, Chancellor Mark A. themselves “Fine Arts.” It’s significant that seller? It is the first of four volumes on the example, when a scholar looks at a work Nordenberg asks a Pitt faculty member to all three subsequently dropped that name in archaeological excavations I ran under the of art and says, “I have a gut feeling this speak during a University Board of Trustees favor of “History of Art.” Cathedral of Florence. The cost of the book painting is by Rembrandt,” he or she may meeting about his or her work. The follow- “Fine Arts” comes from the French is high—150 Euros [$219]—and it carries appear to be utterly nonscientific. But not ing is an abridged version of Prof. Franklin Beaux-Arts, which alludes to the princely 122 pages of Latin, mostly untranslated, plus so fast. The science of artificial intelligence Toker’s talk, “The Science of Art History,” tradition of art collecting. But today even about 400 dense footnotes. But to say that tells us that the brain gets its answers by at the Board meeting of Oct. 30, 2009. the French have dropped “Fine Arts” in favor these attributes make the book scientific is to sifting through a computer-like comparison Toker is a professor of the history of art and of “Art History,” which is a literal transla- fall into exactly the trap we need to avoid: the of images. Connoisseurship (the system that architecture.

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