Spring/Summer 2005  Muses On the cover: John deMartelly Editor c o n t e n t s (1903–1979), The Pleiades Kristan Tetens (1949, oil on canvas, 840 x 930, currently on display in the main Contributing Writers lounge of the MSU Union Build- Joshua Feinberg Welcome In the Classroom ing.) This painting is one Kathleen V. McKevitt of the 903 artworks created by 347 Holly Newland 2 From the Dean 45 Teaching Research artists that are accessible online Kristan Tetens 46 Sparking Curiosity through the university’s Public Art Celebrating the 48 story to come on Campus website, Art Director and Sesquicentennial Learning Ojibwe www.publicart.msu.edu. Graphic Designer Cindy Lounsbery 4 Eight by 10: Eight Arts & Letters Students On this page: DMA candidate Alumni Share Their Memories of 49 Students Explore Life, Career Options Igor Kalnin began study of the Contributing Photographers MSU Through the Decades violin at the age of three in a local Dianne Carroll in A&L Course music school in Nizhny Novgorod, Eric Johnson College Survival in the Great Depression: 50 Student News Russia. He later continued his Kurt Stepnitz The 1930s studies at Balakirev Musical Col- Greg Kohuth English Major Betty Price 52 Student Voice lege with Professor Felix Forshtok Brian McNea 53 Commencement and Awards From College to War: The 1940s and with Professor Galy Afanasiev Kathryn Sauber Convocation – Spring 2005 Music Major Eldon Rosegart at the Glinka State Conservatory, Thomas B. Shea where he was concertmaster of the Brooks Walker Beatnik Generation: The 1950s Alumni and Friends symphony orchestra. Follow- Art Major John Neering ing graduation, he played in the Production Coordinator A Decade of Social Upheaval: The 1960s 57 Alumni News Chamber Orchestra Kremlin in Kristen Flory Justin Morrill/French Major  Moscow. At MSU he studies with 60 Homecoming 2004 Carl Koivuniemi Walter Verdehr and is co-concert- 61 Celebrating the Sesquicentennial: master of the MSU Symphony Second-Wave Baby Boomers: The 1970s 1855–2005 Orchestra. In March he was one Humanities Major Bill Nielsen 63 Simon Gifts Benefit School of Music of four winners of the School of “Totally Awesome”: The 1980s Music’s Honors Concert 64 Plans for Campus Arts District Philosophy Major Tina Nommay Competition, the highest perfor- Move Forward mance achievement for School of University Globalization: The 1990s 66 Verdehr Gift to Support Student Music students. English Major Simon Caines Musicians, New Music Building Opportunity Generation: 67 Giving Opportunities: The New Century The Importance of Endowments English/Journalism Major  Anne Edison-Swift 68 Leslies Endow New Faculty Chair In Literary Studies Arts & Humanities Briefing 69 Serlings Endow Chair In Israel Studies 20 News about the Arts and Humanities at MSU 70 Kresge Art Museum Twilight in the Garden and the MSU Museum Faculty Chocolate Party 24 A Conversation with 71 Honor Roll of Donors Stephen Esquith 26 Profile: Daina Ramey Berry 28 What Makes It Great? 33 Program in Global Literary and Cultural Studies Takes Shape 34 Faculty Publishing 40 Faculty News  Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005  welcome from the dean celebrating the sesquicentennial

This issue of Muses is dedicated to first century land-grant institution, the arts MSU’s sesquicentennial and, appropri- and humanities are asserting themselves ately, combines reflections from arts and through a thorough reassessment of their humanities alumni with articles on current roles and impacts. The CEC and the PHC initiatives and activities that reflect our are two examples of how our faculty are The Arts and Humanities vision of the future direction of the college. actively engaged in that mission. As with most milestone birthdays— Finally, a brief update on the structural at Michigan State University several of which I have already celebrated reorganization discussion in which we have in my own life—the sesquicentennial of been engaged the last two years. In the MSU’s origins as the premier land-grant assessment of how a modern university can institution has prompted reflection on be optimally organized to provide students our successes from the past, including the with the best education, faculty with the n 1850, when he was seeking taxpayer support to establish bold steps taken in the post-World War II best teaching and research opportunities, I period in general education and first-year and the broader society with the best and an agricultural college in Michigan, Detroit farmer Bela Hubbard

writing that made us a model for Ameri- most responsive institution, MSU decided 1855 stressed the need for courses in literature and the fine arts, which he can higher education and the advances in that a visible and separate identity for a research and growth in programs during college of arts and humanities remained an believed would “polish the mind and manners, refine the taste, and the Hannah years of the 50s and 60s that important feature of the university’s profile. add greater luster and dignity to life.” Five years later, when the prompted the Association of American The exercise resulted in far more than a Universities to invite us to join that elite return to the status quo. Indeed, many college that would become Michigan State University was founded, group of world-class institutions. new programs have emerged that provide such courses were an integral part of the curriculum. For the twenty-first century, however, students and faculty with new opportuni- great institutions of higher education ties for study and research. These include Today, the arts and humanities are central to MSU’s mission as a will be defined by their ability to advance a cross-college design initiative that will land-grant, research-intensive university. Faculty and students in the knowledge, enhance the academic and per- provide students with better foundational sonal growth of their students, and actively skills and greater flexibility in career choices, College of Arts & Letters enjoy vastly expanded opportunities in a and directly engage the broader public. opportunities for literature and culture wide variety of subjects, including the creative and performing arts, To this end, two new informal groups students to explore phenomena within a of faculty and administrators have been global context in the Global Literary and languages and literature, linguistics, art history, philosophy, and formed this year: the Cultural Engagement Cultural Studies research cluster, an ethics religious studies, as well as many interdisciplinary fields. Courses Council (CEC) and the Public Humanities and development graduate specialization, Collaborative (PHC). The first of these a collaborative graduate degree in Second offered by the Center for Integrative Studies in the Arts and includes representatives from the Depart- Language Studies, and new majors and Humanities reach every undergraduate student, enhancing emotional ment of Theatre, the Department of Art graduate degrees in digital and professional and Art History, the School of Music, writing. We are also anticipating the launch and intellectual growth by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and Kresge Art Museum, the MSU Museum, of a new residential program in the arts and communication skills. An understanding of the arts and humanities WKAR television and radio, the Wharton humanities with an international focus that Center for Performing Arts, University will have much in common with MSU’s forms the basis of intellectually engaged activity, enriches and sustains Relations, and Student Affairs. It serves successful programs in James Madison lifelong learning, and cultivates the capacity for empathetic and as a clearinghouse of information on the College and Lyman Briggs School. university’s public arts programming and As always, we encourage you to send us relational thinking. also coordinates annual programming your comments about arts and humanities This issue of Muses celebrates MSU’s sesquicentennial by featuring related to specific themes, such as Africa. activities at MSU and suggestions for how Faculty involved with the Public Humani- you might be able to assist us in our edu- the substantial accomplishments of MSU faculty, students, and alumni ties Collaborative are exploring how our cational mission, especially with student who are linked by a common passion: the exploration of human students and scholars can have more imme- support through internships, career advice, diate interaction with the broader public and recruitment. And, in this sesquicenten- expression, experience, and values. through service learning and issue-oriented nial year, we hope to greet you at one or programming. The PHC is also studying more of the many festive events that are local public venues where public discourse planned; for a list of these, please visit can lead to effective problem solving rather www.s150.msu.edu. than the polarizing grandstanding that one sees so often on personality-driven television talk shows and Internet blogs. As Patrick M. McConeghy MSU assumes the role of a leading twenty- Acting Dean 2005

 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005  celebrating the sesquicentennial

Eight by 10 s Eight Arts & Letters Alumni Share Their Memories of MSU Through the Decades

By Kathleen V. McKevitt 30

A long-time supporter of the arts and seven men to every woman put the odds in College Survival humanities, Price gives a portion of her Price’s favor. She loved attending twice- proceeds to MSU’s Wharton Center and weekly afternoon tea dances at the Union. in the Great Kresge Art Museum. “The Whartons were Her future spouse, Don (Class of ’31), was customers of Liebermann’s,” she points a blind date for the military ball. Price’s Depression: out. “I told them once that no one at college memories include a performance The 1930s MSU had ever asked us for money. Things of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture that used changed after that.” howitzers stationed on either side of the English Major Price, who grew up in Saginaw dur- Red Cedar and the bells of the very new ing the Depression, had her heart set on for its rousing finale. She Betty Price attending Central Michigan and was very also remembers, with a smile, a dress code unhappy when her father informed her strictly enforced by the Dean of Women she would be going to State. In 1931, forbidding patent leather shoes because he opened Liebermann’s of Lansing and they might reflect undergarments. “I started out green.” That’s how moved his entire family to a rental home Price worked in her father’s store while Betty (Boettcher) Price (Class of on Park Lane in East Lansing so Betty in school, taking the trolley to Lansing. could walk to campus. Upon graduation, she added a gift depart- ’35), now 91 years old, describes Price says, “I’ve loved East Lansing ment to the store (she and Don would her arrival at Michigan State ever since and never wanted to move away. eventually take over Liebermann’s). As the My parents were magicians to keep me in Depression waned and “the bank freed College in 1931. By way of expla- school during the Depression. We even ate up” funds saved for her education, Price’s nation, she continues, “I knew no well at a time when people were breaking father encouraged her to tour Europe, the into East Lansing homes to steal food. I beginning of a lifetime of travel. Returning one.” But this robust and elegant knew a student who lived on milk and again in 1937, she visited an uncle teaching MSU patroness might as well have cereal.” in Germany who covertly introduced her One of her first classes—in physiol- to “the ominous things happening there. said, “And I’ve ended up green.” ogy—was on the top floor of Agriculture He took me to the mountains, for example, In fact, color, texture, form, and style Hall. As the greenhorn waited on the where all I saw were armed cars going in permeate Price’s life. Her East Lansing ground floor for the elevator, a group and out. He wanted me to see this—he was home brims with books, art, and cultural of male students told her that the eleva- trying to tell me something.” artifacts from around the world and many tor was for the use of animals only. Not Price cannot think of any living Above: Betty Price at home. examples of the decorative style of the until she had climbed the steep flights of classmates from her college days. “I guess Right: Price at graduation, 1935. 1950s and 1960s—the heyday of Lieber- stairs to the top did she realize she’d been they are all up in heaven,” she says. As for mann’s, her well-known fine-gift store duped. Ultimately, a counselor—“there Price, she intends to stay in business for (named after a grandmother). Although was one for every student in those at least ten more years, adding, “Having the store closed in 1990, Price still runs a days”—convinced her to take the English something to do when you get out of bed thriving jewelry trunk show business and program. is good.” n travels internationally in search of unique Formal dances and events were frequent pieces. on campus in the ’30s, when the ratio of

 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005  celebrating the sesquicentennial s From College to War: The 1940s Music Major Eldon Rosegart

For Eldon Rosegart, Class of ’41 Murphy lived briefly in Cowles House, adjacent to the present Music Building. and Spartan Marching Band drum “He would come out to chat with me in the Precision was the key to being backyard sometimes when I was practicing major, life at Michigan State a successful drum major in the

40 twirling my baton,” says Rosegart. “You can Spartan Marching Band during College was an idyllic interlude imagine my elation talking to the governor the 1930s and 40s. Here Rosegart of the state.” between his Depression-era practices on what was then the In general Rosegart found academics MSU football field. boyhood in Pontiac, Michigan, “no problem,” but a 5-credit German and World War II service as a course “was always a worry. If I didn’t keep an average grade in it, my scholarships lieutenant in England and France. would be threatened. Later, I tried out my Rosegart’s high school band director German on some German prisoners in urged him to pursue a college education my charge during the war. But we simply when “few people seemed to go,” as he couldn’t understand each other.” recalls, and introduced him to MSC band For fun, Rosegart and fellow MSU director Leonard Falcone—“the greatest music students enjoyed hitchhiking to a man I knew”—who appointed him drum restaurant in Lansing where an ensemble major. Rosegart says Falcone was also a played German waltzes and “we could conduit to scholarships and “a job here and nurse a nickel glass of draft beer for an there,” including work for the building and hour. But when we felt especially hungry, grounds department. Rosegart majored in we went to Kewpee Hamburgs on Grand percussion and was manager of the MSC River in East Lansing.” Orchestra, in which he played string bass. Rosegart’s MSU music degree fueled his Rosegart calls legendary Michigan State College “With all due respect to today’s drum early professional career. He served as band band director Leonard Falcone (right) “the majors,” says Rosegart, “my role was director at several Michigan schools before greatest man I knew.” different. I had an important role as becoming first a school administrator, then drillmaster for game half-time shows. The an assistant superintendent, and later the band was made up of 100 males and the first lobbyist for the Oakland Intermedi- emphasis was on sound and precision.” ate School District. His election to the The band would march in formations—as Michigan Educators Hall of Fame in 1990 an automobile, for example—and play is a source of enormous pride. corresponding tunes such as “My Merry After graduating from MSC, Rosegart Oldsmobile.” When the band formed an “got hitched” to his high school sweet- airplane, Rosegart’s baton served as the heart, Phyllis. Nearly 50 years later, some propeller. years after her death, he married a fellow Oldsmobile usually underwrote one Florida resident, Dorothy. “We thought we band trip each year, opening the world could make great music in Florida during to Rosegart. He has special memories of the winter and in Michigan during the his first ride in a Pullman train car and a summer,” he says. Dorothy recently passed journey to Ann Arbor to lead the band in away, leaving Rosegart to ponder a perma- Kewpee’s, also known as Spiro’s, was one of the University of Michigan stadium for the nent return to Michigan to live near his Rosegart’s favorite campus hangouts. The first time. two children and Spartan connections—his site later became the location of a Jacobson’s Upon occasion, Rosegart also had the daughter, granddaughter and her husband, department store, which was replaced in 2001 Eldon Rosegart visits with Spartan Marching Band drum major Aaron Stallings and Spartan Marching Band thrill of attention from Michigan Gover- and nephew are all alumni of Michigan by a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Photo courtesy director John Madden at a 2004 home football game. nor Frank Murphy. While the governor’s State. n City of East Lansing. mansion in Lansing was being renovated,

 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005  celebrating the sesquicentennial

Beatnik Generation:

s The 1950s Art Major John Neering

An artist for half a century, John A. Neering (Class of ’51) has never been impressed by the artistic 50 temperament. The potter-turned- metal-sculptor says he likes to Music was the theme of the MSU Water Carnival work in steel because “it’s a in 1950. Neering’s float (above and at left, with blue collar metal,” although he Neering in the glasses at right) was called “The Age of Jazz” and depicted a cabaret and lamppost sometimes finds inspiration in the at the corner of Beal and Basin Streets. He recalls ethereal figures decorating Gothic that “Gilchrist student Rita Wager stood under the lamppost, suggestive of a lady of the evening. She cathedrals that he first encoun- was perfect for the scene.” So perfect, in fact, that tered in art history classes at when Life magazine photographers showed up on campus to shoot the carnival for top billing in a Michigan State College. summer edition, “they began jumping in the Red Neering, a native of Essexville, Michi- Cedar—dyed red for the occasion—to take close- gan, transferred from junior college to the up shots of her. It was pandemonium. We were just-emerging art department at MSC in elated.” The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1949. “When I moved into Shaw Hall,” 1950, however, preempted coverage of the carnival he says, “the plaster on the walls was still in Life. damp. That shows you how fast they were building to accommodate all the World War II veterans coming back to college.” whom I studied pottery, became a good instead. “My MSU art instructors taught On the south side of the river, Shaw friend. He drove all the way to Essexville me that an artist has to work very hard. If was then far removed from the rest of after I graduated to help me construct my you’re going to make a living at art, you campus life. “A lot of guys—there were no first kiln in my mother’s garage.” have to show up every day. To wait for co-ed dorms then—complained about the A longstanding and very popular MSU inspiration is procrastination.” long walk to classes, but it was ideal for tradition—the Water Carnival—consumed Eventually finding that he couldn’t turn me because the art department was in the Neering’s spring term in 1950. (The out enough pots to support a growing fam- army Quonset huts nearby.” An amateur tradition, which ended in 1969, will be ily of five children, Neering and his spouse, hoopster, Neering was also impressed revived in fall 2005 as part of the MSU Marjorie, moved to Grand Rapids where with Shaw’s winning intramural sports Sesquicentennial.) He explains that a he began a career as a color lithographer teams. The Ralph Young Honorary Coach nighttime parade of as many as 35 floats and maintained his thriving pottery studio member continues to be an avid booster constructed by student teams and lit with in off hours. In the early 1990s, he made of MSU athletics—“my whole calendar colored lights was pulled on an underwater another abrupt shift in direction, crank- revolves around attending MSU games,” pulley along the Red Cedar River—“almost ing up an old welder to begin the life of a he says. wild territory at the time,” he says. “Being sculptor. His prize-winning work can now True camaraderie and the influence of an art major, I was heavily involved. We be found throughout the United States, Professors Jim McConnell and Lou Raynor teamed up with Gilchrist Hall, a women’s Europe, and South America. “I have had a John Neering in his studio. marked Neering’s art department experi- dorm, to build our float.” richly rewarding life,” says Neering, “and I Photo © Dianne Carroll. ence. “I was totally impressed with Jim’s After graduating, Neering embarked smile all the way to work every day.” n demeanor,” says Neering. “He did not have on graduate work, but abruptly decided that ‘artist aura’ around him. Lou, with to follow his calling as a working artist

10 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005 11 celebrating the sesquicentennial s

A Decade of Social Upheaval: The 1960s Justin Morrill/French Major Carl Koivuniemi 60

“Don’t trust anyone over 30.” and self-directed students who wanted a plants illustrated in the Unicorn Tapestries more personal education than was other- so that they could be replicated in the This was the rebellious cry on the wise possible at a university whose student Cloisters’ medieval gardens. He also man- lips of many students when Carl enrollment grew from 23,681 in 1960 to aged the medieval music concert series and 41,974 in 1966. Student living quarters, the overall branch budget. These proved to Koivuniemi (Class of ’69) was faculty offices, and classrooms were all be his first steps on a circuitous path to his attending MSU in the second half located in or near Snyder-Phillips residence current position as deputy chief planning hall. (In 1979, the college’s programs were and budget officer for the Met. of the 1960s. At that time the absorbed by the College of Arts & Letters.) Finding that he liked the business side Vietnam war, protests, and riots Particular professors spurred of things, Koivuniemi began to pursue a Koivuniemi’s awakening. George Joyaux’s business degree at NYU part time. “In were part of daily life; the Civil introduction to existentialism and postwar business school, you work on case studies Rights Act and the Peace Corps French literature “shocked” him out of his in groups. The way courses had been taught stereotyped ways of looking at literature. in Justin Morrill—working in groups to were in their infancy; and MSU Fred Graham’s philosophy and religion pick apart situations rather than applying was constructing enormous courses introduced him to universal views a broad base of knowledge to a topic— of the world. Herb Josephs, from whom he helped me both in business school and in residence halls to accommodate took courses in 18th-century French life.” the first wave of “baby boomers” literature, was “one of the most outstand- With his business degree, Koivuniemi ing intellects” he encountered at MSU. made forays into CBS (“too big”) and the beginning to enroll in college. The intellectual community of Snyder American Academy in Rome (“too small”) “Students of my generation weren’t Hall also inspired him. “At Snyder, we before eventually making his way back to looking to fit into established organiza- could continue our intellectual pursuits the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he tions,” says Koivuniemi. “We were together outside of class. For example, we has worked in his current position for 15 trying to find out how we could change could sit at tables where only French was years. He has an annual operating budget organizations or build something else for spoken at meals.” His only extramural of more than $170 million and oversight of ourselves. Developing a set career path was activity was playing clarinet with various 19 curatorial departments, construction, Above: Carl Koivuniemi in the Carroll not important to me. School of Music ensembles. special exhibitions, fundraising, visitor and Milton Petrie European Sculpture “I was curious about a lot of different Steeped in French language and litera- services, and merchandising. “No one can Court, Metropolitan Museum of Art. areas, and Justin Morrill was the perfect ture and the ’60s social service mandate, do anything without spending money,” Photo © Brooks Walker. place to get a strong liberal arts educa- Koivuniemi spent several years with the he laughs. “My job is fantastic. I still find tion.” The residential college’s international Peace Corps teaching English in the every day an exciting challenge.” Left: Students gather at the south doors of emphasis and language requirement were Cameroon following graduation. In 1973 It’s a good thing people over 30 can be Berkey Hall in the 1960s. also “tremendous ways to open a young he returned to New York, eventually trusted. n student from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula answering a classified ad for someone to the world.” “interested in music and gardening” to Justin Morrill College, 1965-1979, was handle administrative duties at the MSU’s first residential college. It provided Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan a broad education in the humanities with Museum of Art. His first year there he a global outlook for independent-minded helped curators research the medieval

12 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005 13 celebrating the sesquicentennial s Second-Wave Baby Boomers: The 1970s Humanities Major Bill Nielsen 70 Xbox, a Microsoft division, is not yet four years old, but Bill Nielsen The registration “pit” in the early 1970s. (Class of ‘76) has to keep remind- ing his younger employees that some people in the world have extracurricular life was taken up by ing program, and led Kellogg into Internet residence hall politics, Gerald Ford con- marketing. His promotional partnerships never heard of it. gressional campaigns, and fraternity life at with professional sports leagues took him In case you’re one of them, Xbox is Alpha Kappa Psi. “We had so much grow- briefly into a start-up affinity card busi- ranked number two in the video game and ing up to do,” he says. “Our life was closer ness that went under. Relying again on entertainment business, with more than to what you see in the movie Animal House his network of friends, Nielsen landed in $1 billion in revenue. As director of Xbox than anyone would like to believe now.” Redmond, Washington, to help launch U.S. Subsidiary, Nielsen can take credit With the help of an adviser, he crafted Xbox in 2000. “It’s a great job,” he says. for the product’s phenomenal success. “But a humanities program for himself and “I’ve been very lucky.” Bill Gates checks up on me to make sure has never regretted it. “The success of my Although it’s harder now to get back to I’m behaving,” he laughs. It’s a big leap career is based on my being able to express Michigan, Bill and Denise will have added from Nielsen’s college days working at the myself in writing.” He points out William impetus when their daughter Megan Frandor Burger King (which he claims was Whallon as “one of the great profes- enters the College of Arts & Letters in fall one of the first restaurants in the country sors,” and he still counts Milton, Roland, 2005. “I love the MSU campus,” he says. to have a drive-up window). Beowulf, and Dante among his muses. “Even on an 8-degree-below-zero day, it’s An avid supporter of the arts, Nielsen Ultimately he graduated with honors. great.” n is still closely tied to MSU. He has served All of Nielsen’s roommates are still his as president of the board of the College of closest friends, and many form the network Arts & Letters Alumni Association and that has catapulted him from position to on the board of the Wharton Center for position, beginning with various school Performing Arts, where he and his spouse, system legal positions (he received his Denise, have created an endowment for JD from Cooley Law School in 1982), a students in arts management. “I’ve always position in the Iowa governor’s cabinet, felt a real tie to Clifton Wharton, who public sector labor work, corporate attorney was president when I was on campus. I at Gerber Products, and associate general remember the speech he gave to the enter- counsel at Kellogg Company, where he ing class, saying ‘look to your left, look to made a 180-degree turn into promotions your right—one of the three of you won’t and marketing. be here in four years.’” In his ten years at Kellogg, Nielsen Indeed, Nielsen might have been the earned a national reputation as a leader and missing one if he hadn’t pulled himself innovator in co-promotions and sponsor- together in his junior year. Much of his ships, established a highly profitable licens-

Bill Nielson with the Xbox Halo 2 character Master Chief. Photo © Kathryn Sauber.

14 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005 15 celebrating the sesquicentennial

“Totally Awesome”:

s The 1980s Philosophy Major Tina Nommay

Although Tina L. Nommay changed her major to philosophy in her junior year. Zolten Ferency’s courses piqued (Class of ’84) lives with the specter her interest in criminal law. “He was fan- of threat, it’s just one face of a job tastic,” she says. “The classes were thought provoking and allowed me to work on my she loves as Assistant U.S. writing and do more thinking. After eco- nomics and accounting, they were a breath

80 Attorney for the Northern District of fresh air.” of Indiana. “The wonderful thing For-credit internships at the state about my job,” she says, “is that Capitol and a Lansing law office led Nommay to Valparaiso University School I’m not worried about clients, of Law after her MSU graduation. “In law billables, or making partner. Work- school you have to be a good writer—to expand upon an idea and include many ing for the government allows me different theories and concepts. My MSU to do justice.” She also notes the philosophy classes made this very easy for me. I was among the top ten students in the thrill of having one of her cases first semester and later invited to write on come before the U.S. Supreme the Valparaiso Law Review.” After clerking for federal judges, Court. Nommay joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office Nommay began her journey to the law in 1989 and is now a federal prosecutor in as a business major at MSU. On the day she the criminal division handling gun, drug, and her mother arrived from Indiana to tour and white-collar crimes such as identity campus for the first time, theft and mail fraud. In her position, she signed with the National Basketball Associa- requires security clearance, is protected by tion—a big disappointment for this ardent a marshal service, and prefers not to say basketball fan. Nonetheless, once enrolled, much about her spouse, also an attorney, she attended every game, taking her turn and two young children. in shifts of students who stood in line to “The hard part of my job,” she says, purchase tickets to the “is that the caliber of the defendants is contests. Basketball’s current home, the changing. They are younger and don’t Student Events Center, was take responsibility for their actions. When then a field that students called “the tun- convicted, they blame everyone but them- dra—windy and miserable, and I had to trek selves— including me. I have not been across it to early morning classes.” threatened, but some of my colleagues have Standing in line, fast food, rock ’n roll, been.” and daily television were facts of MSU Currently president of the Northern student life in the ’80s. Nommay remem- Indiana MSU Alumni Association, bers waiting for hours to get into Dooley’s Nommay visits the MSU campus regularly. Pub and 2:00 a.m. forays to Taco Bell for She recently brought her children to attend Top: A few mementoes that remind burrito supremes. Bruce Springsteen echoed their first MSU football game. “They Nommay of her years on campus. through the dorms, and Huey Lewis and thought MSU was so cool. They couldn’t Bottom: Nommay and her McDonel the News appeared on campus—“I was in believe I once lived on campus. I tell Philosophy grad Tina Nommay prosecutes gun, drug, and white-collar crimes such as identity Hall floormates, 1982–83. the front row; I’ll never forget it,” she says. them frequently how friendly, caring, and theft and mail fraud as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Students often scheduled their classes so concerned everyone at MSU was to me. I’m they wouldn’t miss TV soap operas. trying to convert them from their Buckeye Impressed with the content and small allegiance to my Spartan heritage.” n size of Arts & Letters classes, Nommay

16 Spring/Summer 2005 Spring/Summer 2005 17 celebrating the sesquicentennial s Simon Caines (Class of ’95), a Another role model for Caines was University MSU Vice President for Research Percy high school honors student, was Pierre, under whom he did an independent Globalization: a little surprised when he was study. “Dr. Pierre was a real force in pushing me to do whatever I wanted to The 1990s admitted to MSU as part of CAAP do,” says Caines. (the College Achievement Admis- During the decade of the ’90s, MSU, English Major always known for its international Simon Caines sions Program), an alternative ad- strengths, was redefining its global mission missions process to help students and increasingly promoting affordable study abroad for all students. In an inter-

90 achieve success. However, when esting twist, Caines decided to be a “tourist he arrived in East Lansing and in his own town,” taking a study abroad program in the Caribbean to see his found that MSU’s population of homeland from a different perspective. about 40,000 students was as large “Although I came from the Caribbean, I had never been to a number of places— as that of his hometown—St. Trinidad, Tobago, Guyana, or Barbados for Thomas, Virgin Islands—Caines example. It was a very enriching experi- ence.” was grateful to have extra help After graduation and a short-lived career adjusting to more than just the selling cars in Orlando, Florida, Caines returned to the Virgin Islands to work with weather. the Humanities Council there, eventu- “I had some difficulty in the begin- ally becoming its executive director—the ning,” he says, “but I turned it around by youngest director and only black American my third term.” executive of any of the 56 U.S. humani- Openness was another novel experience ties councils at that time. Always active for Caines at MSU—openness about issues in the local Democratic Party, Caines left that, he says, were still taboo elsewhere in the council in 2003 at the invitation of During the ’90s, MSU redefined its global the world. “Nelson Mandela was freed the president of the legislature to serve as mission and promoted affordable study from prison while I was there,” he recalls. its executive director for a nearly unprece- abroad for all students. “I remember going to a celebration of dented two consecutive terms. In this role, MSU South African students and being he manages 14 divisions, a $16.5 million completely overcome by their joy. I was budget, and is responsible for the planning, motivated to join the Black Caucus at Ak- operating performance, administrative ers Hall. It was a time of huge change for functions, and leadership of the agency. me and opened my eyes, my mind, and my Caines is not worried about what will heart.” happen when his two-year appointment An English major with a special love is up. He’s weighing the possibility of for Macbeth, Caines found additional running for the Senate versus honing his inspiration in history classes, particularly writing skills and following his dream—“I those taught by Darlene Clark Hine and fancy myself a novelist,” he says. “But my Harry Reed. “They were so passionate goal has always been simply to make it about what they taught,” he says. “Profes- to tomorrow. I have been exceptionally sor Reed always seemed to be experiencing fortunate to have been able to do so many history as he lectured. I also learned about things by the age of 32.” n jazz from him—it was always playing on his radio during his office hours.” Simon Caines at St. Thomas harbor. Photo © Eric Johnson.

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The young life of Anne Edison- served as a volunteer teacher in a school s literacy program, an English teacher in Swift (Class of ’03) is bracketed China the summer of her senior year, a by her grandmother’s memories copy editor for , and an editorial board member of the of the Depression—“her stories Lansing State Journal. turned me into an English What little time was left for leisure she spent playing the game Trivial Pursuit and major”—and her first-hand attending coffeehouse concerts. “I was a observation of the digital divide: huge Flatfoot fan—the best band to come out of the College of Arts & Letters,” she that the computer, on which she claims. Flatfoot, in fact, was a common could type before she learned to bond between Edison-Swift and Sean 00 Albright, an MSU math and computer read or spell, is not as ubiquitous science major, whom she will marry in as many assume. July 2006. She formed another deep bond with actresses and activists participating in Now a member of Teach for America, The Vagina Monologues, a play celebrating Edison-Swift teaches English as a second femininity and now considered a cultural language at a Houston, Texas, public high phenomenon. “I got involved as an actress school, where some students arrive never and stayed involved as an organizer,” she having seen a computer. The position is says. “I was honored to be part of it.” one of many stops on a path of service After her two years with Teach for to which Edison-Swift was called after a America, Edison-Swift will attend Yale to childhood medical trauma. “I survived for pursue a Master of Divinity degree and a reason,” she says, “and decided to use my ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran life for service and ministry.” Her parents, Church in America. She would like to Top: Edison-Swift delivers the 2003 who work for the Evangelical Lutheran work with a congregation, a nonprofit student commencement address at the Church in America, urged her to con- organization, or in academia—“anywhere Jack Breslin Student Events Center. sider many options. “One of the reasons I can work for systemic change.” I looked at MSU instead of a religious The words of an MSU journalism Bottom: Flatfoot was a popular attraction school was to be sure this was a call and mentor still echo for Edison-Swift. at East Lansing coffeehouses. Edison-Swift not a convenience.” “Professor Sue Carter called us the calls Flatfoot “the best college band to A Chicago recruiting event convinced opportunity generation, able to do many come out of the College of Arts & Letters.” the Illinois native that MSU was the right things very well. I approach this with the place for her. “[Honors College External full knowledge and humility that I’ve Relations Director] Bess German made us got a long way to go. That’s something feel that there were nice, good, smart, and I realized at MSU, where I met so many interesting people at MSU,” she says. amazing mentors from whom I learned so At MSU, Edison-Swift found much.” n Anne Edison-Swift in her Houston, Texas, classroom. Catherine Fishburn’s class on literature Opportunity Generation: and medicine, which focused on the paradox of pain’s inexpressibility and need The New Century for expression, to be “vocation shaping and life changing.” Eric Rabkin at the Uni- English/Journalism Major versity of Michigan and Lister Matheson at MSU encouraged her to pursue an Anne Edison-Swift innovative science fiction project, track- ing changes in the content and form of the genre over time using a database. “The thesis is that literary genres are like living creatures that evolve and change,” she explains. Edison-Swift expanded on her classroom learning in many ways: she

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