Princeton University Bulletin, Oct. 12, 2009

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BULLETINVolume 99, Number 3 October 12, 2009 Setting the path for the study of race Center for African American Studies poised to lead at critical time CASS CLIATT rinceton’s Center for African American Studies is launching an P aggressive effort to become the leading resource for the public’s understanding of race in America, coming at a time when the center’s scholars say they are seeing an upward trend in racial issues igniting the country in a series of “brush fires.” Working with a new chair, scholars will build on growth and strategies developed in the center’s first three years to take advantage of fresh avenues to broaden discussions of race with the public, to engage in research that could be of use to policymakers, and to har- ness a unique interdisciplinary approach to reach the next generation of leaders. “When we begin to think about the direction of the field, we believe that Denise Applewhite Brian Wilson Denise Applewhite what we’re doing here at Princeton, Princeton’s Center for African American Studies, led by chair Eddie Glaude (left), brings pioneers in the field together with rising scholars such as right here in this moment, will set the Wendy Belcher (center) and Imani Perry (right) in an effort to become the pre-eminent resource for the public’s understanding of race in America. path for the field of African American studies in the next century,” said new center chair Eddie Glaude, Princeton’s a pool at a Philadelphia swim club in debate between leading academics in citizenship, “tea parties” to protest William S. Tod Professor of Religion June, there was a clamor for voices to this country and abroad devolved into so-called government intrusion, and a and African American Studies. “We dissect the social and political meaning a discussion of whether the Felix the congressman’s now infamous “You lie” have an enormous task ahead of us, so of the incident. There was a similar Cat cartoon character is black; and also outburst during the president’s health we’re very excited about it.” call when a black Harvard University when debates erupted about the racial care address to Congress. Scholars at the center noted that, professor was arrested outside his overtones of the “birther” movement when black children were banned from home by white officers in July; when a questioning President Barack Obama’s Continued on page 6 wide array of contexts and enthusias- tically support them in their unique Dickerson to retire from vice presidency endeavors. She understands students, and fights fiercely for their right to have a fun, meaningful, unique and after nearly 40 years mentoring students customized Princeton experience. She will be sorely missed, and I am person- RUTH STEVENS position. She oversees the Office of ally very thankful for the profound the Dean of Undergraduate Students, influence that she has had on my time anet Smith Dickerson, Princeton’s the Department of Athletics, Uni- here at Princeton.” first vice president for campus life, versity Health Services, the Office of Dickerson came to Princeton from Jhas announced plans to retire at the Religious Life and the Pace Center. Duke University, where she had been end of the academic year on June 30. She also had responsibilities for the vice president for student affairs Dickerson, who joined the Prince- Frist Campus Center when it opened for nine years. She spent 15 years at ton administration in 2000, has in 2000. In addition, she has sought Swarthmore College, including the last devoted a career of nearly 40 years to ways, in collaboration with the Gradu- 10 as dean of the college. She began students at four U.S. colleges and uni- ate School, to enhance the quality of her career in student life administra- versities. She intends to remain active graduate student life. tion at Earlham College, where she was in the Princeton community, but will “Janet Dickerson leaves a lasting associate dean of students and assistant spend more time with her family, mark on this university,” said President professor of education from 1971 to including three daughters who live on Tilghman. “Not only has she champi- 1976. She earned her B.A. from West- the West Coast. oned many wonderful improvements ern College for Women (later merged Executive Vice President Mark to the experiences of students outside with Miami University of Ohio) and Burstein, to whom Dickerson reports, the classroom, most significantly the her M.Ed. from Xavier University. She said that a search committee has been implementation of the four-year college has done advanced graduate study at formed to seek a successor. He hopes to system, she has personally touched the the University of Pennsylvania and at have a new vice president selected by lives of so many students along the way. Harvard University. Denise Applewhite the spring semester so that there are a She has been a constant presence at At Princeton, Dickerson was part few months of overlap. Janet Smith Dickerson student events, from football games in of the leadership team, along with “Janet’s contributions to under- the stadium to prayer meetings in the Burstein and Dean of the College graduate and graduate student life provide a superb platform for the next chapel, and her door is always open for Nancy Malkiel, that planned for the at Princeton are immeasurable,” he vice president for campus life.” students in need of a friendly face and an transition from the two-year to the said. “She has significantly enhanced Dickerson said, “I hope my succes- understanding heart.” four-year residential college program. our community and culture, and has sor will view this as a great job. It’s Princeton senior Connor Diemand- The final pieces of that program, for worked tirelessly to make sure that all been a wonderful job for me. I enjoy Yauman, president of the Undergradu- which planning began in 2000, are in students are able to take full advantage facing the opportunities and chal- ate Student Government, added, “Vice place this fall with the opening of the of the Princeton experience. Finding lenges each day brings.” President Dickerson is one of the new Butler College dormitories. her successor will be a very difficult Before Dickerson was hired, the most compassionate, dedicated and “I’m proud of the fact that we have task. Fortunately we have time to title for the position was changed from approachable administrators I’ve had six directors of student life who are conduct a thorough search, and her dean of student life to reflect the broad the opportunity to work with. She has contributions to this institution will administrative responsibilities of the a rare ability to relate to students in a Continued on page 2 What’s Benefits open enrollment period begins 3 Colomina takes Leonard to give first President’s Lecture 5 wide-angle view of architecture 8 inside? Readings mark 70 years of creative writing 7 PRINCETON 2 UNIVERSITY BULLETIN October 12, 2009 it’s at a place closer to the center of the • the work of the Undergraduate Life Dickerson University,” she said. “It’s become in Committee, which she co-chairs with a Spotlight Continued from page 1 many ways a national model. We have student and has helped deal with issues a great staff.” including substance-free sections and additional and very important members One outgrowth of the two health smoking in the dorms, alcohol, health of the team of deans and directors that groups she co-chaired is the Alcohol services, career services, the bookstore, create a support structure for the stu- Coalition Committee. Made up mostly transportation and parking, public dents in each college,” Dickerson said. of students but also including faculty safety, race relations, independent stu- She said she is “thrilled” to have new and staff, the committee is working dent issues, students with disabilities, spaces on Prospect Avenue to comple- to address high-risk drinking among and economic equity. ment the residential college program, undergraduates. Dickerson is the • the efforts — such as Sustained including Campus Club, which is a group’s executive sponsor. Dialogue, which Dickerson has been gathering place for undergraduate and “This group has a wonderful instrumental in supporting — to graduate students, and 58 Prospect, structure that gives students the increase understanding between divi- home of the Fields Center, Community responsibility for taking up these sions in society including race, gender, House and some Pace Center staff. issues,” she said. “It has recognized religion and social class. Dickerson also co-chaired with that we can’t change campus culture • the success of efforts to enhance Burstein the Diversity Working Group, unless students have a leadership role.” the presence and voices of students at University trustees’ and other leadership which recommended steps the Univer- Expanding opportunities for students sity could take to increase the diversity meetings, and to make the Princeton In reflecting on areas where she felt community a more inclusive place for all. of its staff and outlined efforts to ensure she has contributed the most at Prince- a long-term commitment to supporting Dickerson acknowledged that her ton Dickerson constantly listed the roles as University liaison to the ROTC a staff that reflects a broad range of tal- people, groups and offices that have ents and perspectives. As a result, the and to the Princeton Blairstown Center helped her in her endeavors. have been personally as well as profes- University increased its administrative “I certainly don’t want to take credit Denise Applewhite capacity and leadership in areas related sionally rewarding, as has her service for anything personally,” she said.

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