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
Ca s s Cl i a t t
rinceton’s Center for African American Studies is launching an P aggressive effort to become the leading resource for the public’s under- standing 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- Ru t h St e v e n s 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. as a trustee of McCarter Theatre. She to staff diversity in 2006. “Together, we’ve really worked to Name: Cameron Clark. Among Dickerson’s other responsibil- also has enjoyed representing Princeton expand opportunities for students.” Position: Lead janitor in Building ities during her tenure was co-chairing on the Policy Committee of the Ivy Some of the other areas where Dick- Services. Cleaning offices, carpets and the Task Force on Health and Well- League. erson felt she and others have made bathrooms in various buildings. Strip- Being and its successor, the Healthier As for her fondest memories, significant progress included: Dickerson brings up a sad time, but ping and waxing floors. Princeton Advisory Board, with Vice • the thriving of the Frist Campus Cen- one she felt demonstrated the unity Quote: “I like my job because I get to President and Secretary Robert Dur- ter, which some administrators feared among her staff that she had been interact with a lot of different people. kee. In 2004, the task force made many might be a “white elephant” but became seeking to achieve. A student had I’m an amateur photographer, so I enjoy recommendations, including increasing “central to all of our lives,” she said. died in an accident off campus, and taking photos of the architecture on the staff in University Health Services • the expansion of facilities and the the community had gathered for a campus, especially Whitman College and improving Campus Recreation building of a community of friends memorial service. and the Graduate College. The light is facilities, that have been implemented. groups in athletics. Dickerson said she has been success- “One of the things I was working usually best right around sunset.” • the expansion of the mission of the on was to help us feel like we have a ful in seeking funds for improvements Office of Religious Life to include sup- Other interests: Traveling to Australia, in those areas and others through the mission in common even though we port of and outreach to students from are actually very different groups England, Switzerland and other coun- Priorities Committee process. “I’m all the major religious backgrounds, tries to take photos. Hiking and surfing. really proud to say that we received Pri- from one another,” Dickerson said. including the addition of coordinators “But we are all focused on the student orities Committee support every year for Muslim and Hindu life. that I’ve been here,” she said. “I’m so and the student experience. We all • the establishment of the Lesbian, care deeply about the whole student. grateful that our staff has put together Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center Campus life VP search excellent proposals, but also that we’ve Even in the face of such pain, we in Frist and enhanced support for the were all there together. And we made been able to capitalize by having stu- other cultural centers. committee formed dents on the committee and others who a lot of connections with those most • the flourishing of the Pace Center, impacted by the tragedy.” ark Burstein, executive vice know how much we needed the addi- bringing under one umbrella the Uni- tional support in health services, the After she retires, Dickerson said that Mpresident, will chair the search versity’s civic engagement efforts. she first plans to take “a little sabbati- committee for the new vice president dean’s office and Campus Recreation.” • the growth of opportunities for She is particularly pleased with the cal.” Then she intends to continue her for campus life. For the full list of graduate students, including “McCa- work as an active member of commu- faculty, students and staff members progress University Health Services rter Nights” and opportunities for has made. “It is still an integrated nity organizations. She also hopes to who will make up the committee, visit them to serve as resident graduate travel and to write.
Kalmbach is survived by his father The Office of Career Services annually other service industries (26 percent); Princeton student John, a 1973 Princeton graduate, and surveys Princeton seniors to gather education and other nonprofit work his mother Cecilia, a 1974 graduate; information about their post-graduation (24 percent); government (6 percent); Eliot Kalmbach dies and his sisters Hilary, a 2004 graduate, plans. The class of 2009 survey, con- and manufacturing (6 percent). and Whitney, a 2005 graduate. ducted in May and June, revealed that: • Twelve percent of the graduates rinceton undergraduate Eliot Contributions • Sixty-seven percent of graduat- accepted yearlong internships, typi- Kalmbach died in a mountain- may be made ing seniors were pursuing full-time cally in nonprofit, public service and Peering accident in Wyoming to the Franklin employment or yearlong internships, international organizations. Sept. 22. He was 24. Institute Science while 25 percent were planning fur- • Among those planning further Kalmbach was majoring in geosci- Museum, Devel- ther education. About 6 percent were education, the largest concentrations ences and was a resident of Mathey opment Office, planning to join the military, travel, were in sciences and mathematics College. He was planning to return 222 N. 20th St., play professional sports or pursue (18 percent); law (17 percent); medi- to the University in February 2010 to Philadelphia, PA other opportunities. About 2 percent of cine (17 percent); humanities complete his senior year. 19103; and/or students did not respond to the survey. (16 percent); engineering (16 per- He died from a fall while hiking Philmont Scout • Of those employed full time, the cent); and social sciences (16 percent). with a friend at Teewinot Mountain in Ranch, 17 Deer most popular career choices were • Six percent of the students will be Grand Teton National Park. He was a Run Road, Cimar- investment banking and other financial working outside the United States, native of Downingtown, Pa. Kalmbach ron, NM 87714. services (33 percent); consulting and while the others will work in the Northeast (51 percent); the Mid-Atlan- The Princeton University Bulletin (© 2009 The Trustees of Princeton University) is published semimonthly in September, tic (21 percent); the Southwest and Princeton Bulletin October, February, March, April and May, and monthly in November, December and June. This frequency coincides with the West (11 percent); the Southeast university academic year and excludes University breaks and exam weeks. The Bulletin is published by the Office of Communications, (5 percent); the Midwest (3 percent); 22 Chambers St., Suite 201, Princeton, NJ 08542. A total of 15 issues will be published between September 2009 and the Northwest (2 percent). www.princeton.edu/bulletin and June 2010. A publication schedule can be found at
he annual benefits open enroll- health/substance abuse services open enrollment period, faculty and staff must re-enroll if they want to par- ment period for the University’s will not have treatment and visita- staff will have one last opportunity to ticipate in these plans in 2010. T health and welfare plans will run tion limitations, and coinsurance increase supplemental life insurance Open enrollment packets were from Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, and copayments will be aligned with by the value of the employee’s base mailed to benefits-eligible faculty Oct 30. Open enrollment offers faculty medical/surgical services. The health salary without providing evidence of and staff at their homes on or about and staff an opportunity to review their plans will still apply utilization review insurability (EOI), unless that increase Oct. 8. Employees should carefully current benefits and consider changes standards and make medical neces- raises the amount of life insurance review their current coverage and the to their coverage that will become sity determinations for both medical/ above $300,000 or three times annual open enrollment packet for detailed effective Jan. 1, 2010. surgical and mental health/substance base salary, at which point EOI will be information. In order for dependent(s) to be abuse benefits. required. Beginning next year, dur- Faculty and staff members may covered as of Jan. 1, 2010, employ- The University also is making some ing the open enrollment period, all access eBenefits, the online benefits ees must bring dependent eligibility significant changes to the basic and increases in supplemental life insur- system, to review their current benefit documentation to the Office of Human supplemental life insurance plans ance will require EOI. elections as well as to make their Resources no later than Dec. 4. After effective Jan. 1. These include: • New spousal voluntary life insur- 2010 benefit elections online. Faculty that date, dependents for whom verifi- • The current age reduction schedule ance and child voluntary life insurance and staff will not be receiving a paper cation is not supplied will be removed under the basic life insurance plan will will be offered to faculty and staff personalized benefits enrollment from the health care plans effective be modified with further reductions in enrolled in the supplemental life insur- form. However, a paper form may be Dec. 31. the volume of life insurance coverage ance plan. requested. Effective Jan. 1, the contribution rates for faculty and staff members over age Open enrollment also is the time All benefit enrollment changes must for all medical plans, the Aetna DMO 70. when employees can enroll or re- be submitted online by midnight Friday, Dental plan and the vision care plan will • The supplemental life insurance enroll in the expense account plans Oct. 30; however, there will be no human increase. In addition, the copayment for program will utilize the same age-based (Health Benefit Expense Account and/ resources assistance after 5 p.m. physician office visits under the Unit- reduction schedule being used for the or Dependent Care Expense Account) Questions can be directed to the edHealthcare and Aetna PPO plans will basic life program. The supplemental for 2010. Elections in the expense human resources benefits team at increase from $15 to $20. life insurance elections are increas- account plans do not carry forward 258-3302 or
Visiting fellows More news on the Web bring range of Visit the News at Princeton Web page at
University Concert Jazz Ensemble concert 8 p.m. Oct. 17 Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall nassaunotes
An international upcoming symposium on Chinese Lecture: “Free Will and documentary photography Neuroscience” will be held from 9 a.m. to Alfred Mele, Florida State University 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in McCosh 50. The event, 2 Robertson Hall titled “China Seen by the Chinese: Documentary Lecture: “Resolving New Details Photography, 1951-2003” in the Cosmic Microwave will explore the beginning of Background” Chinese social documentary Joseph Fowler photography and the nature 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15 of documentary photography, A10 Jadwin Hall such as this image, “Iron Rice Bowl,” by photographer Film screening: Hei Ming. The symposium “The Hunchback is sponsored by the Tang of Notre Dame” Center for East Asian Art 9 p.m. Oct. 16 and organized in conjunction University with an exhibition titled Chapel “Humanism in China: A Contemporary Record National Chemistry of Photography” at the Week 2009 activities night China Institute Gallery in 7 p.m. Oct. 23
Courtesy of Guangdong Museum of Art New York. Frick Laboratory For more, visit
Cornel West, Princeton’s Class of (2004) and “Hope on a Tightrope: 1943 University Professor in the Words and Wisdom” (2008). Center for African American Studies, This event is sponsored by the Center Uniqueness of the brain is topic of will discuss his new memoir, “Brother for African American Studies. A lim- West: Living and Loving Out Loud,” ited number of complimentary tickets at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, in were made available at talk by neuroscientist Ramachandran McCosh 10. the Frist Cam- West is a 4:30 p.m. pus Center ticket “What Neurology Can Tell Us About Ramachandran’s lecture will address renowned Oct. 19 office starting Human Nature” two phenomena as keys to understand- public intel- McCosh 10 Tuesday, Oct. 6, is the focus of ing brain function. The first concerns lectual who for the University a lecture by 8 p.m. his work with phantom limbs, which is frequently community (two noted neurosci- Oct. 15 reveals the plasticity of the brain. The quoted on the intersection of Ameri- tickets per Uni- entist Vilayanur McCosh 50 second involves synesthesia, an inherited can society, politics, race and class. A versity ID) and Ramachan- condition in which sounds and printed bestselling author, he is also known Tuesday, dran at 8 p.m. numbers are seen as colored, for his groundbreaking book on race Oct. 13, for the Thursday, Oct. 15, in McCosh 50. which explains the neu- and America, “Race Matters” (1993), public (two tickets Ramachandran is director of the ral basis for high-level its sequel, “Democracy Matters” per person). Center for Brain and Cognition at functions — includ- the University of California-San ing metaphor and Diego and adjunct professor of abstraction — that biology at the Salk Institute for make the human and the years-long battle against mad Biological Studies. He is known brain unique. Kahn to speak on cow disease in the United Kingdom. for his research on human The talk is des- Kahn holds ignated as a Louis visual perception and behavioral Ramachandran leadership during a degree in 7:30 p.m. neurology. One of his most famous Clark Vanuxem nursing from Oct. 15 experiments involved the use of mir- Lecture sponsored the University 120 Lewis Library rors in therapy to treat the “phantom by the University Public health crises of California- pain” experienced by amputees. Lecture Series. Los Angeles, Laura H. Kahn, a health policy an M.D. from Mount Sinai School of researcher at Princeton, will discuss Medicine, a master of public health her new book, “Who’s in Charge: from Columbia University and a mas- Leadership During Epidemics, ter of public policy from the Wilson Lectures explore international relations Bioterror Attacks and Other Public School. She is also a fellow of the will present the following lectures: Health Crises,” at 7:30 p.m. Thurs- Renowned international relations scholar American College of Physicians. “Understanding the Global System” on day, Oct. 15, in 120 Lewis Library. Stanley Hoffmann will deliver three The talk is sponsored by the Lewis Oct. 13 in Dodds Auditorium; “Eth- Kahn is a physician talks in a new lecture series in honor Library. ics and Global Policy” on Oct. 14 in and a research of retired Princeton scholar Richard Dodds Auditorium; and “U.S. Foreign health policy Ullman at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Policy, Past and Future” on Oct. 15 in scholar with Online: More information Thursday, Oct. 13-15, in Robertson Hall. 16 Robertson. the Program Hoffmann, the Buttenwieser Univer- wws.princeton.edu/news/LauraKahnbook The lecture series, sponsored by the in Science sity Professor at Harvard University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and Global and International Affairs and the Security in Princeton Uni- the Wood- versity Press, row Wilson 4:30 p.m. Kahn Panel addresses future of conservativism is designed School of Oct. 13-15 to feature Public and Robertson Hall “The Future of Conservatism” is the philosophical perspectives differ outstanding International subject of a panel discussion featuring somewhat, but all are interested in scholars of Affairs. In the book, commentators Ross Douthat, David making conservatism appeal to a international she argues for the necessity of a clear Frum, Daniel broader audience, including immi- affairs addressing topics of pressing chain of command during public Larison and Vir- 4:30 p.m. grants, working-class Americans and concerns to the world community, such health emergencies, and explores five ginia Postrel at Oct. 12 younger citizens. as national security, globalization, the crises and how leadership broke down 4:30 p.m. Mon- McCosh 50 Princeton history professors Kevin international economy, human rights during each: the 2001 anthrax attacks; day, Oct. 12, in Kruse and Julian Zelizer will moder- and environmental challenges. Each the 1993 outbreak of the parasite cryp- McCosh 50. ate the discussion, which is designated lecture series will be compiled into tosporidium in the United States; the The panelists are well known for as a Stafford Little Lecture sponsored book form and published by Princeton 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto; the their commentary on the direction of by the University Public Lecture University Press. 2001 foot-and-mouth disease crisis; American politics and society. Their Series. Princeton October 12, 2009 university Bulletin 5
Calendarlinks Oct. 12–25 For broader listings of campus public events: Public Events Calendar Leonard to give first talk in President’s Lecture Series
an expanded curriculum after deter- and also raise awareness on campus “What we’re seeing here is a cohort Center mining that reflections on race and the among students who will become the of faculty whose work in some signifi- Continued from page 1 experiences of black people should be next generation of national leaders. cant way is trailblazing in their own diffused throughout a liberal arts edu- According to the center’s leaders, the unique fields,” Glaude said. “Part of cation as an “indispensable element in a What was missing for most people, proof that it’s working is the growing our mission is to build the kinds of preparation for life in this country.” according to Glaude, were the tools numbers of students pursuing a certifi- platforms for research that can impact Under the leadership of its first to help people think through these cate in African American studies. Last the nation, not only in terms of the director, Woodrow Wilson Profes- moments that reflect a “transition in dis- year, the center had its largest number of specific fields of our faculty, but also sor of Literature Valerie Smith, the cussion about race in the United States.” certificate students in the history of the impact public policy.” center moved to Stanhope Hall in “I see the center’s role as a place to program — 41 compared to the average 2007, and built the number of its core New approach for a new era generate languages to help us talk about of 20 in past years — and has become faculty positions from two to today’s The center’s leaders asserted that a race in light of the moment in which we one of the top five of 42 established cer- 17. Associated and affiliated faculty in key element in realizing their goals is a find ourselves, when we have these occa- tificate programs chosen by students. other departments now contribute an recognition that public thought and poli- sions for brush fire,” Glaude said. “We One draw, according to the center, additional 18 members. cies throughout the country are being can help to put them out, but that does is that the faculty members teach and The center has increased courses shaped by the ever-expanding frame- nothing to sustain a needed dialogue; so conduct research in fields ranging by more than 40 percent, offering 36 work of cable news and new media. we want to do more than that. from psychology to art and archaeol- courses this year, compared to the “If you look at the public context of “When the conditions are arid enough ogy to engineering. They focus on estimated 25 courses typically offered the quality of discussion about race, that one spark can lead to a wholesale three subfields in the center’s curricu- a few years ago. And while some other the quality has declined,” said West, fire,” he added, “we want to have some lum: African American culture and institutions providing African Ameri- the Class of 1943 University Professor folks around who have read about our life; comparative race and ethnicity; can studies focus either on the specific in the Center for African American work — who have paid attention to what and race and public policy. experiences of black people in America Studies. “When it comes to television, we do — who can say, ‘Well, wait a min- Professors who call the center home or research of the African diaspora, radio and the Internet, the quality of ute; there’s another way in which we can say they find it unique in envisioning Princeton encourages students of discussion is pretty poor, so you get think about these issues,’ to get us out the field of African American studies varying backgrounds to encounter this juxtaposition between the acad- of this kind of simplistic and somewhat as a universe of theoretical approaches, and reflect on the history of race in the emy making breakthroughs and the melodramatic framework.” rather than as a minor subdiscipline on nation through a unique interdisci- larger public not only not cognizant of A new era of leading scholars in the margins. plinary approach. Courses range from the breakthroughs, but retreating into the center have joined pioneers in the “Committed to fighting racial dis- “Chinatown USA,” which examines vulgar discussions about race.” field to help the country have results- crimination, the center does so partly American integration and nationalism, West, one of the most widely known oriented discussions about race at what by leading into a future where the to “The Nation of Islam in America.” and quoted public intellectuals on the the scholars say is a critical time that content of African diasporic tradi- “There is no other field that has a topics of American society, race, politics is testing the nation’s commitment to tions dominates scholarly and popular bibliography that has explored all the and class issues, said the increasingly democratic ideals. discussions, not narrow ideas of color,” issues in the totality of what the coun- dominant role of news media — and the “We can have the symbolism of the said Wendy Belcher, assistant pro- try is facing,” Rooks said. “Some of the proliferation of news outlets — requires Obama presidency, but we need to fessor of comparative literature and initiatives we’re putting into place are race studies to take advantage of new understand it beyond the level of being African American studies. to give people who need to talk about vehicles to reach broader audiences. post-racial,” said Noliwe Rooks, the “In such a space, someone like me, race the tools to do it.” Traditionally, exploration of strate- center’s associate director. She explained a white American who became fas- The center is in the final stages of gies to tackle homelessness, disparities that some people think Obama’s election cinated with the richness of African developing two internship programs that in education, lack of health care and has moved America to a “post-racial era” intellectual traditions while grow- will support research and data collec- other conditions that disproportion- that comes after the conclusion of an era ing up in Ethiopia and Ghana, is tion to confront issues of disparity in ately affect minority communities has of considerations of race. welcomed, and I can work to expand urban education, Rooks said. Readings not crossed the bridge from academic “There are still too few places Americans’ notions of the contribu- of works by such well-known scholars journals to mainstream consumption. where someone is taking responsibil- tions of people of color to global as faculty member Cornel West (see Among the new ways that faculty ity for sharing accurate information history and culture,” she added. page 4) will allow the public to share in in the center are reaching audiences about America and race,” Rooks said. Building the faculty infrastructure is intimate experiences of race, and a series are: blogs and social media websites; “Someone needs to tell people about one part of a multifaceted approach to of conferences hosting political leaders, partnerships with broadcast channels the America that has gotten us to this bring together leading minds to help scholars and artists will provide oppor- to distribute public debates and events point, so that we know enough to move solve evolving race issues, Glaude said. tunities for local and national audiences to wider audiences; agreements for forward. That’s what we’re doing here The faculty members range from to focus on issues of race and democracy. regular appearances on TV and radio (at the center).” Professor Anne Cheng, who explores These include the James Baldwin Lec- racial identity in America, to Assis- news shows; and scheduled appear- Growth and initiatives ture, named after the author and cultural tant Professor Alexandra Vazquez, ances on talk shows to speak directly The center was established in critic, which will be delivered this year who studies Latina/o American musi- to the public and people of influence. September 2006, after existing as an by Tilghman and broadcast through a cal culture, to Assistant Professor “The media are concerned about academic certificate program at Prince- radio partnership with WNYC. Angel Harris, who seeks to debunk sensationalizing polarization in order to ton for 37 years. A task force appointed The events provide a sustained theories about the achievement gap in by President Tilghman recommended forum for scholars and policymakers, education. Continued on page 7 Princeton October 12, 2009 university Bulletin 7 Readings celebrate 70 years of creative writing at Princeton
istinguished writers affiliated Thorp nominated poet and critic Allen might read and to begin writing with feedback and instruction for both begin- with Princeton’s internationally Tate as the first resident fellow in cre- knowledge of the creative process. For ners and advanced writers. Each year Drenowned Program in Creative ative writing. Over the nearly 20 years many students taking creative writing 15 to 20 seniors work individually with Writing will be featured in a reading that followed — under the direction of courses at Princeton was also how they a member of the faculty on a creative series celebrating the 70th anniversary Richard P. Blackmur — a succession of first discovered literature, or at least a thesis, writing a novel or a collection of of creative writing at the University poets, writers and critics taught in the passion for literature,” said Keeley, the short stories, poems or translations. this year. program, including John Berryman, Charles Barnwell Straut Class of 1923 “People often say that if we offered Maxine Kumin and Joyce Carol Joseph N. Frank, Delmore Schwartz, Professor of English Emeritus and a master of fine arts our program Oates will lead off the readings by William Meredith, Robert Fitzgerald, professor of creative writing emeritus. would be the most celebrated one in current and former faculty, alumni, Sean O’Faolain, Richard Eberhart, It also was during Keeley’s leader- the world, given the renown and tal- fellows and students in the program Kingsley Amis and Philip Roth. ship that the program moved to its ent of our teaching team. In the true at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in The program continued to evolve, current location, the former Nassau tradition of Princeton’s dedication to the Stewart Film Theater at the Lewis most notably under the leadership of Street School at 185 Nassau St. undergraduate education we are able Center for the Arts, 185 Nassau St. Edmund Keeley, who served as direc- Keeley was succeeded by James to lavish on our students the acquired Kumin, who taught at Princeton in tor from 1965 to 1981, as it changed Richardson (1981 to 1990), whose experience and talent of our extraordi- 1978-79 and 1981-82, has published 16 its name to the Program in Creative directorship saw the arrival of Toni nary writer-professors,” White said. books of poetry, including the Pulitzer Writing and Theater and finally to the Morrison and Muldoon. The later Lee added, “A wonderful development Prize-winning “Up Country: Poems of Program in Creative Writing. Theodore program was directed by A. Walton in the program in recent years is that New England.” She also has published Weiss joined Keeley in 1966 and the two Litz (1990 to 1992), Muldoon (1993 to we’ve been able to accept more students a memoir, collections of essays and short did much to expand the program, bring- 2002), Edmund White (2002 to 2006) than ever before; in the past we couldn’t stories, and some 20 children’s books. ing in such writers as Elizabeth Bowen, and Chang-rae Lee (2006 to present). accept every qualified student — even Oates, the Roger S. Berlind ’52 Pro- Thomas Gunn, Anthony Burgess, Gal- Princeton students currently work for our introductory-level classes — as fessor in the Humanities, has taught at way Kinnell, Oates and Banks. under the guidance of faculty members we simply had many more applications Princeton since 1978. One of the most Keeley changed the format of cre- who hold some of the country’s most than spots. But with the addition of both eminent and prolific American fiction ative writing courses from precepts prestigious literary honors and awards, permanent and adjunct faculty, we’ve writers, she is the author of more than to the current workshop format. “The including Eugenides, Lee, Muldoon, increased the number of workshops we 70 novels, short stories, literary criti- creative writing program, as I ini- Oates, Richardson, Tracy Smith, Susan offer, and we’re pleased that now many cism, essays, poetry volumes and plays, tially understood it, was primarily to Wheeler, White and Williams. Small more underclassmen have the chance to including the bestsellers “We Were the teach students how to read as a writer workshop courses provide intensive work with our great roster of writers.” Mulvaneys” (1996), “Blonde” (2001), “The Falls” (2004) and “The Grave- digger’s Daughter” (2007). Among numerous accolades, Oates has received The Program in Creative Writing’s 70th the National Book Award, the PEN/ anniversary reading series, organized by Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Chang-rae Lee and Susan Wheeler, is part of Fiction and the O. Henry Prize for con- the ongoing Althea Ward Clark Reading Series, tinued achievement in the short story. which allows campus and local community Other participants in the yearlong members to hear and meet leading writers of reading series will include Russell contemporary poetry and fiction. The following Banks, Jeffrey Eugenides, Chang-rae readings will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays Lee, W.S. Merwin, Mona Simpson, in the Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau St. Robert Stone, Chase Twichell and Biographies of the writers — plus more about Oct. 21 Nov. 18 C.K. Williams (see box). this history of the program — can be found at Maxine Kumin, poetry Robert Stone, prose “For those who have tended to think
generation of black intellectuals talking “African American faces, voices and racism and race oftentimes impede the Center about race in the “era of Obama.” cultures are constantly on our air- actualization of our ideals as a nation.” Continued from page 6 “In 2008 the United States elected waves and in our digital media, and The center’s work plays a pivotal role our first African American president, yet African Americans are underrep- in delivering the message that while a landmark historical event, and yet in resented in decision-making positions people champion the progress in race keep up their profits, and it’s devastat- 2009, African Americans are hugely and ownership in corporate and new relations, some of those same people ing, I think, for the public life of the overrepresented in the criminal justice media,” Perry said. “What explains all today are struggling with health care, nation,” West said. “I think you’ve got to system, among the homeless, among of these counterintuitive pairings of the unemployment, underemployment, edu- target citizens who are themselves criti- those on public assistance, and are the realization of the ‘American dream’ and cation and other issues, the scholars said. cal of the media like Stephen Colbert, American ethnic group hardest hit exclusions from ‘America’s promise?’ “If we don’t have a quality of dis- Tavis Smiley and Amy Goodman.” by the current economic crisis,” said Why is it that we aspire to a post-racial cussion, it’s going to spill over into In referring to Colbert, the satirist of Imani Perry, a professor in the center or color-blind America, and yet con- violence,” West said, “and if that TV’s “Comedy Central,” and Smiley, appointed this past June. tinue to see that race has a significant happens, then American democracy the television and radio talk show Labor statistics in September reflected impact on our lives and experiences? is in grave danger, to say the least. host, as well as Goodman, co-host a 9.7 percent national unemployment “The field of African American So in that regard I would say that the of the “DemocracyNow!” daily radio rate, but 15.5 percent unemployment studies allows us to investigate and discussion of race in America is critical news program, West said that there among blacks, the center’s leaders noted. provide potential answers to these — and yes, I use that word critical.” has been among scholars in the past Also, a disproportionate number of the and other important questions,” Perry African American studies is more a mindset against using such media 45 million uninsured who are at the cen- explained. “More than that, African important than ever because Obama’s vehicles to spread a specific message to ter of the current health reform debate American studies is a lens through election has led some people to think reach mass audiences. This is despite are African Americans and Latinos. which to understand how societies that continued talk of anything racial the effectiveness of the same mecha- Perry’s focus of research is to identify categorize themselves, how we make is racist, the scholars said. nisms to squelch public discussion. how individuals sustain racial inequal- meaning, how we produce culture.” Debates are proliferating over the “That’s why I like Eddie Glaude,” ity in their daily practices. Along with Glaude echoed that the election of notion that America has “overcome,” in West said. “He has these connec- West, she represents the center’s first Obama “doesn’t erase the structural terms of fulfilling the goals of the civil tions with Tavis Smiley, Gwen Ifill members solely appointed to African legacies of white supremacy and how rights era. (of public television) and others. The American studies, whereas the pro- they continue to over-determine the life “At this moment more than movement of quality discourse in the gram previously relied exclusively on chances of many of our fellow citizens.” anything, the accomplishment of academy into the general public is very half-time faculty assigned through joint “Part of what African American stud- President Obama as president cannot important for the vitality of our future appointments from other departments. ies brings to the table is a kind of skill represent a job well done; there is too and our nation.” Perry noted that there are marked set to help us talk about the realities much work left to do,” Glaude said. The work being done by the Center gaps between blacks and whites, of race,” Glaude said. “Not simply just “African American studies can help for African American Studies reflects even as the country approaches 150 black and white, but the realities of race us understand the subtleties of race that the current generation is experienc- years since the abolition of slavery, in relation to this American experiment and racism, even in this moment. ing race in a different way than in the and 50 years since the Jim Crow laws that aren’t predicated upon making In fact, because of this moment, we era of civil rights, leaders said. Some sanctioning racist and segregationist people feel guilty about some racist past, need African American studies even of the center’s faculty are part of a new practices were dismantled. but rather helping us understand how more.” Princeton 8 university Bulletin October 12, 2009 Wide-angle approach to architecture Historian Colomina infuses ‘playful creativity’ into study of the field
Je n n i f e r Gr e e n s t e i n Al t m a n n The work was Interdisciplinary reach particularly suited The research seminars are part of rchitectural historian Beatriz to a team approach, Princeton’s unique Program in Media Colomina pushes her students to said graduate stu- and Modernity, which promotes the Aexplore every possible avenue as dent Craig Buckley. interdisciplinary study of 20th-century they conduct research on modern archi- “Tackling the culture by examining architecture, tecture. They have gone to small villages material required art, film, history, literature, music, in the French countryside to interview knowledge of eight philosophy, photography and all forms magazine editors, searched personal or nine different of electronic media. Under Colomina’s collections of publications in Vienna and languages ... and direction, the program organizes events Maastricht, visited archives in Montreal the publications and brings together professors from and Tokyo — and even studied the themselves were across the University to team-teach photos in Playboy magazine. literally scat- topics with interdisciplinary breadth to Colomina recently sent some of her tered across the students from all fields. In the last few students, who are pursuing graduate globe, not only in years, professors from architecture, art degrees in architecture, to Playboy’s familiar scholarly and archaeology, English and Ger- archives in Chicago, where they found terrain such as man have paired up to teach courses on reams of evidence that the magazine, libraries, muse- Dadaism, photographic writing, surveil- in addition to running photos of ums and archives, lance, conflict and cooperation among undressed women, played a critical but quite often in architects and artists, and literature role in promoting modern architecture personal collec- about New York City and Las Vegas. and design in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. tions, dusty attics “She approaches architecture as an “There was an old saying that you and basements,” expanding discourse that encompasses read Playboy for the articles, but what said Buckley, who not only a number of canonical build- we have discovered is that you can read visited the French ings and texts, but also architectural it for the architecture,” said Colomina, village of Theil- exhibitions, photographs, professional a professor of architecture who has rabier and six magazines and the popular press,” said taught at Princeton since 1988. European cities to Spyros Papapetros, an assistant profes- “The magazine provides a detailed Denise Applewhite interview editors sor of architecture. “Throughout her record of some of the most important Architectural historian Beatriz Colomina brings Ph.D. students together of the magazines. work, Colomina emphasizes the role of design innovations of the period,” she for a two-year collaborative research project. Colomina, second from “Only collaborative techniques of visual representation — said. “Practically all the leading archi- left, discusses the current project — on the role of Playboy magazine detective work by a from architectural modeling to X-ray tects and designers were featured, in promoting modern architecture — with, from left, graduate students large group could photography — in the general produc- from Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Marc Britz, Federica Vannucchi and Enrique Ramirez. tackle such a task.” tion of architecture, and stresses the Mies van der Rohe, to Charles and The students unique ability of architecture to gener- Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and radical Barcelona. After teaching for a few working on the project got a hands-on ate not only modes of inhabitation but groups like Antfarm and Superstudio. years there, she came to the United lesson in fundraising when they applied also patterns of cultural behavior.” Their work was presented as an integral States as a research scholar at New for grants to support the exhibition, and Colomina’s 2007 book “Domestic- part of a comprehensive modern lifestyle, York University’s New York Institute they learned about public relations when ity at War” looked at the interplay and that lifestyle was made accessible. for the Humanities. The institute, a promoting the New York City opening. between modern architecture and You only needed to get a Saarinen chair forum for promoting the exchange of They even mounted the exhibition them- World War II and described how to enter the dream of modern life.” ideas between academics and profes- selves, finding cheap plastic skylights strenuous domesticity was a hallmark The focus on Playboy is just one sionals in various fields, “taught me on Canal Street in which to encase the of design in the postwar period. Her example of the way that Colomina the importance of an interdisciplinary rarest magazines and hanging wallpaper current book project, “X-Ray Architec- pushes boundaries. As chair of the approach and opened my eyes to all that they made from reproductions of ture: Illness as Metaphor,” looks at how School of Architecture’s Ph.D. program the ways one can think about archi- hundreds of magazine covers. the development of X-ray technology and director of Princeton’s Program tecture,” Colomina said. She taught at “We learned how to work in a team, in the beginning of the 20th century in Media and Modernity, Colomina Columbia University for three years do scholarly research as a group and influenced architecture. Those in the has sharply expanded the school’s before coming to Princeton. promote our ideas to a broad audi- medical field were “seeing through the interdisciplinary approach, drawing in In 2000, Colomina took over as direc- ence,” said Kallipoliti, who is finishing skin of the body — looking at parts of professors from art and archaeology, tor of graduate studies for the Ph.D. her dissertation this year and teaching the body that were previously invisible English, German, history, and Span- program and redesigned its annual as an adjunct assistant professor at the — and architects wanted to do the same ish and Portuguese. In the classroom, research seminar so that first- and Chanin School of Architecture at the thing,” Colomina said. she has spearheaded a team approach second-year Ph.D. students could work Cooper Union in New York City. Mies van der Rohe, the pioneering for student work that has produced together on a two-year collaborative “Beatriz has always made her semi- modern architect known for his steel exhibitions seen around the world. project. The seminars have yielded in- nars into collaborative projects, treating and glass designs, was fascinated by She received a President’s Award for depth examinations of little-known or students as if they were already peers in X-rays and assembled a collection of Distinguished Teaching in 2005 for her forgotten aspects of architecture while a collaborative research process,” said them, Colomina pointed out. “Mies inventive approach in the classroom. giving students the opportunity to Buckley, who is finishing his disserta- talked about his buildings as ‘skin and Colomina has been equally innova- learn about collaboration and hands-on tion on montage in architectural culture bones,’” she said. “Where did he get tive in her own academic work. Her research. Each seminar has produced during the 1950s and 1960s, and is that metaphor from? X-rays.” groundbreaking 1994 book “Privacy or is in the process of producing a final director of publications at the Gradu- Colomina herself likes to look into and Publicity” considered architecture product — a book, a conference, a docu- ate School of Architecture of Columbia the innards of architecture, with lots of through the lens of mass media and mentary film or an exhibition. University. “She has a knack for iden- input from those in other fields. asserted that modern architecture “Students get excited about the idea tifying areas that have been overlooked “Why think about questions just from must be examined in conjunction with of putting something together, and they by current scholarship and rather than the architect’s point of view?” she asked. advertising, books, fashion, film, pho- learn to communicate to a wider audi- trying to monopolize that field for her- “Bringing people together from different tography and other visual forms. ence” than other academics, Colomina self, she invites others into the process disciplines makes the view clearer.” “She has demonstrated how architec- said. “They learn from each other.” of examining it.” tural ideas circulate in many different The first project examined the myriad media,” said Stanley Allen, dean of the innovations during the Cold War period architecture school. And in the class- — from suburban sprawl to the ballpoint room, her “collaborative, project-based pen — that transformed physical space approach, which works directly with and human experience. Student essays objects and archival materials, has from the seminar were published by brought a very rich mix of ideas to the Princeton Architectural Press in 2004 school and opened up new avenues of as “Cold War Hothouses.” The 2005 research and collaboration for architects project, “Clip/Stamp/Fold; The Radical and scholars alike,” he added. Architecture of Little Magazines 196X Colomina’s work “combines theoretical to 197X,” became an exhibition that has sophistication with a playful creativ- been shown in nine cities — including ity,” said Rubén Gallo, an associate Barcelona, Montreal, New York and professor of Spanish and Portuguese Oslo — since 2006 and is still touring. languages and cultures and director of The project examines a series of short- the Program in Latin American Studies, lived architecture magazines from the who teaches in the Program in Media early 1960s to the end of the 1970s that and Modernity. “She is equally at home instigated a radical transformation in discussing Lacanian theory and the architectural culture. The study of Play- architecture of Playboy Mansions.” boy magazine is this year’s project. Graduate student Lydia Kallipoliti, Courtesy of Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal Suburban sprawl to the ballpoint pen who worked on the “Clip/Stamp/ The exhibition “Clip/Stamp/Fold; The Radical Architecture of Little Magazines 196X to 197X” Born in Spain, Colomina earned Fold” project, called it “the single most has been shown in cities worldwide. Here, Colomina (second from left) and her graduate students a professional degree in architec- significant educational experience for (from left) Lydia Kallipoliti, Craig Buckley, Irene Sunwoo and Anthony Fontenot attend the opening ture and a Ph.D. from the School many of the students who participated of the exhibition’s showing at Montreal’s Canadian Centre for Architecture in April 2007. of Architecture of the University of in the project, including me.”