SPRING 2006

THE PITT UNIVERSITY OF

P RIDall wear different Franklin Toker, and Professor Rami E hats in both our Melhem. We may also look to our own family lives and students who are fulfilling the promise We careers, and more of higher education. Angela Hayes, an often than not, doing it all means English writing major who is pursuing using many different skills and talents. a Certificate in West European Studies, One of my hats is that of Associate turned my press release into a won- Dean, and it has been a pleasure to derful Pitt News story about astrono- serve your daughters and sons. my research. Angela, a junior and a Another hat is that of educator, and to Pitt News staff writer, is already exem- that end the faculty recently approved plifying some of our liberal arts tenets: my new undergraduate course propos- the ability to articulate arguments for a al for a Senior Leadership Seminar, wide range of audiences; to use what offered for the first time this coming she knows to understand what she has fall. Students who are interested in yet to learn; and to master a discipline. discussing leadership across the liber- These skills will be truly helpful to her al arts and who have prior internship throughout her life, as they have been or service experience should consider for me and my colleagues. this course, listed as ARTSC 1999. Other highlights in this Pitt Pride issue The third hat I wear is that of include the latest about Computer researcher. As a professor in the Science Day and the innovation of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, new Schenley Plaza parklet complete I engage in the challenges of acquiring with wireless Internet access from its new knowledge about the universe lawn. It’s true that technology can and transmitting it to the next genera- sometimes have its own difficulties - tion of researchers. My recent work in this fall, when Pitt implemented com- astrophysics has centered on ideas of puter on-line grading for all courses, how galaxies may have come into some grades were not immediately being after the Big Bang. This January, available. I sincerely apologize for any my astrophysics colleagues and I inconvenience that the missing grades connected at the 207th meeting of the may have caused your family. Dean’s American Astronomical Society in In closing, I would like to extend my Washington, DC. A personal highlight enthusiastic congratulations to all of Address was that the Society asked me to turn our families whose students will grad- my research paper into a press uate in April! All my best wishes for a release, thereby bringing my latest successful transition to the world of work, research to the public. In this newslet- Knowledge gains value research, or graduate school. We will see ter, we can see other scholars and you at Commencement 2006! when it is shared. researchers sharing their knowledge through their academic commitments - Associate Dean Professor Kathleen Allen, Professor Regina Schulte-Ladbeck

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • SPRING 2006 · FAMILY NEWSLETTER Update on Undergraduate Research First Experiences in Research, a unique undergraduate mately 100 undergraduates from the School of Arts program, affords undergraduates an opportunity to get a and Sciences. closer look at a particular field within the humanities, nat- Throughout the course of the spring semester, First ural sciences, or social sciences by getting acquainted Experiences in Research students meet every other week with the topics and inquiries pursued through research. with their peer researchers in a cohort to share experi- These students work closely with a faculty member as a ences, listen to presentations, gain insights about why member of their research team, assisting in the faculty scholars conduct research, and learn effective ways to member’s research project, and/or working under communicate findings. The program places emphasis on faculty supervision on a project of their own. Students teaching students how to present their findings in the earn either one or two academic credits and gain valuable form of a poster presentation, where they hone their visu- knowledge of just how scholars actually conduct research al and oral presentation skills. Upon completing a semes- by spending several hours a week on projects such as ter of learning, research, and peer interaction, the student examining lake sediment cores for climate change, the researchers present their findings in a poster presentation dislocation and relocation of Hurricane Katrina victims, or session. This year’s presentation will take place on April the changing conceptions of the human body between 18 from 5:00 pm to 5:50 pm in the Chevron Science the 14th and 17th centuries. In its third year, First Center’s Ashe Balcony and Lobby. Experiences in Research has grown to include approxi-

SAVE TIME. SAVE MONEY. SAVE YOUR SEAT. Summer Sessions at the School of Arts and Sciences. Make the most of your summer by giving yourself an edge at the University of Pittsburgh’s prestigious School of Arts and Sciences. Summer Sessions registration has begun! Save time by earning credits in as little as four weeks while you experience our exceptional instruction and diverse urban campus. Hundreds of courses are offered both day and evening to fit your schedule. Save money by applying for a parking scholarship (free parking!), and enter the drawing for a $200 University Book Center gift certificate. Course selection and registration are just a click away at www.summer.pitt.edu. Save your seat and get the value of smaller, accelerated classes from over 30 renowned depart- ments in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and the arts. We also welcome new freshmen to get their feet wet by participating in the second half of summer to get a leg up on your first year – for more information, please visit www.summer.pitt.edu.

Last year, we created this newsletter, the offer feedback about the Pitt Pride Family Pitt Pride, to help you stay informed about Newsletter. All responses will be kept strictly the latest School-wide news and events confidential. We will use your input to find affecting you and your son or daughter. Now even better ways to keep you informed about that we have several issues behind us, we the Arts and Sciences community. As a would like to invite you to share your way to thank you for your participation, we thoughts about this publication. will enter your son or daughter into a drawing for a $100 University Book Center The readership survey, located at gift certificate. Thank you for being part of www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224X our Arts and Sciences family – we look for- N6ZW7UW, will be active until April 1 and ward to hearing from you! provides you with a quick, simple way to

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • SPRING 2006 · FAMILY NEWSLETTER Pitt Sciences PittStart Last fall, we launched a new program, Pitt PittStart sessions, where our incoming Sciences, designed to bring our students into freshmen visit campus for advising, closer contact with the sciences in the classroom placement testing, and registration for and in industry. We invited them to free lectures, classes, will take place over the follow- including a lecture by author Andrew Weil, MD. ing dates this summer. For more infor- mation and to register for a PittStart This spring, we’re providing even more opportunities for students to learn session, please visit about science in action. In February, the School of Arts and Sciences www.pittstart.oafa.pitt.edu. sponsored a talk on “The Science of Optics” by Charles Falco, PhD. Upcoming May 23, 24, 26 Pitt Sciences events include a spring break day trip to tour a working steel mill, a lecture by neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, PhD, and a nature hike at June 6, 7, 9, 13,14, 16, 27, 28, 30 Pitt’s Pymatuing Laboratory of Ecology with biology professor Anthony July 25, 26, 28 Bledsoe, PhD. August 8, 9, 11, 22

Faculty Profile: Kathleen Allen For a long time, Kathleen Allen Iroquois of upstate New York by on the Iroquois, and Basic thought that her life would take her leading undergraduates on a six-week Laboratory Analysis. from the likes of Buffalo dance studios summer field intensive in the form of “I feel strongly about students gaining a to a New York City professional dance a dig outside of Ithaca, NY. There, real sense of the time depth – things are company. That is, until she actually students learn the actual practice of changing so much, particularly because of visited “the city” as a University of archaeology by finding and character- technology, and it is important to realize Rochester undergraduate. She realized izing pottery shards, graphing patterns our huge past as humanity – you’re talking that a dancer’s life wasn’t for her - the of the findings, and describing them over 200,000 years, many migrations out of city seemed “scary” - she took a year with technical writing. Students learn Africa, and so on. One of the things I want off from college and entered into a firsthand how to grapple with the people to understand is that we’re all relat- period of contemplation. Sound like problems of creating and analyzing ed. We really do have a common origin, and your own son or daughter? Think data, considering different methods of I would hope that by getting a sense of this again – it’s the Department of analysis, and coming to conclusions enormous time depth, that we can come to Anthropology’s Professor Kathleen about their findings. respect one another.” Professor Allen is Allen. The story continues with young “There is such little awareness of North currently reading The Long Summer Kathy returning to school, this time at America before the Europeans came, and by Brian Fagan and thinking about the the University of Buffalo, and everything that has happened to the Native relationship between climate and cul- majoring in anthropology, completing Americans, and yet they are the foundation ture. You can find out more about her graduate work in archaeology, and the of this land.” Astounded by everything teaching and methods by viewing her rest is history (no pun intended). that was going on in the United States Classic Clips video at Anthropology has three major areas prior to the arrival of Europeans, www.cas.pitt.edu/pitt/index.php. To of research: physical, cultural, and Professor Allen developed the course find out more about the Summer Field archaeological. Professor Allen’s “Cultures and Contact,” where School, visit research is in archaeology, and she students explore the contact between www.pitt.edu/~pittanth/ states: “The detective work of piecing European and native North American undergrad/fldsch.html. together the clues, the physical labor, and cultures. Other courses taught by being outside is just enjoyable. I like the Professor Allen include Pots and field work tremendously. I also like looking People (www.pitt.edu/~pittanth/under- at the landscape and imagining what it grad/pots.html), where students learn would be like prior to the development of about other cultures by replicating modern societies. This is probably why I authentic pottery technique, Eastern ended up focusing on New York State – I North American Archaeology, know the region and the land.” Professor Western North American Archaeology, Allen shares her research on the an undergraduate writing seminar Kathleen Allen

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • SPRING 2006 · FAMILY NEWSLETTER The Past Keeps Changing The Associate Dean’s Office sponsors class-related off- bus to McKees Rocks, a town that boasts the biggest and campus experiences that allow students to experience the highest Native American burial mound in . many rich opportunities of our region, and to make The Department of History of Art & Architecture offers connections between classroom learning and “the real Bachelor of Arts degrees in the History of Art & world.” This past fall, the Department of History of Art & Architecture, Architectural Studies, and a new certificate Architecture’s Professor Franklin Toker created a tour of program in Historic Preservation, conveniently offered in the area’s notable early American homes and communi- a city dominated by historic structures and a ties. Over 30 students from the Early American commitment to preservation. To find out more about the Architecture class toured 18th century and early 19th new certificate, visit century buildings, with a lecture led by Professor Toker. www.umc.pitt.edu/bulletins/undergrad/7cas-b.htm#histpre “Recently, in the town of Harmony, I saw half-timbered architec- ture, which is medieval German and rarely seen in the United States. I was puzzled that I didn’t recall seeing this twenty years ago when I was last there. It turns out that this was just discov- ered – found underneath conventional aluminum siding. The past just keeps changing!” Professor Toker has a real interest in sharing his passion for buildings with our students, direct- ly showing findings that will help students form a clear understanding of the rich history of architecture. Students began their journey with Professor Toker just a half mile from campus at the Neill Log House, dating from 1789, which sits in the middle of the Golf Course. From there, students visited Old Economy Village, home of a nineteenth century Christian communal group, and went on to Beaver, PA, which has an exact town square replica of Philadelphia’s original plan. In Freedom, PA, students toured a house from 1826, and continued by Neill Log House, photo courtesy of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation

To assist School of Arts and them to think critically, and thus Conversations with Sciences undergraduates in their successfully adapt to new work efforts to answer the question, situations in the 21st century. The Professionals “What do I do with my degree?” the program gives students a forum school sponsors opportunities to where they can talk to alumni and meet and talk with Arts and an opportunity to expand their Sciences alumni through the employment networks and con- Conversations with Professionals sider new career opportunities. program. The program provides For example, a recent program an informal setting where stu- included students talking with dents can ask questions and dis- James V. O’Rourke, President and cuss concerns about the working CEO of Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., world with successful graduates. about his work and how he Alumni from various disciplines achieved his goals. Mr. O’Rourke offer students advice on the graduated from the University of school-to-work transition, chart- Pittsburgh in 1979 with Bachelor ing a career, following a passion of Science degrees in economics and pursing a fulfilling work life. and psychology. Students learn from alumni that a James V. O’Rourke liberal arts education will prepare

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • SPRING 2006 · FAMILY NEWSLETTER Spanish Symposium ANNOUNCEMENTS The Department of Hispanic 4.0 Dean’s Stars and Dean’s List for Languages and Literatures will hold Fall 2005 a symposium on Wednesday, March We are pleased to announce that 29 in room 1228 in the Cathedral of 2,796 undergraduates earned a place Learning from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The on the Dean’s List for the fall term. department expanded this year’s This list acknowledges the outstand- symposium to include guests from the University of Pittsburgh at ing academic achievement of stu- Computer Science Day Greensburg and from Slippery Rock dents who maintain a 3.5 or better This September will see the 40th University. Students can submit grade point average. Of those 2,796 anniversary of our Department of abstracts in either Spanish or students, 367 earned a place on the Computer Science, making it one of Portuguese, no shorter than 150 4.0 Dean’s Stars list, having main- the first computer science programs words. Selected students will have tained a 4.0 through the end of the in the country. The world of comput- the opportunity to present short fall term. Each Dean’s Star will er science has seen vast changes talks about their abstracts and will receive a $50 gift certificate to the over the last 40 years and continues receive certificates. University Book Center. to change at a head-spinning rate. Honors Convocation Even students who have no interest New Student Government Board On Friday, February 24, the in pursuing a degree in computer In November of 2005, undergradu- University of Pittsburgh honored science cannot escape technology. ates from across the schools and faculty, staff, students, and alumni Rami Mehlem, PhD, chair of the colleges at the University of for their achievements at the 30th department, said, “In order to educate Pittsburgh elected eight representa- annual Honors Convocation, held in more non-Computer Science students here tives to the Student Government the Carnegie Music Hall. The at the University of Pittsburgh, the Board. Congratulations to these convocation opened with an Department of Computer Science is School of Arts and Sciences under- academic procession in full regalia. restructuring its curriculum to include graduates who will serve their additional low-level, introductory courses fellow students in the coming year: Schenley Plaza appropriate for students who would like Jennifer Anukem (political science The Schenley Plaza parking lot, to know more about computers and and communications), Shady located between the Carnegie technology without pursuing a Computer Henien (political science and Library of Pittsburgh’s main branch Science degree.” cognitive neuroscience), Sheila and the University of Pittsburgh’s Isong (politics and philosophy), Amy At this year’s Sixth Annual Computer Hillman Library, disappeared last Kleer (theatre arts and French), Science Day, held Friday, February year in a welter of noise and dust. Joseph Leinbach (politics and 17, students, alumni, educators, and Rising out of the ashes this spring philosophy), Erica Lillquist (global industry reps gathered to celebrate like the phoenix, the space will act studies and political science), the science, business, and fun of as a town square between the two William Powers (cognitive computers. Of particular interest was libraries. The new plaza will feature neuroscience and Certificate in the debate on file sharing entitled a 3-acre lawn, gardens, movable Western European Studies), and “Digital Media: To Share or Not to tables and chairs, food kiosks, Allison Winn (English writing). concerts and a children's carousel. Share?” The William Pitt Debating Union, students and faculty faced off Annual Sophomore Honor Student against legal expert Charles Lee Reception Mudd Jr. and recording industry rep- The School of Arts and Sciences rec- resentative Geoffrey L. Beauchamp ognized outstanding sophomores on to argue the complex issues about Wednesday, February 15 at the annu- the digital file sharing. Students par- al Arts and Sciences Sophomore ticipated in a CS Bowl, a poster com- Honor Student Reception. Some 400 petition, a scavenger hunt, and net- sophomores who have maintained a working with business and industry 3.50 or better grade point average reps. Congratulations to the winners were honored at the reception. of this year’s poster and research Thanks to sophomore honoree Ann competitions, and to the winning CS Pavlick, who performed a dance at Bowl team! the reception. Will Powers and Shady Henien

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • SPRING 2006 · FAMILY NEWSLETTER University of Pittsburgh Nonprofit Org. School of Arts and Sciences U.S. Postage Undergraduate Studies 140 Thackery Hall PAID Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 511 P

Movin’ on Up Dates to Remember This April, we will bid farewell to some 1,700 undergradu- March 5-12 Spring recess for students - no classes ates as they complete their undergraduate educations. This 10 Spring holiday - University closed year’s Commencement 2006 ceremony will take place in the 15 Deadline to submit monitored withdrawal forms to Peterson Events Center on Sunday, April 30. Sometime in the dean’s office late March or early April, students who are preparing to 16 Fall Term (2071) registration and add/drop begin for graduate will receive information about Graduation Central seniors only - their opportunity to purchase the caps and gowns required 20 Fall term (2071) registration and add/drop begin for for the commencement ceremony. Students will also have all degree-seeking students the opportunity to join the Pitt Alumni Association, their lifetime connection with the University. Many School of Arts April 21 Last day for undergraduate classes - spring term and Sciences departments will hold graduation receptions; students should check with their major departments 24-29 Final exams for undergraduate day classes for details. 30 Residence halls close for spring term (2064), except for graduating seniors For those students who are looking for jobs, Career Services stands ready to help. Located in Room 224 of the William Pitt Union, Career Services offers a wide range of May 7 Residence halls open for summer term (2067) support like career planning, resume writing, and even 8 Summer term (2067) registration ends and classes begin mock interviews to prepare for the real thing. Career Services also provides networking opportunities for 15 Summer sessions 12-week, 6-week-1, and 4-week-1 registration ends and classes begin undergraduates and alumni, hosts job fairs, and maintains 29 Memorial Day - University closed an online database where students can search for jobs and/or internships that suit their criteria. For more information on what Career Services can do for your son or Summer dates and deadlines: www.summer.pitt.edu/calendar.html daughter, visit www.careers.pitt.edu.

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • SPRING 2006 · FAMILY NEWSLETTER