The Magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fall 2017 CONTENTS
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The Magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fall 2017 CONTENTS VOLUME 22 NO.1 FALL 2017 CONTENTS OF THE COSTUME SHOP Marie Antoinette’s wig and other creations wait to be repurposed for new Department of Theater productions. John Solem LONG READS > 06 12 20 MACHINES THAT SEE MY MANHATTAN POWER PLAY Computer scientists search for A UMass student recalls Educator and activist Lisa Fontes the secrets of human vision. experiencing 9/11 as a exposes the invisible chains of four-year-old. control in abusive relationships. SHORT READS > 10 24 32 SARAH AND HER ROBOT ICE DIVER BRING ON THE BEASTCAM Sarah Osentoski ’08G, ’09PhD Professor Emeritus Robert Wilce UMass scientists create a digital wants you to have a cute robot. on going the distance for arctic Noah’s ark. seaweed. 36 38 44 HOW DO YOU TOP THIS? THE ART OF CURATING THE MYSTERIOUS DAVID GRAYSON Patrick Hadley ’90 made a living Behind the scenes at the An Orchard Hill residence hall is astonishing people. University Museum of named for an author who never Contemporary Art’s 5 Takes quite existed. on African Art exhibition. IN BRIEF > 16 AROUND THE POND 28 SPORTS TALK 18 INQUIRING MINDS 30 STATE OF THE ARTS BITS > 2 Seen > ONLINE 4 In Other Words For Bookmarks, In Memoriam, and extra content, go to 42 Accomplished umass.edu/magazine. 48 Teachable Moment On the cover: A red-eyed tree frog is immortalized by the UMass Beastcam. See “Bring on the Beastcam,” page 32. Photo courtesy of the Digital Life project. FALL 2017 1 > SEEN > 2 > UMASS WED 4:23PM> AGRICULTURAL LEARNING CENTER Annalisa Flynn ’20, a sustainable food and farming major, spent her summer as a pest scout, examining vegetable plants and reporting her findings to Massachusetts farmers. Her work was part of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment’s (CAFE) Summer Scholars Program. John Solem FALL 2017 3 > IN OTHER WORDS > AS THE FALL SEMESTER OPENED IN THE WAKE OF RACIALLY CHARGED VIOLENCE IN IMAGES OF SUMMER CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, CHANCELLOR KUMBLE R. SUBBASWAMY SEIZED THE The Summer 2017 issue was fascinating, OPPORTUNITY TO REAFFIRM UMASS AMHERST’S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING A SAFE not just for the range of content, but also AND WELCOMING LIVING-LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. LAUNCHING THE CAMPUS’S (primarily) for the diverse graphics. ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED HATE HAS NO HOME AT UMASS CAMPAIGN, SUBBASWAMY Brad Klein ’84PhD BLOOMFIELD, CONNECTICUT CALLED ON “EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY TO REJECT HATRED IN ALL ITS FORMS AND TO STAND UNITED IN DEFENSE OF TOLERANCE, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION.” MORE FRIENDS OF SHELLY Thank you for the latest issue. I devour them even though I’m an old-timer from the Class UMass Amherst’s diversity and progressive of ’56. I especially enjoyed the article about philosophy regarding gay rights, multi- Shelly Saltman ’53 (“That Was Me!” Summer 2017). I knew him well as a colleague at the cultures, race diversity, women’s rights, Collegian and on WMUA. He was always and saving the planet is a big reason I there—as MC at a pep rally or other function. selected UMass as my university. Way Ron Aldo Musto ’56 ahead of most schools in the 1970s. VERO BEACH, FLORIDA —Laura McKenna ’80, via Facebook Thanks for the wonderful article about Shelly Good to see that UMass remains an Saltman. Being that my name is Myrna Ann Saltman, and being that I do not know other open and tolerant place. than a few names of folks from my father’s —Alexander Thiel, via Facebook family, would you please send me an address so that I might contact Shelly to see if we are Thank you, sir. I’m prouder than ever that related? I would appreciate that greatly. my daughter is attending UMass Amherst. Myrna Ann Saltman ’59 BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS —Fiona Bitteker, via Facebook We will forward your note to Shelly so that he can follow up, perhaps with a long-lost cousin! On behalf of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), we —Ed. write to commend you for launching the “Hate Has He did. He called. We are. Maybe second No Home” campaign at UMass Amherst. By doing cousins twice removed? And we just had a wonderful, long conversation. so, you have taken significant and proactive steps to Thank you so much! counter hate and divisive rhetoric by bringing the Myrna Ann Saltman ’59 community together to spread a message of inclusion as students return back to campus. LOVE FOR OLD CHAPEL Thank you for the brilliant video on Old Robert O. Trestan Chapel (“Something Old, Something New,” NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE Summer 2017). It brought a lump to my throat . but also a song to my day. Three cheers, UMass, and thanks to the chancellor for I am a new international student and the university’s campaign to fight restoring this iconic building. the bigotry that we have found ourselves in is truly commendable. The Meenakshi Gopinath ’73G numerous posters crying out “Hate Has No Home at UMass” have acted as NEW DELHI, INDIA a comfortable reassurance whenever I feel threatened looking at the news Readers can view our mini-documentary on as I find my feet in this amazing country. Thank you again for this wonderful Old Chapel at umass.edu/magazine. campaign, more power to you! Vinayak Mathur When twilight shadows deepened and the GRADUATE STUDENT, COMPUTER SCIENCE study hour(s) drew nigh, when shades of night were falling, and the evening breezes sighed, my sister (Patience Pye Skarsgard ’67) and I 4 > UMASS would meet near Old Chapel at Mem Hall. It I proposed to my wife (Jean Creamer Ferrara UMASS MAGAZINE FALL 2017 was quiet; it had comfortable chairs; and it ’62) of 55 years in front of Old Chapel on a VOLUME 22 • NO. 1 had the biggest, cheapest, coldest Cokes on drizzly evening in 1961. Together, we listened campus. After the study hour(s), we (two to the refurbished bells on their rededication Executive Editor Congregationalists!) would head over to the on the occasion of my 50th reunion in 2010. Robert Lindquist Newman Center (also a great place to study) So pleased to see it restored to its past Managing Editor for the best burgers on campus. Most times, glory for the appreciation of all students— Patricia Sullivan Patey paid. Great, great memories! past and present. Editorial Staff Judith B. Cameron ’16G Jim Pye ’69 Conrad P. Ferrara ’60, ’61G Laura M. Gomes DUXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA Laura Marjorie Miller John Sippel How well I recall the Old Chapel—where I Director of Design spent so much of my time as sports editor of MANGA MADNESS Matthew Jasiorkowski the Collegian. After graduating at the top of What a wonderful piece (“Licensed to Designer the chemistry class in 1948, I attended grad- Translate,” Summer 2017) by Jenny McKeon! Jack Cavacco ’82 uate school at MIT. Dr. J. Harold Smith, my It made my week, and I plan to save and University Photographer John Solem freshman chemistry professor, inspired me re-read it whenever I need a pick-me-up at to make that my career. And it was a long and work! Excellent magazine you are putting out! Web Editor Erik Gallant very productive one. I earned many awards Read it cover to cover. and commendations along the way and, Peter Regan (attended 1977–’79) University of Massachusetts Amherst thanks to my UMass education and experi- DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS Chancellor ence, was able to contribute much to our U.S. Kumble R. Subbaswamy space programs and defense systems, includ- Correction: In “Ick, a Tick!” (Summer 2017) Vice Chancellor ing the current armor-protection material, we reported that it takes 24 hours of University Relations structural adhesives, and composite materials attachment for a tick to transmit the Lyme John Kennedy ’86 that have served our country so well and made virus to your blood. The tick transmits the Associate Vice Chancellor University Relations possible the advanced systems we have today. Lyme disease bacterium, not the virus itself. Thanks for a great magazine. Nancy Buffone ’95, ’03G, ’09EdD Vice Chancellor George Epstein ’48 Write to us: [email protected] Development and Alumni Relations LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Michael A. Leto Go to our website Assistant Vice Chancellor > umass.edu/magazine. Alumni Relations JC Schnabl UMass Magazine Slobody Building, Suite C1 101 University Drive Amherst, MA 01002-2385 413-545-0123 [email protected] umass.edu/magazine BELL-BOTTOMS Address Changes Records Office Memorial Hall ARE STILL OUT, BUT . UMass Amherst Amherst, MA 01003 413-545-4721 Class Notes Are Back! [email protected] UMass magazine is published Starting with our next issue, Class Notes three times a year by the commonwealth’s flagship and In Memoriam will be back in print in campus, the University of UMass magazine. Massachusetts Amherst. Copyright © 2017 by the Submit your career and family news University of Massachusetts Amherst. All rights reserved. to UMassAlumni.com/classnotes. Reproduction in whole or Report address changes and deaths in part without permission is prohibited. to [email protected]. Getty Images Getty FALL 2017 5 > Harry Campbell c/o Theispot.com Harry Campbell c/o 6 > UMASS MACHINESMACHINES THATTHATSEESEE The new iPhone X knows your face. You don’t need a passcode or fingerprint to unlock it. Through the wonders of face recognition, you just hold the screen up to your face and you’re in. You may be awed at the split-second accuracy of the iPhone X’s ability, but Erik Learned-Miller, a professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) at UMass Amherst, saw this coming a decade ago.