FALL 2003 Magazine for Alumni and Friends for Magazine PARTICIPANT Pitzer College Pitzer College

“Starting with issues concerning human treatment of the natural environment, we arrive at principles that shed light on the total human condition.” John R. Rodman 1933-2003 President PARTICIPANT Laura Skandera Trombley Editor Pitzer College FALL 2003 / Vol. 37, No. 1 Susan C. Andrews

Managing Editor/Designer Jay Collier

Editorial Assistant Penny King

Contributing Writers Jay Collier Deborah Haar Clark Patricia Barnes Melonie Galloway Penny King Cassandra Meagher Jose Calderon Jamie Brown ’99 James Lippincott ’95 Jim Stricks Ari Sherman ’85 Steve Glass Paul Faulstich ’79 Kelly Howell Amy Kerkhoff

Printer Dual Graphics

Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.

Cover photos by Joe Clements John Rodman quote from “Four Forms of Ecological Consciousness Reconsidered,” in Historical Roots of Deep Ecology

A member of the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer College is a private liberal arts and sciences institution, committed to values of interdisciplinary perspective, intercultural understanding and social responsibility. The Participant is published by the Office of Public Relations and President’s Column / 2 Full Circle welcomes comments from its Professor Paul Faulstich’s Fulbright readers. Address letters to Participant Editor, Avery 105, Pitzer in the News / 3 research marked his return to the people Pitzer College, 1050 N. Mills Ave., with whom he began his career / 10 Claremont, CA 91711-6101, or submit them via e-mail to Pomona Day Labor Center / 6 [email protected]. The Participant Advantage: Pitzer is published online in PDF format Melinda Herrold-Menzies joins Pitzer at www.pitzer.edu Faculty and Staff Find Recipe as new professor of environmental for Success / 9 studies / 14 PITZER BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2003-04

TRUSTEES PETER STRANGER HIRSCHEL B. ABELSON Los Angeles, CA President, Stralem & JOHN N. TIERNEY Company, Inc. President & CEO, The JILL BASKIN ’77 DOCSI Corporation Chicago, IL LAURA SKANDERA MARC D. BROIDY ’95 TROMBLEY Vice President President, Pitzer College Smith Barney JOAN G. WILNER WILLIAM G. BRUNGER Beverly Hills, CA Vice President, Revenue Management, Continental LIFE TRUSTEES Airlines ROBERT H. ATWELL NANCY ROSE BUSHNELL ’69 Former President, Pitzer Laguna Beach, CA College LESLIE DASHEW ’70 CONSTANCE AUSTIN President, Human Side of Los Angeles, CA Enterprise ELI BROAD SUSAN G. DOLGEN Los Angeles, CA Access & Answers FRANK L. ELLSWORTH SARA LOVE DOWNEY Former President, Pitzer Chicago, IL College; President, MARY BETH GARBER ’68 Endowments Capital Research President, Southern California and Management Co. Broadcasters Association HARVEY J. FIELDS PETER S. GOLD Beverly Hills, CA Irmas, Gold and Company PATRICIA G. HECKER JONATHAN P. GRAHAM ’82 St. Louis, MO Partner, Williams and BRUCE E. KARATZ Connolly Chairman & CEO, KB Home JAMES HASS ’75 MARILYN CHAPIN MASSEY President, Capital Advisors, Ltd. Former President, Pitzer PAUL C. HUDSON College President & CEO, Broadway MURRAY PEPPER Federal Bank President, Home Silk DEBORAH BACH KALLICK ’78 Properties, Inc. Executive Director, Govt. EDITH L. PINESS, Ph.D. and Industry Relations, Mill Valley, CA Cedars-Sinai Health System RICHARD J. RIORDAN ROBIN M. KRAMER ’75 Former Los Angeles Mayor Senior Fellow, California Community Foundation DEBORAH DEUTSCH SMITH ’68 TERRY F. LENZNER Professor, Kennedy Chairman, Investigative Scholar, John F. Kennedy Group International, Inc. Ctr. for Research on Human Development, MAUREEN D. LYNCH ’77 Vanderbilt University Vice President, Morgan Stanley & Company, Inc. ALUMNI BOARD THOMAS H. MOORE ’82 Vice President, Morgan JENNIFER BALE-KUSHNER ’87 Stanley Dean Witter Chair, Strategic Planning JAMES ORLIKOFF ’76 JEANMARIE HAMILTON President, Orlikoff and BOONE ’87 Associates, Inc. Chair, Educational Programs ARNOLD PALMER PARKER DOUGLAS ’88 Senior Vice President, Co-Chair, Career Development Sutro & Company RUETT FOSTER ’81 ELLA PENNINGTON ’81 Chair, Community Service Vice President for Operations, Programs Crystal Stairs, Inc. ANDREW GOODMAN ’81 RUSSELL M. PITZER (Immediate Past President) Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, CESAR GOMEZ ’94 Ohio State University Co-Chair, Career Development SUSAN S. PRITZKER GAYLA HAMIK-BECKLEY ’02 Encouraging Words Natural Advocate Chair of the Board Co-Chair, Student Alumni Bea Hollfelder award rewards creative Profile of Michael Harris ’91 / 26 MARGOT LEVIN SCHIFF Relations Chicago, IL ELLA PENNINGTON ’81 writers / 18 JOEL H. SCHWARTZ President Alumni Notes / 31 General Partner/LLC, 95 S.F.L.P. DIANE REYES ’91 WILLIAM D. SHEINBERG ’83 Co-Chair, Alumni Admissions The Nuts and Bolts of Partner in The Bubble Factory AMANDA SHER ’02 Conservation / 22 In My Own Words / 38 LISA SPECHT Co-Chair, Student Alumni Attorney/Partner, Manatt, Relations Phelps & Phillips JONATHAN STOKES ’98 Chair, Graduates of Last Decade Remembering Lost Alumni / 25 Sagehens Sports / 40 EUGENE P. STEIN Executive Vice President, JEANETTE WOO CHITJIAN ’83 Capital Guardian Trust Co. Chair Alumni Fund Securing the Future of the Arboretum n the world of arboreta and botanic gardens, Pitzer’s Arboretum is truly one Iof a kind. John Rodman provided a unique vision and the inspiration to us all over the years as he enlisted the devotion of Pitzer’s many constituencies in shaping the Arboretum. Today the College seeks to continue his legacy by assuring careful administration and dedicated stewardship of this shared treasure. In the past year, Arboretum Manager Joe Clements and his staff have accomplished much good work, aided by staff, students, Food Service workers, and dedicated volunteers and friends. What follows are just a few of their accomplishments. The Grove House Garden and South Classroom areas were thinned out and Photos by Marc Campos replanted. The Farm Project Garden received a new watering system and new friends may remember alumni, students, maintenance and development of the seedbeds. The Ellsworth Garden was faculty, staff, and special friends. The collections as an educational resource, and groomed and filled out with plantings of garden provides a reflective place to heal has begun to explore grant opportunities succulents and drought-tolerant shrubs and and find renewal in natural surroundings. trees. The Medicinal Garden adjacent to for assessment and development of the A future project looming large in the Scott Courtyard received a fir bark mulch collections as an educational resource for imagination involves the drought-tolerant layer and well-defined, crushed granite students and the general public. The funds paths. The lovely contours of the landscaping that will define garden spaces for these ambitious projects have come in Intercultural Garden are now crisp with in our residence halls, to be constructed as from many sources. Most important is the well-nourished plantings. Finally, in all of part of the campus Master Plan. Our support that continues to come from these gardens, aging irrigation systems overarching goal is to eventually define Pitzer’s friends and alumni. have been much improved. and unify the entire campus landscaping in John once characterized the Arboretum One new garden came into being this terms of an Arboretum environment. as a search for “patterns of stewardship and past spring — the David Bloom Garden of But there is much immediate work still restoration that take us beyond ‘social Remembrance, located on the site of the to be done. In addition to maintenance and responsibility’ to ‘ecological Arboretum’s Sage Garden that marks the upgrading of irrigation systems, pressing responsibility.’” The Arboretum’s sixteen northwest entrance to campus bordering projects include acquisition of new plant unique yet interrelated garden areas are in Harvey Mudd. The intent of this garden materials and the documentation, labeling, keeping with the mission of the College was twofold: to remember Pitzer’s David and mapping of the existing collections. itself. Gifts in support of the Arboretum Bloom ‘85, who died while on assignment The College established the John R. help sustain this vital part of the Pitzer for NBC to the war in Iraq, and to create a Rodman Arboretum Endowment Fund in experience. place of natural beauty where family and John’s memory to assure the long-term
Cassandra Meagher

Assorted flora from the Community Garden and the David Bloom garden in the Pitzer Arboretum

30
Pitzer College Participant 5 Campus Notes
Fall 2003 Fall Students relax in Students the renovated courtyard outside classrooms at the McConnell Center. For a final project that they had just two and is the largest in the country. Last year, the Last year, in the country. and is the largest landfill received 33 ½ million tons of trash. Five out of eight canyons have been filled and have significantly altered the watershed The last three canyons are of the region. under negotiation to be used as part of the landfill. If that does not go through, the trash will be transported out to the desert by train are all part We to a new remote landfill site. of this problem, hence the importance of addressing these issues,” Miller said. days to complete, students were told to enter the waste stream and collect objects to use for a flotation device that would hold their weight and not sink. Finding materials proved to be extremely easy and cost-free. None of the students had tested their creations so there were a few surprises such as capsizing, sinking and the loss of loose parts. in action in in action in rt A Students spent the semester building Students “My own recent experience working with Whittier “The Puente Hills landfill near did they know that one of those functions would be to support their weight in the Gold Center pool. Student functional objects such as tables, seats, lighting objects and containers that also were pieces of Throughout the semester Miller and the art. class often talked about reusing materials before they were recycled or sent to the landfill with Miller stressing the importance of finding novel uses for such items. the National Park Service in the Puente Hills Park adjacent to the Puente Hills Wilderness landfill has made me especially aware of our need to create less waste for landfills and I try to incorporate this concept into my classes,” Miller said. Angeles Basin accepts waste from the Los tudents in “Mixing It Up/Ceramics and Mixed Media,” a class taught by professors David Furman and

Students in KathrynStudents Miller’s class test the watercraft they materials. built with recycled

“As a result of this whole process, they The students involved in the project Art can have many functions, as students Under the supervision of Furman and Pitzer College Participant Miller, students collaborated on the design of Miller, seating areas and tables for the two spaces. Bricks from a defunct kiln were recycled glazed and along with cement slabs. Students fired ceramic tiles and then smashed them to make mosaics for the surfaces of the tables The project required long and benches. The students worked diligently, hours. cheerfully learning to mix cement and lay bricks. got a taste of what public art entails, and the rewards of seeing their project being used by Miller said. students, faculty and staff,” included: Nataly Buenrostro, Christina Cass, Crowe, Fiona Dunbar, Noah Costley, Ryan Johnson, Michael Korte, Debbie Miles, Tai John Odbert and Daniela Suarez. Special Alan Jones for thanks to Dean of Faculty funding the project. class discovered in Kathryn Miller’s Art.” Little “Sculptural Objects/Functional Kathryn Miller, put their talents to use Kathryn Miller, beautifying the courtyard area outside the art classrooms in the basement of the McConnell building this past academic year. S Bridging the Gap Between Fiction and Reality amuel Taylor Coleridge, in his period of history stems from our youth, and Biographia Literaria (chapter 14, President’s Column that is something that we can also turn on S1817), called drama “that willing its head, something of which we can be suspension of disbelief for the moment, proud. Last year emeritus faculty member which constitutes poetic faith.” The Carl Hertel sent me a letter expressing his suspension of disbelief is an interlude when thoughts about the College. Carl wrote that we drop our guard, willingly flowing with experimental colleges of the 1960s like the action taking place on the stage or the Pitzer were meteor-like. That is, it was their page before us. For a little while we are nature to burst brilliantly across the able to join in the fun, tragic or comic, academic skies and then disappear forever. where the unreal and untrue is artfully Yet Pitzer remained long after others had contrived to beguile and entertain. Fiction vanished. After 40 years it is clear that we can be described as a form of play with the are more a comet and less a meteor. We imagination, a time-out from the paramount reappear over and over again as light and reality of life. As an English professor, direction are needed. In an era of photo ops fiction, and in particular, drama, has always and sound bytes, when some technological been a close friend of mine, an intimate. innovations have a shelf life of six months In our post-modernist times, the before they go stale and are replaced, when boundaries of art and life can be enormous corporations burst into being and confounding, and, at times, difficult to then explode leaving employees and distinguish. These hot August days of stockholders penniless, 40 years is a long California summer have brought us an Laura Skandera Trombley time. interesting turn in the history of state The world outside has changed and so politics, and possibly a new brand of “The perspective of a Pitzer has Pitzer College. Our earliest graduates drama. Between the time I write this are approaching retirement. The Participant column and it sees print there is College education, which brings generational wave that followed them are a distinct possibility that a new governor of a questioning that is based on senior members of their organizations. As California will be elected having accrued a ethics, logic, an appreciation of for faculty, this past year saw the tiny plurality of the recall/election votes history, principled and creative retirements of Susan Seymour, Ann costing budget-plagued citizens of the state thought, and social activism, is a Stromberg, and Jackie Levering-Sullivan. an additional $75 million at minimum. The tradition that has never been In the spring, the respected and beloved news media’s reaction to this chain of more needed or more real than Barbara Beechler passed away, and this curious events appears to be rationalizing at the present time.” summer we bid an emotional final farewell the potential benefits of such an outcome. to John Rodman. This issue of the This play with the election process makes Participant, with its emphasis on the me uneasy, and glancing through the moved into Harvard House and I began my morning’s papers at other local and national work as President of Pitzer College. This is environment, is dedicated to John. He was news only serves to deepen my concerns a good place to be in uncertain times. Daily a driving force in the environmental about fiction and reality. I read that I find that my interaction with brilliant and movement. John founded our shortness of stature (subjectively perceived) diverse faculty, students and staff keeps my Environmental Studies Program and poured has been redefined as a correctable medical feet on the ground. Reality in the world his considerable energy into creating condition, that organized religion and the beyond the Pitzer College campus may be gardens to emphasize regionally compatible federal government are reinventing the adrift, but the critical atmosphere of the species. All of these members of the debate over the normalcy of non- liberal arts college campus provides a community personify the Pitzer scholar, a heterosexual orientations and what logical vantage point, based in intellectual person who is grounded in concerns for the limits should be placed on gay rights, and traditions, that gives us a grip. There is a world we live in, who is influential within that intelligent professional women are glaring irony at this historical moment that the academy, and someone who leaves a crippling themselves with the latest shoe reverses the trite observation that the “real” practical legacy. Pitzer College’s faculty fashions (I tuck my feet under the chair as I and the academic worlds are hopelessly embodies Gloria Anzaldua’s observation: “I write this for no particular reason, thank divided. The perspective of a Pitzer College change myself, I change the world.” you). In the coming months, in what other education, which brings a questioning that Last year we proclaimed that as a ways will we be challenged to suspend is based on ethics, logic, an appreciation of college we had come of age. That is true. disbelief? Leaving aside the whole realm of history, principled and creative thought, and Our academic success is remarkable, and geopolitical theatrics, how much more can social activism, is a tradition that has never this year we celebrate a national record of the boundary blur? I imagine the answer been more needed or more real than at the graduating six Fulbright Fellowship will be entertaining, and disconcerting. present time. recipients in one year. We will continue to Just more than a year ago, my family Part of our ability to play our role in this See Trombley, Page 3

2
Pitzer College Participant Pitzer College News from Local and National Media In the News

“The Facts of Life for an Administrator and a Mother” receptive to the Fosters’ message, while others refuse to Chronicle of Higher Education acknowledge the human toll of living outside of the law. For Sept. 5, 2003 the couple, reliving the death of their son in front of prisoners Pitzer College President Laura Skandera Trombley sums up is a necessary part of their mission to cultivate empathy and her story in the Chronicle as a “teachable moment” for help the wards develop a sense of personal accountability. The administrators to “create work environments for real people in Fosters remind them that it was a senseless act of blind rage the real world.” Trombley employs a moment of epiphany she (the killers indiscriminately sprayed bullets into the car in had while attending an academic council meeting in 1996 to which Evan and Rhonda were sitting) that led to the death of highlight the obstacles faced by mothers as they grapple with their son. biology and the demands of the workplace. Trombley then goes on to analyze the pressures women “Make Time for Your Friends – They’re Worth It” experience as they face “the collision of male and female Calgary Herald professional work environments.” Such pressures, she argues, Aug. 14, 2003 rear their heads either on the job or as female professionals try Pitzer College Professor of Sociology Peter Nardi was to move on to other jobs. featured in a story on friendship and its importance to universal She used her experience to guarantee an easier path for well-being. workers at Coe College, where she was named as Dean in 1997. “Friends are often referred to as ‘families of choice,’” Nardi Pitzer, she writes, has been recognized by the American said. “Sometimes they provide services, support and identity, Association of University Women for its primary-caretaker things that may not necessarily come from a family of origin. leave program, and should serve as a national model. Friends are an essential component of one’s network.” In the story, Nardi distinguished between the different kinds “Reliving Their Pain for Others” of friendship that exist. Los Angeles Times “There’s the casual friend, who you don’t tell about your Aug. 30, 2003 alcoholic parents. There’s the close friend, with whom you can Ruett and Rhonda Foster, 1981 and 1982 Pitzer College talk about problems you’re having with a spouse. Then there’s graduates respectively, were featured on the front page of the the best friend, the person you call immediately,” he said. Los Angeles Times for their efforts to alter the lives of inmates at juvenile prisons by sharing the story of the killing of their 7- “Pomona-Pitzer Names New Tennis Coach” year-old son four years ago by gang members. The Fosters Claremont-Upland Voice bring news clippings, photos, video clips and their poignant Aug. 22, 2003 recollections of the short life of their son, Evan, to monthly The Sagehens named Ben Belletto as their men's tennis visits to the prisons as part of the California Youth Authority’s coach, replacing Ryan Witt. It is Belletto's first head coaching Impact of Crime on Victims Program. The Fosters have been job in the collegiate ranks and only his second overall. He will part of the program for four years. Honored recently as also serve as the program's sports information director. Treasures of Los Angeles and featured in other publications “Everyone we've talked to believes that we're catching him at such as Los Angeles Magazine, the Fosters have used their the right time,” Pomona-Pitzer Athletic Director Charles personal tragedy to reach out to others in an effort to end the Katsiaficas said. “This is his first opportunity and he's ready and cycle of violence that brings many of the young offenders back we're lucky to get him before somebody else did.” to prison and to put a human face on the victims of crime. Belletto played collegiately at Santa Barbara City College The Times’ story chronicled one of the Fosters’ visits to Fred and Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz before graduating from St. C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility in Whittier, Calif. The Mary's College in Moraga. He also was assistant director for reporter, Sandy Banks, noted that many of the young men are Nike Tennis Camps at UC Santa Cruz for two years.

Trombley integrating our students with different been more ready and respected as an Continued from Page 2 cultures, and by becoming even more institution. As concerned as I am about the publicly well known. We will do so as our willing drift of the popular mind and social build on what we have already faculty continue to make their mark within events toward a fictionalization of reality, I accomplished: This and all our future years their disciplines and, I am confident, in am proud to be a part of an institution that will be years of accomplishment. Our goal their tradition of speaking out as experts refuses to suspend disbelief when it comes will be to raise the College to the next level and citizens on social issues. There has to issues vital to the welfare of our fellow of achievement and recognition. We will do never been a time when our identity as an beings. Let us rededicate ourselves to our that by continuing our tradition of institution has been more needed to bridge tradition of full participation in maintaining preparing students who are committed to the gap between fantasy and reality, and reason and relevancy during these positive goals of creating social change, there has never been a time when we have interesting times.

Fall 2003
3 Campus Notes 6
Colleges andUniversities. publication oftheAssociationAmerican been electedtothe State Assembly. Together, students, Fabian Nunez,hadjustrecently immigrant workersinthecity. Oneofthese students happenedtobedoingresearch on street corners. At thetime,agroupofmy months injailforseekingemployment on ordinance tofinedaylaborers$1,000 andsix issue of originally appearedintheSpring2003 and ChicanoStudies atPitzerCollege, ofSociology AssociateProfessor Calderon, writtenbyJose article, The following Communication Key toSuccessofPomonaDayLaborCenter freshmen, toparticipateinanintensive requires itsstudents,mostlyincoming experimental education,”Freersaid. a daylaborer, “exposingthemtoan the laborersaboutlifeandstrugglesof Center, studentswereabletotalkwith the At as theystudiedaunitonimmigration. students toseea“practicalreal-lifeside” Politics atOccidentalCollege,wantedher Occidental College. Multicultural SummerInstitute(MSI)at Southern Californiaaspartofthe and laborinthediversecommunitiesof prevalent issuesinvolvingimmigration own awarenessandunderstandingofthe laborers ledtheevent. Professor JoseCalderon,andlocalday Center. PitzerCollegestudents, Pomona EconomicOpportunityDayLabor and discussiongroupsJuly19atthe Los Angeles, participatedinpresentations closer tohomeaswell. provide asecurehiringprocess. to controlmistreatmentofworkersand center asanexampleandapotentialmethod in June. The groupturnedtothePomona seeking solutionstocommunitylaborissues service-oriented groupinNewJersey, began T Pitzer’s ExcellenceLeadsWay Others for Pitzer College Participant Pitzer College Participant In 1997,thecityofPomonapassed an For fourweeksinthesummer, MSI Regina Freer, Associate Professorof Student participantsincreasedtheir studentsfromOccidentalCollege, Fifty The Pomonacenterisattractingattention Morristown OneCommunity, a serving asamodelofsuccess. he PomonaDayLaborCenteris Peer Review Peer See Center, Page7 , whichisaquarterly worker couldbe paid.Inmeetingafter not havinganyrestrictions astowhata them up,undercuttheefforts ofthecenter by this corner, andtheemployerswhopicked a cornerabout300feetaway. The workersat day laborcenter, somecontinuedto gatheron laborers inPomonanowcongregate nearthe based organization eversince. have beenpartneringwiththiscommunity- “Restructuring Communities”classesandI “Rural andUrbanSocialMovements” Pomona DayLaborCenter. Students inmy and, eventually, received$50,000tostartthe we packedcityhalltoprotesttheordinance Jose Calderon,right,translatesfor alaborer. inthedaylong event. part take College students Below, PitzerProfessor day andOccidental laborers David Pihl,centerinblueshirt, Pitzer student research andtoaffect research can useitssuccessto prospers, Occidental prospers, social change inour social change As thePomona Day While, asaresultofourefforts, allday and othercolleges diverse society. continue their Labor Center committee wasorganized todistribute go tothecenter. were abletoget75percentofthe workersto together andthebenefitsofcenter, we After discussingthevirtuesofworking center alsoagreedtobepartofthedialogue. workers onthecorner. The workersatthe councilperson, andmetomeetwiththe invite Norma Torres, asupportive experimentation, theworkersdecidedto Eventually, throughdialogueand various alternativestotheproblem. meeting withtheworkers,wecameup In ameetinginvolving85workers, a See Calderon, Page8 See Calderon, CENTER Continued from Page 6 Four Pitzer Grads Named MFP Fellows Four Pitzer College graduates won Health, to develop specialized competence academic program as well as a co- fellowships from the American Sociological in the sociology of mental health, curricular program. “I try to make sure Association’s Minority Fellowship Program according to the ASA Web site. that all my students get some exposure this year, a number that is at the top among Since 1974, the Program has supported to the community while they learn in colleges and universities in the U.S. 385 Fellows. the classroom,” Freer said, “so that Jesse Diaz, Jose Mata, Roberto In addition to funding, the Minority they can see how community-based Montenegro and Marlon Daniels received Fellowship program provides mentoring education operates.” the fellowships to continue their graduate and support to ensure the success of Community-based learning studies in sociology. fellowship recipients. flourishes at the Pomona Day Labor The Minority Fellowship Program aims The American Sociological Association, Center. For the past five and a half to increase the number of faculty and founded in 1905, is a non-profit years, students and scholars from researchers of color in the discipline of membership association dedicated to Pitzer College have volunteered in capacities such as teaching English or sociology generally, and, for those Fellows advancing sociology as a scientific computer classes while furthering their funded by the National Institute of Mental discipline and profession. own academic enrichment. Rosie Poitra-Chalmers, a student at Scripps College, won the Donald A. Strauss Foundation Grant last year for her An Act public service project titled “Breaking Down Boundaries with Language.” “The project will build upon the of Kindness foundation already set at the Pomona Day Labor Center, and strive to build and Beauty connections with other day labor and immigration organizations in the ver notice the beautiful flower Southern California region,” Poitra- arrangements in Scott Hall? Chalmers states. E Neva Barker purchases the Pomona Day Labor Center flowers every Sunday at the Farmer’s experiences success because of support Market in Claremont. from Pitzer College’s Center for Barker says that she purchases and California Cultural and Social Issues arranges the flowers but several people and involvement from the community, have contributed to the “flower fund,” such as periodic free health screenings including Carol Brandt, Kate Rogers, at the Center provided by Western Jennifer Onstott, Linda Morand, Ann University of Health Sciences and Stromberg, Lissa Peterson, Shirley support from the City of Pomona. Hawkins and the staff in the Registrar’s Calderon, a member of the Board of Office. Directors for the Pomona Day Labor The flowers are usually displayed on Center, states, “In bringing students top of cloths that are well coordinated Photo by Penny King and faculty together with community- with the flower arrangements. “The Neva Barker displays some of the based organizations, all of these coordination of the displays was started flowers that grace the lobby of Scott partnerships use the strengths of with some paper that was given to me Hall on a daily basis. diversity, critical pedagogy, by Ann Stromberg, who organized the participatory action research, and sale of this paper to raise money for Market to buy flowers, a peaceful service learning to work on common artisans in Nepal,” Barker said. protest against gray, I guess you could issues and to create social change,” in Barker first placed flowers in the call it,” Barker said. “Flowers are a his article, “Partnership in Teaching lobby when she had received a bunch treat that just happen to be easy to and Learning: Combining the Practice of gladiolas as a “Welcome Back” after share with everyone…I call it of Critical Pedagogy with Civic she had been out for surgery. Since the ‘practicing senseless acts of beauty’ as Engagement and Diversity” (see page flowers took up too much space in on the bumper sticker that was popular 6). Barker’s office she placed them in the a few years ago: ‘Practice random acts As the Pomona Day Labor Center Scott Lobby. of kindness and senseless acts of prospers, Occidental and other colleges “When the flowers died, I missed beauty.’ ” can use its success to continue their the color and decided the lobby Thank you Neva and others for your research and to affect social change in deserved the attention so I started acts of kindness and beauty! our diverse society. occasionally going to the Farmer’s
Penny King
Melonie Galloway, Public Relations intern

Fall 2003
7 CALDERON models, such as the students teaching ESL and years. These partnerships include a Pitzer Continued from Page 6 taking day laborers for physical and dental faculty member, who serves as the link check-ups—with the long-term goal of between the students, the campus community, leaflets about the services available at the reciprocity. That is, service learning is part of a and the community based organization, and an center. Along with three students working as larger program meant eventually to empower individual—usually a community fellow— summer interns with Pitzer’s Center for the participants, to develop their leadership, who is the designated link to the community- California Cultural and Social Issues and a and to develop the foundations that will allow based organization. The goal of this community fellow, we met with the day them to function as active participants in the relationship is to empower and build the laborers, practiced action research in the larger world of policy making. capacity of both campus and community process of dialogue, and assessed that there This kind of community-based partnering participants. was a need for community supporters who is a cornerstone of the Center for California Again, this is not just about service were not day laborers also to distribute the Cultural and Social Issues (CCCSI). Created learning. A number of my students, for leaflets. Together, we organized volunteers in 1999, CCCSI supports research and example, have written their theses on day from the day labor board, the city council, the education that contribute to the understanding laborers. By connecting her work in the day college, and other community organizations to of critical community issues and enhance the labor center and her work with a United Farm be there on a daily basis to distribute leaflets to resources of community organizations. As part Worker Alternative Spring Break, one student employers and to support the workers in their of its mission to be a genuine partner in wrote a thesis comparing the organizing efforts. strategies of day laborers and farm workers. I In addition, on the first day of our action, am currently publishing an article on day two other summer interns began teaching The Pomona Day Labor Center, laborers that I co-wrote with two graduates English as a Second Language (ESL) classes which got started through the who had served as CCCSI interns. In return, and developing an immigration rights and efforts of students, is not an we have used this research to write grants that health project at the center. As service have helped to fund the day labor center and isolated example at Pitzer College. its projects. Within this framework, one of our providers, as researchers, and as participants, It reflects the ethos of many students have been a part of all of these sociology professors has developed a capstone actions. I cannot think of a better example with programs that have emerged and course in which seniors spend their last which to begin a discussion of civic taken off in the last few years. This semester working in groups and writing grants for community-based organizations. engagement and partnering. ethos is rooted in the The CCCSI is linked to an external studies advancement of intercultural and NOT JUST SERVICE LEARNING program, which is based on participatory interdisciplinary understanding as learning, on understanding different cultural The Pomona Day Labor Center, which got well as in the ideal of democracy perspectives, and on cooperative projects with started through the efforts of students, is not an translated as social responsibility. local community-based organizations in Nepal, isolated example at Pitzer College. It reflects It is rooted in the idea that, China, Venezuela, Turkey, Italy, and the ethos of many programs that have emerged Zimbabwe. Some of the students from this and taken off in the last few years. This ethos through campus-community program return to use their new-found is rooted in the advancement of intercultural partnering, our students and languages through external-internal programs. and interdisciplinary understanding as well as faculty will engage in acts of The community-based Spanish program, for in the ideal of democracy translated as social collaboration that go beyond the example, develops partnerships between responsibility. It is rooted in the idea that, charity or project paradigms. students and their Spanish-speaking host through campus-community partnering, our families and the Pitzer in Ontario program, students and faculty will engage in acts of Jose Calderon which is situated a few miles from our college. collaboration that go beyond the charity or Here, students immerse themselves in a multi- project paradigms. Keith Morton (cite) ethnic community that is undergoing dramatic characterizes this as going beyond the charity communities rather than to dispense so-called demographic transformations. Through model, with control of services with the “expert” solutions to pre-defined needs, the classes, fieldwork, internships, field trips, and provider, to a model of social change that center supports numerous innovative participatory action research, students learn builds partnerships of equality between all the community-based projects by offering research firsthand the processes of everyday life in participants, that gets at the root causes of awards and technical training to faculty and suburban communities like Ontario and the problems, and that focuses directly or students at Pitzer College. In its three years of effects of globalization and technological indirectly on politically empowering the operation, CCCSI has given over 100 awards development on them. Through partnerships powerless. Further, this ethos is rooted in the to students, faculty, and members of the with local community-based organizations, concept of “community-based partnering,” community. These have included community- students learn the principles of asset-based according to which research and action are based summer projects and internships, development and gain an awareness of carried out not merely for the benefit of academic-year course enhancement and senior sustainable development practices. academia but for the benefit of the year projects, and urban and community community-based organization and its fellowships. As part of campus-community AN EQUAL RELATIONSHIP members in both the short- and the long-term. partnering, the center has developed a small In bringing students and faculty together It joins the idea of service learning—some of number of core partnerships with community- which we might label as charity or project based organizations that last no fewer than four See Calderon, Page 9

8
Pitzer College Participant BALTIMORE Faculty, Staff Find CRAB CAKES

Recipe makes about 15 crab Recipe for Success cakes INGREDIENTS nd the Campaign, founding Professor Steve Glass was the lucky 3 lbs. crabmeat, lump or winner of backfin (may use canned if two round- winner of two round-trip tickets “A to anywhere in the continental fresh is not available) trip tickets to anywhere United States. Professor Glass 3 cups white bread crumbs or in the continental United and his wife, Sandy, used this panko States is…Professor opportunity to head east to 1 ½ cups mayonnaise Steve Glass!” Baltimore to attend a cooking 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce course on “The Bounty of the Professor Steve Glass whips 2 teaspoons Tabasco or other Each year as the end of the Chesapeake Bay Region” at up a dish at the cooking hot sauce Pitzer College Annual Baltimore International College. school in Baltimore. 3 tablespoons yellow mustard Campaign approaches, the While spending a couple of days 2 large eggs, lightly beaten Pitzer community takes part in in Washington DC, they visited toss to mix, being careful the Faculty & Staff Campaign. the Elizabeth exhibit at the 1 ½ tablespoons Old Bay not to break up crab pieces. This year, Pitzer saw record- Folger Library and had dinner seasoning Refrigerate for 15 minutes. breaking success when 85% of with Pitzer alumnus Seth 3 tablespoons chopped Form mixture into 4-oz. crab faculty and staff contributed Leibsohn ’91 and his wife, parsley cakes. They can be covered $59,090 to the College. At the Elaine. Although they have been Vegetable oil for frying cakes and refrigerated for several conclusion of this campaign in the e-mail equivalent of what hours if needed. Shallow fry June, the campus gathers used to be called pen pals for METHOD the crab cakes in about 1 ½ together to enjoy food and several years, Professor Glass In a small bowl mix inches of oil heated to 350 conversation while crossing never actually had Leibsohn as a mayonnaise, Worcestershire degrees. Brown on both their fingers to see who the student and they had not seen sauce, Tabasco, mustard sides and remove to a lucky winners will be in the each other since Leibsohn left and eggs. In a larger bowl baking sheet. About 15 annual raffle drawing. Thanks to Pitzer in 1991. gently pick crabmeat. Add minutes before serving, local businesses and members of When asked to describe why Old Bay seasoning, parsley place in 375-degree oven to the Pitzer community, all of the he chooses to give back to and bread crumbs. Pour heat through. prizes are donated for this event. Pitzer, Professor Glass mayonnaise mixture over The raffle is a way of responded that he feels that it is crab mixture and gently Serve with tartar sauce. recognizing those who, in necessary and that after being a addition to showing their part of Pitzer for so many years We also offer a special note of (Duplicating Services), Gary support of Pitzer through their he sees his support as an gratitude to the members of the Clark (Admissions), Mark hard work everyday, are also investment in the College. Faculty & Staff Campaign Crawbuck (Facilities), Alex generous enough to make a Many thanks to all those who Committee: Neva Barker Leyva (Food Service), Peter financial contribution. showed their support in making (External Studies), Jose Nardi (Faculty), and David During the Wrap-up Raffle the 2003 Faculty & Staff Calderon (Faculty P’99 & Perez (Student Affairs). of the 2003 Faculty & Staff Campaign such a huge success! P’03), Lynda Casey
Kelly Howell CALDERON outcomes. participating students and faculty collaborate in Continued from Page 8 An essential component of this style of what Kenneth Reardon (cite) has described as learning and research is its commitment to “intentionally promoting social learning with community-based organizations, all of promoting an equal relationship between the processes that can develop the organizational, these partnerships use the strengths of interests of the academics and the community analytical, and communication skills of local diversity, critical pedagogy, participatory action participants. Traditionally, academics have had leaders and their community-based research, and service learning to work on a tendency to “parachute” into a community or organizations.” As part of this commitment, common issues and to create social change. workplace for their own research interests we have found that it is essential for faculty These collaborative efforts are examples of without developing the kind of long-term members to make a long-term commitment to community-based models that require faculty relationship and collaboration that it takes to the sites and communities where they have and students to immerse themselves alongside create concrete change. In working to move placed their students. Although students can community participants to collectively develop beyond the traditional models of gathering only make a commitment for a semester or theories and strategies and to achieve common research from outside for their own interests, See Calderon, Page 19

Fall 2003
9 Professor Paul Faulstich’s Fulbright research marked his return to the people with Full Circle whom he began his career. aul Faulstich, professor of environmental studies at Pitzer, Precently returned to the College after completing a Fulbright Fellowship research project among the Warlpiri, a group of Aboriginal people in Australia. Faulstich grew up in Alhambra, about 25 miles west of Claremont, and was a student at Pitzer from 1975 to 1979, majoring in environmental studies and art. He earned his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the East-West Center and the University of Hawaii and his M.A. in anthropology and symbolic archaeology from Stanford. He came back to Pitzer as a visiting professor in 1991. He returned again in 1993 and has been with the College’s Karina Faulstich Environmental Studies program since Paul Faulstich carries a piece of wood to be used for making a boomerang that time. while on his Fulbright trip in Australia. “Pitzer was my college of choice program that is unique in its concern with integrates keen observation of nature with because of its solid academics, its relationships between humans and the an acknowledgement (indeed, an attention to the individual student, and its more-than-human world.” affirmation) that humans are sentient flexibility of curriculum. When I was a “Our curriculum includes community beings. Hence, it mixes the scientific student here, I remember looking up to service courses, outreach programs, perspective with elegant, heart-felt and my professors and thinking that I couldn’t extracurricular activities, and our ‘hands- intelligent responses to science. We imagine a better career. I still feel this on’ emphasis,” Faulstich said. “Some searched for two years to find the right way,” Faulstich said. recent and exciting developments in our person to fill our new position, and with The first two courses Faulstich taught program include the evolution of the Melinda, we’ll be able to create stronger in 1991 were “The Desert as a Place,” Ecology Center, expansion of the John links with the Joint Science Department. which he inherited from Professors Carl Rodman Arboretum, development of new This will allow us to incorporate more Hertel and Paul Shepard, and “Victims of courses, increased intercollegiate links, successfully the scientific dimension Progress,” which over the years has the Leadership in Environmental while strengthening our focus on human developed into his current course Education Partnership (LEEP), and the ecology.” “Progress and Oppression: Ecology, hiring of Melinda Herrold-Menzies. In “The kind of natural history we are Human Rights and Development.” 1998 the Environmental Studies Field expanding within our curriculum involves “We continue to honor our heritage,” Group completed a comprehensive the integrated study of the relationships Faulstich said about the changes in redesign of our curriculum, and new among and between the biophysical and Environmental Studies at Pitzer since he concentration requirements are now in cultural components of natural started teaching. “John Rodman was effect. Recent programmatic environments,” Faulstich said. “Emphasis instrumental in establishing the developments mark a renewed emphasis is placed on developing an understanding environmental studies program at Pitzer. on activism, academic rigor, social of ecological and geological principles This innovative program was one of the responsibility, and community evident in natural ecosystems and how first in the world, and continues to be involvement.” these interface with human social unique in its emphasis on a broadly “With the hiring of Melinda, we are systems.” defined human ecology. Paul Shepard and increasing our emphasis on natural “Environmental Studies has operated Carl Hertel joined with John in creating history, while maintaining our social as an interdisciplinary program, providing the vision for our program. They forged a science perspective. Natural history environmental education for Pitzer

10
Pitzer College Participant Twilight in the Outback section of the Pitzer College Arboretum Marc Campos Marc students for more than 25 years. The state Pitzer College’s proactive position in our campus, our local community, and – of the world suggests that environmental all of its field groups is evident in often — an international community. The studies programs will be just as important Environmental Studies. So too is the Arboretum provides a local, on-the- 25 years from now, and this is reflected in nature of Pitzer’s interdisciplinary ground, ecological component to a Pitzer the fact that student interest in our programs. education. It instills respect, induces program is dramatically increasing,” “One of our goals at Pitzer is to passion, encourages pride in our school, Faulstich said. develop balanced, whole persons. This and teaches about the interconnections The field of environmental studies has requires a balanced, whole curriculum as between things. It demonstrates that a changed in many ways since its well as a balanced, whole campus Pitzer education involves not just a incorporation into the Pitzer College conducive to ecological learning. The comprehension of ideas, but a life lived curriculum. From the addition of Arboretum is a good example of how we accordingly,” Faulstich said. behavioral science to the field and integrate our physical and intellectual Pitzer will play a strong role in the challenges to the dominant rationalistic environments,” Faulstich said. future of environmental studies, Faulstich paradigm, to the increased use of “Not only is the Pitzer Arboretum good said. “Pitzer’s strength in environmental mathematical modeling involving the use for the soul; it is good for the mind. studies lies in a broad ‘human ecology,’ of computers, the field has increasingly Experience of nature, we believe, is both which teaches that diversity, moved toward applied ecology, which is an essential part of understanding the interdependence, and whole systems are concerned with the management of environment, and conducive to good fundamental to ourselves and to the health natural resources, agricultural production, thinking. The Arboretum provides of the planet. More and more colleges are and environmental pollution. opportunities for involvement with willing to sell off — or marginalize, or “In many ways, the foresight of Nature; an involvement that is ignore — natural areas in their possession Professors Rodman, Hertel and Shepard increasingly rare. The way education for what some regard as more practical anticipated directions of the field. They occurs is nearly as important as its purposes. But we educate by what we do were engaging our students in human content, and learning is most successful as well as by what we say. Hence, that we ecology — in understanding how humans when it is participatory, hands-on, and have about a third of our campus devoted fit within ecosystems — long before it applicable. At Pitzer, education occurs as to the Arboretum says something about was in vogue,” Faulstich said. part of a dialogue with a series of places: See Faulstich, Page 12

Fall 2003
11 FAULSTICH environmentalism while simultaneously exploring the ecology of expressive Continued from Page 11 reconstructing new ways, we can begin culture. to develop a new vision of sustainability “How myth, ritual, art, and the like for an interconnected world. Ecology encode relationships with nature. I our commitments, as does our fight to reminds us that it is through variety, looked at religious responses to protect the Bernard Biological Field intermingling, persistence, and landscape, Dreaming stories, and graphic Station.” succession that we achieve cultural and symbolism; all in the attempt to better “The challenge is to expand our environmental integrity. Any successful understand Aboriginal perceptions of understanding of how human existence global environmentalism will necessarily their environment,” he said. derives sustenance and spirit from its draw upon basic concepts from the Faulstich’s recent Fulbright trip was a connection with the diversity of natural science of ecology — complexity, continuation of his ongoing research. landscapes. The Environmental Studies diversity, and symbiosis — to achieve “My Fulbright project entailed two Field Group is trying hard to do this,” he equity and wholeness.” components; lecturing on ethnoecology, said. When asked who has inspired him in and conducting research on the related “In our program, we seek, especially, his field, Faulstich said, “Quite simply, I topic of the natural history of place- to develop a new generation of gained my greatest and most enduring making. My work was organized around naturalists. A naturalist is one who has the explorations of the ecological eyes of a scientist and the vision of a dimensions of human ideologies, poet; one who confronts evocative ideas, especially cultural values of landscape and is respectful of both facts and and place. I surveyed, documented, and mysteries. That we chose to focus our revealed ways in which ecological request on ‘natural history’ reflects our knowledge is culturally constructed, interest in the more-than-human world.” symbolically encoded, and strategically Faulstich said that Pitzer has numerous utilized by Warlpiri Aborigines of the alumni working to make the world a Australian central desert,” he said. better place. From activists out in the “Place-making is universal, yet its trenches and lawyers in the courtrooms, essential roles and cultural to teachers in the classrooms, Pitzer has implementations are not adequately environmentally oriented alumni working understood. What we widely do know is for the United Nations, directing NGOs, that place-making is a way of being journalists, creating art, and constructing cultural histories and restoring ecosystems. identities, of fashioning versions of While the field of environmental ‘what happened here’ and ‘where we studies has taken on a global complexion came from.’ But at a deeper level, I am over the years, Faulstich argues that A member of the Warlpiri community not so much interested in what globalization of environmental problems works on a boomerang. landscape means, as I am in how makes it difficult to address many local landscape means. Hence, I delved into concerns and learn from indigenous and inspiration as a student from my Pitzer why and how people come to understand subjugated peoples. professors. Also, the Aboriginal peoples places as having distinct personalities, “In assessing globalization and with whom I work have inspired me and I explored how physical landscapes strategizing a future for greatly. And I can’t neglect to mention are embedded in cultural knowledge. environmentalism, we should not the inspiration I get from nature itself.” Interestingly, this is remarkable similar confuse political realities with cultural Upon graduating from Pitzer in scope to my first research trip,” and ecological realities. The ways in Faulstich was awarded a Thomas J. Faulstich said. which globalization interfaces with Watson Fellowship to spend a year in Reflecting on his arrival among the indigenous peoples are cause for both Australia conducting independent Warlpiri, Faulstich said, “My arrival in alarm and hope. Critical alarm arises research with Aboriginals, he said. “I Nyirripi, my research community, was from the legacy of devastation that went to the Central Desert because I was bittersweet, with news of the deaths of a globalization has thus far left on native captivated by the native art being couple of the senior men with whom I cultures and ecosystems. Hope lies in the produced there, and I enrolled in a have worked over the past 23 years. realization that indigenous peoples Warlpiri language course. One of my Only one of the ‘old men’ that I have around the world are reasserting their instructors, a woman named Nungarrayi, worked closely with — a man named cultures, and that many have maintained befriended me and invited me to her Jungarrayi — is still around, and it was [and in some cases increased] biological community. Because of my relationship heartening to see how pleased he was to diversity in their homelands,” Faulstich with her, I was given a Warlpiri name see me again. The deaths of my senior said. and initiated into the tribe.” Warlpiri consultants, combined with the “By deconstructing old ways of doing Faulstich’s research involved inevitable culture change, made this

12
Pitzer College Participant stint of field research particularly International/Intercultural Learning that springs to mind is student activism challenging. As it turned out, I spent through Technology grant from the around preserving the field station. They most of my time with Jungarrayi, but Mellon Foundation] will host much of are engaged in a process of coming to also spent time forging relationships the analyzed material from my project,” know the place they inhabit. Defending with the next generation of elders; men he said. wildness as they are enables us to renew more my age.” “Through the Fulbright Scholar an ancient covenant with the land.” Faulstich said Nyirripi is a much Program, I’m exploring ways of “The Claremont Unified School larger community now than when he translating my experience into long-term District is also engaging their students in first visited. It now has a fluctuating institutional impact. Examples include developing a sense of place,” Faulstich population of about 150, but when he development of joint curriculum, said. “In conjunction with Pitzer and the first visited there were only about three Leadership in families living in the area. Environmental “In 1980 there were no permanent A sculpture Education structures, only ‘humpies,’ which are mimics Partnership, they are makeshift dwellings. Now there are nature in sending students to cinderblock houses, a dirt airstrip, a the Desert the field station to Garden store, a petrol pump, and other section of study our native amenities. It is easy to lament these the Pitzer ecosystem,” he said. changes, but in some ways the Arboretum. Though Faulstich community is more vibrant now,” was dismayed to Faulstich said. learn of the death of “I like to believe that my work does several of the advance understandings of human-nature Warlpiri with whom interactions,” he said. “Anthropologists, he had worked in the for example, have long struggled to past, there were temporally place the Aboriginal moments that conception of the Dreaming [Jukurrpa in transcended such Warlpiri]. They have discussed loss. ‘Dreamtime’ as a time-out-of-time; an “The single best era when past, present, and future fold moment was being in together. But from my experience, what the field with my two matters most to Aboriginals — at least daughters, laying in to Warlpiri — is where Dreaming events our sleeping bags, occur, not when, and what they reveal marveling at the about Aboriginal socio-political life. In Milky Way and this way, culture is spatially anchored listening to dingoes and places are indispensable resources howling. My children for cultural identity. It’s not were remarkable in breakthrough research; we just need the field, always more of it.” ready for a hike, a Faulstich said he thinks his project climb, or an will have broad benefits to Pitzer’s adventure [even international resources and programs. giving me advice on “My research has resulted in field ethnographic information and theoretical summer seminars for students, faculty, methodologies!],” he said. explication of some cultural and administrators, and student and “My Fulbright experience has been understandings of ecological principles. faculty exchanges. I’m still hoping to among the richest and most valued of Results of my project are being one day be able to take a group of my professional life,” he added. disseminated at academic symposia and students with me to Australia,” Faulstich “Perhaps the most exciting outcome, for research journals, as well as local said. me, has been the incubation of myriad community forums. More significant is Place-making is not confined to the ideas. The opportunity to engage with a that dissemination is occurring in the Warlpiri or other Aboriginal people, diversity of students, scholars, and classroom, as I share the fruits of my Faulstich said. Aboriginals was tremendous, and I know research with students. Additionally, a “There are certainly examples of that the fruits of these encounters will Web site that I am constructing focusing place-making here, but the context and enrich my teaching and research for the on “Worldview and Natural History” motivation differ significantly from the rest of my career.” [under the aegis of an Aboriginal example. One case in point
Jay Collier

Fall 2003
13 elinda Herrold- Melinda Herrold-Menzies interviews a farmer in Caohai Nature Reserve in Guizhou, China, about conflicts over hunting and fishing in the reserve. Menzies starts Mwork at Pitzer this fall as the replacement for Professor John Rodman, who formally retired from his position in environmental studies and political studies in the spring of 2000. Professor Rodman died June 16, 2003, of complications Faculty Profile Faculty from Alzheimer’s disease. The search for his replacement took two years. Advantage:

Herrold-Menzies brings a wealth of an environmental field until after I had Science, Policy and Management.” experiences from her studies abroad and finished college. (I studied literature and her teaching duties at UC Berkeley. She is mathematics as an undergrad.) It was as a Q: What does Pitzer College have to offer teaching Introduction to Environmental Peace Corps volunteer in the Central your professional development? Studies and a first-year seminar titled “The African Republic when I worked in a Search for Environmental Justice” this fall. national park that I realized I wanted to Teaching in a nearly ideal situation. She earned her Ph.D. at UC Berkeley in devote my career to working on resolving Pitzer has both the advantages of a small Environmental Science, Policy and conflicts over natural resources. I then did liberal arts college and those of a larger Management; her M.A. at Yale University a Masters in International Relations with a university. As a small college with in International Relations; and her B.A. at focus on Conservation and Development, wonderfully small classes, students have a Webster College in Literature/Language studied Mandarin Chinese and Russian, chance to participate and be part of a and Mathematics. and subsequently received a fellowship to community. This is a much better The Participant asked Herrold-Menzies study in China for two years. During this environment for learning than one in to reflect on her profession and what her period in China, I traveled to nature which large lecture halls with hundreds of hiring means for her and Pitzer. reserves during the summer and winter students are the norm, where students have vacations and became fascinated by little or no contact with their professors. At Question: What made you decide to go problems related to protecting endangered the same time, Pitzer has amazing into environmental studies? species of cranes. What was so fascinating resources for a small liberal arts for me as a birder interested in both institution. Through its affiliation with the Answer: A number of different things international relations and the environment other Claremont Colleges, Pitzer students influenced my decision. Growing up in was the number of crane species that breed have access to a great library, extensive South Florida, in a family of birders, I in the Russian Far East and northeastern science programs through the joint science spent a lot of time in the Everglades bird China, migrate through China and the programs, and a rich variety of classes in watching with my family. My family and I Korean peninsula, and winter in southern the different colleges. As a professor, I also spent many moonlit nights on the China and Japan. The survival of these also have access to these vast resources. beach watching loggerhead turtles lay their species depends upon cooperation between For continued research and collaboration eggs during the spring or watching the Russia, China, the Koreas, and Japan. I with colleagues, being part of the larger baby turtles emerge from the sand during found this incredibly intriguing. This led to Claremont community offers me many the summer. So, I grew up in a family of my doing a Ph.D. in an environmental opportunities — more than I would have naturalists but I never considered studying studies department called “Environmental at most other small liberal arts colleges. So

14
Pitzer College Participant I have the opportunities for professional The field of environmental studies has sometimes-violent conflicts between local development that I would have at a larger become recognized academically as a field farmers trying to make a living and park university but also have small classes in — this is no small achievement! It has managers trying to protect endangered which I can actually get to know my become more accepted that interdisciplinary species, that galvanized my interest in a students and improve my teaching skills. approaches to environmental problem career in Environmental Studies. It was my solving are essential, but we are still very academic experiences that helped me to Q: What do you have to offer Pitzer? much in the process of figuring out how this discover in which subfield of environmental interdisciplinary work can be done. studies I would best fit. It was through I have extensive international experience taking a variety of courses in international — in China, Russia, and Central Africa — Q: What impact do you expect to make in relations, ecology, environmental policy, which complements Pitzer’s commitment to Pitzer’s Environmental Studies program, geography, sociology, and political science cross-cultural education. I have an especially as it relates to your specialty that helped me understand the breadth of the interdisciplinary education that combines within your field? field and helped me figure out where I natural science and social science would have the most to offer. perspectives in addressing environmental issues. Q: What is the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to environmental Q: What are you most looking forward to studies? about the upcoming school year? Interdisciplinary approaches are essential I am excited about teaching small classes to resolving complex environmental problems, which are inherently interdisciplinary in their complexity. Environmental problems are not simply technical issues that can be resolved by “science.” Environmental problems have cultural, social, and political aspects in Pitzer addition to their biological, chemical, and physical components. For example, in discussions about preserving biodiversity, at an excellent liberal arts college and issues related to gene pools, wildlife having the opportunity to get to know the corridors, and island biogeography are just students at Pitzer. as critical as poverty, corruption, unequal Melinda Herrold-Menzies land distribution, cultural values, and Q: What makes you a good fit for the spiritual beliefs. Focusing on a single aspect Environmental Studies program at Pitzer? of a problem will not resolve the problem. My education in an interdisciplinary I have a very strong background in department has afforded me tremendous Q: What is the biggest challenge confronting interdisciplinary studies – something that is experience in dealing with the difficulties of environmental studies students as they fundamental to Pitzer’s approach to doing interdisciplinary work. I think that graduate and head out into the world? education. I completed my Ph.D. at the academics and practitioners from different University of California, Berkeley in an disciplines agree that we must work The biggest challenge will be for students interdisciplinary department — the together, but actually getting people to work to both maintain their activism and continue department of Environmental Science, together is an extraordinary challenge. to try to understand the variety of different Policy and Management — where students viewpoints on a particular topic. complete coursework in the natural and Q: How have your academic experiences led Environmental topics are often very social sciences. I have taken and taught you to a career in Environmental Studies? contentious and frequently lead to deadlock. courses that have combined material from Finding opportunities for mutual the natural sciences, social sciences and It is probably less my academic understanding and compromise between humanities. This is an approach to experiences and more my seemingly opposed groups is an enormous education that Pitzer is known for. I also personal/professional experiences that have challenge. have extensive international research and led me to a career in environment studies. I teaching experience that fits well with was a Peace Corps volunteer for three years Q: How do you expect to help them meet Pitzer’s mission to help students understand in the Central African Republic (1988-1991). this challenge? and appreciate other cultures, particularly as While my first two years were spent as a exemplified in the External Studies math and biology teacher, my third year was By teaching them to think critically and program. spent doing conservation education in a compassionately; encouraging them to act national park created for lowland gorillas, on their beliefs while trying to understand Q: What has changed in the field of forest elephants and chimpanzees. It was this where those who hold differing viewpoints Environmental Studies in the last 10 years? firsthand experience confronting the are coming from.

Fall 2003
15 Pitzer College Statement of Environmental Policy John R. Rodman and Principles: Pitzer strives to incorporate socially and environmentally sound practices 1933-2003 into the operations of the college and the education of our students. Pitzer exists within

“John was Dean of Faculty when I arrived at Pitzer and he and I were great colleagues and great friends. Indeed, we shared an apartment together for a year. John was a wonderful faculty member, a great friend, and someone I will always miss.”
Bob Atwell, Pitzer president 1970-1978

Photos by Marc Campos

16
Pitzer College Participant inter-reliant communities that are affected by accordingly. We are thus committed to principles personal and institutional choices, and the of sustainability, and dedicated to promoting college is mindful of the consequences of our awareness and knowledge of the impacts of our practices. A Pitzer education should involve not actions on human and natural communities. just a mastery of ideas, but a life lived
Adopted at College Council, Nov. 1, 2001

“Besides accomplishing so much in his ‘professional’ life in political and environmental studies, and besides founding an arboretum, John really connected in a deep way with a lot of people. In my own case, I came to realize that he was a singularly important personality in the lives of a surprising large group. He had a real gift for sharing himself, for really caring about others, and offering genuine acceptance. What an extraordinary human being.”
Richard Chute ’84, Alumni Association Board member

“How very sad that Pitzer has lost this gentle, wise man. When I returned to the campus after a number of years ‘away,’ the Arboretum was the most salient signal to me of the significant beautification of the College’s campus. The many, many birds attracted by the diverse plant life and the complex scents given off by the flowers and foliage delight me each time I walk around campus. His efforts have enriched Pitzer College.”
Ella Pennington ’81, Alumni Association president

“John was Pitzer’s Pied Piper; current students, alums, and friends would follow him with great devotion. He remembered students from long ago, and always created a special time to guide folks through the garden, even if one surprised him with a visit. Many a former student getting off the I-10 freeway for a quick swing by campus and a leg-stretch would find John in the garden and themselves with a grand tour. He is so much a part of Pitzer’s history and its evolution. His legacy is the entire garden — one of the defining characteristics of the College. He’s been sorely missed for years.”
Deb Smith ’68, Trustee Emerita For additional reflections on the loss of John Rodman, visit www.pitzer.edu/memorial/

Fall 2003
17 Encouraging “50 Bucks to the First Person Who Can Swallow It Whole”

The Frankel brothers tied for first place, WORDS And instead of opting for a cool 25 smacks each, Or even, perhaps, compromising individual glory, hock. Pleasant surprise. Gratitude. choosing to This seems to be the trajectory of Put the full 50 toward the pine carved slingshot responses experienced by students who with real horsehair S tassels receive the Bea Matas Hollfelder Creative That Mickey Flemming had constructed himself Writing Scholarship, a special recognition at in woodshop and fine arts Pitzer College for excellence in creative And was now selling to the highest bidder writing. To pay for his grandmother’s dentures, Every year since 1995, one student whose The Frankel brothers instead decided overall work in creative writing shows To have a tie breaking match with broccoli heads Rosemary Stafford particular imagination is selected to receive One-upping the miniature brussel sprouts used in the first round. the Hollfelder award. Most recipients are games. Eleanor often signs herself off with a selection completely unaware of its existence until the Joey Frankel swallowed his first, with the aid of day they win it. But this ignorance does not From her ‘prayer a day keeps the devil away’ tear four glasses of water, off desk calendar. detract from the honor. cheers Sometimes, she writes her own, telling each of “Winning this award … gave me a feeling And plenty of backslaps from the other boys. the 35 that that I had been right to put my writing above Upon choosing an aptly similar sized portion of Courage is born from the disciple’s decision to all other interests and studies; that the pursuit broccoli for the second be humble. most integral to my personal development Frankel, And sometimes Sheila signs on, and types Michael Frankel’s girlfriend Sheila bestowed a was also strong link to the world around me,” nothing, staring instead kiss upon it, and then At the writing on the screen, and pretending that says Fiona Spring, who won the Hollfelder him, for luck. Michael is still there, award in 1999 and now has published a book The air hushed – and every soul there heard that with her. of poetry. “This was a priceless reassurance play by play in silent, because the academic life can be so mental unison- New games of death defiance evolve out there in isolating.” He contemplates… he lifts the vegetable to his the clubhouse. mouth… But none involve the orifice of the mouth, green Rosemary Stafford, the 2003 winner, vegetables, or Joey remembers how much she enjoyed being He turns his head to the sky… opens his airways as much as they damn well Frankel. completely surprised by the award, which she allow- A red corduroy loveseat with faded patches on the sides rests where learned of while studying in Ireland. Gurgles back, chokes, and falls dead on the floor Michael fell and lay, turning shades of purple. “I’d just lost the first ever writing contest of the clubhouse. And one Friday evening Mickey Flemming and I’d entered, which was a creative short fiction That last part took 5 minutes of sputtering. But Joey Frankel contest in Ireland,” says Stafford. “I later it still seemed Go out there to the cemetery where Michael is realized that an entry entirely focused on a girl Like a part of the game somehow. buried with a fetish for irregularities in teeth probably Dig a hole one foot wide and three feet deep wasn’t the most respectable subject matter for The Frankel mother, Eleanor Frankel, now above Michael attends a Sunday morning support an Irish contest, seeing as the Irish (bless them And bury that slingshot with two brussel sprouts group and one head of for all else) don’t so much have a noticeable From the safety of her own home via the broccoli. appreciation for orthodontic care. So it was Internet. Then Joey sits for a while and thinks about his nice to receive the award at that point in time.” The group is composed of 35 parents, siblings, brother The alumna who established the award, and friends who gather And decides that he never wants to win anything Bea Matas Hollfelder, is a 1987 graduate who To mourn the death of loved ones lost by ever again for the rest came to Pitzer in her 40s to major in English choking during contests or of his life. and creative writing. A published poet, Hollfelder was compelled to set up the Hollfelder said. “As an alum of Pitzer, I am encourage other young writers who are scholarship out of an appreciation for both glad I can do something to help.” similarly inspired to share their passion for writing and education instilled in her by her Each year, three of Hollfelder’s former writing – whether by writing themselves or parents. Hollfelder’s mother and father both professors – Jill Benton, Barry Sanders and encouraging others. enjoyed writing poetry. And while neither of Al Wachtel – get together to select the “I will begin my new career as a high- her parents went very far in school, Hollfelder winning student. Award recipients get $1,000, school English teacher in September,” says was raised with the idea that education is which can be spent in any way they choose. 1996 winner Quinn Burson. “I still possess an important. She became the first person in her “Bea was a marvel,” Benton recalls. “She inescapable preoccupation with the craft of family to obtain a bachelor’s degree. worked hard and she was really very talented writing and I hope to curry enthusiasm in my “I am a real lover of the creative side and I as well.” young English students.” have a very, very strong belief in education,” Hollfelder’s legacy at Pitzer continues to
Deborah Haar Clark

18
Pitzer College Participant Joint Science Appointment Fulfills Lifelong Ambition

ennifer Armstrong knew she wanted to humanities and social sciences. Such be a teacher when she was growing up Jennifer Armstrong interaction can really help me open up as a Jin Las Cruces, New Mexico. Later, as scientist. I look forward to seeing how I a student at New Mexico State working in develop as teacher and a scientist,” a laboratory, she fell in love with biology Armstrong said. and decided to become a scientist. The Armstrong said she is looking forward marriage of those two passions will have to her first year. She will be teaching ample room to grow as a member of the several biology courses and laboratories, as Joint Science Department. well as directing students’ Senior Theses. “Following graduation, I attended “My specific field of research is gene graduate school in San Diego and carried regulation. I am interested in how genes out my postdoctoral research in Santa are turned on and off at the appropriate Cruz. I am the only scientist in my family. times in development,” Armstrong said. I have an aunt who is a philosophy “Diseases [including cancer] can result professor teaching environmental ethics at when our genes are not regulated properly. Humboldt State,” Armstrong said. I find this field utterly fascinating, and am “Since I was a little kid I was sure I particularly fond of my model organism, wanted to teach. I used to think about how the fruit fly. The Joint Science Department I would outline my courses as a professor,” will allow me to continue research with the she said. help of student research assistants, which She tried the private sector on a is of great benefit during the course of temporary basis and though it was fun their education.” work, she said she knew she wanted to “My specific field of research is And what does she hope to teach these stay in academia. gene regulation. I am interested students? “I aim to convey to students that “During my post-doctoral studies I in how genes are turned on and we really don’t know what our wanted an academic position. When it off at the appropriate times in experiments will tell us, but that whatever came time to look for positions, I applied development. Diseases [including the answer may be it will contribute to the very selectively. The Joint Science cancer] can result when our body of knowledge about the world and Department held an attraction because of genes are not regulated ourselves.” the quality of students and small class sizes properly.” “I look forward to meeting the Pitzer of Pitzer and the other Colleges,” she said. students who join me in my classes and “Besides, the Monterey Bay area is institution, you do mainly research. my research laboratory, and will do my beautiful, but my husband and I wanted to Though there’s teaching, it is not stressed. best to provide them with positive return to sunny Southern California.” There’s an opportunity here to use my experiences that they can carry with them Armstrong said the department and research as a teaching tool. That’s the best for years to come,” Armstrong added. Pitzer also hold another attraction. way to do science.” Most of all, Armstrong stressed that she “I love both teaching and research so “I really like that in the department hopes to be an inspiring role model for all the Joint Science Department of the everyone works together so it leads to a lot students. “I want them to know science can Claremont Colleges seems the perfect fit,” of interdisciplinary interaction. Another be a good thing,” she said. she said. “If you go to a research asset is that Pitzer students also focus on
Jay Collier

CALDERON Conclusion backgrounds, and ideologies. These Continued from Page 9 The participatory style of learning and communities are facing inequality or they are research takes into consideration the meaning trying to improve their quality of life. Hence, until graduation, faculty participants are in a of community—which, as a whole, is made the research and learning described above better position to sustain campus-community up of many competing interests. Those who focuses on the sources of inequalities and on partnerships. are corporate growers, developers, and what can be done about them. While the As these long-term campus-community polluters call themselves part of the dominant understanding of inequality tends partnerships are developed, students and “community,” although their profit-making to blame the “individual” for his or her faculty can become a political force in their interests often place them in conflict with “inadequacies,” other theories and communities. They no longer have to be “quality of life” initiatives in the community. explanations focus on the historical and placed in the role of travelers passing by. The “communities” to which I refer are systemic foundations of inequality. The Instead, they can see themselves as geographical, political, and spiritual places practices I have described stand with the participants with a stake in the decisions being that are very diverse. They have different latter. They challenge students and faculty to made. levels of stratification, power relations, See Calderon, Page 20

Fall 2003
19 Mudder Finds a Home with His Former Neighbors

oining the Joint Science Department as Arabia and since it’s a gas and would have an organic chemistry professor was a Scott Williams to be pressurized and cooled to ship, they Jhomecoming of sorts for Scott just set it on fire or pump it back into the Williams. Though he grew up in the Pacific ground. It would be a lot better if you could Northwest, Williams completed his convert it into something that would be bachelor’s degree at Harvey Mudd College. useful. There’s a lot of interest in doing “I knew I wanted to be at a place with a these sorts of things, but traditionally these really strong science background, but I also have been impossible problems. Good was very much a liberal arts type so I people have done everything but the wanted to be somewhere I would be able to impossible, now we’re left with the hard take courses outside of the sciences. The stuff.” Claremont Colleges really appealed to me Williams said the best thing about his because I knew I could take courses off appointment is the student body. campus in music or history or whatever,” “The students at these colleges are Williams said. outstanding and there aren’t a lot of schools Williams’ search for a teaching position of this caliber around. The really fine liberal brought him back to the college arts schools are not a dime a dozen. These neighborhood that laid the foundation for colleges are real gems, especially on the his career. West Coast where the concentration is not “Searching nationally I wanted to be at a nearly as high.” really good undergraduate institution and I And just what impact does Williams wanted to be at a liberal arts college,” expect to make at the Joint Sciences Williams said. “It was a combination of “The work I did for my grad Department? “Hopefully not a crater. I finding a place that I knew had good degree and what I will do here would like to see a lot of students who students and a town that I knew I wouldn’t focuses primarily on one of the aren’t necessarily going to be scientists mind living in.” Holy Grails of chemistry and that develop a bit more comfort with science Joining the Joint Science Department is taking the most unreactive and an understanding of it because we’re posed a unique challenge for Williams. molecules and making them living in a world that’s becoming “You have to be a good fit at Scripps, useful. That means taking things increasingly permeated with technology. Claremont McKenna and Pitzer. It’s not like methane and trying to We’re constantly being bombarded with easy. You have to be somebody who can convert them into another more things that we have to process and make usable species like methanol.” teach to people who have chosen these judgments on and hopefully these are schools for all of these different students who are going to go out and vote philosophies and mean something to all of Joint Science Department, he said. and participate in society. Hopefully they these students and that’s quite a challenge.” “The work I did for my grad degree and will get better tools to judge science and Williams said he has known he wanted what I will do here focuses primarily on one technology and how it impacts us,” to teach since he graduated from high of the Holy Grails of chemistry and that is Williams said. school about 12 years ago. taking the most unreactive molecules and “One thing I’ve always enjoyed about “There’s never really been any doubt in making them useful,” Williams said. “That having a good understanding of science is my mind that I wanted to be at a liberal arts means taking things like methane and trying that you never lose that child’s sense of college or a small 4-year comprehensive to convert them into another more usable wonder with it all and I think a lot of people school.” species like methanol. Methane is currently just take it for granted.” Williams’ expertise will fill a need in the bored out of holes in the deserts of Saudi
Jay Collier

CALDERON students and faculty join community student-centered learning, and intercultural Continued from Page 19 participants in using research, teaching, and and interdisciplinary learning to create a learning to create more democratic structures dynamic paradigm of community-based find common grounds of collaboration with and to bring about fundamental social collaboration and social change. community institutions, unions, change. At the same time, this participatory organizations, and neighborhood leaders to style provides a meaningful and practical References invoke social consciousness and long-term means for building bridges between students, Keith Morton. The irony of service: Charity, structural change. faculty, and community participants from project, and social change in service learning. This type of civic engagement takes us diverse backgrounds. Finally, it brings beyond the traditional top-down models of together the practice of diversity, critical Kenneth Reardon. Participatory action “community service” to the level at which pedagogy, participatory action research, research as service learning.

20
Pitzer College Participant

TheThe NutsNuts andand BoltsBolts ofof ConservationConservation

The boiler room in Holden Hall reflects the many changes made in the interest of safety and efficiency. Plumbing and other items are color-coded as well as readily accessible for maintenance and repairs.

itzer College prides itself on teaching goal, Gates said, so planners took into Pitzer was already leading the way. social responsibility along with account other factors such as reducing The first phase of Pitzer’s project Pvarious academic disciplines, but the hazardous waste, using resources wisely, focused on replacing basic mechanical true test of a school’s commitment to its and creating a safer campus and work systems that heated and cooled the values often comes outside the classroom. environment. buildings. The campus used a series of About five years ago, the college was faced “We want to be good stewards,” Gates boilers and steam converters to heat the with a dilemma: what to do about its said, “and we started out that way.” buildings and to supply hot water to them, antiquated heating, cooling and lighting This philosophy is right in keeping with and the South Coast Air Quality systems. Pitzer’s interdisciplinary approach to Management District mandated that the Director of Facilities Jim Gates said that teaching environmental studies, which boilers either be retrofitted or replaced. when the campus was built in the 1960s, incorporates social sciences, humanities and The decision to replace them was an little thought was given to energy physical sciences. easy one, said Daniel Hearon, Pitzer conservation. The old units were wasting Paul Faulstich, an associate professor in manager of maintenance services. The old both energy and money, and simply didn’t environmental studies who is familiar with boilers were inefficient because of the steam meet the needs of the campus. Complaints the project, said Gates began taking energy- conversion process, and they also allowed a were common, he said. conservation measures before it was in great deal of heat to escape into the boiler So, with strong support from the college vogue to do so. “As a director of facilities, room. Because the boilers also provided hot administration, Pitzer undertook an Jim Gates is a real treasure,” Faulstich said. water, they had to run 365 days a year, even ambitious $5.5 million project to create It was only after California plunged into when there was no need to heat buildings. energy- and cost-efficient systems. It is now a power crisis a couple of years ago that Although retrofitting would have cost a model for other schools. some people began to see the wisdom of about 40% of the price to replace the Saving money was not the project’s only investing in ways to cut energy use, but equipment, improved air quality, future

22
Pitzer College Participant energy and cost savings and better Their selections included environment- The same kind of thinking went into performance more than made up the friendly low-mercury bulbs to reduce “maintainability,” which Gates said is often difference, Hearon said. hazardous waste. And they limited the types overlooked. The boiler rooms are kept The new flex-tube boilers are efficient of bulbs used on campus to reduce storage squeaky clean so problems such as oil spills and well insulated, allowing far less heat to requirements. can be spotted immediately. Individual escape. Separate water heaters were Occupancy sensors were installed to components of the boilers can be serviced installed so the boilers do not have to run automatically turn lights off if there is no without the need to shut down the entire year-round. Better yet, the boilers can be movement in the room for 15 minutes. Light unit. Equipment is easy to access and plenty turned on or off at will – even several times switches, which were lowered to make them of space was allowed for workers to a day – depending on the need for heat. more accessible to wheelchair users, allow maneuver. The water is being treated to Traditional boilers must stay on days or for three lighting levels. More lighting was prevent deposits, which reduces maintenance even weeks at a time, Hearon said. added to make the campus safer, but with no and keeps the equipment working longer. Swapping out the old “chillers” for 40% additional power Hearon, who was a contractor before more-efficient cooling units provide a similar consumption. To joining Pitzer five years ago, said his goal story. “There’s just been quantum jumps in reduce the risk of was to make the systems “idiot proof.” the efficiencies of equipment,” Gates said. serious injury, “I’ve worked in the business so long I’ve Even taking campus growth into account lights were seen everything that can go wrong,” he said. in the past three to four years, Pitzer has lowered where The project has attracted the attention of reduced gas usage by 43% and electricity possible so other schools. Gates, who serves on the usage by at least 25% for a combined workers would not steering committee of the Education for saving in excess of $500,000, he said. have to use tall Sustainability Western Network, said he has As the project moved into Phase II, ladders or cranes shared Pitzer’s experience with others in the Gates and Hearon replaced motors and air to replace bulbs or group. Pitzer has more representatives on movers used for circulation. The new work on the the steering committee than any other motors run at variable speeds and use less fixtures. The lights school, with Gates joined by Faulstich and Jim Gates electricity to power pumps and fans. on the remaining Director Marie Sandy, director of the Pitzer in Perhaps most importantly, Hearon and high poles won’t of Facilities Ontario program. his staff installed a computerized energy need to be Since 2001, this network of Western management system that regulates all the changed for about colleges and universities has been functions for maximum efficiency. The 18 years, Hearon encouraging greater collaboration among system can be programmed to said. campuses to promote education about automatically turn components on and off, The choices sustainability and put it into action. One and a series of sensors feed the computer they make aren’t goal is to involve all segments of college information that triggers changes. The always the communities in the effort. system also rotates functions to maintain cheapest in the Gates said he has worked closely with lowest usage during peak daytime hours or short run, but will Director of Facilities David Salazar at shift functions to nighttime, when power prove out, they Claremont Graduate University, and he and rates are about 50% lower. From his office, said. Dan Hearon Hearon have met with a number of people Hearon can monitor the entire system and “Costs are a Manager of from the other campuses over the past make adjustments as needed. little more in the Maintenance couple of years. The last phase of the project is about initial phase, but Services But interest in Pitzer’s project has spread 50% completed and involves changing you save over and farther afield. Facilities managers from other indoor and outdoor lighting and air over,” Gates said. schools, businesses, even churches have conditioning ducts and equipment in rooms. “If you’re visited the campus “to see how it’s done “Classrooms are a priority,” Gates said, so creative, you can get these projects to be right,” Hearon said. Southern California Gas they were completed first. worthwhile,” Hearon said. Co. has referred several of its customers to Bearing in mind their various obligations, Creativity is noticeable everywhere. In him, most recently a cheese maker, he said. Gates and Hearon made hundreds of the boiler rooms, pipes are color-coded by Gates said the project has been so decisions that show up in the fine details. function. Because the water heaters may successful in part because of the support it “It’s the right thing to do,” Gates said. “It serve as drinking water sources during received from the Board of Trustees, former takes a little more time and effort, but it’s emergencies, copper tubing was fitted with Pitzer President Marilyn Chapin Massey, worth it. The payback comes over time.” spigots and measured specifically to current President Laura Skandera Trombley Lights illustrate the point. accommodate 5-gallon buckets underneath. and Treasurer Vicke Selk. “We sat down and decided what light Where some of the old boiler stacks were Gates also credits Hearon, who is a bulbs would best meet the college’s needs,” removed, skylights were placed over the stickler for details. “He’s very talented and Hearon said. “This didn’t just happen. A lot holes – thus preventing the need for re- takes a lot of pride in this,” Gates said. of thought went into it.” roofing while adding natural lighting.
Patricia Barnes

Fall 2003
23 Grant Program Opens Door to Adventures in China

ould you like to travel in China? Do you have a special interest or Whobby that you would like to explore in mainland China? If you can develop an idea for a project that reflects a strong connection with China, you should consider applying for the Avery China Adventure Program to win a grant for travel from 3 weeks up to one year, and up to $25,000 in funding. This unique grant program is open to everyone at Pitzer – staff, faculty, and students may apply. Pitzer alums can also apply up to seven years from the date of graduation (classes of ’96 through ’03). The China Adventure Program, which is offered every two years, is sponsored by the R. Stanton Avery Photos by Cassandra Meagher Foundation. Paul Stewart, PACE instructor in English language, plays the guqin at the Grove House There are nine during a presentation he gave on his China Adventure. eligible Find out more about it by visiting Volleyball team in 1984. institutions: www.averychina.org. Cassandra Meagher, of the Advancement Pitzer College Office, visited Chinese parks and gardens, Claremont CHINA ADVENTURERS 2002-03 and met some of the people who renovate McKenna, Nigel Boyle, associate professor of classical gardens and who design Chinese Harvey Mudd College, Pomona College, political studies, joined the Chinese in their gardens internationally. Scripps College, CGU, California Institute of homes, dorms, bars, and public squares in Paul Stewart, PACE instructor in English Technology, Occidental College, and order to watch all 64 soccer games to be language, pursued his interest in the guqin, California Institute of the Arts. the seven-string Chinese musical instrument played in the World Cup. He traveled to This grant program gives people the of great antiquity, by meeting performers, Beijing, Dalian and Shenyang, cities that host opportunity to stretch beyond the teachers, students, enthusiasts, craftspeople, expectations of everyday life. Many Pitzer the three most successful and popular and non-specialist Chinese people. faculty, students, and staff have won these professional soccer clubs in China. Nick Stanlea ’01 met Chinese surfers and awards, and many of them are available Jessie Franzetti ’01, using volleyball as bodyboarded off the Chinese coast, starting now to help you with proposal a vehicle, met Chinese women who have in Bohe in Guangdong Province, followed by development. You need to develop a experienced the benefits of participation in Chinese coast communities on Hainan Island concept and a brief (2-page) proposal and female athletics. She played with Chinese and in Shitang. rough budget. If you’re selected as a finalist, teams and met the Women’s National Preliminary proposals are due at Pitzer by you’ll develop a full proposal that is due in Team and the famous Lang Ping, China’s Nov. 24. February. By summer of next year you “Iron Hammer,” who was the star player of For information: Cassandra Meagher at could find yourself in China! the Olympic Gold Cup Women’s [email protected] Class of 2003 Breaks Record with Senior Class Gift of $6,050 The Class of 2003 broke all documented participation and contributed an additional the Pitzer Book Scholarship Fund to help records by raising a grand total of $6,050 $500 to the senior gift fund when the class current students with demonstrated financial for the senior class gift with 63% of the met that participation goal. need pay for textbooks in the 2003-04 graduating seniors making a contribution. Dean of Students Jim Marchant issued a academic year. The fund will provide at With the help of a couple of last-minute challenge to seniors in May that he would least 14 scholarships, seven each semester, gifts, the class was able to surpass the contribute $10 for every senior who in the form of Huntley Bookstore gift challenge made by Zander Sprague ‘91, contributed to the fund beyond the 73 who certificates. chair of the Bay Area Alumni Chapter and already had done so. Marchant’s pledge left The senior gift planning committee owner of Zander Sprague and Company. him $500 lighter in the wallet. members were Eliza Lagerquist ‘03, Zander challenged the class to reach 60% The money raised this year will support Maggie Lu ‘03, and Urmi Sheth ‘03.

24
Pitzer College Participant ‘Strong Flames Extinguished in Full Brightness’

itzer College mourned the loss of brightness, as Cicero puts it. distinguished alumnus David PBloom ’85 at a memorial service This past year, alas, more such flames during this year’s alumni weekend. On were extinguished: Sunday, May 4, more than 50 alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college David Bloom, class of ’85 gathered to celebrate David’s buoyant Linda Gerber, class of ’69 spirit and dedicate a new Garden of Jamie Johnson, class of ’00 Remembrance on the campus in his Barbara Beechler, long-time professor of name. The College has also established mathematics at Pitzer two commemorative funds: the David Mel (Emilio J.) Stanley, one of Pitzer’s Bloom ’85 Memorial Scholarship, which founding faculty members will provide assistance to Pitzer students who embody David’s passion for This David Bloom Garden of communications and debate, and the Remembrance is still in its inchoate Arboretum Fund, which will support the stages, but the College intends that there David Bloom Garden of Remembrance shall be a permanent monument here so itself. Through these legacy funds, that we may always mark and remember David’s enthusiasm will continue to both the good times and the good people. inspire this community. David Bloom ’85 The Greek lyric poet Pindar observed Several of David’s special friends and that: mentors shared fond memories of him as an enthusiastic student, articulate of spring returning. “We are things of a day. What are we? debater, and intensely professional So one generation of men will grow while What are we not? The network news journalist. A special Pitzer another shadow of a dream are we, no more. But Roll of Remembrance of community dies” (R. Lattimore, Trans.) when the brightness comes, and God members who have passed on was read. gives it, Steve Glass, Professor of Classics, And yet, this list … this roll … seems to There is a shining of light on us and our shared these poignant remarks at the me to be dismayingly large, and, while life is sweet.” (R. Lattimore, Trans.) memorial service: more numerically-apt acquaintances have pointed out to me that the figures are I hope that life was sweet for our friends Reflections on Pitzer’s about right for an institution at forty, I’m and children who have left us; not much solaced thereby. Surely, our lives were sweeter for their Roll of Remembrance fellowship. These were, after all, our colleagues, our When I was sent the list of those members friends, our students, but, still more, they Delivered by Steve Glass at Pitzer of the Pitzer Community who have left us were part of a near table-fellowship of College, May 4, 2003 over time, like Mallory’s Lancelot, I “wept host and hosted, a symposium of minds not greatly, but I sighed.” and wines and learning and laughter that The David Bloom Garden of at length engendered those permanent Remembrance has been created to Ever since some Sumerian, millennia past, guest-friend bonds of which the ancients provide a memorial for those of the pressed the wedge-shaped end of a reed spoke with such reverence. So it is that Pitzer community who are no longer into a piece of soft clay, the transitory the involuntary severing of those bonds is here. Your help would be appreciated in nature of human existence has been a a difficult thing to absorb with equanimity, ensuring that the Roll of Remembrance continuing object of resigned reflection. Homer’s own equanimity notwithstanding. is complete. The updated list may be found at: http://www.pitzer.edu/ In the western world, not surprisingly, In particular it will not have escaped you memorial/remembrance.asp. To make a Homer was the first to sing of it: that students compose most of this roll, gift toward the Arboretum or and that is not as it should be. Our scholarship fund or to share the name “As is the generation of leaves, so is that students are our children, after all, and, of a member of the Pitzer community of humanity. while one hopes they will come to lead who has passed on but is not yet on the The wind scatters the leaves on the their teachers in life, it is not meant that list, please contact the Office of ground, but the live timber they should precede them in death, a Advancement at (909) 621-8130 or burgeons with leaves again in the season strong flame extinguished in full email [email protected].

Fall 2003
25 Alumnus Profile 26
Natural ADVOCATE not havebeenas dedicatedtomyworkifI known program. Imustsaythatwould having earnedmy degreeatalocal,well- “And thereisthenamerecognition of based onmystudiesatPitzer,” Harrissaid. will happenintheenvironmental arena have averygoodsenseofpredicting what to helpmeputthingsintoperspective. I environmental movementanditcontinues history ofenvironmentalissuesandthe Pitzer gavemeaknowledgeaboutthe emissions. area refineryoperationstofurtherregulate efforts toissuestringentnewpermitsfor carcinogen. Healsoispartofongoing dry cleaningsolventthatisasuspected nation’s firstbanonperchloroethylene, a development teamthatrecentlycreatedthe reduction ofharmfulemissions.” that theimpactofaruleisworth environmental benefitbydemonstrating “We trytoreapthemaximum too faronewayortheother,” Harrissaid. board togaugewhethertherulesaretilted that balancebytakingrulestoanelected without impactingbusinesses. We achieve clean airwe’rebeingaskedtodoso although we’retryingtoreachthegoalof businesses inSouthernCalifornia. creating rulesgoverningemissionsby environmental standards.Hisworkinvolves Management Districtenforcingairandland Deputy LegalCounselforthe Air Quality played akeyroleinshapinghiswork. educationatPitzer natural world.Harris’ both astudentandlegaladvocateforthe that ledtoPitzerCollegewherehehasbeen early exposurepropelledhimdownapath parents weretrainingasmissionaries. That spent sixmonthson Thetis Islandwhilehis ecology andthenaturalworldgrewashe island inBritishColumbia.Hispassionfor M Pitzer College Participant Pitzer College Participant “The EnvironmentalStudies programat Harris wastheleadattorneyonrules “We areagovernmentagencyso Harris ’91currentlyservesasSenior young boyonasmallisolated environmental studiescameasa firstcoursein ichael Harris’ nature. The program exploredissuesin could seeinwords thefeelingsIhadabout Muir andtheotherearlypreservationists. I said. “Intheirclasseswelearned aboutJohn Shephard andRodman’s classes,”Harris approach tothestudyofenvironment in teacher, mentorandadvisor. Arboretum andforhisdedicationasa instrumental tothecreationofPitzer archives. Rodmanisrememberedas University hasacquiredShephard’s to republishmanyofhiswritings. Yale environmentalism andefforts areunderway has emerged asanimportantfigurein Rodman, whodiedthissummer. Shephard Shephard, whodiedin1996,andJohn information anddedication.” “It givesyouasenseofactivism, the programisitsflexibility,” Harrissaid. disciplines. “Themostimportantaspectof approaching thefieldthroughmany program mirrorsitsotherprogramsin throughout mylifeandcareer.” environmentalism thatIwillcarrywithme instilled inmethevaluesof had notattendedPitzer. The College “There wasmoreofaphilosophical While atPitzer, Harrisstudied withPaul Pitzer’s uniqueEnvironmentalStudies isolated passionforMichaelHarris’91 The fightfortheenvironmentbeganasan Harris said. done anythingtheywantedatany time,” settlement, butbefore,theycould have rest. Noteveryonewashappywith the of theFieldStation forthenext75years. negotiating asettlementthatpreserved most Bernard BiologicalFieldStation, legal counselduringthefighttosave students. HeevenservedastheCollege’s frequently visitingcampustospeakwith Association BoardofDirectorsto forms atPitzer, fromservingonthe Alumni coming backmakesarealdifference.” without ahugepopulationofalumniso really fulfilling.Pitzerisayoungschool brings backasenseofcommunitythatis advocate forPitzer, hesaid. environment. It’s justasimportanttobean into hiscareerasanadvocateforthe community heforged atPitzerwithhim the desertecologyreturns.” Pup Fish. When yougetridofthe Tamarisk all thewater, inorderto savetheDesert which isaninvasivespeciesthathogsup Valley. We wouldripupthe Tamarisk, Conservancy PreserveintheCoachella or threetimeseachspringattheNature had whatwerecalled Tamarisk bashestwo having aninstructor,” Harris said.“John experience. Itwasalotdifferent thanjust was anamazingsourceoffirsthand my projectsinvolvinglocalinterests.John Bernardino andhewasverysupportiveof the areabecauseIhadgrownupinSan enough tohangyourself.Iwantedstayin advisor. Hegaveyoualotofropebutnot valuable aswhathewastaughtinclass. outside theclassroomprovedjustas them togetherinauniqueway.” philosophy, historyandactivismput connections Ihadnotseen. The classestook ways Ihadneverimaginedandforged “We losteightor10acresbutsavedthe advocacyhastakenonmany Harris’ “Coming backandcontributingagain Harris hascarriedthesenseof “John Rodmanwaspivotalasmy Harris’s workwithhisprofessors
Jay Collier Update: Irvine Campus Diversity Initiative

n January 2001 Pitzer College received Students (CAPAS). central transformative focus of the Irvine an $850,000 3 ½-year grant from The Campus Diversity Initiative is to achieve a IJames Irvine Foundation to support a ASSESSMENT community that concurs about a range of Campus Diversity Initiative that sought to One of the goals of the Irvine grant is to meanings of diversity and uses these expand concepts of diversity and better conduct a baseline study, establish collective concepts to structure the academic prepare students to participate in a changing benchmarks and indicators, and implement a and professional experiences of all members and diverse global society. Beginning with series of evaluation processes to assess the of the community. We envision this this issue, the Participant will provide impact of this initiative on the attitudes and community of shared understandings as the regular updates to the campus community understandings of students, faculty, and staff outcome of a dynamic, ongoing process in about the significant strides that have been with respect to diversity. We are primarily which all members engage in the made toward accomplishing the objectives concerned with assessing whether we have transformation of the College through set forth in the proposal. Below, we review been able to achieve a common set of participatory discussions, collaborative the goals and results to date of the diversity concepts and language that can become an development of indicators and assessments, assessment effort, and the activities of the integral part of the campus culture and guide and mutual decisions about the meanings and new Center for Asian Pacific American our social and academic practices. The See Diversity, Page 28 ‘To Sow, To Water, & Grow’

Founded in 2001, the Center for Asian Pacific American Students (CAPAS) provides support to students to enrich their social, intellectual, and personal lives. With funding from the Irvine Foundation, Stephanie Velasco became the inaugural CAPAS Coordinator in 2002. As the sole staff member at the center, she views her From left, James Miura ’03, Son Ngo ’03, Debra Yang ’81, Brooke Yoshino, Elizabeth position as a “uniquely versatile experience Tsay ’03, Todd Sakamoto ’03, Urmi Sheth ’03, Timi Singa ’03 and Alan Siu ’03, take of simultaneously working as director, part in the Asian Pacific American Alumni and Senior Recognition dinner sponsored program coordinator, counselor, by CAPAS, the Pitzer Alumni Association and the Asian American Sponsor Program. administrative assistant and (as her students Under Velasco’s leadership, CAPAS has scholarships, internships, and job affectionately note) a mom every day.” been able to develop and extend its opportunities. CAPAS has also provided a Velasco earned two B.A. degrees in services to students in a variety of areas variety of intellectual, social, and cultural Asian American Studies and Social Science including academic support, community programs including a Native Hawaiian at U.C. Irvine and an M.Ed. in Higher outreach, social and cultural activities, and panel presentation, a Family Weekend open Education Administration at Harvard interethnic programs. This past year, 26 house, “Gimme a Break” Coffee Time Graduate School of Education. Velasco work study & volunteer workers have kept featuring dim sum, study breaks, the presently sits on the Board of Directors for the CAPAS offices open until midnight Chinese Lantern Festival trip to the UCI Kababayan Alumni Association every day of the week ensuring the Chinatown, and APA Heritage Month and is an occasional public speaker. She availability of services such as an expanded activities. Along with the other ethnic also served as the Vice President of Asian American resource library, three studies programs at the Claremont Diversity for the Student Government computer stations, one-to-one counseling, Colleges, CAPAS facilitated the “Asian Association at Harvard’s Education school tutoring, workshops on stress relief and American Identity” workshop for the Asian and has traveled as a missionary to Japan, time management, and information about China, & Trinidad. See CAPAS, Page 28

Fall 2003
27 CAPAS Room was Resource student Continued from Page 27 pleasantly in Media Studies, overcrowded “I grew up not American Mentor Program. In addition, with students, being the typical Stephanie increased the visibility and faculty, ‘model minority.’ representation of Asian Pacific American administrators, I struggled students by publishing the Voices from the family, and through years of Margin newsletter, developing a new friends to extend college and six website, writing articles for a number of a warm welcome different majors. other college-wide publications, raising funds back to our In high school, I to support CAPAS programs, and sitting on a alumni including Debra W. Yang ’81 remember Stephanie Velasco, variety of Pitzer committees. the evening’s guest Chicano/ Latinos CAPAS Coordinator One of the highlights of the year occurred speaker, the honorable US Attorney for the having something on April 26. This was the first annual Asian Central District of California, Debra W. Yang to wear on graduation and even African Pacific American (APA) Alumni & Senior ‘81. American students. Finally we have Recognition Dinner sponsored by CAPAS, Yang joined many of us for a celebration something for us.” the Pitzer College Alumni Association, and honoring, for the very first time, 17 of the 24 On arrival, guests were warmly greeted the Asian American Sponsor Program APA graduating seniors. In the words of by the music of a capella group Shower (AASP). That evening, Pitzer’s Founders graduating senior James Miura, a New See CAPAS, Page 29

DIVERSITY examples of the kind of research and admissions. Whether these numbers change Continued from Page 27 assessment we are conducting and will use during their years at Pitzer will be measured. for campus-wide conversations about In addition, questions about involvement in practices of diversity. diversity and its meanings: the Claremont Colleges’ ethnic studies With this in mind, Peter Nardi, Professor Among 148 graduating seniors in 2002, centers’ activities, attitudes toward including of Sociology and Director of Institutional an overwhelming majority (93%) said they issues of social class and sexual orientation in Research, has begun to monitor students’ were “generally” or “very” satisfied with the concept of diversity, and taking part in attitudes toward issues of diversity and their Pitzer experiences. The responses, political actions related to social equality are survey faculty and staff who participate in the however, ranged from 81% of the just some of the issues we are assessing various Irvine diversity seminars. Asian/Pacific Islander students to 100% of during students’ years on campus. In the first year of the grant a set of items the Latino(a) students. On the other hand, For faculty participating in the diversity for all first-year students was added to the 87% of the Asian/Pacific Islander students programs and seminars, we want to know annual national survey of first-year college were generally or very satisfied with the how their learning about diversity issues students. The national survey of graduating racial/ethnic diversity on campus, compared impacts their understanding of the concept of seniors was similarly augmented. Two local to only 33% of the African American seniors. diversity, changes the way they teach, and surveys developed at Pitzer—one for first- Further research over the next few years will influences the design of their courses. tell us whether these figures hold up or are year students toward the end of their first Preliminary surveys asked faculty and staff to semester, and another for sophomores one-time anomalies. These results also state how they define diversity and what it completed during their spring semester—also provide the basis for more research about means on a college campus that is fairly measure issues of diversity, along with items what aspects of their experiences contribute diverse already. Responses show that for assessing satisfaction with various social and to students’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction. many, diversity is limited to racial/ethnic academic experiences at Pitzer. Finally, an Breaking down findings into various concepts, while others hold a more inclusive alumni survey has been written to include racial and ethnic subcategories is essential. definition that embraces gender, social class, specific items about diversity. The results For example, we are learning that Latino(a)s from all these surveys will be evaluated over tend to have the highest retention rates from sexual orientation, and religious identities. As time to monitor changes in attitudes and year to year, and eventually the highest participants complete the seminars, follow-up behaviors related to diversity at Pitzer. graduation rates. The first step is to uncover surveys will measure any changes. Information about entering students, such findings; the next step is to understand The key to an assessment plan is setting admissions data, and other longitudinal data why and if the trends persist for each up baseline information for comparison with on attrition, retention, and grade-point entering class. During the second year of the findings measured later over time. Change is averages is regularly collected by the Irvine grant, various College committees will a slow process in many institutions, so Director of Institutional Research with the begin to evaluate these results and suggest evaluation must involve a longitudinal assistance of the Admissions Office and policies to promote what works best and to design. It is also informative as the change is Registrar’s Office. Reports breaking down eliminate the problems. occurring and the results need to be these data by race/ethnicity and gender are With data collected from the first-year disseminated to relevant constituencies for being prepared for the 2003-04 academic student surveys and later the senior surveys, reflection and action. As we enter the second year for discussion among various campus we will be able to monitor change over time. year of the grant, we begin the discussion committees. For example, close to half of first-year and planning phases and make use of the Here are some preliminary findings as students support affirmative action in college cumulative survey findings.

28
Pitzer College Participant CAPAS and Film Culture Continued from Page 28 Faculty Notes in South Africa, a comprehensive Quality and enjoyed a full program emceed NIGEL BOYLE, JACK SULLIVAN and survey of South by Pitzer Admission staff member Brooke TOM ILGEN, professors of political African film. The Yoshino. CAPAS coordinator Stephanie studies, contributed articles to Reconfigured book was Velasco provided a brief introduction for the Sovereignty: Multi-Layered Governance in published by Honorable Debra Yang, whose remarkable the Global Age, which will be published in Wayne State journey was an inspiration to all. Rochelle December by Ashgate Publishing. Ilgen University Press, Brown, Pitzer alumna and currently also served as editor of the volume. which says the coordinator of Academic Support in the collection offers Office of Student Affairs, shared how she was DAVID FURMAN (Art) has artwork an unprecedented “inspired to get involved politically and at the featured in the 2nd World Ceramic look at a film industry that has excluded its federal level.” The evening ended with the Biennale 2003 in Icheon, Korea. His country’s black majority, in both senior recognition ceremony that included exhibited erotic teapot, “The Gardener,” representation and production. remarks by Son Ngo, the elected senior won a special award given by the World speaker for the class of 2003. Ceramic Exposition Foundation. His work CARMEN FOUGHT (Linguistics) served During the ceremony, each senior also has been included in an exhibition as an academic consultant for a PBS received a handmade CAPAS stole designed titled “Subject: Object” at OK Harris documentary called Do You Speak by students and crafted by Pitzer staff gallery in New York City, which ran May American? There is a trailer for the film at member Kathy Kile as a gift honoring each 31 through July 15. Another of his pieces, www.pitv.com/current.html. person’s achievements. The stole, worn on “The Lascivious Libertine II,” is featured in graduation day, represents part of the CAPAS the book, SEXPOTS: Eroticism in JUDITH GRABINER (Mathematics) vision: “To Sow, To Water, & Grow.” Alumni Ceramics, published by Rutgers University published “Remembering Barbara in the audience were the “seeds” planted Press. Beechler,” who was Professor Emerita of years ago; Kent Lee ‘02, for example, Mathematics at Pitzer and died March 18, commented that he was “especially proud to DANIEL SEGAL (Anthropology and 2003. The article appeared in the see so many Asian American graduates History) has been awarded the Jean Pitzer September edition of the newsletter of the recognized for their academic and Chair in Anthropology. The chair, Southern California-Nevada section of the extracurricular achievements.” established in 1998 by members of the Mathematical Association of America. The night was a night of firsts: Pitzer’s founding family of Pitzer College, is Grabiner also published an obituary of initial celebration of APA Heritage month, awarded to a senior faculty person who I. Bernard Cohen (1914-2003), CAPAS’ first annual dinner for APA alumni inspires in students and colleagues an who was the thesis director for many of the and seniors, and Debra Yang, the first Asian interest in the field of anthropology. Segal first generation of professionally-trained American woman in the nation to become joined the Pitzer faculty in 1986. American historians of mathematics, US Attorney. Our utmost hopes are that these including Grabiner at Harvard. The article pivotal moments translate into continual NTONGELA MASILELA (English and appeared in the August/September edition celebrations that are enjoyed for years to World Literature), along with Isabel of Focus: The Newsletter of the come. Balseiro, has edited To Change Reels: Film Mathematical Association of America. Personalized Assistance

Prior to the start of the academic year, First-year and returning students were notified of the new “Human Google” service. The service emphasizes the availability of live persons on the other end of the phone line to assist students with their quests for information. The service has proved to be quite popular.

Fall 2003
29 In My Own WORDS ri Sherman delivered the fade. As recently as a few months ago I could profound but subtle trickster who took great following eulogy at the June look in his eyes and still see those qualities. pleasure, really profound satisfaction, in the 27 memorial service for It was a very humorous relationship. ability of himself and others to generate A There were dropped rocks and stuck vans, surprise and on occasion actually upset the Professor John Rodman, who died missed turn-offs, and chapters so tedious they established order. I know of no other way to June 16, 2003, of complications could only become funny-please don’t ask explain how he managed to turn a revered from Alzheimer’s disease. about the boring palm beetle, as I might and accomplished Professorship into a career “Good afternoon, it’s good to be among actually answer. There were moments of true that gave him even greater satisfaction–it so many familiar faces, and to spend this time poetic justice as in when a bulldozer always brings to mine Bert Meyers line from together, cherishing the memories, embracing destroying the famous strip also damaged a Signature, “And my obsession’s a line I can’t the feelings and appreciating John as he lives light pole of the evil empire, or when a piece revise, to be a gardener in paradise’. It is pure on here today, here in this earth, on this of cholla cactus brandishing dozens of barbed coyote to replace parking lots with chicken alluvial plain, here in all of us, here before spikes embedded itself in the shin of ‘he who coops and cactus stands, it is pure coyote to what I think of as his mountains, here on this shunned the warning to wear long pants,’ a maintain a reputation as being strict and stern campus that first brought so many of us and thorny when he was in fact if anything a together, in this garden that we have nurtured softie, often silly and, in his preference in and that nurtures us, that John worked so flora at least, leaned less toward Opuntia with hard to give to us and to himself and to all all its thorns, and much more toward open who in finding it become part of, to the birds and inviting blossoms like those of and insects and pollen that pass in and out of Penstemon and Datura. it, and hopefully will for a long time to come. I will also always remember the I want to make clear that my friendship physicality of these adventures, after all it with John was about far more than a garden. was a friendship that involved a great amount As many of you know, it began when I of digging, along with lifting and pulling and was his student. From the start it was an tamping down and packing and unpacking important relationship for me, challenging, and all the dust and blisters and back ache reassuring and rich. It included both a very such wonders can bring. And above it was all personal, private aspect and a great capacity it was a friendship that entailed a lot of to encompass many wonderful mutual friends walking. Walking and talking. and loved ones from both of our lives. It was I do not know anyone else’s boot crunch an active and sometimes activist relationship. so familiarly as I do John’s. Whether over It was an intellectual relationship. It was a scree or desert pavement or among dry brush or through wetland muck or over icy very adventurous relationship, not only in Ari Sherman ’85 snow crust, that boot crunch always sounded terms of slopes climbed and streambeds and his son, Adam crossed, but also because if I had always had out pretty much in the same rhythm. Steady, my own weakness for tilting at windmills, in decisive, rarely either very fast or John I found a veritable Don Quixote. We particularly tentative. We walked and we habitually and compulsively took on the mistake that led my fellow student to find Dr. talked up and down Mt. Baldy, all over impossible, in the form of bulldozers, boards, Rodman as his surgeon, the procedure Bolsa Chica, clear up to and around committees, boulders, weeds, thorns, highly consisting of one ruthless and wrenching jerk Humboldt county, from the Venice suspect dirt roads, stubborn Colemans, even of a hair comb, and trust me, John did boardwalk to Joshua Tree and North again more stubborn budgets, arduous drives and nothing to try and hide his amusement. I to the UC Davis Arboretum, and back and ridiculous workloads…all with surprisingly cannot think of John without remembering forth across this campus with shovels and little forethought, especially for two people times like these and others when the glasses papers and notebooks and cameras and who shared a penchant for over-think. I think had to come off and the eyes had to be wiped hoses…you get the picture. And along the John took great joy and personal satisfaction as his thin shoulders shook with his unique way, trust me, no stone was left unturned. in the camaraderie of these crazy battles. laughter. Topics included…well everything. No one Throughout it all, the teacher-student A long time ago a girlfriend of mine liked and nothing was spared, I’ll leave it at. relationship never ended, but it did evolve to compare John to a long-legged wading We ate a lot, laughed a lot, argued on profoundly, becoming a rock that sustained bird, such birds having been featured as occasion. We repeatedly and eagerly sought me greatly through periods of illness and something like series regulars in one of his out what I think we shared as spiritual highs, isolation and emotional crisis. And classes. His posture and to some extent his brief encounters with wildlife, spotting and throughout it all John’s dogged aura of aloofness did indeed suggest a heron seeing and knowing Curlews and Godwhits determination, wry humor, quiet love, and or crane. But ultimately it is my strong and Bighorn and Elk and Jack Rabbits and abiding awe for our planet never seemed to suspicion that John was in fact a coyote, a Night herons and cochineal beetles and

38
Pitzer College Participant John Rodman at work in the Arboretum

dozens more…Oh and by the way, did I mention that there was much more digging I want to close by reading a couple FOR ALL in this friendship than is at all ordinary? poems to John…both written by fellow Quite a bit of dust and blisters and lower coyote Gary Snyder: Ah to be alive back strain as well. on a mid-September morn I want to wrap up by saying I am FOR THE CHILDREN fording a stream grateful. For these memories. For twenty barefoot, pants rolled up, plus years. For the arboretum. And for The rising hills, the slopes, holding boots, pack on, Pitzer making of the arboretum, finally, of statistics sunshine, ice in the shallows, what it needs and deserves to be. And I am lie before us. northern rockies. grateful for the people John has brought into the steep climb my life who I continue to cherish, Gwen of everything, going up, Rustle and shimmer of icy creek and their children and grandchildren, up, as we all waters neighbors, hiking partners, and other go down. stones turn underfoot, small and friends. And I am grateful for the love John hard as toes and his family have shared with me, and my In the next century cold nose dripping loved ones, especially the very special place or the one beyond that, singing inside they have made for my son Adam. The they say, creek music, heart music, relationship between John and Gwen and are valleys, pastures, smell of sun on gravel. Adam brought me special joy, not only did we can meet there in peace it give Adam something of grandparents on if we make it. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE Mt. Baldy, but it also revealed even further in John his sweetest and in many ways To climb these coming crests I pledge allegiance to the soil truest light, and I find it notable that this one word to you, to of Turtle Island, was a light that continued to shine even as you and your children: and to the beings who thereon dwell other facets of his personality receded. I am one ecosystem deeply grateful for John. I am confident he stay together in diversity is here now and will continue to be, as he is learn the flowers under the sun on the mountain. go light With joyful interpenetration for all.

Fall 2003
39 Women’s Soccer Result/ Score/ Sagehens Date Opponent Place Time 9/1 Webster Tie 2-2 9/3 at Chapman Loss 4-3 9/12 at Master’s Loss 3-0 9/17 Christ. Heritage Home 3 Fall Sports 9/20 Cal Lutheran Away 11 a.m. 9/24 CMS Away 7 9/27 La Verne Away 11 a.m. Football 10/1 Occidental Away 4 Result/ Score/ 10/4 Redlands Home 11 a.m. Date Opponent Place Time 10/8 C.S. Hayward Home 1:30 9/6 U. of LaVerne Win 26-23 10/11 Whittier Home 11 a.m. 9/13 at Whittier Win 38-20 10/15 Cal Lutheran Away 4 9/20 Trinity Home 1 10/18 CMS Home 1 9/27 Rhodes Away 1:30 10/22 La Verne Home 4 10/4 Occidental Home 1 10/25 Occidental Home 11 a.m. 10/11 U. of Chicago Away 1:30 10/29 Redlands Away 2:30 10/18 Cal Lutheran Home 7 11/1 Bye 11/1 U. of Redlands Away 1 11/2 UCSC Away Noon 11/8 CMS Away 1 11/5 Whittier Away 2:30

Men’s Soccer Women’s & Men’s Cross Country Result/ Score/ Date Opponent Place Time Date Meet Place 9/1 C.S. Hayward Win 3-1 9/7 Alumni Meet Home The Sagehens line up on their way to a win 9/6 at Chapman Win 4-1 9/13 Whittier Invitational Whittier against University of La Verne on Sept. 6. 9/13 St. Thomas Win 3-1 9/20 UCR Invitational UCR 9/14 at Colorado Coll. Win 1-0 9/27 Stanford Invitational Palo Alto Scores compiled as of 9/13. For a 9/17 Christ. Heritage Home 4 10/4 Biola Invitational La Mirada 9/20 Cal Lutheran Home 11 a.m. complete listing of scores and game 10/11 Bye 9/24 CMS Away 4 10/25 Bye times for Fall sports: www.physical 9/27 La Verne Home 11 a.m. 11/1 SCIAC Championships Prado Park 10/1 Occidental Home 4 -education.pomona.edu/schedules 11/8 Bye 10/4 Redlands Away 11 a.m. results/schedulesresults.shtml 11/15 NCAA III Oregon 10/8 Cal Tech Home 4 West Regional 10/11 Whittier Away 11 a.m. 11/22 NCAA III Nationals Hanover College 10/15 Cal Lutheran 4 10/18 CMS Home 11 a.m. 10/22 La Verne Away 4 10/25 Occidental Away 11 a.m. Women’s Volleyball 10/29 Redlands Home 4 11/1 Cal Tech Away 11 a.m. Date Opponent Place Time 11/5 Whittier Home 2:30 9/5-6 Whittier Whittier TBA Tournament Men’s Water Polo 9/12 Colorado Home 2 Results 9/13 Macalester Home 1:30 Date Opponent Place Time 9/13 Linfield Home 4 9/7 UCSD Tourney 1 win, 3 losses 9/18 La Sierra Away 7:30 9/13 Inland Empire 9/19 La Verne Away 7:30 Tournament 9/23 Redlands Away 7:30 9/14 Inland Empire 2 wins, 2 losses 9/27 Alliant Home 2 Tournament International 9/27 UCSC Slugfest Away TBA 9/27 Chapman Home 7 9/28 UCSC Slugfest Away TBA 9/30 CMS Home 7:30 10/10 Convergence Away TBA 10/3 Cal Tech Away 7:30 Tournament 10/4 Occidental Home 7:30 10/11 Convergence Away TBA 10/7 Cal Lutheran Home 7:30 Tournament 10/10 Chapman Away 7 10/18 Cal Lutheran Home 11 a.m. 10/14 Life Pacific Home 4 10/22 Occidental Away 7 10/14 La Sierra Home 7:30 10/25 La Verne Home TBA 10/17 Whittier Away 7:30 10/29 Whittier Home 7 10/21 Redlands Home 7:30 11/1 Cal Tech Away 11 a.m. 10/24 La Verne Home 7:30 11/5 CMS Away 7 10/25 CMS Away 7:30 11/7 Redlands Home 4 10/28 Cal Tech Home 7:30 11/14 SCIAC Tourney Whittier TBA 10/31 Occidental Away 7:30 11/15 SCIAC Tourney Whittier TBA 11/4 Cal Lutheran Away 7:30 11/16 SCIAC Tourney Whittier TBA 11/6 Whittier Home 7:30 11/22 WWPA Tourney Redlands TBA 11/14 NCAA TBA TBA 11/23 WWPA Tourney Redlands TBA Regionals

40
Pitzer College Participant

Pitzer College Nonprofit Org. 1050 N. Mills Ave. U.S. Postage PAID Claremont, CA 91711-6101 Permit #355 Claremont, CA Return Service Requested 91711-6101