CornerstoneGeorge Mason University College of Humanities and Social Sciences spring 2012
Inside this issue: The Cuban Missile Crisis Revisited
In Search of Foreign Language Fluency The Mertens Look Back Mason-Smithsonian Partnership New Concentration on War and Diplomacy A Pitch-Perfect Career The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is a cornerstone of learning and research at George Mason University. The college is committed to providing a challenging education to undergraduate and graduate students, expanding the frontiers of knowledge through research, and contributing intellectual leadership to the community.
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Departments Cornerstone Communication Editor—Amy Noecker Criminology, Law and Society Associate Editor—Rashad Mulla, ’11 Economics Alumni Editor—Maria Seniw, ’07 English Contributors – Anne Reynolds, Laura Ellen Scott, MFA ’93, and Martin J. Sherwin History and Art History Designer—Debra Ranson Modern and Classical Languages Photographers—Evan Cantwell and Alexis Glenn Philosophy Psychology Cornerstone is published annually by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Public and International Affairs at George Mason University. Cornerstone is intended to keep alumni, the Mason Religious Studies community, and the public informed about the activities, growth, and progress of the Sociology and Anthropology College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Articles reflect the opinions of the writers and not those of the magazine, the college, or the university. Colleges New Century College We welcome your questions and comments. E-mail us at [email protected], or mail a letter to Editor,Cornerstone, 4400 University Drive, MS 3A3, Fairfax, VA 22030. Interdisciplinary Programs Please send address changes to Alumni Affairs, College of Humanities and Social African and African American Studies Sciences, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 3A3, Fairfax, VA Asia-Pacific Studies 22030. Biodefense Cultural Studies E-mail: [email protected] Film and Media Studies Global Affairs College of Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory Board Higher Education Jamal al-Barzinji, parent ’08 Nicole Livas, BA ’90 Honors Program in General Education David Bartee, MPA ’06, parent ’13 Allen Lomax, MPA ’82 Individualized Study Gail Bohan, BA ’70, MPA ’82 Samantha Madden, BS ’89 Interdisciplinary Studies George Cabalu, BA ’92 Yaqub Mirza, parent ’00 and ’09 Islamic Studies Ranny Church Matt Plummer, BA ’00 Judaic Studies Ashok Deshmukh Paul Reber, MA ’92 Latin American Studies Nicole Geller, BS ’86 Jason Reis, BA ’93 Middle East Studies Michael Hincewicz, parent ’09 Jen Shelton, BS ’94 Michael Hoover, MA ’81 Ed Staunton Neuroscience Eric Johnson, MA ’05 Stan Tetlow, BS ’84 Russian and Eurasian Studies Robert Lightburn, MA ’04, chair Michael Whitlock, BA ’96 Women and Gender Studies John Wilburn, MA ’76
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Where Innovation Is Tradition Dear Alumni, This issue ofCornerstone itself reflects this diversity of This March we celebrated activity. Martin Sherwin, Pulitzer Prize winner and mem- the five-year anniversary of the ber of the Department of History and Art History, pro- Questions? founding of the College of vides a chilling segment from his next book on the Cuban Comments? Humanities and Social Sciences. Missile Crisis. Related to this, but in connection to course A party, held as a thank you to work, the college announces graduate work in a new mas- E-mail [email protected] faculty, staff, and supporters, ter’s program concerning war and the military in society. allowed reflection on the goals Always mindful, not only of what we do, but of our stu- and hopes that happily have dents, Cornerstone features an article about two students’ been realized. Teaching lies at research abroad. And of course, students turn into alumni. the absolute core of the college’s mission, and we remain A piece in this issue provides an interview with two gradu- home not only to some one-third of the university’s stu- ates from the Department of Economics. Both women Get involved with CHSS! dents, but we also teach almost all the undergraduates as have pursued successful careers, one in politics and the chss.gmu.edu/events they pass through Mason. What an honor it is to play such other in business. And, last to mention here, but certainly For college news a central role. not least, is an interview with Alan and Sally Merten on the chss.gmu.edu/articles Research provides the other primary focus of the col- value of the liberal arts. I hope that you enjoy this edition lege. There we seek to contribute to the great body of of Cornerstone and can share in the pride that your insti- Follow knowledge that advances understanding and progress. In tution feels about what it does in the classroom and well Dean Censer our research as well as our teaching, we aspire to contrib- beyond. on Twitter @jackatchss ute to theory and application. Head in the clouds and feet on the ground, we nurture the most sophisticated reflec- Yours in Patriot Pride! Become a fan tion as well as direct applications. As some colleagues win of the College prizes for their scholarly work, others receive funding for of Humanities theirs. And some do both. In fact, we have seen financial and Social Sciences www.facebook.com/ support for research rise 140 percent since the college’s Jack R. Censer MasonCHSS first year. One way to evaluate the collective impact of this work, unfunded and funded, is the highly respected Shanghai rating, which places Mason’s social science units as 41st in the world. C ONTENTS
Features New Concentration Focuses on War and Diplomacy...... 19 In Search of Foreign Language Fluency...... 2 A Pitch-Perfect Career...... 20
The Cuban Missile Crisis Revisited: Creating Cultural Memories. . . . 22 Nuclear Deterrence? Good Luck!. . .4 standards Alan and Sally Merten Look Alumni Profiles...... 8 Back: 16 Years at Mason. . . . . 12 Notes from the Field ...... 10 Mason–Smithsonian Partnership. . 15 Annual Donor List...... 25 De Nys and Zagarri Receive 2011 Award for Scholarship. . . . 18 Creative Work...... 33
cornerstone.gmu.edu Cornerstone 1 student profiles 2 Novalis Evan Jassal Harleen SP R ING 2012 K yrgy zst an l and s ca p e In S In I By RashadMulla,’11 T Eastern backgrounds. backgrounds. Eastern Middle and Asian south from those especially lations, popu international from victims trauma female serve to experience and education her use then and psychology, clinical in degree adoctoral obtain to plans She tions. overseas. time their from memories vivid and fresh retain Kyrgyzstan. in goals academic his pursue to Scholarship Boren prestigious Program’s Education Security National the for vying he was once, Russia in studied already Having region. and language Russian the of knowledge his further to wanted studies, Eurasian and Russian and states. Haryana and Punjab the between border provincial the straddling territory union and a city India, Chandigarh, in guage lan Punjabi the study to Program Scholarship Language State’s of Critical Department U.S. the to applied and While in Chandigarh, Jassal studied the Punjabi lan Punjabi the studied Jassal Chandigarh, in While ambi Jassal’s with well meshed Chandigarh to trip The Novalis and Jassal Both 2012. spring to forward Fast affairs global in majoring double a senior Novalis, Evan wo S looking to turn her college experience on its head head its on experience college her turn to looking challenge. a for searching was Jassal 2011, Harleen n spring A sophomore psychology major, Jassal was was major, Jassal psychology A sophomore earch of Fluency: Foreign Language India was challenging at first for Jassal, for Jassal, first at challenging was India studied never Having intensively. guage abroad before, the hustle and bustle of of bustle and hustle the before, abroad tudents Cross Globe the but she came to embrace embrace to came she but the situation and learn learn and situation the - - - - Kyrgyz and the Uzbeks later on that year. that on later Uzbeks the and Kyrgyz the between conflict interethnic violent the 2010 and in region the engulfed that riots antigovernment the about more but culture, the about not only learn, to able was he country, the of citizens to talking By states. rounding sur its and Kyrgyzstan of history and culture the about people the from directly hear and experience language firsthand gain to region the to traveled Novalis himself, region.” this understanding to myself dedicate and try to endeavor career and sonal per great be a would it like felt “I says. Novalis attached,” it. about more learn to he wanted he decided classes, his throughout region the discussing and Exploring Mason. at a student while politics Asian central and language Russian the in interested became first Novalis well, as life.” my of out want I what me envision helped and myself about much me so taught own my on completely being and environment new a in being Also, with. Istudied those with and own my on things see to exhilarating absolutely was it time, “This says. Jassal experience,” different acompletely was it naturally so environment, sheltered avery in and family with was career. educational her of component precious very one into turned overseas trip the stay, her of end the By it. from Having carved out an academic niche of expertise for for expertise of niche academic an out carved Having got Iinstantly and region, the about learned “I goals career and educational his narrow to Looking I before, region Punjab the to been I’ve though “Even - - “Being in a new environment and being completely on my own taught me so much about myself and helped me envision what I want out of my life.” — Harleen Jassal
“I wanted to see more than just the capital, Bishkek, where I was staying,” Novalis says. “I wanted to explore the country and get to know all of its intricacies. So, I did. I studied the border situation and the history between the people of Kyrgyzstan and the Soviets. I even traveled to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and all throughout Kyrgyzstan.” The full-on immersion of studying abroad was chal- lenging, but nothing Jassal or Novalis couldn’t handle. Jassal actually came to welcome the challenges, nam- ing them specifically as the highlights of her trip. Before traveling to Chandigarh, her language skills were barely enough to communicate with others, and she could only express complex thoughts by using English. In addition, she was in an unfamiliar environment, with only her new language skills to guide her. Not a problem. Jassal began to learn and understand the Punjabi language and being in India helped her learn to speak more fluently. a market in India “Without cultural immersion, it is difficult to learn a lan- guage,” Jassal says. “Previously, I could not express myself or read literature in Punjabi, and my writing was very poor. I still don’t have flawless speaking or writing skills, but my LaNitra Berger, fellowships director for the Honors comprehension has improved tremendously.” College, believes that Jassal and Novalis have set them- Novalis says regular trips to the store were a challenge. selves apart when it comes to finding opportunities. But he says any opportunity to overcome educational The combination of their academic prowess with their obstacles is a good thing, and study-abroad trips are full gutsy decision making and experience overseas will help of them. employers and graduate schools gain more insight about “The context of studying abroad is very challenging them. and time consuming,” Novalis says. “But studying abroad “Because the vast majority of students do not study gives you practice and makes the language a part of you.” abroad during their academic careers, one such experi- For now, Jassal plans to pursue her academic goals ence instantly makes you stand out from other students,” and will welcome another study-abroad opportunity if it Berger says. “In addition to teaching foreign language comes her way. Eventually, she would like to work with a skills, studying abroad shows that you are able to take nonprofit organization, such as Doctors Without Borders. calculated risks, think creatively, and thrive outside your Novalis would like to pursue a career in international rela- comfort zone.” tions with a government department. He plans to apply to Jassal and Novalis have proven they can thrive. And graduate school to study international relations. they would gladly tell you that in their newest languages.
Cornerstone 3 HISTORY 4 Sherwin J. ©Martin Article Sherwin J. Martin SP R ING 2012 The Cuban Missile Crisis R Crisis Missile Cuban The A N N O According to rumors, the cause was rising tensions in in tensions rising was cause the rumors, to According world flight I was scheduled to conavigate for an admiral admiral an for conavigate to scheduled was I flight world By MartinJ.Sherwin,UniversityProfessorofHistory Premier Khrushchev initiated actions that edged the world world the edged that actions initiated Khrushchev Premier Berlin. todian of our top secret documents, including our deploy our including documents, secret top our of todian Station Air Naval Island North at based squadron training Armageddon. nuclear toward and medium- placed secretly had Union Soviet the that job—the squadron’s air intelligence officer—made me cus me officer—made intelligence air squadron’s job—the ment orders in the event of war. war. of event the in orders ment and president the as point combustion the to heated macy the During Cuba. in missiles nuclear intermediate-range had been scrapped. Within days, all leave was canceled. canceled. was leave all days, Within scrapped. been had diplo War Cold 1962, 16–28, October 13 days, following pected new set of orders, after I learned that the round-the- the that learned I after orders, of set new pected near San Diego, California. Despite my modest rank, my my rank, modest my Despite California. Diego, San near evidence unmistakable revealed had aircraft naissance a U-2 by recon earlier days two taken Photographs news. attached to Patrol Squadron 31, an antisubmarine warfare warfare antisubmarine an 31, Squadron to Patrol attached ational S ctober 29, 1962. E 1962. 29, ctober At the time, I was a junior officer in the U.S. Navy Navy U.S. the in officer a junior I was time, the At Sometime following mid-October, I received an unex an Ireceived mid-October, following Sometime uclear Deterrence? Good Luck! Good Deterrence? uclear
ecurity Council meeting. Council meeting. ecurity t 9 a.m. on an October morning almost 50 50 almost morning October an on t 9a.m. Bundy entered President John F. Kennedy’s F. John Kennedy’s President entered Bundy McGeorge advisor security national ago, years White House bedroom to deliver some bad bad some deliver to bedroom House White xecutive Committee of the the of Committee xecutive - - - - -
The instigator was an obscure 30-something Soviet sub Soviet 30-something an obscure was instigator The would be a delightful place to die. die. to place adelightful be would having officers Junior California. Baja, to deploy to were we were on the verge of war.” war.” of verge the on were leaders both engulfed that panic rising the by averted was Eastern Bloc diplomat soon after. “That is also why we even even we why also is “That after. soon diplomat Bloc Eastern 27, at 5 p.m. eastern daylight savings time (EDST) to load (EDST) load to time savings daylight 27, eastern 5p.m. at Kennedy’s televised speech announcing a naval “quaran anaval announcing speech televised Kennedy’s Khrushchev or Kennedy ever realized, and it was not going not going was it and realized, ever orKennedy Khrushchev Navy vessels. vessels. Navy October days during which the pressure of domestic and and domestic of pressure the which during days October the war plans from my safe and deliver them to our squad our to them deliver and safe my from plans war the remove to ordered was I forthwith, missiles offending the withdraw Khrushchev that demand the and Cuba of tine” the personal interests of the principal decision makers makers decision principal the of interests personal the the Soviet missiles. But it had been a close call. call. aclose been had it But missiles. Soviet the not to pledge earlier Kennedy’s accepted premier Soviet the to be started by either of them or Cuba’s leader, Fidel Castro. orCuba’s Castro. Fidel them of leader, either by started be to used radio to contact the president….This time we really really we time president….This the contact to radio used Savitskii was goaded into giving that order and how his his how and order that giving into goaded was Savitskii war, of event the in that is recollection My ron’s staff. senior international politics on both sides of the iron curtain and and curtain iron the of sides both on politics international Baja of beaches the that joked we sense, than bravado more missiles from Turkey) as a quid pro quo for the removal of of removal the for quo pro Turkey) aquid from as missiles U.S. withdraw to commitment secret (and Cuba his invade 28, October morning, Sunday on Moscow, radio over ment marine captain who gave the order on Saturday, October October Saturday, on order the gave who captain marine below how close to death we all were. were. all we death to close how below but that Khrushchev acted on first. In a surprise announce surprise In a first. on acted Khrushchev that but peacefully resolved. Kennedy’s and Khrushchev’s shared shared Khrushchev’s and Kennedy’s resolved. peacefully of Strategic Studies war nuclear end, the In conflagration. aglobal ignited nearly accepted explanation of how the Cuban Missile Crisis was was Crisis Missile Cuban the how of explanation accepted U.S. of fleet at a torpedo armed a nuclear fire to prepare and gamble with Armageddon was prevented, alters the the alters prevented, was Armageddon with gamble “We had to act very quickly,” Khrushchev told a visiting avisiting told Khrushchev quickly,” very act to had “We There are hundreds of studies of those terrifying 13 13 terrifying those of studies of hundreds are There Journal the Journal in English in revealed first story, This I did not know until I learned about the events I describe Idescribe events the about Ilearned until not know I did In fact, World War III was even closer than either either than closer even was World III War fact, In On Monday, October 22, 1962, just hours before before hours just 1962, 22, Monday, October On in April 2005, of how Captain V. G. Captain how of 2005, April in evisited: evisited: - - - - aversion to armed conflict was essential, but the indispens- Living so intensely at the center of the crisis, Castro able ingredient was luck, very good luck, the all too often has abandoned any hope of a peaceful resolution. He has ignored hidden historical variable. embraced Armageddon as an act of retributive justice. On October 27, 1962, almost six days (five days and 22 Khrushchev, who will remain in his Kremlin office hours to be exact) have passed since Kennedy announced throughout the night, is desperate to avoid Armageddon, his decision to “quarantine” Cuba. This was only the ini- or anything approaching it. He has recklessly gambled that tial step, he said, to force the Soviet Union to remove the nuclear missiles could be installed undetected in Cuba. But nuclear missiles it had secretly shipped to the island over he has lost that bet and is now frantically seeking to escape the past several months. “These actions may only be the the consequences of the dangerous standoff he created. He beginning….We will not prematurely or unnecessarily risk wants the crisis resolved peacefully, but he has no inten- the costs of worldwide nuclear war in which even the fruits tion of giving up the missiles without getting something in of victory would be ashes in our mouth, but neither will we return. Yet, Castro’s call for a first strike is a warning, a real- shrink from that risk at any time it must be faced.” ization that he might not be able to control Cuban actions. It has been three days and several hours since the U.S. Khrushchev is close to exhaustion, nearly overcome Navy deployed an armada of nearly 200 ships stretching on by the contradictory emotions that have roiled him for an arc 500 miles north of Havana. It has become increas- days. He is 9,000 miles from Havana, but only 32 minutes Kennedy and ingly apparent to Khrushchev, Kennedy, and Castro that from an intercontinental minuteman missile launched Khrushchev are the military activities of each passing day has exponentially from Wyoming. He is terrified of skidding sideways into enemies, ideological increased the danger of a hostile incident escalating out of a nuclear war. Yet he remains furious about the blockade and military control. Along with potential clashes on the quarantine line, of Cuba, which he considers an illegal, outrageous act of adversaries, who tension has been increased by the well-publicized buildup war. Kennedy calls it a “quarantine,” but Khrushchev is have blundered of U.S. forces in the United States and Europe. The three not appeased by the euphemism. It is “outright banditry…. into a dangerous contending leaders are acutely aware and worried (at least The folly of degenerate imperialism…[and an] act of aggres- confrontation that Khrushchev and Kennedy are) that at any moment events sion that pushes mankind toward the abyss of a world neither wanted nor could slip from their control. nuclear-missile war,” he angrily writes to Kennedy on anticipated. Each Castro is enraged beyond worry. He is well informed of October 24. Khrushchev appears determined then to dare is aware that an the U.S. military’s preparations, and he is certain that an the Americans to sink a Soviet vessel. accident or even a attack is “almost imminent within the next 24 to 72 hours.” But now, three days later, both the mounting tension misinterpretation In response to Kennedy’s address, he has ordered general and the circumstances have changed his tone. As U.S. anti- can instantly set off a mobilization, and commanded his anti-aircraft batteries to submarine warfare (ASW) forces are closing in on Soviet nuclear exchange. shoot down U.S. aircraft that overfly the island; several low submarines that have reached the blockade line, he writes flying USAF reconnaissance jets have had close calls. a personal, beseeching letter: “Mr. President, we and you Earlier on that Saturday, a Soviet commander, who ought not now to pull on the ends of the rope in which you Castro badgered into action, fired a surface-to-air missile have tied the knot of war, because the more the two of us (SAM/SA-2) at a USAF U2. It found its target, and its pilot, pull, the tighter that knot will be tied. And a moment may Maj. Rudolph Anderson, was killed. The missile had been come when that knot will be tied so tight that even he fired without Moscow’s authorization, but neither Kennedy who tied it will not have the strength to untie it, and then nor any of his advisors know that. The Joint Chiefs of Staff it will be necessary to cut that knot. And what that would are united in urging the president to bomb the offending mean is not for me to explain to you, because you yourself SAM site; an act he fears could escalate into a global war. understand perfectly of what terrible forces our countries Certain now that he can do little to prevent an assault, dispose.” Castro has become grimly fatalistic. Determined to con- Kennedy, too, is dealing with powerful conflicting emo- front the inevitable head on regardless of the consequences, tions. Pacing the floor of the Oval Office, he is talking to he has dictated a letter to Khrushchev urging him to launch his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, wondering Soviet intercontinental missiles against the United States if he is being too cautious, too aggressive, too flexible, too should an assault occur. If “the imperialists invade Cuba rigid, or simply too worried. “Pierre,” he said to his press with the goal of occupying it…the Soviet Union must never secretary, Pierre Salinger, “Do you realize that if I make a allow the circumstances in which the imperialists could mistake in this crisis 200 million people are going to get launch the first nuclear strike against it…[so] that would be killed?” He is infuriated with his military chiefs for their the moment to eliminate such danger forever through an cavalier attitude toward war and is losing patience with his act of clear legitimate defense, however harsh and terrible advisors, who are still offering contradictory recommen- the solution would be, for there is no other.” dations. As does Khrushchev, Kennedy wants a peaceful
Cornerstone 5 The Foxtrots have a conventional propulsion system. When submerged, all power generation must be transferred from their three diesel engines to batter- ies that require periodic recharging. Yet, for days, it has been impossible for B-59 to rise to recharging depth. U.S. ASW ships and aircraft discovered its location and are harassing it with relatively low explosive practice depth charges and the unauthorized use of hand grenades. The intention is to signal the submarine to surface. “It felt like you were sitting in a metal barrel which somebody is con- stantly blasting with a sledgehammer,” Senior Lieutenant Vadim Orlov, the communications officer on B-59, recalled. “The situation was quite… shocking for the crew.” But B-59’s crew is dealing with more than terrifying exter- nal explosions. Internally conditions are horrific, almost unimaginable. The warm Caribbean waters have turned its interior into a sauna. The coolest section of the boat is a stifling 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature in the engine room is an unbearable 140 degrees. Designed to operate in the North Atlantic, Foxtrot submarines have no air conditioning, and the engine heat and body odor have turned the air rancid. The carbon dioxide level is danger- Photographs taken by resolution, but he too has a bottom line: the Soviet missiles ous, and the desalinization equipment has malfunctioned a U-2 reconnaissance must be removed from Cuba. leaving fresh water in short supply. Most of the crew are aircraft had revealed Kennedy and Khrushchev are enemies, ideological and covered with rashes and ulcers. The dreadful conditions unmistakable evidence military adversaries, who have blundered into a dangerous have left many looking “like they had just been freed from that the Soviet Union confrontation that neither wanted nor anticipated. Each Auschwitz or Buchenwald.” had secretly placed is aware that an accident or even a misinterpretation can As the cacophony of the depth charges and hand gre- medium- and interme- instantly set off a nuclear exchange. Yet the circumstances nades continue, Captain Savitskii begins to suspect that diate-range nuclear of their political and international obligations, as well as he is not merely being harassed but is actually under attack. missiles in Cuba. their personal interests, compel them to continue to press “Of course, once one had . . . experienc[ed] firsthand what their goals against each other despite their recognition that it was like on the receiving end of the depth charges, it was nothing they can achieve is worth the consequences of a possible to somehow go about one’s business with a good nuclear war. What they believed they shared during the cri- understanding of the situation,” R. A. Ketov, one of the sis—and what histories of the Cuban Missile Crisis have other submarine captains, later wrote about B-59’s experi- generally agreed they shared—is the conviction that the ence. “However, when this . . . [i]s imposed for the first time fate of the world is in their hands. on someone with no practical knowledge of it, it is a differ- They are mistaken. ent matter altogether.”1 It was indeed “a different matter altogether” for Savitskii. On this Saturday evening, the fate of the world is not in He and the other submarine captains had recently received the hands of any head of state. It has slipped from their grasp, orders “to open a continuous communication channel with inadvertently and furtively, into the hands of two young Moscow” that “could only be understood at the time as pre- Soviet navy officers—Captain 2nd Rank V. G. Savitskii, saging a fundamental change in mission[e]ven the beginning and Brigade Chief of Staff Captain V. A. Arkhipov—who of combat operations against the U.S. Navy.” are aboard a floundering Project 641 Soviet submarine. Was war beginning? Had it begun? It was difficult to Savitskii’s boat, B-59, is one of a quartet of Foxtrot class confirm anything. “Moscow was totally jammed. There (their NATO designation) submarines sent “to strengthen was nothing…emptiness. It was like Moscow doesn’t exist,” 1 Ryurik A. Ketov, “The Cuban Missile Crisis as Seen the defense of the island of Cuba.” Their arrival two days another of the captains recalled. “[All] we knew [was that] through a Periscope,” in The earlier at the quarantine line launched the U.S. Navy’s things were coming to a head, that trouble was brewing.” Journal of Strategic Studies, ASW forces into action and turned the area into a veritable What no one in the U.S. government knows—not the April 2005, pp. 217-231 war zone. Joint Chiefs, the CIA, Navy Intelligence, or the skippers of
6 SPRING 2012 the U.S. Navy ASW forces chasing the Soviet submarines— craft. The fire rounds landed either to the sides of the sub- is that one of the 22 torpedoes aboard B-59 (and each of the marine’s hull or near the bow. All these provocative actions other three submarines) is armed with a 15-kiloton nuclear carried out by surface ships in immediate proximity, and warhead. The range of the torpedo is 19 kilometers (about ASW aircraft flying some 10 to 15 meters [less than 30 to 50 12 miles) and carries an explosive force equivalent to that feet] above the boat had a detrimental impact on the com- of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. If fired, it mander, prompting him to take extreme measures…..the could easily sink several ships, an act guaranteed to trigger use of special weapons.” a nuclear response. Although firing live ammunition at a submarine was At this point the nightmarish conditions within B-59 strictly prohibited, having been a member of an ASW and the terrifying explosions around it, are driving squadron flight crew, I have no trouble believing Ketov’s Savitskii to the breaking point. “Maybe the war has already account. It is possible that the crew of the Tracker had not started up there, while we are doing somersaults here,” he gotten the word banning the initiation of hostile fire. Or, literally screams. In a rising fury he orders his special perhaps, the combustive mix of adrenalin, testosterone, weapons officer to arm and load the nuclear torpedo. and frustration from having chased that submarine around “We’re gonna blast them now! We will die, but we will sink the Caribbean for two days, led the Tracker crew to demon- them all—we will not become the shame of the fleet.” strate clearly to that sub crew just who had won. Whatever the reason for firing live ammunition in the vicinity of the I want to pause here to dwell on the role that chance submarine and provocatively “buzzing” it, those young U.S. plays in history, as in each of our lives. Little in our exis- Navy aviators came close to precipitating a nuclear war. tence is foreordained, and history is not a story composed “Mere chance,” Ketov narrates, “prevented Savitskii of inevitable events. The destinies of nations, just as the from resorting to the use of ‘special weapons’ at this time. lives of individuals, are moved inexorably forward through A delay in diving time and the prudence of the brigade’s crossroad after crossroad by decisions and chance, with the Chief of Staff Vasilii Arkhipov—who happened to be on When I first read influence of each in constant flux. In 1969, former Secretary board—prevented the combat operations which the B-59 about these events, of State Dean Acheson, made this point explicit when he could have initiated.” a childhood image compared Robert Kennedy’s memoir of the Cuban Missile The plight of B-59, the contrasting reactions of Savitskii sprung to mind: As the Crisis (Thirteen Days) with his own experience of that affair. and Arkhipov, the unauthorized use of grenades, machine torpedo was about The subtitle of his review was “Homage to Plain Dumb gun fire by U.S. Navy aircraft, the Soviet and the American to be fired, Superman Luck.” communications failures are together an astonishing tale miraculously appears Luck, extraordinary good luck or plain dumb luck, with an obvious moral: crisis managers cannot manage and saves the day. took command of events aboard B-59 in the minutes that everything. Even when they do their rational best, they are followed Savitskii’s order. When I first read about these not likely to succeed if they run out of luck. The disconcert- events, a childhood image sprung to mind: As the torpedo ing conclusion about the peaceful resolution of the Cuban was about to be fired, Superman miraculously appears and Missile Crisis is that on October 27, 1962, a global nuclear saves the day. war was averted because a random selection process had My fantasy was not entirely fantastic. At the last deployed Captain Vasili Arkhipov aboard a particular moment, the torpedo was prevented from being fired by Soviet submarine. the unlikely intervention of a very level-headed naval offi- As long as nuclear weapons arsenals exist, human sur- cer who, merely by chance, had been assigned to travel to vival appears to be resting on a foundation no more solid Cuba on B-59. than luck. Several versions describing how Brigade Chief of Staff Nuclear deterrence? Good luck! Vasilii Arkhipov prevented World War III have come to light. All of them, while different in some respects, make the same basic point: were it not for his intervention, a tor- Martin J. Sherwin, University Professor of History, is writ- pedo with a 15-kiloton nuclear warhead would have been ing a book, Gambling with Armageddon, about the nuclear COURTESY OF fired at a fleet of U.S. Navy ships. arms race and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Library of Congress According to Ketov, who wrote the most complete account, Savitskii “had spent all day trying to escape the The author wishes to acknowledge his intellectual debt to Dr. Svetlana V. Savranskaya, senior researcher at the National Security Archive at ASW forces but, having run down the battery, was forced George Washington University, for bringing to his attention numerous to surface to recharge…. While surfacing, his boat “came articles about the Soviet submarines during the Cuban Missile Crisis under machine-gun fire from [U.S. ASW S-2] Tracker air- that she had translated from Russian to English. See S.V. Savranskaya, “New Sources on the Role of Soviet Submarines in the Cuban Missile Crisis,” The Journal of Strategic Studies, April 2005.
Cornerstone 7 alumni profiles 8 Nancy Pfotenhauer Nicole Geller SP R ING 2012 Defining S Defining I By MariaSeniw, ’07 Nicole Geller, BSEconomics’86,NancyPfotenhauer, MA’87 own set of rules. Learning these guidelines and maneu and guidelines these Learning rules. of set own its with sector acomplex as describes she which tracting, con government to introduced was she here and position a consultant’s to role administrative an from moved She technology. control for licenses export obtained that firm conclusions. their at arrive to methods conventional outside think to had students because ently differ think to her challenged class The theorem. color orfive- four- the as such problems, word classic studying involved Logic, Math class, favorite Her thinking. lytical ana and creative combined most enjoyed she courses the she noticed studies, her Throughout her. interested greatly motivators and decisions purchasing consumer because orbusiness economics study to wanted she knew life. intellectual and social her for center the became Mason at economics and assistant, research graduate his as her selected Williams Walter economist Mason a dog. and classmates her of three with apartment an sharing was she Two later, years time. on graduate to order in aquarter credits 28 took and economics to major her change did she but decision, ate immedi an not make did Pfotenhauer Mason. at nomics eco study and school law skip to her he told that much so professor the impressed questions Her course. economics a400-level in her placed error ascheduling when English in majoring Georgia of University the at a junior was program. vibrant this of products ’87, successful are MA hauer, Department. Economics the define helped 2002, in winner Economics in Prize Memorial ond Nobel sec a Smith, of Vernon arrival the with along events, These Department. Mason’s Economics to choice public on work groundbreaking his for 1986 in Sciences Economic in Prize Memorial Nobel the received who Buchanan, James While she was a student, Geller worked part time at a a at time part worked Geller astudent, was she While and Mason at enrolled was Geller Nicole Meanwhile, Pfotenhauer Mason, to moving was center the While Pfoten- Nancy and ’86, Economics BS Geller, Nicole faculty to George Mason University, bringing with it it with bringing University, Mason George to faculty and operations its shifted theories, science political and economic produces that institution research a Choice, Public of Study for Center the n 1983, uccess ------lectually brave, and emphasized that thoughtful people people thoughtful that emphasized and brave, lectually intel be and clearly think to her challenged had professors Mason need. that meet to prepared was she education, Mason her of Because issue. any communicate efficiently and simply could who economists for need the recognized She education. sciences social and humanities her of elements other used and positions policy-focused from scenes. chaotic loud, in be heard to how out figuring and down people calming involves work this of much it, describes she As persuasion. political and policy public on focuses that firm munication acom Strategies, MediaSpeak of president is Pfotenhauer Currently, campaign. presidential 2008 McCain’s John for spokesperson and advisor policy economic the as served later Pfotenhauer sector. corporate the and work advocacy and nonprofit between transitioned she sector, policy the in years consecutive her Following House. White the within body review acabinet-level for economist lead as a term held and Armstrong William Senator for council economic became then She Congress. National Republican the for economist asenior as policy public in working career her unknown. the into leaping energized felt She business. own her run and create to desire her as great as not nearly were they but decision, her about fears some having to admitted Geller BAH. and PRC were clients first Her clients. industry and government federal the for solutions and services professional in (GCS), Solutions specializing Contract Government firm, own her opened Geller experience, and knowledge of arsenal an accumulating After preneur. mentors. she that students sciences social and humanities current the in strengths these sees and studies economic her to back knowledge this traces She issues. immediate the beyond steps the see to ability and skills planning strategic her recognized employers Her flawed. were that processes fix to tasked often was she and complex more became projects her (BAH), Hamilton Allen Booz and PRC of firms larger the to moved she As her. to appealed greatly industry the throughout vering As Pfotenhauer moved through her career, she shifted shifted she career, her through moved Pfotenhauer As began Pfotenhauer consulting, first was Geller While entre an be to was ambition Geller’s childhood, Since - - -
can disagree. When examining her career path, she com- humanities and social sciences. Mason attracts uncom- mented, “[I]t is interesting and somewhat humbling to be mon thinkers; people who are hungry and intent on chang- paid for what you learned along the way versus what you ing the way things are done. As employers and economists, set out to do.” Pfotenhauer and Geller recognize the real value of these As Geller and Pfotenhauer came through the skills. Economics Department within a year of each other, they And just how does one get that first, or any, job? also entered a similar workforce. As is the case today, Pfotenhauer advises aggressive goal setting, belief in your- the late 1980s saw a sluggish economy with high unem- self, and once you have that job, do it better than anyone ployment, yet, both found jobs and recalled that initially else, and quantum leaps will happen in your career. She almost all their co-workers were men. Now just more than echoed Geller’s sentiments with “remain open to the fact 20 years later, women make up 40 percent of the work- that life is not linear.” force and within some fields, the number of new female This story began nearly 30 years ago with the arrival of graduates exceeds males. the Center for the Study of Public Choice and two Nobel Though the increase in the number of women is signifi- laureates, and since then, economics at Mason has flour- cant, the greatest changes in the workforce have occurred ished far beyond its initial accomplishments. Pfotenhauer in attitudes. Geller noted that when she began working, and Geller were both very influenced by these occurrences women had to play by existing rules set by men, whereas and later achieved great success—by their own defini- now women can design their own rules. There is an under- tions. Their evolution from students to professionals to standing that women do not think like men and that posi- community leaders demonstrates what is possible with a tively affects the work place. She emphasized, whatever humanities and social sciences education at Mason. And as path a person selects, it is not forever. “It is much more flex- the college continues its upward progress, the success of its ible than that, you follow a path for as long as you want to.” alumni will be as influential in the creation of its identity. Both women have observed unique qualities in their fellow alumni, particularly those with degrees in the
Q&A with Nancy Pfotenhauer and Nicole Geller
What do you enjoy most about the work you do? What are your favorite books? Geller: The variety of projects I work on and the teams Geller: The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st I work with. I’m very proud to manage an organization Century by George Friedman, Daniel Pink books such as that is learning focused and constantly looking for ways to Drive, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. improve. I’m attracted to the possibilities that come with Pfotenhauer: The Screwtape Letters and The Great new projects. Divorce by C. S. Lewis. I like to read them once a year and Pfotenhauer: The unpredictability of day-to-day work. in sequence. It makes you look in the mirror and examine It is very rewarding work for people who would rather be yourself. It is a good wake-up call. busy than bored. And it is cool to be in the middle of the national news cycle and know what is happening. What are some of the recent books you have read? Geller: I’m currently reading Garden of the Beasts by Where do you do your best thinking? Erik Larson, and I enjoyed Cutting for Stone by Abraham Geller: Typically, within team brainstorming sessions. Verghese. The energy and different views help me get to the most cre- Pfotenhauer: I really enjoy mysteries. I’m currently ative solutions. When I need to get away, I have a beach reading the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. house that is great for a change of surroundings to clear my mind. Kindle? iPad? Nook? Old-fashioned books? Pfotenhauer: In my home office, it is a wonderful Geller: I alternate between hardcovers, Kindle, and a refuge where I am highly productive. new iPad. Pfotenhauer: Kindle.
Cornerstone 9 Notes from the Field: Women in Academia As part of an ongoing national discussion of women working in higher education, we asked female faculty members, how has the university experience evolved for women during your time at Mason?
Marion Jessica Sumaiya Deshmukh, Matthews, Hamdani, Faculty, Robert T. Hawkes Faculty, English History and Art Professor of When I began History History work as a full-time I have been teach- I have been at nontenure track ing at Mason for 15 the university as faculty member in years, and in that an instructor since 1969 and then as a the English Department 10 years ago, time the experience for me personally as full-time faculty member since 1975. women had already fought many of the a woman has been incredibly rewarding. Thus, it goes without saying that many equity battles in academic fields such as When I first arrived at Mason far fewer changes have taken place in university literature and composition. I benefited of my colleagues in the History and life. I was and have been struck over from their hard work. Thus, in my years Art History Department were women, the years by the fact that women were at Mason, women held every major far fewer high-ranking members of the continually encouraged to serve in position in my department. All of these administration were women, and the positions of leadership, particularly at a women served as role models for me, Women Studies Program was newly time when feminism was just emerging and they continue to be my mentors. established with a small number of affili- on the national stage. For example, there At present, the challenges many faculty ated faculty members and cross-listed were female department chairs from the such as myself face at Mason have courses across the college. Now, we have 1970s onward. When I served as chair more to do with the contingency of our a unique student body in that so many of of the History Department in the 1980s appointments rather than our gender. our students originally hail from areas and 1990s, more than half the chairs in For instance, full-time nontenure track of the world that are Muslim majority the then-College of Arts and Sciences adjunct faculty are not eligible for the societies. That so many of them are also were women. And as has been observed, same state employment benefits as women and that their interest in their there is currently a higher percentage of other full-time faculty. I look forward own past includes a critical examination female students than male students at to the next evolution in the university of that heritage has been very inspiring. the university, part of a national trend. I experience when there will be equal Women in areas of the world such as the can state unequivocally that in my expe- benefits for all faculty, regardless of the Middle East have shown great courage rience here, women have been treated contingency of their positions. in the events unfolding in that region of very fairly. The atmosphere of the college late, and I am proud to help frame their and university has been consistently experience for my students as a norm welcoming. rather than an exception.
10 SPRING 20122011 Susan Debra Lattanzi Suzanne Scott, Trencher, Chair, Shutika, MA ’93 Director, Women Sociology and Director, Folklore and Gender Anthropology Program Studies When I joined I came to Mason as We have come a Mason more than a graduate student very long way, but 20 years ago, I in 1989. I finished we still have a long was one of two female professors in the an MA in literature in 1993 then worked way to go! The racial and ethnic diversity Anthropology program. At present, I for a year as an adjunct instructor until among female faculty members has am one of two (albeit not the same two) I left for the University of Pennsylvania increased over the past decade, which is tenured female faculty members in the the following year. Although my time at important as we strive for the faculty to same program. It might thus appear that Mason has not been continuous, I know reflect the diversity of the student body. nothing has changed. But much has. the previous generation of colleagues What has not changed, however, is the I note, perhaps glibly but not without in the English Department. During the fact that men continue to hold the high- purpose, that the internal studies of early years, several women who would est and most visible positions within the male-female salary equity (lack of it) later become my colleagues, Barbara university’s academic and administra- of those times have been replaced by Melosh, Devon Hodges, and Rosemary tive leadership structure. Meanwhile, external salary equity studies comparing Jann, were promoted to full professors. It women do extremely vital but far less all faculty salaries externally, with peer was an important moment for my peers visible work in their roles as associates institutions, rather than internally based and me. Our aspirations were focused on and assistants. We still must continue to on sex. I see this as a good thing insofar the beginning of our careers and seeing challenge ourselves to remain conscious as we’re now all in it together. Are there our professors and mentors promoted and intentional about asking, where are other changes? Absolutely. Most remark- for their scholarly accomplishments the women among those in the highest able is the change, especially apparent I made a big impression. When I returned positions of power? think, in the College of Humanities and as an assistant professor in 2001, those Social Sciences at Mason, in the sheer same women faculty had help shape a number of females hired and tenured. remarkable department that was well- While there are still concerns that the managed and collegial. They had created distribution of leadership positions a department that fostered support of throughout Mason does not always their junior colleagues and, in doing so, adequately reflect this shift, there is a helped ensure our success. widespread, ascertainable difference. Further, current conversations about faculty hiring and salary differentials no “We still must continue to challenge ourselves to remain longer focus on male-female issues. The effort is to hire the best candidate, male, conscious and intentional about asking, where are the female, color, height, religion, every- thing but qualifications, aside—one of women among those in the highest positions of power?” those odd times when attentionnot paid —SUZANNE SCOTT, DIRECTOR, WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES is positive change.
According to official George Mason University data, the following denotes the number of all faculty (full-time, part-time, and graduate assistants).
1980–81 1990–91 2000–01 2010–11
30.0% 36.3% 42.6% 47.1% female female female female
69.1% 63.7% 57.4% 52.9% male male male male
Cornerstone 11 Mertens 12 Alan and Sally Merten Sally and Alan
SP R ING 2012 importance of multiple views and not telling the students students the not telling and views multiple of importance the of understanding administrators’ and faculty the is that. for just aplace is versity uni the that agrees couple The perspectives. multiple and options multiple with students presenting about strongly He feels communicator. agood him made has what is arts liberal the of understanding his that you tell will Merten you.” to I’mlistening Then solutions. multiple and aproblem me with present but aproblem me with present not to years the over learned have say, people or Ishould job, this in that learned have “I he says. things,” at looking intrinsically you ground, opportunities. tiple ormul solutions multiple consider to included, himself parties, interested the cause might that questions ask to objective his is It oropportunities. problems either present that again and time situations encounters Merten tration, adminis university in acareer With people’s perspectives. community. the in arts the of support their with and arena academic the in ences—both sci social and the humanities of growth the on influence undeniable an had have 16 for years, University Mason George at worked and breathed, lived, have who Mertens, The educators. and leaders on have can arts liberal the 16 Years at Mason and S Alan T A lives. their A and Sally with interview Arecent arts. of the liberal influencers F By AmyNoecker during their tenure at Mason. at tenure their during university of the development and growth in the role asignificant played has Merten Sally 16 years. rom an observer’s point of view, and their own, the Mertens have been both influenced by and and by influenced both have been Mertens the of view, point own, their and observer’s an rom “One of the strong parts of George Mason University University Mason George of parts strong the of “One discipline, by scientist acomputer he is Although back sciences social and ahumanities have you “When other hear to ability the has Merten Alan aleader, As books. It is to gain insight into the effect that that effect the into insight gain to is It books. of importance the understand to is It tion. educa arts aliberal of value the understand to is Merten Sally and Alan with o speak lan Merten is preparing to leave his role as president of G to president leave roleas his preparing is lan Merten know there are multiple ways of of ways multiple are there know ally Merten Look Back: ally ------their knowledge. knowledge. their to breadth and width gained children their that Mertens the to important was It economics. and French choosing Melissa and science political studying Eric majors, arts liberal Melissa—were and children—Eric Mertens’ The college. to he went reason the as arts liberal the viewed he says he college, to togo family his in first The fessor. wristwatch. your in fit to configured be could now thinks he that computer on a huge operator nighttime a as worked Merten Alan Wisconsin-Madison, of versity life. everyday in do can arts the what of understanding an into turned arts the for tion apprecia An books. of love her inherited she her from and hand her in a book had always mother her that you tell also will She literature. and music classical of appreciation her grew courses these of Out philosophy. and religion, music, literature, art, examining courses, humanities of semesters four of requirement university’s her was cites she ences influ biggest the of One University. Avila from psychology alternative.” an propose would someone that me, counter proposals. and ideas own his to comes it when views different aged encour fact, in he has, alternatives, consider to Known says. he own,” their on decide might they that so think, others how hear to opportunities providing but think to orwhat how He was also a research assistant to a psychology pro apsychology to assistant aresearch also He was Uni- the at major mathematics undergraduate an As in aminor with degree anursing received Merten Sally would someone “that he says, acompliment,” as it view “I fashion. asimilar in president as served has Merten lan Merten explores this aspect of of aspect this explores lan Merten eorge Mason U Mason eorge niversity after after niversity
- - - - “I think it is very important to have a good foundation in your education,” Sally Merten says. “You have to have a frame of reference from which to discuss many things.” Alan Merten, previously the dean of two business schools, has always felt strongly about the influence of the humanities. For instance, he believes that there is good reason to take a psychology course before a marketing course even if business is your major. Your foundation for understanding marketing improves once you understand psychology. “I learned early on in my professional career the con- cept of referent disciplines,” he says. “I was very applied, became very applied, but when someone would talk about what they were doing, I would always ask, what is the ref- erent humanities or social sciences discipline involved? In other words, what is behind the concept?” In line with the Mertens’ respect for the humanities and social sciences is their enthusiasm for Fall for the Book. The literary festival, approaching its 14th year, has grown from a two-day occasion to a weeklong, multivenue event. With their friends, Mason benefactors Ranny and Lucy Church, the Mertens have supported and nurtured the festival. As a member of the board of directors, Sally Merten is known for her passion and tenacity when it comes to this festival. “When you have a Her pride is obvious when discussing it, from the range of humanities and social authors who have attended to the personal nature of the sciences background, festival where one can interact directly with the authors. you intrinsically know She speaks with an honest thrill and a deep knowledge of there are multiple ways the structure and the impact of the festival. of looking at things.” Alan Merten remarks, “The key to Fall for the Book, from my perspective, is the reminder that there is no wall — Alan Merten between the community and the university.” He points out that without the partnership with the surrounding com- munities, the university would not have had the success it has had, and Fall for the Book exemplifies that once a year. Sally Merten talks about her involvement in the non- profit world. As a member of several nonprofit boards, she sees her role as bringing together community and univer- sity. This is an area in which she believes she has helped. Sally recollects last fall’s festival and reminds her husband
Cornerstone 13 of what happened at the reception for Stephen King. For Intellectual curiosity and a supportive community are someone who prides himself on knowing people, it is with two themes evident when the Mertens talk about their ten- pleasure that Alan Merten recollects attending the recep- ure at the university. “Mason’s story is one of culture,” says tion. Within the crowd of 100, Merten knew only a hand- Alan Merten, and to maintain a culture where good things ful of people—an unusual occurrence for this university happen has been one of his objectives. president. Clearly, what pleased him was this ostensibly The growth of the university to fill a need for higher new group of people brought to campus by the festival and education in Virginia, the growth of the global perspec- the indication of the impact that it has on the community. tive that the university espouses, and the continued rich The Mertens recognize the impact of the arts and engage, intellectual community surrounding the university are in part because they enjoy the symphony, dance, and other all hopes that the Mertens have for Mason. When asked performances, but also for more altruistic reasoning. what it was like being a university president after being at While he is aware of how the Mason student body has Mason for several years, Alan Merten responded, “I don’t evolved over the past 16 years, what Alan Merten points really know what it’s like being a university president. But to as a benchmark is the intellectual curiosity of Mason I know what Mason is like. And I like being the George students. And, though he knows that some might argue Mason University president.” He maintains that statement with him, he says that, “We are in the learning business, to date. There was no doubt in their minds that this univer- not the teaching business.” He feels strongly that creating a sity would be a good match for them. And, it has proven so culture where students can learn about the world they live beyond their expectations. “The pride that people in is the right path for universities to take, and that plays If you ask Alan Merten of which accolades he is most have in this institution out not just in the classroom, but in the social, athletic, and proud, he immediately responds by noting their joint is one of the things artistic areas of the university. Sally recalls the on-campus accomplishments and those that belong solely to Sally. In that makes me the reaction to September 11, 2001, and the impact of events regard to the university and how it has advanced in the past proudest. And, that can on students living in a diverse campus community. She 16 years, Alan Merten says and Sally agrees, “The pride be students, alumni, notes that what happened on campus that day was support that people have in this institution is one of the things that friends, staff, faculty, for others based on a shared understanding of the world in makes me the proudest. And, that can be students, alumni, everyone.” which we live. friends, staff, faculty, everyone.”
— Alan Merten
14 SPRING 2012 Smithsonian–Mason Partnership Offers Master’s Program in the History of Decorative Arts
ear one of the newest George Mason Uni- “It is always a great honor to team with the Smithsonian, “It is always a great versity–Smithsonian partnership is now and now we are part of one of the leading programs in honor to team with etched in history. decorative arts in the world,” says Censer. “This program the Smithsonian, and In October 2011, Mason President Alan strengthens and enhances what we already do in this field, now we are part of MertenY and Smithsonian Institution Secretary Wayne and broadens it by including art such as painting, sculp- one of the leading Clough signed the master of arts degree in the history of ture, furniture, silverware, and the buildings that hold programs in decorative decorative arts into existence. them.” arts in the world.” The Smithsonian has offered a degree in the history of The program covers decorative art from the United — Jack Censer decorative arts since 1996, but this new partnership links States, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, among one of the world’s most prestigious institutions with the other places, and offers courses in professional training university and all that it has to offer. and historical studies. It is the only program of its kind “The collaboration between the Smithsonian Insti- in Virginia. The program accepts students for fall and tution and George Mason University brings together the spring, and students can enroll full or part time. Courses unparalleled resources and collections of the world’s larg- are held at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., est museum complex with the experience and expertise of and on Mason’s Fairfax Campus. the Mason administration and faculty and the resources of “I really love the program, and one of the nation’s fastest-growing research universities,” I’ve been extremely impressed with says Cynthia Williams, director of the program. the caliber of academic work and The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia the scholarship,” says Rebecca approved the master’s degree in March 2011, and the pro- Petillo, an MA candidate in the gram began at Mason that fall. program, set to earn her degree Currently, more than 90 students are enrolled in the in 2013. “Hearing our faculty 48-credit, 16-course program, and Mason plans to admit members’ perspectives, knowl- 30 to 35 new students per year. Most students arrive with edge, and scholarship in this area a background in art history study, although others have is a benefit that I really value and studied history, anthropology, law, government, and busi- appreciate.” ness. Students explore the decorative arts Petillo enjoys the work she to pursue careers in museums, com- does in the program, from the mercial art, curation, education, art heavy research to the variety of interesting course work. galleries, interior design, and other She has taken classes focusing on her different interests, widely varying fields. The program’s which include glass, ceramics, studio furniture, contem- expert faculty and two required porary craft, and historical survey. She has had several internships support the students’ top-flight workplace appointments, including an intern- preparation for future experiences ship with senior Smithsonian official Jane Milosch, during and careers. Milosch’s time as a curator at the Renwick Gallery, and Jack Censer, dean of the College another with Richard Kurin, undersecretary for history, of Humanities and Social Sciences art, and culture at the Smithsonian. at Mason, observes that the partner- Petillo and the others in the program love the curricu- ship benefits both organizations. lum for one reason alone. “This is my passion,” she says.
Cornerstone 15 gabriella petrick Don Gallehr cynthia lum roger lathbury michelle greet History and Art History English Criminology, Law and Society English History and Art HIstory
Can you match the professors to their offices? 1. ______1 2 2. ______
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6. ______3 7. ______
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16 SPRING 2012 mills kelly esperanza roman-mendoza zachary schrag sufumi so roger paden Global Affairs Modern and Classical Languages History and Art History Modern and Classical Languages Philosophy
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aden–3 P o–5, S chrag–8, S oman-Mendoza–4, R Kelly–7, Greet–9, athbury–1, L um–2, L Gallehr–10, etrick–6, P : EY K ANSWER
Cornerstone 17 De Nys and Zagarri Receive 2011 Award for Scholarship
he College of Humanities and Social Sciences issues surrounding the idea of God, is in the works. honored two faculty members with its 2011 Another philosophical heavyweight, Martin Heidegger, Award for Scholarship. Martin De Nys, a will be under the De Nys microscope soon; the professor professor in the Department of Philosophy, plans to release a book that will take a critical and apprecia- andT Rosemarie Zagarri, a professor in the Department of tive look at Heidegger’s ideas. History and Art History, received the award, which is pre- Zagarri, in her 17th year at Mason, studies colonial sented annually to faculty members who make sustained, American history, women’s history, and 18th-century consistent contributions to their fields of study. transatlantic history. She published her first academic De Nys, in his 30th year at Mason, spent the first half of book in 1987, The Politics of Size: Representation in the his academic career studying historical figures and texts in United States, 1776-1850, and has since published two Martin De Nys the field of philosophy, writing commentaries and analy- others, A Woman’s Dilemma: Mercy Otis Warren and the ses on some of the most intriguing and difficult works he American Revolution, and Revolutionary Backlash: Women came across. He then spent time writing about philosophi- and Politics in the Early American Republic. She has also cal issues, using his previous historical analyses to inform edited a book on George Washington. Zagarri has won his work. His areas of expertise include the works of phi- numerous awards and grants for her work and has appeared losophers Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Karl Marx, on such networks as C-SPAN and PBS. After publishing philosophical theology, and political philosophy. Revolutionary Backlash in 2007, Zagarri began work on a He published two books in 2009: Hegel and Theology, biography of Thomas Law, an important reformer in the which is an analysis of Hegel’s understanding of Christian- early days of the United States. ity, and Considering Transcendence, a work that explores For more information on the award and the recipients’ different approaches to real life. A sequel toConsidering biographies, visit chss.gmu.edu/articles/3356. Transcendence, in which De Nys explores philosophical Rosemarie Zagarri
Past Winners
2010 alan Cheuse 2003 Barbara Melosh and Vernon Smith
2009 Tyler Cowen, ’83, and Jagadish Shukla 2002 robert Ehrlich
2008 June Tangney and Shobita Satyapal 2001 kevin Avruch
2007 Michael Summers and James Maddux 2000 Peter Brunette
2006 Susanne Denham and Lance Liotta 1999 James Pfiffner
2005 Linda Seligmann 1998 Lois Horton
2004 debra Bergoffen 1997 carol Mattusch
18 SPRING 2012 New Concentration Focuses on War and Diplomacy
he source of inspiration for some, polarization for others, and relevance for all, the military is one of the most important institutions in the world. Today’s military systems play an essen- tialT role in shaping global politics through war and diplo- macy, and even by their mere existence. Starting in fall 2012, George Mason University graduate students have an opportunity to explore the complex nature of the military and its role in society through a new concentration in war and the military in society. The concentration is part of the Interdisciplinary Stu- dies program. It is designed for students interested in the intellectual concepts of the military and the hard facts programs in the college focus on specific aspects of mili- stemming from the results of its decision making. tary studies such as history or policy. A number of students The concentration is headed by Christopher Hamner are interested in combining historical studies with practi- and Meredith Lair, experts in military history and faculty cal experience. members in the Department of History and Art History. “We answer questions related to war, peace, strategy, “These issues related to security, war, and peace have diplomacy, and American society,” he says. “This program significant historical importance,” Hamner says. “They is designed to appeal to those students who are interested also have a lot of contemporary implications. The decisions in the really important cluster of questions having to do wams.gmu.edu that the military makes affect some really critical issues.” with how the U.S. prepares for war, strategizes, fights its “What we recognize is that students in the Washington, battles, creates peace, finances warfare, utilizes technol- D.C., area are looking for different types of skill sets, so we ogy, and maintains its security.” wanted to create something that would be appealing to The 36-credit degree allows students to take courses in people from a variety of perspectives,” Lair says. “Because anthropology, biodefense, geography and geoinformation Dr. Hamner and I are both military historians, we already science, government, history, public administration, and have this unique core strength. We really do think Mason religion. The master’s program is capped by a project or has the potential to become a landmark institution in this thesis. Affiliated faculty for this program includes profes- field.” sors from many departments in the College of Humanities Hamner believes the concentration’s most attrac- and Social Sciences and other Mason schools and colleges, tive feature is its interdisciplinary focus. Other degree as well.
Cornerstone 19 A Pitch-Perfect Career
By Anne Reynolds
he End of an Era. It is a dramatic state- position is, at its essence, bureaucratic. “It’s a lot of dotting ment, almost always uttered hyperbolically. But I’s and crossing T’s.” Much of the role has to do with devel- this very assertion has been heard more than oping curriculum and making sure that enrollment levels once in the halls of the College of Humanities sustain the continuation of course offerings. Boehm-Davis andT Social Sciences, in the face of the resignation of its also stresses that the person in this position must be con- senior associate dean, Dee Holisky. cerned with keeping things running for the departments and Holisky has long been a familiar face throughout the ensuring that their needs are met, such as with space allo- departments and units of the college. She served as associ- cation and supporting the departments’ web presence via a ate dean for academic programs and became senior associ- content management system constructed jointly by Holisky ate dean in 2002. In those roles, her duties have included and the college’s director of information technology and supervision of the college curriculum, keeping track of the web development, Daniel Collier. Dee Ann Holisky enrollment, and generally ensuring the orderly operation These roles could be contentious at times, but Holisky of college activities. However, the fulfillment of those tasks seemed to rise above the friction that could have resulted in barely outlines the impact she has made. making difficult decisions. “It’s challenging, just in that we Holisky did not start out in an administrative role. Her have to calibrate what we do to accord with reality,” notes 32-year sojourn at Mason began in the English Department, Theodore Kinnaman, Philosophy Department chair. “We working as a part-time adjunct professor. After one year, she might offer courses and students don’t show up for them, joined the faculty full time, teaching courses in her specialty, and we need to make tough moves to close a course students linguistics. She eventually went on to serve as director of the aren’t signing up for. Dee is always very personable, and Linguistics program. even when things were very difficult, she didn’t take them Holisky and linguistics found each other as her academic personally.” career began at the University of Chicago. “I happened to Indeed, Holisky has shown a real gift for building respect major in linguistics through an odd fluke,” she acknowl- among those with whom she has worked. Mentioning her edges. “I had no idea what I was going to major in, and I name among her colleagues unavoidably results in a similar was coming up on the end of my second year. One day, I theme. “She’s very smart, she’s very fair, has a lot of integ- was sitting around flipping through the catalog. Literally, the rity. She cuts through to the core issues on any matter,” catalog flipped open to linguistics, and there was so little I says Deborah Kaplan, professor of English, who worked had to do to major in linguistics so I chose linguistics.” This with Holisky in the English Department and in Holisky’s happy accident resulted in Holisky earning a bachelor’s capacity as associate dean. “It’s one of the things I really love degree, master’s degree, and PhD in the field, all from the about her and about having worked with her. You weren’t University of Chicago. always on the edges of the problem, you got right to it. She’s “I never saw myself as an administrator,” Holisky admits. a very quick study and has a directness.” “My chair at the time asked me to run for college coun- Holisky’s work ethic is also a fundamental part of any cil. [I] ran for the position in English and served for one conversation about her contributions to the college. Jack year. Daniele Struppa [now the chancellor at Chapman Censer, dean of the college, commends her hard work and University] was also on the council. We worked on the first conscientiousness. Censer relates that when he became ever Celebration of Scholarship together. He later encour- dean in 2006, Holisky was the senior associate dean. She aged me to apply for the position in the dean’s office.” had set a date for leaving the dean’s office for one year in Though the field of administration might have come the future, but Censer dedicated himself to keeping her on unexpectedly to Holisky, by all accounts she has handled its board because of the “unbelievable amount of responsibil- challenges with exemplary diplomacy and skill. The college’s ity” she handled. “She did more to help us just by doing current associate dean, Deborah Boehm-Davis, explains the her job than most anybody else could do by actually trying
20 SPRING 2012 directly to help,” he observes. “In doing her job so incredibly “Linguistics is a complicated well, everyone else could do theirs.” Other colleagues note Holisky’s overall command of her discipline, but there are two role. Provost Peter Stearns sums it up: “I think she’s a con- summate professional, she has tremendous mastery over basic things about it—lots detail, she is deeply concerned about advancing student welfare, and protecting the rights of the institution, she’s of details and generalizing been the major force for a long time in helping to extend and define basic aspects of how we deal with students at all this detail. sounds, words, levels.” Boehm-Davis is looking forward to continuing the col- phrases. You always have to lege’s coordination of the work within the various depart- see the big picture, and you ments and programs within the college, and she appreciates the goodwill that has been established, largely by Holisky’s always have to have a handle contributions. As she began as associate dean in January, Boehm-Davis began visiting the departments, and she on the detail.” observed that “by and large, people are very happy with the college, which speaks to Dee’s work.” They are happy with how things are run, she notes, but they seem glad that “we haven’t over-bureaucratized things.” Fortunately for the college, Holisky is not planning to go far. After some travel (at the time this article was being written, she was touring Japan), she will return to Mason teaching and researching as a faculty member in the English Department; her main focus will be research in linguistics. With her administrative duties accomplished, she looks for- ward to furthering this research: “I have one major project,” she explains. “When I was in Georgia last, I collected origi- nal texts from speakers of a dying language. My last major research project is to make those texts available on a website as original texts in Georgian, Batsbi, or English. It will hope- fully be [done in] a lively and interactive way.” Holisky interprets her field thusly: “Linguistics is a com- plicated discipline, but there are two basic things about it—lots of details and generalizing this detail. Sounds, words, phrases. You always have to see the big picture, and you always have to have a handle on the detail.” She her- self observes, “that skill translates very well from linguis- tics to administration. How does it fit together to achieve your goals and accomplishments? Everything has to work together at all times.”
Cornerstone 21 Creating Cultural Memories across the Americas
By Rashad Mulla, ’11
ragic events have shaped the histories and cul- Although both projects focused on South American tures of many nations. Recently, interest has countries and forms of cultural memory, they were decid- been growing to document, commemorate, edly distinct. Velasco’s project dealt with the sudden and re-analyze those moments through some increase in documentary film popularity in Ecuador, while formT of media or memorialization, bringing these events Pereira analyzed a memorial site in Colombia. into the present for sobering discussion. In the 1990s, Ecuador’s documentary film industry Two College of Humanities and Social Sciences stu- produced a single digit total of works. But since 1997, that dents, Eleana Velasco and Katherine Pereira, spent a number has ballooned to 187. A self-proclaimed movie semester researching separate cultural memories in their buff, Velasco sought the cause of the jolt. native countries, Ecuador and Colombia, respectively. “There is now a massive interest in Ecuadorian film in Both students partnered with faculty scholars as part of the country,” says Velasco. “So much so, the government Mason’s Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. has been supporting it since 2006. And we need our films Velasco, a senior majoring in Spanish and interested to create a cinematic cultural memory of our country. We in Latin American studies, partnered with Lisa Rabin, are writing our history through film.” a faculty member in the Department of Modern and The current boom in the film industry is due in large Classical Languages and a cultural studies expert, on the part to the younger generation of Ecuadorians, says project, Ecuador’s Documentary Films: Uncovering the Velasco. Ever since the country’s political situation sta- Past and Finding Identity in the Era of Globalization. bilized, younger artists have banded together to create Pereira, a senior majoring in government documentaries to compete with Hollywood. The younger and international politics with minors in artists, many of whom Velasco knows personally, triggered Spanish and Latin American studies, col- some sort of cinematic Renaissance. Ecuador now boasts a laborated with Ricardo Vivancos Perez, thriving documentary film industry. also a faculty member in the Department One film Velasco focused on wasRatas, Ratones, of Modern and Classical Languages and an Rateros (Rats, Mice, Thieves), a critically acclaimed gritty expert in Spanish and Latino studies, for portrayal of Ecuador’s criminal underbelly. Velasco dis- the project, Creativity and Human Rights: covered through interviews and articles that audiences The Parque Monumento Trujillo as a Site of appreciated the cold, hard reality depicted in the movie. Consciousness. With this in mind, she decided to document the reaction Katherine Pereira with to With My Heart in Yambo, a story about a Colombian faculty member Ricardo immigrant family whose two chil- Vivancos Perez dren, ages 14 and 17, were tortured and killed by Ecuadorian police. The victims’ sister produced the documentary. Velasco surveyed Ecuadorian residents to gauge their reaction of the film.
Parque Monumento Trujillo mural of Father Tibeiro Fernandez Maflan, the local Colombian priest and community leader who was a victim.
22 SPRING 2012 “These films are part of our history and a part of our mistakes, and relate to some things that have not been solved,” Velasco says. “With this research, I hope to get across the message that things have to change.” This desire to highlight history and affect change is what connects Velasco and Pereira. Tragedy struck Colombia, as well. Between 1988 and 1994, the Cali Cartel, Colombian paramilitaries, and active members of the country’s military and police mur- dered more than 300 people near the Cauca River, includ- ing a well-known priest and many innocent farmers. Years later, a truth and reconciliation commission sug- gested that a monument be built to honor the victims of those horrible murders. The Parque Monumento Trujillo, which is near completion, will consist of a mausoleum “My background is what made me have a passion where some of the victims’ remains are buried, a garden, a for stopping injustice. Why is it that we live here so mural, and a special exhibit for the murdered priest. “I’m trying to understand the concept of this memo- comfortably while people in other countries suffer?” rial,” Pereira says. “I’m trying to figure out what makes this — Katherine Periera a site of consciousness. I want to narrow down how exactly this is a reparation for the victims’ families.” the way they can, and as educators, we can disseminate Pereira used books, government and nonprofit reports, information about grave human rights conditions in Latin other memorial sites in neighboring countries, and a host America.” of other materials to analyze the Trujillo monument. She Rabin, Velasco’s mentor, believes the research into capped off her research endeavor by traveling to Colombia Ecuador’s film industry has shed some new light on the during spring break, which ran from March 12 to 18, 2012. country’s ability to preserve its own history. While there, she visited the monument and met with its “Eleana has very fruitfully situated her work at the creators. She presented her research in Bogota and Cali for intersection of several prominent strands of inquiry in the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, a local university. humanities, including Latin American film production “This is an amazing opportunity for her to do research and the study of film reception,” Rabin says. “It is a fairly on the site,” says Vivancos Perez. “This probably makes the new impulse to see how films were and are received by fans difference in writing a great paper on the topic.” and filmgoers, as opposed to a more common approach, Vivancos Perez says Pereira possesses uncanny research which is movie analysis.” ability, drive, initiative, and a willingness to serve the pub- Both Velasco and Pereira plan to pursue their passions lic. He says that this project produced invaluable research into the future. Velasco would like to continue updating for Mason and Latin America. her study of Ecuadorian film, while Pereira is interested in “For us at Mason, it is important because we are pro- a career in human rights advocacy. moting critical thinking in an ethical way,” Vivancos Perez “My background is what made me have a passion for says. “We are privileged citizens of the world living here in stopping injustice,” says Pereira. “Why is it that we live the United States, so it is our responsibility to be commit- here so comfortably while people in other countries ted to helping those less fortunate. Everyone has to help suffer?”
Cornerstone 23 Student Events
The 2012 Undergraduate Research Symposium, May 1
Each spring, the College of Humanities and Social Alumni return to campus Sciences hosts the Undergraduate Research Symposium. This event, funded by the generous The College of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted contributions of our donors, is a forum for under- two major alumni events this year. graduate students to showcase their scholarship On October 1, 2011, CHSS sponsored a beer-tasting and creative activity. Following poster and oral event for more than 100 alumni and guests as part of presentations, faculty members select award win- Mason’s annual Alumni Weekend celebration. The event ners in a number of categories. provided a casual venue to reconnect with friends and former classmates and network with other alumni. A vari- ety of Dogfish Head beers were served alongside a tasting menu, and Dogfish Head representatives talked to the The 2012 Freshman crowd about the brews. Jack Censer, dean of the college, Achievement Awards was on hand to greet alumni and guests, and welcomed the audience with an update on the state of the college. For the third year in a row, the college is pleased Tom Moore, ’06, and On January 21, 2012, the college hosted the sixth Michael Whitlock, ’96 to award scholarships to selected freshmen who annual Dean’s Tailgate in the Mason Hall Atrium. More excelled academically in their first semester at than 100 alumni and friends attended this family event Mason. This special recognition program has with food, drinks, and entertainment from our very own become an important part of attracting and cheerleaders, the Green Machine pep band, and GMUnit, retaining the best and brightest students at an a capella group. There was a variety of activities for chil- Mason. We are grateful to the many donors to dren and adults, such as cornhole, darts, a kid’s coloring the Dean’s Scholarship Fund who make these station, and a raffle drawing. Following the tailgate, the awards possible each year. If you are interested in Patriots faced off against the Towson Tigers in a glorious learning more about the Freshmen Achievement 72-60 victory. Awards, please visit chssundergrad.gmu.edu/ freshman-academic-achievement/about.
A group of CHSS alumni from the 1990s and 2000s.
24 SPRING 2012 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni Donors January 1, 2011–January 1, 2012
CLASS OF 1968 Sally A. Sieracki Patrick G. Deegan Nancy G. Matthews Betty Jane R. Davis William T. Golla Duane E. Snider Richard L. Fulton Ellen G. Mayer Michele Eldredge Ted B. McCord, Jr. Danny H. Verner Joyce L. Hunt Karole P. McKalip Douglas G. Ellis Theodore C. Remington, Sr. William A. Williams Karen F. Lee David R. Oates Ingrid U. Geissler Kathleen M. Zaccardi Ronald L. Martin Edward O. Paisley Stephen P. Kara CLASS OF 1969 Lucy Anne Masterson James D. Pammel Geraldine N. Madigan Roselyne E. Clair CLASS OF 1975 Lynne J. Minkel Linda Privette Donna R. McDaniel Gilbert L. Sager Richard T. Bealer David L. Pumphrey Michael M. Reinemer Douglas S. Newcome Terry A. Smolin Robert W. Denig Teresa A. Sanko Rafael Rodriguez-Mandry Kathleen D. O’Connor Helen R. Gleason White Powell L. Duggan Norman J. Stanhope Anne A. Sears Rosemary O. Pattullo J. Calvin Williams, Jr. Susan B. Flohr Margaretta S. Smith Sheila Prom Pelaez Faye N Grubbs CLASS OF 1979 Carol E. Tsou Donna H. Riddel Paul R. Turner Cathy Sabol CLASS OF 1970 Shelley Rose Jennings Joseph W. Bear, III Elaine C. Wade Kathy A. Stewart Gail A. Bohan Joseph V. Laraia, Jr. Brenda S. Butler Alfred A. Martin Patrick F. Castellucci John E. Weston Kelley C. Studholme Kathryn H. Draper Joe Anderson Wood, Jr. Monica J. Widoff Inez S. Graetzer Dennis P. McGann Christine M. Doner Enver Bill Hoff, Jr. Patricia Milford Charles J. Fitzgerald CLASS OF 1982 CLASS OF 1984 William G. Iliffe James D. Roberts Priscilla B. Glynn Jerome R. Schultz Katherine E. Rowan Nancy Goodwin Griffin Cindy A. Crump Cynthia F. Ehinger Robert C. Sorgen Kristin B. Spencer Janis G. Harless David O. Crump Sandra K. Eichorn Lillian D. Windsor Demaris H. Miller Gloria L. Denig Lisa A. Faust E. Carol Niedzialek Barbara S. Falcone Anthony C. Homan CLASS OF 1971 CLASS OF 1976 Daniel J. O’Grady Peyton Parrish Jones Alusine M. Kanu Robert L. Cushing, Jr. Joan G. Patterson Cynthia B. Kozakewich Rhonda F. Leavitt Paul C. Gilbert, Jr. Richard L. Clark, Jr. Barbara L. Coleman Lisa C. Siegrist Douglas A. Mairena Nancy M. Leyson Christine F. Hughes Thomas D. Snyder, Jr. Mary L. McGillen Melissa U. Maas Anne B. Kerr Suzanne M. Dalch Jean R. DiPalo Nancy C. Vernon Becky J. Moore Mark E. Madigan Phyllis A. Maloy Elisabeth H. Oldaker Barbara R. Miller Patsy F. Myracle Julie G. Earthman Cynthia J. Gordon CLASS OF 1980 Evelyn J. Perez Christopher D. Mortensen Marilyn T. Saunders David A. Pfeiffer Robin J. Moscati C. Patricia Tank Sheila J. Hartzell Lorraine A. Bivins Cathy P. Pumphrey Linda N. Blair Christine L. Plunkett Liane P. Munnikhuysen James J. Shine Susan H. Bleistein Steven A. Riley Kenneth J. Sabol CLASS OF 1972 Maria-Theresia Steeg Cynthia G. Dailey Martha F. Rohr Christine A. Strasser Barbara A. Leahy John A. Wilburn Alison M. Deegan Farideh Schonberger LeAntha D. Sumpter Elizabeth L. Nelson E. Judith Finney James K. Sloan Robert R. Thomas, Jr. Duane E. Nystrom Barbara M. Smith Dale R. Van Dyke CLASS OF 1977 Deborah C. Gaudier Gloria G. Pantazis Stephen E. Stark Casey M. B. Cain Robert S. Gregorits Evelyn G. Webster Ruth E. Urich CLASS OF 1985 Nancy M. Croft Denise M. Kfoury Sharon Tabor Warren Betty J. Denton David Martinez Nancy W. Ambrosiano CLASS OF 1973 Kathryn L. Wilson Margaret K. DeWitt Ronald A. Panaggio Julienne M. Cohen Wilma Wolicki Norbert E. Erickson Carol T. Fitzpatrick Henry J. Sanko Michael S. Cohen Paula F. Yocom Maureen L. Hunter Larry K. Forrest Stuart C. Wood Sandra First Rosario Juliano Barbara Ramey Fox Margaret H. Garguilo CLASS OF 1983 Bruce J. Reynolds Mary I. Harrison CLASS OF 1981 Evan B. Gilman Catherine B. Sadlowski Switzer Katrina E. Kamm Dorothy M. Bollinger Alvin S. Bales, Jr. Nicole E. Harris Leonora M. Krueger James R. Burns, Jr. Michael W. Braham Mary Biddle Jones CLASS OF 1974 Lynn M. Y. Owan Nancy J. Cooke Marilyn B. Buchan Andrea Moore Kerr John E. Baker Evelyn J. Penn Dennis L. Cordell, Sr. David B. Caldwell Paula R. Kidwell Bonnie M. Boone Jacquelyn J. Rivas William T. Corey Beverly S. Ellis Jane M. Seeberg Susan J. McKeeman Dempsey Bold—Members of the President’s Circle Janice L. Gygi Christine C. Thompson Lucile D. Fleming Kenneth J. Hill Vasilios D. Zarmakoupis J. C. Guyan *Deceased Catherine M. Kelly Sally G. Hazard For a complete list of the George Mason University Honor Stephen P. Masterson CLASS OF 1978 Michael J. Hoover Roll of Donors, please visit Marian H. O’Brian Donna R. Bafundo David K. Lear supportingmason.gmu.edu/honor_roll/index.php. Susan K. Brennan Paula R. Lewis
Cornerstone 25 Francoise C. Kieschnick Annette C. Lewis Joyce D. Brotton Carol Lee Mournighan Irmgard B. Scherer Patricia J. Mangas George C. Cabalu Kevin J. Mulroe Frank J. Sprague Tracey C. Marcelo Kristin R. deVos Brian H. Philips Suzanne H. Taney Sara T. McAlpine Kari A. Falkenborg Maja I. Roberts Lisa J. Meier Adam D. Fickley Cristian A. Sabo CLASS OF 1986 Bernard A. Nassaux Angela M. Gibson Sylvia L. Shenk Carolynn T. Bigelow Sandra S. Rittenhouse Kimberly A. Halizak Sandra J. Smith-Bedio Brigitte Brkic Robert S. Robertson Patricia Hilton-Johnson Thomasetta C. Solak Kathleen S. Croson Chester A. Robinson Kelly M. Mattson Sallie H. Swisher Sheila B. D’Agostino Annette Kay Rubin Jennifer McCoy Deloris J. Thomas Ana M. Darder Joseph F. Skovira Fredwin M. Odom George P. Varoutsos Louis C. DiCenzo Shirley A. Springfloat Anthony C. Poggioli Dean G. Warrington Nicole A. Geller Peter B. Walker Paul C. Reber Frances R. Wermuth James N. Glakas Anne W. Sandlund Marlene J. Lass CLASS OF 1990 Robyn H. Snyder CLASS OF 1995 Daniel R. Pierce Hannelore Averna Jennifer E. Stevens David A. Alexander Laurel J. Ward Matthias W. Bannister Marie B. Travesky Krystyna Arlet What’s New? Kent W. C. Wayson Mary L. Bauer Mary D. Warren Katherine A. Barnoski Valerie Bryant James E. Winkler Ian T. Bassett John T. Winkler, Jr CLASS OF 1987 Mary Sulesky Donovan Ava L. Bell We want to know… Debra J. Abrams Daniel J. Gault Linda H. Bell CLASS OF 1993 Holly M. Blake ➤Where are you now? Alicia G Aponte Kenneth J. Green Edmund H. Burke Kathleen Q. Johnson Merton L. Bland Robert U. Friel ➤Have you moved? Patricia L. Cohen Kenneth H. Jones Margaret R. Blasinsky Burton C. Gray, Jr. Mimi M. Coleman Todd K. Jones Fred C. Bolton, Jr. Donald B. Headley ➤Gotten married? Catherine P. DeLano Jeanie B. Kahnke Margaret F. Brinig Stephanie A. Horne Leo A. Keneally F. Eugene Brown, Jr. Helen C. Jaeger ➤Had a baby? Amy M. Dent Mehmet A. Eker Joan M. Kertz Lisa S. Carlson William A. Kamens ➤Landed a new job? Jeannette M. Fisher Robert C. Lankford Paule Debs Colleen Kearney Rich Patrick S. Frank Constance A. LeMarr Kathleen E. Doyle Jennifer B. Kiefer ➤Seen former class- Lewis A. Galyon Nicole Livas Brian D. Ehret Jennifer E. S. Lee mates recently? Randall W. Gibson Cheryl Mathews-White Teresa L. Fries Ann M. Ludwick Lamis H. Hasan Suzanne E. McCann Michelle V. Groome David R. Mascis Stephen J. Jobe Karen G. Rehm John M. Jeweler Heather C. McHugh Submit your class notes Rebecca H. Johnston Robin A. Rojas Barbara K. Knauf Lisa K. Oakley-Bogdewic Kevin J. Kottman Deborah Rashkin to Mason Spirit, the William B. Miller Ruth P. Rose Nancy M. Pfotenhauer Claudine D. Saunders William E. Linden, III Gregory A. Sansing, II university’s magazine, Loretta L. Prencipe David M. Shaheen Brent S. Maas Norma J. Scott at [email protected]. John M. Rector, Jr. Dorothy S. Shawhan Michelle A. Marks Jon D. Silverman Catherine N. Skaggs Denise E. McKinley Pearl R. Smith Please be sure to include Randall H. Revercomb Paula P. Riddle Patricia A. Stephens Anne M. Menotti Laura L. Sturza your graduation year Thomas P. Sotelo Francoise M. Monceaux Robbin S. Velayedam and degree. William D. Sullivan CLASS OF 1991 Michelle D. Moore Isolde U. Wasley Joan K. Ziemba Karen L. Amendola Kimberly B. Retzer Timothy R. White Gary J. Braswell Elizabeth C. Rowe Suzanne M. Willard Jennifer R. Seager Support us online at CLASS OF 1988 Heather J. Clary Jennifer M. Tegan CLASS OF 1996 give.gmu.edu. Charles S. Borum David P. Costanza Mary-Blair T. Valentine Kathi Ann Brown Mary Elizabeth DiVincenzo Stephen C. Anderson Alexia D. Vikis Sandra G. Cooper Renate H. Guilford Susan R. Buford Cynthia D. Warren For more information, Barbara S. Corey Lidia Soto Harmon Constantine C. Canavos Don C. Woolverton please visit Nancy Anne B. Graham Joanne H. Hopkins Yvonne A. Carignan Tracy E. Jones Holly Kays Hukill Joy M. Church Millard chss.gmu.edu/alumni. CLASS OF 1994 Hatice E. Murphy Marc E. Jaffan Lee G. Draznin Mary M. Newton Beverly L. Jeter Scott W. Bedio John J. Gallagher, III Rebecca L. Penick Lara Jones Mary W. Bonwich Cynthia M. Glakas Andre F. Peronneau Chris M. Kormis Nancy E. Brown Christopher J. Hagedorn Cheryl G. Rice Eric H. Lindenberg Ramon J. Camacho Christine J. Hauser Save the Date for Bonnie S. Tarsia Ursula M. Moreau William S. Carnell Jean E. Hughes Judy T. Morgan Sung B. Choi Deborah A. Hupp Alumni Weekend! Patrick T. Warren Kathleen M. Wiese William T. Rice, III Abigail B. Chough Marijayne Kruus October 5-7 with a special Karin E. Roland Blas G. Falconer Todd M. LaMontagne Virginia Fissmer Deborah A. Lee CLASS OF 1989 Edgar D. Sniffin event for CHSS alumni on Elaine A. Therianos Thomas S. Flynn Thomas S. Logan Laura Ralston Alderman October 6 Ruya Urso James C. Girard Maureen Madden Wiley R. Ashley, III Deborah A. Woida Cooper Daniel J. Hupp Una L. Mahar Margarita N. Astorino Catharina J. Jacknow Gregg A. Mervis Sylvia L. Cook Please visit chss.gmu.edu Michael D. Karpicus Albert J. Missirlian Dana E. Doten CLASS OF 1992 for updates on all our Donna L. Kidd George D. Oberle, III Mark A. Farrington Vanessa Abi-Aad Anh-Dao Light Heather C. Oberle events. Sharon K. Fickley Frances A. Bernhardt Clara B. Loza Mark P. O’Malley Susan L. Gilmour-Sage
26 spring 2012 Kathryn A. Mole CLASS OF 2004 Kristen J. Rafalko Please donate online at Karin A. Orvis Elizabeth H. Boastfield Michelle J. Ragnetti Dena A. Papazoglou Heidi E. Chase Christopher E. Reed give.gmu.edu. Karen A. Park Aikwan Chong Olivia J. Ryan Jennifer R. Reaves Christopher J. Coyne Todd L. Soloweigh Steven A. Spitzer Shayan Farazmand Anna I. Son Brian J. Graff Jeremy B. Stokes Jason A. Flanary Eugene A. Taylor, III Elizabeth H. Resnick-Cherry Allison B. Hadley Becky L. Thane Angela M. Francis Matthew J. Tompkins James P. Ryan, Jr. Conaway B. Haskins, III Jackie C. Thompson Gene W. Granger Elizabeth M. West James R. Schopper James L. Hunniford Wilfredo C. Velasquez, Jr. Stacey K. Guenther Betty Ansin Smallwood Anslem C. Jackson Kenneth R. Wilson Heather M. Hare CLASS OF 2007 Meghan Witt Stalebrink Reisa J. Kall Richard Harless Lynda Asiedu Regina A. Stephens Kimberly A. Matthews CLASS OF 2002 Christopher Jeon Alan P. Capps Michael J. Sullivan Pearlie A. McFadden Mark H. Jones Helen M. Chaclan Sandra E. Taylor Rosanna Alvarez Catherine E. McGuckin Angela J. Katirayi Claudette L. Chenevert Richard J. Walker Julia A. Boulay Michelle L. Murphy Mostefa Khadraoui Matthew G. Curtis Michael L. Whitlock Sandra F. Cannon Judith J. Scott Maria H. Leguizamon Charla M. Downard Douglas D. Wiesen Michael A. Eisenman Michael T. Slawski Robert C. Lightburn Emmaline H. Gayk Kay K. Wood Lee A. Ghajar Damian A. Smith Crystal M. Harold Elena Razlogova Tristan D. Golas Pamela C. Williams Lyla M. Haseez Patricia A. Ridgway Raquel Gonzalez CLASS OF 1997 Kevin M. Holmes Luther D. Rives Alma S. Guillen Patricia J. Baker CLASS OF 2000 Shavawn D. Holmes Leilani R. Hamilton Latasha H. Brown Ayat Agah Sherri J. Jones CLASS OF 2005 Virgie Hammans James L. Butler Gabriella Alarcon David M. McKernan Tiffany M. Bennett Gail L. Hodges Joan A. Cameron Mary H. Becton Valkiria A. Peizer Christopher G. Brady Heidi Y. Lawrence Bruce H. Cork Alexis E. Berthelsen Margaret A. Porta Stephen D. Carlin Rachel M. Llizan David P. Coyle Rosemary Carpenter William C. Purdy Maria Dones-Urena Vada L. Martin Melanie Y. Giarratana Michiko C. Casey Nathan O. Richardson Shadan Ettehad Dale K. Mast Leslie R. Hall Jessica A. Finnefrock James M. Safley Jodie L. Haffa Belinda J. Mattos Margaret H. Holt Sergio F. Flores Yanira Z. Sanabria Mayssam Jahansoozan Nicole D. McCarter Melissa V. Hunniford Simoh Mohamed Habibi Cynthia H. Schlegel Eric M. Johnson Amanda M. McKinney Eric D. Johnson William R. Harvey Cynthia J. Shea Sherrie R. Link Scarlett L. Osvalds Stephen E. Knippler Roger H. Hill Diane E. Smith Linda S. Lofgren Chris Payatagool Karen J. Lynch Elizabeth A. Jackson Jonas O. Stalebrink Margaret H. Long William A. Pierce Anthony E. Martin Jennifer F. Komnenous Patricia G. Street Lisa M. Marcantoni Mark R. Plourde Sean M. McCarville Jamie L. Konstas Joseph J. Urban John C. Noelle Daniel K. Pryce David A. Purdom Pericles C. Konstas Rachel F. Zuckerman Kimberly C. Peele Anthony J. Quain Robert W. Schilpp Kirsten M. Lopresti Sharon J. Ritchey Ergys Ramaj Richard M. Sullivan, III Stavroula L. Marinos CLASS OF 2003 Enrique A. Sozzi Laura M. Rush Maria Sund Suehaila S. Nabulsi Stephen J. Acuna Jacob M. Theis Maria Seniw Myrna M. Oliver Corinna Beck Toni L. Theis Ammon E. Shepherd CLASS OF 1998 Stephanie C. Payne Brenda K. Callaghan Edward C. Windhausen Eliman J. Solorzano Donna M. Abruzzese Corey A. Reis Jennifer A. Caugh Cary M. B. Terne Zachary L. Amis William H. Roberts, Jr. L. Nina Chanthapanya-Ong CLASS OF 2006 Angel R. Valant Emily L. Brown Susan L. Rossell Annissa B. Cosentino David W. Bartee Betty H. Weatherley William C. Carpenter Eric A. Sas Sheila T. Costa Michele M. Cantrell Melissa A. Canavos Zavin R. Smith Jason J. Creque Ellen N. Carpenter CLASS OF 2008 Grace E. Chae Bonnie B. Stabile Susan H. Defrees David M. Chavanne Pamela C. Alandia Lisperguer Krysta L. Coyle Gwendolyn K. White Philip M. Denino Douglas J. Corazza Syed J. Ali Jennifer M. Daleo Leland J. White Nicole C. Ellis Daniel J. D’Amico Heather R. Beckmann Lourdes Godoy Lonney F. Gregory Thomas C. Divincenzo Geoffrey N. Brand Patricia J. Hupalo CLASS OF 2001 Brian C. Holtz Samantha L. Fleming Kathryn L. Brown Audrey W. Lipps Elissa L. Abod Michael Ickowitz Matt Frank B. Rhett Butler Ana Cristina Lusker Krista C. Bley Thomas D. Jagusch Eric N. Goff Joel C. Christenson Mary Frances Moriarty Carol D. Cadby Carl H. Jeanty William D. Harrison Katherine D. Clatanoff Amy E. Padgett Koch Linda W. Carpenter Anna M. Jeweler Jessa T. Hauck Joanna T. Colbourne Ronald W. Ritchey Kathleen M. Clare Melissa D. King Kate Jamison Andrew S. Cooper John C. Salamone Michelle R. Cowin-Gantz Marcus J. Lewis Sara E. Kistler Jessica M. Crawford Lesley M. Smith Mary E. Fleming Patricia W. McCarry Tara A. Laskowski Michael H. Darpino Constance H. Sprague Patrick J. Fleming Ginger D. McClellan Whitney B. Morgan Richard P. Davis, Jr. Camilla A. Stall Alfred A. Flowers, Sr. Andrea D. Moore Susan F. Nassaux Megan M. Draheim Jason S. Stele Paul J. Georgia Jaime Gray Nelson Khoi Quang Tran Jane Carlile Hilder Susan E. Page Wendy L. Ventura Jana L. Humpherys Melanie H. Rothstein Bold—Members of the President’s Circle Magdalena Sypula Paige D. Johnson *Deceased CLASS OF 1999 James H. Joy Bruce N. Wahl Ana M. Alonso Jennifer H. Lansbury Bryan K. Weaver For a complete list of the George Mason University Honor Avril M. Amato Gwendy E. Lopez James J. Welsh Roll of Donors, please visit Evelyn R. Fox Sherean E. Miller supportingmason.gmu.edu/honor_roll/index.php. Annette M. Gable
Cornerstone 27 Noah J. Tyler Daniel R. Reardon Merrill A. Jordan Please donate online at John E. Vaughn Trinnie T. Reed Ali Karim Kassam Meghan M. Wasinger Tamra R. Rich Jessica Keener give.gmu.edu. Amanda J. Rowley Kamola Khusnutdinova CLASS OF 2010 Ethan Rumrill Alexander Landivar Mounir Alafrangy Carlos Sanders Krystal V. Lansdowne John J. Eby George A. Dadzie Eric S. Anderson Susan M. Shaheen Nasim M. Mahmoud Stacy L. Everett Carol J. Dockham David D. Barley Kaushik Shankar Balqis A. Makki Mandi J. Fisher Cynthia Dumas Megan D. Barnes Julianna Soria-Araujo Cody R. Mason Joshua R. Fleming Courtney E. Erland Kamille J. Beecher David Z. Tuck Jean L. McPherson Patrick J. Gevas Eric E. Geiser Greg A. Bouchillon Charles R. Wilkers Laura M. Meany Neville E. Harrington Ramona D. Gliga Alissa S. Bourbonnais Shawnique N. Wilkerson Shamama T. Moosvi Raul A. Jordan-Smith Kasey J. Greene Sheila A. Brennan Jalila Zaaboul Victor A. Morales Marta Y. Kanashiro Daniel F. Herdman Jennifer H. Brock Warsan Noor Patricia L. Kelly Katharina Hering Todd M. Brooks CLASS OF 2011 Annabelle D. Ombac Emily C. Kendall R. Christopher C. Hild Monica Camazon-Mediavilla Jessica Albert Deborah Parker Janet R. S. King Alana M. Hurley Joary M. Casey Isaac Appong Lara Z. Pierce Dyanne M. Lagman Caitlin K. Hutchison Katelyn E. Christ Bailey D. Awkard Katherine L. Poole Molly M. Marshall Jediah E. Jones William M. Cox Brittany M. Barnett Melissa K. Prezzy Trudy G. McCormack Alexander P. Katzenstein Sharon M. Deane Melihate Binaku-Johnson Bledar Puli Steven A. Mitchell James E. Lantzy Maria O. Deras Wesley R. Bryan Leroy J. Sandoval Alan C. More Rachael A. Lyon Alicia Del Barrio Escribano Ana M. Cabrera-Cook Mary V. Shea Paul A. Nguyen George P. Manson, III Valerie J. Estep Christopher Chaney Blake R. Silver Parker M. Normann Jeffrey S. Moscaritolo Christina K. Forsberg Paul M. Clark, Jr. Malisah M. Small Brian M. Patti Priscilla L. Munnelly Lauren A. Franks Marissa Ann Cohler Kelley D. Smith David H. Phillips Scott A. Nelson Qian Gao Manuela Daniels Richard D. Snowdall Verna B. Robinson Trevor Owens Karen E. Goldman Anna C. Davis Susan K. Stolpe Terence P. Ross Salah Piroty Adam M. Grim Michael E. Duncanson Laura A. Trest Rosemary L. Shepherd Bette P. Ries Stefanie J. Haeffele-Balch Opal El Bradley M. Yager Toi Ayna Thompson Janet M. Romanchyk Brian D. Hutchison Emily C. Fahland David S. Youk Michelle R. Santayana Marissa G. Konnell Christine L. Fletcher CLASS OF 2012 Nana K. Sarfo Hyun Jung Lee Ariana B. Flores Elizabeth Hambrick Ellyn M. Seestedt CLASS OF 2009 Helen M. Magee Ryan J. Foreman Emily E. Jackson Dilberhan D. Shermat Regina B. Anderson Christina C. Manriquez Catherine M. Gaiser Jessica N. Wheeler Ciara M. Sibley Evan S. Baum Christopher S. Martin Louai Haffar Christine E. Stansell Honey Y. Belachew Kari A. Martindale Maurice Hubbard, II Kelly B. Stazi Martha E. Brach Sean P. McNamara Kyle D. Hunt Alumni are listed according Kimberly A. Thomas Scott James E. Buresh, Jr. Paige Morabito Justin W. Hurwitz to their first degree awarded Tyler C. Thompson Toni Carr Abigail L. Mudd Christopher D. Jarvis at Mason. Gifts, pledges, and Laura A. Thompson Kira M. Cherrix Christina M. Nickerson Nathan M. Jensen payments are credited toward Elizabeth H. Timbs Ratima Chowadee Sonia Parsa David B. Johnson Honor Roll recognition. Robert B. Townsend Joanne Clarke Dillman Christopher M. Prior Apoorva K. Johri Chauncia H. Collins Jack W. Turner
Make it a habit, make it for Mason! Your donation goes to work immediately to n Strengthen academic programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. n Make Mason affordable for all students. n Attract top faculty members in world-renown disciplines. n Build and maintain curricula that prepare students for rewarding and dynamic careers.
28 spring 2012 Donors
January 1, 2010–January 1, 2012
Friends, Lawrence Blum Timothy J. Conlan Tim Eltham Anthony Grafton Brett Bobley Kathlyn Conway James K. Elwell Louise E. Grafton Parents, Michelle Boese Jeffrey T. Coster Patrick English Grace Gray Grandparents Jeremy K. Boggs Gabe Covert Rodney G. Ensley, Sr. Daniel R. Grayson Paul J. Abbondante Savanna J. Booth-Enoch Carl Cox S. J. Ensley Jacqueline A. Greeves Kay Abernathy Eileen C. Boris Rebecca J. Crowder Jesus Esteban James J. Greeves Gracene D. Acton Wendy Boss Brian Croxall Rita M. Estrada Cavallini George A. Gregory Arthur W. Adler Scarlette A. Boyd Aimee Cueto Pablo Euillades Alberta N. Grossman Laura J. Adler Deborah Boyer Hugh A. D’Andrade Oghenero E. Evero Lawrence K. Grossman Jean-Christophe Agnew Terence P. Boyle Charles E. Daniels Bret Eynon Robert R. Guzzardi Janne M. Ahokas Caroline Eames Brasler Vicki M. Danoy Wesley Faler Viki Halabuk Vural Ak Kevin W. Brasler Krista J. Darnold James D. Farley Anemarie Hall Kenneth Albers Mark Brasler Rick Darnold Carlos Ferrero Daniel Hall Sue Alecci J. G. S. Breed Stuart R. Davis Ramon Jose Ferri Debi Hall j’Etana Allison Ann Brennan Mark De Spain Kurt Allen Fisher Suzanne B. Hall Joel Anderson Stephen Brier William Deal Kathleen Fitzpatrick John Halsell Robert Anello Eva P. Brockman Karen Ann DeGannes Kathryn H. Fitzpatrick Maureen V. Hambrecht Karen P. Arledge L. Grey Brockman James A. Delaney Patrick H. Fn’Piere Christine M. Harchick Miguel Carrasco Asenjo Thomas M. Brown Linda-Marie Delloff Janet C. Ford Victoria A. Harden Andrew Asher Harold J. Brumm, Jr. Mrs. Dennis Louis L. Ford Sharon Harris Anders Backman Peter D. Bruno Cortes E. DeRussy Steven Forman Muhamad Fairus Noor Hassim George Bafundo William H. Bunn, III Ashok Deshmukh Neil Fraistat Benedikt Haug Gail D. Bales Karen Burns Donna H. Devier Kathleen A. Frank Gabe Haukness Karen W. Bankert William Burr Leonard G. Devier Mary Frederickson Kenneth J. Havran Elena M. Barham Fred M. Butler Mary Louise Devlin Barbara J. Fried Margaret Hayman Chung W. Bark Karen Sue Butler Kathleen T. Dickson Tami Friedman Glenice Heap Tom Barker John D. Byrum, Jr. Robert B. Dickson Stephanie Fuglaar Mia Hernandez Allswell Barnes-Pryce Denise Caldarera Rinaldo DiGiorgio Nancy Galas Douglas Herron Frankie C. Bartee Gilbert Calhoun Thomas DiMaio Ann Gallagher Antonio Hespanha Magdalena Baudewijn James Camire Mingzhou Ding Bobbie Jo Gamber Jacqueline Hess Jean Bauer Hal Canary Amy Dodson Barbara B. Garrity Bill Hesson M. B. Baumeister Kathryn Canary Heidi Dodson Rod Gates Matt Hickman Julia Bayless Thomas G. Cannon Samuel Domenico Justin Geiger Timothy D. Higashi Karim Baz Paulo Cardullo Walter Dordoni Harry Geller Robert L. Hill Jon D. Beasley Gregg Caren Sherman Dorn Michael German Lee D. Hoffman John Beatty Daniel T. Carroll Susan L. Douglass Gary Gerstle Patrick Hoffmann Samuel Becker William L. Catto Don H. Doyle Loukia Giannoukos Aliaksei Holik David Becklund Douglas A. Chadwick Lucas Dreier Elexis C. Gibson Virginia Hooper Erika Beer Sung Ho Choi Bess Ann Duane Rudolf Giesselmann April Hoskins Linda Begega Jon Christensen Dolly J. Duane Maegan Gilmour Gregory Hostetler S. Keith Belmont Richard J. Clair James J. Duane Donna S. Gladis Linda G. Hubbard Alex Beltramo Christopher F. Clark Jerry D. Duane* Michael B. Glenn Robert J. Hudson Martha Benton Edward E. Clark Sammy M. Duane Diane D. Goebes Craig Hukill Olaf Berg Joyce Clarke Trula E. Duane Matthew Gold Jane Hunt Tilman Berger Robert Clarke Carole A. Duff Frank L. Golden Kevin Hunter Barry Berlin Glenn Clatworthy Dave Duggal Daniel Gonzalez Christopher Hurson Pius Bienz Donna Clouatre Sheila D. Duston Boone Gorges Timothy Husson Marianne Billiot Harvey H. Cody, III Saundra P. Duvall Thomas Gradel Maurice H. Isserman Sarah E. Birk Judith G. Coffin Caroline Eames Dorothy Bishop Alfred M. Cohen Anita Edwards David Black Constance H. Cohen Jeffrey G. Edwards Arnold G. Blair, Jr. Jose M. Colladc Linda S. Edwards Bold—Members of the President’s Circle Rose Blakley Benoit Collette Robert H. Edwards *Deceased Pierre Bleyzac Anthony W. Collins Robin L. Einhorn For a complete list of the George Mason University Honor Doris E. Bloch McLean Collins Geoff Eley Roll of Donors, please visit supportingmason.gmu.edu/honor_roll/index.php.
Cornerstone 29 David Jaffe Thomas Latterner Looking for Class Notes? David Jaffee Michael G. La Vean Mehar K. Jahangeer Susan La Vean Beoung-Han Jang Douglas M. Lawson Harold D. Jenkins, Jr. Jamie Layton Sadly, they will not appear in this issue of Cornerstone. Eric Johnson Stacy Lear Dean R. Johnson Lee LeBlanc After much discussion, the editors of Cornerstone are asking alumni Joseph A. Johnson Donald R. Lehman to direct their news to Mason Spirit. The university-wide magazine Kenneth J. Johnson Kristin Lehner is published twice a year and received by all Mason alumni (140,000 Mary A. Johnson Warren Leon and counting!). Neal Johnson Verna F. Leonard Carol Johnson-Mendoza Michael Lester We still want to know where you are now! Have you moved? Gotten Arnita A. Jones Russell C. Libby married? Had a baby? Landed a new job? Connected with classmates? Bethany Jones Nelson N. Lichtenstein Please submit your latest news to [email protected] and chssalumni@ Kenneth H. Jones Carol C. Limbach gmu.edu. Jennifer Jordan Robert E. Lindberg Finn Arne Jorgensen Nora A. Lindenberg We want Cornerstone to inform our readers and feature the con- Patrick Joyce Edward Lloyd, Jr. tent you find most valuable. If that includes Class Notes, we would Philip G. Joyce Daniela Lopresti be thrilled to print them again. Our alumni are a diverse, fresh, and George E. Juliano Kenneth E. Lorang vibrant group who communicates with the college in a variety of Effie Kapsalis Linda R. Lorang ways. Follow Dean Censer on Twitter @jackatchss, become a fan of Michael Karlinger Jennie Louise the college on Facebook, e-mail us at [email protected], or stop Sanjit Kaul Richard O. Lowe Elizabeth A. Lunbeck by an event. P. L. Keithley Margaret Keller Kathleen Lytle Think of this as a way for us to get to know each other better and Dennis V. Kelly Matthew MacArthur establish a richer relationship. We want to know what you have been William W. Kelly Devon MacFarlane up to, and we are opening the conversation with how we have been Jean Kempf Christopher Macias Linda K. Kerber Iain MacLeod-Brudenell keeping busy. Boudewijn Kessing Sheri L. A. Maeda Hyun-Jee Kim Dillon Mahmoudi Brian King Stuart Makagon The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is made up of 11 Lawrence A. King Yanina Mangen departments, 10 programs, two colleges, 18 research centers, and Mary Ann King Colleen Marano more than 8,000 students. Thijs Kinkhorst Danislava Marinova Jeanne P. Kipp Chris Martin In fall 2011, the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities Julia Kirch Daisy A. Martin placed social sciences research at George Mason University 41st on Andrea N. Kirsch Molly S. Martinez the list. This prestigious and unbiased ranking demonstrates how fac- David A. Kirsch Michelle A. Masse ulty at Mason are addressing some of society’s most relevant needs. Patrick Klein Alicia Mastretta-Yanes This ranking placed Mason ahead of Georgetown University, George Carrie N. Klein Jacinta Matos Washington University, and exactly one notch above the University of Douglas W. Knox Denise L. Mattingly Virginia. Antonia P. Korby Lloyd Mattingly William W. Korby Sarah Maza Since the college’s establishment in 2007 Simon Kornblith Sara McAndrew Stephen M. Kozik Theresa M. McBride • Four alumni of the year: Deborah Willis, PhD ’03; Maric J. Kramer Jeffrey W. McClurken Robert Traynham, MAIS ’02; David Robarge, BA History ’77, Kari Kraus John D. McConnico, III MA ’82; and Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83 Vivek Krishan Monica McCormick Ronald A. Kunihiro Danetta McDaniel • 11 Fulbright Scholars Renee LaFleur Justin McDonald • 655 private support scholarships and fellowships awarded Maria Soledad Martinez Lago Margaret McDonnell-Cully to students Eran Laish Carol J. McDonough Fergus Lalor James P. McDonough • A 56 percent increase in gifts to the college and a 20 percent Margaret A. Lamb Patricia J. McEvily increase in alumni participation Christopher Lamia Robert E. McEvily Michael A. Lanning H. Diehl McKalip • 77 faculty members awarded tenure James M. Lapeyre, Jr. Marjorie L. McLellan • In the 2010–11 fiscal year, the college received $24 million in Sally H. Lapeyre Marshall E. McMahon federally funded research grants, which represents a 25 percent John W. Larkin John Medaille Erik G. Larson Julie Meloni increase over the previous year. Timothy Larson David E. Menotti • In the 2010–11 academic year, the college conferred more Chad Lash Philip E. Merritt degrees than ever in its history: 1,890 bachelor’s, 467 master’s, Stephanie Latterner Sarah L. Merten and 67 doctorates for a total of 2,424 new alumni!
Please donate online at give.gmu.edu.
30 spring 2012 Alexander Merz Susan Reverby Indranil Sinharoy Hildegard von Bock Johannes D. Bergmann Joanne Meyerowitz Michael E. Revy Kathryn Sklar George M. Vraneza Rei Berroa Eugene D. Milbradt Deborah F. Rice Andrea Slawski Pauline Vraneza Charlene N. Bickford Jean P. Milbradt Edward Hart Rice Nancy J. Slezak Oliver Waddell Deborah A. Boehm-Davis Jason Miller Nancy Rice Kimberly Sloan Michael Wahl Jeremy K. Boggs Linda Milligan Amy C. Richards Daniel Smith Charles J. Waldron, Jr. Don M. Boileau Norman Minnear P. Michael Riffert Judith E. Smith David A. Walsh Michael Bottoms Brunilda Mitchell Michele H. Riley Michael Smith Eileen Walsh Christopher G. Brady, ’05 Gregory J. Mitchell William R. Rittenhouse Mark Smolin Gayle M. Walters Sheila A. Brennan, PhD ’10 Saiful Momen Patrick Robbins Rebecca S. Snider Ronald G. Walters Margaret F. Brinig, MA ’93, Victor Morales Mary E. Roberts Kathleen W. Snow Jerry Ward PhD ’94 E. David Morgen David L. Robertson Douglas J. Soffer Joseph W. Ward Joan C. Bristol Clifford G. Morgenegg Mary Robertson Melinda W. Soffer John C. Wasley, III Carol D. Cadby, MAIS ’01 Marina Morgenegg Cynthia Robinson Thomas J. Solak John Weaver Yvonne A. Carignan, MA ’96 Wayne D. Mugge Paul Roge Omar Otoniel Soto Laurence M. Weinberg Rosemary Carpenter, MA ’00 Teresa Murphy Daniel Rohde Lisa Spiro Andrew R. Weintraub Benedict Carton Tomohito Nakajima Nicholas Ronalds Kathleen K. Stachel Wol K. Welsh Jack R. Censer Peter Nameth William Rosenberg Randall R. Stachel Richard B. Wesley Jane T. Censer John D. Nell David K. Rosner Keith Stanger Steven C. Wheatley Joel R. Censer John K. Newton Lisa Rosner Kristin Stapleton George M. White Michael G. Chang Khuong Nguyen Anna Rowser Joanne Staunton Shane White Julie A. Christensen Tuan H. Nguyen Bruce Rubinger Edward M. Staunton, III Brendon Wickham Kathleen M. Clare, ’01, MFA ’05 Vi Vo Nguyen Lisa Rudd Raymond Sterling Eileen M. Wiegert Keith S. Clark Rob Nicoski Rachel E. Rudy Doreen Stern Margaret L. Wieners Katherine D. Clatanoff, MA ’08 Valerie Nixon Abby S. Rumsey Jean Stern Donna Wilchek Daniel J. Cohen Michael Norton David M. Rumsey Mary F. Stewart Michael B. Wilchek Timothy J. Conlan Ehsan Nourbakhsh Mohammad B. Salamah Fernando Stock Kevin L. Wilcoxon Andrew S. Cooper, ’08 Bethany Nowviskie Nicholas Salvatore Marilyn R. Stoner Gwilym Williams Dina M. Copelman Joshua Nygren David Sampson Susan Strasser Jacqueline Wilson Christopher J. Coyne, MA ’04, Stephen O’Brien Eve N. Sandberg Cornelia Streeck John H. Winner PhD ’05 James P. O’Brien Brian Sanderson Lynda Strutt Juliane Wise Jason J. Creque, ’03 Lisa H. O’Dell Susan Sargent David Suisman Joshua R. Wojnilower Spencer Crew Godwin Ogedengbe Louis G. Sarto Ann H. Sullivan Russell Wood Reeshad S. Dalal Ilsung Oh Benno Savioli Steven A. Sultan Russell O. Wood Susanne A. Denham Krystof Oko Susanne Scharf Susan E. Sultan Michael P. Wright Rutledge M. Dennis Arne Olav Nygard Shelley Scherer Nathaniel Sutton Michael Wynn Marion F. Deshmukh Cecilia O’Leary James Scherrer Robert Swanson Alicia Fox Wynn Sharon M. Devlin Leon John L. Olsh Mary E. Schmidt Jennifer Swift Tsutomu Yagi Michael A. Dickerson Jennifer Orr Jonathan Schneer Carol R. Szwed David Yakaitis Nancy A. Dickerson Paul M. Osborn Ernest Schroer Nancy J. Taniguchi Hyun Jin Yang Steven J. Diner Susan McDonald Osborn Jay M. Schulman John M. Tate Edmund Yesko, Jr. Leslie Dyre Marjee Owens Hildebrand Schwab Patricia A. Taylor Ruth E. Yesko David F. Ericson Vivian A. Panaggio Anthony Schweiger Margaret M. Teahan Dongwook Yim Kristin Fairchild R. Rex Parris Michael B. Scott Wendy Teo Paul-Jing Yu Mark A. Farrington, MFA ’89 Stephanie Parrott Tracie L. Scott David Thelen Vika Zafrin R. Douglas First Patricia S. Pataro Patricia Sears Chris Thomas Sandra A. Zagarell Jane M. Flinn Rudolph N. Pataro Patricia Seaver Elizabeth W. Thomas Andrew Zimmerman John B. Foster, Jr. Mike Paxos Andrew Segal Greg Thompson Lee A. Ghajar, MA ’02 William Pekarsky William Seligman Thomas Thurston Frederick W. Gibbs Nadia Peleguzova John R. Sellers, Sr. Chenyang Tie Faculty, Mark G. Goldin Jacques Pellet Marsha L. Semmel Adrian Tillich Staff, Former Michelle V. Groome, ’93, Per Persson Jennifer Serventi James H. Todd and Retired MA ’01, PhD ’04 Robert Pettit Diane B. Sexton Beverly J. Tonso Clyde W. Grotophorst Neal Phenes Robert Shackleton William R. Tonso Faculty and Stacey K. Guenther, MS ’04 Robert L. Phillips Julie Shafiki Eileen Toomey Staff Renate H. Guilford, ’91, Harry Pinsky Naman Shah James Townsend MPA ’96 Jane Plaza Vishal Shah Joan F. Troyano Ayat Agah, ’00 Christopher H. Hamner Rachel V. Pooley Saurabh Sharma Dawna Tully Kenneth Albers Heather M. Hare, MS ’04 John P. Pound Kendrick Shaw Adam Turner Teresa D. Allen Katharina Hering, PhD ’09 Michelle L. Price Frances Shelton Gary Tuthill Karen L. Amendola, MA ’91, Toby Hettler Gerald R. Prout Tim Sherratt David J. Tyson PhD ’96 Roger H. Hill, ’00 (cert), DA ’06 Leslie Puth Crandall Shifflett Terry J. Tyson Naomi Sue Arlund Gail L. Hodges, ’07 John M. Queenan Linda Shopes Francis P. Vaculik Shaul Bakhash Dee Ann Holisky Jean-Francois Racine Patricia Shufeldt Siva Vaidhyanathan Carryl L. Baldwin Emmett L. Holman Rita M. Rack Mary Schulman Johannes A. Van Waarden Peter J. Balint Kevin M. Holmes, ’02, MS ’07 Lynn Ramey Amanda Shuman Ravi Varghese Steven A. Barnes Mack P. Holt Gary F. Rast Ardis Sichangwa Andres S. Vicente Marjorie M. Battaglia Virginia A. Hoy Candace Reeder Richard A. Siegel Joan C. Vilanova David B. Bauer Joy R. Hughes Nathaniel F. Reid Melanie Sifton Amanda Visconti Evan S. Baum, MS ’09 Patricia J. Hupalo, ’98
Cornerstone 31 Anne L. Schiller Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Ithaka Harbors Inc. Please donate online at Zachary M. Schrag The Andrew W. Mellon JAPAJAG Foundation Kelly R. Schrum Foundation The Joyce Foundation give.gmu.edu. Randolph Scully The Association of American Joyce Gillespie Harrington Linda J. Seligmann University Presses Inc. Foundation Maria Seniw, ’07 Association for Psychological The Katherine H. Nix Alana M. Hurley, MA ’09 James C. Miller, III Ammon E. Shepherd, MA ’07 Science Revocable Trust Michael E. Hurley Maureen C. Miller Susan R. Shreve Backspin The Lynde and Harry Bradley Justin W. Hurwitz, MA ’11 William B. Miller, MFA ’87 Teri K. Slick Bank of America Charitable Foundation David B. Johnson, PhD ’11 Alan C. More, ’08 (cert) Barbara M. Smith, ’82, MA ’90 Gift Fund Mary B. Hollingshead Trust Devon V. Johnson Janette K. Muir Lesley M. Smith, MFA ’98 Barnes and Noble College McMunn Family Foundation Kathleen Q. Johnson, ’90, Star A. Muir Suzanne E. Smith Booksellers Inc. Med/Pro Services MBA ’96 Paul A. Nguyen, ’08, ’11 (cert), Zavin R. Smith, ’00, ’03 (cert), The Beach Foundation MedImmune Inc. Steven R. Johnson MS ’12 MA ’03 C.M.C. Construction LLC Memphis Convention and David Colin Jones Christina M. Nickerson Hugh T. Sockett CAM Publishing Visitors Bureau Alusine M. Kanu, ’84, MAIS ’87, Karen Kashmanian Oates Bonnie B. Stabile, MPA ’00, Charles G. Koch Charitable Mt. Vernon Ladies DA ’00 George D. Oberle, III, ’96, PhD ’06 Foundation Association Deborah E. Kaplan MA ’99 Norman J. Stanhope, MA ’78 The Clark Construction National Capital Business Colleen Kearney Rich, MFA ’95 Karin A. Orvis, MA ’01, PhD ’07 Miruna Stanica Group Ethics Awards T. Mills Kelly Trevor Owens, MA ’09 Peter N. Stearns Colin A. and Catherine V. Welch National Technical Donna L. Kidd, MPA ’94 Roger K. Paden Sean P. Takats Trust Investigators Association Cynthia A. Kierner Robert Pasnak Faye S. Taxman Communicate with Boileau Organization for Autism Eden B. King Brian W. Platt Eugene A. Taylor, III, MFA ’06 Crime Prevention Consultants Research Theodore J. Kinnaman Peter M. Pober Lois E. Tetrick The Curran Foundation Page-Nelson Society of Virginia Carrie N. Klein Christopher R. Preperato Kenneth C. Thompson The de Laski Family Pfizer Foundation Lester R. Kurtz Ralph A. Privee Susan E. Tichy Foundation Pierre F. and Enid Goodrich Meredith Lair Robert E. Pugh Ellen Wiley Todd El-Hibri Charitable Foundation Jennifer H. Lansbury, MA ’01, Elena Razlogova, PhD ’04 Heather Velez Foundation Plum Creek Foundation PhD ’08 Christopher E. Reed, ’06 Claudia Verhoeven Estate of Frank MacD. Spindler Prison Fellowship Ministries Heidi Y. Lawrence, MA ’07 William F. Reeder Alexia Diana Samantha Vikis, ExxonMobil Foundation Psi Chi Kenneth Lee Priscilla M. Regan ’93, MA ’96, DA ’02 Family Pathways The Regeneration Project Elyse J. B. Lehman Kimberly B. Retzer, ’93, Sylvia K. Vitazkova Fannie Mae Samuel H. Kress Foundation Jeannie B. Leonard MEd ’97 Rex A. Wade Federal Management Sepler and Associates James S. Levine Janine M. Ricouart Sarah G. Werner Partners Inc. Society for a Science of Cathleen Lewandowski Jennifer L. Ritterhouse James J. Willis FHLBanks System Clinical Psychology Nance J. Lucas Terence P. Ross, MA ’08 Rosemarie Zagarri FMC Corporation Starcom Mediavest Matching Ann M. Ludwick, ’01 (cert), Melanie H. Rothstein, ’03, Karl K. Zhang Fors Marsh Group LLC Gifts MPA ’05, ’08 (cert) ’03 (cert) Joan K. Ziemba, ’87 Fox Charitable Foundation Thelma O. Weaver Charitable Cynthia Mae Lum Katherine E. Rowan, ’75 Emily Zimmerman Ft. Belvoir Social Committee Trust James E. Maddux Elizabeth C. Rowe, ’93 Matthew Zingraff Gannett Foundation Inc. Unified Home Industries Inc. Helen M. Magee, ’10 Ashby R. Rushing Grant Thornton Foundation Wells Fargo Community Michelle A, Marks, MA ’93, Olivia J. Ryan, MA ’06 Corporations, The Helts Foundation Support Campaign PhD ’98 James M. Safley, ’02 Heritage Hunt Women’s Chorus Wells Fargo Foundation Molly M. Marshall, ’08, MA ’11 Ben F. Sands, Jr. Foundations, History News Network Whole Foods Market Inc. Stephen D. Mastrofski James F. Sanford, III Trusts Human Factors and William A. Hazel Inc. Robert I. Matz Claudine D. Saunders, ’90, Ergonomics Society Wilsie Family Revocable Trust ICO Consulting LLC Workplace Mobbing Australia Ted B. McCord, Jr., ’68, MA ’76 MPA ’97 Accounting Principals Inc. International Honor Society Xi Gamma Omicron Karole P. McKalip, MEd ’82 Jessica Scarlata Alexandria Scottish Rite in Psychology Yarns 2 Ewe Inc. Mary Anne McKernan Joseph T. Scheinfeldt Bodies Lisa J. Meier, MA ’89, PhD ’93
32 spring 2012 An Excerpt from Laura Ellen Scott’s Debut Novel Death Wishing
The night that cats were wished away was a hard one full of wine, tears, and spectacle. Even those of us who were indifferent to feline companionship felt heartbroken for those who weren’t, and together our humid, grieving silence was more tangible than the awe-filled silence that followed the disappearance of cancer. We were united by this particular loss. Despite the media promise that scientists were hard at work trying to re-engineer the common house cat, my beautiful neighbor Pebbles had lost her faith, burning all of her leopard spotted, tiger striped panties and bras in a small, neat fire out on the banquette in front of our building on Esplanade. The flame-crumpled rayon impressed me enough that I drained a bottle of cabernet in tribute. We lived in a community on the fringe of the French Quarter called Faubourg Marigny where I worked in my son’s vintage clothing shop as a cape and corset cleaner. Thus, my interest in Pebbles’ underthings was mostly professional. She stood over the ashes of her underwear and cried, and my respect for the phenomenon of Death Wishing deepened. They say Wishing started when some Army PR flak declared on his deathbed that there were alien bodies at Roswell back in ’47. “Hunnerds of them,” he swore. There weren’t any aliens, of course, but the man said his piece and expired, and then all of a sudden there were. Rows and rows of dusty bodies, stacked up on shelves in a shed in the des- ert. This occurred a couple of years ago. Pebbles’ fire had melted already. She deserved better—antique lace, satin, velvet trim. Especially if she was going to burn the stuff. She made me crazy with her red hair and baby fat, and they way she smelled like Lisa, the hand soap they put in Quarter hotels. But I was far too old and fat for her. Hell, my son was too old for her, too, but I held the minority opinion on that. She sniffled in my direction. I maintained a respectful distance. She asked, “Is Val coming out?” It’s two for flinching, so I didn’t. “I think he has a date.” It no longer burned me that she had a thing for my son Val. I was quite comfortable dividing my fantasy from reality, and to a certain degree I preferred my love life to be all my own, compart- mentalized, unrequited, and unspoiled. I had been married long enough, then divorced long enough, to appreciate the benefits of a purely invented reality. But human invention has its limits. Upon dissection we learned that every detail of alien physiognomy had already been imagined by scientists, artists, writers, etc. It was all very exciting, but ultimately there was nothing to be learned from hundreds of copies of an all too generalized ideal. The aliens didn’t come from anywhere, and they couldn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know. They were the perfect ambassadors of our limits. “There he is,” said Pebbles, sounding brighter, breaking my heart again. My son had rounded Laura Ellen Scott, MFA ’93, the corner, deepening his lazy stride once he spotted us. All Pebbles could see was the swinging is a writer and teacher who black hair, scuffed boots, stained T-shirt and jeans—he went for that semi-retired rock star look. divides her time between All I could see was how much he looked like his mother, Brenda. She and I lived a thousand miles Fairfax, Virginia, and Great away from each other, but Val was her easy surrogate. Cacapon, West Virginia. Her collection of very He smiled, approached slow, then gathered Pebbles into his arms and encouraged her to “Let it short, creepy fiction, Curio, all out, sugar.” No respectful distance there. I despaired and left them to it. is available from Uncanny More wine was needed. I threaded my way toward Chartres, stayed off Decatur where most Valley Press. This excerpt folks were milling about, zombied by sadness. It was a sharp night made acrid from little saucers comes from Scott’s debut of untouched meat and milk left on stoops. Hopeful. Desperate. Maybe they’d come back. novel, Death Wishing, a Little bowls of ground fish. Water pans with specks floating on top. I’d taken the route to avoid comic fantasy set in New humanity, but this was worse. The echo and rattle of the night. Doors and trash bins slamming, Orleans, published by high heeled clatter on the bricks, and then the two note cry of a woman as she called out: Ig Publishing in October “Loooo-Laaahh.” 2011. I did not know Lola, but I worried for her all the same. NonprofitO rganization U.S. Postage 4400 University Drive, MS 3A3 PAID Fairfax, Virginia 22030 PPCO