Chronicles Newsletter of the UCSD Emeriti Association

April 2010 Volume IX, No. 4

UCSD – From Field Station to Research University

By Richard C. Atkinson as wealthy as E.W., but he did own the Former Chancellor, UCSD and President Detroit evening newspaper. In 1936 Emeritus, the University of California Roger received his Ph.D. from SIO and chose at that time to join the Naval The seed that grew into UCSD Reserve, reasoning that the future of was planted early in the twentieth cen- oceanography would be tied to that of tury when William Ritter, a zoologist the Navy. Another important event oc- at Berkeley, honeymooned in San Diego curred in 1936. A new director for SIO and decided this would be a great place was appointed, Harald Sverdrup, a Nor- for a marine biology field station. He ap- wegian citizen, a distinguished scientist, proached E.W. Scripps, the owner of the and a highly regarded Arctic explorer. A Scripps newspaper empire, and his half- few years later, his book The Oceans laid sister, Ellen Browning Scripps, and they the foundation for the modern field of committed to providing support. oceanography. Sverdrup transformed the As a result, in 1903, the “Marine shoreline field station into a world-class Biological Association of San Diego” was geology, meteorology, biochemistry, and sea-going oceanographic center. officially established in the Hotel Del physics – laying the groundwork for the The last years of that decade, 1937 Coronado boathouse, where today its be- field of oceanography. At that time it to 1940, were wonderful ones for SIO. ginnings are on exhibit. A few years later was renamed the “Scripps Institution of Numerous expeditions were launched, the Association moved to its current site Oceanography.” important discoveries were made, and it on what is now our lower campus. E.W. In 1931 Roger Revelle arrived at came to be recognized as of great value Scripps and Ellen Browning Scripps ar- SIO as a graduate student. A few years to the Navy. About a year before Pearl ranged for the transfer of the La Jolla later he married a student he had met Harbor, two critical events occurred. land. Miss Scripps provided a substantial in college. That student was Ellen Vir- One was that Revelle was called to active gift to fund the first building, and she ginia Clark, the granddaughter of James duty and assigned to the Navy’s research asked the architect Irving Gill to design Scripps, E.W.’s brother. James Scripps program. Also, about the same time, the building. It is still there today. was quite wealthy in his own right – not the President of the University, Gordon By 1912 the Association had be- Sproul, announced that the cyclotron come a complex of significant size. at Berkeley and a number of University v v v v v v There was the Gill Building, a public Inside laboratories, including SIO, were being aquarium, a pier, and about two dozen placed at the disposal of the federal gov- wooden cottages where staff and facul- An Award to Walter Munk. . . 4 ernment, to “ensure the defense of the ty lived and worked. At that point the Science and Democracy. . . . 5 United States.” project was transferred to the University When war broke out, American sci- of California. The Regents accepted re- Emeriti Luncheon...... 6 ence was mobilized and the scientific sponsibility for it and changed its name community – heavily populated by faculty Anecdotage ...... 7 to the “Scripps Institution for Biological from universities – made remarkable con- Research.” In the mid-1920s the charter Mark Your Calendar ...... 8 tributions to the war effort: the atomic was modified. Its scope was expanded from marine biology to include marine Continued on p.2 ➝

UCSD Emeriti Association Page 2 April 2010 v Chronicles bomb, high-frequency radar, sonar, peni- uncertainty about whether American Roger assured the audience that “this cillin, proximity fuses, cryptography, etc. science could compete with the Soviet new institution will never grow to more A major contribution was made by our effort. And, of course, it was the period than 1,000 students, that there will only colleague Walter Munk. The scientific when, as Winston Churchill said, an be a handful of undergraduates, if any community’s contributions were widely Iron Curtain had descended between the at all; certainly there will be no football recognized – particularly the role of uni- East and West. With Revelle’s leader- team.” He concluded that “the institu- versities in the war effort. The Los Ala- ship, the institution prospered, as federal tion would be no threat to the local mos Laboratory evolved out of the Uni- funds flowed in to support research. That colleges.” The proposed name was the versity, and is still UC-managed; Lincoln growth gave Roger an inspiration. By the “School of Science and Engineering,” Labs, important in the development of middle of the decade, he presented Presi- although, throughout this period, there high-frequency radar, was managed by dent Sproul with a plan for the future of was a mix of names. Sometimes it was MIT; University of Chicago was the site SIO. called the “Institute for Science and of the first nuclear chain reaction. His original idea was to build some- Technology,” but officially the “School What is not well known is that there thing like a Caltech in San Diego. That’s of Science and Engineering.” was a major research effort here in San not the right term, but it’s one that was At this point, considerable confu- Diego, named by President Sproul the often used to describe Roger’s early plan. sion arose, when another University- “University of California Division of War There were to be three divisions to the statewide committee recommended that Research.” The division involved a num- new institution, one of which would be in view of the future needs of California, ber of labs on Point Loma working in col- SIO. They would span virtually all fields three new campuses of the University laboration with SIO. During the peak of of science and engineering. The idea was should be established and should be full- the war years some 600-700 people were that this would be like Caltech in that it fledged campuses – with undergraduate employed there. And during those years, would principally focus on research and and graduate facilities – on the model Revelle, as a serving officer, played an im- the training of Ph.D.s in science and en- of UCLA and Berkeley. The committee portant role in managing and organizing gineering. There would be the possibility further recommended that the Univer- the Navy’s oceanographic research. of a few undergraduates, but only a few. sity move forward quickly. There should At the end of the war, while still on President Sproul was enthusiastic be a campus in San Diego, a campus in active duty, Roger was involved in es- about Roger’s plan and asked for a formal Orange County, and a campus in Santa tablishing the Office of Naval Research. proposal. The formal proposal was sub- Cruz County, with first priority to Orange ONR was established because the expe- mitted to a committee made up of fac- County. rience of the war years showed that the ulty Sproul selected – people who were This was a moment of some puzzle- federal government could draw great friendly to Roger and very supportive of ment for the University authorities. On benefit from funding basic research at the President. Glenn Seaborg, a Nobel the one hand, Roger was proposing a the nation’s universities. Subsequently, Laureate in chemistry from Berkeley, School of Science and Engineering, and the National Science Foundation was was the chairman of the committee. The on the other there was a statewide com- established, and the National Institutes committee recommended that the plan mittee proposing three new full-scale of Health reorganized, both modeled be implemented. But faculty and admin- campuses of the University of California. on the ONR. Roger returned to SIO in istrators at the Berkeley and Los Angeles About this time Sputnik was launched 1948, after serving as a naval officer for campuses soon learned about the details and there was much concern through- eight years. Director Sverdrup decided of the plan and were not happy. One out the nation about whether American at that time to retire and recommended reason was that Roger proposed that for science would be able to compete suc- to President Sproul that Roger should every faculty member there would be cessfully with its Soviet rival. Based on be his successor. After some controversy 3.2 graduate students. That’s a pretty these events President Sproul decided and delay, Roger was appointed director. rich ratio. The rest of the university was – independent of any decisions about Sproul was proud of his efforts to mobi- running at about 1 to 15. There was a three new campuses – that the Univer- lize the resources of the University for feeling among many UC faculty and ad- sity should move quickly to establish the the war effort and viewed Roger as part ministrators that there was no need to School of Science and Engineering in La of that effort. expand at San Diego. “Let’s expand our Jolla. He placed that proposal before the In the 1950s, SIO weathered the Mc- science and engineering programs in the Regents at a meeting in 1957 and it was Carthy era and prospered, ironically, be- rest of the system,” they said, “There is approved. Revelle was named dean and cause of Cold War concerns. During the no need for this kind of expansion at given authority to begin recruiting fac- loyalty oath controversy, Revelle strongly Scripps.” ulty. At the last moment of the Regents’ championed those who protested this Roger continued to push forward. meeting, President Sproul announced special requirement for faculty. This was An interesting article in the San Diego that he did not believe the name “School also the period of Sputnik, which aroused Union reported on a meeting in which of Science and Engineering” was appro-

UCSD Emeriti Association Chronicles v April 2010 Page 3 priate and recommended that it be called chairman of the Regents, Edwin Pauley. commitments from the city of San Diego the “University of California at La Jolla;” Pauley, a long-term member of the and from the Navy for the properties ad- the Regents agreed. Roger was well sat- Regents, was a very powerful man in the jacent to SIO. And he had made a careful isfied with what happened, and began state, indeed in the country. Every presi- investigation of the Miramar noise issue. recruiting faculty. (I might add that he dent of the United States would take his He learned by chance that Pauley had was recruiting faculty long before he had phone calls and come to California at his taken a group of Regents to his private the authority and often would pay them invitation. Pauley received his under- island in Hawaii, where during the cock- using federal research funds, promising graduate and master degrees from Berke- tail hour he arranged for Navy jets un- that when the school was officially estab- ley, lived and worked in Los Angeles, and expectedly to swoop down on the party, lished, they would receive their appropri- was deeply committed to UCLA. There’s producing a shattering experience. Roger ate academic appointments.) not much question that the faculty and briefed President Kerr very carefully on While Roger moved forward with leadership at UCLA were concerned the Miramar noise issue, explaining that the school as originally planned, there about the establishment of a major cam- many other universities were even closer was much debate around the state about pus in San Diego. Pauley was not quite to major airports. In addition, he provid- whether three new campuses should be prepared to take on Sproul as president, ed Kerr with a consultant’s report about created. And, at this point, President but ready and willing to take on a new noise issues for the proposed Scripps Me- Sproul ended his twenty-eight year ten- president if things weren’t to his liking. morial Hospital, which was to be on a site ure. He had taken the University through And Pauley had his own idea of next to the University, but even closer to the Great Depression, through the war what should be done. He proposed that the air station. years, and was regarded as one of the na- the University not build a campus in The Regents’ meeting unfolded. tion’s great leaders of higher education. proximity to SIO, but acquire San Diego Chairman Pauley finally said, “This plan The man who replaced him was Clark State College, as it was named in those is not sensible; we should not go forward Kerr, who at the time was the chancel- days. That’s not in the history books, but with a campus on this site. I have with lor at Berkeley and proved to be a great there’s no question that this was Pau- me today, Charles Luckman, – a highly leader during a very difficult and critical ley’s proposal. He also argued that the regarded architect for the UCLA campus period. SIO site in La Jolla was a poor location – and I have a report from him. Mr. Luck- Shortly after becoming President, because of overhead noise from aircraft man is here to answer questions and I Kerr went to the Regents and made a pro- stationed at the Miramar Naval Air Sta- want his report entered into the record.” posal. “Yes,” he said, “we need three new tion. About that time, Kerr and Pauley Basically the report said, “You should not campuses of the University of California. proposed to Malcolm Love, then presi- build the campus in La Jolla. The noise I don’t think there’s much doubt about dent of San Diego State College, that the problems will be too severe. The idea of that. Nevertheless, we should continue to college become a campus of the Univer- building in a way that will reduce the move forward with the plans for a School sity of California. Love turned down the acoustical impact is not feasible or cost of Science and Engineering at San Di- offer. At that time, several state colleges effective. This is not the right place for ego, now also known as the University of were planning to form a new system – a UC campus.” At that point, the Presi- California at La Jolla. But moving forward the California State University system dent said, “Well, I have another report should be conditional on a commitment which is in existence today – and Love here [laughter] by the acoustical consul- by the city and federal government of ad- was deeply immersed in that effort. He tant who advised on the Scripps Memo- ditional land in the vicinity of SIO in case was not willing to place his campus in rial Hospital,” and he entered that report the University should decide to establish the UC system when it could become a into the record. Chairman Pauley re- a full-fledged campus there.” keystone of a new State University sys- plied, “But obviously that consultant has In the Regents item Kerr listed the tem. Pauley continued to argue against no understanding of the issues and is not properties that he had in mind, or more the La Jolla site and said, “If not San Di- qualified to offer an opinion.” And then, likely that Revelle had in mind: the Pueb- ego State, why not Balboa Park?” Many he said, “Who is the person who pro- lo lands owned by the city of San Diego, people felt he was suggesting that alter- vided that report?” Kerr replied, “Well, it Camp Matthews (a Marine base), and native because the citizens of San Diego was Mr. Luckman.” The chairman looked several other adjacent sites. Revelle was would never let anything grow too large over at Luckman and said, “Did you pro- pleased with Kerr’s recommendation and that would encroach on the park. vide that report?” He meekly said, “Yes.” proceeded to arrange for the acquisition of The dramatic Regents’ meeting of The game was over. The Regents were the necessary lands. He was successful in the period occurred in October of 1959. still unhappy, but they did vote for the his negotiations with the city and the fed- Walter Munk was there and his recollec- campus, with Pauley resoundingly voting eral government, and everything was be- tion of what transpired accords with my “no.” In the months that followed, there ginning to fall into place. But, unexpect- understanding of what happened. Rev- edly there was strong opposition from the elle, by this time, had at least preliminary Continued on p.4 ➝

UCSD Emeriti Association Page 4 April 2010 v Chronicles was continuing controversy over the La Jolla campus and Revelle was very much Walter Munk Wins Yet Another Major Award at the center of the controversy, but eventually Pauley yielded and withdrew his objection. Kerr and Revelle had won, SIO oceanographer Walter Munk, who but there were consequences for both of won the National Medal of Science in 1983, them. Kerr was eventually fired by the the Kyoto Prize for Basic Science in 1999, Regents and he often said that his prob- and the Prince Albert I Medal (awarded by lems with them began with the contro- Monaco) in 2001, has garnered yet another versy over the La Jolla campus. At a Regents meeting in November high honor. He is the designated recipient of 1960, President Kerr recommended of the Crafoord Prize, awarded by the Royal that the name of the campus be changed Swedish Academy of Sciences to research- Walter Munk (Photo by ers who have made major advancements from the “University of California at La Bob Ross Photography) Jolla” to the “University of California at in their branches of science. The academy San Diego,” and the name change was recognized Munk “for his pioneering and fundamental contributions to our approved. The date of the Regents’ ac- understanding of ocean circulation, tides and waves, and their role in the tion was November 18, 1960. In the early Earth’s dynamics.” 1980s the decision was made to desig- nate that date as the official “Founders In its citation, the academy noted Munk’s contributions to several Day” for UCSD. We had a wonderful 25th areas of oceanography, but especially to the understanding of circula- Anniversary Celebration on that date in tion and tides: “This year’s Crafoord Prize Laureate, Walter Munk, is a 1985, and last fall the campus celebrated person who, in his work of explaining ocean circulation, tides and waves, its 50th Anniversary year. and their role in our planet’s dynamics, moved in the absolute forefront In February 1961, there was a dedi- of science throughout this period. In particular, Munk’s grasp of the tide’s cation ceremony for the first building significance on various scales is crucial to his scientific oeuvre. … In 1960, built with state funds initially appropri- thanks to his geophysical approach, Munk was able to describe irregulari- ated for the School of Science and Engi- ties in the Earth’s rotation in a way that was, at the time, entirely new,” the neering. Revelle planned the dedication academy said. “He discussed polar movement and variations in the Earth’s ceremony. A large number of legislators rotation speed on various timescales and was able to show that, over a and others from around the state and century or more, the friction of the tide is what most affects the Earth’s leaders of the San Diego community were present. A group of Regents led rotation, by causing its gradual deceleration. Nowadays, the consequent by Chairman Pauley attended, as did gradual lengthening of the Earth’s day is taken into account in the calcula- President Kerr. Roger was informed just tion of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), with the addition of an extra before the celebration that the guest ‘leap second’ in certain years.” of honor would be the individual to be Winners of the Crafoord Prize receive $500,000. The prize fund was es- appointed as the first chancellor, and tablished in 1980 by a donation to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences that was Herb York. This came as a from Anna-Greta and Holger Crafoord. The Crafoord Prize was award- complete surprise to Roger. Roger and Herb had a good relationship – they ed for the first time in 1982 and recognizes achievement in astronomy, liked and respected each other – but mathematics, and biosciences in addition to geosciences. Each discipline is Roger had expected, and most of his recognized annually in rotating fashion. friends had too, that he would be ap- The award ceremony will take place in Stockholm on May 11. pointed as founding chancellor. He was not; and the question is, “Why?” There Munk received a Ph.D. in oceanography in 1947 from SIO, where he were interesting reasons why he was not has since spent his entire professional career. In 1947 he became an assis- appointed – including unrelenting op- tant professor. In 1954 he became a professor of geophysics and also was position from Regent Pauley. But that’s named a member of the UC Institute of Geophysics. In 1960 he established another story for another time. a branch of the institute at SIO, serving as its director until 1982. The in- Adapted from a talk in 2009 to the La stitute has since been renamed the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Jolla Historical Society in a project on the Physics (IGPP) and Munk continues to work in it. history of scientific institutions initiated by Constance Branscomb.

UCSD Emeriti Association Chronicles v April 2010 Page 5

Science and Democracy: the Crisis in Communication

Both American democracy and cies were to be rational, pragmatic, and modern science are products of the En- transparent. lightenment – with its emphasis on rea- Unfortunately, he has not found son, empiricism, and openness to new this promise easy to fulfill, and one of ideas and discoveries. American de- the main reasons is the resistance he has mocracy benefits from a pragmatic will- met from public opinion. If the voters ingness to learn from experience, very are ignorant of the relevant technical much as science relies on experiment. issues, how can they evaluate the per- Transparency, accountability, and trust formance of government officials? And are basic principles of both. Especially in if they cannot judge the politicians’ modern times, the two are interdepen- performance intelligently, why should dent: democracy benefits when research they accept their recommendations? yields new understanding of nature; re- If public attitudes are not founded on search depends upon public support and sound knowledge but are only guided by respect for the freedom and integrity of values, belief systems, world views, and By Lewis M. Branscomb inquiry. emotions, politicians will be afraid to Professor Emeritus at Harvard, In recent years, however, that inter- listen to scientists who tell them differ- UCSD Research Associate dependence has suffered, as politicians ently. Lobbyists and their sponsors will have sought to curb scientific inquiry find it easier to leverage public attitudes Could it be, then, that lack of un- and deny findings that cut against ideo- by distorting the facts. Their interests, derstanding of the most basic relevant logical assumptions. During the 2008 as we see too often, will carry the day. technical facts is at least in part respon- political campaign, presidential-candi- Just how well informed is the demo- sible for public unwillingness to accept date Obama promised to reverse that cratic public? The Public Agenda, a non- any policy that increases the cost of trend. He and observers such as our own profit research organization founded in driving, even though nearly seven in ten Daniel Yankelovich spoke often of the 1975 by Yankelovich and Cyrus Vance, say they want the nation to “take steps need for a “new pragmatism” as a guide has been studying that question. Most to gain energy independence even if it to governance. As President, Obama recently, its study of energy policy con- raises costs?” got off to a very good start by appointing cluded that “there’s significant common Yankelovich concludes that the exceptionally well-qualified scientists to ground in public thinking on what the state of public education is such that top posts in his administration – among nation should do about energy. The scientists cannot rely on telling the pub- them John Holdren of Harvard as Sci- public also thinks our energy challenge lic what we think they need to know. ence Advisor and Stephen Chu of UCB is here to stay. Three-quarters of the Given the state of public education in as Secretary of Energy. He promised to public believes we should move toward science and mathematics, we cannot make decisions based on the best expert increased use of alternative energy, even depend on well-intentioned programs assessment of relevant facts. His poli- if fuel prices go down.” But the report of “public science literacy” or “public also noted that people’s support col- understanding of science.” The tech- Emeriti Website lapses when asked if they would accept nical community must become more increased prices for gasoline to achieve skilled at explaining those elements of The UCSD Emeriti Association these goals. scientific knowledge that are relevant maintains a website: What is particularly interesting is to addressing the public issues they care http://emeriti.ucsd.edu the contrast between the large majori- about. To do this, scientists must under- ties in favor of policies that the techni- stand the complex public policy issues, Clicking the News, Programs & cal community would also support and just as the public needs to understand Meetings button will allow you to the frailty of the public’s scientific un- the key technical facts that inform those view past issues of this newsletter. derstanding on which these convictions policies. The website also provides the con- rest. When asked to name a renewable This is more difficult, and requires stitution and by-laws, lists of mem- energy source, such as solar cells or wind more concerted effort than the Founders bers, and minutes of meetings. power, only 51 percent could do so. Only 39 percent could even name a fossil fuel. Continued on p.6 ➝

UCSD Emeriti Association Page 6 April 2010 v Chronicles ever thought it might be. The authors of the public issues are. But the second with the voting public, and must accept our Constitution could not have antici- stage, “working through those issues,” is an obligation do so. pated the impact of universal suffrage. where the media fall short. This is the The internet has greatly augmented In their day, the voters were propertied, stage where sorting out the facts and the traditional channels of public infor- mostly well-educated men like them- the evidence they rest on is most impor- mation, and most important, adds diver- selves, a small fraction of the popula- tant. Thus there are weaknesses in all sity to views reaching both the media and tion. Today we must carry out the basic three legs of the triangle, and the media the public. This provides opportunities ideals of the Enlightenment in a society do not adequately compensate for the for individual scientists to communicate that links the entire voting public with weakness in the relations between sci- through their blogs and networks and to both the elite (specialists and experts) ence and the public or between science actively engage in the work of their pro- and the empowered (government offi- and politics. fessional societies and other non-profit cials). What is the prospect for building institutions that offer both technical Thus, sound policy and account- a stronger, more rational society, given and policy expertise. At the top of the able democratic governance depends on the complexities and weaknesses in the list are colleges and universities, which a triangle comprised of political institu- current system of governance and the too often give inadequate attention to tions, the community of experts, and the public participation that validates it? public policy and the science required to voting public. The scientists’ concern The task seems daunting but one can at make wise public choices. Somehow, sci- for the role of the voting public leg of least list two of the main challenges. ence must not only give wise advice to that triangle is particularly weak. That First, elective politics must be re- government, but must also find a way to role has been largely left to a fourth formed to permit a more rational process share with the public the understanding player, the media. for the public’s evaluation and approval of the factual basis for policy choices. How well do the media help the of political positions and actions. To this This challenge – to scientists and public learn what they need to know end it is essential that the growing de- other professionals – is not new to our from science and use that knowl- pendence of politics on moneyed inter- nation’s best leaders. I spoke of Presi- edge to expand the quality of political ests be curtailed – a task the Supreme dent Obama’s commitment to prag- governance? As Yankelovich points Court has just made more difficult. Sec- matic government whose policies rest out, media may do a reasonable job of ond, scientists, engineers and other ex- on well-grounded facts. His predecessor “consciousness-raising” about what perts must be trained to communicate 52 years ago, President Dwight Eisen- hower, faced similar complexities, lead- ing our democracy during the Cold War Annual Emeriti Association Luncheon and Business Meeting with the Soviet Union. He replied to a veteran who was seeking what Ike called “freedom from the mental stress and Wednesday, June 9, 11:30 (cocktails 12:15-2:00) burden of democracy” with these words: “It is difficult indeed to maintain Featuring election of officers and a talk by a reasoned and accurately informed understanding of our defense situation on the part of our citizens, when many prominent officials, possessing no stand- ing or expertness as they themselves claim it, attempt to further their own ideas or interests by resorting to state- ments more distinguished by stridency than by accuracy.”

Adapted from a talk to the recent an- Babak Rahimi nual meeting in San Diego of the American Assistant Professor of Literature Association for the Advancement of Science. The Tehran Summer: A Year Later Green Faculty Club Make reservations early by sending a check for $25 a person payable to the UCSD Emeriti Association, 0020

UCSD Emeriti Association Chronicles v April 2010 Page 7

sus said, “I’ll give you 100,000 dinars for is equal to the sons of the squaws of the Anecdotage it.” “But I paid a million dinars for it,” the other two hides. King protested. “Don’t you know who I am? I am the A skeptical anthropologist was cata- By Sandy Lakoff king!” Croesus replied, “When you wish loging South American folk remedies to pawn a Star, makes no difference who with the assistance of a tribal Brujo who Science for Fun and Profit you are.” indicated that the leaves of a particu- The good news is that another ca- lar fern were a sure cure for any case of reer has opened up for scientists sick of Evidence has been found that Wil- constipation. When the anthropologist long hours in the lab; the bad news is liam Tell and his family were avid bowl- expressed his doubts, the Brujo looked that it’s stand-up comedy. In England, ers. Unfortunately, all the Swiss league him in the eye and said, “Let me tell you, regional heats for Einsteins-turned- records were destroyed in a fire. . . and with fronds like these, you don’t need en- Seinfelds are to be held in June at the so we’ll never know for whom the Tells emas.” Cheltenham Science Festival. The win- bowled. v v v ner gets a TV slot and £10,000 – not to mention enduring fame on YouTube. A marine biologist developed a race Famous Last Words The New York Times reports the fad is of genetically-engineered dolphins that Ellie Shushan, a friend in Philadel- catching on here. One practitioner is could live forever if they were fed a steady phia, once toured old cemeteries to put Tim Lee, a UCSD alumnus with a Ph.D. diet of seagulls. One day, his supply of the together a paperback (Ballantine, 1990) in biology from UC Davis. “I just didn’t birds ran out so he had to go out and trap entitled Grave Matters, a collection of want to write any more papers,” said Dr. some more. On the way back, he spied 500 actual epitaphs. A loyal daughter of Lee, adding, for good measure: “I did not two lions asleep on the road. Afraid to the City of Brotherly Love, she ignored want to read any more papers.” Dr. Lee wake them, he gingerly stepped over the one proposed for himself by W. C. has worked his way up to a small venue them. Immediately, he was arrested and Fields: in New York called The Monkey. A sam- charged with. . . transporting gulls across All things considered, ple of his gags: A biologist walks into a sedate lions for immortal porpoises. I’d rather be in Philadelphia comedy club. The owner asks, “Why’d you select this club?” The biologist re- An Indian chief was feeling very but found others of uncommon interest, plies, “Well, it’s natural selection.” (That sick, so he summoned the medicine man. including these: one could stand mutation, or maybe ex- After a brief examination, the medicine tinction.) man took out a long, thin strip of elk raw- MARY MARTIN The London Times provides more hide and gave it to the chief, telling him Here lies the wife of Roger Martin helpful material: A neutron walks into a to bite off, chew, and swallow one inch She was a good wife to Roger, that’s sartin. bar and asks: “How much for a drink?” of the leather every day. After a month, Ockham, England c.1800 The bartender replies: “For you, no the medicine man returned to see how charge.” And this limerick, for relativity the chief was feeling. The chief shrugged ANNA WALLACE theorists: and said, “The thong is ended, but the The children of Israel wanted bread, There was an old lady called Wright malady lingers on.” And the Lord he sent them manna. Who could travel much faster than light. Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife, She departed one day A famous Viking explorer returned And the Devil sent him Anna. In a relative way home from a voyage and found his name Ribbesford, England c.1770 And returned on the previous night! missing from the town register. His wife insisted on complaining to the local civic SOLOMON PEASE v v v official who apologized profusely, saying, Under the sod and under the trees “I must have taken Leif off my census.” Lies the body of Solomon Pease. Very, very bad puns; blame Edith Parti He is not here, there’s only the pod: for passing them on. There were three Indian squaws. Pease shelled out and went to God. King Ozymandias of Assyria was One slept on a deer skin, one slept on Barre, Vermont 1880 running low on cash after years of war an elk skin, and the third slept on a hip- with the Hittites. His last great posses- popotamus skin. All three became preg- ANN MANN sion was the Star of the Euphrates, the nant. The first two each had a baby boy. Here les Ann Mann; most valuable diamond in the ancient The one who slept on the hippopotamus She lived an old Maid and she died an old world. Desperate, he went to Croesus, skin had twin boys. This just goes to prove Mann. the pawnbroker, to ask for a loan. Croe- that . . . the squaw of the hippopotamus Bath, England c.1750 v

UCSD Emeriti Association UCSD Emeriti Association NON-PROFIT ORG 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0020 U.S. POSTAGE La Jolla, CA 92093-0020 PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 1909 Return Service Requested

Chronicles April 2010

r C You alen rk da a r Chronicles M ! Newsletter of the UCSD Emeriti Association v v v Sanford Lakoff Editor ([email protected]) Barbara Sawrey Jeff Calcara Layout and Design Associate Vice Chancellor, Undergraduate Ed. Officers Trends in Undergraduate Education Jacqueline Hanson President Wednesday, April 14, 4:00-5:30 pm Richard Attiyeh Vice President/President Elect Paul Friedman Secretary-Treasurer Colin Bloor Past President

Executive Committee Tom Levy Members at Large: Mathew Chen, Peter Farrell, Phyllis Professor of Anthropology Mirsky, Robert Nemiroff, Arthur Wagner, John Wheeler; King Solomon’s Mines Ex-Officio: Sandy Lakoff (Editor, Chronicles); Robert Wednesday, May 12, 4:00-5:30 pm Hamburger (Historian); John Wheeler (Emeriti Mentoring Program); Robert W. Oakes (Liaison to Retirement Associa- tion); Suzan Cioffi (Director, Retirement Resource Center); Mary Mc Ilwain (Oceanids) Annual Business Luncheon Wednesday, June 9, 11:30-2:00 Forward queries, changes in mailing/e-mail address to Suzan Cioffi, Executive Director, UCSD Retirement Resource Center, 0020, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093-0020; telephone (858) 534-4724 • [email protected] Green Faculty Club