Western Washington University Western CEDAR Window on Western Western Publications Winter 2007 Window on Western, 2007, Volume 13, Issue 01 Dee Johnson Western Washington University Alumni, Foundation, and Office ofni U versity Communications, Western Washington University Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/window_on_western Part of the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Johnson, Dee and Alumni, Foundation, and Office of University Communications, Western Washington University, "Window on Western, 2007, Volume 13, Issue 01" (2007). Window on Western. 36. https://cedar.wwu.edu/window_on_western/36 This Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Western Publications at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Window on Western by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FALL/WINTER 2007 NEWS FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF^WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY VOL 13, NO.l Songs Never Silenced By Dee Johnson Western's Performing Arts Center on The program will include a selection After the war, as survivors immi­ UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS April 22* of songs written in the ghettos and con­ grated to the United States, joy and Millie and the Mentshn was formed centration camps. Rarely do these songs hope tempered by grief fused together In his journal, Morris Tenenbaum to iform a new dynamic. "The music that in 2002 when Millie Johnson, a WWU address normal happenings— romance, relates the daily experience of family professor of mathematics, began re­ children at play, the joy of learning. evolved was a systhesis of Old World members who survived the pogroms searching the lyrics and melodies that These songs chronicle families torn traditions and the sounds of Broadway in turn-of-the-century Lithuania. They shaped the music so often remarked on asunder. The lyrics, often narrative, are tunes and jazz that greeted them in escaped to America, traveling in the in the journals written by her grandfa­ less soothing than the music. Dremlyn the New World. Like the survivors, the steerage compartment of a freighter. In ther's cousin, Morris Tenenbaum. Band Feygl (Birds Are Dreaming) is a typical music has adapted. their trunks and boxes and bags, they members include Lou Lippman, piano, example of a lullaby. carried jars of chicken schmaltz mixed ''Songs Never Silenced" has received Warren Palken, drums, Ken Bronstein, with hot water and hard bread, kosher Your cradle once did stand generous support from the WWU oboe, and Phil Heaven, viola and violin. food that would sustain them on their Woven out of happiness. Diversity Fund and from other campus Johnson is the vocalist for the band and very long journey. organizations, including Hillel, Luther­ also writes the musical arrangements. And your mother, oh, your mother an Campus Ministry and the Northwest : In their hearts, they carried the music Lippman and Bronstein are also on Never will return. Hushabye. Center for Holocaust, Genocide and that had always sustained them. the faculty at Western. Lippman is a Ethnocide Education. The music began to change in 1941 A generation later, when the Holo­ professor of psychology; Bronstein is as the partisan movement developed. The title "Songs Never Silenced" is be­ caust was beginning, Jews were herded an accounting lecturer. Johnson says that "What distinguishes ing used with permission granted by onto the boxcars of trains going to Following a chronological path, the the music of this period is the march Velvel Pasternak, editor of a book with unannounced destinations. They gave April concert will introduce folk tunes rhythm (4/4 time) and the themes, the same title. ifer up their trunks and boxes and bags, but starting from the late 1800s. The pro­ which changed from tragedy and they did not give up their music. For more information about this band, gram will include a love song written desperation to courage, dignity and go to www.millieandthemensthn.com. Using music, stories and slides, in 1933 by Eliza Greenblatt. Her musi­ survival. Many resistors, and they Millie and the Mentshn, a Klezmer band, cally gifted family included son-in-law included non-Jews, were living in the shows how Jewish music changed as it Woodie Guthrie and grandson Arlo woods and using what weapons they moved across time and space before, Guthrie. Other songs from the Depres­ could steal or borrow. The rhythm of during and after the Holocaust. Cam­ sion era will include "Brother, Can You the music evokes a feeling of strength CONTENTS pus visitors will have an opportunity Spare a Dime?" made popular by Bing and spirit." to experience this journey when the Crosby. Campus band brings its multimedia concert to 2 Connections Letters and items of interest about the university Class Notes 4 News, weddings, memoriams York New Honor Roll 7 of Donors VAGA, by Celebrating 10 The Arts A focus on opera Millie and the Mentshn Holt/licensed will present "Songs Honor Roll Never Silenced" at 3 p.m Nancy 12 of Donors © Sunday, April 22. Tickets are $5 for adults Rings Accent on Alumni and $3 for students and 18 Sharing good times Rock seniors. For reservations, and good works call the WWU Box Office Calendar Sculptures at (360) 650-6146. Courtesy photo/Millie and the Mentshn 20 WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY NON PROFIT 516 High Street U.S. POSTAGE Bellingham, WA 98225 - 9030 PAID Permit #231 Seattle, WA Change Service Requested If this copy of Window on Western is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer has a permanent address at your home, please notify us with the new information. Send change of address to Window on Western, MS-9030, WWU, Bellingham, WA 98225-9030, or call (360) 650-3069. Or send e-mail to [email protected]. BRIEFLY WWU SELECTED TO WWU PROFESSOR RECEIVES COORDINATE TEACHING NSF GRANT TO STUDY AND LEARNING PROGRAM GLOBAL WARMING The Carnegie Foundation for the Advance­ Andy Bunn, assistant professor of environmen­ ment of Teaching and the Carnegie Academy for tal studies at Western's Huxley College of the the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has Environment, has received a $166,134 grant from selected WWU to be the coordinating institu­ the National Science Foundation to continue re­ tion for the Student Participation in the Scholarship searching the effects of global warming on boreal of Teaching and Learning cluster, which is focused forests at the artic treeline. The grant will enable on improving undergraduate and graduate educa­ Bunn to travel to Siberia and Canada to study the tion. Other schools participating in this cluster northernmost forests of the planet. His research include California State University, Long Beach; so far has shown that the growth rate in boreal Elon University; Illinois State University; North forests has remained steady or declined during Seattle Community College and the University the past 22 years. of Nevada, Las Vegas. WWU TO HOST CANADIAN WWU RECEIVES $500,000 STUDIES JOURNAL GRANT FOR INTEGRATED Western has been selected as the new host ALUMNI institution for the American Review of Canadian BOARD OF DIRECTORS LABORATORY NETWORK Studies (ARCS). The journal strives to bring mul­ The National Science Foundation has awarded tidisciplinary analysis to Canadian economic, OFFICERS a $500,000 grant to Western for further develop­ historical, cultural and political experience. In ment of an Integrated Laboratory Network (ILN) Kay Hovde ('84), Snohomish, president making the selection, ARCS noted that Western's Angelique Davis ('95), Seattle, immediate past president that allows researchers, students and faculty to Larry Otos ('83), Mount Vernon, president elect Center for Canadian-American Studies is a leader access scientific instruments remotely via the Kirby Duncan ('92), Bellingham, treasurer in teaching and research on Canada in the United Jamie Beletz ('82), Tacoma, parliamentarian internet. The project began in 2001 with funding States. John Purdy, professor of English, has been from Western's Student Technology Fee. The ILN EXECUTIVE BOARD appointed to a four-year term as editor. received a Most Outstanding Effective Practices William (Bill) Boyd ('82), Bellingham award in November 2004 from the Sloan Consor­ Wendy Otto ('97), Lynnwood jodi Suminski ('97), Mukilteo tium, an association of organizations and institu­ STUDY EXAMINES ECOLOGY tions committed to online learning. BOARD MEMBERS OF BERING SEA LeeAnn Alfano ('96), Bonney Lake David Shull, assistant professor of environ­ Pamila Gant (89), Renton BINGHAM RECEIVES mental sciences at Western's Huxley College of Tom Keeney ('71), Bellevue the Environment, and graduate student Emily Kim Koppenberg, ('81) Monroe NATURALIST AWARD Phyllis McKee ('67), Bellingham Davenport are collaborating with Alan Devol, a Brian Bingham, a Huxley College of the Envi­ . Tina Pappas ('91), Clyde Hill chemical oceanographer from the University of ' Scott Railton (95), Mount Vernon ronment professor and resident scientist at West­ Washington, to study the effects of climate change ■ Brandon Riffe ('94), Snoqualmie ern's Shannon Point Marine Center, has received Monique Saniee ('95), Bothell on nutrient cycling and productivity in the Ber­ the 2006 Naturalist of the Year Award presented Larry Simkins ('71), Bellingham ing Sea. The National Science Foundation's Bering Kevin Thomas ('91), Auburn by the Western Society of Naturalists. The award Wen Tseng ('96), Redmond Ecosystem Study granted the project $866,000, of was established to recognize those who inspire which Western will receive $368,000. The first of young scientists through mentoring, research at least three research trips aboard an icebreaker and service. The Western Society of Naturalists ship is expected to be scheduled this spring. was created in 1916 to promote interest in biology and the natural environment. MOTTNER AND ROEHL OmUWESTERN MENDES EXHIBITS AT RECEIVE TEACHING AWARDS SCULPTURE BY THE SEA Sandra Mottner and Tom Roehl are recipients EDITOR of the 2006 Allette and Cayden Chase Franklin Dee Johnson ('96) Sebastian Mendes, associate professor of art, Excellence in Teaching Awards presented by CONTRIBUTORS was invited to exhibit at the 10th anniversary Western's College of Business and Economics.