Governors State University OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship Phoenix Student Newspapers 5-28-2009 Phoenix, 2009-05-28 Student Life Follow this and additional works at: http://opus.govst.edu/phoenix Recommended Citation Governors State University Student Life, Phoenix (2009, May 28). http://opus.govst.edu/phoenix/115 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspapers at OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Phoenix by an authorized administrator of OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Dr. Curtis Ready to Take Reins as Interim Provost By Sarah Silhan be working reasonably well. GSU is fortunate to Editor have a very talented administrative staff, and I'll be working with them to facilitate and improve our It could be said the Dr. David Curtis has the services to students and the community." GSU spirit coursing through his blood. And for Dr. Curtis says his most important task is to see good reason. He's been a part of the University that the student body is well served by its adminis­ family for more than half his life. In a recent inter­ trators. view, Dr. Curtis explained his journey here on "All else is secondary," he explained. "I want to campus and how he came to accept the interim assure that we hire good faculty and promote and Provost position. tenure those who will best serve our students and Dr. Curtis says he was initially surprised when surrounding community." GSU President Elaine Maimon approached him about good preparation for becoming Interim Provost," he In addition to his work at GSU, Dr. Curtis says he the position. On the verge of retirement, Dr. Curtis was explained. "Having served as a faculty member for 17 will also work to strengthen ties with many of the sur­ set to spend his summer in Spain with his wife Jean. In years has given me a good understanding of our stu­ rounding community colleges in the area, as "we and addition, the couple was planning to travel to South dents - their aspirations and talents as well as an they have numerous ideas about how we can cooperate America for a month in either January or February. appreciation for some of the personal challenges many to benefit students in both the community colleges and However, the position interested him nonetheless. of them face." at GSU." "President Maimon can be very persuasive," Dr. President Maimon is hopeful that the search for a As he moves forward into this position, Dr. Curtis Curtis said. "I was intrigued by the possibilities." permanent Provost will be over within the year, but Dr. also wants students to know that they are in good After discussing it with his wife, he approached Dr. Curtis says he expects the position will be filled by hands because the Provost never works alone. Maimon and expressed his interest, and that's where it July or August of 2010. "The Provost is also Vice President for Academic all began. "The Provost Search Committee will have broad Affairs," he explained. "At GSU, this means providing Dr. Curtis first came to GSU more than 40 years representation from GSU stakeholders - at the very academic leadership through working with faculty, ago, about two weeks before the first students arrived least there will be stufents, faculty, deans, division deans, the Faculty and Student Senates, and many oth­ on campus. He was 30 years old and in the final stages chairs, staff from throughout the university and others, ers to develop and administer appropriate policies and of writing his dissertation. too," Dr. Curtis said. "There will be an evaluation procedures that affect the academic endeavors of the "GSU has been a part of me, and I a part of it," he process and probably three to five candidates will be University. The Provost does not work alone or in iso­ said. "When asked to help, how could I say 'no?"' invited to campus for interviews." lation, but rather with a wide variety of individuals In addition to his love for GSU, Dr. Curtis is also Following the interview process, President throughout the campus and community." more than qualified, having already served as Provost Maim on and the members of the Board will make their For more information about the office of the for 10 years (1982-1992). Prior to that, he'd been a selection. Provost, visit www.govst.edu, and click "Office of the faculty member and Executive Associate to the For now though, Dr. Curtis says his main goal is to Provost" under the "About GSU" tab. President at GSU, as well as Academic Vice President maintain things as they are. at Lewis University from 1979-1982. "I have no grand plans for change at the moment," "My background, both the longevity with GSU and he said. "The University is guided by the Strategic the specific administrative and teaching experience are Plan and the various systems and procedures seem to Summer Events Bloom at GSU's Sculpture Park By Brooke Lang and swimming in the GSU pool. avant-guarde pieces are quite different from the Contributing Writer Curator and Director of the park, Geoff Bates, sculptures on view in the park, Bates promises the believes the event will be a unique experience for exhibit will be worth-while experience. For those looking for something different to do this participants. "Eliasson works with natural phenomena to create summer, The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, located "Most folks don't ever spend the night outside or opportunities for viewers to heighten their experience on the GSU campus, is hosting events geared toward take time to see the sun rise," said Bates. "By inviting of our world," he explained. students, families, and the entire community. area residents to camp in the park; it will provide a Following lunch at Elephant and Castle, the group According to their website, Manilow Park's new experience for many kids." will visit the Loyola University Museum of Art to collection of 26 contemporary sculptures is spread In addition, this event reflects Bates' desire "to view the early modern sculpture of Rodin: In His through out the prairie surrounding GSU. Since its produce programming that centers on experiencing the Own Words, Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald establishment 30 years ago, visitors have enjoyed the park, its landscape, and its artworks in new or Cantor Foundation. Rodin's iconic sculpture, "The beauty of nature while developing an appreciation for unexpected ways." Thinker," is one of the most recognizable sculptures in sculpture. The event fee is $45 per person. Pre-payment and the world. The community is welcome to enjoy the summer pre-registration are required by June 12. All children Pre-registration is required by August 5. Museum sun and world-class art during a bike tour through the must have a parent or guardian in attendance. Kids admissions will be $16 plus transportation and meals. park on Saturday, May 30 from 2-4:30 p.m. The event should be between 8 and 15 years old. The group will meet at the University Park Metra is free and pre-registration is not required. Parents For those seeking an urban experience, Manilow Station at 8:57 a.m. and arrive downtown Chicago at must accompany children under 18 and helmets are Park is hosting a trip to the Museum of Contemporary 9:57 a.m. The group will take Red Line subway to required. The tour will meet outside behind the Hall of Art (MCA) in Chicago on Saturday, August 8 from Chicago Ave. and walk to their destinations. Governors. ·:< 8:57 a.m. (when the train arrives at the station) to 6:30 For more details on the events, please visit the Also, on Saturday, June 20tllroug,h Sunday, June p.m. The group will visit Swedish installation artist park's website at www.govst.edu/sculpture. To 21, the Camping in the Park e\(.~t will be held on Olafur Eliasson's exhibit, "Take Your Time". pre-register for events, call 708.534.4486 or e-mail campus. Families can munch ofi.pizza, share Eliasson's notable piece, his mammoth sculpture@ govst.edu. ghost stories over a campfire, and overnight camr: "Waterfalls," was placed in the East River and Hudson under a sculpture. There will a~so be tours of the p~rk River in NYC last summer. Although Eliasson's ' Diaspora Art Exhibit Frugal Summer in Chicago New Book & Movie Reviews Page4 PageS Page7 , ... ' ...... ;,.· _. ' .. • ================~N~================ LJllJ.___. Editorials & Opinions Making Chicago Proud Again and Again By Sarah Silhan probably due to the simple fact that they can watch the Editor team on TV. And for good reason. The team is led by 20-year old Patrick Kane. When I As I thought about what to write th ink that he's almost 8 years my junior, it makes me for this issue's editorial, I went back flinch. And then it makes me smile. Can you imagine and forth between something GSU­ 22,000-plus fans screaming your name at age 20? It has to related or something else. Politics? be a surreal experience. Summer? Memorial Day? My But this year, Chicago hockey itself seems surreal. The upcoming wedding? The options are endless, and Hawks are 5-1 at home during playoff hockey. They've sometimes, it's having SO many options that makes played incredibly well at the United Center all season, and writing an editorial a real challenge. I believe this is due to the fans.