MOSAICSMOSAICS university of missouri–columbia | college of arts and science | WINTER 2007 MOSAICS mosaics is published annually for alumni and friends of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri–Columbia. winter 2007 Editor Nancy Moen, 317 Lowry Hall MOSAICS A BIG Milestone university of missouri–columbia | college of arts and science | WINTER 2007 Columbia, MO 65211, 573-882-2209 By Dean Michael O’Brien E-mail [email protected] As you opened this issue of Mosaics and looked for the Photographers Karen Johnson, Colin familiar face smiling back at you from Page 2, you might Suchland, Justin Kelley, Rob Hill, Nicholas Benner Blake Dinsdale features have been startled to see that Dean Richard Schwartz Art Director had morphed into somebody unrecognizable. Not to 14 Ghosts of Language Haunt Good Writing | Sacred sites The arts and sciences have worry. Dick did not undergo a nightmarish round of On the cover: inspire award-winning work. existed since Mizzou began, but the official College plastic surgery. Rather, there’s been a change in deans in of Arts and Science is 100 years old this year. 16 Surviving Cancer through Comedy | Playwright puts a Photo illustration by Blake Dinsdale the College of Arts and Science, as Dick returned to his 42 humorous spin on her own dramatic story. passions of writing fiction and teaching English. 18 American Abroad: Following a Dream | Culture clashes are I am excited to be taking over as dean of the College, even more so because 2007 Antique sports learning experiences for MU student in Dubai. equipment decorates marks the centennial of the College of Arts and Science. The arts and sciences, 20 Departments Are Like Family | Who nurtures our students Michael Mulvihill’s of course, have always been central to the University, but the establishment of a work environment. and faculty? named unit that emphasizes the core disciplines was a signal moment in the proud See Page 42. 22 Speaking Frankly of Discrimination | Student writes and history of MU. performs a one-man play about Otto Frank. We are taking full advantage of this milestone anniversary. For example, note features spotlight the center spread in this issue that chronicles just a few of the high-water marks in 24 Ancient Discoveries | Anthropology professor and students the history of the College. Also note the 1901 “valentine” on Page 36 that Deborah uncover a 4,000-year-old temple. Huelsbergen of the MU Department of Art used to fashion our Arts and Science 30 Cover Story: The Art &Soul of Mizzou for 100 Years Muse, the centennial logo of the College. We also have a new tagline — one that Unusual milestones mark the history of A&S. matches our valentine-inspired muse: “The Art and Soul of Mizzou for 100 Years.” 38 New York Media Masters | No wonder these communication Our Mosaics editor, Nancy Moen, came up with that line, and I love it. After all, the alumni love their jobs. College of Arts and Science is the heart and soul of the campus. That’s the way it’s 44 Hot Talent | Students score awards in competitions been for a hundred years, and that’s the way it will be for another hundred. for new music. I want each of you to help us celebrate this milestone, but I want you to keep something in mind. MU’s College of Arts and Science is an outstanding research- 50 Global Factor in Math | MU’s math-testing Web site is an and-teaching unit, one of the best in the nation. But anymore, that’s not enough. international hit. We want to be at the very top of the list of peer units, and the competitive climate 52 Violence in the Virtual World | Discover what a psychologist of higher education makes that goal more and more difficult to achieve. To get learns about playing violent video games. there, we have to reinforce our commitment. Together I know we can do it, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work. More about that in the future. Right now, settle back and sample some Image credits: above, Karen Johnson, below, from left, Keith Chan, University Archives, Colin E. Suchland of our finest moments from the past year. As our title suggests, the College is indeed a mosaic, made up of the humanities, the fine and performing arts, the social and behavioral sciences, and the life, mathematical and physical sciences. departments This incredible diversity is our strength, and we’re proud to celebrate it. cover 4 montage story 30 24 54 13 miniatures 54 momentum The College gratefully thanks the A&S Alumni Organization for financial assistance with the production of Mosaics magazine. | 2007 mosaics mosaics 2007 | montage New hand at the helm The largest academic unit at MU has a new leader with a familiar face. Former Associate Dean Michael O’Brien became the 11th dean of the College of Arts and Science on July 1. O’Brien came to campus in 1980 as an assistant professor of anthropology and director of the American Archaeology How do we look? Division. Now with 20 years of experience editor’s note: By now you’ve noticed the redesign of Mosaics magazine. Although as associate dean, he views the responsi- the new splash of color photos most likely will catch your attention first, the more bilities of his new role as a public trust. contemporary layout should make your reading more enjoyable. “My job as dean will be to see that Talented designer Blake Dinsdale, BA ’99, completed the redesign and, as an that trust is never broken,” he says. “I am important related element, found a way to print the 46,000-piece, four-color press humbled by the enormity of the job facing run at a lower price than previous black-and-white issues. me.” See Page 3 for a message written by Blending the past with the present through design is an interesting process. Twenty O’Brien. past issues of the magazine sit on my desk as historical reminders of where we’ve been The College of Arts and Science and insight into how to proceed in the future. You know, of course, that we use this comprises 26 departments and seven magazine to promote our students, past and present, and the faculty who teach them. programs with about 500 tenured or Please be sure to note our students’ contributions to this 2007 issue: reporter Priya tenure-track faculty members, 300 staff Ratneshwar, a graduate student in journalism; writer Rachel Mahan, a senior majoring members, 10,000 undergraduate majors in English and biological sciences; and photographer Colin Suchland, a graduate student and several thousand graduate students. in sociology. O’Brien credits his two immediate In the early years of the magazine, there were fewer pages (16 to 28) and a different predecessors, deans Richard Schwartz title. The first issue appeared in 1982 as Arts & Science. After a name change to Mosaics in and Larry Clark, for teaching him what it 1994, a framed mosaic border soon decorated the cover, but that gave way to a cleaner means to be the “dean of a great college.” cover in 2000. In 1995, the first four-color cover made its debut. Schwartz, who had been dean since 1998, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Arts and Science Alumni Organization, which so From amphibians to anecdotes stepped down to devote time to writing generously provides financial assistance to help pay printing and mailing costs. We are Right brain or left brain? Senior which are common in Missouri. Under the guidance of and the teaching of writing. fortunate that ASAO leaders understand the value of communicating with fellow alumni Rachel Mahan had a dilemma about Raymond Semlitsch, MU Curators Professor of Biological A distinguished author who values about this remarkable college, and we are grateful. whether to study science or creative Sciences, Mahan had marked, weighed and flushed the the art of writing, O’Brien has published Thank you, too, A&S readers, for your many comments, compliments and suggestions writing. stomachs of frogs to study their diet and habitat use. several hundred articles and written throughout the years. One of my recent favorites came from James G. Hall, BA ’57, MD Both of Mahan’s parents work in “No frogs were harmed in this research,” she says of the or edited 24 books. Three of his ’61, of Laguna Beach, Calif.: “I think you are producing an exceptional magazine, and I conservation — her mom for the Missouri stomach-flushing procedure that involved sticking a tube down books published since 1994 read it from cover to cover. I have no advice, have no change to suggest and look forward Department of Conservation and her dad a frog’s throat and inserting water to eject the stomach contents. received Choice Book of the to future issues. Keep up the totally good work.” for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Mahan’s study helps determine how much forest habitat the Year awards. He earned a And as usual, with or without suggestions for change, your comments are totally Science has been a major part of their lives, yet Mahan’s tree frogs need and its importance — information that can guide bachelor’s degree from welcome at [email protected]. parents also have supported her major in English. conservation managers as they make informed decisions on Rice University and a doc- — Nancy Moen, editor “I came here because of the great creative writing program preserving biodiversity and the environment. She found some torate from the University and MU’s investments in the life sciences,” she says.