November 12th, 2009

At 6 p.m.
on Wednesday, November 18,
Tristam Johnson will present “Making Cents and Relieving Poverty in Latin America” in Morrison 110.

Johnson has worked for the past two decades in nine countries throughout South and Central America. His work focuses on community development related to health, education, microenterprise, governance, and natural resource protection. He will present on creating hope and opportunity with regards to poverty relief in Latin America through small entrepreneur investments. Refreshments will be served! This event is sponsored by the KSC Geography Department. For more information, contact Jo Beth Mullens, 8-2547.

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From Tim Allen, Environmental Studies: On Tuesday, November 10, Christopher Brehme (Geography) will present the second of the KSC Department of Environmental Studies Guest Speaker Series lectures: “Cognitive Strategies of Lobster Fishers in Maine and Western Australia.”

Dr. Brehme will present research exploring how lobster fishers learn and recall geographic regions of the ocean floor. This work builds on a foundation of research in spatial cognition to examine how fishers use internal and external representations of lobster behavior and the ocean environment to identify lobster habitats and direct the placement of lobster traps. The nested spatial scales presented by commercial fisheries, lobster fishing vessels, and individual fishers provide a unique framework in which to examine the processes of spatial learning and the roles of traditional and modern tools in influencing this learning. Fishers were engaged in this research through mixed methods that included diaries, interviews, participant observation, and sketch mapping exercises.

This event will take place in Morrison 110 at 4 p.m. (cookies and cider will be served). Please join us!

Future speakers in this series include:

• Tuesday, February 2: Nicholas L. Rodenhouse, professor of biological sciences at Wellesley College
• Tuesday, March 2: to be announced
• Tuesday, April 6: Brooke T. Mossman, professor of environmental pathology at the University of Vermont.

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From Nona Fienberg, Arts and Humanities: The “New Voices, New Visions” series features the voices of faculty members who have joined the Keene State College community in the past several years and the visions of faculty members exploring new and exciting areas of study. The next event will be on Tuesday, October 6, at 4:30 p.m. in the Thorne Meeting Room.

 Dr. Candice Bosse (Spanish) will present Voices of Resistance from the Pueblo: Eyewitness Accounts of the Political Situation in Honduras, Summer 2009. Bosse was in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, this summer on a research visit supported by the Whiting Foundation, and will talk about political events in Honduras from the perspective of Hondurans, as seen through personal interviews. Dr. Jose Lezcano (Music) will perform Honduran music.

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From Aaron Rothberg, IT: Kevin Ryan, the former site manager for Environmental Health Laboratories, a division of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), will discuss new evidence about the World Trade Center destructions that contradicts both FEMA and the 9/11 Commission Report accounts on Saturday, September 12, in Alumni Recital Hall at 4 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the KSC Economics/Political Science departments and the Monadnock 9/11 Truth Alliance.

Ryan, a chemist and laboratory manager, was fired by UL in 2004 for publicly questioning the report being drafted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on their World Trade Center investigation. You can find a list of his presentations and interviews here. Doors open at 2 p.m.  -  come early to examine the graphic exhibit of 9/11 evidence, featuring demonstrations, film loops, books, DVDs, and handouts. For more information contact Aaron Rothberg, 8-2590; arothberg@keene.edu

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From Nona Fienberg, Arts and Humanities: The “New Voices, New Visions” series features the voices of faculty members who have joined the Keene State College community in the past several years and the visions of faculty members exploring new and exciting areas of study. The Fall 2009 schedule:

• Field Work: The Evolutions of Environmental Literature (Tuesday, September 15, at 4:30 p.m., Thorne-Sagendorph meeting room)

Mark C. Long, professor of English and American Studies, and Laird Christensen, professor of English and Environmental Studies, Green Mountain College, will discuss their collaboration on a recently published collection of essays, Teaching North American Environmental Literature, as well as their contributions to the fields of environmental literature, ecocriticism, and place-based pedagogy.  

• Voices of Resistance from the Pueblo: Eyewitness Accounts of the Political Situation in Honduras, Summer 2009 (Tuesday, October 6, at 4:30 p.m., Thorne-Sagendorph meeting room)

Dr. Candice Bosse, assistant professor of Spanish, will present political events in Honduras during the summer of 2009 from the perspective of Hondurans, as seen through personal interviews during a research visit to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, supported by the Whiting Foundation.

• Til Death Do Us Part: Royal Salvation Strategies in Late Medieval Cyprus (Tuesday, November 3. at 4:30 p.m.,Thorne-Sagendorph meeting room)

Dr. Stephen Lucey, assistant professor of Art, will present his research on a 15th-century chapel in Pyrga, Cyprus, and discuss the elaborate decorative program in light of the chapel’s intended memorial function and the ambitions of its founder, Janus de Lusignan, one of the last crusader kings.

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On Monday, April 20, KSC students Amanda Abramson and Martin Hansen will discuss food choice and the sustainability of the food system at 6:30 p.m. in the Mountain View Room, Student Center. A short film edited by KSC film major Erik Breakell will be shown.

This program, which is entirely student developed and presented, is the final presentation in the Keene Is Reading Series inspired by Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma. Michael McCarthy (Communication), faculty advisor for this project, notes that the presentation is a great example of how students from three different disciplines can collaborate to educate our campus community around local to global food issues, adding, “It has been my honor and pleasure to assist these students in the development of what I think will be an academic and interesting look at problems and solutions.”

Final “Keene Is Reading” student posters

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From Jeff Friedman, English: Poets Tim Mayo and Carey Salerno will read from their work in the Night Owl Cafe on Thursday, April 16, at 4 p.m.

Among the awards Tim Mayo’s poetry has garnered are two International Merit Awards from Atlanta Review, finalist in the 2007 WinningWriters.com War Poetry contest, and two nominations to the 2008 Best of the Net Anthology (one from Babel Fruit and the other from The Rose and Thorn Literary E-zine). In 2000 he was a semi-finalist in the Discovery/The Nation poetry contest and has been awarded two fellowships to the Vermont Studio Center’s annual Vermont Artist’s Week. His chapbook The Loneliness of Dogs was a finalist in the WCDR 2008 Chapbook Challenge in Ontario, Canada, and his new collection, The Kingdom of Possibilities, will be published this spring. He lives in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Carey Salerno is the acting director of Alice James Books. Her first book, Shelter, won the 2007 Kinereth Gensler Award and was published in January 2009. She has an M.F.A. from New England College and lives with her husband and dog in Farmington, Maine.

Courtesy photo; Tim Mayo

Courtesy photo; Carey Salerno

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From Jackie Hooper, Thorne: Works by 14 graduating art majors will be showcased in Emerging Art, the annual Keene State College art students’ exhibition, presented by the KSC Art Department from Saturday, April 18, through Saturday, May 9, at the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery.

Bachelor of fine arts candidates, graduating seniors, and a selection of students majoring in art will exhibit their paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, and ceramic works. The pieces were selected by Art Department faculty from work students completed in all levels of art classes throughout the academic year. Friends of the Thorne will host an opening reception for Emerging Art on Friday, April 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the gallery. Gallery visitors are invited to vote for their favorite artwork for the People’s Choice Commendation, which carries a $100 cash prize and is sponsored by the Friends of the Thorne. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 4.

Also on that Friday, the Art Department will sponsor a Graphic Design Senior Portfolio Review from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Media Arts Center, adjacent to the Thorne. More than 20 graphic design seniors will open their portfolios and showcase their best design work.

The exhibit, reception, and portfolio review are free and open to the public. The gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday through Wednesday, and noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. It will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, for Keene State College commencement. For information, call 8-2720 or visit the website.

This oil painting by Peter Kutcher ’09 will be among the artwork in Emerging Art, the annual Keene State Art Students’ Exhibition.

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Keene State College will host its 19th annual celebration of New Hampshire women’s accomplishments and creativity, “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet,” on Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m. in the Mabel Brown Room, Student Center. A dessert reception will follow the program, which is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the President’s Office and the Campus Commission on the Status of Women, this annual event recognizes women who have made extraordinary contributions to our college, regional, and state communities.

The President’s Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Awards are based on exceptional service and leadership, especially in the area of equality for women. This year’s award recipients are: Bonnie Riley, Monadnock Region Community Award; Rachel Rouillard, State of New Hampshire Award; Annelies Spykman, Keene State College Student Award; and Mary Jensen (staff), Keene State College Award.
Find out more about the award recipients here.

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From Bartlomiej Sapeta, TDS: On Thursday, April 2, the KSC Architecture Club will host a presentation by architect Joseph Cincotta at 7 p.m. in the Mountain View Room, Student Center.

Cincotta believes that learning does not stop at graduation, and that an observant approach combined with a positive attitude can transform a vocation into a lifelong learning opportunity that is its own best reward. In his presentation, he will focus on a process that engages the client and builder in the artful pursuit of architecture. At least one client and one builder will be on hand to offer unique perspectives in a follow-up panel discussion. For more information, contact Bartlomiej Sapeta.

Courtesy photo; Joseph Cincotta

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From Al Rydant, Geography: On Wednesday, April 1, Dr. John Smith of the University of Wolverhampton, England, will present “A Walk in the Mountains: Tourism and Environment in the Mount Everest Region of Nepal” at 7 p.m. in the Mountain View Room, Student Center.

Come explore the majesty of an environment under stress and experience the adventures of life in an Everest Base Camp. Sponsored by the Department of Geography with funding from The Class of 1939 International Education Lecturer Grant Fund, Continuing Education, the Office of Residential Life, and the NH Geographic Alliance. For more information contact Al Rydant, 8-2508.

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From Nona Fienberg, Arts and Humanities: On Tuesday March 24, the Arts and Humanities Lecture series will present “The Athena’s Closet Project” at 4:30 p.m. in the Davis Room, Redfern Arts Center. Professor Elisabeth Roos (Theatre and Dance) dedicated her 2007–08 sabbatical to researching and creating an art-to-wear project honoring extraordinary women such as Julia Child, Maya Angelou, and Rachel Carson.
Come to the Davis Room in the Redfern Arts Center to explore The Athena’s Closet Project with Professor Roos and, if we are very lucky, to play with fabric!

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Jason Endacott (Social Sciences) and KSC alum Michael Szafir ‘08 presented “Using Societal Climate to Analyze Political Choices” at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Houston November 14–16.

The project, which started as a KSC 2008 Academic Excellence Conference presentation called “Rock the Vote: Using Cultural Climate to Reinforce Students’ Historical Thinking,” encourages students to explore multiple genres of primary sources from a specific time period to gain a deeper understanding of why people may have voted as they did in a presidential election. Using the presidential election of 1992 as an example, the sample lesson unit presented looks at Time magazine articles, MTV’s “Rock the Vote” campaign, and news coverage of the period to define the societal climate. The presentation concludes: “While certainly not a fail-safe predictor of elections, using these primary sources in conjunction with detailed information about the Presidential campaigns and data from the polls, students will find that elections from the past can take on almost as much meaning as the elections they live through today.”

“We turned his AEC presentation into a national-conference-worthy proposal and submitted it in March,” says Endacott. “I am very proud of Mike’s performance at this national-level event, and I think it says a great deal about what we do here at KSC.”

Szafir is now teaching at the Woodstock Academy in Connecticut.

Courtesy photo: KSC alum Michael Szafir ‘08 and Jason Endacott (Social Sciences) at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Houston.

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Nicholas Germana (History) presented a paper, “Self-Othering in German Orientalism: The Case of Friedrich Schlegel, ” on October 3, at the 32nd annual conference of the German Studies Association, in St. Paul, Minn.

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Keene State College will join mental-health advocates across the country next week to celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). The U.S. Congress established MIAW in 1990 to raise awareness, promote early detection and accurate diagnosis, and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Monday – Friday, October 6 – 10
Information Tables by Active Minds Student Organization; noon – 3 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium

Tuesday, October 7

• De-Stigmatizing Mental Illness, poster displays by the Wellness Living & Learning Community; 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium
• Inspiring Hope: Stories of Breakthrough or Resolution while Facing Life’s Challenges, performed by ActingOut; 6:30 p.m. in the Night Owl Café, Student Center

Using Playback Theatre, the ActingOut company will explore issues of mental health, family struggles, school, and peer challenges. The performers will ask audience members for stories from their own lives.

Wednesday, October 8

• The Challenge of Coping with a Mental Illness at College, student panel luncheon; noon, Mountain View Room, Student Center

KSC students living with mental illness share their challenges and successes. Hosted by the KSC Diversity Commission, a light lunch will be served.

• In Our Own Voice, panel and discussion; 7 p.m., Madison Street Lounge, Student Center

Presenters from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Granite State Monarchs, and the Counseling Center will share their stories of struggle and success as they have lived with mental illness. Refreshments provided by First Course and sponsored by the Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions.

For more information, contact Forrest Seymour, 8-2047.

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On Thursday, October 9, the KSC Architecture Program is sponsoring a presentation by Daniel V. Scully, “Recent Architecture, Paddling to the Sea.” The presentation will be in the Mountain View Room of the Student Center, and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Scully’s talk will trace the impact of recent projects. Architectural historian and critic William Morgan recently wrote about the visitor center Scully designed in Bellows Falls, Vermont:

“Bellows Falls has created a bold new piece of architecture that captures and enhances the spirit of the place. … Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum has lured flocks of tourists to Bilbao, Spain, while Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has given North Adams a real boost. The Bellows Falls Waypoint Interpretive Center is far more modest, but its impact may be similarly dramatic.”

For more information, contact Peter Temple, 8-2978.

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