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Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 5 - November 1, 2023


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Director

Program Coordinator


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Your financial support is greatly appreciated and needed.

Upcoming Events





Lunch Colloquium

Tanine Allison

Monday, November 6, 2023

The Luce Center

Room 130

11:30-1:00


In-Person Registration


Zoom Registration






Lunch Colloquium

Leslie Gordon

Monday, November 20, 2023

The Luce Center

Room 130

11:30-1:00


In-Person Registration


Zoom Registration







Message from the Director

 


Thanks to the assistance of one of Jag Sheth’s graduate students, we are in the process of making several needed updates to our website. We’ve added new photos to our landing page and hope that we will soon be able to add a member directory. We’ll also begin collecting data about which sections of the website are most frequently viewed to guide future updates and revisions.

 

Beth Michael’s presentation entitled, “Growing Institutional Efforts with an Indigenous Approach,” was a fascinating mix of family history, history of the Oxford and Emory campus areas, information about College of the Muscogee Nation’s efforts to preserve the Muscogee language, a description of new Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies, and an overview of services offered to Native American students at Emory. Judging from the lively question and answer period at the end of her presentation, it appears that everyone in attendance found her presentation stimulating and thought provoking.

 

Our next Lunch Colloquium presented by Tanine Allison, an Associate Professor in Film and Media Studies, on Monday, November 6 at 11:30 should be quite interesting. Her presentation, entitled “Are Digital Actors the Future of Hollywood?” will explore how digital visual effects, particularly motion capture, can mediate issues of race, gender, age, and identity of digital characters.

 

I wish to thank Ann Hartle and Marilynne McKay for helping us proofread and edit this newsletter. I also wish to express my appreciation for our Zoom team members (Gray Crouse, Ron Gould, and Vernon Robbins) for their problem-solving skills and assistance with our hybrid Lunch Colloquiums.

 

--Ann

 

Lunch Colloquium -- Monday, November 6, 2023


"Are Digital Actors the Future of Hollywood?"



Tanine Allison

Associate Professor, Film and Media Studies


Monday, November 6, 2023

11:30-1:00



This presentation is an exploration of how digital visual effects mediate issues of race, gender, age, and identity.


Dr. Allison’s research and teaching is focused on film, digital media, and video games. Her work explores emerging media technologies in relation to ideas of authenticity, identity, and aesthetics. Her book Destructive Sublime: World War II in American Film and Media challenges conventional notions of the American war genre. She is now focusing her research on the use of digital visual effects in film and animation.


About Tanine Allison:


Tanine Allison is an Associate Professor of Film and Media at Emory University, where she teaches courses on film, video games, television, and digital media. Dr. Allison is the author of Destructive Sublime: World War II in American Film and Media (Rutgers University Press, 2018), which explores the aesthetics of combat sequences in WWII films and video games. Her essays on motion capture, race, war media, and digital visual effects have appeared in New Review of Film and Television Studies, Quarterly Review of Film and Video, Journal of Popular Film and Television, and a number of other journals and anthologies. She is currently writing a book about motion capture and digital performance in film, animation, and video games. Allison is a graduate of Brown University and earned her PhD in Film/Cinema/Video Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.





Lunch Colloquium -- Monday, November 20, 2023

"The Breman: More Than A Museum"



Leslie Gordon

Executive Director of the Breman Jewish Museum


Monday, November 20, 2023

11:30-1:00



Leslie and some Breman staff will give an overview of the institution and its many facets-education, entertainment and exhibitions. Although primarily known for reaching students through its Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, the institution also houses the Cuba Family Archive, one of the largest collections of Jewish documents and objects in the region. The collection covers the entire state of Georgia as well as eastern Alabama. The Breman focuses on arts and culture through regular photography exhibits which generate programs to take the works "off the wall" -- and music, literary programs, dance and film. Currently The Breman is exhibiting "History with Chutzpah: 290 Years of the Jewish Presence in Georgia" from the founding of the Jewish settlement in Savannah in 1733 to Jon Ossoff's election to the U.S. Senate. The talk will feature specifics of one or two of the current arts programs and maybe even an unusual artifact from the Archives (for all of the Archivists in the group!). Expect some little-known stories from our oral histories; examples of our virtual programs; and exciting plans for the institution's future. 


About Leslie Gordon:


Leslie Gordon is Executive Director of The Breman, the Jewish museum in midtown Atlanta.

Gordon has been in the arts for her entire career, moving to Atlanta in 1992 to become one of the producers of the Cultural Olympiad for the 1996 Olympic Games. Following the Olympics, she worked at the Arts Festival of Atlanta, the National Black Arts Festival, and led Georgia State's Rialto Center for the Arts for 15 years before coming to The Breman in 2019. Leslie has been recognized for her various contributions to the arts with awards such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Torch of Peace award at Georgia State University for her work in multicultural arts; the Treen Award for service to the field presented by the Mid-Atlantic and South Arts Regional organizations; a Governor's Award in the Arts and Humanities; and was named a Chevalier of Arts and Letters by the Government of France.




Faculty Governance News

The October 2024 meeting of the University Faculty Council, held via Zoom, was called to order by Chair Dr. Nikita Gupta who introduced Dr. Emily Palmieri, Director of the Office of Respect. in a presentation titled “Rethinking sexual and relationship harm,” Dr. Palmieri reported on the student support and counseling resources available in the Office of Respect. Discussion centered on ways to disseminate information on these services.

 

Dr. Paul Welty, Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, reported on Artificial Intelligence tools, techniques, and considerations. He focused on how AI can be used to increase workplace efficiency in a number of areas such as meeting synopses, scheduling, letter writing, and website design. Its use by students is a topic under study by another division, to be saved for another day. AI works on language models: while it has been trained on facts, it gives responses based on the probability of language sequences, making no distinction between “fact” and “non-fact.”

 

Dr. Ashima Lal, Faculty Counselor and Chair of the Faculty Life Course Committee, gave an update on the next step in preparing a proposal for a Faculty Club/gathering space. A survey of faculty will soon appear in our mailboxes to gauge interest and needs for such a space. Enthusiastic participation in the survey by those in favor will be important for the success of the proposal.

 

The University Senate meeting was also on Zoom this month. Senate President Gupta introduced Amy Adelman, Interim Senior Vice President and General Council for Emory University, who offered remarks on Emory’s response to the SCOTUS ruling on the use of affirmative action in College admissions. Emory’s compliance will be based on a narrow interpretation of the ruling. While it has been deemed illegal to consider race as a factor in admitting a student, it is not illegal for the race to be known by entities other than the Office of Admission. Thus Emory will focus its efforts on increasing the diversity of its applicant pool by becoming more attractive to highly qualified individuals from underrepresented groups. A visible example of these efforts is the establishment of the new Identity Centers in Cox Hall.

 

Shannon Clute, Director of The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, provided an orientation to the activities of this resource. On a strictly extra-curricular basis, the Center supports the work of students seeking innovative solutions to pressing needs of specific communities. In addition to supporting their work in these areas during the academic year, the Center offers summer paid internships, which allow students to continue their projects between academic years. Shannon’s presentation was accompanied by those of two current students who described the research and realization of their successful projects: one, a planned community of low-cost housing in the Atlanta area, and another, a program of rental/exchange of large solar-rechargeable batteries to small businesses in areas of Africa where electrical service is undependable or nonexistent.

 

Sarah Febres-Cordero, Assistant Professor of Nursing, presented a case for changes to policies regarding Overdose Identification and Naloxone Distribution (OEND sic). Beginning with shocking statistics in the area of overdose deaths among young people, she outlined the need to move away from punitive language in the Emory Student Code of Conduct in the interest of saving lives. She cited examples from peer institutions which removed the stigma by allowing unlimited amnesty for students who suffered an overdose, in contrast to Emory’s limit of a single episode. These peer institutions also offer free access to Naloxone at strategic locations on campus. Professor Febres-Cordero’s presentation was amplified by compelling presentations from students. 

 

For those wishing more detailed information on either meeting, minutes will be posted and can be accessed with Emory login credentials at:

 https://facultycouncil.emory.edu/meetings/2023-2024/index.html

https://www.senate.emory.edu/meetings/2023-2024/index.html

 

-- Holly York, EUEC Representative to the Faculty Council and University Senate (2021-2024)

 

Note: my term ends with this academic year and election of a new Emeritus College representative for these two bodies will take place in the spring. If you’re interested in serving, let Ann Rogers know. Each body meets once a month during the academic year, with, at present, alternating meetings on Zoom. The time commitment is minimal and you get to keep up with what’s going on, see colleagues, and have the ear of the President and Provost every month or so. What’s not to like?






Member Activities


Corinne A. Kratz

Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and African Studies Emerita

 

 

Corinne gave a talk on October 19, 2023 at the University of New Mexico entitled, "Redesigning Popular Histories and Facing Race through Exhibition"

 



From an Old Emory Classroom to the Modern Medical Science Classrooms Around the World


A challenge encountered by a young instructor in an Emory classroom over a half-century ago is resulting in more effective learning experiences in many medical science and radiology conferences and classrooms around the world.


In 1960, Perry Sprawls joined the Emory Faculty as a young Instructor in the Physics Department. He met his first class in a large classroom with a blackboard up front and a few pieces of chalk, on which he could scribble a few definitions along with some mathematical equations. With this he was to teach, or help his students learn, about the extensive physical universe in which we live. He quickly developed the perspective of the classroom as a “dull grey box” in which we enclose our students, hiding them from the universe they should be viewing and learning about. This initiated his life-long activity of creating visuals, or “windows”, for classrooms that would enhance both the teaching and learning process helping students, or learners, develop comprehensive mental conceptual knowledge structures representing the various elements of the physical universe…beyond verbal definitions and mathematical equations! Knowledge that would be of great value in the future in real-life applications…not just passing examinations! His first project was redesigning the Emory classroom to include projectors and a green metal writing board up front on which magnetized objects and models could be placed to illustrate various physics topics. However, the real task was to create the visuals (illustrations, diagrams, etc.) that represent the often-invisible physics phenomena. In 1962 he transferred to the Department of Radiology faculty where most of the physics he would be teaching was about invisible (atoms, x-rays, radioactivity, etc). and the need was to help his students, generally radiology residents in training and graduate students, “visualize the invisible” so they could develop valuable mental knowledge structures that supported their professional activities. Most classroom teachers do not have the time, resources, or perhaps the skill, to develop many good visuals for their classes. To address this Dr. Sprawls introduced and promoted the concept of Collaborative Teaching between two educators, the classroom teacher and the creator of the visuals that are shared with classroom teachers.


For over a half-century now, and continuing, a major activity has been creating visuals to enhance the learning of physics, and especially medical physics and radiology concepts. First, in Emory classrooms, in textbooks he authored, and in many international conferences and courses with participants from virtually every country of the world. Recognizing that the real value of the visuals was when they are shared with other educators around the world, the Sprawls Educational Foundation (www.sprawls.org ) was created to provide them, along with other materials, as open and free resources available to all.


The Visuals for teaching are available on the web at: www.sprawls.org/SprawlsVisuals . And they being used to enhance classroom and conference presentations and discussions around the world.



New Members

New members are the lifeblood of any organization.

Please make a special effort to welcome them to the EUEC!







Sara Edwards

Associate Clinical Professor Emerita of Nursing









H. Criss Hartzell, Jr.

Professor Emeritus of Cell Biology








Katherine A. Yeager

Associate Professor of Nursing

Upcoming Events at Emory

"At the Crossroads" Exhibition Opening


 Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Cir.

 Thursday, November 2, 2023, 5 – 8:30pm EDT


During this event that celebrates the opening of the exhibition "At the Crossroads with Benny Andrews, Flannery O’Connor, and Alice Walker," Emory Libraries invites you to join us on a journey through an exhibition that spans the intersection of art, literature, and culture. It's the culmination of a three-year endeavor undertaken by five curators and an array of Emory Libraries designers, organizers, and archivists.


Register: http://emorylib.info/crossroads-opening  


Part A: “At the Crossroads: A Conversation with the Curators” 

5:00 – 6:00 pm

Rose Library, Level 10, Woodruff Library


Amid the onset of the pandemic, five curators embarked on a creative endeavor, intertwining the worlds of middle Georgia natives Benny Andrews, Flannery O’Connor, and Alice Walker to shape the exhibit “At the Crossroads with Benny Andrews, Flannery O’Connor, and Alice Walker.” Step into the curators' work and words as they share their perspectives and answer the questions: Who am I? Where am I? What am I seeking?

  • Tina Dunkley (Andrews)
  • Amy Alznauer and Rosemary M. Magee (O’Connor)
  • Gabrielle M. Dudley and Nagueyalti Warren (Walker)


Part B: “At the Crossroads” exhibition opening reception with the curators, library leaders, and Robert Franklin, the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership

6:30 – 8:30 pm

Level 3, Woodruff Library


Be among the first to explore our newly opened exhibit. Journey through the crossroads of the lives and works of three iconic artists from middle Georgia whose papers reside in the Rose Library.


This event promises to be a notable evening of inquiry and interpretation. Hear from library leaders and Robert Franklin, the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership. Participate in conversation with the exhibit curators and learn about their experience creating the exhibit; enjoy the music of Emory’s beloved Gary Motley trio; savor a delectable array of food and beverages; and mingle.


November 2nd and 3rd, 2023: Green & Blue


Performing Arts Studio, Emory University

1804 North Decatur Road Atlanta, GA 30307

 Thursday, November 2, 2023, 8pm EDT


Belfast's Kabosh Theatre is bringing one of its most successful shows to Atlanta, before continuing to Pittsburgh, New York, and Boston. This is a show you should not miss.


Two men on opposite sides of the Irish border at the height of the conflict. Their assignment is to patrol an invisible line in the ground. Although they have the same job, they wear different uniforms and know almost nothing about life “on the other side.” They communicate via crackly radios until an explosive incident forces them to meet across a field known only to local farmers. This topical play looks at borders, policing, and the humanity behind the green and blue uniforms.


‘Green & Blue’ is based on real-life interviews with former serving officers.


Winner of The Lustrum Award for Best Theatrical Moment at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe


Written by Laurence McKeown, directed by Paula McFetridge, performed by James Doran and Vincent Higgins. Trailer for Green and Blue



For Registration and additional information please click here.

Tibet Week & Compassion Center Silver Jubilee


Ackerman Hall, Michael C. Carlos Museum

or Live-streamed via Zoom (some events)

Monday, November 6 – Saturday, November 11, 2023


Come celebrate with the Emory Compassion Center as we mark our 25th anniversary! As part of our annual Tibet Week festivities, this week-long extravaganza will showcase an array of captivating events. Highlights include the renewal of the ground-breaking partnership between Emory University and Drepung Loseling, the creation of a mandala sand painting of Green Tara by the talented Drepung Loseling monks from the Mystical Arts of Tibet, daily compassion meditations, and a series of thought-provoking talks covering fascinating topics. All events of Tibet Week are free and open to all, but in some cases, registration is required. Please visit the event website for complete details: scholarblogs.emory.edu…



Emory Veterans Day Ceremony


Emory Quadrangle

emap.fmd.emory.edu…

Friday, November 10, 2023, 11am – 12pm EST


The Emory community is invited to attend the 15th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 10. Remarks will be provided by President Gregory L. Fenves and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. Ravi Thadhani. These remarks will be followed by a keynote speech given by Major General Burke W. Whitman, United States Marine Corps, retired. 


This event will take place on the Quadrangle on Emory's Atlanta Campus and is open to the entire community. 




Details and other information, as well as additional campus events, can be found on the Emory Events Calendar.



If you'd like to share an event/program of interest before the next newsletter

please contact Dianne Becht Dianne.becht@emory.edu

Walking the Campus with Dianne

Did you figure out where we were in the last issue? That beautiful interior is part of the newer section of the Atwood Chemistry Building. Not only are the curves of the architecture stunning, but artwork, little study nooks, and even the lecture halls are quite interesting in the building.


The original section of the Atwood Chemistry building is a 1974 concrete brutalist structure, featuring teaching labs, classrooms, and offices. In 2015, Atwood received an addition to the building that features a glass-façade and fluid designs, from the sweeping staircase in the center of the atrium to the curving glass-walled walkways, workspaces, state of the art classrooms, and a café.


For more information on the Atwood Chemistry Building, you can read an article published by Emory News in 2015 by clicking here.





The weather in Atlanta has been extremely pleasant and perfect to be outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. An excellent way to exercise is walking stairs and I found some good ones! These are not only located outside, but will also provide a great workout.




Where will you find this on the Emory campus?

Emory University Emeritus College

The Luce Center

825 Houston Mill Road NE Room 206

Atlanta, GA 30329

  

http://www.emory.edu/emeritus