In This Issue: Pg. 2 Creative Writing Pg. 4 Memphis’ Move to the Big East
Pg. 5 Director’s Letter Pg. 6 Spring Festivals
On March 1, 2013 the University of Memphis honored Dr. Janann Sherman, chair of the history department, for her contributions in her field and being an inspiration to fellow female scholars. Dr. Sherman will be retiring from her position after this semester. “Her positive, upbeat mentality and proclivity are valued by everyone in the department,” Dr. Linda Bennett, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said. At the ceremony, Dr. Sherman shared in her speech her story on how she arrived at the University of Memphis and why her journey of humble beginnings was paved with hardships, ambitions and faith.
Poster design by U of M students Brooke Smith, Corie Walker, Zi Felton, Terrance Mason, Terrell Harmon and Zachary Morgan
All she wanted was to get a job at the electronics factory up the road so that she wouldn’t have to clean men’s shirts anymore. It was a good dream. It was a realistic dream for someone from her small town. She was grateful to her father for her job at the cleaners because she knew that there was a danger of failure if she aspired to be anything more. And then she met Charlie. This was the first time Janann Sherman fell in love. She was a 17 and he was 29. They waited until she turned 18 to get married so they wouldn’t need her parent’s permission. He wanted her to pursue dreams outside of steaming shirts and factory work. But at the time, they would have to work their blue collar jobs to support themselves and her new pursuit of a college education. Charlie helped her fall in love for the second time in her life. She discovered that she loved learning. He helped send her to a community college with his G.I. Bill while he would work shifts in the factory. Almost every night, she would read her homework out loud to Charlie, who started to lose his eyesight before she completed her first degree. By the time she turned 42, Sherman had earned three degrees, including her Master of Arts in History from Rutgers University. Charlie had been fired from the factory when his employers found out about his blindness, but he remained an ever-steady source of love and support for Janann. When she turned 49, Dr. Sherman had earned her PhD in History from Rutgers and moved to Memphis to accept a job as an assistant professor. Since then she has written and co-authored five books focusing on influential women in history and the suffrage movement. She also became the first female chair of the history department. Now, Dr. Sherman attributes her successes to her first love. When she speaks of Charlie, there is an obvious adoration in her voice. “ It was with perseverance and a refusal to be discouraged that I got to where I am today,” Dr. Sherman said. Women’s History continued page 3
As part of Women’s History month, we sent out a call to female writers to submit poems about what and who inspires them. A complete collection of the submitted poems will be available online through the ACSS website www.memphis.edu/acss
What’s New Dreamers, Doers, thinkers—it’s time to break free, So much to create is inside of me; New day, new time, change is on the way With Collaboration and donation some areas are still grey, Analyzed, clarified, achieved and built Something technical and Savvy with not a shred of guilt. The evolution of uncertainty continues to unfold, And not a minute shy of creations big and bold.
I Wish I Had Kissed You On Bourbon Street This city could run on the electricity of the crowds that hang [like warnings] from balconies that push and pull and twirl and blur into a mass of sound and movement never lies. We weave our bodies [fingers tangled] through the barest hints of space between Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo the picketers with signs about hellfire the dark-eyed stripper with a bruise on her knee. I shiver [not from cold] I like neon signs and streetlights for stars.
By Jeanett Hughes Ballentine
By Anna Sandy
Asphodel Child among the mist, how lonely you must feel. Alone, whispering unhearable secrets in the chilling wind. Breath carried through the dancing grass, Singing childish melodies in the darkness before death’s dwelling. How enticing you are, Innocent temptation. How much you are like the Angel’s voices over the misty seaOver the jagged rocks. Ship-eaters. Life-takers. And yet you know nothing of your implications, Only a child after all, Complex gift to the Gods of Death, And to those passing by, Innocent beauty in a world of placid darkness. By Shelby Hawkins
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ACSS CONNECTION March 2013
Margaret Chase Smith served in both the House of Representatives (1940-1949) and the Senate (1949-1973), becoming the first woman in the country to serve in both houses of Congress. In 1964, Senator Smith became the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for the presidency by one of the two major parties, coming in second on the final ballot to Senator Barry Goldwater.
Someone that I cannot see I’m walking down a path unfamiliar to
Hiking through Strawberry Plains My brother and I stand
me There is someone there by my side—their face I cannot see.
Arm in arm together, Sweat beading on our brows. Our shirt collars and baseball caps damp.
I point to one direction but my heart tells The hot sun beating down on us,
me no.
As we smile exhausted but victorious,
I know which way is right.
Having completed our first big hike together at Strawberry Plains.
Yet the other way I chose to go. As I walk down the road, I see things from my past.
The lush woods lay behind us. Dust hangs in the air from the tramping’s
It was like pure torture.
Of our friends in the hiking club.
How much longer will it last?
The cackle of cicadas fills the air
I continue down the road and detour to the side. There was a sign on the ground—it was my foolish pride. Then I pass a sign full of all my passions and desires.
And the whining buzz of flies drones on. Mud clings to our sneakers and jeans, From peering over the edge of the pond To inspect beaver dams and cottonmouths. We stand together, filthy but beaming with pride and wonder in
I couldn’t help but to smile—my heart it did inspire. I reached the end of the road. There was that someone I cannot see. For when I open up my eyes The strength that held me up was me. By Tanya Cole
For a calendar of events and ceremonies celebrating Women’s History Month visit http://www.memphis.edu/crow/ womenshistorymonth.htm
nature. By Sasha Lanham
Women’s History cont’d from pg. 1 Dr. Sherman said that she has learned five things from studying and writing the stories of her heroines, like Margaret Chase Smith (see page 2). It’s these characteristics that every woman should strive to embody: 1. Be smart and seize opportunities 2. Surround yourself with loved ones who support you 3. Build networks of support with other women. 4. Be courageous with unwavering integrity 5. Never acknowledge that your gender can hold you back. So, this year for Women's History Month the University of Memphis Community is celebrating "Women Making History Every Day". The celebration not only pays homage to the historical women who have paved the way for Dr. Janann Sherman change and advancement, but also to the everyday women in our lives, like Dr. Sherman. This month long celebration is for all women who have contributed to making changes right in our homes and communities. Dr. Sherman’s books include: The Perfect 36: Tennessee Delivers Woman Suffrage (coauthored with Carol Lynn Yellin), No Place for a Woman: A Life of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Conversations with Betty Friedan, Memphis in Black and White and Beale Street (co-authored with Dr. Beverly Bond). Current projects: a biography of pioneer aviator Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie, and a History of the University of Memphis (co-authored with Dr. Beverly Bond).
ACSS CONNECTION March 2013
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What does the impending conference change mean for the Tigers? In February 2012, the University of Memphis announced its move from Conference USA to the Big East conference. The official move to the Big East is set to take place in July 2013, but there are still monetary negotiations being hashed out between the university and Big East conference leaders. The Big East appears to be a sinking ship, just as the Tigers are about to step on board. The conference recently has lost many of its elite schools including Syracuse University, the University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University and our old rival, Louisville. Also, Boise State has since pulled their bid to join the Big East and instead threw their hat in with the Mountain West conference. Other Conference USA members such as Central Florida, SMU and Houston are jumping on board with the Big East to fill in the holes left from departing schools. San Diego State is scheduled to join as a football-only member in July, but may follow Boise State's lead and remain in the Mountain West.
million in athletic spending in 2010-11, according to the Commercial Appeal. It was announced in February 2013 that NBC has picked up Big East games for more than $20 million per year for a six-year deal and ESPN has matched NBC's offer to broadcast the Big East, according to Sports Business Daily. Overall, the move to the Big East is expected to net an extra $10 million annually for the University of Memphis.
In a statement, John Marinatto, commisoner of the Big East, expressed his confidence in the new alliance. “We are confident that the addition of this outstanding athletics program located in a top 50 media market and in the heart of the nation’s largest conference footprint will further propel the (Big East) and the University of Memphis to even greater levels of success in the future,” Marinatto said.
However, despite the Memphis’ conference move tumultuous changes in the The Times Square campaign announcing last year conference, the Tigers still stand to benefit financially from the move. Conference members make money from their affiliations largely by sharing the It was just announced on March 5, 2013 that the revenue the leagues receive from their television contracts and NCAA postseason events. seven non-football schools (aka the Catholic Seven) defecting from the conference- St. John’s, A Conference USA spokesman said Memphis would have to pay $6.6 million to leave the league. That's a $500,000 flat exit fee and $6.1 million in a per-school share of television rights revenue. But in the most recent year for which figures were available, Big East football-playing schools received an average of $5.5 million more annually than C-USA schools -- about 13 percent of Memphis' $41.7
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ACSS CONNECTION March 2013
Georgetown, Seton Hall, Villanova, Marquette, DePaul and Providence- will take over the Big East name. Memphis is still changing conferences but the name of the conference is TBA.
Greetings to all! March is “Women’s History Month.” This month is set aside to recognize women who have contributed to the historical progress and advancement of women across the country. We want to celebrate women of every age, background, and ethnicity who have contributed to the betterment of women in America. This month we will recognize U of M “Women Who Lead” during a panel discussion designed for them to share their leadership story. In this issue you will learn about other events that will take place highlighting the women who are present day trailblazers. Also, ACSS will feature poems by women who write in the classroom and women who have spent their life not only making history but writing about it as well. Dr. Janann Sherman has spent her career studying and writing biographies of influential women. She was the first female chair of the history department at the University of Memphis and she has spent many years mentoring and encouraging other female scholars to be major contributors in their fields of study. Enjoy the writings and let us know your thoughts by contacting us via Twitter or “ Liking” us on Facebook. We hope that this edition will enlighten you and allow you to take advantage of the various programs and activities designed specifically to educate you about the diverse world that we live in today. Don’t forget to stop by our housing fair on March 20th to enjoy a free lunch and to talk to our invited vendors about their specials. Hope to see you there!
Looking for a place to live on or off campus? Need to find a roommate? Visit our Off Campus Housing Fair website http://offcampushousing.memphis.edu/
Joy Rogers Stout, Director Adult and Commuter Student Services Phone: 901-678-2644 E-mail: jstout@memphis.edu
Governor's Budget Creates New Opportunities for U of M On January 29, Tennessee’s Governor Haslam announced that his budget proposal includes $44.6 million for the Community Health Building, which will be the new home of the Loewenberg School of Nursing and the College of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The University of Memphis was required to raise $15 million from private funds to match the state funds. The Governor also proposed capital maintenance funds of $6 million for HVAC projects in Clement, Ellington, Mitchell, Music, and the Rose Theatre. In addition, $1 million for building code and safety updates and a special non-recurring appropriation of $3 million for operations at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus. Read the proposal from Governor Haslam’s State of the State address here http://forward.tn.gov/stateofthestate/ files/2012StateoftheStateAddress.pdf ACSS CONNECTION March 2013
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It’s Festival Season! Here’s a list of ways to get out and enjoy springtime in Memphis Blue Tom Fest, University of Memphis Memorial Field, April 6, 12 p.m., free, all ages On April 6th, check out Blue Tom Fest, the first ever on-campus music festival at the U of M. It's open to everyone, and will feature only musical acts based in Memphis
Memphis Punk Rock Fest, Memphis Rehearsal Complex, March 8 – 9, 3 p.m. each day, $10 with a canned good for the food bank all ages
– Overton Square Crawfish Festival, Overton Square, April 13, 12 p.m.. – 6 p.m., free, all ages
Harbor Town Crawfish Festival, Movie and Pizza Co., April 20, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. $5 or two canned goods, all ages
Memphis Fashion Weekend, Alchemy / Cadre Building / MCA, April 5 – 6, $50 per night / $150 VIP for the weekend, 18+ Memphis in May International Festival, Tom Lee Park, every wkend in May, various prices, all ages www.memphisinmay.org
Southern Hot Wing Festival, Riverside Drive, April 27, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., $7.50 advance / $10 at the gate, all ages
For more festivals and details visit http://ilovememphisblog.com/2013/03/memphis-spring-festivals/
Go Tigers Go! Memphis Tigers 2013-2014 football schedule Sat., Sept. 7 Duke Sat., Sept. 14 at Middle Tennessee Sat., Sept. 21 Arkansas State Sat., Oct. 5 UCF Sat., Oct. 12 at Houston Sat., Oct. 19 SMU Wed., Oct. 30 Cincinnati Sat., Nov. 9 Tennessee-Martin
Down to Earth Festival, Shelby Farms Park, April 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you received an e-mail inviting you to join Pinnacle, congratulations! Hopefully, you’ve already applied and paid your fee.
What would you like to see featured in the Adult & Commuter Connection? Contact the editor, Amy Gregory, at
acss@memphis.edu
All new members of Pinnacle will be inducted during a ceremony on Friday, April 12, 2013.
Sat., Nov. 16 at USF Sat., Nov. 23 at Louisville Sat., Nov. 30 Temple Sat., Dec. 7 at Connecticut
CONTACT AND GENERAL INFORMATION The Adult and Commuter Student Services office is located on The University of Memphis campus in the University Center RM 243. Our regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. If you need after hours help, please call us to make arrangements. We welcome comments, questions, or suggestions. We can be reached by phone at 901-678-2644 during our regular business hours or after hours leave us a message on voice mail. You may also reach us through e-mail at acss@memphis.edu.
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