Southwestern Magazine Fall 2013

FALL 2013

Southwestern Diving Into the Big Question: Science Initiative How Should Science Be Taught?

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CHALLENGE MET Phase I Science Center Construction to Commence in 2014 Gifts in June pushed the Mabee Challenge for Phase I of the new science center over the top. $7.5 million in gifts and pledges will leverage an additional $1 million from The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The Cullen Foundation, The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Fondren Foundation, Margaret & Albert Alkek Foundation, M.D. Anderson Foundation, The Rose Trust and 394 individual donors all contributed to make Phase I a reality.

Phased construction is a strategic approach that provides full support for new teaching labs, research labs and interactive classrooms in Phase I. Phase II renovation of existing space can then take place without disrupting Southwestern’s innovative inquiry-based science curriculum. When complete, the planned new building will bring all science and mathematics faculty together in a projected 103,000 square feet of classrooms, offices, seminar rooms and laboratories.

Things are on the move in the sciences at Southwestern, with a prestigious $1.3 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute supporting our focus on student discovery and active learning. Stay tuned for more about Phase II and the ways that your gifts are helping to prepare the scientific leaders and innovators of the future.

FALL 2013

quoted...

“Ours is a model of what science actually is...”

— Emily Niemeyer

Professor of Chemistry

University Relations Office of Communications Associate Vice President, Communications Cindy Locke Director, Creative Eric Bumgardner Assistant Director, Writer/Editor Kristina W. Moore Director, News and Media Relations Ellen Davis Director, Web Development and Communications John Kotarski ’93 Associate Director, New Media Danielle Brown Stapleton ’05

All Hands on Deck The Red Team cheers on their crew during Pirate Training, the official kick off to Orientation

Features 5 diving in Southwestern’s Science Initiative, funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, takes the sciences to a whole new depth.

Week, August 18–19, 2013.

Photo by Carlos Barron Jr. ’10

magazine@southwestern.edu

8 who’s creepin’ who?

University Relations Office of alumni and parents

Who is Edward B. Burger, Ph.D.? Get to know Southwestern’s 15th president through a comprehensive interview.

Associate Vice President, Alumni and Parents Megan Radison Frisque Senior Associate Director, Alumni and Parents JoAnn Lucero

1 8 senior stories Q&A

Associate Director, Alumni and Parents Grace Josey Pyka ’05

alumni@southwestern.edu parents@southwestern.edu

Eleven graduates share their Southwestern Experiences and offer advice to the largest incoming class in Southwestern history.

Chief administrative officers Edward B. Burger, President Richard L. Anderson, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs

In every issue

Gerald Brody, Vice President for Student Life James W. Hunt, Provost and Dean of the Faculty Beverly Jones, University Chaplain C. Richard McKelvey, Vice President for University Relations Pamela McQuesten, Vice President for Information Services and Chief Information Officer Francie Schroeder, Executive Assistant to the President Dave Voskuil, Vice President for Enrollment Services

On the Cover As part of the SCOPE Undergraduate Research Program, students worked with professors to study

4 20 22 24 3 1

President’s Message On Campus Athletics Class Notes Last Word

biomechanical and metabolic CONTACTS Main: (512) 863-6511 Alumni and Parents: (800) 960-6363 Office of Admission: (800) 252-3166

responses in runners who wear shoes with minimal heel support.

Photos by Lance Holt

Southwestern is published semiannually by the Office of University Relations, and printed on Euroart Dull Text by TWG Plus. Bulk rate postage paid at Austin, Texas.

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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president’s message

Photo by Lance Holt

Genuine Optimism As I continue to settle into my role as Southwestern’s 15th president, I am energized and honored to be part of this special community that values our rich traditions but is also willing to re-imagine how we will deliver the University’s mission in this still-new century.

Each day I am on campus or meeting alumni, parents, or friends of SU, I more firmly believe that the human capital at Southwestern is our greatest asset, and that there is further greatness eager to flourish within each of us. The promise of this reality is what excites me and fills me with optimism.

I am genuinely optimistic about the opportunities to apply our many gifts and talents toward redefining both the intrinsic and practical value of the liberal arts. The true promise of education is to transform lives while preparing individuals to understand and solve the future problems of the world. The ideal liberal arts institution fosters an intellectual audacity that dares to confront complex issues, an imagination that creates artful and original ideas and solutions, a sensitivity that foresees the implications of those ideas, an ability to articulate and execute those solutions, and a moral compass to lead the way. Southwestern University has been committed to these ideals from its inception.

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Southwestern Magazine

I have so enjoyed hearing from alumni, parents, and students about how Southwestern provides truly life changing experiences. Through profound connections with faculty members, mentors and peers, Southwestern graduates have learned how to grow, think and live. Those moving tributes and testaments prove that a Southwestern educational experience does not last for merely four years, but rather for a lifetime.

As I continue to listen to and learn from your meaningful stories, I invite you to share those transformative stories about Southwestern—not just to me, but also to others beyond our community. Bring Southwestern to life for your co-workers, friends and neighbors, especially those who are looking for an undergraduate experience that invites students to become their very best selves; an education focused on engaging minds and transforming lives.

I deeply appreciate all that each of you has done and continues to do for Southwestern. I am truly humbled to join you on what I hope will be an intellectually stimulating, meaningful and joyful journey as we look together to the future with wisdom and creativity. I sincerely believe that this can be our moment; that together we can make history at Southwestern and at the same time change the course of history in higher education as a whole.

Looking forward,

Edward Burger

academics in focus

Diving In

Students and faculty dive into the sciences in a whole new way through the HHMI-funded Southwestern Science Initiative.

Photography by Lance Holt

This summer, students and faculty worked together to study the dynamics of swimmers’ takeoffs as part of the SCOPE Undergraduate Research Program.

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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Diving In

Alex Hill ’13 (left) and Sophomore Amy Miller are among many students and recent graduates who participate in student-faculty collaborative research.

“The meaning of ‘knowing’ has shifted from being able to remember and repeat information to being able to find and use it.” — National Research Council, 2007

I

In general terms, this shift defines the student-centered method of teaching known as inquiry-based learning.

The National Science Education Standards defines scientific inquiry as “the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work.

Scientific inquiry also refers to the activities through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world.” (1) Southwestern is in the process of making this shift to a more inquiry-based curriculum by fundamentally changing the way we teach science, thanks to a $1.3 million grant the University received in 2012 from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

HHMI invited 215 undergraduate universities to apply for grants as part of its nationwide $50 million science education initiative. Of those, 187 schools submitted proposals, which were first narrowed down by peer-review then sent on for further review and discussion by a panel of distinguished scientists. Only 43 awards were made, of which Southwestern was one. “HHMI was very interested in awarding grants to institutions incubating new ideas; doing something innovative,” says Emily Niemeyer, professor of chemistry and Program Director of the HHMI-Southwestern Inquiry Initiative, which was established with funding from the grant.

“The Southwestern science and math faculty are outstanding teachers and scholars,” says Niemeyer, “but now we are thinking about how to teach students in a new way that is project based and empowers students to be active participants in the classroom and laboratory.” Because this is a four-year grant, implementation will be phased in gradually, with experts coming in regularly to train faculty on new pedagogical techniques and faculty determining what works best for their own students in the classroom and lab.

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The HHMI grant means big changes are in store—in fact, have already begun—for Southwestern science students as well. Niemeyer says the Southwestern summer research program—named SCOPE— has already doubled in size and will only continue to grow. “Fondren Jones Science Hall, the Olin building, the Robertson Center, and Mood-Bridwell Hall were all buzzing with activity this summer thanks to HHMI support.”

In the fall, every student who takes a science or math course will be exposed to something that is a result of the Inquiry Initiative.

For example, the entire first-semester General Chemistry lab has been revised and now centers around a student-designed research project analyzing water collected in the Georgetown area. Upperlevel science students taking courses such as Endocrinology, Organ Physiology, and Behavioral Neuroscience will be using clickers (electronic response systems) to create a more dynamic classroom environment and will be learning cooperatively through case studies and other group work activities. Overall, classrooms will be more interactive and student-centered, and laboratories will be projectbased with a focus on creating research-like experiences.

Several faculty members who participated in the pedagogical workshop in May are already incorporating some new techniques into their classrooms. For example, Kendall Richards, professor of mathematics, says that in the workshop he put together a set of “clicker-questions” that he is incorporating into his Calculus II course this fall. He explains that this approach unfolds as follows, “Students individually respond to a clicker-question. Then we view the distribution of the answers of the entire class (anonymously).

Then, students consult/collaborate with someone who answered differently, and we poll the class again to see how the distribution of responses changed (hopefully in the right direction).”

Richards adds, “The HHMI Inquiry Initiative appears to be taking hold and I appreciate the resources available to assist us. In my own teaching, I’m experiencing a little ‘learning by discovery’ when it comes to incorporating inquiry-based components into my classes.”

The Initiative is not a “program,” says Niemeyer, but a fundamental change to the way science is taught at Southwestern. “The overall goal is increased student success and knowledge, and changing our pedagogical approach to teaching.” And, she adds, "While the Initiative is student-centered, it is not faculty-absent by any means."

Professor of Psychology Fay Guarraci says she has worked on incorporating more interactive group activities in lieu of traditional lectures for her Behavioral Neuroscience course, which is heavily lecture based. The activities rely on the students working in groups, using the information they read for homework as well as information that is covered in class lectures, to complete the activities.

Meanwhile, the Inquiry Initiative is designed to create more wellrounded students in the sciences by increasing student engagement rather than just expecting them to memorize facts like all the amino acids, for example. “We want to create a space where students want to remain in the sciences, building community with one another, collaborating with other students and faculty, and developing deep critical thinking skills,” says Niemeyer.

One small way that’s happening already is through supplemental instruction sessions for introductory science courses. Upper-level students—called SCI Guides—who have been successful in a given course facilitate these weekly sessions and serve as mentors for enrolled students. Program Coordinator Jace Venters ’13 served as an SCI Guide last year for a pilot version of the program in General Chemistry and says the sessions are good models for active learning. “In these sessions, we build on previously learned material and connect ideas; the students take ownership of their education.” The SCI Guides help provide an additional academic support structure for students, allowing them to make connections not only with the course material but also with one another. The program has expanded this year and will include animal behavior, biology, chemistry and physics.

Inquiry-Based Origins The foundation for inquiry-based learning emerged from the K-12 sector in the 1980s; however, during the past decade, public schools have moved away from this type of curriculum toward standardized testing. As a result, Southwestern Provost Jim Hunt is enthusiastic about the approach at the collegiate level. “I find it very interesting and exciting that the concept of inquiry-based learning is taking hold at the college level, and that students who may not have experienced it during K-12 will have the opportunity to do so in their college years.”

Literature says inquiry-based learning is the one of the best ways to teach science, but according to Niemeyer, there are still not many colleges and universities doing it. At Southwestern, she says, “we have good faculty participation and buy-in across the entire Natural Sciences Division, and this pedagogical approach works well in conjunction with our upcoming new science center.” In fact, the Inquiry Initiative has already impacted how the building is being designed. For example, all introductory science labs will be clustered together on the first floor (rather than segmented by discipline), and the labs will be more dynamic. “Students have to plan in the lab,” says Niemeyer. “They need access to literature, places to work together and have discussions in small groups, and technology.” One example is the new chemistry lab—a classroom will be in the middle of the lab with movable tables and chairs, projectors to display data from students’ iPads, and white board areas to write.

“Ours is a model of what science actually is,” says Niemeyer. “It offers increased opportunities for one-on-one time with faculty, for research, and for building a tight-knit science community on campus. In short, it is a more unified science experience than you can find almost anywhere else in the state or country.” She hopes that Southwestern will become a national model for how science and math can be taught.

As a result of this curricular transformation, students are not working in isolation anymore; they are doing what scientists actually do—going to meetings, talking with one another and working together to tackle problems, creating research posters and making presentations. The end results are then shared with other students and faculty. “Thanks to the Inquiry Initiative,” says Niemeyer, “students are engaging in science in a more authentic way; courses are more student-centered and less instructor-focused.” Incoming and returning science student will see real differences.

“Ours is a model of what science actually is...

It offers increased opportunities for oneon-one time with faculty, for research, and for building a tight-knit science community on campus. In short, it is a more unified science experience than you can find almost anywhere else in the state or country.”

If you’re thinking the Inquiry Initiative sounds similar to what you read about Paideia in the spring 2013 issue of Southwestern, you’re right. While the overall goals of both are to help students take their place as global leaders, the approaches are different. Paideia is focused on a student-selected set of courses and experiences, whereas departments and programs involved in the Inquiry Initiative offer the same courses as before, but with a fundamental shift in the pedagogical nature of how they’re taught. Niemeyer says that while they are currently working in parallel, science courses will fit seamlessly within the Paideia course clusters.

For example, as a professor in the Paideia “Taking the Pulse on Global Health” cluster, Guarraci says that while her introductory Principles of Psychology class doesn’t include an inquiry based lab, she has designed assignments that "require the students to think about health from multiple perspectives and critically analyze what is known and hopefully draw conclusions about what should be done in the future.” In this way, Paideia and the Inquiry Initiative are similar. Associate Professor of Biology Maria Cuevas says, "In both programs, our students are taking an active role in learning— reflecting, making connections and critically thinking."

During the next three years, the faculty will perform assessments of grant activities, write annual reports, administer surveys, and HHMI will make site visits and look at program as a whole. Niemeyer says, “We are looking at student persistence in science (whether they remain in the sciences or not) and how it changes going forward.

Part of our success will be measured on outcomes like better test scores, focus group comments, interviews and end of course surveys that will be compared from semester to semester. These four years will form the foundation for the next grant.”

(1) “NSTA - National Science Teachers Association.” Scientific Inquiry & Education. NTSA Board of Directors, Oct. 2004. Web. 01 Aug. 2013.

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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Who’s

Creepin

Who?

Through his Twitter account, President Edward Burger (@ebb663) keeps his finger on the pulse of the liberal arts on campus and

around the world...all in 140 characters or less. Students keep an eye on our new president by sharing their Burger sightings on the SU ”Creepin’ on Pres. B.” Facebook page; but if you’re not on a social network, here’s your chance...

Photography by Lance Holt

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Southwestern Magazine

& T h e m o r n i n g o f J u l y 1 7 , ha l f - w a y i n to h i s th i r d w e e k i n o f f i c e , Ed Burger is not physically in his office. Rather, he is camped out in a conference room while the President’s Office is outfitted with a new desk—a handmade gift made from long leaf pine reclaimed from the Roy and Lillie Cullen Building. It is here where Southwestern’s new president shares his thoughts, philosophies and ideas about education, art, and effective failure, as well as some insights into his personality. f you followed along as Southwestern’s Presidential Search Committee interviewed Burger and other candidates, or if you’ve visited Burger’s presidential web page (http://www.southwestern.edu/president/), you know much of his professional background. And while you may have some insight into his sense of humor if you follow him on Twitter (@ebb663), you may not yet feel that you “know” Edward B. Burger, Ph.D. We’d like to change that.

Ideally, you will visit campus in the near future and will run into him—at Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Family Days, Parent Orientation, a play in Jones Theater or an athletic event in the Robertson Center—but if that’s not possible, our hope is that after reading this issue of Southwestern you will have a better sense of who the 15th president of Southwestern University is, inside and outside his office.

Known for his intellect, wit and energy, friends also say that Ed Burger is genuine, true to his word and a deep—sometimes out-ofthe-box—thinker. After having spent only a short amount of time with him, it is clear that he is a teacher scholar who is passionate about the liberal arts.

Quick to share a clever story, joke or anecdote, Burger is a mathematician by education and trade, and a natural-born problem solver. He is a consummate and perpetual teacher, an author, a risk taker and a lifelong learner. “I’m always the one asking a question. I don’t care if it sounds dumb or naive or basic, if it’s something that matters to me, I want to know the answer,” he says.

This time, however, it was Burger doing the answering. What we discovered was that he is someone who considers himself a work in progress. He says he “goes through life seeing everything as a learning opportunity” and is excited about the opportunities and ready for the challenges that lay ahead for himself and for Southwestern.

Q | Why Southwestern? You have a successful career already, in and out of the classroom; what spurred you to allow your name to go forward as a nominee for a college presidency?

I’ve known of Southwestern for a long time—that it’s a small, undergraduate, residential liberal arts institution doing interesting things. I’ve also known faculty here, but had never been on campus. In December 2012, I was driving from Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.) to Austin and decided to visit campus.

Driving down University Ave., all of a sudden I saw the Cullen Building and thought, “Oh my gosh, here we are.” Even though it was winter break and I was the only person on campus, I could feel

the potential energy. It was palpable. I knew this was an amazing, exciting, wonderful place and I was even more excited about my first interview. To me, coming to Southwestern is a homecoming.

Georgetown is the perfect combination of the Austin from my graduate school days, the Austin of today, and Williamstown.

People have asked why I’m going from being an academic to an administrator. I’m sensitive to the fact that this is a complex role— there are management, financial and structural issues, but all of that is to allow us to realize the mission of the institution—to offer a true transformative educational experience that will move individuals. I’m a mathematician, I write books and research articles, I prove new theorems and work with undergraduates to move the mathematical frontiers, and I’m looking forward to pursuing that here at Southwestern. I think of myself as an artist whose medium is education.

Edward Burger @ebb663 30 Jun Just moved into my new home @SouthwesternU & loving my dorm room. Can't wait to wake up tomorrow & #BeSouthwestern.

Q | Was there a turning point in your career? Did receiving the prestigious Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching play into it?

No, the turning point was when I started to develop a math course for humanities students, which led to a collaboration with Michael Starbird, a professor of mathematics and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor at The University of Texas at Austin. We wrote a text book together called The Heart of Mathematics: An invitation to effective thinking for humanities students who are required to or want to take math. It focuses on two things—to see that mathematics is made up of great ideas that stand at the same height as the ideas of philosophy and literature and art, and to focus on life lessons. These life lessons were so thought provoking, they led to our latest book, The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking. That was when I started realizing the importance of what I call the “20-year question”—20 years from today, what will my students still have with them from their experience with me? I know for 99 percent of them it’s not going to be the quadratic formula or calculus, so if that’s all I’m offering in my class, that’s an empty promise on the real potential of what education can deliver. That process was the turning point for me.

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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Q | You were an adviser connected with the CBS-TV show “NUMB3RS” — are you (in real life) “that guy?”

No, I’m much taller. Seriously, though, it’s kind of a sad story.

When the show came out I thought it was cool that they were using math to solve these cases; so I started watching it. I mean, what else would a mathematician do on Friday nights? Then, I was contacted

by CBS, Paramount, Texas Instruments and the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics; they wanted to create educational opportunities launched in connection with the show. So, because we got to see the story boards in advance, it kind of ruined the show for me and I never watched it again.

Edward Burger @ebb663 19 Aug “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” Sharing ice cream & laughs w/ some of the best faculty in the country. #I♥SU

Q | You’ve written and taught about the importance of failure. Can you share an example of when you failed and had success as a result?

Edward Burger @ebb663 1 Jul To my friends & new @SouthwesternU peeps—Thanks for all the love & support. Great Day One. 11:50 pm & leaving the office. #PirateLife4Me

Q | The Huffington Post called you a Game Changer in 2010 — how

The creation of my latest book, The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking, is an excellent example of the importance of failing—Michael Starbird and I wrote it five times before it was ready to publish. People tend to think of failing as a bad word, but we should think of failing as iteration, experimentation, and trying with the understanding that we won’t hit the mark the first time around. I think failing is very important. In fact, when I teach, 5 percent of my students’ final grade is based on the quality of their failure. Students have to fail effectively to get an “A” in my class, which basically means they have to take risks, to push themselves to the very edge of the envelope and see what happens. If it doesn’t go well, they learn something from it.

Failing as a point of destination is not what I’m trying to promote.

Rather, I want people to realize that failing is sometimes a critical, if not necessary, intermediate step to doing something really big.

Q | In what areas would Southwestern benefit by failing?

will you “change the game” at Southwestern?

The real change that I would love to see is how we can inspire the Southwestern community to refocus its efforts on what’s really important—engaging minds and transforming lives. Just in my very short tenure here, I’m already hearing stories from alumni and others about Southwestern; people tear up when they share these stories.

It’s clear that this is already a place of innovation; already a place that impacts the lives of students. The change I’d like to bring forth is an inspiration to innovate even further. I would love to tap into the potential of our human resources and inspire people to think even more imaginatively and to be even more intentional about that 20-year lesson; to think, “What am I going to offer?” We see that happening in Paideia. I want us all to engage and inspire students to take what they’re learning and apply it in a variety of different, imaginative ways; to take it beyond the confines of the classroom and beyond their disciplines. If we put thinking and creativity and innovation front and center in everything we do, we will move the needle on education and that will be game changing for education.

That’s what I want—for Southwestern to offer something so rich and powerful and valuable that not only will we see an influx and demand for the kind of student we want to attract to Southwestern, but also that other institutions around the country and even the world will look at us as a model for 21st century liberal arts education. Period. That’s the game changer.

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By realizing that it’s OK to try things even if they don’t quite work...especially if we learn from the failure. Worse is to not take a step because we’re frozen by the fear of “what if it doesn’t work?” I hope we will try things in the educational space. I want us to keep pushing until we learn where the breaking point is and what happens beyond it. That’s where the innovation really happens.

Q | People tie “that’s how we’ve always done it” to “tradition.” How do you face that battle?

The hardest thing that an individual or institution can do is to change. Change is hard, but it shouldn’t necessarily be scary. As we move forward, we’re not innovating in a vacuum but innovating with an understanding, appreciation and respect for the history of the institution. It’s not as if we want to erase history, but we have to embrace the traditions that fundamentally define Southwestern, learn from them and grow from there. Thoughtful, creative, smart and strategic innovation can be inspired by where Southwestern has been, is now, and is going. I’m delighted to hear how its always been done; if we can do it better we will, and if we can’t we won’t.

Q | Knowing that we live in a technology-infused society, how will you encourage students and alumni to gain the skills needed to compete in this tech-focused job market?

The liberal arts are all about creating new habits of living and thinking. We now find ourselves living in an age of obsolescence.

We must prepare students to engage in and lead a world that is constantly becoming obsolete. We can prepare students to think imaginatively, creatively, smartly, strategically, widely and thoughtfully by exposing them to the different lenses through which you can look at the world. We need to repurpose our focus on the true value of the liberal arts; to engage individuals to think using different templates of human thought and different collections of human ideas; and to help them realize that they can add their own voice to create, innovate and discover new frontiers.

Q | Why four years?

To offer a sustained experience where you’re practicing making up your own mind, creating yourself, finding your voice. Once you’ve practiced it for four years, the hope is that it’s part of who you are and that you can go out and use it. One’s education does not end when they get the diploma, it actually begins there.

Q | Should any specific class be required of all students?

No. I’m not a fan of heavy-handed requirements. My philosophy is that part of one’s education is making decisions; part of it is making mistakes. I made mistakes in crafting my own education and I look back on those mistakes now as important life lessons. I encourage students to explore and have a voice within their liberal arts experience; to be active players in their own educational experience. Will it always work? Absolutely not. Is that bad? Absolutely not.

Q | What are some of your personal lifelong learning experiences?

I go through life seeing everything as a learning opportunity.

Even meetings are learning opportunities. Everything around me informs my thinking and informs who I am. I consider myself a work in progress. That is the joy and quintessence of living. We can, by intent, change. This is a commitment I would love to see us foster and encourage throughout the Southwestern community.

Q | College presidents engage with students in a variety of ways. What might Southwestern students expect to see you doing or where might they run into you?

My hope is that they will see me in the classroom, during my office hours, in the Commons, Bishop’s Lounge or the Robertson Center. I’ve always lived within walking distance of campus. Now I actually live on campus, so my home is the campus; I will be here and be visible. In Cullen, in Prothro, in my tiny sliver of a faculty office in Mood-Bridwell. Students will see me in the library, the chapel, all over the place. It won’t be like, “It’s 9:30 and time for the president’s jog...let’s stand outside and watch him go by,” but I guarantee that I will be in the gym using the elliptical machine.

Edward Burger @ebb663 23 Aug Upper class move-in—That means Popsicles from the president w/Student Congress @SUStuCo friends. Come and get ‘em

Q | How do you see yourself engaging with the Georgetown community?

There’s a rich connection and tradition between Southwestern and Georgetown, and even beyond to Central Texas and the community of education as a whole. Locally, we offer an amazing gift to the community and we are blessed to be located in such a rich and welcoming place. I believe the University has shown that it is a concerned and thoughtful partner in thinking of what’s best for the greater community. It’s wonderful to have neighbors and to find ways for those neighbors to collaborate with each other. Southwestern will always be welcoming to the Georgetown community. I encourage and invite people to come to campus and hope that they will be inspired by the place and what it represents. I believe the rich educational and cultural opportunities we offer to the public are something our entire community takes pride in. I look forward to finding smart, thoughtful, creative ways to do more.

Q | Who has been a key figure in your life and how have they influenced or inspired you?

I may have to punt on this. There have been so many, not just one.

When I was given the National Teaching Award by the Mathematical Association of America in 2001, I gave a lecture titled “Creating a Meaningful Piece of the Human Mosaic.” I created a photo of myself made up of a mosaic of people who have influenced my life, including teachers, colleagues, family and friends. But to pick just one person, boy that’s tough. Certainly I could pick my father or mother, but it really is a mosaic of people. I have grown and evolved thanks to all of those individuals.

Q | What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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difference.”— Reinhold Niebuhr; “Lead, follow or get out of the way.”— Thomas Paine; “Buy low, sell high.”—my stock broker; and more recently, “Don’t mess with Texas.”— GSD&M advertising agency & Texas Department of Transportation.

Edward Burger @ebb663 Heading to the Commons for dinner with you, @SouthwesternU—please join me or invite me to join you! #BeSouthwestern

29 Aug

Q | What advice would you give to a first-year college student to make success more likely?

Don’t be afraid of failing, take risks and push yourself. Challenge your basic assumptions and beliefs, challenge who you believe you are. The undergraduate experience is a playground for exploration, so play. Be joyful about learning. Don’t focus on things that in the long run aren’t as important, such as “what’s my GPA?” Challenge yourself with courses that excite and interest and intrigue you, even if you feel that you might not have an aptitude for them. And engage— with the community, faculty, other students, people who have like minds and people who have differing values and opinions. Learn from them, explore with them, engage in your life.

Q | As a new president, what new insights did you gain by attending the Harvard President’s Institute?

Beyond the valuable discussions on executive leadership, management and governance, the most important elements of the seminar were the candid conversations and connections with presidents of academic institutions around the globe. Those new associations and potential partnerships will be invaluable as education evolves in this century.

Edward Burger @ebb663 15 Sep We’re more than 3 weeks into the semester–I’d love to hear about ur intellectual & creative triumphs (& learnable tragedies). #ShareWithMe!

Q | What do you expect from alumni?

My hope is that alumni will participate in the life of their alma mater. I’d love to work toward 100 percent participation, which can take on many different forms. First, there is sharing the Southwestern story and the alumna/us’ life-changing experience with friends, prospective students and parents, co-workers and others. Next, there is being a mentor to current students through internships or future programs that will bring alumni back to campus to offer their experience to enhance our students’ education. Finally, there is giving—generous contributions allow us to provide a transformational experience to deserving students. Keep in mind that even for students paying full tuition, the University is underwriting approximately 30 percent of the actual cost of their education. Ideally, alumni will participate in a variety of ways. Remember, when you give to Southwestern, you are adding value to your own SU degree.

Q | What was your reaction to Southwestern’s first football game in 63 years?

I was overwhelmed by and so proud of our student-athletes. They were brave, smart and gave it their all—representing Southwestern in the best possible light. I was honored to have a chance to congratulate and thank the team in the locker room after the historic game. Also, I was thrilled and heartened by the engagement of the Southwestern community as well as the greater Georgetown community. It really was a spectacular and energizing event.

Q | What is your preferred mode of interaction?

Edward Burger @ebb663 13 Sep Who’s joining me tonight to watch and support @SUPiratesWsoc at 7:00 pm? Should be a great game! #GoPirates & #BeSouthwestern!

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Southwestern Magazine

Everyone should follow me on Twitter (@ebb663), and all are welcome to email me at president@southwestern.edu and to call or stop by the President’s Office during my office hours.

www.sualumni.net/Homecoming2013

Come Be Southwestern at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2013!

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend is a Southwestern tradition all members of the University have enjoyed since 1909. To make Homecoming a special experience, The Association of Southwestern University Alumni has partnered with academic departments, student organizations, Pirate Athletics, alumni volunteers and the Georgetown community to bring you a robust schedule of activities. We hope your Homecoming experience will be memorable as you visit with friends and family.

Your lifelong Southwestern Experience continues.

Susan Peace Holley ’73 — Alumni Homecoming Chair Lucero Piña, Class of 2015 — Student Homecoming Chair

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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SCHEDULE Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2013

Registration Pre-registration Check-in Save time and money!

Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 l Library Exhibit: “Southwestern Football: The Tradition Continues” 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center, Lobby l SOS (Semester of Support) for New Teachers 8:30 a.m.

Julie Puett Howry Center By invitation only.

To RSVP by Oct. 25, email Sue Smith at smiths@southwestern.edu. l Jameson 5K Packet Pick-up 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Joe S. Mundy Hall, 2nd Floor (across the bridge)

Pre-registration is $5 per person and ends Friday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. (call 800-960-6363).

Children 6 years old and under do not need to pay a pre-registration fee.

Pre-registrations will not be accepted Oct. 26-31.

CHECK IN: Pre-registered attendees may present their email confirmation to University staff at the Pre-registration Check-in Station upon arrival to campus. Your weekend materials will be ready for you to simply pick-up.

l Pirate Golf Classic 11 a.m.

Teravista Golf Club, 4333 Teravista Club Dr., Round Rock

On-site Registration

l Golden Anniversary Luncheon and 50+ Society Induction Noon Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, McCombs Ballroom (2nd Floor) — 1963 Members free, 50+ Society and non-class members $18

On-site registration is $10 per person (see Information below).

If you choose to wait for on-site registration, we cannot guarantee tickets to events (where applicable, such as Class Reunion Parties and the Homecoming Picnic).

An on-site registration fee (if you did not pre-register) must be paid in order to enter the Homecoming Hospitality House.

Schedule Bring this schedule—and your best Southwestern gear—to campus Nov. 1–3. It will serve as your guide to the weekend. If you would like to see full descriptions of all events, view the mobile schedule at sualumni.net/HRW13.

Information

To register, visit www.southwestern.edu/athletics/athletics-pgc.php l Golden Anniversary and 50+ Society Reception 11:30 a.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, McCombs Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Members of the Class of 1963 are inducted into the 50+ Society (classes prior to 1962). l Pre-registration Check-in and On-site Registration 12–5:30 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Bishops Memorial Lounge l SOS (Semester of Support) for New Teachers Luncheon Noon Julie Puett Howry Center By invitation only.

To RSVP by Oct. 25, email Sue Smith at smiths@southwestern.edu. l Art Exhibit: “Art of the Pot +” 1–5 p.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, Fine Arts Gallery

Pre-registration Check-in and On-site Registration Fri. 12–5:30 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Bishops Memorial Lounge Homecoming Hospitality House Sat. 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Julie Puett Howry Center

NOTE: 21 and older only; wristband required to enter.

Resources

l Academic Reception: Social Sciences 1–1:45 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Bishops Memorial Lounge (Pre-register: Free)

The division of social sciences – economics and business, education, exercise and sports studies, political science, psychology, and sociology and anthropology. l Academic Reception: Natural Sciences featuring Student Research 2 p.m.

Fondren-Jones Science Center (Pre-register: Free)

The division of natural sciences – biology, chemistry and biochemistry, kinesiology, mathematics and computer science, and physics. Students will be showcasing their research; learn more about how Paideia and the HHMI-Southwestern Inquiry Initiative are transforming the sciences at Southwestern.

Child Care

Child care is being provided by “Nanny’s & Granny’s,” a licensed child care provider at “All Things Kids” located on the Georgetown Square. Hours and pricing can be found by visiting www.sualumni.net/HomecomingFamilyActivities.

Homecoming FAQs: www.sualumni.net/HRW13-FAQ Facility Hours: www.sualumni.net/HRW13-FacilityHours

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Southwestern Magazine

l Making Connections: Integrating Student Learning in the World 2 p.m.

Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning, Mabee Lobby and Dorothy Perry Atrium

President Edward Burger hosts a student works symposium showcasing integrated learning in the areas of civic engagement, intercultural learning and internship experiences.

l Academic Reception: Humanities 3–3:45 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Bishops Memorial Lounge (Pre-register: Free)

The division of humanities – classics, communication studies, English, history, modern languages and literatures, philosophy and religion. l Classes Without Quizzes — Southwestern History 3 p.m.

Locations vary, see below each description

Open to all. Lifelong learning is a vital part of the Southwestern Experience.

Enjoy learning about the history of the University.

“An Abridged History of the Root Colleges of Southwestern University” Presenter: Milton Jordan ’62 A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center, Prothro Room (2nd Floor) “GO FOR TWO! The Return of Southwestern University Football” Presenter: Merle Bertrand F.W. Olin Building, Room 111 l Cullen Tower Signing: Alumni Edition 3–5 p.m.

Roy and Lillie Cullen Building, 3rd Floor

Climb the narrow, spiral staircase to the Cullen Tower to sign your name on its historic stone walls with your gift of any amount to The Southwestern Fund. l Legacy Photo 4 p.m.

Lois Perkins Chapel, near the University Seal

Southwestern students and alumni who are related to other current students and/or alumni pose for a photo with fellow Legacy families.

l Academic Reception: Fine Arts 4–4:45 p.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Foyer (Pre-register: Free)

The Sarofim School of Fine Arts – art and art history, music and theatre. l Phi Delta Theta Open House 4–6 p.m.

Phi Delta Theta House l World War II Cemetery Tales — Tour of the Historic I.O.O.F. Cemetery 4-6 p.m.

701 Smith Creek Rd., Georgetown — $10 (Purchase tickets at

www.williamsonmuseum.org) l Class of 1953: 60th Reunion 4:30 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Lynda McCombs Room — $23 l Class of 1958: 55th Reunion 4:30 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Marsha McCombs Shields Room — $23 l Dinner in the Commons 5–6:30 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Commons

Pay for your meal at the Cashier’s station; $8.50 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. l Donor Recognition Event 5:30 p.m.

Williamson County Courthouse 710 S. Main St., Georgetown By invitation only.

Members of the 1840 and Brown Societies, President’s Council, G.O.L.D. President’s Council and Parent Leadership Gift Council welcome President Edward Burger into the Southwestern family.

l Women’s Soccer vs. Trinity University 6 p.m.

Soccer Field (northeast side of campus) l Exhibit: Football in Williamson County 6-9 p.m.

The Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown l First Friday on the Square 6-9 p.m.

Downtown Georgetown Square

Businesses located on the Square will stay open late for Homecoming visitors. l Homecoming Parade and Pirates Pep Rally 6:30 p.m.

Williamson County Courthouse, Main Street between 7th and 8th Streets, Georgetown

Parade Coordinators: Lucero Piña ’15 and Zoe Cordes Selbin ’16 Southwestern Pirates of all ages and local businesses participate in our annual parade. Pirates Pep Rally to immediately follow parade. l Women’s Volleyball vs. Hardin Simmons University 7 p.m.

Corbin J. Robertson Center, Robertson Court l Class of 1973 and Friends Dinner 7:30 p.m.

424 Champions Dr., Georgetown

Home of Chris ‘73 and Beverly Brown Harrison ‘75. RSVP to Chris at charrisonrun@yahoo.com. l Class of 1963: 50th Reunion 8 p.m.

Mood-Bridwell Hall, Mood Atrium and Patio — $28 l 1980s Decade Party on the Square 8 p.m.

Burger University, 119 W. 7th St., Georgetown — $15

Alumni from the 1980s are invited to gather at the old “Café on the Square” for a burger buffet. Cash bar will be available. l Men’s Soccer vs. Trinity University 8 p.m.

Soccer Field (northeast side of campus) l Friday Night Live–Homecoming Edition 10 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Bishops Memorial Lounge

Featuring Walker Lukens and the Sidearms – Walker Lukens ’09 and Kyle Hermes ’10 are band members.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 l Pre-registration Check-in and On-site Registration 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Bishops Memorial Lounge l 13th Annual Jameson 5K at Southwestern, Fun Run/Walk and 1-mile Campus Mosey 8 a.m.

Start/Finish line on Southwestern Blvd., next to Joe S. Mundy Hall

Check-in/Late registration begins at 6:30 a.m. Visit www.jameson5K.com to register.

CONTINUED FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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l Health Care Professionals Breakfast 8-9 a.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Lynda McCombs and Marsha McCombs Shields Rooms — $13

Homecoming attendees who work in the field of health care are invited to learn about the sciences at Southwestern and get a sneak peek of Brown Symposium XXXVI: Healing: The Art and Science of Medicine. l Alumni in Ministry Fellowship Breakfast 8-9 a.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, Caldwell-Carvey Foyer — $13.50

Open to all who serve in all areas of ministry for any religion or denomination.

Guest speakers Sarah Brackmann, SU’s director of civic engagement, and Madison Simmons ’14, will share their experiences with the Destination: Service program. l Parent Leadership Gift Council Meeting 8–11:30 a.m.

Roy and Lillie Cullen Building, Schrum Alumni Center

l Classes Without Quizzes—First-Year Seminar Program 10–10:50 a.m.

F.W. Olin Building, Various Classrooms

Enjoy being in the Southwestern classroom? See what faculty members are teaching and participate in discussions. For class offerings, visit the online schedule at www.sualumni.net/Homecoming2013. l First-Year Seminar Mini-Symposium 10:30–11:30 a.m.

A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center, 2nd Floor

The University’s First-Year Seminar program showcases the work of Southwestern students within their respective seminars. l Homecoming Picnic 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Roy H. Cullen Academic Mall — $12 adults, $6 children 12 and under, children 6 and under free

Connect with friends, family, classmates and other members of the Southwestern community over a plate of local barbeque – a Homecoming tradition since 1909!

By invitation only. l Tailgating 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex, Parking Lot, 2275 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown

Visit https://southwestern.prestosports.com/information/tailgating to review tailgating policies.

TAILGATE TENTS The Association of Southwestern University Alumni, including local associations Coalition for Diversity and Social Justice (The CDSJ includes Allies, EBONY, Kappa Delta Chi, Latinos Unidos, LGBTA, Pan-Asian, SU Advocates and SU Native) Class of 1963: 50th Reunion Phi Delta Theta

l An Hour with President Edward Burger 9 a.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, The Alma Thomas Theater

Edward Burger, the University’s 15th President, welcomes all members of the Southwestern community and offers reflections on education and lifelong learning. l Delta Zeta Alumnae Tea and Coffee Reception 9:30–11 a.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Connie McCombs McNab Room — $5 l Student Organization Fair 9:30–11 a.m.

Alumni and parents of current students are invited to visit with members of Southwestern’s wide array of student organizations. See full descriptions and locations for the groups by visiting the online schedule at www.sualumni.net/ Homecoming2013. l The Pirate Express – Shuttle Bus Service 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Campus Pick-up/Drop-off: Roy and Lillie Cullen Building Parking Lot on Soule Drive Stadium Pick-up/Drop-off: Parking Lot

Free shuttle service will run continuously between campus and the stadium. l Athletics Hall of Fame Committee Meeting 10 a.m.

Corbin J. Robertson Center, Randolph M. “Med” Medley Room By invitation only. l Swimming and Diving Alumni Gathering 10-10:30 a.m.

Corbin J. Robertson Center, Walzel Natatorium

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Southwestern Magazine

l Homecoming Hospitality House Open 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Homecoming Hospitality House, Julie Puett Howry Center

Alumni, friends, parents, faculty, staff and students are invited to drop by.

(Homecoming attendees ages 21+ will be admitted with a valid I.D. and wristband.) Bring your business card to make your entry a little quicker.

HOSPITALITY HOUSE RECEPTIONS 6:30 p.m. Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Gathering 7:30 p.m. Class of 2003 Post-Reunion Gathering 7:30 p.m. Class of 2013 Reception 8:30 p.m. Class of 2008 Post-Reunion Gathering l Homecoming Football Game vs. Austin College 1 p.m.

Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex, 2275 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown — $8

Ticket required. Stadium opens at 11:30 a.m. NOTE: No re-admittance without the purchase of another ticket. l Art Exhibit: “Art of the Pot +” 1–5 p.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, Fine Arts Gallery l Library Exhibit: “Southwestern Football: The Tradition Continues” 1–6 p.m.

A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center, Lobby l Classes Without Quizzes—Paideia 2–2:50 p.m.

F.W. Olin Building, Various Classrooms

Enjoy being in the Southwestern classroom? See what faculty members are teaching and participate in discussions. To learn more about each Paideia theme and see full descriptions of each session, visit the online schedule at www. sualumni.net/Homecoming2013.

PAIDEIA THEMES Representing Gender: Do We Know It When We See It? Taking the Pulse of Global Health Mediterranean Mingling: Diversity and Cultural Intercourse l The Therapy of Art: Collages, Vision Boards and Paintings 3–4:45 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Connie McCombs McNab Room — $6/person for materials

Open to all. Everyone deserves some time to relax and explore their creative self; this interactive opportunity is presented by the Office of Health and Counseling Services.

l Science of the Very Small: Helping to Understand the Universe 3–4:45 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Lynda McCombs Room — $6

Open to all. Reception to follow. Presentation by J. Wehrley Chapman ’60, 2013 Distinguished Professional Award recipient, on the development of the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator, which announced the discovery of a Higgs boson particle. l Women’s Volleyball vs. Concordia University 3:30 p.m.

Corbin J. Robertson Center, Robertson Court l Class of 2008: 5th Reunion Party 4 p.m.

San Gabriel Park, Pavilion J — $14 l Class of 1993: 20th Reunion Party 5 p.m.

Dorothy Manning Lord Residential Center, Community Room — $20 adults, $10 children 12 and under, children 5 and under free l Class of 2003: 10th Reunion Party 5–7 p.m.

Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning, Mabee Lobby Lobby and Dorothy Perry Atrium — $25 adults, $7 children 12 and under, children 5 and under free l Dinner in the Commons 5–6:30 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Commons

Pay for your meal at the Cashier’s station; $8.50 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. l Phi Delta Theta House Re-opening and Awards Ceremony 6 p.m.

Phi Delta Theta House

The brothers of Phi Delta Theta will be formally re-opening their renovated house and honoring members who have made significant contributions to the Texas Gamma chapter. A reception will follow the ceremony. l Women’s Volleyball vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor 6 p.m.

Corbin J. Robertson Center, Robertson Court l Class of 1983: 30th Reunion Party 6:30 p.m.

F.W. Olin Building, Lobby and Patio — $28 l Class of 1968: 45th Reunion Party 7–10 p.m.

San Gabriel House Bed & Breakfast, 1008 E. University Ave., Georgetown — $50 l Class of 1973: 40th Reunion Party 7 p.m.

Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning, Prothro Open Lounge (2nd Floor) — $35

l Homecoming Cup Dodgeball Tournament 7 p.m.

Corbin J. Robertson Center, Walzel Courts

Event Coordinator: Anne Bransford ’15 Watch student organizations compete in the last of three Homecoming Cup events of the weekend. Cheer for your favorite organization during their quest for the Cup! l Fountainwood Observatory Viewing featuring Yoga Under the Stars 8-10:30 p.m.

Fountainwood Observatory

RSVP required to yogaunderthestarsevent@gmail.com. Viewing with telescopes expected to begin at 8:45 p.m. l Cinematic Saturday — “Remember the Titans” 9:30 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, The Cove

Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 l Homecoming Brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Commons

Pay for your meal at the Cashier’s station; $9.75 for adults and $5.50 for children 12 and under. l Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

Lois Perkins Chapel

Music conducted by Professor of Music Kenneth Sheppard and performed by the Southwestern Singers and the University Chorale. The service includes the reading of the names of recently deceased alumni and community members. l The Association of Southwestern University Alumni Awards Presentation and Luncheon noon–2 p.m.

Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, McCombs Ballrooms — $25

The Association is proud to honor members of the Southwestern community for their personal and professional achievements: Kenda Jameson Evans ’92 — Distinguished Southwestern Service Mike Lade ’88 — Distinguished Humanitarian J. Wehrley Chapman ’60 — Distinguished Professional Steve Cotton ’77 — Distinguished Professional Susan Youens ’69 — Distinguished Professional Anne Olson ’08 — Distinguished Young Alumna Blair Quinius ’05 — Distinguished Young Alumnus Sherry Adrian, associate professor of education — Ms. Homecoming l Art Exhibit: “Art of the Pot +” 1–5 p.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, Fine Arts Gallery l Library Exhibit: “Southwestern Football: The Tradition Continues” 1–9 p.m.

A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library, Lobby

l Class of 1978: 35th Reunion Party 7 p.m.

Mood-Bridwell Hall, Atrium and Patio — $45 l Class of 1988: 25th Reunion Party 7 p.m.

The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, Caldwell-Carvey Foyer — $35 l Class of 1998: 15th Reunion Party 7 p.m.

Uptown Social, 501 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown — $14

SEE YOU THERE!

#BESOUTHWESTERN FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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Photo by Lance Holt

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Southwestern Magazine

alumni spotlight

Senior Stories If you ask 100 different people, “What is the Southwestern Experience?,“ you will get 100 different answers. While most students and alumni would tell you that Southwestern’s is a unified campus and that many of their classmates have become lifelong friends, the experience itself is clearly unique to each individual.

This past spring, 11 soon-to-be-alumni shared key points from their experiences, and offered advice for new students. Each story was unique— even their ”fantasy super powers,” which ranged from time travel to speaking any language to reading minds to making people laugh.

A sample is below; but, to read the full profiles of all 11 recent graduates and to find out what they’re doing now, visit www.southwestern. edu/seniorstories.

Q | In your opinion, what makes Southwestern special?

The relationships students can build with professors. Every teacher I had was accessible and approachable, whether we were discussing coursework or I was seeking personal advice. —Jenna Gaska ’13

Q | What do you know now that you didn’t know as a first-year?

I learned that when you’re comfortable with yourself and comfortable with the possibility of failure, it frees you up to tackle the challenges in front of you. —Patrick Flanigan ’13

Q | Best advice a professor gave you?

“You do you. It’s all you can do and all you can worry about, just let everyone else do them and it’ll all work out in the end.” —Brady Kent ’13

Q | Why did you choose SU?

Patrick Flanigan ’13 sees himself as a mad scientist and considering his biochemistry major, as well as all he was involved in at Southwestern, one can see why.

Patrick was an undergraduate researcher and chemistry tutor, a resident assistant, captain of the swim team, a healthcare volunteer, and a lifeguard … oh, and he spent a semester studying in Spain and was on the Dean’s List. This summer, Patrick did translational research in ophthalmology. He is now in a five-year medical school program at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner College of Medicine that focuses on training physician investigators.

I found out about Southwestern through a postcard I received and through Colleges That Change Lives. I wanted to go to a college strong in international studies with small class sizes and accessible professors—that’s Southwestern. —Colin Berr ’13

Q | What advice do you have for an incoming first-year?

If you think you know what you want to do, take classes outside of that; it might just change your path. I had never even heard of anthropology before I decided to take it for a social science credit; once I did, I was hooked! —Fehima Dawy ’13

Q | What’s your favorite memory of the University?

The Candlelight Christmas Service. It’s a wonderful service that moves me every year. The lights are turned off and the candles are lit and then the hall is filled with carols sung by the University Chorale. It’s magical.

—Anne Fenley ’13

Q | Best lesson learned at SU? I have learned how important time management is. It is really hard to be successful at SU without prioritizing your time and activities. This is a skill that I will be able to use for the rest of my life! — Rachel Thibodeau ’13

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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on campus

www.southwestern.edu/newsroom

Thinking Ahead Campaign Complete southwestern reaches $150 Million goal As of June 30, Southwestern completed its $150 million Thinking Ahead Campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in University history.

Publicly launched in spring 2006 with a goal of $125 million, the campaign was extended by the University’s Board of Trustees in 2011 and it’s goal raised to $150 million, which resulted in more than $8 million being raised for a new science center. (An additional $16 million is needed to complete the facility.)

Two anonymous $1 million gifts helped complete the campaign two years ahead of schedule. The donors wanted to complete the campaign early in honor of Jake B. Schrum ’68, Southwestern’s 14th president, upon his retirement from the University in June.

Funds raised through the Thinking Ahead Campaign have dramatically changed the face of Southwestern, both physically and academically. New buildings funded by the campaign include the Dorothy Manning Lord Residential Center, The Wilhelmina Cullen Admission Center and the Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning. In addition, several buildings were renovated, including The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, the historic Roy and Lillie Cullen Building, and the Moody-Shearn and Herman Brown Residence Halls.

Southwestern has also enhanced its athletics facilities with campaign funds. A new softball field and a baseball field house were built, lights and a new sound system were added to the soccer/lacrosse field, and several existing fields and locker rooms were renovated or enhanced.

The campaign raised more than $20 million to support student scholarships, and an additional $1 million was raised specifically for the Dixon Scholars Program, which provides scholarships for African American, Hispanic and Native American students. In addition, the campaign provided initial funding for 18 new faculty positions, as well as the creation of Paideia, a curriculum that has become integral to Southwestern’s educational experience.

Photo by Carlos Barron ’10

More than 6,000 Witness Return of Pirate Football The return of SU football saw a record turnout

for its first game in 63 years. More than 6,000 fans—an SCAC attendance record—crowded Birkelbach Field in Georgetown to watch the Pirates take on Texas Lutheran University on September 7.

In their first four weeks of play, Southwestern Pirates were named SCAC players of the week —wide receiver Colten Shea for Offensive Player of the Week (twice), and linebacker Tyler Frisby for Defensive Player of the Week.

For the remaining football schedule, go to www. sufootballreturns.com.

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Southwestern Magazine

“During silent week, a little Chinese girl came up to me. I couldn’t speak or even make eye contact, but I had my sketchbook so I started drawing and put the pencils where she could reach them.

She caught on quickly, and before you know it, I was surrounded by little girls, all coloring in parts of the drawing and adding to it. There was this amazing feeling of having no language barrier ... we were all just there, experiencing a moment of pure connection through art.

It was my favorite part of the whole trip.”

Living Like Monks By kim Dembrosky ’13 A year ago, I knew virtually nothing about China or Buddhism, but after taking “Art in China Since 1911,” with Dr. Allison Miller, assistant professor of art history, and a fellow student from China, Yinlin Dai, I fell in love with the culture.

In the spring, Dr. Miller told me about the Woodenfish Project, a program designed to allow students to live as the monastics do in an ancient Buddhist monastery in China.

I was accepted into the program and was privileged to be invited to live with Yinlin’s family for a week before it started.

The trip turned out to be even more of an adventure than I expected it to be! This was the first time in the history of China that any large group of foreigners has been allowed to stay in a Buddhist monastery (although the program has been going on in Taiwan for 12 years). We stayed in the Shenshou monastery in Wenzhou, China, where the monks and nuns welcomed us with open arms.

The Shenshou Monastery is about 1,400 years old and is surrounded by mountains.

Living like the monastics, we had to learn to get by without many of the comforts of home. We slept on wooden beds covered with bamboo mats; washed our own dishes and clothes by hand; and lived without TV, phones or computers (except for essential communication). It was as hot and muggy as Houston in August, but we had no air conditioning. Most days, we woke up at 5 a.m. and went to bed just before midnight, learning to fall asleep knowing that Buddhists don’t believe in killing anything, even spiders or cockroaches. But, our food was a vegetarian’s dream, and we spent each morning doing Tai Chi by a large Koi-pond and a beautiful pagoda.

We sometimes meditated eight hours a day—with sore backs and numb feet—and spent an entire week in silence, not even making eye contact. However, these hardships only made the experience that much deeper. It’s not a “tourist boot camp” after all; it is simply the same as the daily life of the people who live there. If anything, we had it much easier than them. Suddenly, I could see what is truly essential.

The people in China were just as thrilled to meet us as we were to meet them. In fact, several well-known artists, performers and designers flew in from Beijing to meet us.

Because we were pioneers in a sense, they decided to film a documentary about us.

It was interesting trying to meditate to the sounds of cameras clicking. The last few days, we went to Changsha, stopping at several monasteries along the way. We were given gifts, fed delicious meals, and generally treated like rock stars everywhere we went.

This journey has changed me—I feel the same, yet profoundly different. It’s not so much that I found myself, but that I remembered myself. I was able to step out of my life, and even out of my thoughts (through meditation), to see things as they actually are. I feel more present, more centered than ever before. I know the trip will have a lifechanging effect on my career as a professional artist. I am thankful for the preparation, guidance and support I received from my Southwestern art professors. Without it, I believe I would have missed the beauty and meaning of the journey, and may have never even taken the risk to go in the first place.

Dembrosky’s artwork on weather patterns was exhibited this summer at the Art.Science Gallery in Austin and at the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art in Dallas.

RECEIVING HIGH MARKS If you know someone who is (or whose child is) looking at colleges, they may have mentioned seeing Southwestern University in a variety of guidebooks, including: Southwestern

is among the colleges featured in Princeton Review’s college guide, The Best 378 Colleges—2014 Edition.

Washington Monthly ranked Southwestern #43 on its 2013 list of Top Liberal Arts Colleges, based on schools’ contributions to the public good.

Princeton Review rated SU #7 in the nation for Best Career Services.

Forbes magazine gave SU an “A” for financial health.

Forbes ranked Southwestern #94 in the U.S. on its list of schools with “Grateful Grads.”

The latest edition of College Prowler gives Southwestern an ”A+” in the area of Health and Safety.

Southwestern is one of the colleges included in an updated edition of the book Colleges That Change

Lives: 40 Schools That Will change the Way You Think About Colleges.

Southwestern

was included in the

2014 Guide to Military Friendly Schools, published by veteranowned Victory Media. Only 15 percent of schools nationwide are included in the guide.

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

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pirate athletics

www.southwesternpirates.com

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION

Basketball in Brazil One of 10 women chosen to compete with the USA DIII Basketball All-Star Team in Brazil this summer, senior Chelsea Leeder says she “wouldn’t have traded this experience for the world.”

After helping the Pirates to their most wins (19) since moving to NCAA Division III, she was named First-Team All-Region and earned the invitation to participate against top international competition, including members of the Brazil national team.

Southwestern Head Coach Kerri Pearson Brinkoeter ’95 says, “We couldn’t have had a better representative for Southwestern basketball. Playing with some of the top talent in the country will help her and benefit our team.”

After arriving in Brazil, the U.S. team practiced just twice before playing four games in four days against three of the best national pro teams in Brazil and a club team, finishing the series 2-2. Leeder says, “We played with international rules, which weren’t as difficult to adjust to as you might think; just different.” She also says the women on the Brazilian teams were “ridiculously tall and very fast; I didn’t guard anyone under 6-feet tall.”

Although the U.S. team was made up of players from across the country— from Hanover College to Kenyon 22

Southwestern Magazine

College; Concordia (MN) University to Southwestern—Leeder says the team “meshed as if we had been playing together for years; it was all about having fun and seeing if we could beat some of the best pro teams another country had to offer.”

Off the court, Leeder says the team visited Copacabana Beach and the Cristo Redentor—Christ the Redeemer—statue in Rio de Janeiro, where she says “you could see the whole city and the views were amazing!”

They also made time to visit the Children’s Cancer Hospital, and enjoyed seeing the smiles on the childrens’ faces when they gave them t-shirts. Leeder says one of the patients sang a song in Portuguese that brought she and her teammates to tears.

“It was such a humbling experience and really made me reflect on what we take for granted in the U.S.” Back on campus, while she completes her degree in psychology, Leeder’s basketball focus is, “New season. New team. One dream—a conference championship.” She says, “The trip to Brazil made me play outside of my comfort zone and showed me what I really am capable of. I hope this insight will help me help my team to accomplish our goals.”

The NCAA Division III Philosophy states, “Academics are the primary focus for Division III student-athletes,” which was evident at Southwestern during the most recent academic year.

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association recognized Karissa Speck ’13 for the second consecutive year as an All American Scholar. The criteria for selection are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named four Southwestern softball players All-America Scholar Athletes: sophomores Christina Crandall and Caroline Young, senior Karen Ramirez, and Abigail O’Connor ’13. The awards are given to players whose names are submitted by their coaches and who achieved a 3.50 GPA or higher.

Seniors Michael Cantu and Chase Kocher were included in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, which recognizes the talents and gifts that collegiate basketball student-athletes possess on the court and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom.

In addition, the Texas High School Coaches Association announced that 24 incoming Southwestern football players earned academic honors for their senior year, including Morgan Records and Rance Thorne, who earned First-Team honors. The student-athletes were required to have an overall grade point average of 92 (of 100) or above and be of good moral character.

Doing Well By Doing Good At a rate twice the national average, Southwestern students give more than 47,000 service hours annually to more than 100 local nonprofits and agencies. Shepherded by Head Soccer Coach Don “Gregs” Gregory, many of those students are scholar-athletes who have a heart for helping kids in the Georgetown community.

“It all started back in 1994,” says Gregory, “when local high school athletes created The Locker, a program within Georgetown ISD focused on providing basic necessities for local ‘children in need.’”

Gregs’ first Paideia class focused on social responsibility and wanted to find

a way to help the community. Through his connection to the executive director and board chair of The Locker, he was able to help Southwestern students get involved.

Gregs and his “little group” of philanthropists, as he likes to call them, recently organized a second annual donation drive for The Locker. The group has helped the community in other ways as well, collecting thousands of dollars in food donations for The Caring Place, mentoring local elementary students and more.

To learn more, contact Coach Gregory at gregoryd@southwesern.edu.

Photo by Megan Hardin

Mallon Field House Dedication On August 30, the Coach Jim Mallon Baseball Field House was dedicated at Southwestern. In attendance were the late Coach Mallon’s family and friends, Southwestern baseball players past and present, and Southwestern faculty, staff and other students.

Glada Munt, associate vice president and director of athletics, welcomed the crowd and introduced speakers President Ed Burger, Baseball Coach R.J. Thomas, Pat Leonard ’90, Tyler Poi ’13 and Jarret Mallon—Coach

Mallon’s son—who read the plaque that has been installed outside the door of the field house.

In part, the plaque reads, “This field house is dedicated to the memory of Coach Jim Mallon, one of the most successful coaches in the history of Southwestern University athletics.”

Thomas, Burger, Munt and Mallon, along with Coach Mallon’s wife, Jane, then participated in the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

THE PIRATE & THE MOUSE Sophomore softball player, Kelsey Kingston, has a dream of working for The Walt Disney Company, and is currently interning at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. She says, “I have been here for 3 months and it’s just amazing. I work custodial for the most part at the yacht and beach club but I’m also in food and beverage as a hostess at a restaurant here at the yacht and beach club. I’m also taking on leadership roles; I’m a trainer for the yacht and beach club, teaching water art, which we do on the sidewalks to entertain guests. It’s been a great opportunity to not only expand my work experience but also make business connections with managers around the resort, they love helping us get our foot in the door. It’s hard seeing my friends go back to school without me; I feel like I’m missing out, but it’s good for me to be here.

Practicing for softball season in the spring and staying in shape has been a challenge. Fortunately, Orlando is a big city and I was lucky to find a man who owns a softball facility and he’s helped me a lot.

As a business minor, I feel like when I get back to Southwestern, I will have learned a lot about what it takes to run a big corporation.

It has benefitted me greatly by coming here.”

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

23

REUNION YEAR

class notes

The Original Social Network Share your accomplishments, achievements and life milestones with friends and classmates! Class Notes on SUAlumnni.net are timely, searchable by city or category, exclusive to the SUAlumni.net community and connected to individual member profiles. Visit www.sualumni.net, select “Connect” from the main menu, then “Class Notes.” You can also email your Class Note to alumni@southwestern.edu. Either way, Be Southwestern by being in touch!

1955 Ann Truog Hardy, Colleyville, had her artwork

displayed at the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center in Graham, as well as at Keller City Hall and at The Palace in Grapevine.

1964

1956

Ernesto “Ernie” Nieto, Kyle, was the recipient

The Rev. Gene Powell Baker, Addison, received

a lifetime membership in the C.G. Jung Society of North Texas and is the librarian for the Jung Collection at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas. As a retired minister, Gene guest preaches at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas. His family welcomed their first great-grandchild in March.

1959 Charlene Hanson Jordon, Elgin, is the author

of Whispers in the Church: Swedish Witch Hunt, 1672, based on her family’s history and involvement in the Swedish witch trials. It addresses the “dangerous effects of an imbalance of power between church and state.”

1961 William Seale Jr., Jasper, see The Rev. Milton Jordan Jr. ’62.

1962 The Rev. Milton Jordan Jr., Georgetown, and

co-author Dan Utley, won the Ottis Lock Award from

24

the East Texas Historical Society in Nacogdoches for their book, Just Between Us: Stories and Memories of the Texas Pines. William Seale Jr. ’61 was a contributor to the book.

Southwestern Magazine

in higher education. Southwestern’s 14th president is now serving as the 21st president of Emory and Henry College.

1969 Bob Dupuy, Dallas, has joined the Texas Methodist

of the George I. Sánchez Memorial Award from the National Education Association. The award is presented to nominees whose activities in Hispanic affairs significantly impact education and equal opportunities for Hispanics.

Ben Aderholt, Houston, has been named to the

Board of Editors of the “Texas Bar Journal.” He has been a member of Looper, Reed & McGraw P.C. since 2002, where his primary focus is commercial transactions and litigation in the construction industry. Ben was the Director of the State Bar of Texas 1992-95, President of the Houston Bar Association 1991-92, and former chair of the Houston Mayor’s International Affairs and Development Council-Americas. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston College of Business. Ben is a former Southwestern University Trustee and served as President of the Alumni Association 1978-1980.

1968

Foundation (TMF) as the General Counsel and Vice President of Charitable Services. Prior to taking these positions, Bob served on the TMF board of directors (since 2003) and was board chair in 2009 and 2010.

He will continue in an advisory role as senior counsel of Husch Blackwell LLP (formerly Brown McCarroll LLP in Texas) in the firm’s Dallas office.

1970 The Rev. Dr. Jim Bankston, Manvel, was the

featured speaker at the “Breaking the Silence” event at the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Jim recently retired as the senior pastor of St. Paul’s UMC in Houston. A founding member of “Breaking the Silence” he continues to work for full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. His 40+ years of dedication are filled with testaments to his deep love of God and all of God’s creation, as well as his remarkable pastoral and leadership abilities.

1971

Jake Schrum, Emory, Va., was presented the

Leonard Hoffman, Dallas, was selected for the D

Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The award is the highest honor for individuals who have served CASE in the field of institutional advancement

Magazine list of “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for real estate law. The publication was released in May 2013 after a citywide search for the best in the legal profession based on reputation and legal excellence. Nominations

’73

Faithful

Mike Rossman ’73,

Georgetown, retired in May from Southwestern’s Office of Admission after more than 40 years of service—but not before he made sure they would “make the class.”

Leaving Southwestern was not an easy transition for Mike. He says, “Southwestern has been my home for a long time.” Earlier this year, Mike received Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Texas Association of College Admission Counseling, established in 1987 to “recognize inspired leadership and extraordinary service to students in the college admission process.”

Society at Seattle Pacific University in March 2013. He is currently the supply pastor at First United Methodist Church in Lone Star. Richard's daughter, Hannah, was in Belgium this summer as part of the Rotary Short Term Youth Exchange.

1991 Lisa Dreishmire, Chicago, Ill. became the Assistant

General Counsel for the Board of Education of the City of Chicago in January 2013. She loves her job and the opportunity to give back through public service.

Scott Thumma, West Hartford, Conn., has

written two books, The Other 80 Percent: Turning Your Church’s Spectators into Active Participants (with co-author Warren Bird); and Gay Religion: Innovation and Continuity in American Religion (with co-author Edward Gray).

James Venhaus, Fort Worth, see Mindy Griffin ’07.

1992 David Robinson, Carrollton, is Managing Director

Leigh-Anne Horton Voigt, Sammamish, Wa.,

were reviewed by the magazine’s editors and a panel of local lawyers to determine the final list. Leonard recently joined Wilson Elser, a national law firm with more than 800 lawyers in 25 cities in the U.S. and Europe. Wilson Elser is in the top 50 of the National Law Journal 250 and Am Law 200.

1973

is celebrating a decade of working for Microsoft in beautiful Seattle. She is happy to serve as an officer for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of The Association of Southwestern University Alumni. Leigh-Anne says her 12-year-old is growing fast and her 17-yr-old just got his driver license—“scary!”

1987

Robert Jackson, Austin, has written a second book,

Joel Laurin, Phoenix, Ariz., received his doctorate

Highway Under the Hudson: A History of the Holland Tunnel (NYU Press, 2011), which was named to Choice magazine’s Outstanding Academic Title list for 2013.

Choice is the monthly magazine of the Association for College & Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. The book is now available for purchase from NYUPress, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, among others.

in educational leadership and administration from Arizona State University in May 2013. His study, “Not Separate, but Not Quite Equal: Undocumented High School Students, Dual Enrollment, Non-Resident College Tuition and the Dream of a College Education,” focused on the effects that laws such as Arizona’s Prop 300 have on undocumented high school students (DREAMers) as they seek accelerated learning options through dual or concurrent enrollment at community colleges in Arizona.

Currently, Joel is the Special Projects Director for the Creighton Elementary School District in central Phoenix.

1979 Shirley Tatum, Stillwater, Okla., began work as

research and instruction librarian at Langston University in August 2012, and became the head of public services for the university’s libraries in June 2013.

1981 Renee Hartman Gibbs, Georgetown, has launched

a new product—a low-profile belt with a flat buckle, designed to be undetectable when worn under fitted tops. It is is listed on Amazon.com in the clothing and accessories category. http://hartwares.com/.

Carol Welder, Austin, was presented with the Barbara Williams Leadership Award by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in March 2013. The award “recognizes a female volunteer who, through her leadership and example, has encouraged and inspired others to become volunteers and assume leadership roles at the community, section and/or national levels of the [USTA].” Carol was recognized for her outstanding contribution to helping grow tennis at the local level.

1983 Richard Heyduck, Pittsburg, presented a paper,

“Preaching Holiness Using a Centered-Set Model,” at the annual meeting of the Wesleyan Theological

’81

of Studio at Kirkpatrick Architecture Studio, where he manages the technical staff and directs the design process of each project as well as document production.

He joined the firm in 2004 as a project manager and has since been a project architect on an increasing number of projects. With more than 15 years of commercial architecture experience, he is largely responsible for the firm’s regional growth into Oklahoma. David earned his Master of Architecture degree at Texas A&M University and is a LEED Accredited Professional. While he has designed a myriad of municipal buildings, his primary focus in recent years has been fire station design and sustainable architecture.

1994 Ajay Thomas, Austin, was appointed to the Texas

Business Leadership Council, a nonprofit corporation that provides public policy research and recommendations to Texas’s elected leadership. Ajay is the managing director of Robert W. Baird & Co, an employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, asset management and private equity firm.

Lockett Leadership Society

Active members of the Southwestern community for more than three decades, Steve and Joan Graham Lufburrow, both ’81, came to Southwestern as high school sweethearts. While in college, they were involved in Greek life—Steve a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Joan a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Steve and Joan have been instrumental in the development of The Association of Southwestern University Alumni, serving on the Alumni Self-Study Implementation Steering Committee (2002–2003) and the Local Association Task Force (2002-2005). They also represented their Greek organizations on the Task Force for the Enhancement of Greek Life in 2010. Currently, they are co-presidents of The Houston Association of Southwestern University Alumni and represent 2,600 alumni on the Alumni Assembly. Since graduating, Steve has twice been recognized by Southwestern. In 1991, he received the All Around Service Award from Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and in 1992, he was honored with the University’s prestigious Citation of Merit award. Steve and Joan say, “We continue to be proud of our University and are pleased we can give back through our involvement as volunteers. We both believe that since we received our education from Southwestern that it’s our obligation to continue our experience as committed volunteers. We also strive to be positive examples of the outstanding liberal arts education that we received and we are honored to serve.” Steve is the president and CEO for Goodwill Industries of Houston. Joan is retired from her role as director of welcoming ministry for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

The Lockett Leadership Society recognizes alumni who serve Southwestern University and share the spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by McKenzie College alumnus and former Southwestern Trustee, Melville B. Lockett. The Locket Leadership Society was established Jan. 29, 2011.

FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

25

1998 Jamie Brinkley Canter, Pflugerville, graduated

with a Masters of Arts degree in missiology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth on May 10, 2013, and plans to serve in the Austin area teaching women and writing Bible studies. She currently leads the children’s ministry at Crosswalk Church in Round Rock, and assists with Friendship International, an outreach to international women and men at First Baptist Church of Round Rock.

BIRTH: Shane and Jaime Raynor Fordham, Cedar Park, a daughter, Natalie Grace, April 30, 2013.

1999 Josh Bowlin, Houston, has been named to the Texas

’95

Let’s Face It...It Is Rocket Science Andy Welch ’95, Chandler, Ariz., is Principal Electrical Engineer at Orbital Sciences, where he has worked for more than 10 years. For the past four, he has worked with a team of engineers to design, test and operate the electrical systems and ground support of the Antares Rocket, which is designed to take cargo to the international space station. Andy explains, “Now that the Space Shuttles are retired, NASA does not have an existing vehicle for delivery of crew or cargo to the space station. Orbital Sciences is one of two commercial companies now providing cargo delivery for NASA. The recent launch of Antares from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia was just a test flight designed to put a test payload into orbit, but the next launch will go to the space station.” The company will launch eight additional cargo delivery rockets in the next few years. Review progress milestones for the Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft at: http:// www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/. For additional information, visit NASA’s page at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ wallops/missions/antares.html.

1995

1997

Mollie O’Hara Butler, Austin, was profiled in the

Genevieve Durham DeCesaro, Lubbock, has

February edition of the “Westlake Picayune.” She is an independent consultant to nonprofit organizations involved in major fundraising campaigns. Mollie has also served as a volunteer for The Junior League of Austin for many years and is a board member of the Eanes Education Foundation and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She and her husband, Steve ’96, a real estate attorney and partner at Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody, have two sons.

been elected Director of the South Central Region of the American College Dance Festival Association, a position she will hold through 2015.

Spencer Herrera, Las Cruces, N.M., teaches at

New Mexico State University in Las Cruces where he is Associate Professor of Spanish. His areas of research and teaching are Chicano/a literature, studies and film.

Herrera’s forthcoming book is Sagrado: A Photopoetics Across the Chicano Homeland (University of New Mexico Press, October 2013).

1996 Steve Butler, Austin, see Mollie O’Hara Butler ‘95.

26

Southwestern Magazine

Rising Stars list of top up-and-coming attorneys in Texas for 2013. Josh is a shareholder in the commercial litigation practice at Houston-based law firm Chamberlain Hardlicka. Part of the national Super Lawyers rating service, Texas Rising Stars recognizes the best attorneys age 40 or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state receive this honor. Selections for the Texas Rising Stars rankings are made through a multi-phased process that includes peer nominations, independent research evaluations of the candidates and peer evaluations.

Summer Barnett-Kinard, Durham, N.C., earned

a Master of Divinity degree in 2003 and a Master of Theology in 2005, both from Duke Divinity School. She has written a novel titled Can’t Buy Me Love (Light Messages Publishers, June 2013), which hit the best seller charts on Amazon.com in the Contemporary Women’s Fiction (#4), General Fiction (#12) and paid Kindle books (Top 50) categories at the end of July.

BIRTH: Mark and Jennifer Fite Brimberry, Round Rock, a daughter, Elizabeth Hazel, August 2012.

2000

Bridget Goosby, Lincoln, Nebr., was recently

Arianna Chavez Lay, San Antonio, completed the

granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Alamo Colleges - San Antonio College selective yearlong Leadership Academy in May. She received one of five Leader of Leader awards presented to the top 10 percent of participants for outstanding leadership qualities of commitment, courage, vision, collaboration and proactive attitude. Arianna has accepted the position of Director of Advising and Student Support Services for the Center for Academic Transitions at Palo Alto College.

Meghana Nayak, Brooklyn, N.Y., is an associate

professor of political science at Pace University. In a collaboration with other political science professors at Pace, she is a co-author of a book titled Occupying Political Science: The Occupy Wall Street Movement from New York to the World, a collection of critical essays which takes an “unconventional look at the Occupy Wall Street movement through concepts found in the field of political science.”

BIRTH: Doug and Tamara King Safarik, Santa Fe, N.M., twins, Andrew and Zachary, Dec. 20, 2012.

Heather Reynolds, Seabrook, began a new job as

Senior Internal Auditor at Furmanite Inc. in Houston.

BIRTH: Kathryn Pursch Cornforth and Carolyn Cornforth, Seattle, Wash., a son, Robert Shawn, Feb. 15, 2012.

2001 Andrew Francisco, Austin, is the executive chef at

Mettle East Austin Bistro, and “[brings] to the team a passion for refined food with a touch of whimsy, international influences, and solid experience in nationally and locally acclaimed restaurants.” Andrew and wife, Katie Foshee Francisco, have three children.

Alan Suderman, Rockville, Md., has joined the

Center for Public Integrity, an investigative journalism nonprofit, as a reporter focusing on state-level political money coverage.

2002 Stephanie Braccini, St. Louis, Mo., is the Zoological

Manager of Great Apes at the Saint Louis Zoo, the largest free-admission zoo in the country. Her work centers around behavioral observation in order to give the apes the optimal living environment. She spends her days interacting with each primate and researching ways to improve their experiences with each other.

After graduating from Southwestern, Stephanie went on to earn her master’s degree from California State University-San Marcos and her Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She returned to the Southwestern campus in April to give a talk in conjunction with the 2013 Shilling Lecture, featuring Jane Goodall.

Jenny Carlson, Austin, was recently awarded one

of 20 national Mellon-Council for European Studies Dissertation Completion Fellowships for 2013-2014.

Jenny was an international studies major with a concentration on Europe and a disciplinary focus in political science, as well as a religion minor. She is now a Ph.D.

’98

candidate in anthropology at The University of Texas at Austin. Her current work revisits the traditional village of European ethnology as a prototype of Europe’s clean energy future, where rural spaces are key nodes in the production of energy and the reproduction of social life. In particular, she seeks to present an account of life in a region of Germany virtually unknown to North American anthropology, with an eye to the ways in which a community considered to be ethnic or traditional recombines itself in tandem with new arrivals and new technology.

Foundation’s vision and goals. She has also been named President-elect for The Junior League of Baltimore Inc. BIRTH: Steve and Sharon Wilson Smith, Temple, a daughter, Arminda Zane, Oct. 26, 2012.

2004 Scott Rocher, Atlanta, see Blithe Casterline Rocher ’05.

2005

Dr. Robert “Jay” Widmer, Rochester, Minn.,

earned his M.D./Ph.D. in cardiovascular physiology from Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center in 2009. He has completed his internal medicine residency and is working through his fellowship in cardiovascular diseases as a Clinical Investigator at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

BIRTH: Lloyd and Elizabeth Dodd Conaway, Houston, a daughter, Margaret Grace, Feb. 28, 2013.

2003

Coty Maypole Keenan, Italy, graduated in

December 2007 from The University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH) in Houston with a Master of Public Health degree in environmental sciences with a concentration in industrial hygiene. In December 2012, Coty graduated with her Ph.D. in environmental sciences (minors in epidemiology and biostatistics) from UTSPH. She received full funding for both graduate degrees from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the National Institutes of Health Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences.

Yesenia Garcia, Austin, is now the Any Given

Blithe Casterline Rocher, Atlanta, is working as

Child Creative Learning Coordinator with the Austin Independent School District.

a post-doctoral fellow at Emory University. She and her husband, Scott ‘04, have relocated to Atlanta.

Susannah Prucka, Baltimore, Md., was named a

Lynn Tarkington, Houston, is a postdoctoral fellow

trustee for the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation Board where she will serve a four-year term. In her service as one of 11 members, Susannah is responsible for helping to manage resources, ensure adequate resources and monitor programs and services for consistency with the

at The University of Texas at Austin in the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Departments.

MARRIAGE: Coty Maypole to Sergeant First Class John Keenan on June 22, living in Italy; Lynn Tarkington to Edward Foster on April 20, 2013, living in Austin.

BIRTH: Jared and Grace Josey Pyka, Georgetown, a son, Auburn Matthew, Feb. 13, 2013.

Professional Pirates

2006

Cary Laudadio ’98 and Ellen Stewart ’93

served as officers for The Greater Austin Association of Southwestern University Alumni from 2006–2008.

Their Southwestern connection linked them professionally and fostered Cary’s vision for an Austin networking group. In 2009, Austin Business Link came to fruition and Ellen joined as an inaugural member. Austin Business Link members include Cary, Ellen, Jenny Ross Laudadio ’00, Patrick Johnson ’98, Ben Morton (son of Merriman Morton ’63) and other Austin professionals who meet monthly to develop business connections around Central Texas. Cary formed Austin Business Link to bring together trusted professionals and aid in the growth of each member’s business and says, “Each member of our group comes from a different profession, and is an expert in their respective field. We meet monthly in a low-key environment to share information among reliable colleagues and make connections. Now, four years from its start, some members attribute up to 30-40 percent of their business growth to connections made through Austin Business Link.” As part of a recent marketing and development push, Austin Business Link launched a website, created a LinkedIn group and is formulating social media strategies. “We hope to extend our reach beyond our monthly meetings. Through utilization of the LinkedIn group we are looking to foster relationships, gain connections and share knowledge in the digital space as well,” notes Jenny. Ellen adds, “This is an exciting time for Austin Business Link. We made a significant push to grow the group yet have maintained the exceptional quality of leads shared among the group members.” For additional information on Austin Business Link, visit www.austinbusinesslink.org.

Robert Cates, Rochester, Minn., graduated from

medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in May. He was accepted into the Mayo Clinic’s orthopedic surgery residency program and started his residency on July 1 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. His wife, Rebecca F. Sanders ’08, works as a labor and delivery nurse.

Lindsay McKenna, Austin, see Mindy Griffin ‘07.

Ty Ragland, New York, N.Y., accepted a position

with Ralph Lauren in New York City as Director, Fair Employment Practice.

Morgan Stewart, Mansfield, earned her master’s

degree in science education with an emphasis in environmental education from Texas Christian University (TCU) in December 2012. She presented her original research/thesis on using schoolyard gardens to increase academic concepts in elementary English language FALL 2013 www.southwestern.edu

27

Danny Jacob, San Antonio, is a chef for Brasserie 19,

where he began on a salad station in 2011, advancing to sous chef after three months and, as of January 2013, is now running the kitchen. After graduating from Southwestern, Danny worked in a restaurant and traveled to Morocco to open a Mexican restaurant. He then attended the University of Houston where he earned a master’s degree.

GIVING

Michael Maine, Seattle, Wash., sends his heart-

felt appreciation for the support he received during his time at Bainbridge Graduate Institute, where he earned an M.B.A. in sustainable systems. He was chosen to deliver the commencement speech on behalf of the Cohort 10, 2-year graduates. His speech can be viewed, along with those of the other speakers, including Greg Steltenpohl, founder and former CEO of Odwalla Inc., at http://michaelbmaine.com/home/2013/6/14/bgicommencement-speeches. Michael looks forward to reconnecting with fellow SU alumni as he emerges from the deluge of homework, projects and papers.

Alex McPhail, Houston, is the manager and

co-owner of Moon Dog Farms, a Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) fruit orchard and vegetable farm. Casey McAuliffe ‘08 is a farmer, marketing manager and co-owner of Moon Dog Farms. CNG means that synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones or genetically modified organisms are never used. To learn more about the farm visit http://moondogfarms. com/whoweare/.

D

Kelsey Erin Shipman, Austin, accomplished poet

During this time of transition, alumni have the opportunity to show their care and concern for the future of Southwestern by making a gift to welcome our 15th president, Dr. Edward Burger. Thanks to a generous gift from an alumni couple, gifts from Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD alumni) will be matched dollar-for-dollar while funds are available.

I invite you to join me in making a gift in honor of President Burger to welcome him and to show our commitment to the University, to the Southwestern Experience and to the students of today and tomorrow.

and Writer-In-Residence at the Katherine Anne Porter House has unveiled her first album, a jazz-funk, spokenword fusion which was two years in the making and funded through Kickstarter. Her self-titled album was released at the end of July.

MARRIAGE: Stevie Garza to Jameson Otto on March 10, 2013, living in Ashburn, Va.

2008 Dr. Bob Karr ’71 To make a gift, visit www.southwestern.edu/makeagift

Every Gift Matters! learners at the international Association for Science Teacher Education conference. Morgan is an English as a Second Language teacher with Midlothian Independent School District and has been accepted into the doctoral program at TCU, where she will resume her coursework working on her Ph.D. in science education.

MARRIAGES: Robert Cates to Rebecca F. Sanders ’08 on June 8, 2013, living in Rochester, Minn.; Ty Ragland to Allison Reid ’08 on June 1, 2013, living in New York, N.Y.

28

Southwestern Magazine

2007 Mindy Griffin, Austin, was producer and props

manager for “The Happy Couple,” a play written by James Venhaus ‘91. It is a story about “what happens when circumstances force people to face the reality of their situations.” The play was presented in May by Last Act Theatre Company in Austin. One of the actors was Lindsay McKenna ‘06.

Aaron Blair, Houston, was named Editor-in-Chief of

the Houston Business and Tax Journal at the University of Houston Law Center. He was also named President of the Federalist Society chapter at the law center.

Casey McAuliffe, Austin, see Alex McPhail ’07.

Rebecca Sanders, Rochester, Minn., see Robert Cates ’06.

MARRIAGES: Robert Cates ’06 to Rebecca Sanders on June 8, 2013, living in Rochester, Minn.; Ty Ragland ’06 to Allison Reid on June 1, 2013, living in New York City, N.Y.; Laura Talbert to Roger Clark on March 16, 2013, living in San Marcos.

2009 Brennan Peel, Houston, see Avery Sheppard ’10.

the UH Creative Writing program, and Avery’s fiancée Sarah Cromwell ’10, a Teach for America–Houston alumna and current fourth-grade teacher.

Jennifer Tindle, Austin, received the prestigious

Joshua Spencer, Warrenton, South Africa, is serving

2010

2012 Elijah Sells Award for her outstanding performance on the CPA examination. More than 92,000 candidates sat for the exam in 2012; Jennifer was of the select few to be recognized nationwide. She is an experienced associate at Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, where she performs audits and reviews procedures for large public companies. Jennifer says, “Southwestern prepared me for my career by enabling me to work with diverse perspectives and by instilling in me that I love to learn.”

Kaitlyn Dennis, Minneapolis, Minn., is a J.D. candi-

Matt Trawick, Houston, was elected president of the

date at the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis, where she is a member of the Minnesota Law Review.

Student Bar Association at the University of Houston Law Center in March.

in the Peace Corps. He and friend, Rowan Ferreira, have created the Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES) at Mogomotsi High School in Northern Cape. YES teaches the basics of economics, business management, marketing, finance and other entrepreneurial elements.

2011

Paloma Mayorga, Cedar Park, had her first solo art

exhibit, “Organic Tendencies,” from April 13 - June 29 in the Community Gallery of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin. In conjunction with the show opening, Paloma participated in the event “A Tribute to Sor Juana 2013” as a panelist in a discussion on Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz titled “Sor Juana’s Legacy: Paving the Way for Feminine Creativity.”

Avery Sheppard, Houston, a third-year law student,

received a University of Houston Law Center Dean’s Award, along with Brennan Peel ’09, a student in

Southwestern.”

Paige Menking, Austin, was named the

LIVESTRONG Promotora of the Year Award for 2012 by the LIVESTRONG Foundation. She was recognized for her work in reaching out to Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors in the Austin area. The Promotores program “is a professional development program [designed] to provide Promotores—Hispanic/Latino community health workers—the skills and knowledge to serve and connect survivors and their loved ones to cancerrelated resources and support.

Mary Scoville, Fort Worth, and fellow graduate Matt Daughtry, started a mobile game company called

Firewood Software. Their first game has been released, and Mary says that she and Matt are using their educations to “develop something we’re really excited about; our SU education is paying off.”

2012

Mayra Gonzalez, Austin, is Financial Accountant at

My Plates, a Texas-based company awarded a contract by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design, market and sell new specialty license plates in the state of Texas.

Kristi Brawner, Austin, is a working actor who has

Katherine Mead-Brewer, Laurel, Md., has

Karyl Fowler, Austin, is the Economic Development

authored a book titled, The Trickster in Ginsberg: A Critical Reading (McFarland, July 2013). She says, “I wrote and researched this book primarily while studying for my English and American Studies [degrees] at

Coordinator for the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Business Recruitment team.

participated in productions with Austin Playhouse, ZACH Theatre, Crank Collective and Doctuh Mistuh Productions.

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER SUPPORT SOUTHWESTERN USING YOUR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT As of January 1, 2013, individuals 70 ½ or older can make a gift of up to $100,000 to Southwestern University, meeting your annual distribution requirement.

By making an IRA charitable rollover gift, you are able to avoid taxes on the IRA distribution while supporting our charitable mission. The IRS will treat the amount of the cash gift as a direct rollover to charity, thereby allowing you to avoid federal tax on the amount of the gift.

Contact your IRA custodian to make a gift from your IRA for 2013 If you have questions or want more information, contact Kent Huntsman at 512-863-1235 or Kent.Huntsman@southwestern.edu.

www.southwesterngift.org/irarollover

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In Memoriam None of us is replaceable and we are diminished by any who are absent from us. For the lives of all members of the Southwestern University community who have died, we give thanks.

Dorothy Deffebach White ’36, Beaumont, March 5, 2013 Dorothy Davidson Mills ’37, Zachary, La., April 22, 2013 Kennie Wilcox Jr. ’37, Georgetown, July 10, 2013 Louise Ward Goss ’38, San Antonio, July 17, 2013 Rodney A. Clark ’42, Pacifica, Calif., April 2, 2013 Kathryn Hedge Sneed ’43, Henderson, July 19, 2013 Bernice Wallace DeHaas ’45, Bozeman, Mo., April 4, 2013 Ira Royal Hart ’45, San Angelo, May 29, 2013 Jo Ann Blackman Owen ’45, Taft, June 29, 2013 Vera Bettison Groos ’46, Plano, June 6, 2013 Mary Louise Barker Mills ’46, Houston, March 22, 2013 William A. Ayres ’49, Fort Worth, March 2, 2013 Roy E. Cox Jr. ’49, Tyler, June 15, 2013 Rebecca Tittle Deschner ’49, New Braunfels, April 4, 2013 Cecil S. Hersh Jr. ’49, Fort Myers, Feb. 9, 2013 Betty Pace Dodd ’50, Brownsville, May 28, 2013 John H. Utley ’50, La Porte, Ind., June 25, 2013 Leo M. Chafin ’52, New Braunfels, June 8, 2013 Gilbert C. Morrison ’52, Mission Viejo, Calif., March 14, 2013 Lawrence R. Powell Jr. ’52, San Antonio, May 2, 2013 David L. Schulze ’52, Pflugerville, June 1, 2013 B.H. “Tim” Timmins Jr. ’53, Dallas, April 2, 2013 Marcia Neuberger Garrett ’54, Austin, July 18, 2013

Nell Wilkins Harper ’54, San Angelo, Aug. 10, 2013 The Rev. Walter N. Langham ’56, Kilgore, Feb. 4, 2013 Sally Starnes Willis ’56, Bellaire, March 29, 2013 David D. Snowden ’60, Pearland, May 2, 2013 Robert B. Portwood ’61, Claremore, Okla., April 16, 2013 Robert B. Pinckney ’63, Jacksboro, Jan. 12, 2013 David R. Krueger ’64, Belton, May 2, 2013 Irene Maxted Throop ’65, Clearlake, Calif., Jan. 25, 2012 Judy House Lumpkin Moran ’69, Conroe, April 24, 2013 Elizabeth (Betsy) Marshall Wiley ’67, Missouri City, Jan. 3, 2013 John H. Sturgis ’68, Weslaco, Feb. 26, 2013 Leighton P. Kelly ’69, Georgetown, May 6, 2013 Edna Douglas Cook ’73, Smithville, Oct. 12, 2012 Bridget Barfield ’76, Milano, July 15, 2013 Ronald W. Reed ’81, Houston, May 30, 2013 David Eimann ’82, Dallas, May 1, 2013 Thomas G. Bousquet Jr. ’83, Houston, June 6, 2013 Dinora Benavides Niedzwiedz ’96, Austin, Dec. 9, 2012 Casey Lee Whitley Damen ’00, Austin, July 9, 2013 John Ross Shreves ’08, Kennedale, June 10, 2013 Ryan L. Dearman ’16, Plano, Aug. 24, 2013

Notices received after August 27, 2013, will be listed in the next issue.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY Looking for a secure source of fixed income for now or your future?

Tired of living at the mercy of low interest rates and the fluctuating stock and real estate markets? One solution is a charitable gift annuity.

A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you and Southwestern University, wherein you transfer property (i.e. cash or appreciated securities) to Southwestern, and the University pays you fixed income for life. You will receive a charitable deduction for your gift of the remainder to Southwestern and the satisfaction of furthering our mission.

Deferred Gift Annuities are available as well. Contact us about flexible options.

If you have questions or want more information, contact Kent Huntsman at 512-863-1235 or Kent.Huntsman@southwestern.edu.

www.southwesterngift.org/charitablegiftannuity

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Southwestern Magazine

the last word Photo by Lance Holt

Through Fresh Eyes Dr. bob karr ’71 Chair, Southwestern University Board of Trustees

t has been said that Ed Burger’s “ability to see the invisible and imagine what could be is uncanny.”

This is part of what excites me about working shoulder-to-shoulder with President Burger in imaginative and innovative ways to ensure that the Southwestern Experience is life changing and financially viable for today’s students and those to come. I believe his intellect, optimism, energy and courage will inform and empower his leadership of our beloved university.

A self-professed problem solver, President Burger is constantly assessing and strategizing how to more fully engage minds and transform lives within a collaborative and creative atmosphere. He firmly believes that through the liberal arts, we create independent, wise and visionary thinkers.

While President Burger and the Board of Trustees agree with the observations of Stanford University President John Hennessy that “a residential liberal arts education is still the gold standard to which higher education should aspire,” (1) we are also cognizant of the rapidly changing landscape of higher education and the resulting challenges. As we face the questions of financing higher education and guaranteeing accessibility for all students, as well as the impact of MOOCS (Massive Open Online Content) and new technologies, we will look to our colleagues on campus and in the higher education community to collaboratively and effectively communicate the value of higher education.

In fact, President Burger, who is already an impressive ambassador for the University, uses each speaking opportunity to share the value of the Southwestern Experience. For example, he spoke recently at Rice University to a group of middle and high school math teachers and asked them to “identify your brightest students and tell them about Southwestern.”

He also encourages us—alumni, parents and friends of the University—to join him in looking at Southwestern through fresh eyes. This is no small task, but I urge you to make every effort to respond to his appeal. Whether your association with Southwestern is a new one, or a decades-long relationship, your impressions matter. Share your ideas at www.southwestern.edu/shareyourideas.

With appreciation, Bob Karr ’71 P.S. I invite you to join me in making a gift in honor of President Burger to welcome him and to show our commitment to the University, to the Southwestern Experience and to the students of today and tomorrow.

To make a gift, visit www.southwestern.edu/makeagift.

(1) John Hennesy, “Discussion,” in William G. Bowes, Higher Education in the Digital Age (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2013), p. 109.

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Photo by Lance Holt

More from Dr. Burger Q | At Connecticut College, what was your favorite class and why?

Q | Most prized possession?

Every single math class was my favorite and I loved them all equally and everyone should major in math. Outside of math, a course I took was a senior seminar called Human Life and History. It was life changing. It was taught by an amazing professor who was very serious and intimidating, but he taught me to make up my own mind. The exercises (papers) he offered were so thought provoking that I still remember them; still have them. They’ve influenced so much of who I am as a thinker and as a writer. I loved that class.

(After a long silence, and in a low whisper, he responded ...) Rosebud.

Q | What’s one thing people wouldn’t know or guess about you?

I’m always the shyest person in the room.

Q | Fictional character in whose shoes you’d love to spend a day?

Dumbledore, of course.

Q | Favorite place on the Southwestern campus (and why)?

Brown Fountain, because you have a panoramic view of almost the entire campus—the fountain, the fine arts building, the library, Perkins chapel, the beautiful semicircle of trees. Of course I also love the mathematics of the fact that if you stand in the center and talk, you can hear yourself echo; I love to hear myself talk, so it’s just perfect.

Q | Where did you grow up (and describe it in one phrase or sentence)?

Yorktown Heights, N.Y. in Westchester County about 50–60 miles north of New York City—Mayberry without Aunt Bea or Lake Wobegon without the lake.

Q | How do you think SU can be better stewards of school spirit and school traditions?

Either (1) develop closer and richer connections between alumni and students, or (2) institute the mandatory wearing of eye patches.

Either would work.

Q | What are your hobbies?

Trying to keep fit. Watching bad TV. Collecting and creating art.

An example of bad TV? There was a short period of time while at Baylor that I became slightly addicted to a TV show called “Storage Wars” but I have since gotten help and I have broken that addiction and have moved on.

Q | Favorite math song?

“Take It to the Limit” by the Eagles.

Q | Favorite type of art?

Q | Will you teach at Southwestern?

Absolutely!

Impressionism—Monet, Renoir; I love all art. I’m a huge art fan with a modest collection. None are impressionist, but I do have a couple of pieces from the Barbazon Period which is what led into Impressionism.

Q | Favorite novel or poem?

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Not only should everyone read it (here is the homework assignment), but everyone should read it at least once every three years. This is a book that has to be read and reread as you go through life and every time you read it you WILL discover something new.

Q | Favorite math joke?

“What did 0 say to 8?” ... “Nice belt.”

The inauguration of Southwestern’s 15th president, Edward B. Burger, will take place March 25, 2014.

That evening, Scott Simon, writer, novelist and host of Weekend Edition Saturday on NPR and Need to Know on PBS, will be the Shilling Lecturer.