Harpur College of Arts & Sciences : December 18, 2001

Harpur College Honors Graduates

Harpur College's Class of 2001 just got bigger. Nearly 400 students were honored for completing the requirements of their Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degrees at the December 8, 2001 Recognition Ceremony in the Chamber Hall of the Anderson Center.

Many of the honorees walked across the stage and accepted congratulations from Jean-Pierre Mileur, Dean of Harpur College, and Donald Blake, Associate Dean. All are welcome to participate in Commencement in May 2002. The Sendel Quartet, consisting of Morgan Kim `04 (violin), Tae-Ho Kwak `04 (violin), Leah Robinowitz `05 (viola), and Ben James `04 (cello), added to the celebratory mood by playing Pomp and Circumstance and Haydn's Quartet Number 42.

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In his recognition address, Dean Mileur congratulated the students for joining the ranks of more than 40,000 of Harpur College's alumni and said, "Your future is before you. The education you received at Harpur College is the strong foundation on which this future will be built. You take with you the memories of your experiences in the classroom and outside the classroom, faculty that influenced you, and friends who supported you. These experiences are now part of you and you'll carry them with you always." Dean Mileur also expressed his gratitude for the parents, families, and friends of the Fall 2001 graduates.

The student speaker, Morgan Levine, an upcoming graduate of the Politics, Philosophy and Law program,, shared some of her college memories in a speech titled, "Negotiations Over Coffee." Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, W. Warren Wagar, gave the keynote address, "Putting September 11th in Historical Perspective." Earlier in the ceremony, Dr. Wagar received the Eugene D. Flood Award for Outstanding Service to Harpur College (see story below).

As the first snow of the season fell outside, a festive reception followed the ceremony. Students and their families gave the event rave reviews. Kesia Procita, who will receive a B.S. in Geology and Environmental Studies, joined many in praising the speakers and the music. Sharon Sherman, mother of Howard Sherman `01, said, "As a parent, I thought it was nice that they recognized the students this way. It was definitely worth the trip!"
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Warren Wagar, Professor of History, Awarded for Service
by Janice McDonald

Fall and Summer graduates were not the only ones recognized on December 8, 2001. W. Warren Wagar became the second recipient of the Eugene D. Flood Award for Outstanding Service to Harpur College at the ceremony. The award was first given to its namesake, a 1957 graduate of Harpur College and longtime employee of the Dean's office, following his retirement in 1998 to mark his years of dedication and outstanding service. The Dean does not present the award annually; it is given only to those who demonstrate the highest dedication and service to Harpur College. Professor Wagar has exemplified this in many ways:

Dr. W. Warren Wagar earned his Ph.D. in history from Yale and began teaching at Harpur College in 1971. He served as chairperson and director of undergraduate studies of the history department, as a member of the Faculty Senate and Harpur College Council and as the campus advisor for the British Marshall Scholarship. He has served as a boardmember of several national scholarly bodies and editorial boards.

His major scholarly interests are modern European intellectual and cultural history, the study of alternative futures, and the theory and practice of world history. His prolific publishing career includes numerous articles, essays, and reviews as well as ten books, one of which, "A Short History of the Future" (University of Chicago Press, 1999) has been translated into Spanish and Japanese. He has also published works of Science Fiction.

Wagar is a scholar of national and international standing, but to many Harpur undergraduates, he is the "prof" who teaches one of the Harpur College courses they have to take, "History of the Future" In his thirty-year tenure with us, Professor Wagar has taught over 12,000 students, many in his innovative courses on the future. In 1985, he received the University and Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, followed the next year by the highest teaching honor the State University of New York grants, Professor Wagar was named a distinguished teaching professor. Today, on the Binghamton campus, he is one of only three still teaching.

Recognition of Professor Wagar's legendary teaching also comes in other, more personal ways. Last summer, during a freshman orientation session, one student was extremely concerned about enrolling in a particular course. He explained, "I have to get this class. My brother took it and he said it's great. He said I have to take it now!" When asked what course he was seeking, he said, "Professor Wagar's 'History of the Future.'"

Another student, a graduating senior last May, when asked to answer the question, "What were the best things about your years at Harpur College?" wrote, "I loved Professor Wagar's classes. He taught ideas, not facts."

Several years ago, a group of graduate Teaching Assistants wrote of Professor Wagar, "He is able to impress, sadden, depress, and even irritate his audience while at the same time he has the ability to make people laugh and sit on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the next progression in what is always a judicious but provocative survey of issues and opinions."

Testimonials from the present and past chairpersons of the history department are reflective of those expressed by Professor Wagar's colleagues.

Professor Donald Quataert, chair of History, writes, "Warren has been the heart and soul of the undergraduate program. He has served as director of undergraduate studies since time immemorial, anyway, for a solid decade. He has given simply enormous blocks of his time to overseeing the undergraduate program, to maintain contacts with the students, and to caring about the nature of undergraduate studies on this campus. And he nearly singlehandedly created our chapter of this History honor society, Phi Alpha Theta."

The words of Professor John Chaffee, the past chair of History, stress the nature of Professor Wagar's commitment and service to Harpur. "I know from working closely with him that he routinely devoted extraordinarily long hours advising History majors and minors, working with Phi Alpha Theta officers and the editors of the online journal, and writing long annual reports on the department's student assessment process. He did so, moreover, without advertising the fact; indeed, I suspect that many of my colleagues have only a partial sense of just how he has given in service or how much service he has provided."

Eugene Flood `57 said, "I am delighted to share this award with Professor Wagar because he represents what the founders of Harpur College envisioned: teaching and scholarship at the highest level. Congratulations, Warren, I am proud of you!"

Professor Wagar was thrilled by the recognition. Later that week he told the Harpur Hotline, "The shock and surprise of winning the Eugene D. Flood Award remains with me still. I have a difficult time believing that I did win it and an even more difficult time believing that I deserved it. But one thing is sure: this honor means more to me than any other I have ever received. Thanks to everyone who has helped make these last thirty years so personally and professionally rewarding."

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Faculty and Staff Appreciated by Dean Mileur
Luncheon honors Harpur College employees with 10 and 25 years of dedication

Dean Mileur personally congratulated faculty and staff with 10 and 25 years of service at a luncheon in their honor on December 3, 2001. This annual celebration gives the Dean the opportunity to thank our valued employees for helping maintain the standard of excellence for which Harpur College is known. The following people have reached 10 and 25 year anniversaries within Harpur:

10 years:
Benjamin Aldridge, Adjunct Lecturer of Music
Bat-Ami Bar On, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Jean Dorak, Assistant to Chair of Chemistry
Isidore Okpewho, Professor of Africana Studies
Qiang Hua Wang, Scenic Artist in Theater

25 years:
Rhae Ann Busch, Associate Professor of Theater
David Cingranelli, Professor of Political Science
Albert Dekin, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Executive Director of Pegasus Project
John Frazier, Professor of Geography
Norah Henry, Associate Professor of Geography and Associate Dean of Administration of Harpur College
Wayne Kashinsky, Electronics Engineer for Psychology
Carol Less, Secretary for Comparative Literature
Chai Kyou Mallinson, Adjunct Lecturer of Music
Donald Robertson, Adjunct Lecturer of Music
Lloyd Rozboril, Lab Equipment Designer for Psychology and Biological Sciences
Linda Spear, Distinguished Professor of Psychology
Anna Tan-Wilson, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Biological Sciences
Dale Tomich, Professor of Sociology
Stim Wilcox, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Karl Wilson, Professor of Biological Sciences

Dean Mileur congratulates Qiang Hua Wang for 10 years as a Scenic Artist with the Theater Dept.	Dean Norah Henry and Professor John Frazier were among those appreciated by Dean Mileur.
Professors Karl Wilson and Anna Tan-Wilson have given 25 years of service to Harpur College.	Wayne Kashinsky gets a pat on the back from Dean Mileur for 25 years with the Psychology dept.

During the luncheon, many of the honorees spoke positively of their academic careers at Harpur College. Bat-Ami Bar On, Associate Professor of Philosophy, said, "It's a really good job. There's a fair amount of autonomy in teaching. I appreciate the extra time for research." John Frazier, Professor of Geography, marveled at how the campus has changed since he arrived in 1976.

Dean Mileur remarked that he is glad that Harpur College recognizes the contributions of our staff and faculty. "These are long times to dedicate yourself. We are especially appreciative," he said. "So much of what you see on campus wouldn't be here without your service."
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Activities, Working On Campus Keep ‘Townie’ Connected

Leah Iacovelli `02 is a great example of how it's possible to participate fully in campus life, even if you don't live on campus and eat in the dining halls. Living at home, commuters often say it’s harder to make friends and feel part of campus life. But that isn’t the case for Iacovelli, who found her niche on campus by getting involved with as many activities as her busy schedule allowed.

Iacovelli chose to attend Binghamton because she wanted to remain close to her family in Vestal. She calls Harpur College "a really good school" and has no regrets about staying at home.

"We're saving a lot of money," she pointed out. "My brother goes to school in California, and that costs a lot!"

Not only is Iacovelli staying near her family, she’s carrying on a tradition by studying at Harpur College. Her grandfather, Guido Iacovelli '50, graduated from Harpur College when it was still located at Colonial Hall in Endicott. "He raved about this place and really wanted me to go here," she said. "Because he's an alumnus, I thought, 'Maybe I'll follow in his footsteps.'"

A psychology major, Iacovelli hopes to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Inspired by a course she’s currently taking, "Women and the Criminal Justice System," taught by Juanita Diaz, she wishes to focus her career on helping prison inmates. "I feel there’s a severe need for therapists to work with inmates – for instance, on drug rehabilitation. I mainly want to work with women and juveniles. Many have been physically and sexually abused, and they need help."

She also works part time in Steven Lynn’s laboratory. Lynn specializes in the study of hypnosis, dissociation, fantasy proneness, suggestibility, memory and pseudomemories, the aftereffects of trauma, personal narratives, psychopathology and psychotherapy. Iacovelli helps Lynn gather information about cults and violent and sexual offenders.

To balance her interests in those dark subjects, Iacovelli stays cheerful by dancing. She’s captain of the Binghamton University Kick Line, an intramural club. "We’re the ones who stand in line and kick during basketball games," she said. "That’s how I met a lot of my friends.

"One of my favorite things here is Midnight Madness, because I’m performing in front of all those students and I feel the school spirit, especially since the school has gone Division I. Pep rallies in high school were never like this! You see people who are involved and really care about Binghamton."

Iacovelli credits Fred Weiss, professor of theatre, for helping her become involved with dancing in Theatre Department productions, through which she also made many friends. "He’s just wonderful," she said. "He’s given me a lot of opportunities, such as performing for Tri-Cities Opera. I met a lot of students at rehearsals." Among other appearances, she’s danced in the opera company’s production of Die Fledermaus and in Harpur College’s annual student choreography show.

"I feel really involved. I don't feel like I'm ‘just a commuter,’" she said. "I don't just go to class and leave."

In the evenings, Iacovelli frequently visits her friends in the residence halls or in their apartments off campus.

"The funniest thing I hear about commuting is, ‘You don’t look like a townie.’ But I like being a townie, because I know all the back roads, certain restaurants, or other places people wouldn't know if they hadn't’t been here their whole lives. I have constant support from my family. It’s just funny when people call me a townie."

Iacovelli feels her biggest challenge is statistics class, a common lament of psychology majors. But, considering she already successfully balances schoolwork, dance, laboratory work, her social life and a part-time job at the Vestal Steakhouse (founded and owned by her grandfather Guido), statistics class should be a breeze.

Leah Iacovelli is only one example of thousands of interesting, ambitious, diverse students at Harpur College. Stay tuned to future issues of the Harpur Hotline to get to know more about who’s walking the halls of Harpur.
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Harpur College Senior Swings a Hammer for Habitat

About the Advisor: Dr. Charlie Cobb

Charlie Cobb is an archaeologist in the anthropology department. He attributes his interest in archaeology to a well-traveled childhood in an Air Force family. His area of research is the archaeology of the Midwestern and Southeast USA. He studies Native Americans from the late prehistoric era to the early Colonial period (AD 1000 - 1700). As his studies progressed to the early Colonial period, Cobb was amazed to see the impact of disease brought by settlers. This interest inspired him to create a course that he teaches called "Plagues and Epidemics" that deals with the cultural impact of disease throughout history.

Cobb's latest book, From Quarry to Cornfield: The Political Economy of Mississippian Hoe Production (2001, University of Alabama Press), describes the organization of production and exchange of stone implements in the Midwest, and relates these to the development of social stratification. He is also the co-author of Stability, Transformation and Variation: the Late Woodland Southeast (1991, Plenum Press).

Cobb has volunteered for Habitat since his arrival at Harpur College in 1990, and he was integral to the formation of the campus chapter. "I like Habitat because it's putting beliefs into action. You're producing something tangible." Cobb appreciates how the organization helps strengthen the University's relationship with the community and the enthusiasm with which our students participate in Habitat.

The students are as positive about Cobb as he is about them. "Charlie's great. Anytime we have any questions, he's right there," said Mary Jawlik, BU's chapter president, "He always keeps us updated with what's happening with the Broome County chapter. He's very involved and cares a lot about what happens with our chapter. He's in constant contact with us."

While most BU students spend their Saturdays recovering from a busy week studying, several lucky others spend the day swinging hammers, tearing out walls, and hauling loads of debris to dumpsters, all in the name of helping their community. These hardworking students are members of Habitat for Humanity, an international organization for which volunteers build decent, affordable housing for families in need.

Harpur College senior Mary Jawlik, a double major in Biology and Environmental Science, joined Habitat her freshman year and currently serves as president of our campus' chapter. She especially enjoys participating in the "Collegiate Challenge," an annual spring break trip to one of Habitat's building sites around the country. Several college chapters work together on the property. "The trip down is always the best part because we're all excited to get the site," said Jawlik, adding that she's met many new people from the hundreds of campuses that get involved. Since 1999, our chapter has made yearly trips to Marion County, SC, New Orleans, and Miami. This year our students plan to travel to Almost Heaven, WV. The only cost is transportation and housing, usually around $50 -- quite a bargain compared to the typical spring break beach vacation.

Over 300 students have worked on Habitat houses in our community. Binghamton University's chapter works in conjunction with Broome County Habitat for Humanity. The Broome County Habitat Chapter provides all of the construction knowledge, planning, and on-site supervision. In October 2000, our students decided to sponsor their own house removation project on 23 Munsell Street in Binghamton. President DeFleur was present at the groundbreaking ceremonies. "Since then, we've been working on our house every week," said Jawlik, "We have to do all the fundraising and construction, bottom to top." Between 50 and 75 students volunteer each Saturday.

The house needed a lot of work. "No one had occupied it for several years. We spent 2000 doing demolition and cleaning out what had been left behind, including lots of trash in the basement," said Jawlik. Four full dumpsters later, members started removing the rotting walls, siding, and porch. The sidewalk and front staircase have been replaced. "The foundation was uneven, so we've leveled it and are now pouring concrete to form a better foundation. We're putting up new shingles on the exterior. Hopefully next semester we'll be putting up new walls on the interior. So we're now rebuilding instead of tearing down. We're hoping to have it finished by Fall 2002."

Families are chosen through an application process on a need-only basis by the Broome County habitat chapter to buy each renovated house with an interest-free mortgage. Houses are funded through a mix of donations of money, materials, and labor. Houses in Broome County average $45,000 in total cost. Homeowners pay a mortgage equal to the cost of the home, typically through a thirty-year mortgage. "That money goes back into a rotating fund that goes back into another house we can work on," said Jawlik.

To raise money for their projects, members developed the fundraiser "If I had a hammer," the sale of small hammer pins. "Our goal is to sell 12,000, one to each member of the campus community, at $4.00 apiece. That would totally cover our costs for the house," said Jawlik. The chapter has raised $14,000 through pin sales and other fundraisers.

Dr. Charlie Cobb, associate professor of Anthropology, is Habitat's faculty advisor and works side by side with students on the house. "Habitat is a great way to learn home repairs and building," he said, "You learn every aspect of a house." Local construction supervisors volunteer to work with our chapter on Saturdays. "They keep an eye on us and make sure we don't do anything dangerous," said Jawlik, "They're experts."

Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity gives Jawlik enormous satisfaction. "Every time I go, I come back with this great feeling. Not only have I learned countless construction skills -- I can pretty much do anything now -- but it's such a priceless experience to get to know the family and other volunteers working at the site. It's also important to see how those who are less privileged live and realize that there are underprivileged people who are living in poverty and need our help. You learn about things that are important in their lives that we take for granted. I've incorporated them into my own ideals."

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Harpur College Dean Jean-Pierre Mileur
and the Binghamton University Alumni Association
cordially invite you to a Gala Presentation of

at the Brooklyn Museum of Art
200 Eastern Parkway
January 10, 2002.

This is the only Northeast venue of more than 140 masterpieces from the extraordinary holdings of the British Museum. The exhibit covers the entire period of pharaonic history. Many of these objects have never before traveled outside Great Britain since leaving their Egyptian homeland. Join our private lecture and gallery tour of this once in a lifetime exhibit.

6:00 - 6:30	Private Lecture James E. Romano, Ph.D., Harpur College `69 Curator, Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art
6:45 - 7:45	Gallery Tour Eternal Egypt - Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum
7:45 - 9:00	Dinner Reception Iris B. Cantor Gallery of Rodin Sculpture

Event cost: $100 per person.
Proceeds will benefit summer field experiences for
Harpur College archaeology students.
A portion of your donation is tax-deductible.
For more information, please contact the
Binghamton University Alumni Office
at alumni@binghamton.edu or 607-777-2431.

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Share A Memory On-Line

Be sure to visit the Harpur College Memory Book - and leave your mark. Share a favorite memory of your Harpur experience, whether as a student or as a faculty or staff member. Or, maybe you just want to wish Harpur a Happy Anniversary. Memories will be listed and updated on a regular basis. Put those thinking caps on and tell us about your favorite Harpur moment.

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Shop Harpur Online!

Announcing a new way for you to buy Harpur merchandise. Shop the campus bookstore from the comfort of your PC or Mac. Want to pick up a copy of the new Harpur history book The Cornerstone? Visit...
Binghamton University Harpur College Shopping Online

Check out the Harpur mugs, the cool notecards and bumper stickers.