|
Harpur
College Welcomes New Director of Development
Lisa Court enjoys being active
in civic affairs and has served as a board member
for the YWCA and the Cortland Rural Cemetery Foundation.
She is chairman of the Outbound Youth Exchange Program
and was past president of the Cortland Rotary Club. |
|
Harpur College Dean Jean-Pierre Mileur is pleased
to announce that Lisa Court has accepted the position of Director
of Development for Harpur College. She will begin on June 17,
2004.
"Lisa is a talented professional and a wonderful
person," Mileur said. "I look forward to introducing
her to our alumns and I know that together we will be able to
accomplish even more for the College."
Her duties will include identifying and cultivating
major gifts prospects for Harpur College, working with the Office
of Alumni and Parent Relations to enhance programs for Harpur
alumni and providing good stewardship of gifts received by communicating
regularly with donors on the use and impact of their gifting.
Court, who until recently was executive director
of the Cortland College Foundation at SUNY Cortland, comes to
Harpur College with a wealth of development experience. Her
career began as a corporate gifts officer for The Phillips Collection,
Museum of Modern Art, in Washington, D.C and she has also held
a variety of development positions at the University of Maryland
Dental School and Cortland Memorial Hospital Foundation.
She completed her undergraduate degree at SUNY
Oswego and earned an MBA from LeMoyne College.
"The vitality and diversity of Harpur
College and Binghamton University is tremendously exciting,"
Court said. "I am looking forward to joining the advancement
team and to building productive and rewarding relationships
for the institution and all its cohorts."
Lisa Court's office will be located in Library
North 2430. She can be reached at 607-777-4277. The former director
of development, Debby Scalet, will remain at Harpur College
working on special projects for Dean Mileur.
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
|
Harpur
Professor Reveals Truth of African Oral Traditions
Okpewho, a distinguished professor
of Africana Studies, is also a novelist who writes
to inform and entertain. His most recent novel,
Call Me By My Rightful Name (2004), is
the story of an African American who is moved by
several urgent voices from the African oral tradition
to retrace his roots back in Africa. |
|
It all started because of a disagreement.
Isidore Okpewho, then a PhD candidate in comparative
literature at the University of Denver, disagreed with author
Ruth Finnegan’s hypothesis in her 1970 book Oral Literature
in Africa when she suggested that the epic story
is not a characteristic form of African oral tradition.
Okpewho disagreed, and his passion for research
into African oral traditions was launched. More than 20 years
later, Okpewho has authored 14 books, more than four dozen articles
and served as president of the International Society for Oral
Literature in Africa.
When he first read Finnegan's book, Okpewho questioned
it. "I said, 'Wait a minute. I recall listening to storytellers
telling such tales about extraordinary people doing extraordinary
things that are described in extraordinary ways. From my study
of the European classical traditions, they would be called epics,'"
he said.
Okpewho was driven to change his dissertation
topic from a comparative study of Horace and Walt Whitman to
what would become his first book – The Epic in Africa: Toward
a Poetics of the Oral Performance. A second book, Myth
in Africa: A Study of Its Aesthetic and Cultural Relevance
published in 1983, challenged another of Finnegan's claims –
that myth was also not a characteristic African form.
Okpewho began his research into African oral traditions
in earnest in 1976, when he returned to his native Nigeria to
record oral tales from his home region in the south. Thirty
years later, he is still transcribing and translating the volumes
of material he gathered. In that time, he has unearthed stories
of oppression that can now be told in a global context.
His collection of tales reveals age-old resentments
of domination by the imperial armies of Benin, a kingdom that
flourished from the 10th through the 19th
centuries. "Benin had a tremendous political and cultural
influence that engendered very stressful relations between the
communities and the kingdom," he said.
The same themes still exist in present day African
oral narratives, he said, because many still live largely under
the same politically oppressive conditions. Inevitably, he said,
civil wars and genocide will continue until the oppression ends.
Continued...
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
|
Poetry
and the Children Returns to Harpur College
Jane Alberdeston Coralin (M.A.
`04, Ph.D. `07) shared her poetry with hundreds
of local children. |
Students broke into groups in the
Lecture Hall and took turns reading their poetry.
Associate Dean Don Blake helps a student at the
microphone. |
|
When Jane Alberdeston Coralin (MA '04, PhD '07)
lost a friend in high school, writing poetry helped her express
her grief and pain. She's been writing poetry ever since and
began publishing her work in 1990. Coralin read some of her
poems at Harpur College's 27th annual Poetry and
the Children Day on May 19, 2004.
About 380 students from 34 schools and 11 school
districts were in the Anderson Center’s audience where Coralin
also spoke about poetry’s power to connect its writer to the
reader. "Poetry is a way to experience a moment is somebody
else’s life," she said.
To make her point, Coralin read aloud some of
her own work, as well as the students' poems, and pointed out
examples of writers revealing facts about themselves in their
poems.
"I loved your poems and I learned about you through
them," she told the students. Coralin encouraged them to keep
writing and enjoy the process. "The most important thing about
any kind of writing is that you have fun."
Coralin is originally from Puerto Rico. In 1995,
she joined the Washington D.C. based performing group, the Modern
Urban Griots, with whom she traveled throughout the U.S. reading
her poetry. In 2000, Coralin gave a reading at St. Mary's College
in Maryland, and a fellow poet recommended her to Maria Gillan,
professor of English and director of the Creative Writing Program
at Binghamton University. Gillan suggested Coralin apply to
graduate school at BU; she received her Master’s last month
and expects to earn her Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing
in 2007.
After Coralin's presentation, students broke into
smaller groups and took turns reading their poetry to each other
in classrooms in the Lecture Hall. Each participant received
a book containing the work of everyone who attended that day.
Donald Blake, associate
dean for academic affairs at Harpur College, who moderated Poetry
and the Children Day, said the event not only paid tribute to
words, imagination and sounds, "It also confirmed what Wordsworth
observed when he wrote that 'The child is father of the Man.'
For surely, the values and skills that our children develop
as youngsters, will be the values and skills they carry with
them as adults."
Poetry and the Children Day, was established as
a memorial to Robert Pawlikowski. A published poet, creative
writing instructor and campus administrative assistant, Pawlikowski
drowned in 1975 while on vacation with his family. The event
is a tribute to the efforts Pawlikowski made during his lifetime
in nurturing the expressive and intellectual powers of his students
as well as those of his own children.
Special thanks to Susan Clark Johnson `67 for
her ongoing support of Poetry and the Children Day.
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
|
| 
Jeremy Chester `05 enjoyed getting
involved with campus activities including Hillel
– The Jewish Student Union and Chabad House.
He also enjoyed a ten-day trip to Israel through
the Birthright program, an experience he refers
to as "amazing." |
|
Harpur Student Spotlight: Jeremy Chester
`05
by William Duffy '05
Jeremy Chester is driven. His experience at Harpur
College has been marked by his strong work ethic and his desire
to both get the most out of college for himself and to leave
the school better than he left it.
Unlike many of his classmates, Jeremy did not
go directly to college after high school. "I wanted to
find some direction, I wanted some adventure, and I wanted to
make myself a better and stronger person," said this Pittsburgh,
PA resident of his decision to join the Marines right out of
high school.
The Marines recognized Jeremy's drive and promoted
him to corporal two years before most others achieve the rank.
Jeremy said the hard work required by the Marine Corps helped
him grow significantly as a person.
When Jeremy enrolled at Binghamton in 2000, he
quickly readjusted to being a student again and eventually chose
biochemistry as his major. He earned a 4.0 GPA, as well as a
spot on the Dean's List, which he would keep for the rest of
his time at Harpur. He eventually earned membership into the
Golden Key National Honor Society.
Continued...
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
| Alumni
and friends, mark your calendar for the best campus event of
the year...
Click the logo above
for detailed information on reunions
for the classes of 1999, 1994, 1979 and 1954, a schedule
for the weekend, a list of who's attending,
how to get involved, and
so much more!
Don't miss Homecoming 2004 - it's a tradition
worth coming back for.
Top |
| Harpur
Professor and Composer Dies at 86
| 
M. Searle Wright was the first
American to play at Westminster Abbey and was the
National President of the American Guild of Organists. |
|
Myron Searle Wright, Harpur College's first Link
Professor of Organ, died Thursday, June 3, at age 86.
As a boy, Wright performed on the organ at the
Capitol Theater in Binghamton, which had been installed by Link
himself. That opportunity allowed Wright to develop a friendship
with Link, who had become impressed with Wright’s musical abilities.
Link followed Wright's career and worked to attract
him back to Binghamton after Wright spent nearly two decades
on the faculties of both Columbia University and the Union Theological
Seminary School of Sacred Music.
Alice Mitchell, associate professor of music,
who served as department chair when Wright joined the Harpur
College of Arts and Sciences faculty, remembers him for his
efforts in involving the great inventor and philanthropist Edwin
A. Link with the music department.
In 1973, Link donated an organ to Casadesus Hall,
which Wright helped design. Wright played at the first recital.
"It was a great moment and the beginning of the very close
connection between Ed Link and the music department," Mitchell
said.
In 1977, Wright became the Link Professor of Organ,
a title he held until his retirement in 1984. His position also
included the responsibility of organ maintenance, a Link graduate
assistantship in music and an organ concert series.
Mitchell remembers Wright as a versatile musician.
"Not only could he play the most challenging classical
music, but he was also a great jazz pianist," she said.
"He played a very mean cocktail piano."
Wright, the first American to perform at Westminster
Abbey who served as the national president of the American Guild
of Organists, was also organist and choir director at the First
Congregational Church in Binghamton and organist for the B.C.
Pops Orchestra.
Judy Giblin, administrative assistant the First
Congregational Church, sang in the church choir and was soloist
during Wright’s pre-concert performance before the B.C. Pops.
"Anyone who ever heard him play was not only impressed
but moved," she said. "Anyone who worked with him
learned an incredible amount. He knew everything. Searle wrote
absolutely gorgeous music. We still sing it today."
A memorial service was held Sunday at Trinity
Memorial Church in Binghamton. A celebration of his life and
music is being planned for the fall. Memorial gifts may be made
to Roberson Museum and Science Center, 30 Front St., Binghamton,
13905 for the continual care of the Link Theatre Organ or to
the charity of one's choice.
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
|
Harpur
Friends & Family
In response
to your much-appreciated feedback, the Harpur Hotline has developed
a regular feature of alumni news. Please
send us anything you want: publications, promotions, marriages,
babies, graduations, retirements, etc. Many thanks to everyone
who shared their stories! Here's what some of your fellow Harpur
alumni and friends are doing:
Memorial services
for Haskell Block, professor emeritus of comparative
literature, will take place June 26, 2004 , 2:00p.m.
- 4:00p.m., in the Skylight Conference Room, CUNY Graduate Center,
365 5th Ave., New York, NY. Tel: (212) - 817-7000. Professor
Block died November 6, 2003.
(More)
 |
1965:
In 2003, Richard Siegelman retired
after 37 years as an elementary teacher in the Oyster Bay-East
Norwich Schools on Long Island where he was famous for wearing
a T-shirt with a different slogan every day to capture his
students' attention. Siegelman is curious to know if he's
the only Binghamton alum ever to live in the same dorm room
(Digman East 303) for all 8 semesters. He would also like
to know if any other alumni ever won consecutive intramural
free-throw shooting competitions as he did in 1964 and 1965.
Siegelman would be glad to hear from other former Demetreans
or classmates at mrsiegelman@yahoo.com.
He hopes to see lots of fellow Harpur grads at "Mardi
Gras" at Homecoming 2004. |
 |
1969: Rich and
Sandy (`70) Alpern are happy to announce
the birth of their first grandchild, Allison Julie Hecht.
She was born June 13, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at New York University
Hospital to Jennifer Alpern Hecht and Daniel Hecht. She
weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and has a full head of curly
brown hair.
|
| 1975: Barbara A. Nadel,
FAIA has written Building Security: Handbook
for Architectural Planning and Design, a reference
for architects, engineers, law enforcement, construction
and real estate professionals, and building owners seeking
to create safe, secure, and well-designed environments.
Nadel covers two main topics: building security and emergency
preparedness. Building Security includes 600 illustrations,
safety and security strategies for over 20 building types,
over 200 Internet resources, and case studies of the World
Trade Center and Pentagon. Among the book's many contributers
is Deborah Bershad `77 (M.A. `81), the
former executive director of the Art Commission of the City
of New York. Click the book for more information. Nadel
owns her own architecture business in New York City. (More) |
 |
 |
1983: Donna Lupardo (M.A.)
is running for the 126th New York State Assembly seat, challening
incumbent Bob Warner. She was an adjunct lecturer at BU
for ten years before dedicating herself to community education.
She is currently the Director of the Education Division
of the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier. Lupardo
has been very active in local Democratic politics for the
last twenty years, as a committee person, campaign manager
and mentor to new candidates. She served on the Broome County
Legislature from 1999-2000. Lupardo lives in Endwell with
her husband, Scott Peters, who is an Assistant Professor
at Cornell University. For more information on Lupardo's
campaign, check out http://www.donnalupardo.com.
|
| 1984: Last
year, environmental and political acvitist Aaron
Mair successfully fought Albany County to create
more minority voting districts. He is now taking on the
same battle with the city of Albany. From 1999 to 2000,
Albany's minority population increased by 12%, according
to the 2000 Census. Mair's goal is to increase Albany's
four minority districts to six to increase the voting strength
of this growing demographic. To learn more about Mair's
battle, click the link for the article
in the Albany Times Union. As a public
service, he has posted his data at http://fairplan.u31.infinology.net/Albany_2004.
Mair, pictured with Governor Pataki, is president of Arbor
Hill Concerned Citizens, was part of Pataki's "Superfund
& Brownfields Workgroup" and works for the NYS
Department of Health. |
 |
1986:
Jeannie and Neil
Steiner are pleased to announce the birth of their
daughter, Lauren Brooke, on December 30, 2003. Congratulations
to the happy parents!
1987:
David Johnson (M.M.) has been very busy since moving
to Colorado in 1992 to do graduate work at the University of
Northern Colorado. He is currently finishing his fourth year
as director of music and worship at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
in Fort Collins, CO. He performs with the Greeley Philharmonic
as well as symphony orchestras in Cheyenne, WY and Fort Collins.
Johnson drums and sings for the Pourdre River Irregulars, a
traditional jazz band, and he leads his own jump blues band,
the Poudre Dance Quartet. On June 2nd, he and his partner, Robin,
celebrated their 11th anniversary. They have two children, Zachary,
8 and Zoe, 4. Johnson sends a special greeting to the music
faculty and would love to hear from his former students (he
taught percussion from 1984 until 1992) at djdrumman@msn.com.
 |
1991: Marc Miller
and Christine O'Malley were married on June 5th at the King
Family Winery in Charlottesville, VA. They are planning
a honeymoon in New Zealand. Marc earned a Master's in Architecture
from the University of Virginia in 1991 and is currently
pursuing a Master's in Landscape Architecture at Cornell
University. Christine teaches art history at Ithaca College.
The newlyweds are pictured with Marc's mom, Julia
Miller, head of Harpur College Academic Advising. |
2002:
Congratulations to Michelle
B. Phillips on earning a Master's in Social Work (MSW)
from Columbia University last month! She is now interviewing
to be a therapist in the New York City schools.
 |
2002: Tammi
and Mike Klugston (M.A.) are proud to announce
the birth of Evan Nial, born March 30, 2004 in Cooperstown,
NY. Evan was 8 lbs., 15 oz. and 21 inches long. He joins
his big brother, Trey, age 7. Mike is an environmental planner
for the Delaware County Planning Department. |
2004: Maria Pendolino was among
the happy graduates at Commencement last month. She told the
Hotline she will be working at a summer camp in Buffalo
this summer as a director. In September, Pendolino will relocate
to New York City to work for HSBC Bank in their retail management
development program. She said, "I plan on pursuing acting
in musical theatre while I am in the city, but I need to learn
how to dance first."
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
Join
BU's New Alumni Online Community
The
Binghamton University Alumni Association is pleased to announce
its new Alumni Online Community.
The Alumni Online Community
is password-protected in a secure environment and only Binghamton
University alumni will have access to it. Students will have
access to the Alumni Career Network, a mentoring program that
brings you together with students or other alumni who are interested
in your field of work.
 Please
take a minute to review and update your profile in the directory
portion of the community. You can also sign up to volunteer
for the Alumni Career Network. Search for long-lost classmates,
network with others for career advice and make your annual gift
on line all from the comfort of your own home or office via
the Online Community. So B-Connected! Visit www.bconnectalumni.binghamton.edu
today!
Questions related to the
Online Community? Call 607-777-GRAD (4723)
Send
this article to a friend
Top |
| Shop
Harpur Online
| 
Harpur students Hye Jin
Oh `05, Erica Weinstein `07 and Stephina Dansoh `06 kick
back in Harpur gear. |
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 The
Campus Bookstore.
For
more Harpur College merchandise, such as hats, shirts and window
stickers, contact the bookstore at 607-777-2745.
Top
|
| Back
Issues of the Harpur Hotline
Miss
an issue? Want to read more? Check out: http://harpur.binghamton.edu/hotline
Harpur
College Development Team Mission Statement:
The
Harpur College of Arts and Sciences Development Team encourages
alumni, students, faculty and friends to identify with Harpur
College's past, present and future by engaging them in events
and programs that connect them to the college. We facilitate
ways for our constituents to enrich Harpur College through their
financial contributions and personal talents and resources.
Contact
the Webmaster.
Top
|
|