“The Essence of Ebony” Brings Students, Staff, Faculty Together in Celebration of Black History Month 

The Wells College Office of Intercultural Programs and Services, together with the student organization POWER (Praising Our Work, Ethnicity, and Race), is sponsoring a special program in observance of Black History Month. The Essence of Ebony is scheduled for Thursday evening, February 27, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm in the Sommer Center on the Aurora campus. The public is invited to join with the students in celebrating Black History Month.

The Essence of Ebony focuses on black identity as defined by music, hair, language, dance, and food. The evening begins with a sampling of soul food, followed by various spoken word presentations of literature and poetry. Appointed, the Wells gospel choir, will perform, as will the Ithaca College step team and a hip hop dance group from Syracuse University. The Essence of Ebony is the culmination of a month-long series of activities designed to heighten awareness of Black History Month and to celebrate all that the African-American culture has brought to America. In addition to The Essence of Ebony, POWER has also sponsored a film series and art exhibit on campus. 

For more information about The Essence of Ebony and Black History Month at Wells College, please contact Gwen Webber-McLeod, director of communications, at 315/364-3260 or email gmcleod@wells.edu.

February, 2003

Sissy Farenthold Speaks on Impending War in Iraq 

Wells College is pleased to present Sissy Farenthold as a special guest speaker Thursday, February 20. The lecture, which will focus on the impending war in Iraq, will take place in the Art Exhibit Room on the second floor of Macmillan Hall at 4:45 pm. All are welcome to attend this free presentation.

Frances “Sissy” Tarlton Farenthold is one of the most dynamic and inspiring woman political figures in the United States to emerge in the post-World War II era. Throughout her career, spanning numerous political and social shifts, Farenthold has remained an unwavering champion of human rights and dignity. In particular, she has been a forceful advocate for the attainment of gender equity - even when her views did not necessarily guarantee votes and public popularity. Her commitment continues today. 

While her contributions are numerous, she already has a permanent place in history as a pioneer who opened the door for women’s leadership in the American political system. Her name was put forward as a possible vice-presidential candidate at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. It was the first time a woman’s name had ever been brought forth in that capacity. 

In 1968, she gained a seat in the Texas legislature, taking a bold pro-choice stand on abortion in the conservative climate of Texas politics. Her fearless stand on the issues enabled her to revolutionize politics and brought her into the national spotlight. She served as the 13th president of Wells College from 1976-80 and was the first woman to be named the college’s president since its founding in 1868. 

For more information about Sissy Farenthold and her lecture, please contact dean of experiential learning Terry Martinez at 315/364-3404.

February, 2003

Family-Oriented Literacy Stage Production Comes to Wells College

Features original music and puppetry to engage audience

The Wells College Arts & Lecture Series is proud to present How Do You Spell Hope?, a celebration of reading and the power of literacy, for one night only, Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 pm in Barler Recital Hall. The public is welcome to attend this vibrant, family-oriented presentation. Prices are $3 for students and children, $6 for seniors and the Wells community, and $10 for the general public. Tickets are available from the college bookstore or the box office the week preceding the show, and at the door the evening of the performance. Please call the box office at 315/364-3456 to reserve tickets.

How Do You Spell Hope? combines actors, puppets, and original music in celebration of the culture of the book and the power and rewards of literacy. The play intertwines three inspiring stories of courage and compassion in the face of illiteracy: the historical narratives of the great orator Frederick Douglass, the true story of a teenage star athlete who overcomes dyslexia, and the struggles of a contemporary Hispanic immigrant family. Written by Melinda Lopez, a nationally recognized playwright, Hope combines laughs, learning, and theatre into an inspiring piece sure to please young and old alike.

The production is presented by the Underground Railway Theater of Boston. The troupe became interested in creating a play about reading after doing research about the amazing ways that African Americans during the slave era taught themselves to read, even though they were denied literacy by law. The challenge was to craft something that would catch and hold the interest of the audience, since reading is such a still and private activity. The troupe settled on the idea of making a play about people who had to overcome great obstacles to learn to read, hoping the inspiration that gave such people the energy to struggle to read would in turn inspire viewers with new feelings about the power of books and literacy. Through the use of imaginative over-sized props, original music, and puppets, the play expresses the theme of hope: hope for the future, faith in each person’s special abilities, and belief in our desire to help and inspire each other.

For more information about How Do You Spell Hope?, please contact the Office of Student Activities at 315/364-3428. Information about the Underground Railway Theatre may be found on their website, www.undergroundrailwaytheater.org. To arrange an interview or photo session with the troupe, contact Gwen Webber-McLeod, director of communications, at 315/364-3260.

How Do You Spell Hope? Poster (PDF format)

February, 2003

Media Ethics Professor Lectures at Wells College

The Wells College chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the Dean of the College’s Office are co-sponsoring a special guest lecturer, Jane Kirtley, on campus. The talk is scheduled for Monday evening, March 3 at 8:00 pm in the Art Exhibit Room, Macmillan Hall. This event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Jane Kirtley’s talk is entitled “Secrecy Does Not Equal Security: Fighting the Information Shutdown after 9/11.” She speaks frequently on First Amendment and freedom of information issues, both in the United States and abroad, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Mongolia, Hong Kong, and Chile, and writes the First Amendment Watch column each month for American Journalism Review. 

Kirtley has been the Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota since August 1999. She was named director of the Silha Center in May 2000. Prior to that, she was executive director of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Arlington, Virginia, for 14 years. Before joining the Reporters Committee staff, Kirtley was an attorney for five years in Rochester, New York and Washington D.C., and is a member of the New York, District of Columbia, and Virginia bars. Kirtley also worked as a reporter for the Evansville (Indiana) Press and The Oak Ridger and Nashville Banner (Tennessee).

Kirtley received her J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1979. She holds bachelor's and master's of journalism degrees from Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. She has received many awards and honors, including induction into the Medill School of Journalism's Hall of Achievement in 1999; the FOI Hall of Fame in 1996, and the John Peter Zenger Award for Freedom of the Press and the People's Right to Know from the University of Arizona in 1993.

For more information about Jane Kirtley’s lecture on the Wells College campus, please contact the Wells AAUP representative, Niamh O’Leary at 315/364-3279. To arrange an interview or photo session with Kirtley, contact Gwen Webber-McLeod, director of communications, at 315/364-3260. Information about Ms. Kirtley may also be found at www.silha.umn.edu/jane.htm

February, 2003

Lara Kimber Joins Wells College External Relations Team

Ann Rollo, Vice President External Relations announces the appointment of Lara Kimber to the position of Wells College Director of Development. She joins the External Relations team after many years in the fields of education, development work and owning a small business. 

As the Director of Development, Lara will develop and execute comprehensive programs to support the college's fundraising goals.  Her work includes: 

• overseeing donor relations with the college
• soliciting and stewarding leadership level donors 
• identifying and cultivating new donors 
• supervising program staff in the Annual Fund, Research and Records departments 
• developing comprehensive communications efforts in support of the development program 

Prior to her work at Cornell Kimber was the founder and President of Fertile Minds, Inc., an educational consulting company that developed garden based learning programs for public schools, botanic gardens, and not-for-profit agencies. 

Lara Kimber holds a B.A. in Biology from Amherst College and a M.S. in plant pathology from Cornell University and is a published author on topics in her academic area of expertise. She is actively involved in community organizations and resides in Dryden, New York. 

February, 2003

Wells College Recognizes Long-Time Employee with Diversity Award

Wells College president Lisa Marsh Ryerson announced December 5 that Alice Bradley of Aurora is the recipient of the first On the Path: Exceeding Expectations award. The award was presented by the President’s Committee on Diversity (PCD) as part of a campus-wide celebration of diversity. It will be given each year to a campus community member who, with integrity and intentionality, demonstrates that respect and civility are intricately woven throughout his or her actions, words, and deeds.

On December 5, the entire campus community gathered together at a reception hosted by the PCD to strengthen bonds and celebrate Wells’ commitment to diversity in all areas of its purview. “The President’s Committee on Diversity exists to ensure that Wells College demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity in all areas of its work,” said President Ryerson. “The overall goal of the committee is to make certain that Wells' programs and services operate effectively in support of this commitment. This special event enabled us to celebrate our successes and to engage the entire campus community in this important work.”

To achieve its goals, the PCD meets monthly during the academic year. In the course of its work, the Committee established the On the Path: Exceeding Expectations award to recognize those on campus who embody the characteristics that promote diversity awareness at the college. Ryerson stated that the individuals considered for the award “express their beliefs by living, working and acting with respect, civility, and honor each day at Wells College. We could think of no one more deserving of this inaugural award than Alice Bradley.” 

Alice came to work on campus in August of 1975. She began her career at Wells as a secretary in the Admissions Office, and was promoted to office manager in 1985, the position she still holds today. Her husband, Dick, was also a loyal Wells employee, serving the college for 34 years before retiring last year. Alice grew up in a household that occasionally had a hard time making ends meet. Her parents did not belong to social clubs or prestigious organizations, and Alice felt she was never really accepted. 

“Since I was a young girl, I have tried very hard not to be judgmental of others, even on a bad day,” says Alice. “Everyone has worth and I try to see the best in all people. I hope people will remember me as someone who doesn’t judge others by what they’ve done, but by who they are. I believe each person is a good person.”

To learn more about Wells College’s diversity initiatives and the On the Path: Exceeding Expectations Award, please contact Gwen Webber-McLeod, director of communications, at 315/364-3260. 

January, 2003

Earlier Articles in Wells College News:
 

April, 2003	Sept.,2000.-May.,2001	May,1998	May - June,1997
March, 2003	Sept. 1999-Aug.,2000	April,1998	March - April,1997
Jan.-Feb., 2003	August,1999	March,1998	February,1997
December, 2002	May,1999	February,1998	Nov. - Dec.,1996
November, 2002	April,1999	January,1998	October,1996
October, 2002	Feb. - March, 1999	December,1997	September,1996
September, 2002	January,1999	November,1997	June - Aug.,1996
August, 2002	Fall,1998	October,1997	May,1996
Sept.,2001.-May.,2002	August,1998	September,1997	April,1996
	June -July, 1998	July - August, 1997	Feb - March, 1996

Last updated 05/15/2003