Lecture to Address Antebellum Racism in Antonio Canova's Statue of George Washington

Chestertown, MD, September 26, 2001 — Washington College's C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and Department of Art present "Antonio Canova's 'George Washington' Redux: Proslavery Rhetoric and Regional Politics in Antebellum America," a lecture by Christopher M. S. Johns, Ph.D., on Monday, October 15, 2001 at 8 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The public is invited to attend.

Prof. Johns' lecture will examine a little-known statue of George Washington, created in 1816 by Italian Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822) for the North Carolina State House in Raleigh. Portraying Washington as a seated Classical hero, dressed in Roman attire, this work, according to Prof. Johns, "marks a crucial shift in the history of Neoclassicism from an ideology that mined the Graeco-Roman past as a model of a utopian future to a deployment of Classicism's authority to justify and reinforce the economic and social status quo." Through associations with such figures as the Roman citizen-hero Cincinnatus, Washington became for proslavery plantation owners both a symbol of political dominance and an icon of state's rights.

Prof. Johns has taught in the McIntire Department of Art at the University of Virginia since 1985, where he has received the University of Virginia Alumni Council Outstanding Young Teacher Award. He also is the recipient of numerous other awards, from such organizations as the American Academy in Rome, the Fulbright Foundation, and Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art. Prof. Johns has been a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Iowa and a Thomas Jefferson Visiting Fellow at Downing College, Cambridge University, and has lectured widely at such places as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Princeton University, the University of Heidelberg, and the Swedish Institute at Rome.

Specializing in the visual culture of Eighteenth- and early Nineteenth-century Europe, Prof. Johns' recent publications include Antonio Canova and the Politics of Patronage in Revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe (Berkeley, 1988), a finalist for the Charles Rufus Morey Book Award of the College Art Association; "The Cultural Entrêpot of Europe: Rome in the Eighteenth Century," in Art in Rome in the Eighteenth Century (exh. cat., Philadelphia and London, 2000); "Ecclesiastical Politics and Papal Tombs: Antonio Canova's Monuments to Clement XIV and Clement XIII," in The Sculpture Journal; and "'That Amiable Object of Adoration': Pompeo Batoni and the Sacred Heart," in Gazette des Beaux-Arts.

This marks Professor Johns' second trip to Washington College.

Shields and Gigot on Campus to Discuss America's Sea Change and The Politics of the New War on Terrorism

Chestertown, MD, September 20, 2001 — On Monday, October 1, 2001, Washington College will bring together political commentators Mark Shields and Paul Gigot--co-hosts of "Political Wrap" on the Public Broadcasting System's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer--for a frank, open discussion of the changes and future direction of American politics and society in the face of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The panel discussion will be moderated by John Harwood, political editor of The Wall Street Journal, and begins at 7 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Mark Shields is a syndicated columnist, Washington Post contributor, and moderator of CNN's "Capital Gang." Shields has been a NewsHour analyst since the segment began in 1987. He provided political analysis of both the 1988, 1992 and 1996 presidential elections and, in 1988, contributed to the political coverage that won a Peabody for The NewsHour. Shields also provided election analysis for CBS and NBC.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Shields has taught at Harvard University and the Wharton School of Business. He is the author of On the Campaign Trail, which documents the 1984 presidential race. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Paul Gigot is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Wall Street Journal "Potomac Watch" column and the newly named editorial page editor of the Journal. He joined Shields as a NewsHour political commentator in 1994.

His career with the Journal began in 1980 as a Chicago-based reporter. In 1982, Gigot moved to Hong Kong as the paper's Asia correspondent and became the first editorial page editor of The Asian Wall Street Journal in 1984. That same year he won an Overseas Press Club award for his reporting on the Philippines. Gigot took a year's leave from the Journal to serve as a White House Fellow from 1986 to 1987. A graduate of Dartmouth, Gigot went on to write for The Far Eastern Economic Review in Hong Kong and National Review in New York. He lives in Alexandria, VA.

The Harwood Lecture Series in American Journalism is sponsored by the Richard Harwood Endowment Fund, established to honor the distinguished career of the late Washington Post columnist and ombudsman Richard Harwood, who served as both a College Trustee and a lecturer in journalism at the College.

Additional Information:

Potomac Watch Farewell
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pgigot/

Shields & Gigot: Political Wrap
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/shields&gigot/political_wrap.html

President Toll on National Day of Prayer and Remembrance Ceremony

Remarks of President John S. Toll at the Washington College Service of Remembrance

Chestertown, MD, September 14, 2001 — No one in our country is untouched or unchanged by the vicious attack on innocent lives that took place in New York and Washington, and over the skies of Pennsylvania on Tuesday.

In the Washington College community, we are still learning the magnitude of the personal impact of this great tragedy. To the best of our knowledge, the father of one of our students is confirmed dead in the attack on the World Trade Center. Three other students have parents who worked in the World Trade Center, but who mercifully have been located, either safe, or in one case, in critical condition in a New York City hospital. A relative of one of our students was a pilot aboard one of the United Airline flights out of Boston. Yet another student has a brother who is a Marine guard at the Pentagon and is still missing. In addition, many, many members of our community know of friends and extended family that were lost in these attacks.

Today, in response to the President’s Proclamation, we join the nation and the world in a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks. Earlier today, the countries of the European Union paused to observe three minutes of silence. In Great Britain, the Queen and the Prime Minister joined a nation in mourning the loss of an estimated 500 British citizens in Tuesday’s attack. Indeed, the whole world has been touched and changed by these cowardly acts.

My personal emphasis has been to help those members of the College community whose family members are missing. But we have also responded with programs on campus every day for others in the community, so that people can come together to comfort each other.

It is my fervent belief that we not magnify the impact of the terrorists by allowing them to damage the College program severely. Let today's gathering also be an expression of hope. Let us remember that the human spirit is indomitable and cannot be crushed by the vicious hand of terror. We will continue the work of this community of learning, with hope that the wisdom we acquire will help bring about a lasting peace that will prevent this kind of crime against humanity from ever recurring.

As we reflect today on the lives of those who have perished, let us honor their memory by dedicating our labors to the pursuit of peace and wisdom.

Additional words from Reverend Peter Lai, Chaplain, Heron Point, Chestertown, MD

Almighty God, we ask that you fill this solemn moment with the majesty of your presence and fill our hearts with your love. Our hearts are saddened by the loss of the people who perished as a result of the attacks that took place three days ago. Today we remember and honor them as our heroes. Bring your comforting Spirit to those family members who are in deep despair and in great sorrow. Be with the rescue workers who act with such courage and determination. Guide them and protect them from danger.

For those of us who live today, we pray that this memorial service will inspire us to a greater commitment to you and our neighbors. May we be brave so that enemies who would deprive us of our freedom will not succeed. Give to our president and other leaders your wisdom as they have difficult decisions to make in the days ahead. Give us your wisdom as we try to find meaning in the midst of this horrible tragedy. Fill us with compassion so we can reach out to those in need.

Then as we leave this place, we will be renewed in our spirits with faith, hope and love and we know confidently that the people we honor today will not have died in vain.

In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Additional words from Board Chairman Jay Griswold

There is no question that there is evil in the world. As we reel from the devastation and loss of life in New York, in Washington, and in Pennsylvania, and these affronts to the symbols of a free democracy, we come to understand that the very fabric of our country has been torn. Just as the landscape of New York is changed, so America is changed. We have lost our innocence. We have come to a brutal awareness that we are not invulnerable to terrorist attacks on American soil.

Yet the spirit of the American people remains unflappable. Even in our tremendous sense of loss and sadness, we begin to take solace in the emerging stories that speak to our humanity. We find victories in each rescue of a fallen firefighter, in the messages recorded by hostages held in the skies, in acts of heroism as passengers attempted to wrest control of a plane from the hijackers, in the compassion shared between strangers in time of crisis.

We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one another in hope and faith.

I urge you as you work through all of the emotions to reflect on the broad sweep of history. Much has happened to this country since 1782, tragic and triumphant. God bless Washington College, God bless America.

Words from Dean Scholz

Campus Ceremony on the Front Lawn, September 13

Chestertown, MD, September 13, 2001 — The tragic events of this week have touched every one of us. Many of us have friends, relatives, and loved ones among the dead or among those still missing in New York, Washington D.C. and in Pennsylvania. By attacking these innocents, those responsible for this terrible act have attacked each one of us. We are joined in outrage and grief.

We come together today to express our solidarity in the face of this destruction. It is a time to remember that even in Chestertown we are members of a global society. As an educational community, we remain united in our pursuit of truth, united in the love of the wisdom that grows from it, and united in our commitment to peace around the world.

We also come together today to reflect on the lives of those who have perished, to honor the memory of those who died at the hand of terror as well as those who sacrificed their lives in acts of rescue.

In placing flowers at the feet of our founder's statue, we declare the community of Washington College to be of one heart. We dedicate our labors to the support of each other in this time of need and to the preservation of all that is good in our community, in our nation, and in the world.

I will now place a wreath on behalf of the College to witness our respect for the victims and in evidence of our dedication to the values inscribed in the mission of Washington College. I invite all of you to join me in the laying of flowers in acknowledgement of our community's deep sense of sorrow and solidarity.

A Message from President Toll

Classes Canceled September 11

Chestertown, MD, September 11, 2001 — As you have no doubt heard, some parts of our nation have suffered multiple terrorist attacks. Our concern and national solidarity have been heightened. I implore all to remember that we are a community of learning, of tolerance and of understanding. Please remain calm and help others who may be concerned or whose families may be affected by these tragedies.

Because a state of emergency has been declared in Maryland, public schools have closed, and we are canceling classes for the remainder of the day. We hope that all offices providing services to students will try to maintain normal hours. Except for essential personnel in such offices as the Dining Services, Public Safety, and Buildings & Grounds, all of our faculty and staff are free to leave. Other related changes in college programs will be announced through the campus Blitzmail. If you know of anyone needing assistance, please call my office at ext. 7201.

There are still many unanswered questions. Let us stand together in peace and support one another. Most of all let us show compassion through these tragedies as we continue the work of the College.

Sincerely,

John S. Toll, President Washington College

Washington College Welcomes New Faculty and Second Largest Freshman Class

Chestertown, MD, September 5, 2001 — As Washington College welcomes its second largest class of incoming freshman and transfer students—numbering 384 students—the College is joined by 26 new faculty members for the Fall 2001 semester, including five new faculty hired for tenure-track professorships in psychology, business management, French, computer science and philosophy.

For tenure-track positions, the College welcomes the following professors this year: Katherine Cameron (Ph.D. University of California), assistant professor of psychology; James Falter (D.A.B., Nova Southeastern University), assistant professor of business management; Pamela Pears (Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh), assistant professor of French; Roseanne Tesoriero (Ph.D., University of Maryland), assistant professor of computer science; and Peter Weigel (Ph.D., Yale University), assistant professor of philosophy.

Visiting professors for the 2001-2002 academic year are Bonnie Ryan, Jessie Ball duPont Scholar in the department of sociology and anthropology; Hongyan Xiao, visiting assistant professor of political science; Jill MacDougall, visiting assistant professor of drama while Professor Timothy Maloney is on leave during Fall 2001; and John Doherty, visiting assistant professor of biology.

Washington College also welcomes Barbaranne Mocella and Scott Woolever, lecturers in art; Matthew Johnson and Joe Matanoski, lecturers in biology; Robb MacFarlane, lecturer in business management; Barbara Creegan, lecturer in chemistry; Michele Volansky, lecturer in drama; Andrew Hill, instructor in economics; Judith Goodman and Edward J. Silver, lecturers in education; Enid Larrimore and Kimberly Middleton, lecturers in foreign languages; George Vrtis, lecturer in history; Dr. Jean-Louis Marchand, lecturer in psychology; Kenneth Schweitzer, lecturer in music; Tara E. Kent, instructor in sociology; and Deborah Taub, lecturer in sociology and anthropology.

"With our second largest incoming class in the College's history, the demands on our faculty have never been greater," said Dr. John S. Toll, president of the College. "With new faculty adding to our resources, I have no doubt that our students will have the close attention and teaching excellence that is our fundamental value at Washington College."

Environmental Writer Melds History, Place and Nature

John Hanson Mitchell to Read from His Works September 20

Chestertown, MD, September 4, 2001 — John Hanson Mitchell, author of Ceremonial Time: Fifteen Thousand Years on One Square Mile and the recently published The Wildest Place on Earth: Italian Gardens and the Invention of Wilderness, will read from his works on Thursday, September 20, 2001 at 5 p.m. in Washington College's Hynson Lounge. The public is invited to attend.

Mitchell's first book Ceremonial Time, published in 1984, was the outcome of a choice to live in a place that was typical, little noticed and unhallowed, while chronicling the changes that have taken place there over the past 15,000 years. Ceremonial Time was followed by Living At the End of Time, Trespassing, Walking Towards Walden and The Wildest Place on Earth.

In the introduction to his book A Field Guide to Your Own Back Yard, Mitchell summarizes his view of environmentalism and ecology: "There is a popular belief abroad in this country that holds that the most interesting things in the natural world can only be found in faraway places or specially designated areas. That is to say, in order to experience nature you must get in your car and travel somewhere—either to a national or state park or to some official nature preserve. The nearby, that closer wilderness of the backyard and the vacant lot, is, according to that belief, entirely devoid of interesting forms of life and not worth exploring. This field guide sets out to discount that theory."

In a recent interview, Mitchell acknowledged a connection to the Eastern Shore that helped to inspire his approach to environmental writing: "My father, in the 1930s, inherited a 700-acre farm on the Eastern Shore, in Maryland, and then sold it all off because of problems. It was the depression and very tough to make a living on the farm. My father left the farm and rented it to a tenant farmer. That man killed himself and his wife on the property, and after that my father vowed never to own land again. So I grew up with this mixed feeling toward land--on the one hand interested in how land can anchor you to a place, but on the other hand feeling that nobody can ever really know or own a place, and that every piece of land is full of stories."

Mitchell also will lecture on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre in Easton as part of the 2001 Eastern Shore Lecture Series "Journeys Home: People, Nature and Sense of Place," a subscription series co-sponsored by the Washington College Center for the Environment and Society, the Adkins Arboretum, the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, the Horsehead Wetlands Center and the Maryland Center for Agroecology.

For subscription information on the Eastern Shore Lecture Series, call Dr. Wayne H. Bell, Director of the Washington College Center for the Environment and Society, at 410-810-7171, or the Adkins Arboretum at 410-634-2847.