Mela Dutka Appointed New Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs

Chestertown, MD, December 22, 2005 — Washington College is pleased to announce the appointment of Mela Dutka as the new Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs. Dutka, who previously served as Dean of Students for Smith College, brings more than 20 years of experience in the management of student residential life and activities with a special focus on the needs of liberal arts institutions. She starts her new position July 1, 2006.

"Even among the exceptionally strong group of candidates that the Search Committee brought to campus, Dr. Dutka stood out," Washington College President Baird Tipson said in announcing the appointment to the campus. "Students, faculty, and staff praised her wisdom, her approachability, and her long experience in the various areas that comprise a contemporary student life office. I am delighted that she has agreed to join the Washington College community."

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Dutka holds a master's degree in student personnel services from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. in curriculum, instruction, and administration from Boston College. Prior to overseeing the student life departments and programs for 2,800 undergraduates at Smith College in Northampton, MA, Dutka served as Dean of Students at Columbia College in Columbia, SC, from 1995 to 1999, Director of Housing at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA, from 1987 to 1992, and Director of Housing-Residential Life at Menlo College, Atherton, CA, from 1985 to 1987. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Boston College between 1992 and 1995, Dutka was responsible for developing and implementing a Freshman Assistant Program and supervising 125 student volunteers to support the college's new student orientation.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Washington College community," Dutka said in accepting the appointment. "I am impressed with what the College offers in terms of its overall educational quality and its strong sense of community. Even in my short time on campus, what stands out is the high quality of the students, staff, and faculty and their remarkable degree of engagement in the life of the College. All of this helps create a vibrant educational experience for students and a wonderful place to accomplish good work. I'm looking forward to working with the entire College community-and especially those in student affairs-in their on-going efforts to develop an outstanding student life program."

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Washington College Announces Spring 2006 Graduate Courses in English, History, and Psychology

Chestertown, MD, December 15, 2005 — Students, educators, and mental healthcare professionals are invited to register for Spring 2006 graduate courses at Washington College. The College offers master's degree programs in English, history, and psychology, as well as graduate courses in education, which can help to meet requirements for advanced professional certifications. The Spring 2006 graduate term begins the week of January 30 and ends the week of May 1. Final Exams are scheduled for May 8-11.

The following graduate courses will be offered during the Spring 2006 semester:

• ENG 518-10 Victorian Literature, Monday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• ENG 599-10 Special Topic: Jewish American Writers, Tuesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• HIS 598-12 Special Topic: Teaching and Learning U.S. History, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• HIS 599-10 Special Topic: Europe in the Age of Reformation, Thursday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• HIS 599-11 Special Topic: History of Freedom in Western Culture, Wednesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• HIS 599-12 Special Topic: Modern Jewish History, Tuesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• PSY 502-10 Biological Foundations of Human Behavior, Monday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• PSY 508-10 Research Methods & Advanced Statistics, Wednesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• PSY 599-10 Special Topic: Sports Psychology, Tuesday, 7:00-9:30 p.m.

All graduate classes are held on Washington College's Chestertown campus unless otherwise noted. Students must pre-register prior to January 6, 2006, to guarantee texts. The Washington College Bookstore will be open for students to purchase texts on Monday, January 30, and Thursday, February 2, 6-7:00 p.m. Graduate tuition is $825 per course, plus a non-refundable course registration fee of $65. A late payment fee of $150 will be added to any account with an outstanding balance beyond the second week of classes. Pre-registration forms are accepted at the Registrar's Office in person, by mail, by phone at 410-778-7299, or by fax at 410-810-7159.

For complete information on Washington College's graduate course offerings, including detailed course descriptions and registration forms, visit http://grad.washcoll.edu.

Education courses are scheduled on an ongoing basis at a number of Maryland locations. Information is available at www.RegionalTrainingCenter.org.

The College's graduate education course schedule and registration materials are available online at www.RegionalTrainingCenter.org, or by calling the Regional Training Center at 800-433-4740 between the hours 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

$1 Million Gift Establishes New Endowed Chair in Art and Art History at Washington College

Chestertown, MD, December 15, 2005 — Washington College is pleased to announce that Chestertown resident and friend of the College, John Underwood, on behalf of his late wife, Nancy L. Underwood, has given $1 million to establish the Nancy L. Underwood Chair in Art and Art History. The gift will be matched by The Hodson Trust to create a $2 million endowment for the Chair.

"Nancy took a life-long pleasure in the study of art and art history," said Mr. Underwood. "A descendant of the Chappell family, she built her own collection and preserved treasures passed down in her family through generations. She took comfort that she had found in Washington College a venue to foster in others her passion for art and to preserve favorite pieces from her collection. Nancy could not find a better match for her interests than Washington College."

In addition to establishing the new Underwood Chair to support the study of art and art history, the Underwoods are donating to Washington College several heirlooms from the Chappell family, including a 17th century chest-on-chest, a sterling silver tea service, two 19th century Paris vases, and three early portraits.

Mrs. Underwood was born in Wilmington, Del., and graduated with honors in 1950 from the University of Cincinnati. A retired engineer, Mr. Underwood is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio and holds a Master of Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. The Underwoods were married at Old St. Paul's Kent in 1960 and after frequently vacationing in Chestertown during the past several decades returned to the area permanently to retire.

"The generosity of the Underwoods will enrich art education for generations of Washington College students to come," said Baird Tipson, President of the College. "We are truly grateful for their gift and for their belief in the College's mission to transform and inspire young lives through the liberal arts."

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

635 Years and Counting: Annual Luncheon Honors Staff and Faculty for Long Years of Service to Washington College

Chestertown, MD, December 14, 2005 — In an annual holiday tradition, the President's Office of Washington College hosted a luncheon Friday, December 9, to recognize staff and faculty members for their years of dedication to the College. This year, the 37 Washington College employees honored represented a collective 635 years of service.

Honored for 10 years of service were Dina du Pont Beck, Information Services Manager; Kathleen Bennett, Director of Concert Fund; Jennifer Bershon, Registrar; Rhonda Boyer, Dining Services; Judith Chaitoff, Director of Human Resources; W. Whaland Clark, Grounds Supervisor; Deborah Gannon, Internal Auditor; Cynthia Gerres, Faculty Secretary; Susan Haines, Director of Bookstore; Barbara Kimble, Dining Services; Drema Kinser, Housekeeping; Diane Landskroener, Director of Creative Services; Rebecca Marshall, Housekeeping; Tammy McGinnis, Dining Services; Barbara Miller, Housekeeping; H. Louis Stettler III, Senior Vice President of Business and Management; and James Wright, Business Manager of Dining Services.

Honored for 15 years of service were Louise Amick, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Michael Davenport, Head Men's and Women's Rowing Coach; Lucille Lanahan, Housekeeping; Joseph Lill, Supervisor of Dining Services; Ruth Shoge, Director of Miller Library; and Darrold Smith, Loss Prevention Officer.

Honored for 20 years of service were Cheryl Brooks, Dining Services; Barbara Heck, Associate Vice President for Development; James Locker, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Randy Reynolds, Carpenter; Rachel Scholz, Lecturer in Education; Peggy Thomas, Housekeeping; and Kathleen Verville, Associate Professor of Biology.

Honored for 25 years of service was Joachim Scholz, Provost and Dean of the College.

Honored for 30 years of service were W. Michael Bailey, Professor of Economics, and Richard DeProspo, Professor of English.

Honored for 35 years of service were: Robert Day, Professor of English, and Thomas J. Finnegan, Professor of Physical Education.

Special recognition was extended to two of the College's longest-serving employees, Thomas Pabon, Professor of Spanish, and Alice Wickes, Housekeeping, who have each given 40 years of service to the College.

"I applaud and sincerely appreciate the hard work, ongoing dedication, and the example that these staff members set for the College," said Baird Tipson, President of the College. "All have contributed—each in his or her own unique but significant way—to improving our campus community and to making Washington College one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges."

Distinguished Statesman, Senator Birch Bayh, Joins Washington College's C.V. Starr Center

Chestertown, MD, December 7, 2005 — Washington College is pleased to announce that Senator Birch Bayh, one of the most respected elder statesmen in American politics, will join the Washington College community as a Fellow of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience during the Spring 2006 semester.

As U.S. Senator from Indiana between 1963 and 1981, Sen. Bayh won national renown as a champion of civil rights and education, helping to draft the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act. He authored two successful amendments to the U.S. Constitution—the 25th and the 26th—as well as the Equal Rights Amendment, which was not ratified. No other lawmaker since the Founders has authored two constitutional amendments. Sen. Bayh was the architect of Title IX, which ensured equal opportunity for female college students, faculty, and student athletes.

"Not only is Sen. Bayh a legendary figure in American public life, he's also someone whom all American colleges and universities may rightly call a hero—both as the architect of Title IX and as the author of the 26th Amendment, which gave college-age citizens the right to vote," said Adam Goodheart, acting director of the C.V. Starr Center. "We're very honored that he has chosen to join us at the Center and Washington College."

Sen. Bayh will teach a Senatorial Colloquy on American History and Politics for interested Washington College students. During the non-credited, extracurricular seminar, the Senator will lead discussions on such topics as women's rights, civil rights, the Supreme Court, and electoral politics as well as share firsthand stories from a career in which he worked closely with everyone from John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bill Clinton. Applications will be required from students who wish to enroll in the Colloquy.

Additionally, Sen. Bayh will give a free public lecture, "Church and State: 18th-Century Principles, 21st-Century Politics," on January 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theatre, Gibson Performing Arts Center.

"Sen. Bayh, along with Mrs. Bayh, visited campus informally earlier this fall and spent hours chatting with students about current events and his past experiences in politics," Goodheart said. "It was clear that he has a special rapport with young people, and that he is an exceptional mentor and teacher."

Sen. Bayh's fellowship is sponsored by the College's C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience. Drawing on the special historical strengths of Washington College and Chestertown, the C.V. Starr Center is dedicated to exploring the early republic, the rise of democracy, and the manifold ways in which the founding era continues to shape American culture.

News about upcoming events sponsored by the Center is available online athttp://starrcenter.washcoll.edu.

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Hodson Trust Awards $2.5 Million to Washington College for Science Scholarships, American History Center

Chestertown, MD, December 5, 2005 — Washington College has been awarded $2.5 million in grants from The Hodson Trust to establish merit scholarships for science majors and to support the College's C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, officials of the College have announced.

"For many decades, The Hodson Trust has played a critical role in the growth of our institution and the success of generations of our students," said Baird Tipson, President of the College. "The Trust's generosity has leveraged our success in academics and recruitment. We are grateful for its special commitment to private independent higher education in Maryland."

In its current grant to Washington College, The Trust has designated $1.25 million to establish a merit-based tuition scholarship program for students intending to major in the sciences. An additional $1.25 million is targeted for the College's C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, which opened in 2000. Drawing on the special historical strengths of Washington College and Chestertown, the C. V. Starr Center is dedicated to scholarship and programming that explore the nation's founding era, the early republic, the rise of democracy, and the manifold ways in which the founding era continues to shape American culture.

The Trust also has announced the naming of Hodson Foundation Minority Scholarship awards in memory of the late James H. Gilliam, Jr., an attorney, private investor, consultant, philanthropist, and former trustee of the Hodson Trust, executive vice president and general counsel at Beneficial Corporation, and member of the company's Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Mr. Gilliam was an alumnus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md., and a graduate of the Columbia University School of Law and the Wharton School's Advanced Management Program.

Hodson-Gilliam Scholarships are presented by Washington College through the generosity of The Hodson Trust to entering students from ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in higher education. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic and personal achievement.

A grade point average of 3.5 or higher, a rank in the upper 20 percent of the graduating class, a minimum SAT score of 1140, or a minimum ACT score of 25 is required for scholarship consideration. Awards range from $12,500 to $17,500 annually.

The Hodson Trust was established by the family of Colonel Clarence Hodson, founder of the Beneficial Corporation, to support excellence in education. Since 1920, The Hodson Trust has given more than $166 million to fund academic merit scholarships as well as research grants, technology improvements, facilities, library expansion, athletic programs, faculty salaries, and endowment funds at Johns Hopkins University, Hood, St. John's and Washington colleges.

For information about The Hodson Trust, visit www.hodsontrust.org.

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Bookstore Hosts Twelve Days of Christmas

Chestertown, MD, December 1, 2005 — In celebration of the holidays, the Bookstore is offering special promotions the first twelve days of December.

DECEMBER 1

20% off Keep Warm Wear
Jackets, hats, gloves and scarves

DECEMBER 2

20% off Tradebooks and Magazines
Everything you like to read for fun!

DECEMBER 3

School Spirit Saturday Savings!

DECEMBER 4

A day off for the Bookstore staff
And a day for baking and cooking for you!

DECEMBER 5

25% off All Non-Imprinted Gifts
Pictures frames, plush, boxes, posters, games, etc.

DECEMBER 6

20% off All Infant/Toddler and Youth Wear
Sweatshirts, t-shirts, bibs, booties and onsies

DECEMBER 7

25% off All Imprinted Gifts
Mugs, keychains, etc. with the Washington College imprint

DECEMBER 8

25% off Greeting Cards, Gift Wrap and film

DECEMBER 9

25% off ALL T-shirts
Long sleeve, short sleeve, kids and adults.

DECEMBER 10

School Spirit Saturday Savings!

DECEMBER 11

A day off for the Bookstore staff
And day for wrapping for you!

DECEMBER 12

20% off ALL Sweatshirts
Hoods, crews, and zips—kids and adults.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

New York City, October 3, 1789 — In a national proclamation of composed of two sentences and 192 words, George Washington proclaimed the Thanksgiving holiday for:

"The great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness."

Full Proclamation

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

Worlds in Collision: NPR's Adam Davidson on Covering the Global Beat, November 30

Chestertown, MD, November 21, 2005 — Washington College's Drama Department presents, "Reporting Disasters," a lecture by Adam Davidson, international business and economics correspondent for National Public Radio, Wednesday, November 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the College's Norman James Theatre. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

With vast experience covering events in devastated areas such as New Orleans, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, Davidson will address the challenges and rewards of reporting from places undergoing great change and conflict. After the deadly tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, he covered the aftermath of the disaster in Banda Aceh, spending two weeks there, living in a concrete bunker and filing several reports a day. Davidson hopes his reports help his listeners make sense of the overwhelming effects of globalization and "better understand the profound changes happening in every part of the world."

A reporter on international business and economics for NPR's National Desk since December 2004, Davidson reports on the effects of increased global trade on the U.S. economy, U.S. workers, and U.S. competitiveness. In 2004, he won the Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize for covering corruption in the reconstruction of post-war Iraq. His work has also been featured onThis American Life and WBEZ in Chicago, as well as in the New York Times, Harper's, GQ,and Rolling Stone.

Drama Department Concludes Fall Season with Mamet's Oleanna, December 1, 2, and 3

Chestertown, MD, November 21, 2005 — Washington College's Drama Department presentsOleanna by David Mamet, directed by Larry Stahl, lecturer in drama and technical director of the Daniel Z. Gibson Performing Arts Center, December 1, 2, and 3, at 8 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theatre. No reservations are required and the public is invited to attend this free event.

For show information, call 410-778-7835 or e-mail drama_tickets@washcoll.edu.

Featuring a cast of two, Oleanna centers on the relationship between John, a college professor portrayed by senior Brian Cornelius, and his student Carol, depicted by junior Alaina Anderson, who accuses him of sexual harassment. Allowing the audience to witness the incident on which the young woman bases her charges, Mamet infuses the play with a liberal dose of ambiguity and shows the repercussions of the student's allegations. A life-long Mamet admirer, Stahl observes, "The play is not about sexual harassment or political correctness, but rather it is about miscommunication and the use and abuse of power on both sides."

According to critic Michael Wise of Independent, "Oleanna cogently demonstrates that when free thought and dialogue are imperiled, nobody wins."

WC Students Contribute to New Book Celebrating 300 Years Here on the Chester

Chestertown, MD, November 18, 2005 — Where did the 1960s' most famous beat poet once attempt to levitate a town jail? Where did such music legends as Ray Charles and James Brown once fill the night air with the soulful sounds of R&B? Where did rebellious colonials tussle with Redcoats, thumb their noses at British taxes, and—supposedly—dump tea on May 23, 1774? And where did chicken-neckers by the thousands once find the Bay's best-tasting Callinectes sapidus? The answer? Right Here On the Chester.

In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the founding of Chestertown in 2006, Washington College's Literary House Press has just released Here On the Chester, a new collection of stories, essays, reflections, and photographs celebrating Chestertown's rich and colorful past. Compiling the work of 28 Washington College writers, Here On the Chesterprofiles the people, the places, the personalities, and the history that have made Chestertown an Eastern Shore treasure, a colonial jewel, and an eccentric's haven for generations. Contributors and friends of the College celebrated the release of the book Friday, November 18, at Washington College's Rose O'Neill Literary House.

The book also gave four current Washington College students an opportunity few college students have, to see their work and research published in print. John Bohrer '06 of Monroe Township, NJ, describes George Washington's various trips across the Chesapeake to Chestertown in the late 18th century. History and American Studies major Erin Koster '07 of Tranquility, NJ, contributed valuable research to Adam Goodheart's controversial "Tea and Infamy: Fact, Fiction and the Mysterious Spring of 1774," an article on the famous Chestertown Tea Party that is sure to raise a tempest in the town's teacup. Senior Nicole Vattimo '06 of Columbia, MD, authored "The Chestertown Blast," an article on the tragic explosions of July 16, 1954, when common firecrackers, M80s, destroyed the Kent Manufacturing Company and 11 lives, and Elizabeth Clay '08 of Bethesda, MD, contributed the essay "Black Patriots on the Eastern Shore," an overview of the little-known history of Kent County's African-American Civil War veterans.

From Revolutionary War heroes and Freedom Riders to beat poets and blues stars, there's something for everyone Here On the Chester, says Baird Tipson, President of Washington College.

"The book represents Washington College's contribution to the remarkable community in which we have found ourselves. You may soon find yourself, as I did, reading the volume from cover to cover. Or, you may just pick and choose. Your appreciation for this fascinating town is certain to increase."

Here On the Chester is available for $14.95 per copy by mail, check or money order, from The Literary House Press, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620. For more information, including information for book retailers and wholesale orders, contact JoAnn Fairchild, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Literary House Press, at 410-778-7899 or via e-mail, jfairchild2@washcoll.edu.

The publication of Here On the Chester was made possible in part by a grant from The William H. Donner Foundation of New York, NY.

Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college chartered in the new nation.

Book Prize Partners Awarded National Humanities Medal, November 10

Washington DC, November 15, 2005 — At a White House ceremony November 10, President George W. Bush presented Institute co-founders Richard Gilder and Lewis Lehrman with the 2005 National Humanities Medal. This award honors individuals and organizations whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand America's access to important humanities resources.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History partners with Washington College and Mount Vernon to sponsor the George Washington Book Prize.

Bias and Beyond: Reporter Looks at the New World of Politicized Journalism, November 28

Chestertown, MD, November 11, 2005 — Has the idea of journalism as an objective presentation of facts and information become outmoded? Has today's news media become so ideologically-driven that the American public can no longer determine what is fact and what is opinion? Washington College's Goldstein Program in Public Affairs takes a deeper look at this issue with "Bias & Beyond: Liberals, Conservatives, and the New World of Political Journalism," a talk by Stephen Hayes, staff writer for The Weekly Standard, Monday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

A graduate of DePauw University and Columbia University's School of Journalism, Hayes is a staff writer forThe Weekly Standard and author of The Connection: How Al Qaeda's Cooperation with Saddam Hussein Has Endangered America (Harper Collins, 2004). Before joining The Weekly Standard, Hayes was a senior writer for National Journal's Hotline and served for six years as Director of the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University. Hayes has been a guest on numerous televised political roundtables— CNN's Crossfire and Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, C-SPAN's Washington Journal, Fox's Hannity and Colmes andThe O'Reilly Factor, MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, NBC's Meet the Press, and The McLaughlin Group—and has written for the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Reason, Salon, and National Review.

The talk is sponsored by Washington College's Goldstein Program in Public Affairs, established in honor of the late Louis L. Goldstein, a 1935 alumnus and Maryland's longest serving elected official. The Goldstein Program sponsors lectures, symposia, visiting fellows, travel and other projects that bring students and faculty together with leaders in public policy and the media.

Activist on Leading Edge of International Women's Issues and U.S. Foreign Policy Speaks, November 22

Chestertown, MD, November 9, 2005 — Washington College's Campus Events and Visitors Committee presents "The Role of Gender in Third-World Development," a talk by Ritu Sharma, co-founder and President of Women's Edge Coalition, Tuesday, November 22, at 10 a.m. in Goldstein Hall, Room 201. The talk is free and the public is invited to attend.

A first generation American of East Indian heritage and a distinct voice on international women's issues and U.S. Foreign policy, Sharma co-founded the Women's Edge Coalition in 1998 to advocate international economic polices and human rights for women worldwide. Sharma is an adept coalition builder, political strategist, and communicator who has led numerous advocacy campaigns to success. Her endeavors have resulted in a strong network of support from international aid agencies, domestic women's groups, human rights organizations, and local activists.

In 2002, the Coalition's advocacy increased by 30 percent the amount of U.S. money contributed to international programs to combat human trafficking, and it won more than $72 million dollars for programs to support Afghan women last year. The Women's Edge Coalition brings together more than 40 respected organizations and 15,000 citizen advocates to push the U.S. government for more effective international assistance programs that help women and their families escape poverty and become more self-sufficient.

For more information, visit http://www.womensedge.org.

Bookworms of the World, Unite! Share an Evening with NPR's Maureen Corrigan, November 20

Chestertown, MD, November 8, 2005 — Washington College's O'Neill Literary House and Chestertown's Prince Theatre Foundation present "An Evening with Maureen Corrigan," book reviewer for NPR's "Fresh Air" and author of Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading (Random House, 2005), Sunday, November 20, at 6 p.m. at the Historic Prince Theatre on High Street. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

For more information, call 410-810-2060 or visit the Prince Theatre's website atwww.princetheatre.org. Book signing to follow.

As a book reviewer for The Washington Post and NPR's "Fresh Air" as well as a professor of English at Georgetown University, Corrigan has shared her love of books with the public for more than 16 years. Join her for an in-depth interview with novelist Benjamin Anastas, author of An Underachiever's Diary and Interim Director of Washington College's O'Neill Literary House, followed by a lively reading of passages from Corrigan's new memoir, Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading: Finding and Losing Myself in Books, performed by local actress Melissa McGlynn.

Praised for its wit and insight, Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading offers a reflective glimpse into the life of a self-proclaimed bookworm. From Jane Eyre to The Maltese Falcon, Corrigan reacts to her favorite works and reads her own life's triumphs and travails through reading and through an intense passion for literature. According to author Bobbie Ann Mason, "If you wonder about the secret life of bookworms, this is the book that will open up the rich rewards of going around with your nose stuck in a book."

The Prince Theatre Foundation, entering its fifth year, is committed to promoting broad public use of the Historic Prince Theatre in Chestertown, MD. The Foundation operates the beautifully restored 1926 movie house as a center for the performing and visual arts on the upper Eastern Shore.

Washington College Professor Awarded Gilder Lehrman Fellowship

C.V. Starr Center
George Washington Book Prize
Gilder Lehrman Institute

New York, NY, November 8, 2005 — Ted Widmer, Director of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and Associate Professor of History at Washington College, has been awarded a research fellowship by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Widmer conducted his research at the main branch of the New York Public Library. His project title is "Ark of the Liberties: America and the World."

To support outstanding scholarship, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History awards short-term fellowships in several categories: Research Fellowships for post-doctoral scholars at every faculty rank, Dissertation Fellowships for doctoral candidates who have completed exams and begun dissertation reading and writing, and Research Fellowships for journalists and independent scholars. The Gilder Lehrman Fellowships support work in one of five archives in New York City.

Widmer received a Ph.D. in the History of American Civilization from Harvard University. Among his many distinctions, he is the author of three books including the biography Martin Van Buren (Times Books, 2005); he created the first American Studies Institute, held at Washington College in the summer of 2003, to teach U.S. history to Muslim students from foreign universities; he co-launched the $50,000 George Washington Book Prize with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and George Washington's Mount Vernon; he worked as Special Assistant and Senior Advisor to President Clinton; he is a consultant to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; he is on the Board of Trustees of the Harvard Lampoon; he is on the Advisory Board of the Lincoln Prize; and he was elected to the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Founded in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History promotes the study and love of American history. Increasingly national and international in scope, the Institute targets audiences ranging from students to scholars to the general public. It creates history-centered schools and academic research centers, organizes seminars and enrichment programs for educators, partners with school districts to implement Teaching American History grants, produces print and electronic publications and traveling exhibitions, and sponsors lectures by eminent historians. The Institute also funds awards including the Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and George Washington Book Prizes. For more information, visit www.gilderlehrman.org.

WC Collegiate Programmers Take on Region's Best in the 30th Annual "Tech Olympics," November 12

Chestertown, MD, November 8, 2005 — For the fourth year in a row, Washington College's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will be a host site for the Mid-Atlantic regional playoff round of the "Tech Olympics," the 2005-2006 Association for Computing Machinery's International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), sponsored by IBM. Student programmers representing teams from Washington College, Rowan University, Temple University, and the University of Delaware will go head-to-head, laptop-to-laptop on Saturday, November 12, in the College's Goldstein Hall.

Now in its 30th year, the ACM competition is the largest and most prestigious contest of its kind, bringing the world's brightest collegiate programmers together to tackle a semester's worth of real-world programming tasks in one afternoon. The entire competition is conducted electronically with submissions made to a central site for independent judging.

Washington College's two teams, the Wolves and the Wildcats—coached by Computer Science Professor Shaun Ramsey—will be up against some of the Mid-Atlantic's best student programmers in a grueling five-hour competition that tests not only their problem-solving ability, but also their command of today's most advanced computer architecture. This year, Washington College will be represented by students Stephen Reaves '06, Washington, DC; Brian Standifer '06, Union Bridge, MD; Lucas Gerber '07, Galena, MD; Eric Shan '07, Ellicott City, MD; Sam Evans '09; and Molly Gavin '07, Severna Park, MD.

"The teams have five hours to solve six programming problems, and to say these are challenging is an understatement," said Professor Austin Lobo. "Most teams don't solve even one problem correctly but over the last few years our Washington College teams have averaged three correct solutions and that's an accomplishment that puts us among the top college and university teams from the entire Mid-Atlantic region."

There are as many teams in the Mid-Atlantic regional as there are in all of Europe.

Lobo added, "Our ability to host this contest rests on our exceptionally good computing infrastructure and the dedication and competence of the members of the Office of Information Technology."

Over the span of the next three months, regional competitions across the globe are expected to draw more than 5,000 teams all vying for a spot at the World Finals to be held April 9-13, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas.

Fragile Living, Rugged Land: Explore Fogo Island's Architecture with Robert Mellin, November 15

Chestertown, MD, November 8, 2005 — Washington College's Center for the Environment and Society presents "Tilting, Fogo Island: Rugged Landscape, Strong People, Fragile Architecture," a lecture by Robert Mellin, McGill University, Tuesday, November 15, at 7 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The event is free and open to the public.

An associate professor of architecture at McGill University, Mellin will speak about the inextricable relationship of architecture, traditional technology, place, and environment in the village of Tilting, a remote, narrow spit of land eight miles off the north coast of Newfoundland.

Chartering new territory in the field of historic preservation, Mellin's research investigates a community's sustainable building ethic and explores the demands of living on a rugged North Atlantic island. He illustrates the significance of preserving buildings to conserve culture and to maintain distinct traditional occupations.

A recipient of the Winterset Award, a prestigious Canadian literary accolade, Mellin's Tilting: House Launching, Slide Hauling, Potato Trenching, and Other Tales from a Newfoundland Village (Princeton Architectural Press, 2003) has received praise from critics for its astounding photographs and descriptive writing style. According to one literary review, Tiltingis "part architectural text, part sociological time-travel" and offers "a quick escape to a far-off land of wholesomely honest and genuinely good-natured people leading simple, though often difficult, lives."

Past Obsessions: Reflections on the End of World War II, Lecture November 17

Chestertown, MD, November 7, 2005 — Washington College's Conrad Wingate Memorial Lecture Series presents "Past Obsessions: Thoughts on the Sixtieth Anniversary of the End of World War II," a talk by Carol Gluck, Professor of History, Columbia University, on Thursday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

The George Sansom Professor of History and the director of the Expanding East Asian Studies Program at Columbia University, Gluck received her B.A. from Wellesley and her Ph.D. from Columbia. Honored with the Japan-United States Fulbright Program 50th Anniversary Distinguished Scholar Award in 2002, she serves as an active member of the National Coalition on Asian and International Studies in the Schools, a trustee of the Asia Society, and a board member of the Japan Society. Her research and teaching focus on modern Japan from the late nineteenth century to the present, international history, and historical writing in Asia and the West.

With numerous books and articles to her claim, Gluck is co-editor of Sources of Japanese Tradition (Columbia University Press), a volume considered the authoritative sourcebook for readers and scholars interested in Japan from 1600 to 2000, and is author of the forthcoming work Past Obsessions: War and Memory in the Twentieth Century (Columbia University Press).

The Conrad M. Wingate Memorial Lecture in History is held in honor of the late Conrad Meade Wingate '23, brother of late Washington College Visitor Emeritus Phillip J. Wingate '33 and the late Carolyn Wingate Todd. He was principal of Henderson (Maryland) High School at the time of his death from cerebrospinal meningitis at age 27. At Washington College, he was president of the Dramatic Association, president of the Adelphia Literary Society, and vice president of the Student Council in 1922-23.

Washington College Celebrates International Education Week 2005, November 14-18

Chestertown, MD, November 7, 2005 — International Education Week 2005 transforms the campus into an epicenter of global culture.

Monday November 14

5 p.m. Chalk Martha Washington Square with country flags

The International Students will be out on Martha Washington Square drawing their countries' flags with chalk to promote international awareness throughout campus. Come out and join them.

7 p.m. German club presents the movie Goodbye Lenin, Daly 218

"Winner of six European Film Awards including Best Picture and 2004 Gold Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this coming-of-age tale blends the collapse of communism with family drama. In 1989, divorced ex-teacher Christiane Kerner becomes devoted to the socialist East German state. A heart attack leaves her in a coma, and when she awakens eight months later, the Berlin Wall has fallen bringing monumental changes. To protect her from a possibly fatal shock, her son Alex hatches a plan to turn back the hands of time and recreate life in the former GDR for his fragile mother."

Tuesday November 15

10 a.m.- 3 p.m. IRC Bake Sale—CAC Gallery

With all proceeds going to the Pakistan Earthquake Recovery Efforts.

3:30 p.m. International Careers—Linda Cades—Career Services Library

Designed to give students a broad overview of the kinds of careers open to students who want to work internationally in government, business and in the non-profit world. It includes information on how to prepare during college so that you will be able to compete for international jobs and some print and internet resources students can use to get further information.

6:30 p.m. French Movie : L'Auberge Espagnole, Daly 218

L'Auberge Espangnole/ The Spanish Apartments (2002) by Cedric Klapisch

"As part of a job that he is promised, Xavier, an economics student in his twenties, signs on to a European exchange program in order to gain working knowledge of the Spanish language. Promising that they'll remain close, he says farewell to his loving girlfriend, then heads to Barcelona. Following his arrival, Xavier is soon thrust into a cultural melting pot when he moves into an apartment full of international students. An Italian, an English girl, a boy from Denmark, a young woman from Belgium, and German and a girl from Tarragona all join him in a series of adventures that serve as an initiation to life. "

Wednesday November 16

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Study Abroad Information Session—Smith 336

Go Away. Study Abroad. The Office of International Programs is having a general study abroad information session. In addition, there will be two student presentations; on The University of Hull, in England, and Bond University in Australia.

7 p.m. Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Honor Society Movie—I-House Basement (East Hall)

Diarios de Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries), 2004 (in Spanish with English subtitles)

The Motorcycle Diaries is an adaptation of a journal written by Ernesto "Che " Guevara (Bernal) when he was 23 years old. He and his friend, Alberto Granado (de la Serna) are typical college students who, seeking fun and adventure before graduation, decide to travel across Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Peru in order to do their medical residency at a leper colony. Beginning as a buddy/road movie in which Ernesto and Alberto are looking for chicks, fun and adventure before they must grow up and have a more serious life. As is said in the film itself, it's about "two lives running parallel for a while. " The two best friends start off with the same goals and aspirations, but by the time the film is over, it's clear what each man's destiny has become.

9 p.m. I-House International T-shirt Decorating -I-House Basement (East Hall)

To celebrate International week, the I-House invites the campus community to their basement for an evening of t-shirt decoration. We want to welcome anyone interested to join the I-House as we use fabric paint (and anything else we can get our hands on) to decorate t-shirts with country flags, fun facts, sayings, and images. Though the I-house plans on supplying some blank t-shirts, they ask that non-residents bring an old t-shirt that they can decorate. The I-house will then ask everyone to wear their international t-shirt around campus the following day advertising International Week and informing the campus community about their country of interest in a really fun way.

Thursday November 17

4:30-6 p.m. Japanese Club presents a Japanese Tea Ceremony. Toll Atrium

The Japanese tea ceremony shows the appreciation of tea, as well as the appreciation of perfection. The goal of the tea server is to perfectly time each move to seem not forced, or too quick or too slow. In this simple act, there is serene perfection. Following the tea ceremony, there will be an origami demonstration.

7 p.m.—IRC Movie—Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets

English subtitles, I-House basement (East Hall)

Director Nabil Ayouch draws on such earlier masterpieces as Luis Bunuel's LOS OLVIDADOS and Hector Babenco's PIXOTE for this memorable and moving portrait of the lives of street kids living in Casablanca's abandoned lots. Ali, Kouka, Omar and Boubker, four young friends who are members of a gang, rebel against their cruel leader's oppressive rule and strike out on their own, running away from "home " a second time. Although they are surrounded by crime, violence and degradation, the boys long for love and tenderness. Ali's fantasy is to escape to the seas and become a sailor. He wants to reach the island "where two suns set, become a royal prince and " meet a lovely woman.

Friday November 18

3:30 p.m. French Club presents "Chaos and Continuous Creation in Renaissance Art and Literature " CAC Forum

Professor Emeritus of the University of Geneva and current Distinguished Visiting Professor of Johns Hopkins University, Michel Jeanneret, will give a lecture about art in the Renaissance.

7 p.m. OIP Presents "International Idol " Student Center

Do you like to watch American Idol? Do you have talent and love to sing? It's your chance to come and watch or participate in Washington College's International Idol Competition. It is the same premise as American Idol, except all the songs contestants choose to sing are from international bands, and/or in foreign languages. We even have three great faculty judges. Come out and join us for a great night!

Lyric Brass Quintet in Concert at Washington College's Tawes Theatre, November 17

Chestertown, MD, November 7, 2005 — The Washington College Concert Series welcomes the Lyric Brass Quintet to the College's Tawes Theatre, Daniel Z. Gibson Performing Arts Center, Thursday, November 17, at 8 p.m. Single tickets can be purchased at the door, $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for youth 18 and under. Season tickets are available for $50.00 per person in advance or at the box office on performance nights.

Formed in 1998, The Lyric Brass Quintet (Elisa Koehler and Kevin Dines, trumpets; Larry Williams, horn; Brandon Rivera, trombone; and Andrew Spang, tuba) quickly distinguished itself as one of the premier brass chamber groups in the region. As winners of the 2000 Baltimore Chamber Music Competition, they performed at ARTSCAPE, Baltimore's Festival of the Arts, and their debut CD, Daydreams, Desires and Diversions, was released the same year to critical acclaim. They have been featured artists on the Baltimore Composer's Forum, the Peggy and Yale Gordon Trust Concert Series, and at the Foxboro Orpheum in Boston. They have appeared as soloists in Eric Ewazens concerto grosso, Shadowcatcher, with the Peabody Wind Ensemble and were featured artists on Virginia's Catch a Rising Star Concert Series. LBQ's second recording, Christmas Around the World, was released in December 2002.

For ticket information and a 2005-2006 season brochure, call 410-778-7839 or 800-422-1782, ext. 7839. Individual tax-deductible patron memberships begin at $75.00. Contributing patron memberships begin at $150.00, supporting at $250.00 and sustaining at $500.00. All membership packages include two tickets, and all donations over the price of the tickets are tax-deductible.

In Memoriam: William O. Baker '35, Former President of Bell Labs and Presidential Science Adviser

Chestertown, MD, November 4, 2005 — William Oliver Baker, Class of 1935, a prominent scientist, former head of Bell Laboratories, and science adviser to five presidents, passed away from heart failure Monday, October 31, 2005, in Chatham, New Jersey. He was 90.

A physical chemist by training, Dr. Baker served as president of Bell Labs—now the research and development arm of Lucent Technologies—from 1973 to 1979 and retired as chairman of the board in 1980. During his tenure, Bell Labs scientists twice won the Nobel Prize in Physics: in 1977 for research into the electronic structure of glass and magnetic materials, and in 1978 for the research of Arno A. Penzias and Robert W. Wilson that led to the discovery of the cosmic background radiation created by the Big Bang.

Dr. Baker was born July 15, 1915, in Chestertown, and grew up on his family's 400-acre farm. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical chemistry from Washington College. In 1938 he earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton and joined Bell Labs, then Bell Telephone Laboratories, in 1939 as a research scientist. During World War II, his research contributed to the development of synthetic rubber. After the war, he was named head of polymer research and development, and later became assistant director of chemical and metallurgical research and director of physical sciences research. He was Bell Lab's vice president of research from 1955 to 1973. Dr. Baker received 11 patents for his research on the crystalline molecular structure of various materials.

His expertise led to his appointments as a science adviser to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Reagan. He served for many years as a member of the President's Science Advisory Committee, the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, and the Federal Emergency Management Advisory Board.

Among his many honors and awards are the National Medal of Science in 1988 and the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guglielmo Marconi International Fellowship Foundation at Columbia University. At the 2003 award ceremony, Dr. Martin Meyerson, president emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania, remarked: "Bill Baker towers above any other individual as the champion of industrial research in service to society. He has devoted more than six decades to being a diplomat of science in advocating and championing basic research for improving life in America."

Dr. Baker's wife, the former Frances Burrill, whom he married in 1941, died in 1999. He is survived by his son, Joseph Baker.

An Award-Winning Photojournalist's Look behind the Front Lines in Afghanistan and Iraq, November 14

Chestertown, MD, November 4, 2005 — Washington College's Goldstein Program in Public Affairs presents "Fragments of Grace: Photographs from the Front Lines of Afghanistan and Iraq, " a lecture by prize-winning photojournalist Lois Raimondo, Monday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the College's Litrenta Lecture Hall, Toll Science Center. The event is free and open to the public.

As a photojournalist for The Washington Post,Raimondo spent three months behind the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq. She will share the complex and riveting images and stories emanating from this trip. In addition to her work in the Middle East, Raimondo has covered events from the Kobe earthquake to the lingering effects of the Vietnam War. Her 1998 investigative story for Newsday earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination, and she received a yearlong O. O. McIntyre Grant to write a book about Tibet.

The talk is sponsored by Washington College's Goldstein Program in Public Affairs, established in honor of the late Louis L. Goldstein, 1935 alumnus and Maryland's longest serving elected official. The Goldstein Program sponsors lectures, symposia, visiting fellows, travel and other projects that bring students and faculty together with leaders in public policy and the media.

Chaos and Creation: Scholar Offers New Perspectives on Renaissance Art, November 18

Chestertown, MD, November 4, 2005 — Washington College's Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, the French Club, the Department of Art, the Sophie Kerr Committee, and the Campus Events and Visitors Committee present "Chaos and Continuous Creation in Renaissance Art and Literature," a lecture by Michel Jeanneret, Distinguished Professor, University of Geneva and the Johns Hopkins University, Friday, November 18, at 3:30 p.m. in the Casey Academic Center Forum. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

While Renaissance art is typically perceived as balanced, harmonious, and motionless, Jeanneret will explore its stranger side in the representation of all things as mobile and unstable. By drawing upon examples such as the Italian gardens, Leonardo da Vinci's sketches, and the masterpieces of Michelangelo and Montaigne, Jeanneret's lecture will emphasize a common fascination with the primitive and a general attraction for mobile shapes and unfinished objects.

A Distinguished Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins, Jeanneret has taught at the University of Geneva, the College de France, the University of Paris-Sorbonne, and Paris 7-Denis Diderot, the Universities of Beijing and Kyoto, and the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. He specializes in the literature and culture of the Renaissance

Journey Behind the Trenches with the Washington College Drama Department, November 11 and 12

Chestertown, MD, November 4, 2005 — Washington College's Drama Department presents "Journey's End," by R.C. Sheriff, a senior thesis directed by Chas H. Libretto with a senior thesis design by Heather Holiday, November 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. in the College's Tawes theater. No reservations are required and the public is invited to attend this free event. For show information, call 410-778-7835 or e-mail drama_tickets@washcoll.edu.

Set in the British trenches during the First World War, "Journey's End" takes a striking look at a group of officers faced with what may be the last days of their lives. Focusing on Raleigh, an inexperienced eighteen-year-old second lieutenant, and Captain Stanhorpe, Raleigh's schoolboy hero who has resorted to drinking heavily to quell his nerves and guilt, the play climaxes when the troop receives word of an approaching German attack.

Sensing the strong urgency to direct this play based on world events, director Chas Libretto believes, "The play, more than anything, is about how war destroys the fundamental decency of man. It reminds us that leaders will tell us that war is necessary and will boil the concept down to abstract terms. But we must always remember that, despite these things, wars are fought by young people whose lives are ended violently and horrifically and that the one thing wars do well is to destroy."

College Announces Creation of President's Medal and Distinguished Service Award: Deadline for Nominations November 30

Chestertown, MD, November 2, 2005 — Washington College has a tradition of recognizing employees for continuous years of service to the institution. I would like to extend this tradition by inaugurating a new program to recognize employees, as well as community members and organizations, for meritorious service to Washington College and or Chestertown and the greater Kent County community. To do so, I have established a President's Medal and a President's Distinguished Service Award. Each year, I will appoint a President's Awards Advisory Committee to receive and evaluate nominations and to make recommendations to me.

Enclosed please find a call for nominations and a description of the President's Medal and the President's Distinguished Service Awards. The President's Medal is intended to recognize the accomplishments of an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of Washington College and/or the region. The President's Distinguished Service Award recognizes exceptional performance, leadership and service by faculty and staff of Washington College.

On behalf of the Awards Advisory Committee, I request that nominations for these awards be submitted by Wednesday, November 30, 2005. The committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to me. I will then make the final selection of the award recipients. The awardees will be honored at the George Washington's Birthday Convocation on February 18, 2006.

I hope that you will nominate a colleague, community member, or organization for one of these special recognitions. These awards are intended to be an annual way to recognize excellence and leadership and, with your help and participation, contribute to a strong sense of community at Washington College. This year, in recognition of Chestertown's 300th Anniversary Celebration, we would especially welcome President's Medal nominations of individuals or organizations that have contributed to the betterment of Chestertown.

Thank you for your participation in this important process.

Sincerely,

Baird Tipson

Artists' Estates: Reputations in Trust, Lecture November 16

Chestertown, MD, November 1, 2005 — Washington College's Department of Art and Sophie Kerr Committee present "Artists' Estates: Reputations in Trust," a lecture by Magda Salvesen and Diane Cousineau, Wednesday, November 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the Casey Academic Center Forum. The event is free and open to the public.

Delving into a captivating facet of the art world, Salvesen and Cousineau will address the complicated issues involved in dealing with the paintings, prints, and sculpture left behind after an artist's death. Co-authors of Artists' Estates (Rutgers University Press, 2005), Salvesen, the widow of the second-generation Abstract Expressionist painter Jon Schueler, and Cousineau have brought together interviews with widows, companions, sons and daughters—as well as lawyers, gallery dealers, and foundation directors—to gain insight on this seldom discussed subject.

According to Professor Mary Ann Caws, "All sides of estate legacies issue surface here: studio situations, painting methods, tax issues, personal relations—you feel you know all the artists, freshly."

An independent art and garden historian, Salvesen co-edited with Cousineau The Sound of Sleat: A Painter's Life by Jon Schueler (Picador USA, 1999). Cousineau, a lecturer in English at Washington College, is also author of Letters and Labyrinths: Women Writing/Cultural Codes (University of Delaware Press, 1997).

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Sophie Kerr Committee, which works to carry on the legacy of the late Sophie Kerr, a writer from Denton, Md., whose generosity has done so much to enrich Washington College's literary culture. When she died in 1965, Kerr left the bulk of her estate to the College, specifying that one half of the income from her bequest be awarded every year to the senior showing the most "ability and promise for future fulfillment in the field of literary endeavor" and the other half be used to bring visiting writers to campus, to fund scholarships, and to help defray the costs of student publications.

There's No Place Like Home: Writer Explores Her Past at November 8 Reading

Chestertown, MD, November 1, 2005 — Washington College's Rose O'Neill Tea & Talk Series presents Catherine Chambers, a writing tutor at Washington College, reading from her creative non-fiction, Tuesday, November 8. The talk is free and all are welcome to enjoy tea, lively discussion, and the comfortable surroundings of the O'Neill Literary House.

Tea will be served at 4 p.m., followed by the talk at 4:30 p.m.

Reading from a beautifully crafted collection titled "The Memory House, " which originated as part of her MFA thesis at Goddard College, Chambers will explore the notion of home and finding this intangible concept in place, people, and mind. She notes, "I grew up in Canada, Australia, and Brooklyn, New York, and my early work focuses on the way I felt caught between such diverse and widely separated places. "

Chambers' essays have appeared in Full Circle Journal, The Awakenings Review, and Columbia University's Quarto.

The Rose O'Neill Tea & Talk Series showcases the research, writing, and talent of Washington College's faculty and is held in the College's O'Neill Literary House. Established in 1985, the Literary House was acquired and refurbished through a generous gift of alumna Betty Casey, Class of 1947, and her late husband Eugene, and named in memory of his late mother, Rose O'Neill Casey. Now in its 20th anniversary year, the O'Neill Literary House reflects the eclectic spirit of Washington College's creative writing and academic culture.

Where the Wild Things Are: Renowned Nature Artist to Speak on Painting in the Great Outdoors, November 9

Chestertown, MD, October 28, 2005 — Washington College's Joseph H. McLain Program in Environmental Studies presents "Painting the Environment: A Lifetime of Adventure," a lecture by artist Julie Jeppsen, Wednesday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the College's Litrenta Lecture Hall of the Toll Science Center. The event is free and open to the public.

An acclaimed oil painter, Jeppsen specializes in her vivid depictions of nature scenes involving horses, bears, wolves, and other wildlife.

Growing up under the open skies of Wyoming and Utah, she developed an early appreciation of nature and notes, "Being outdoors inspires me to paint." A firm believer that nature is the best teacher of color, lighting, value, and composition, Jeppsen paints with live models, be they pointing golden retrievers by the side of a river or charging bears in the open wood.

Characterized by bold colors, applied wet on wet, Jeppsen's work has appeared in annual art shows across the nation, including the Russell Show in Great Falls, Montana, and the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina.

A Color-Blind Society: Myth or Reality? Discussion November 3

Chestertown, MD, October 28, 2005 — Washington College's Center For The Study of Black Culture is sponsoring a discussion series titled, "A Color-Blind Society: Myth or Reality?" The first forum will take place on Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hynson Study Lounge. The entire campus is invited to participate.

The purpose of the discussion series is to heighten community awareness of contemporary racial identity issues, provide a safe place for students to openly reflect and honestly discuss these issues, and initiate a dialogue that will lead to a more unified and trusting campus community.

Two forums—one for fall, one for spring-have been designed specifically to engage Washington College students. This Thursday, representatives of student organizations will to come together and share their experiences dealing with (or not having to deal with) racial and ethnic identities in their clubs, sororities, fraternities, and athletic teams.

For more information, e-mail mstevens2@washcoll.edu, or contact Nina Wilson, Diversity Advisor, at ext. 7457 or nwilson3@washcoll.edu.

Art Scholar Investigates Turner's Slave Ship, November 9

Chestertown, MD, October 27, 2005 — Washington College's C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, in conjunction with the Department of Art, presents as part of the American Pictures Series, "Turner's Slave Ship as American Picture: Color and Painting in New York City at the End of Reconstruction," a lecture by Eric Rosenberg, Wednesday, November 9, at 4:30 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Rosenberg will discuss Joseph Mallord William Turner's famous painting, The Slave Ship(Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), which was embroiled in Reconstruction-era controversies over the direction of American art and social relations when it was exhibited in New York City between 1872 and 1876. As a result of the painting's extremism of technique and subject matter, anxieties arose regarding the importance of color as a cultural marker and indication of identity.

Rosenberg, who is Chair of Art History at Tufts University, specializes in modern and contemporary American art and is the author of articles appearing in several journals and exhibition catalogs, including Art History, Appendx, Friedle Dzubas: Critical Painting, and Art History and its Institutions.

The lecture is part of the American Pictures Series, which examines individual works to reveal their historic and artistic meaning. Past lectures have featured artists ranging from Gilbert Stuart to Mark Rothko. The series is cosponsored by the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and the Department of Art at Washington College. Drawing on the special historical strengths of Washington College and Chestertown, the C.V. Starr Center is dedicated to exploring the early republic, the rise of democracy, and the manifold ways in which the founding era continues to shape American culture.

For news about upcoming events at the C.V. Starr Center, visithttp://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/, or by call Program Manager Kees de Mooy at 410-810-7156.

Tea Party Crashers? Professor's Course, Student's Research Raise Historical Questions

Chestertown, MD, October 26, 2005 — When junior Erin Koster—a history, American studies, and secondary education major from Tranquility, New Jersey—took C. V. Starr Scholar Adam Goodheart's course "Chestertown's America" last year a Washington College, she didn't know that historical research can sometimes stir people's passions, especially in a 300-year-old colonial town like Chestertown, Maryland.

Assisting Goodheart with his research on the famed 1774 Chestertown Tea Party, an event celebrated by the town every May with a reenactment on the Chester River, Koster discovered that history is not always as it seems and can be more complex than we imagine it. As George Washington once wrote, "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily," and that is what Goodheart and Koster did.

The results of their research have just been published in the Autumn 2005 of The American Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa's quarterly academic journal.

Read "Tea and Fantasy: Fact, Fiction, and Revolution in an American Town" (PDF).

Cloak & Dagger, Written by Senior Brian Cornelius, Premieres on the WC Stage, November 4 and 5

Chestertown, MD, October 26, 2005 — Washington College's Drama Department presents "Cloak & Dagger," a senior playwriting thesis by Brian C. Cornelius and directed by Carrie Chapter, Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5, at 8 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theatre.

Marking Cornelius' playwriting debut, "Cloak & Dagger" focuses on a young, struggling writer who unwittingly falls into a web of espionage. As the story unravels, he becomes at odds with the truth in the outside world and within himself. According to Cornelius, "Initially, I saw Cloak & Dagger as a cinematic story but, as I developed it for the stage, it allowed me to flesh out the characters and really explore them."

Impressed by Cornelius' vision and outcome, director Carrie Chapter notes, "The whole experience of putting this play together has been very fresh and intriguing. It's thrilling to be a part of this premiere play."

No reservations are required and the public is invited to attend this free performance. For show information, call 410-778-7835 or e-mail drama_tickets@washcoll.edu.

Philosopher Sheds Light on the Postmodern Ego, November 3

Chestertown, MD, October 26, 2005 — Washington College's Department of English, Department of Philosophy, and Philosophy Club, with help from the Sophie Kerr Commitee, present "The State of the Postmodern Ego," a lecture by Dr. John Hurley, Thursday, November 3, at 4:30 p.m. at the Rose O'Neill Literary House. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

A professor of philosophy at the University of Hartford, Hurley will discuss the four well-known themes in the postmodern movement—its interdisciplinary structure, its dearth of grand narratives, the absence of a logocentric deus ex machina, and the virtual status of the human body—as they relate to literary criticism. He will also relay his belief that the underlying state of the postmodern ego embraces the full implication of the cogito in all of its forms.

Hurley is the author of two philosophy-focused novels, Diary of the Attending Rays (Potes & Poets Press, 1999) and Those Brownsville Blues (Potes & Poets Press, 2001).

The talk is sponsored by the Sophie Kerr Committee, which works to carry on the legacy of the late Sophie Kerr, a writer from Denton, Md., whose generosity has done so much to enrich Washington College's literary culture. When she died in 1965, Kerr left the bulk of her estate to the College, specifying that one half of the income from her bequest be awarded every year to the senior showing the most "ability and promise for future fulfillment in the field of literary endeavor" and the other half be used to bring visiting writers to campus, to fund scholarships, and to help defray the costs of student publications.

WC's Nu Delta Alpha Honor Society Steps out for Community Dance

Chestertown, MD, October 25, 2005 — Washington College's Dance Honor Society, Nu Delta Alpha, announces, "Get Up and Dance," their Second Annual Community Dance Day, Saturday, November 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the College's Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center.

The free event is open to children K-8 and no prior dance experience is necessary.

Under the direction of Professor Karen Smith, the members of Nu Delta Alpha will offer instruction in hip-hop, Broadway dance, and creative movement. As an additional community service project, Alicia Moore, chapter president, and other members of the society will be teaching dance classes to students at Garnett Elementary and Kent County High School on November 2.

Nu Delta Alpha is a nationally recognized dance society that attracts students with a desire to pursue dance beyond actual movement. The society places an emphasis on honor and recognizes academic achievements, technical performance abilities, community service, and scholarly achievement related to the field of dance.

Quake Shakes Washington College Stage, October 28 & 29

Chestertown, MD, October 24, 2005 — Washington College's Drama Department presents "Quake," a senior thesis directed by Mali Royer and written by Melanie Marnich, October 28 and 29, at 8 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theatre. No reservations are required and the public is invited to attend this free event. For show information, call 410-778-7835 or e-mail drama_tickets@washcoll.edu.

Searching for the love of her life, Lucy, played by senior Julianne Marton, embarks on a cross-country trip and establishes several fleeting and eccentric relationships along the way. Eventually her quest entwines with a quirky female serial killer, portrayed by freshman Christina Carty, and her adventure takes on a new dimension as they explore the problems associated with human connection and the frailty of love.

Director Mali Royer notes, "I'm simply in love with the characters. The first time I read the script, the characters were hilarious and quirky and genuine, and I wanted to bring them to life."

Hailed by critics for her poetic dialogue and surreal romantic humor, playwright Melanie Marnich "deconstructs the ordinary and typical in order to find beauty" in this thought-provoking play.

Washington Post Columnist David Broder Asks "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" at November 1 Talk

Chestertown, MD, October 20, 2005 — Washington College's Harwood Lecture Series in American Journalism presents Washington Post columnist and political observer David S. Broder on "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?", Tuesday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the College's Hynson Lounge. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

A national correspondent covering the political scene for The Washington Post, Broder writes a twice-weekly column that covers the broader aspects of American political life. The column, syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group, appears in more than 300 newspapers across the globe. Broder was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in May 1973 for distinguished commentary and has been named "Best Newspaper Political Reporter" by Washington Journalism Review.

A survey for Washingtonian magazine found that Broder was rated "Washington's most highly regarded columnist" by both editorial-page editors and members of Congress, leading 16 others in ratings for "overall integrity, factual accuracy and insight." In 1990, a survey by Washingtonian magazine of the opinion-page editors of the largest 200 newspapers rated Broder as "Best Reporter," "Hardest Working," and "Least Ideological" among some 123 columnists. Media critic Ron Powers on CBS-TV said, "Broder is not famous like Peter Jennings, he's not glamorous like Tom Brokaw, but underneath that brown suit there is a superman."

Before joining the Post in 1966, Broder covered national politics for The New York Times(1965-66), The Washington Star (1960-65), and Congressional Quarterly (1955-60). He has covered every national campaign and convention since 1960, traveling up to 100,000 miles a year to interview voters and report on the candidates. He is a regular commentator on CNN'sInside Politics and makes regular appearances on NBC's Meet the Press and Washington Week on PBS.

Washington College's Harwood Lecture Series in American Journalism was established to honor the distinguished career of late Washington Post columnist and ombudsman Richard Harwood, who served as a trustee and a lecturer in journalism at the College. Recent speakers in the series have included such political and media figures as Karl Rove, Howard Dean, Robert Novak, John McCain, James Carville, Judy Woodruff, Al Hunt, Mark Shields, and Paul Gigot.

Charitable Giving: New End-of-Year Tax Opportunities for Donors

A Special Gift Opportunity for 2005 Only

Chestertown, MD, October 19, 2005 — When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region, tens of thousands of Americans were left homeless. Thousands of Americans volunteered and gave to support those in desperate need.

As the recovery process began, Congress recognized that all American charities would need support. In order to assist charities in this time of great need, Congress changed the charitable deduction rules. Cash gifts for any purpose given between August 28 and December 31, 2005, are deductible up to double the normal charitable level. Cash gifts for the rest of 2005 will be generally deductible up to your full income.

Major Cash Gifts in 2005

Some of our friends may consider this to be an excellent time for a special major cash gift. Keep in mind, your gift does not need to be specifically for Katrina relief. You may wish to complete a pledge to Washington College or support a special purpose such as the Washington Fund or the 1782 Society. We are appreciative that some of our friends may wish to make a much larger gift, possibly doubling the level of their normal contribution.

IRA Gift Withdrawals Possible

Another option made possible by the change in rules for the last three months of 2005 is an IRA withdrawal gift. You may have a large IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or other qualified retirement plan. With the ability to deduct charitable gifts up to your full income, you can take a withdrawal from your IRA, give that amount to the College and take a deduction for the full value. Those who choose to do an IRA withdrawal gift will either be from a state that does not have an income tax or one that allows a charitable deduction similar to the federal rules. Some states follow federal laws and may permit the 100% deduction for the last three months of this year.

Most IRA donors will also want to keep their federal adjusted gross income under $145,950. Above this amount, there may be a reduction in the value of your itemized federal deductions.

Act soon for greatest benefit

Time spent reviewing your tax and financial affairs this fall may bring unexpected benefits to you as well as your charitable interests. Check with your advisors about the best ways to take advantage of special giving opportunities. Keep in mind that everyone's circumstances are different and state and federal tax laws may affect your plans. As always, we will be pleased to assist you in any way possible.

Contact Don Moore
Senior Development Officer
Major and Planned Gifts
dmoore2@washcoll.edu